ECW

HISTORIC/ENTERTAINING/EMOTIONAL

ECW
BARLEY LEGAL

I remember it like it was yesterday, ECW was a little known up and coming promotion on the east coast [how lucky was I to be living there at the time] that over time became a cult hit and went as far as to get not only pay-per-view events locked but had a weekly show on what is now Spike TV. This was that first p-p-v, and to be honest it was not the greatest event ever, but it was historic for the little company that could.

We kick things off with Joey Styles introducing the event and being interrupted by the ECW tag champs The Dudley Boys. The crowd reaction to these two is great, and shows why the Dudleys caused so much controversy while there.

1.[ECW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP]-DUDLEYS VS ELIMINATORS-this is a fairly quick bout here but it is definitely and exciting one, before and after the match are quite enjoyable as well. There are a lot of good high spots during this match, and surprisingly the Dudleys pretty much get dominated. The Eliminators take the titles and the win after a very entertaining match.4/5

Here we have a nice speech by Chris Candido talking about his accomplishments in wrestling, and not being able to perform on the card. He goes on to a cool rant on a bunch of ECW wrestlers. R.I.P. Sir.

2.ROB VAN DAM VS LANCE STORM-a battle between two of the best in my opinion who ever laced up some wrestling boots. This is a really good back and forth battle between these two, Storm is the technical of the two and Van Dam is the risk taker. That combination made for an interesting battle, a lot of people don't really like this as much as I do but I thought it was great. Van Dam takes it after a good Van Daminator. What is really cool is the rant that Van Dam lets loose on everyone, this was apart of his Mr. Monday Night persona he was doing with his trips to WWF Monday Night Raw at the time.5/5

3.GREAT SASUKE, BRAN NANIWA, MASATO YAKUSHIJI VS TERRY BOY, DICK TOGO, TAKA MICHINOKU [BWO INTERNATIONAL]-another good match up that is just as entertaining as any of the others, great showcase of other talent. I found this to be one of the most competitive bouts on the entire card. And while not as crazy as some would think this match really heats up at times and really showcases these guys well. Some of the greatest triple team moves I have seen take place during this one, one moment in particular is picture perfect. This honestly could be the most entertaining match on the card, I don't care what any one else says. Sasuke, Bran, and Masato take this well deserved win, great match.4.5/5

4.[TV CHAMPIONSHIP]-SHANE DOUGLAS VS PITBULL # 2-I have to start out saying that Shane has always been one of my favorite heels in ECW, he really can get under peoples skin and I love it. In this fight Shane puts the TV title on the line against fan favorite Pitbull # 2. This one is ok, it really is interesting more because of the story line that was involved. It is not a boring match it was just not the best on the card, the end though is great. Brian Lee and Ravishing Rick Rude take Shane out, great ending.3.5/5

5.SABU VS TAZ-this is the match that everyone wanted to see, and Taz wanted this one badly. These two extreme legends went at it in a match that was more technical then extreme, don't get me wrong it had hardcore moments. This was a great match I don't care what people say, people may hate on it because their first battle wasn't an all out extreme bout. Me personally I think that is what made this a classic, it wasn't what people expected. And after Taz wins this excellent match there is a great aftermath involving RVD.5/5

6.TERRY FUNK VS THE SANDMAN VS STEVIE RICHARDS-ever heard of a man from Texas named Terry Funk, if yes you probably heard of this match. This is one of those matches that is credited as one that made ECW what it was because of the Funker. This is by no stretch of the imagination a classic wrestling match, this is a wild brawl that makes good use of a ladder. Many fans love this match, I one of them and think it was highly entertaining. Funk goes one to win this extreme match up and get a shot at the championship. Good solid fight, and very entertaining.4.5/5

7.[ECW CHAMPIONSHIP]-RAVEN VS TERRY FUNK-Raven comes and attacks Terry right after he wins his last match. This is a match full of emotion, the fans are really into this one and keep Terry alive really. Raven really puts it on Funk in this one, and Funk is bleeding like crazy. Tommy Dreamer [an all fav of mine] is doing commentary during this match to continue his feud with Raven. And after Raven calls him out Dreamer is attacked by a Dudley, but turns it around and throws Dudley off of the balcony. After which he takes out Raven and Funk becomes the new ECW champ. I will give this one five out of five because the atmosphere and emotion of this bout were crazy.5/5

So there it is, I am sure a lot of people will disagree with some of this but that is my opinion. I found this to be a very entertaining event, and while it is not the best event held by ECW it has a special feeling about it. You can tell these guys were doing every thing they could to make this enjoyable. To all those who worked in front of or behind the scenes of ECW, I salute you for your efforts.
September 11, 2008

Good Piece of History

I have been a wrestling fan since 1996 and have watched all kinds of wrestling. I have a wrestling DVD/VHS collection spanning over 50 all together. This is the most complete and accurate review of this DVD you will find. I hope you find this review helpful; remember to vote helpful or not helpful. (Note-Each DVD I review has a "Match of the DVD" award somewhere in it.)

ECW Barely Legal 1997
ECW finally gets on PPV. This is one of the most historic events in ECW history. Most of the matches are average, but historically this is a show that you'll want to find somewhere. If you are someone that is just looking for some great wrestling, this is not the best DVD to pick up.

Before the event Joey Styles begins telling you about the night's events. He is quickly cut off by the Dudley Boys. The Dudleys and Joel Gertner cut a promo that is basically talking about how great the Dudleys are.

ECW Tag Team Championships
The Dudleys(c) VS The Eliminators
The Dudleys get some good offence in the beginning, but after that they are dominated the entire rest of the match. One thing that really bothers me about this match is that there are barely any attempts for a pin. Kronus of The Eliminators hits a 450 Splash and just keeps on doing moves without a pin. Regardless, this match does work as a good opener. There are a ton of highflying moves in this match. There is no tagging in the match and it works more like a tornado tag match.
RATING- 7/10

After this match you are introduced to Sandman via a video package.

Chris Candido comes out after the video to explain why he was taking off the card. He is injured, but claims he will be back later.

Lance Storm VS Rob Van Dam
Rob Van Dam replaces Candido in this match up. Look at Lance Storm's hair. He has a blonde mullet and it looks ridiculous. This is a strong match with plenty of action. Again, there is a lack of pins in this match. There is a good mixture of action, but nothing that will stand out in your mind.
RATING- 6.5/10

RVD proceeds to cut a promo about how angry he is about not being booked to begin with. RVD implies that he wishes to go elsewhere to wrestle.

International Six-Man Tag Match
Great Sasuke/Gran Hamada/Masato Yakushiji VS Terry Boy/Dick Togo/Taka Michinoku
Michinoku Pro Wrestling invades ECW to put on a pretty good tag team bout. Unlike the first match on the evening, this match does not work under tornado rules. Only one wrestler from a team is usually in the ring. Sasuke, Yakushiji, Terry Boy, and Taka provide a lot of speed and energy to the contest. Togo and Hamada bring a power game. This match has a few slow points, but overall is a fun match to watch. If you've never seen Sasuke before, watch out for him.
RATING- 7.5/10

Stevie Richards cuts a promo about shedding his old image in tonight's main events.

ECW World Television Championship
Shane Douglas w/Francine VS Pitbull #2
This is the first match of the night to really tell a story. Sadly, it is an incredibly boring story. Shane broke the neck of Pitbull #1; now Pitbull #2 wants revenge. There is also a story of a mysterious masked man coming out to confront Shane. Both men try to work over the other man's neck. This is the first match that weapons come into play as well. The match is a very slow pace.
RATING- 5.5/10

After the match, a masked man comes to the ring. The masked man is revealed to be Brian Lee. Rick Rude attacks Shane Douglas from behind.

You also get a wonderful Raven promo in between these matches. This is one of my personal favorite promos.

ECW Grudge Match
Taz w/ Bill Alfonso VS Sabu
Right next to Dreamer/Raven, this is probably ECW's biggest feud. Taz had been calling Sabu out for a long time and now they are finally going to hook it up. This match is disappointing though. Most of the match has Taz on the offensive and beating down Sabu. In the end, Sabu had gotten little offence and ended up loses the match to a poor looking Tazzmission. There is some decent brawling, but these two have both had much better matches.
RATING- 7/10

3-Way Dance (Match of the DVD)
#1 Contender for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship
Terry Funk VS Sandman VS Stevie Richards
The winner of this match will battle against Raven for the ECW title directly after this match. You will see both matches. This will be a rating of both combined since they are for the most part. The 3-way is really good. There are some brutal shots, including Sandman throwing a ladder into the ring and it landing right on Funk. Very solid match with the right person winning. Raven's match with the winner wasn't much. It told a great story though.
RATING- 8/10 July 26, 2008

1st ecw ppv off to a good start

I just saw the first ecw ppv barely legal, which came with one night stand 2006, which is a good deal. let me tell ya all about it.

tag titles- dudley boyz (champs) vs the eliminators
great high flying match on the part of the eliminators and also the dudley's did real good, different wrestling than they usually do in wwe. and if u only seen saturn in wwe, you're missing out. the dudley's dominated in the beginning. doing a suplex body press and bubba did some good slams, one was a tilt- a- whirl, but every time he did a move it was called bubba something, like bubba called every single move his own, same with saturn and a normal moonsault. anyway kronus, a big guy, was flying around with a spinning heel kick, cartwheel moonsault to the outside, handspring elbow to the corner, and a 450 splash, and saturn did good too with his moonsaults. then the total elimination connected and we have new champs, the eliminators. they dominated pretty much the whole match. when the ring announcer tried to say the dudley's won, they gave him the total elimination- 5/5

RVD (a fill in for chris candido) vs lance storm
this was a real good match too, lots of high flying, was impressed with storm, he's better in ecw. storm did a jumping top rope spinning elbow, the canadian maple leaf, used a chair, and kicked out of a 5 star. RVd did a somersault to the outside, vandaminator, and a standing moonsault for the win- 4.5/5, and told what he thought about being a fill in (as seen on rise and fall)

Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, and Masato Yakushiji vs. Taka Michinoku, terry boy (a.k.a. Mens Teoh), and Dick Togo (soon to be original kaientai, debuted at over the edge 1998)known as BWO for some reason here
great high flying match, lucha libre action, taka was better here. Kaientai was doing their classic double and triple team moves, and togo doing his senton's. one of the other guys in green did a crazy headscissor arm drag. the guy dressed in black with a mask was doing backflips and such as reversals. such a competitive back and forth match that lasted awhile, u couldn't tell who would win and when it would end. but the dressed in black mask guy got a tiger suplex for the win- 5/5

television title- franchise (champ)/w/ francine vs pitbull #2
the soryline was that franchise broke the other pitbull's neck and he was at ringside in the crowd. they had a buch a security, which came in handy when gary wolfe tried to interfere, but was thrown out. boring match, franchise sporting his long hair. franchise retained his title but after everyone was awaiting rick rude, then a man jirating his hips was in the ring, franchise went after him, and from behind, desguised as a security guard was rick rude, the other man was someone from ecw and gave franchise a chokeslam- 1.5/5- for the aftermath

grudge match of the century- not- sabu vs taz
this match might have been built up big, but it was kind of a normal match, nothing too big happened. sabu went for a spinning ddt through a table, but taz reversed him through it. taz got the tazmission on sabu for the win- 2.5/5

winner advances to the title match with raven- 3 way dance elimination- terry funk vs the sandman vs stevie richards /w/ bwo
and tommy dreamer doing commentary- why?
ok match, terry did his famous ladder around the head spin, but wouldn't stop and got dizzy. the ladder was set up twice in a teeter- totter position and both times someone jumped and hit it into someone's face, but the 2nd time it flew all the way over. stevie was doing a real good job, unlike what wwe did with him, he was kicked out of everything, even when they were double teaming him. but eventually the double team was too much after a spike pildriver and double powerbomb, he was out. it was down to sandman and funk, it had to be. sandman used a trashcan wrapped in metal. funk put sandman's shirt over his head a whipped his bear back with barbwire. the finish was funk with somewhat moonsault off the ladder- 4/5

ecw title- (champ) Raven vs terry funk
immediately after the last match raven came out. the flock came out and beat up on funk, he was bleeding profusely. raven went for the evenflow, but funk rolled him up for the win and became new champ, short match- 2/5, then the celebration and tears were on as the 1st ppv came to an end.




July 14, 2006

Emotional Night

This was ECW's first PPV from the bingo hall known as the "ECW Arena" and really the event that put ECW on the map nationwide. Joey Styles did the entire PPV (with the exception of the main event) alone without a color commentator which made him the first person in history to do that.

Tag Team Champions Dudley Boyz vs. Eliminators - The Dudleys were nothing more than bodies for Eliminators to get all their high flyin' spots on. It looked pretty cool seeing heavyweights like Saturn & Kronis pull off such quick high risk moves but that's all this opening match really was...a spotfest for the Eliminators.

Rob Van Dam vs. Lance Storm - They would go on to have better matches as Storm was really "green" to the ECW enviroment (as you can see by his weak chairshots to RVD). This match is memorable for two reasons as it was the first time RVD used the "Vandaminator" as his finisher & this was the beginning of him becoming "Mr. Monday Night."
(Also available on Rob Van Dam "One Of A Kind" DVD)

Great Sasuke, Bran Naniwa, Masato Yakushiji vs. bWo International (Taka Michinoku, Dick Togo, Mens Teioh) - People night recognize the bWo International team as the original members of Kaientai from WWF but if you only know them from their run there, you'll be impressed here. This match was a crusierweight six man tag that you would see in Japan & it was great quality wrestling for those who apprechiate the japanese style of wrestling. This was also the PPV debut of Taka & Great Sasuke 3 months before WWF claimed it was their PPV debut at the "Canadian Stampeed" PPV.

Television Champion Shane Douglas vs. Pitbull #2 - This match was based off the hottest angle in wrestling for the past year for the simple fact that it got more "white" heat from fans than any angle WWF or WCW had during that time period. Shane Douglas had broke the neck of cult favorite "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe less than a year earlier (and that's no storyline, he really did it) and Pitbull #2 had his last chance for revenge. Pitbull's style of powermoved didn't really clash well with Shane Douglas' style as the match came off sloppy at times to me. The side storyline to this match was about a masked man (believed to be Rick Rude) who was stalking Francine & if Douglas won the match, he would be unmasked. The mystery man would be revealed & who was under the mask that night would be a shock to Douglas & his "Triple Threat" faction.

Sabu vs. Taz - This was dubbed "The Grudge Match Of The Century" as Sabu & Taz had a legit beef with each other dating back to when Sabu was fired from ECW in April '95 & if was perfectly built as they didn't fight each other for over a year leading up to this match as it had a great mix of wrestling from both men along with each incorporating their styles of Sabu's high flyin' & Taz's judo martal arts submission as well. The match itself lived up to the hype eventhough they would top the match later on in ECW.

Terry Funk vs. The Sandman vs. Stevie Richards - Tommy Dreamer joined Joey Styles on commentary for this & the next match. This was also the best match Stevie Richards has had in his career. This involved barbed wire, ladders, and trash cans. Great three way dance. Various spots include Sandman whipping Funk's bare back with barbwire & also throwing a steel trash can into the ring right on Funk's head.

ECW Champion Raven vs. Terry Funk - This is one right after the other match. This was more about the emotional story of Terry Funk getting his "one last run" than a match itself. Tons of cameos by Tommy Dreamer & Raven's flock. Just a very emotional match as Terry Funk pulled off the impossible & won the World Title at ECW's biggest show at that time.

DVD extras here are the same as all the ECW PPV DVD's in that they give a storyline history & background of each match on the card.

Recently, WWE packaged this PPV with their One Night Stand 2006 DVD. The main differences between that copy & this one are that Joey Styles redid some of his commentary on the WWE DVD. Also on the WWE DVD, they included the backstage promos & interviews while this DVD didn't. As for the music & entrances, all the entrances that didn't have ECW original music were either edited out or the music was muted out & the Motorhead cover of "Enter Sandman" was dubbed over the original version. The WWE version kept the entrances but put generic music over the ECW music they didn't own (no "Enter Sandman").

It wasn't the best PPV but if your looking for one of the most emotional nights in wrestling history, you'll find it here as it had something for every different type of wrestling fan. I highly recommend. If your not sure which version to get, read above what the differences are between the two & make your own choice. May 28, 2006

Awesome, captures the live spirit

I get all my ECW from ECW666 Videos. They have every ECW show in its entirety and are authentic, not Vince's version. Check them out at http://ecw666.cjb.net . I get my videos within 3 days of ordering and they have the best prices hands down... March 12, 2006

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