A New Direction For ECW
With the tragic loss of Chris Benoit over the weekend, the ECW brand will now have to undergo yet another new direction.
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ECW took the first steps in their new direction on Tuesday night by naming the up-and-coming CM Punk the #1 contender for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship held by ECW newcomer Johnny Nitro.
In a solid Best Out Of Three Falls match against New Breed leader Elijah Burke, CM Punk won the final two rounds to earn himself another shot at the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
Prior to the tragic events of this past weekend that ended his life, Chris Benoit was expected to be the long term ECW World Heavyweight Champion. He was also expected to be the new leader and in-ring teacher of the roster.
When Chris Benoit missed out on the Vengeance pay per view, Johnny Nitro was the surprising choice as his replacement in the match to fill the vacant ECW World Heavyweight Championship. He also shocked fans by winning the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Very few people expected him to win the title. |
Shortly after his win, it was widely speculated that Johnny Nitro was a temporary holder of the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. With the way CM Punk had been booked the past few weeks, it seemed pretty clear that CM Punk was a future ECW World Heavyweight Champion in the waiting.
Now, the plans have changed. The future is now. CM Punk is expected to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
ECW already has a potentially classic title feud waiting for them between CM Punk and Elijah Burke. Both men are young and represent the new breed of ECW. There is already some chemistry between the two in the ring.
CM Punk and Elijah Burke are also the choice of the internet wrestling community.
The feud between CM Punk and Elijah Burke should last a few months, perhaps with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship being switched a few times.
After their feud ends, the writers should have had plenty of time to elevate Marcus Cor Von into a main eventer. Also in that time frame, they should have successfully have built up Johnny Nitro into a credible main eventer as well. The brand also has dark horse candidates in Kevin Thorn and the Miz as potential main eveners, but there's a lot of work needed to be done there.
The Boogeyman and Viscera should provide for a decent midcard situation as both are characters that the Sci Fi Network prefer. Matt Stryker is great in his role as a heel jobber who has a knack for generating heat.
With CM Punk expected to carry the brand as the top face, there isn't a pressing need to bring in another top face. Guys like Stevie Richards, Tommy Dreamer, and Balls Mahoney are solid enough to where the writers can utilize them based on their previous connections to the original ECW. All are veterans who are decent in the ring and are capable of teaching the younger heels.
Once again, ECW is headed in a new direction. |
