ECW is remembered by wrestling fans for its significant impact as a Philadelphia-based promotion that thrived in its prime. Despite going bankrupt in 2001, it retained a devoted fanbase. The revival of ECW as a third brand by WWE in 2006, following successful One Night Stand pay-per-views in 2005 and 2006, initially held promise. However, WWE’s reimagining of ECW ultimately fell short and is often regarded as a major misstep in wrestling history.
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In a recent episode of the “1 Of A Kind” podcast, Rob Van Dam, an ECW icon, shared his thoughts on his time with the brand, acknowledging that while it had a strong start, it eventually faltered.
“When we reintroduced ECW, it had its moments,” RVD expressed. “I had some memorable matches in the new ECW against Test, Bob Holly, Big Show, and Sabu during the initial months. However, the momentum was not sustained. Perhaps there were conflicting visions within the company, some wanting to revive it while others sought to undermine it.”
RVD made history as the first ECW Champion in the brand’s revival era, clinching the title from John Cena for the WWE Championship at One Night Stand 2006. His reign was short-lived, as he relinquished both titles consecutively in July 2006 following legal issues related to drug possession.
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Kindly attribute quotes to “1 Of A Kind” and credit Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
