The entire thing with Limp Bizkit has been great for all concerned, but mainly ECW. Especially with the MTV viewers out there. The only thing I know about Limp Bizkits is when the Pillsbury’s get taken out of the oven too soon. However, after informing my 14-year-old nephew of the events, he “marked out” big time and even got more excited about the fact that MTV news picked up the footage. Its great that ECW has fans like Fred Durst and even Billy Corgan. In the time in which the WWF is toning down some of its product, this is a time in which ECW can leap into the foreground and get the disillusioned fans who have to actually say, “Suck It” or “Pimpin ain’t easy” on their own.  Coverage on MTV and recognition with performers like Fred Durst, Billy Corgan and Method Man is a needed shot in the arm for ECW. Steve Corino, still suffering dizziness from the chair shots that Balls and Axl nailed him with in Peoria, on his website challenged Fred Durst to show up at Guilty as Charged. Will Fred accept? As long as the rumour is out there, that dictates to buy rates, especially being the first pay per view of the new century.
 

What the hell happened in Atlanta? One of the bad things about the Internet is that stories and “surprises” get out ahead of time. Getting the news about what transpired at the Tabernacle that night was incredible. I like the move and think that Dusty Rhodes being in ECW can be nothing but good for both involved. I think that ol Dus can get in a few well-placed jabs, or bionic elbows if you will, at his former employers and with a locker room of a lot of rising stars in ECW now, can only be a help and guider to those. Rhodes has been in the business damn near forever and the knowledge and experience should get into some of the guys by osmosis alone. However, the question is asked- what the hell is Paul E gonna do with him? Back to the polka dots and selling pig feets pizzas? God, I hope not. What I would like to see is a “more extreme” Dusty, but, give this man who has given his life to the sport a chance to go out with the grace and dignity he should, not thrown out like some discarded enhancement talent. If anyone can give Dusty Rhodes a final go round, its Paul Heyman. Hell, I’m just happy to be able to hear him cut some promos again!

Super Calo. With the addition of this luchadore, ECW’s “stock” of this kind of wrestler has grown beyond what they had back in 1995. Right now with Guido, Tajiri, Super Crazy and Jerry Lynn, we will get to see some classic matches. I have been very impressed with the matches I have seen from Hidaka and to see how he fits into this mix. Having Super Calo even makes the roster stronger. One thing I’d like to see though is for Spike Dudley be able to get away and go out and wrestle. I have heard that a match that LSD had with RVD is being touted as “match of the year”, but I’d love to see Spike get into this mix and have some matches with Tajiri or Hikada or Calo.

HBK in ECW. One of the first things I got accustomed to is “never say never”, especially in pro wrestling.
One report has it that its as near as a done deal, other reports say its wishful thinking. Well, I personally would, of course, love to see it happen. Having a personality like Michaels in ECW would mean so much to the company. Just the ratings alone for TNN and then should there be a PPV involvement, buyrates. There’s that word again. Apparently his friendship with Justin Credible and the refereeing assignment in Japan fueled this fire. What’s gonna happen? Can’t wait to find out…..

After a couple weeks of week boring shows, it seems as though the ECW on TNN show and ECW Hardcore TV have gotten their pizzazz back and that in itself not an easy task. Just ask the hardest working guys in ECW, Ron and Charlie. First we had the “Quote the Heyman” bit in a promo, then this past week on Hardcore, Roadkill interrupting Doring’s praising of Electra, then James Vandenburg showing up and willing to do anything to get himself over with the office. Its Jewish, you know. I have been entertained by the matches and they were able to make the stuff from the Arena make sense, but to have this added return to the lightheartedness and making us laugh again at the bits is welcome. Next thing you know it, we may get a “real “ pulp fiction segment with closely editing clips and humour to it.

All in all, ECW seems to have turned a corner and taking advantage of all of the opportunities given them, well except for the Ah-nuld thing. Now that there is a location officially announced, it will be interesting to see how Guilty as Charged starts formulating with matches and if it can be the standard bearer for the next century of PPV’s.