World Wrestling Entertainment Releases `The Rise & Fall of ECW’; Reaches #1 on Amazon.com Sports Category
2- Disc DVD set Chronicles one of Professional Wrestling’s Most Hardcore Companies
STAMFORD, Conn., Nov 23, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) — World Wrestling Entertainment(R) announces the release of “The Rise & Fall of ECW(R)”, which hit stores on November 16. This double disc DVD packs in 6 hours of reckless, brutal, death-defying, and often bloody style of wrestling that came to be known as “hardcore”. Through the hours of footage, the viewer can follow the rise and eventual demise of the company which raised the bar and revolutionized sports-entertainment.
Former Extreme Championship Wrestling(TM) owner and creator Paul Heyman(TM) chronicles the company’s run during from 1992-2001 where he discusses the company’s talent roster (Raven, Rob Van Dam(R), Tazz(TM), Rey Mysterio(TM), The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, Sabu; just to name a few), talent feuds (such as Raven’s decision to leave for WCW(TM)), the loss and recovery of ECW’s first ever PPV Barely Legal as well as much more behind the scenes footage and in depth interviews with Heyman and his concern and love for the business more so than the money that ECW generated.
“The Rise & Fall of ECW” is the most in-depth behind the scenes look at how a professional wrestling organization operates,” said current WWE(R) Smackdown!(TM) Superstar Paul Heyman. “While some may consider this material to be the biggest expose on the industry to date – its blunt…and to be brutally honest, it blows away anything ever seen.”
Furthermore, “The Rise & Fall of ECW” includes exclusive commentary from World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman, Vince McMahon(TM), on his dealings and observations regarding ECW. There is extensive controversial commentary between Paul Heyman and former WCW Owner Eric Bischoff(TM) also included in this incredible package. Other interviews include current World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and their perception of the company, along with Paul Heyman’s groundbreaking actions in the ring. Heyman discusses the comparison of what ECW was doing to the 1980’s metal bands and that genre which spoke to a nation, and of course the fans who made ECW what it was back then and what it is today. “The fans were our soldiers”, Heyman states.
Former ECW talent currently performing duties on WWE’s SmackDown! include: Eddie Guerrero(TM), Tazz, Dawn Marie(TM), Rob Van Dam, Rey Mysterio, current Cruiserweight Champion Spike Dudley(TM), Nunzio(TM) (Little Guido in ECW), and $1,000,000 Tough Enough(R) trainer Al Snow(TM). These superstars along with Paul Heyman can be seen every Thursday on SmackDown! which airs on UPN at 8:00pm EST.
Former ECW talent currently performing duties on WWE’s Monday Night RAW(R) include: Chris Benoit(R), Chris Jericho(R), and Steven Richards(TM). These Superstars can be seen every Monday night on RAW which airs on Spike TV at 9:00pm EST.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, company names and logos are the property of their respective owners. The names of all ECW programming, talent, images, likenesses, and logos, are the exclusive property of WWE Libraries, Inc
SOURCE: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
