WWE infamously relaunched Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2006 as a 3rd brand alongside “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown” following the success of what was meant to be a one-off tribute in One Night Stand 2005. The new edition of ECW lasted through February 2010, but former ECW owner and artistic head Paul Heyman’s discontent with the rebrand led to his departure shortly after “WWECW” launched, and he’d remain away from skilled wrestling for six years as a consequence of it. Heyman talked about his distaste for WWE’s watered down version of ECW with VideoGamesChronicle on YouTube.
“I do not think anybody that chants ‘ECW’ in 2026 ever is occupied with the WWE-ized version of 2006 which was one absolutely abhorrent, miserable experience for everyone involved,” Heyman said. “When people chant ‘ECW,’ they chant from the period of September 1993 to January 2001.”
Heyman and VGC were chatting about “WWE 2K26” and its release. One mode of the sport follows the profession of current WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, and one playable match within the showcase is a fantasy matchup between Punk and Cactus Jack at ECW Hardcore Heaven 1994. Heyman was more than happy that the event was featured in the sport.
“To have Hardcore Heaven 1994 as a part of the ‘2k26’ video game is an honor for A, anyone that was involved in that, and I definitely was, anybody that was there and there are a lot of who were, and anybody who wants a real, authentic portrayal of ECW when it was revolutionizing and indeed, evolutionizing, your entire industry,” he said.
For those who use any quotes from this text, please credit VGC on YouTube and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.