ECW to end, replaced with new show NXT

[Hammy]

Source: Prowrestling.net

- There is still a lot of talk from within WWE about changing the ECW brand. The latest is that the new version of ECW’s show on SyFy will premiere some time after WrestleMania. The idea is to use a lot of younger talent on the show but with a few veterans also, basically what they have been doing for months now.

Everything is still in the planning stages but the company is thinking outside the box with the new ECW show with talk of making it fit in more with SyFy programming by going with more conspiratorial storylines.

[Hammy]

WWE has announced on their website this afternoon that Vince McMahon will be appearing on tonight’s episode of ECW on SyFy to reveal the future of the ECW brand on Tuesday nights.

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Source: F4Wonline.com

- The rumors going around WWE today are that the ECW brand will be done away with on tonight’s SyFy program and that a new concept show will begin next Tuesday night.

[EricxGNRxSTARx]

MORE ON WWE'S SYFY SERIES
by Mike Johnson @ 8:24 PM on 2/2/2010

Sources in WWE just confirmed the ECW on SyFy series will indeed go forward under the name WWE NXT, with NXT standing for "Next Generation."

As we initially broke back in November 2009 in the PWInsider.com Elite section, one of the concepts pitched to SyFy was to build the series around an entirely new cast of characters with the tease being viewers could watch them debut and develop nowhere but on SyFy. One would think a lot of talents will be coming up from WWE developmental soon.

[nightrain]

Well, I guess the Next Generation bit is going with the sci-fi (or syfy) theme (Star Trek obviously).  But yeah, i guess that if it's gonna be the brand for the new talent then it's not too bad a name in my opinion.  However, if it's for the new younger talent then I'm guessing people like Christian will be moving brands at the draft?

[BlowUpYourVideo]

Hopefully they keep some older guys like Christian. A show with all 'new' guys might be a bad idea....

[Hammy]

Hopefully they keep some older guys like Christian. A show with all 'new' guys might be a bad idea....

Exactly, who'd be the draw....

[nightrain]

Now, can Vince get away with calling it this.  Noticed a report on prowrestling.net and they, as well as other, have noticed that there is already a wrestling promotion in Scotland that uses this name

http://www.nxtwrestling.com/

[nightrain]

ECW legend Rob Van Dam has joked that the end of the group is news to him — as he thought it died YEARS ago.

RVD persuaded WWE boss Vince McMahon to revive Paul Heyman's Extreme wrestling outfit in 2006, but soon followed the maverick promoter out the door due to creative differences.

After McMahon announced the end of the much maligned 'new ECW' on TV this week, SunSport contacted Rob for comment.

He wrote back, joking: "Is ECW still around? I'll be damned."

In a previous SunSport interview, Rob said of the programme: "I don't watch it but I'm sure I'm not missing much.

"People do still talk to me about it, but mostly as if it's something going on that they don't know about.

"I still have fans come up to me and say, 'Rob, are you still with the ECW?'

"ECW is like the b*****d stepchild and always has been."

Meanwhile former ECW champion and TNA announcer Taz has followed up his criticisms from yesterday.

Taz — upset at the way McMahon announced the move without thanking Heyman and his fellow originals — has posted a Facebook blog on the subject.

He wrote: "The point is, why not acknowledge Paul Heyman's contributions to the industry? Or, saying thanks to all the ECW original wrestlers?

"A lot of blood, sweat and tears were dropped during the original ECW's life!

"If you are going to thank cameramen and directors, then acknowledge the past history because it's well deserved."

He added: "If you utilised the letters ECW to make a lot of money over the past several years I would assume that you respect the history of ECW?

"If you would produce and sell a successful DVD documenting the company's history, I would assume you feel that the original ECW history has value.

"Then why not give it a proper send off?"

The final ECW show will broadcast on February 23.

It will then be replaced on the SyFy network with a new WWE programme called NXT, focussed on up and coming superstars.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2838971/Rob-Van-Dam-I-thought-ECW-died-years-ago.html#ixzz0eaiR3oAa

[Hammy]

[More Cowbell]

I can understand the minor league system of NXT, but it still will need to seperate itself somehow, Eliminate some of the other BS titles and you could have the young guys and a decent cruiserweight division, How about a promotion system that if you want to make it on RAW or SD you need to win the NXT title or something. Keep ALL NXT wrestlers off of Superstars/SD/RAW until it is time for them to be promoted, making the NXT guys special in their own way. Then when wrestlers angles are not working on RAW/SD have them get fired or demoted to NXT, Make the NXT the fighters league a spot where you got to fight for your next meal and you have to fight to get by, no free ride.

I think there is some potential,  but if its still the same ECW with just a new name and nothing changed I don't think the ratings are going to change much for Syfy. It's only 1 hour show, that was half ass produced, and forgotten most of the time, no big stars ever went there, so WWE seemed to doom their version of ECW right from day 1, so they will need to change and make NXT something seperate with storylines to tune in not just Jobber TV

[Rankin]

source: PWInsider.com

Fans have been wondering what exactly WWE NXT will be since Vince McMahon announced that ECW would end its run on Syfy and be replaced by the "next evolution" of WWE.

The word going around is that the NXT concept will be portrayed as a "reality" based series featuring new wrestlers who viewers will be able to follow inside and outside of the ring. Fans will be able to follow wrestlers from day one and get their personal insight, their background and goals, creating a different sense of deeper insight, etc.

As it stands now, the concept appears similar to WWE's former Tough Enough series with talent not only feuding with each other, but for the opportunity to become the "next" big WWE Superstar and move onto Raw or SmackDown.

WWE has been pitching different concepts for the series and formalizing plans since the fall, but all signs to point to this concept being the nucleus of NXT.

[More Cowbell]

So you get rid of a low ratings show with a few midcard superstars and create a reality based show following there lives, it sounds like another wrestling show with even less wrestling i don't see how this could get better ratings then well written ecw storylines.

NO offsense I dont care about there goals or need behind the scenes, quality writing, thoughtful booking, well executed inring performance, thats what i want. I remember "tough enough" The only thing that show gave us was Maven whos best moment was being dragged around the arena by the undertaker after the royal rumble. This show is going to be about entertaining as taking a dump.


ANy of these ideas could be better then ANY FORM OF REALITY WRESTLING. WRESTLING IS FAKE WE DONT NEED REALITY thrown in

How about WWE MINI, a league of nothing but midgets.

WWE TPA a league of white trash trailor wrestlers.
WWE Mexico a show on syfy with luche libras and no english spoken
wwe hornswoogle 1 hour weekly show where he gyrates on fire hydrants.
WWE Wheres Shane McMahon, a mini series that tracks down and follows what the **** shane's up to
WWE Retirement League, They can spend 1 hour a week tracking down how well Barry Horowitz is doing or if Jake Roberts is still **** out.


any of them ideas would be better then a show with no big draws and a reality based BS program.

[BlowUpYourVideo]

wwe hornswoogle 1 hour weekly show where he gyrates on fire hydrants.

Disturbingly, I would watch that, just for the comedy value.

[Hammy]

Sources in WWE indicate that after ECW ends tonight, Christian will end up on SmackDown, William Regal & Ezekiel Jackson will go to RAW as will Zack Ryder & Rosa Mendez while the team of Caylen Croft & Trent Baretta will also end up on SmackDown. It’s still anyone’s guess what the future will hold for people like Shelton Benjamin, Goldust, Yoshi Tatsu, Vance Archer, Tiffany and Savananah, but they are all expected to stay on TV.