ECW champion = filler?

[Louie Lips]

So by now I'm assuming most people have seen the match posting of Team Kofi vs. Team Orton. However, in case you didn't, its:

Kofi, MVP, Mark Henry, R-Truth, and Christian
vs.
Orton, Rhodes, DiBiase, Punk, and Regal

Although this makes for a good match, the last person on each team bothers me. Christian is the ECW champion, and he's being used as a filler for the final spot on the team! ECW wasn't featured at all at Bragging Rights, and now the ECW champion isn't in a title match, but instead a filler. ECW should have their own 5 on 5 match. Something along the lines of:

Christian, Yoshi, Dreamer, Goldust, and Hurricane
vs.
Regal, Kozlov, Jackson, Ryder, and Burchill

This would have fit the card perfectly. It would have shown off all of ECW's talent in one big match, and would have been a great match. Instead, 8 of these 10 guys are not in a match, and the champ is man #5 on a team.

Your thoughts...

 

[aintnostoppin]

I completely agree with you LIPS. I watch all three shows and I've got to say that ECW consistently has the most solid in ring work and it really is a shame that more people don't watch it. Your idea for the ECW elimination match is great and except I'd like to see Shelton in there rather than Tommy Dreamer. Now I just hope Christian is left as the last man standing or turns on his team with a chair in the name of ECW. That would get people talking about ECW.

 

[JDavis328]

Honestly its been no secret since vince got rid of the ecw orignals that it has become a televised developmental type deal. Guys who they dont feel are ready for big leagues but too big for FCW. Look where most of the FCW debuts to WWE has been on ECW. Exception of course is Christians recently debut which still is an argued point when it comes to Christian. So it should be no surprise wwe is not showing off anything

 

[patklick]

it kinda sucks to see an ECW champion always outside looking in from the outside for every PPV. ECW championship is a major title but doesnt get any exposure or fair share. last PPV christian was on a dark match against burchill. it seems that vince considers this title and brand equivalent to midcarders. it shouldnt be that way

 

[JimmyLeviathan]

I say just be thankful that ECW is getting time (however limited) on a PPV. I've been pretty disappointed that they've been snubbed at the last two PPV's because I really enjoy what they're doing with ECW, they've got a solid base of good workers helping to bring up talent and there are some really good characters.

I think they deserve at least one match at every PPV and I was appalled that a slap-together match between Who Mcintyre and R-Truth was given precedence over an ECW title match. Being a part of the Survivor Series team just gives Christian and Regal a chance to further their feud, I'm just hoping that when Wrestlemania comes around ECW aren't left in the dark again.

 

[NSL]

I am not a supporter of an all-ECW match, but I don't like seeing Christian used as "filler" on someone else's team. He should have been given his own title match, especially after being used in a dark match at Bragging Rights. To keep in the Survivor Series theme, they could have easily booked a 10 minute Fatal Fourway to open with Christian against either Ryder/Yoshi/Regal, or Regal/Zeke/Kozlov...It would have been better than seeing him in a mid-card match, and they could have easily found someone else to take the spot...

 

[Thriller Ant]

As much as it would've been better to see him as the focal point of a match, this is a lot better than having no ECW representatives on the pay-per-view at all.

I personally think the ECW match is a great idea. It would have given some of these guys who don't normally a chance to perform on a PPV that opportunity, and it could have been a chance to test the younger guys without putting all the pressure on them in a one-on-one match.

 

[2rowdy4u]

well if it matters shelton benjamine is also on the card. so 3 ecw superstars are on a big ppv. as far as the whole idea of ecw i think we jst got to face facts that ecw is nothing but fcw on t.v. its a way to introduce new talent to fans and see who as what it takes. then when the draft comes up move those who are ready or like sheamus move them b4. for guys like regal, christian, benjamin, and helms wwe needs top talent to help bring up the new guys. i wouldent expect ecw to do anything big at a ppv. the ecw tittle hasent been defended at wm. chavo vs kane does not count

 

[Jack-Hammer]

To be honest, I'm kind of at a point where I'm just kind of glad to see Christian and the ECW title get some time on a pay per view. I would have personally preferred some type of scenario like NightShiftLoser suggested, but I'll settle for this. After all, the Christian and the ECW title have been non factors at most of the WWE's ppvs. The last time the ECW title was defended at a ppv, it was horrendous. It was a 20 second match and it was a damn shame.

Overall though, Christian has made me give a crap about ECW again and, since I've begun watching it again over the past few months, I've been pleasantly surprised. But, at least the man's getting some time on a ppv. It's a step up anyhow from what's been going on.

 

[JBK2008]

ECW may have gotten the shaft again but at least they are on the card this time around. Team Christian vs Team Regal def would've been nice to see and showcase all the great wrestling that's been going on there as of late, but Vince didn't want it. Hell an ECW Championship Match would've been good to see as well. Oh well, Christian and Regal are on the card, and we'll have to deal with it.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

I would have to agree that the ECW Championship is Filler. And it should be. Not my preferred option but given the way things currently are in how they treat the whole ECW Brand as far as its image, I can't come to any other conclusion.

I have argued extensively that ECW should have been a viable third brand alternative to both Raw and Smackdown and distinguished as such. However, Vince didn't want to do that, and instead opted to make ECW the next step up from FCW and a Developmental League (simply with more exposure).

A lot of people absolutely loved this idea. I hated it. I am of the mindset that if there are going to be talents in Developmental, then they should stay in Developmental until they are ready. Not given a main Brand to work on and still develop.

There are various tools for this: House Shows, FCW, Dark Matches.

But despite all that, ECW is still a Developmental Brand.

Therefore, if that's the way it's going to be, then the ECW Championship is essentially the main title of a Developmental League, and should be viewed as such. It should not be viewed as being on par with the Intercontinental or US Championships, as they are representative of a more advanced league.

Now, if there has been any doubt that the ECW is simply filler .... there shouldn't be. All one needs to do is take a look at the Regal vs Christian match from SummerSlam for evidence of this. Nothing new compared to what WWE has done with matches involving that title for years.

No ECW title match at Mania. There was the record time of the match between Kane/Chavo from Mania, as well.

Ridiculous. But as long as ECW remains a Developmental League, then yes the ECW Title is filler and the title matches should be considered just that, as well.

 

[ABMorales787]

I'm actually more surprised that CM Punk/R Truth is actually considered a feud.

This is a bad move. If Christian wasn't gonna defend his title in the event then he shouldn't even be in the PPV. He's supposed to represent a whole brand. I though they where gonna keep ECW out of the PPVs completely and only feature title defenses on the top 4 and Night Of Champs. Clearly not the case. It seems that the gimmick PPVs and developing talent in the main brands has left ECW dry. Sad really, the ECW title matches offerred on PPV had a tendency to steal the show not too long ago. I hope WWE creative gets itself together and come up with a solution for this problem soon, otherwise ECW might as well be considered WWE Superstars hour 1.

 

[aphazel1]

I would have loved to see an all ECW match or maybe a Smackdown vs. ECW match at the PPV. Like someone else said, I've recently started paying attention to the brand again because of Christian and have been pleasantly surprised....though I'm still a bit jaded over what happened with the ECW originals. Personally, I'd think they could give him someone better to feud with than Regal but oh well.... If they're serious about keeping the brand then they should get at least some role at each PPV, particularly when it is a multi-brand ppv.