Tons Of ECW Byte This Notes - Off The Hook Show
Thanks to PWInsider.com for this:
Quick Highlights coming out of WWE.com's Byte This with Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer this evening:
*Rob Van Dam will get 6-10 minutes to address the crowd at ECW One Night Stand.
*Tommy Dreamer promised exclusive surprises for the fans live at the PPV that won't be seen on PPV or DVD.
*Bubba Ray Dudley called in to discuss the return of the Dudley Boyz on Raw.
*When an email asked about Hardcore Homecoming, Paul Heyman said that he hopes its a success. He says that there is a market for the ECW experience, although no one has captured it yet. He said that there is obviously an audience that misses it and wants it to this day based on the fan reaction. Heyman said that Hardcore Homecoming tapped into the market and if they fail at that this Friday, there's no business for them for the future. He said that if they do well, they fill the ECW experience and that will do well for the ECW Legacy. Heyman said that he doesn't want there to be a show where fans want the ECW experience and they don't get it. He said that he doesn't want the consumer to be let down and he wants them to make a million dollar.
*In regard to Hardcore Homecoming, Tommy Dreamer said he's happy for the wrestlers because they are getting another payday because the independents are depressing. He said that there's no way to recreate ECW. He says the ECW Arena is a Bingo Hall and doesn't look like the ECW Arena anymore. He says that he's happy for the success of the show, but it's just a leech hanging onto the ECW PPV. He says that Vince McMahon owns ECW and "can do whatever the hell he wants with it." He said that it's not ECW authentic and compared it to previous companies like MLW, XPW, and MECW attempting to be ECW. Dreamer said that it's their vision but it's not authentic ECW. He then said he wants them to go out and have a great show, but even One Night Stand won't be an authentic ECW show, it's a celebration of ECW for the fans getting as close as they can to the old days. He said that it's not about getting a job with Raw or Smackdown, it's about busting their asses for the fans.
*Dreamer said he wants Shane Douglas, Jerry Lynn, and Raven at the PPV, but they won't be appearing "for reasons out of our control."
*Joining the show via telephone, Steven Richards noted he suffered a knee injury while facing Chris Masters on a house show, and is out of action. Dreamer noted that Richards is taping up his knee and will be competing at the PPV this Sunday. Richards promised that the fans will see the Stevie Richards that everyone knows he could and should be, not the watered down version he's seen as today.
*When asked about Beulah McGuillicuty being at the PPV, Tommy Dreamer said that there will be footage of everyone who made an impact in ECW. Paul Heyman said there will be live guests at the show and if they stepped foot in ECW, there s a chance they will be there.
*In regard to the rumor of WWE bringing back ECW back as a regular brand, Tommy Dreamer said If this thing is a hit, who the hell knows? Dreamer said Let s just get through Sunday and see what happens.
*Dreamer said if they weren t going to do the show in New York City, he d like to do the PPV in Philadelphia but not the ECW Arena because it s not the Arena anymore. Dreamer and Heyman joked about a reunion tour with Heyman saying he has no hair now as it is. They put over the Hammerstein Ballroom and how intimate the venue is.
A full report is forthcoming.