ECW One Night Stand Preview

As a red-blooded American male in my late twenties, there are few things I get nostalgic about that aren't women. However when I heard last year that WWE was going to present an ECW Reunion Pay-Per-View, warm fuzzies filled my heart.

There are two big questions fans have going into the pay-per-view:

1. What time would one start drinking to get disgustingly s*itfaced enough to enjoy this presentation of ECW, like you did the shows on your local cable sports station at 2am, while you were college. The Sunday 8pm start time is an adjustment but at the same time, your not in college anymore so four beers in an hour before should suffice.

2. Can WWE present the ECW product and do it justice? To some people no, no matter what happens on Sunday. But to my knowledge this is Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer's show and there are enough people aware of what made the original ECW work that credibility should be maintained. There is also interest on WWE's part as to just how well this show will do. It should do great money, and there is a possibility if all goes well that the WWE could bring back ECW as an underground "brand" in the future. Anything less than a well-received show, however, will kill any possibility of any future re-incarnation of ECW.

As for the announced or I should say unannounced matches and appearances, these are my predictions.

ONE NIGHT STAND MATCHES

Lance Storm with Dawn Marie vs Chris Jericho
I love Dawn Marie but Francine and Beulah will definitely be missed at this pay-per-view. This is Lance Storm's retirement match, Jericho will be teaming with John Cena the next night on Raw. Pretty simple prediction here. I would be shocked to see Storm go over.

Rey Mysterio vs Psychosis
Power Ranger Wrestling returns! Has Psychosis ever beaten Rey Mysterio? This was the feud that launched Lucha Wrestling in the mid 90's. Haven't even heard anything about Psychosis until now. This could be a disappointment. R-E-Y easily.

The insane luchador Super Crazy vs Tajiri with Sinister Minister vs Little Guido
When I get nostalgic over ECW, Jim Mitchell doesn't necessarily appear top of mind. I always wondered why Super Crazy never landed in WWE. My guess is Tajiri here since he has gotten a lot of rub off the ECW hype on Raw.

Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
My guess they are going to do a wrestling clinic that will be significantly distinct from any match they've done in WWE. Why this match at least hasn't been announced is beyond me would be a good draw for people not so crazy about or familiar with the old ECW product. Flip a Coin.

Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman vs Bubba & D-Von Dudley
Barring an impromptu Tazz vs. Kurt Angle match, this should be the main event and final match of the evening. Tommy Dreamer is booking this whole show with Paul Heyman, but that means nothing as Dreamer won the ECW title once in his entire career while he was booking. The Dudley's are ECW's greatest legacy and they should end the night victorious.

ECW One Night Stand will feature special appearances by:
Paul Heyman- Yes he will be on the show at various points.

Rob Van Dam with Bill Alfonso- Supposedly he gets 10 minutes of uncensored mic time, teasing that he may go off on the powers that be at WWE, I'm not holding my breath though.

Tazz- I expect him to have some altercation with Kurt Angle, whether or not a match will be booked is to be seen.

Spike Dudley- Run-in during the Dudley match

Al Snow with Head- Cameo Appearance

Sabu- Could be involved in the Angle/Tazz or RVD promos somehow

Danny Doring and Roadkill- Announcing their future indie bookings
CW Anderson- Collecting a check
Rhyno- Hoping to stay sober through the after-party
Axl Rotten-Hoping he gets paid in cash
Justin Credible- Hoping fans still remember who he is

Joel Gertner- Hopefully doing all the in-ring announcing

Kid Kash- Flying into the stands at some point

Balls Mahoney- Giving Chair Shots
Masato Tanaka- Taking Chair Shots

Heidenreich- Just checking to see if you're still paying attention

Mikey Whipwreck with Sinister Minister- Thanks for coming

The BWO - Big Stevie Cool, Hollywood Nova, and The Blue Guy- Cameo Appearance

In the end I expect for ECW One Night Stand to remind me of why I loved ECW and why nothing else in sports entertainment will achieve the same counter-culture following. I also hope to be tanked on Icehouse but able to wake up in time for my 10:55am Constitutional Law class, but some things will never be the same.