Mid Year Report Cards for the WWF, WCW, and ECW

The calendar reveals that we have reached the half way point of 2000, and it is time to put all three national promotions under evaluation.

WWF

Plain and simple, the WWF remains red hot. “Raw” is averaging an impressive 6.35 at the mid way point of the year. UPN’s Smackdown! is the highest rated program on the network, averaging a healthy 4.85. “Heat,” which was the company’s “B” show prior to the debut of Smackdown, still maintains a higher ratings average than “Nitro,” leading 3.0 to 2.84.

In analyzing the company’s first six pay-per-views of the new millennium, I must bestow a great deal of credit to the WWF for booking the sixty-minute iron man match for “Judgment Day.” As fans of the squared circle, we have been programmed to except short matches as the norm, yet, the May PPV proved that a longer match is just as exciting, and often times, more compelling.

Television: B+ Pay-per-view: B+ Overall: B+

WCW

WCW has become a real life soap opera. More happens behind the scenes than in front of the cameras. In January, Vice President Bill Busch decided to demote head writer Vince Russo and hand the booking duties to Kevin Sullivan. As a direct result, Chris Beniot, Eddy Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn, and Shane Douglas demanded and were granted their full unconditional releases.

By the end of the month, Beniot, Guerrero, Malenko, and Saturn bolted for the WWF. With business continuing in a downward spiral, and morale at an all time low, TNT President Brad Siegel removed Busch from his VP position, and brought back Eric Bischoff and Russo as the new creative forces. Thirteen weeks after the change in guard, little if anything has changed.

Television: D Pay-per-view: D+ Overall: D+

ECW

The first six months of the new millennium has not gone ECW’s way. In January, Rob Van Dam suffered a cracked fibula. Four months later, Mike Awesome bolted for WCW while still holding the ECW title. On May 16th, Lance Storm also signed with WCW.

Paul Heyman has openly criticized TNN for the lack of cross promotion, as ECW On TNN is rarely advertised through out the week. The TNN show peaked at a 1.3 rating, but has fizzled out to a 0.8 average over the last five weeks. Heyman has a legitimate complaint against the network for the lacks of plugs; however, even the executive producer will have to admit the show has become tiresome.

Television: D Pay-per-view: B Overall: C

Tidbits: Scott Steiner (Scott Rechsteiner) was suspended by WCW for unprofessional behavior prior to the Thunder taping in Lincoln, Nebraska … Hardcore Holly (Robert Howard) broke his arm at the Smackdown! taping in a match with Kurt Angle … ECW's last air date on TNN will be on September 22nd … Konnan (Carlos Ashenoff) is out of action with a tricep tear … The WWF has released the seldom-used Blue Meanie (Brian Heffron) … Bobby Eaton, recently released by WCW, may end up in ECW.

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