ironhorse_iv
When WWE, then WWF (World Wrestling Federation) bought, the bankrupt wrestling promotion, ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) in 2001, after ECW was unable to secure a new national television contract. Many of its hardcore fans hope that new-owner, Vince McMahon would be able to sell the idea of another promotion to the network heads to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case, as McMahon couldn't get anywhere to aired the promotion, as a whole, due to ECW's somewhat ultraviolent & offensive content & their past rocky relationship with Spike TV, then TNN, which at the time, was WWE's parent network, despite, the promotion sharing many similarities that made WWE, into a money-making machine. Instead, McMahon went with another plan to get ECW, some airtime, by having a lucrative head to head cross-promotion storyline, call 'the Invasion', which sadly, didn't get over, as it should had. By the end of that year, the idea of ECW as its own brand, was canned. It wasn't until 2005, ECW was once again, revived by the WWE with the success of its one-off reunion pay-per-view, 'One Night Stand'. With that success, McMahon was able to get a national television contract with Sci Fi (now known as Syfy) in 2006, and the rebirth of ECW was in full swing with their first PPV back, call "December to Dismember', whom name was taken from an event held by the original ECW in 1995. Unfortunately, ECW's relaunch had problems. In order to reach the largest amount of audiences to make the show, a success. WWE had to do some drastic changes. First off, they had to town down, the violence & the raunchy nature of ECW, by making it more family-friendly. Second off, they had to fit in, certain elements to get Sci-Fi channel, key audiences to tune in, such as having more supernatural characters. Because of the negative reactions from old school fans to these changes & WWE's marketing team, being too busy, with promoting one of its biggest PPV, 2006's 'Survivor Series', one week prior to this PPV. It was looking like, ECW's first relaunch PPV, following their first couple of weeks of show on Sci-Fi, might end up, turning into a disaster; which it did. Not only was the PPV panned by critics, but it was the lowest buy rate in WWE history. Let's see, why. First off, the dark match before the show, between Stevie Richards and René Duprée, didn't generate any excitement in the crowd at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, GA. The reason for this, was, because Richards, on his own. Without his BWO buddies or the Flock, he was never that entertaining, with his limited wrestling abilities. Second off, Dupree hasn't been seen in, nearly a year, before this. So, nobody knew or care. This brings us to the opening match. The tag team match between 'the Hardy Boyz' (Matt & Jeff) Vs 'MNM' (Johnny Nitro & Joey Mercury with Melina) was a little too slow for my taste. It didn't held my interest. Their rematch at WWE 'Armageddon' (2006) was a little more memorable with their infamous face buster ladder match. This night, contest, could had, been better. The next match between Balls Mahoney vs. Matt Striker was equally as boring. Not only, was both men, limited in what they could do, in the ring, but the stipulation really didn't help, make the match, exciting, as both wrestlers, never once try to break those rules. Plus, Striker's tights were too tight. It was very distracting. Nevertheless, it wasn't the worst match on the card. Nor was, Elijah Burke & Sylvester Terkay VS. F.B.I. (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke with Trinity). It was just a squash match with a monster, who couldn't wrestle. Only good thing to come out of this contest, was seeing Trinity with her lovely red dress. Sadly, the selling of monstrosity & awful outdate, semi offensive racist foreign gimmick would continue, with the next match, between Tommy Dreamer and Daivari, as well. The match was forgettable. Great Khali's presence didn't really add much. The mix tag match between Mike Knox & Kelly Kelly vs. Kevin Thorn & Ariel was next. It was the worst. Since, the match was mostly fill with heels, than babyfaces. The fans were not really, into this match, as nobody in this contest, had any skills in the ring. Even the women being extremely hot, gave, this match little to cheer, about. It was awful. That's brings us to the main event, the Extreme Elimination Chamber for the ECW Championship between the champion, Big Show & his challengers: Rob Van Dam & CM Punk & Test & Hardcore Holly & Bobby Lashley. Without spoiling too much the match, Sabu was originally supposed to be part of this, but he was written off, viva la 'injury', off-camera, earlier the night, effectively showing how, untrustworthy WWE think of the ECW Originals, after the RVD drug possession arrest scandal, from June 6. Nevertheless, despite being a huge bully in real-life, I didn't mind, Holly in this match. I just wish, he didn't have to replace Sabu. That's all. If anything, Test should had been replace. That steroid junkie is very limited in the ring. Better yet, Big Show. He looks very unhealthy. He's really out of shape, here. Regardless, WWE misused the younger talent, big time, here, by barely using Punk & given, Lashley, too much, leeway, despite having a bland personality. Add the odd order of elimination, how little, the weapon were use, and the limiting sets of moves by the competitors & you got a really disappointing main event. It was so bad, that fans start chanting 'we want refunds'. I don't blame them. Overall: It was an atrocious show with little build up & way too many short matches. This event help killed ECW for a second time, & nearly destroy, Paul Heyman's WWE career. I really don't recommended watching it. It's really that bad. Watch original ECW, instead.
