Just Spose 5.13.07
Posted by Ron Gamble on 05.13.2007
"There's a place in the world for the angry young man, With his working class ties and his radical plans
He refuses to bend he refuses to crawl, And he's always at home with his back to the wall
And he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lost, And struggles and bleeds as he hangs on his cross
And likes to be known as the angry young man." - Billy Joel, "Prelude/Angry Young Man"
Early Billy Joel kicks about nineteen kinds of ass. I'm just saying, is all.
I suppose I should say something before I go forward with this column. I have a self-imposed time border on any of these "Let's play with the time/space continuum" column thingies. I do not pick any events that have happened within the past ten years. Why? Because it's easy to second guess things that happen today. If you go back in time, you can get a much fuller picture of how certain events affect later events. Y'know, The Butterfly Effect. Others can talk all they want to about what might have happened if Shawn Michaels beat John Cena at WrestleMania XXIII (sorry, but when talking about ‘Mania, I have to use Roman numerals. It's like a law or something…), but it's impossible to see how Michaels' title reign would effect the future, seeing as how we're only one month past those events. Five years past may not even be enough time. So, I won't be talking about the Michaels-over-Cena scenario until 2017. Mind you, I'll probably be dead by then, so my successor can write about that.
If they can find another crusty old coot to write a pretend wrestling column, that is. I pick Csonka in about four years. Zing!
Okay, story time!
EVERY TIME I SAY, "BOOM BOOM," THEN YOU RESPOND WITH…
On April 13, 1997, Extreme Championship Wrestling held its first ever pay-per-view card, "Barely Legal." The show was not shown on many cable systems; however, it was still seen as a major success. In the main event, Terry Funk defeated Raven to win the ECW World title. In a story told by many people there, both in and out of ECW, a generator blew up less than thirty seconds after the program went off the air, cutting all power to ECW Arena. Many involved with the show were relieved the power remained on just long enough to finish the show and the pay-per-view program. But, Just S'pose the ECW Arena lost power about one hour into the show. What might have happened?
APRIL 14, 1997
"Here we are, one day after the biggest event in ECW history, only it turned out different from the game plan.
According to my sources, Paul Heyman knew there might be some kind of problem with the power supply at the ECW Arena, but he couldn't get a backup power supply. The people at Viewer's Choice insisted on bringing their own production trucks to park outside the building, and they had no choice but to plug in the high-powered trucks into the building's power. But, since the building's wiring was so old, it could not handle the demand, and for those of us who ordered the show, we saw, well, nothing.
The show was stopped in the arena after the six-man match with talent on loan from Michinoku Pro in Japan. Fans did not get to see Shane Douglas defend the ECW TV Title against Pit Bull 2; the three-way dance between Terry Funk, Sandman, and Big Stevie Cool, with the winner going against Raven later in the show for the ECW World Title; or the long-awaited match between Sabu and Taz.
The last match has been building up for over one year, and on ECW TV this weekend, Paul Heyman told fans Sabu held off from attacking Taz at his (Heyman's) request. This match was ECW's Match of the Century, and it was expected to showcase ECW to fans who had knew only of the group's reputation of using tables, chairs, and other international objects, with no actual wrestling.
Now, it is unknown if there will be a second chance. The immediate reaction from Viewer's Choice is anger that Heyman had no backup plan for a power outage, no backup generators, no other building to use in place of the aging ECW Arena. Heyman, on the other hand, is angry at Viewer's Choice for not bringing trucks with their own generators, to avoid taxing the power system of the building. Viewer's Choice executives are unhappy they are forced to issue full refunds to all customers who ordered the show, and Heyman is unhappy with the insistence of Viewer's Choice executives to use their own equipment, instead of the camera and lighting system usually used by ECW. For those of us who waited three years to see ECW live, it may be a long time before we get to see it again." - OnlineOnslaught.com
"ECW, as Paul Heyman imagined it might be, is done.
After the original problem last year with what has become known as ‘The Mass Transit Incident,' the original date for the ECW pay-per-view was cancelled. Viewer's Choice rescheduled the show after popular demand from the fans, but it was done with the understanding that ECW was ready to jump to pay-per-view. After last night, Viewer's Choice executives insist Paul Heyman has used up his last chance.
Since Viewer's Choice is the only ppv cable channel that carries sporting events, the only chance ECW has of ever getting on ppv again is if another channel is launched. Heyman's plans of another ppv event in July or August are now ended.
This was ECW's and Heyman's chance of joining WWF and WCW in America's ‘Big Three' promotions. However, after last night, it looks unlikely that ECW will ever be more than just a regional indy fed." - Wrestling Observer
APRIL 17, 1997
The following exchange was part of a chat with Eric Bischoff on Prodigy hosted by Bob Ryder.
Question: What are your thoughts on the ECW Barely Legal PPV?
Eric Bischoff: What I saw of it was interesting. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to see. ECW has done a great job of creating brand loyalty, and Paul Heyman has done some good things in Philadelphia by creating a demand for their product around the northeast, but the results of the ppv will greatly damage the brand loyalty. If you have the biggest show in your company's history at an arena where the power goes out, what does that say for your company?
"E-C-WHA?
Barely Legal, ECW's first foray into pay-per-view ended very prematurely, about one hour into the show, after the generator at the ECW Arena blew up, cutting all power to the arena and broadcast trucks. When it first happened, the live crowd exploded, thinking it might be Sabu coming to the ring early. When the blackout lasted over five minutes, the crowd realized it was not planned, and groans of disappointment spread through the arena.
After ten minutes, Paul Heyman entered the ring, with several people shining flashlights on him from ringside. As he announced the problem and explained it would not be fixed that night, the crowd prepared to riot. When he finally managed to quiet the crowd, he promised that everyone there would be given free admission to the next Philadelphia show, on May 10, by presenting their used ticket stub from Sunday night. He also announced that on that night, Terry Funk, Sandman, and Stevie Richards will have a three-way dance, with the winner getting a shot at Raven later that night. There has been no announcement when the Taz vs. Sabu match, promised for pay-per-view, will take place." - Pro Wrestling Torch
APRIL 19, 1997
"ECW's first show since their aborted attempt at pay-per-view last Sunday, Friday night in Jim Thorpe, PA, was not the beginning of the victory tour it was expected to be one week ago. Instead, fans seemed openly hostile toward almost everything they saw in the ring.
‘Hey Paul! Pay Your Electric Bill Lately?' and ‘OH MY G(click)' were two of the kinder signs held by fans making light of the situation in Philadelphia last weekend. Many of them demanded their money back for ordering the show, while one fan insisted that, since he paid for a show he didn't get to see on Sunday, he should get his ticket for free. He did not get a free ticket, but he was given the ECW Fan Cam for the evening.
The wrestlers themselves tried to get the crowd back on their side, but the first match – Lance Storm vs. Chris Chetti – was booed mercilessly from the moment the two men walked to the ring. The only thing that stopped the booing – and only briefly – was the interruption of the match by the Blue World Order, with Da Blue Guy carrying a sign reading, ‘No Power Outages Here,' and Hollywood Nova carrying ‘I've Got All Your Juice Right Here.'" - 411wrestling.com
MAY 5, 1997
"Paul Heyman announced yesterday that, after the May 10 show in Philadelphia at the ECW Arena, Extreme Championship Wrestling will cease operation for two months.
Heyman made the announcement on an impromptu chat on AOL Wrestling.
‘This is just a short time thing, only to make sure we know what we're facing in the future,' Heyman said. ‘We will announce our next show this Saturday, and we will sell tickets for that show.
‘Make no mistake. ECW is not out of business. We're just taking a time out to catch our breath.'
Heyman entered the AOL chat unannounced, and after his short announcement, he answered questions for about thirty minutes.
When asked if there was any truth about he and Viewer's Choice suing each other after the aborted pay-per-view on April 13, cut short by a power failure at the arena, Heyman said, ‘I have filed papers for a lawsuit against Viewer's Choice. I don't know if they have taken any legal action against me, but I wouldn't be surprised. That's all I can really say right now.'
When asked about the future of the Sabu vs. Taz match scheduled for April 13, he said he could not announce when that match would take place right now, because of schedule conflicts with both men.
Heyman also said no one is under exclusive contracts with ECW, he does not see that happening in the future, and that he spoke with everyone involved with ECW on May 3, after their show in Queens, NY, to let them know what was happening.
‘I asked who would be able to come back in July, and everybody raised their hands. With that kind of faith in this company, there is no way I can let them down,' Heyman said." - AOL.com/prowrestling
MAY 11, 1997
"Last night in Philadelphia, Terry Funk defeated Sandman and Big Stevie Cool, then beat Raven to win the ECW Heavyweight title.
Funk's win was the biggest news of the night, but far from the only big news. Paul Heyman appeared in the center of the ring before the show and apologized to everyone in attendance.
‘The last time we were here in this building, it was supposed to be a very special night. Unfortunately, we all know what happened, and the night was ruined for everyone. For that, I take full responsibility. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to all of you.
I am also here tonight to let you know that the stories are true. ECW will be on hiatus for the next two months. Our next show will be right here, in Philadelphia, in this building on July 19.
Tonight, we're giving you one of the promised main events from Barely Legal. And on July 19, you will see the other one. Our main event on July 19 will be the Human Suplex Machine, Taz, versus the Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Sabu!' The crowd exploded with that announcement.' - 411wrestling.com
JUNE 3, 1997
"In the ‘Wow, That's a Shocker!' department, the dueling lawsuits between Extreme Championship Wrestling and Viewer's Choice have been dropped.
After the insurance investigation last week that concluded the power outage on April 13 was more because of a power surge in the entire south Philadelphia area than a demand for power from any production equipment, both sides agreed to drop the suits, since neither really was to blame.
Now that they are not suing each other, it seems possible both sides could still work together to bring the world ECW on ppv." - Rantsylvania.com
JUNE 16, 1997
"Paul Heyman announced today that ECW's next show, July 19 in Philadelphia's ECW Arena, will be their next attempt at pay-per-view.
‘The show will be taped live, as it happens, on July 19. It will then be shown on pay-per-view on Sunday, July 20,' Heyman announced. ‘We are very committed to getting on pay-per-view, and have done all we can to assure the problems at the last attempt will be fixed. ECW and Viewer's Choice are combining with the management at the ECW Arena to update the electrical system in the building. Viewer's Choice has also agreed to bring a portable generator to help relieve the power demand on the building.'
The show will cost $19.95, and will be available on Dish Network, DirecTV , and many cable systems across the US and Canada. The show may be available in other countries in the next two months." - 411wrestling.com
JULY 20, 1997
"Last night, in ECW Arena, Taz beat Sabu in ECW's "Match of the Century." Also on the show, Shane Douglas defeated Pitbull 2 to retain his Television title, and Terry Funk beat Raven in a rematch from the last ECW show in May to retain the ECW Heavyweight title.
It will be interesting to see what the ppv buyrate is for tonight, and to see if there will be any added bonuses for the show, or if it will be presented as if it were live." wrestlecentral.com
AUGUST 5, 1997
"The ratings for ECW's "We're Still Here!" ppv last month was 0.35. That is much higher than the 0.15 expected by both ECW and Viewer's Choice. This seems to signal further ppv shows in the future." - 1Wrestling.com
OCTOBER 14, 1997
"Paul Heyman announced that next month's 'November to Remember' will be shown on pay-per-view.
The show, which takes place November 15 in Philadelphia, will be shown on ppv the next night, November 16. The set-up is the same as their previous ppv in July, 'We're Still Here!' The main event on that night will be ECW World champion Terry Funk defending the title against ECW Television champion Shane Douglas. Also on the show, ECW Tag Team champions The Full Blooded Italians will defend their titles against Doug Furnas and Phillip LaFon. Other matches will be announced in the next few weeks." - Rantsylvania.com
DECEMBER 12, 1997
"ECW and Viewer's Choice have announced an agreement to produce four pay-per-view events in 1998. The shows will be taped on Saturday night and shown on Sunday night, with the same set-up as their two previous ppv shows.
The one major difference is that the four shows in 1998 will be shown as if they are live, with no editing for time. Paul Heyman said the shows will be more than three hours, just like regular Saturday night shows at the ECW Arena, but that he would not take advantage of the situation and run 'six hour shows.'
'Our future shows on pay-per-view will have more of a 'You Are There' feel to them, letting the viewer see what it's like to be at a live ECW show. However, I promise to Viewer's Choice we will not take advantage of their generosity,' Heyman said. 'I am thankful to the management at Viewer's Choice for this arrangement, and hope this agreement will allow for more shows in 1999 and, maybe even, a live show in the future.'" - OnlineOnslaught.com
ASHES TO ASHES, FUNK TO FUNKY
That's all I got for today. See me next time, when we answer the question, "So, Ron, when are you dying like Joshua Grutman said, already?"
