Top 10 ECW Pay-Per-Views of all time

Extreme Championship Wrestling, a company that for all intents and purposes died in 2001. Yet you can still see the impact and hear the “EC-dub” chants in arenas all over the world. This list aims to pick apart the top 10 PPV events from the promotions history. We have decided to include the mid-2000’s series of reunion shows in our consideration as well.

10. Hardcore Justice, 2010

Sure the lighting was weird, it was held in a TNA-specific location that had no ECW vibes to it, and there were awkward/corny name changes all around due to copyright. However, it was a fun show. Little moments like the Dudley Boyz using light sabers felt out of place, and Sabu with a shaved head was hard to wrap your head around, but it seemed like something that could have been put on by the original ECW crew, perhaps as a house show. The fact that it was what most people would consider the final ECW reunion show, it earns a spot here.

9. Wrestlepalooza 1998

I know I will never hear the end of it, because this one is also considered one of the worst ECW PPV’s of all time by many, but all these years later I still love the finish of Al Snow and Shane Douglas. While, the match is not a technical masterpiece, mostly due to Shane’s numerous injuries at the time, the finish let the air out of the room and even as a youngster it felt like the loss helped elevate Snow. RVD and Sabu also put together what I felt was a great car crash matchup and worth a second look.

8. Anarchy Rulz 1999

Taz (the current champion) would lose the gold in the first fall, in a match finish that would be done to death since, leaving it up to Mike Awesome or Masato Tanaka to take home the championship. RVD and Balls Mahoney had one of the best ECW main events in the company’s history in a match that felt like it had no business being as good as it was. The drama with Tommy Dreamer and Raven was just excellent storytelling and the entire show had such a smooth flow and didn’t appear to lose steam at any point.

7. One Night Stand 2006

Let’s be honest. For the most part this was a one-match show. Outside of the CM Punk match, I don’t know that I’ve ever gone back and rewatched a John Cena match after the first viewing, besides this one. Additionally if we are being totally honest, the crowd and the atmosphere made up 99% of this match, but it was electric. While it was cool to see Taz back in an ECW ring you wanted it to last a bit longer, especially knowing that Lawler could have gotten an easy 8-10 minutes out of Taz without him taking a single bump. The disappointment when Rey Mysterio and Sabu went to a double DQ in an ECW ring cannot be understated. Edge, Mick Foley and Lita put on a great performance but as a longtime fan I would’ve liked to see ECW originals like Shane Douglas and Francine in that spot. Especially considering the history they would’ve had with both Mick Foley and on the other side, Tommy Dreamer, Terry Funk and Beulah McGillicutty.

6. Barely Legal 1997

Sentimentally this is probably the favorite of many long time ECW fans. I dare any fan to go back and watch Beyond The Mat and then not want to rewatch this one. The fans were with them from start to finish, almost willing the company into the next chapter of its brief history. The usually volatile crowd even gave them a pass on the blown finish when Terry Funk pinned Raven twice because the moment meant so much. The yearlong buildup between Sabu and Taz would be copied several months later between Hulk Hogan and Sting, but I would argue it was executed better in ECW.

5. Hardcore Homecoming 2005

Just a day prior to ECW One Night Stand presented by the WWE, Shane Douglas alongside Tod Gordon put together what many people consider a more realistic representation of ECW with Hardcore Homecoming held at the ECW Arena. It was the only show tied to ECW that Terry Funk would participate in that year, and with much lower production costs you could make the argument that it felt more like an authentic ECW show.

4. Hardcore Heaven 2000

It was that weird time when RVD was no longer the TV champion, but since he never lost it, the title felt less-than. Paul Heyman knew better than anyone that he would sell an entire PPV on the backs of the RVD and Jerry Lynn match and he did just that. Oddly enough it wasn’t the main event, even though nothing could top it. Justin Credible would defeat Lance Storm for the ECW title in a match that would certainly highlight any other show. Any other show that didn’t feature Lynn/RVD of course. The opening match between Tanaka and Balls Mahoney is one of those matches you just have to see to believe.

3. Living Dangerously 1999

Sid just seems like a guy that ECW fans would’ve hated. A jacked up muscle-head created by Vince McMahon, but for some strange reason, he was super over in ECW. Just like he was everywhere he went. Maybe it had to do with Paul Heyman, or maybe he just had “it.” There is no further evidence than Living Dangerously 1999, with a stacked card featuring another Lynn/RVD match, a rematch between Taz and Sabu (this time for the ECW title) and al your favorite ECW names and undercard talent. One paper, outside of two or three matches, it doesn’t seem like a particularly great event. However watching it in these modern times it makes you miss the simpler, VHS taped history of a small promotion from Philly.

2. Heatwave 1998

If you consider the end of ECW to be in 2001 and don’t factor in the reunion shows this one surely takes the top spot. Look at the card. Seriously, just read the card. Every single match you think is going to be good is great. Every match that should be bad is decent or better. It’s obvious why most ECW fans consider it the greatest PPV of all time.

1. One Night Stand 2005

The years without ECW from 2001 to One Night Stand in 2005 felt like an eternity. Looking back I cannot believe it was only about 4 years. After waiting so long, and seeing Joey Styles come out and deliver a passionate speech the show just felt right. ECW always gets pigeon-holed as the “hardcore” company, but it always had a great mix and perhaps no other show demonstrates that better than One Night Stand. I know Steve Austin was an ECW original, the truth is his star power transcended wrestling so his appearance felt a little out pf place for me. While we all could’ve done without the WWE involvement, the highs far exceeded any of that making it the greatest ECW PPV of all time.