ECW Hardcore TV #1 06/04/1993

Given that I love undertaking watching projects that I don't keep up with very quickly, I thought I'd start watching the ECW footage on the WWE Network. Never been a big ECW fan, so didn't know where a good starting point would be - why not the beginning? Why not start with a show where commentator Terry Funk essentially says "We know this isn't very good, but we'll try and get better" to close the show out?

The Super Destroyers vs The Hell Raisers

The Destroyers are the ECW tag champs, two big guys in masks. The Hell Raisers aren’t as fearsome as their name might suggest, as they get squashed here, despite jumping the Destroyers to start. This is some slow, low-impact brawling which the Destroyers win with a flip senton on EZ Ryder.

Tommy Cairo vs Salvatore Bellomo

This is part of the TV title tournament. Two matches in, and the early ECW isn’t feeling like an exciting hot product. Giving a featured role to long-time WWF jobber Bellomo isn’t necessarily a bad thing if he was able to bring something to the table to mark him as underrated, but he’s very uninteresting here. Sal isn’t afraid of a rest hold, put it that way. Cairo makes a comeback out of the blue with no build, before Johnny Hotbody tries to interfere. This backfires and Sal is counted out. Very not good.

Tony Stetson vs the Rockin’ Rebel

This is better match, and it’s amusing to see my favourite guilty pleasure CZW wrestler the Rebel here with long mullet and actual wrestling tights. He’s the #1 contender to the ECW title, which feels so wrong. Stetson is nicknamed “Hitman”, which feels pretty misplaced given the best wrestler on US soil at the time also used that nickname. Probably best not to share a nickname with one of the biggest stars in the business, you’ll only suffer in comparison. Rebel’s control is very basic, albeit with nothing wrong with it per se. Just not very exciting. I actually dug Stetson’s comeback, enjoyed his top rope legdrop. Rebel takes Stetson down in the corner and pins him with his feet on the ropes.

Jimmy Snuka vs Larry Winters

Snuka is working heel here, with Eddie Gilbert his cheapshotting manager. Snuka looks muscular, but isn’t in great shape ringwise, as proven by his falling over whilst giving a back bodydrop. Winters seems pretty dreadful, taking an over-the-top leap in the air from a Snuka chop and hitting a crossbody where his feet barely leave the floor. Another quick bout, with Gilbert tripping Winters from the floor, and Snuka nailing the Superfly splash. Real nice impact too, best thing about the match.

Salvatore Bellomo vs Ernesto Benefico

Oh great, another Bellomo match. Benefico isn’t announced, as Bellomo just barges in and slams him for the three count. Just a simple powerslam. Poor Ernesto.