Email Questions on the state of ECW...

My good friend Hugo from Ireland dropped me a dime with some questions on the state of ECW. I'll give my answers here, but I thought it'd be a possible interesting topic for some commentary from other readers. So here it is. I'll come back throughout with my own thoughts.

I'd like to discuss the subject of ECW on Sci-Fi at the moment. It seems as if ECW has reached a high point since it's rebirth, Big Vis is really getting over as the juggernaut of extreme, CM Punk has really stepped up as the champ, and Tommy Dreamer continues to break his heart every week working his ass off to get each and every new comer over.
That being said, I've heard from a few reliable sources that ECW is in for major changes.

1) Anyone I talk to is convinced Big Daddy V is destined for SmackDown! As you may remember, I could be called a Viscera 'mark' (what with all the talk of marks on your blog at the moment...) Although that may be a good move for the big man in the short term, it's a complete waste in the long run. There isn't room for V, Henry, Taker, Kane, and Khali all on the same show. Now, don't get me wrong, I think fireing Khali, 'repackaging' Henry and giving Kane a solid push would create lot of room for Vis, but do Friday nights need another monster? Even if they do, can ECW afford to drop a potentially huge draw like V? I said it before, V - Thorn, V - Punk, even V - Balls (if WWE allow it to involve 'hardcore rules') could all be huge draws! With that in mind, if ECW drop V to SD! they're putting a huge amount of confidence in Mike Knox, a proven loser. I'm not taking anything away from Knox, I actually enjoy his work, but he's a second Snitsky in the making! Anyway, just a thought.

Let me try and answer this. One. I have also heard reports of Big Daddy V heading to Smackdown in the future. However, with the events of Unforgiven, that may not be happening after all. I read a report a while back that Undertaker would be facing Henry, V, and Khali en route back to the World Title. However, with Batista taking the belt, and the fact that they DID have an excellent trilogy of matches prior to Taker getting hurt, I think that the V to smackdown thing may be on hold because Batista/Taker will garner ratings and interest right off the bat, and that is something they need, badly. Yes, we hardcore marks may not enjoy Batista/Taker for the 255th time, but the casuals, which WWE lost a ton of when they had the drug scandal break, would possibly return for this. That's what I see in the future for Smackdown at the moment. So I would think V will stay put for the forseeable future.

As far as Mike Knox goes, and his comparison to Snitsky, for what its worth, I LIKE Snitsky. He seems to show some geniune desire to try and get his character over. I don't see that in Knox, and I wonder what sort of push he will get one way or another. I would see, if it were to happen, some sort of deal that Snitsky returns to ECW for a spell and becomes a player there before anything else if V were to go to Smackdown. But, who knows?

2) Could you tell me if there is any truth to the roomer that WWE plan for CM Punk to drop the title back to Morrison as soon as he returns to ECW? If this is the case, I have to say, that borderline insane! Morrison may have turned a huge corner promo and gimmick wise, but with Batista, and Cena as champs a right now can WWE afford to put another belt on a superstar who could be, let's say suspect?
With all the controversy in wrestling at the moment it's beyond me how WWE can allow such hugely over bulked men (or in Morrison's case proven drug users) carry the company? Putting it bluntly, it seems like they want to be canceled.

I too have read the same reports. I don't personally understand them either. However, I have some confidence in Punk that he can deliver some good quality product between now and then that may cause the WWE creative to think before they leap. I don't understand the logic of giving it back to Morrison, and I hope they change their minds. We'll see.

3) This has become a pet peeve of mine. Why in the name of all that's good in the world is Balls Mahoney jobbing to Miz? Mike Knox I get. He's bigger, stronger, faster, fitter. But Miz? Miz is a twit. He has the skill level of Boogeyman and the credibility of Hornswogle. Anyway, if I keep going I might come off as bitter. And we wouldn't wan that now would we?

Because they're trying to put Mizanin over. I don't know the reason behind it either except to say they're playing off his celebrity status as a reality television personality. I also think they're trying to pull something between Balls and Kelly Kelly which, at no other end, will be entertaining as hell. Balls has proven to be a gamer, as he has handled the jobbing with professionalism and class, and has kept his mouth shut. Hopefully, he'll get rewarded for his loyalty, as it apparently was the case with Morrison winning the ECW title back at Night of Champions. Only time will tell. Does it bother me that Mahoney is jobbing to Miz? Yes, it does, but unfortunately, Miz and Expose as a tandem is the right move, and trying to get him over is also the right move, for the moment. Let's hope it doesn't last that much longer.

Opinions, anyone?