ECW returned to the most famous Bingo Hall in the world on Saturday Night, October 23rd. It was a hell of a night and a great show. During the hype for the event on ECW Hardcore TV, Joey Styles mentioned that this was going to be a great show, one that was going to go back to our hardcore, old school roots. He said it was going to be one of those shows that needed to be named after the fact.

Well, it’s certainly the case with this show. I have been asked already several times by folks who have been emailing me what I think the show would be called once it hits ECW Home Video. Well, keeping with the name of one of those “post named” event shows, smart money would have it being called “Re-Enter the Sandman” or “Return of the Sandman.” That is what I think ECW might call it.

On the drive back home from the Arena, my friend John offered calling it “Welcome Back”, that’s a good one, but I’d like to offer this---

“ECW- Homecoming Weekend”
 

With the return of the Sandman to ECW, I think some of the other parts of the night and show might be kind of lost in the shuffle. Many old friends were back and lets hope it’s to stay…

We kicked off the homecoming weekend with one returning favorite and also the first appearance of our world heavyweight champion. It was Mike Awesome’s first time back at the Arena since he suffered the injuries, which for some might have been career ending. Awesome’s opponent was the returning Triple Crown winner, Mikey Whipwreck. Crowd welcomed Mikey back and he gave Awesome a heck of a match, even a few times getting a couple of 2 counts on the champ. It was a good match and it set the done for the evening overall. Another stand out of this match is that we saw the debut of a new manager in ECW- well actually it was the rebirth of a legend. Mikey was managed by the former Sign Guy Dudley, now to be known as Lou E Dangerously. The in ring transformation was great and very well done. It’s nice to see Lou back out at ringside and it’s something that is a fitting tribute to Paul Heyman.

One of the other returnees last night saw Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch back at the ECW Arena.
Chris had a great match with Nova. It was a hard fought technical battle and shows that Candido is still the great ring presence and that also Nova keeps getting better and better. Chris Chetti (who is doing much better thank you) was there last night as well as he took Tammy to the back to help Nova to be able to get the win on Candido. Then after the match was over, Chetti brought Tammy out for a much-deserved curtain call. The Arena fans respectfully congratulated them and showed their support for their courage to be going through what they are doing now. I hope both have all of their problems behind them now and can carry on and not only have great wrestling careers in ECW, but also happy and successful personal lives as well. In a great act of class, Paul Heyman came down from above to the floor to show his support and to help lead the cheers for these two.

Now as great as the Arena crowd was for those couple events, it seems after that they started getting a little punchy or even quiet. Whether it was Super Crazy who was back in ECW after a little vacation or Simon Diamond who along with Dyck to watch his rear, fans got kind of quiet. The most noticeable was during a match that could very well be an ECW match of the year candidate, Sabu vs. Rob Van Dam. Notice I say ECW match of the year—there’s not much else left on the match of the year charts after that ladder match on No Mercy.

Sabu took on Van Dam in a match that not only went the time limit, but also had 2 five minute over time sessions. These two left nothing in the locker room and even Bill Alfonso made entrances with Sabu and then went and came back out with Van Dam, just to show how he does really call it right down the middle.
Fonsie went so far as to get two separate water bottles, one for Sabu, one for Van Dam- to show his equal support of both of his charges. Problem with the fans was one that, well, it was tough to tell when the match was actually officially over cause of the OT segments, but there were parts in which the fans started taking sides chanting F Sabu or F Van Dam. Finally the intelligent fans there told them all to just shut the f up. With the unsure ending of the match (that is if it would go to triple over time), fans didn’t know when to cheer and salute these guys. But the problem was my perceived lack of respect during the match.
 

Raven made his return again to the ECW Arena last night. The tag match was good and it seems like Dreamer and Raven seem to be working a bit better physically- but the interplay between the two as to problems or “heat” are great. It’s going to be very very interesting to see how this latest chapter between moves along.

I have had the distinct pleasure to be at the ECW Arena regularly since 1993 missing few shows. Its going to be tough to find a moment like last night when those lights came back on and there was the Sandman, back home again in the ECW Arena. With my vantage point in the Arena, I was able to look out over the crowd and every person in that Arena was on their feet once those lights came back on and they saw it was the Sandman. There was not a pop, but a roar and it intensified once the first couple bars of “Enter Sandman” blared over the PA system and he made his way back to the ring and just destroyed his cane over the Impact players, Steve Corino, Rhino and Jack Victory. The moment with Justin Credible and Sandman staring each other down- the moment that Tommy Dreamer had with Sandman in the ring – those two sharing a beer with Francine. It was a great ending to a great night.

ECW is steam rolling into its showcase event taking place Sunday November 7th in Buffalo, NY- the annual November to Remember. If last night’s ECW Arena show is any indication- the tag line is going to ring even more true. —“If you miss this year’s November to Remember- it’s a regret you’ll never forget.”
I can hear Axl Rose singing now……..