It's sad it has come to this, but it's the right call.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced Tuesday on ECW that WWE will end ECW as we know it in three weeks.
Rumors have it being replaced with something called WWE NXT, for WWE Next Generation.
I really hope this is the national version of Florida Championship Wrestling, which we are able to see in Florida.
WWE's up-and-coming talent is shown each week on FCW, and it looks like it will get to shine on WWE NXT.
By rebranding, WWE can get younger wrestlers names "out there" more, and that's not a bad thing.
While there reportedly has been a developmental wrestling company in Scotland since 2008 called NXT, I don't see the WWE of WWE NXT being a problem.
It is a shame the ECW "Originals" weren't given a proper sendoff on Tuesday's show, but maybe in the next three weeks, they will be acknowledged with some old clips.
We can hope.
While some cite poor ratings in this rebranding, I believe it had to do with three factors:
1. SyFY was reportedly pushing a science fiction/alternative show. WWE tried this around Halloween every year and a few other times during the year, especially with The Boogeyman. It didn't work. There was no reason to think it would work on a weekly basis.
2. Some in WWE reportedly had thoughts of incorporating reality show angles and interactive viewership participation into the Tuesday night show. It's smart it looks like someone spoke up and shot that down in favor of this.
3. Most importantly, WWE is preparing itself in case TNA Wrestling goes live or has a show every Monday night. How so, you ask? Well, WWE will have many current ECW wrestlers it can use that won't fit into the WWE NXT show plans that it can use for Smackdown and for the rumored soon-to-be three-hour Monday Night Raws.
Christian, as ECW Champion, will likely be the answer to the trivia question: "Who was the last ECW Champion?" I see him becoming a strong upper-to-mid-card guy on either Raw or Smackdown.
The current young guys on ECW -- Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta (JAWBreaker's favorite current tag team), Tyler Reks and Vance Archer -- will likely stay on Tuesday nights. Tiffany will likely stay on board as general manager.
WWE will find a home somewhere for Shelton Benjamin, Abraham Washington, Zack Ryder and Rosa Mendes, and Yoshi Tatsu.
WWE should be able to find a home -- in ECW or elsewhere -- for Ezekiel Jackson, "The Hurricane" Gregory Helms (if he can stay out of trouble), Josh Matthews and Vladimir Kozlov.
The old-timers -- Goldust, Tony Atlas and maybe even William Regal -- might have concerning job security.
Same goes for Byron Saxton and Savannah, although both could stay on in their current announcing gigs.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
Bret Hart picture with Jeremy Borash shown on Borash's twitter account. REACT: I guess Bret doesn't fear a WWE depush.
Cinematcial.com questions The Rock's movie career, as he has only done two action films since 2003. REACT: There's a reason The Rock is coming back to WWE, even for a short time. There's more action.
Poster for WWE's new movie Knucklehead, starring Big Show. REACT: Disturbing.
Hurricane Helms arrest mentioned on ECW, and his mugshot photo was shown on the big screen. REACT: That's surprised me. I guess this will turn into an angle.
Rob Van Dam upset over DVD cover of "Wrong Side of Town" because Batista is on the cover. Van Dam was told it was his movie and Batista was a supporting character. REACT: Too bad this isn't a wrestling angle. I would enjoy the matchup. Van Dam, apparently, got hosed.
Two more guest hosts announced in Jewel and Ty Murray (February 22) and Criss Angel (March 8). REACT: Two (sorry, Ty) great choices.
John Cena, on whether he's interested in fighting Hulk Hogan, told WWE.com: "Yes. I just don't think that's going to happen right now. He's too busy wasting his time." REACT: The chances of this match happening lessen each day. I still wouldn't rule it out.
Stacy Keibler on "Psych." REACT: She played a psycho friend, with anger management and stalking issues, rather well. This episode was much better than last week's with John Cena, and not just because Keibler was on it.
TNA Wrestling
Many surprised with Orlando Jordan's success. REACT: Jordan has always impressed me.
TNA Wrestling has used the screwjob finish three times now. REACT: Overkill.
