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Y'know, I've been a big wrasslin' fan ever since the days of Hulkamania. When TBS picked up the NWA, I became a (pardon the eventual pun) "hardcore" fan, and I came to appreciate actual skill, as was displayed by guys like the Great Muta and Mike Rotundo (pre-sucky WWF gimmick). In fact, my all-time-6-stars-match-from-hell is the main event from the first Halloween Havoc- Ric Flair and Sting vs. Muta and Terry Funk in a cage.

Now, granted, that match wasn't exactly an orgy of techincal wrestling or anything, but it was meaningful to the storyline and featured 4 guys who were all at the peak of their respective careers. That match, for a 10 year-old kid, was high drama at it's very finest.

And it's been all downhill from there. Sure, there was some decent stuff from the NWA/WCW in early 1990, and guys like the Hardy Boys and the WCW cruiserweights are more skilled than Flair and Sting, but since 1989, it's been like pro-wrestling has been on cruise control. The matches with 100 highspots don't tell a story, and the matches that tell the story...well, suck. It seems like neither WCW or the WWF can be botehred to put the two together... Then, while flipping around on a Friday night (before a date, thank you very much), I saw ECW. And I think I can best sum up my first ECW experience with two words- "God damn."

Sure, it was only an hour show, but the ECW program on TNN brought back memories of all the things that drew me to pro wrestling to begin with.

First, we're introduced to the announcers...a heelish "colour commentator", and a "straight man" play-by-play guy. Classic stuff. Joel Gertner must be the illegit son of Bobby Hennan. And I don't mean "what day is it?" Bobby Heenan, I mean Bobby "the weasle-Brain-I HATE Hogan" Heenan. Joel Gertner has some great material, and Joey Styles compliments his style perfectly.

Then we watch some clips, which is understandable...after all, I don't really know who any of these guys are...well, except Raven and "the Portugeese Man-O-War" Justin Credible. Regardless, the clips help me get a grasp of what's going on with who. I was pretty impressed by ECW's willingness (and eagerness) to mention workers who have since left the promotion in their recaps...the storylines make more sense that way, as opposed to WCW's "revisionist history" policy.

We saw Raven cut the promo from hell. This is the kind of stuff WCW should have let him do. Say what you will about his ring skills, but Raven is the man when it comes to storytelling. That ten minute (or so) piece gave me a pretty solid grasp of the two year history between Raven and Tommy Dreamer, and established Raven's character 100%. Brings me back to the days when WWF wrestlers would cut those promos with their goofy logos in the background...fills you in on the angle and promotes the character. This interview should be required viewing for anyone trying to break into the business.

Then there were the matches. We got the tail end of a pretty good match between Super Crazy and "the Japanese Buzzsaw" Taijiri. Super Crazy reminded me of a WCW luchador...he hit good highspots and sold like a trooper. I was actually more impressed by Taijiri. He had that whole "over the top Japanese guy" act down pat. He also did a hella-cool springboard-handspring elbow that was my first "oh shit!" of the night. Keep in mind I'm still a huge Muta mark.

P.N. News appeared on my TV screen, and my enthusiasm almost faded...until a crack fiend-looking guy by the name of Spike Dudley came out and beat him in less than a minute. Sure, the match was a throw-away, but it really got the crowd going and seeing P.N. News' fat ass on my screen did bring me back....

Then we have the match for the ECW TV Championship, which the announcers treat like a (take notes, WCW) real title! Rob Van Dam is the TV Champ, apparently, and he's supposed to take on Jerry Lynn. Instead, Lance Storm came out to the ring with his (mega-hottie) valet Dawn-Marie. The announcers were going apeshit over Storm showing up instead of Jerry Lynn. "Walk" by Pantera starts playing, and I can't help but laugh. So out comes "RVD 4:20", and he stalls for what seems like a million years before Storm hits a serviceable suicide plancha to get things cookin'.

This whole thing turns into a schmozz as Lance's pals Justin "Aldo" Credible and...some other people I don't know come out to beat on "RVD". Jerry Lynn comes out to make the save, but his ribs are "taped up" so he gets punked out, too.

The "Impact Players" as they are referred to, hit some catchphrases, do a weird "family picture" type pose, and split...

"Oh, great, it's Nitro..." I think to myself "where's Sid?"

But then, Van Dam graps the mic, and calls Lynn back...and Lynn accepts! Gertner is quick to point out that this wouldn't happen on Nitro.

The following match, which seemed to span a good half hour, was one of the finest matches I have ever seen in my life. There were enough highspots, near-falls and nasty bumps to fill two weeks of Nitro and Raw episodes. I cannot honestly say that a better match has been aired on free TV since the days of the Clash of the Champions on TBS.

In that one match, without saying two words, Jerry Lynn established himself to the audience (and to me) as an absolutely incredible worker. He hit crazy spots and took some very nasty bumps. They even threw in that "refusing medical attention to finish the match" spot, as Jerry Lynn basically crawled to the ring to try to beat Van Dam, only to fall short...by about a centimeter.

Words really can't do this match justice...just imagine the best possible match you can with two guys you've never heard of- and there you have Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam. No goofy gimmicks, no pyros...just two guys who know how to put on a quality match that tells a story....something pro wrestling has been (almost 100%) devoid of since the 80's. Screw Vince McMahon and Mick Foley...this was the match of the year, 1999 (until these two have a rematch, that is). I know it's #2 on my personal "best matches" list.

The show ended with some pay-per-view hype and hotline plugs...okay, fine. After a match like that I don't mind a little shilling.

Sure, the show was only one hour, and basically consisted of one match, but that one match sold me on ECW. If you're a fan of wrestling and can live with slightly lower production values, then ECW is definitely for you. All TNN needs is a little time and maybe a better timeslot (my girl's a goth, so we don't go out till midnight...but not everyone is me...sadly) before they have a certifiable hit on their hands. The only thing ECW lacks is a tour date here in Seattle...

Oh, as for Eric Bischoff and Harvey Schiller...

Who cares? ECW is on...

Later-


Travis Fury
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