Strange that a independent card from 1994 could rank among the greats of the big two, but the creation of Extreme Championship Wrestling not only created a viable alternative to the mainstream, but changed mainstream wrestling forever.

It was supposed to be the reestablishment of the NWA title, which had been in obscurity since Turner took over WCW. The promoter of Eastern Championship Wrestling, a major NWA affiliate was Tod Gordon, and after some political posturing by other independent promoters, it was decided that Shane Douglas would win the NWA title.

However, Gordon was planning on something bigger, and when Douglas beat 2 Cold Scorpion to win the tournament, he proceeded to throw the title down and degrade it. The name of the promotion was changed to “Extreme Championship Wrestling” and the promotion withdrew from the NWA.

More than a name change, ECW brought with it a new style of wrestling. The matches were now filled with weapons, blood and insane moves that made the small crowds go wild. A cult following arose, mainly in the Northeast and largely on the internet, and made the WWF and WCW look tame in comparison.

After its formation, the impact of ECW was felt in both major promotions, and eventually on its own. WCW partakes in regular talent raids of ECW, signing away many ECW stars. WCW’s cruiserweight division, at its peak, was mainly former ECW wrestlers. More importantly, the new WWF “Attitude” was based largely on ECW’s style, featuring more risqué stories and characters, and a harder edge to the matches.

Recently, ECW got a national TV contract with TNN, cementing the promotion as the #3 wrestling federation in America. The success beyond is uncertain for ECW, as TV ratings are stagnant, as are PPV buyrates. But the impact ECW had on WCW and WWF is irrefutable, as the Hardcore Revolution has effectively taken over wrestling.