Wednesday, FEBRUARY 3 - 12:28 P.M. (CT)

-Extreme Championship Wrestling died in 2001. When Paul Heyman briefly replaced Jerry "The King" Lawler as the Raw color commentator, it was like a dagger in the heart of loyal ECW fans. Little did anyone know at the time, the mourning process would turn out, for some, to be a long and tedious one because the initials "ECW" would not be put to rest.

Around this time, the World Wrestling Federation conquered the wrestling world, buying up all of their huge competition, becoming World Wrestling Entertainment, and obtaining several video libraries in the process. So began the barrage of DVD packages produced and released by World Wrestling Entertainment.

To this day, there have been some good releases, some not so good release, some downright questionable releases, and a select few that were absolutely "must own." "The Rise and Fall of ECW" became a "must own" DVD release and in this writer's opinion, is still the best WWE produced DVD package.

I was one of those people who nearly vomited at the sight of seeing Heyman on Raw. Some people loved ECW because it was the cool and hip promotion. Some people loved it because it was a distinct and unique alternative to anything else in wrestling. Hell, some people loved it just because other people did. I loved it because it was simply my favorite wrestling product. I didn't love it because I felt I had to; I just did.

Admittedly, the abrupt end of the original ECW was tough. Luckily, the then WWF was at it's best as well, so that softened the blow a bit. However, time went by and the ECW DVD package came at a much needed time. The trip down memory lane was not without its faults (there were a few omissions), but overall, it was worth the money and time to watch it multiple times.

Due to the overwhelming popularity and sales of the release, and the passion of Rob Van Dam and others, the "ECW One Night Stand" concept was conceived, born, and wonderfully executed. Achieving the atmosphere of the original ECW, as well as the return of many former stars, was overwhelmingly achieved that night. I still wonder how JBL got out of the building alive.

Unable to leave well enough alone, the brass within WWE, and ultimately Vince McMahon, decided to reincarnate ECW. When this story hit the websites, it was huge. The buzz was unlike anything I've seen on the internet, aside from perhaps a few other major news stories. I remember being excited, but very, very cautious.

Well, we quickly found out that Extreme Championship Wrestling was still very much dead, and it lingered on like "Weekend at Bernie's" or even worse, "Weekend at Bernie's II." There was initial promise when RVD pinned John Cena with Heyman making the three count, but once Big Show won the title, ECW was simply a C-level WWE "brand" (and that is not a shot at Big Show at all).

From there, all you need to know is this: Bobby Lashley defeated Vince McMahon for the ECW Championship. For all of us that fondly remember Taz, Sabu, Mike Awesome, The Dudleys, Bam Bam Bigelow, Jerry Lynn, and so many more, the thought of Lashley vs. Vince for a championship with "ECW" in the name was sickening.

The show then became a WWE minor league team for those cutting their teeth on WWE TV for the first time. The formula was not successful, except for C.M. Punk. Sure, Kofi Kingston and Jack Swagger still have their stories to write, but I'm talking right now. Punk was the only good product of the current ECW system.

A few weeks ago, Zack Ryder defeated the undisputed heart and soul of ECW, Tommy Dreamer, ending Tommy's WWE career. Let's face it, his ECW career was over in 2001, because that is when ECW died. On February 2nd, 2010, Vince McMahon announced that "in a few weeks time," ECW would be gone for good. So, finally, ECW fans of past and present can finally put it to rest. Once and for all, RIP ECW.

I'll be back later with another blog looking at the new WWE show that will air in the place of "ECW on Syfy."

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