ECW - Birth of Hardcore

During the mid-90s, a cultural awakening was taking place in American society. Grunge music and crash TV were all the rage, and a wave of brazen attitude was sweeping the country. Spearheaded by brash industry visionary Paul Heyman, a small upstart wrestling promotion in Philadelphia harnessed this societal shift and began presenting a completely alternative product. Tables & barbed wire replaced handshakes & headlocks, authentic personalities replaced the cartoon characters come-to-life, and the live audience evolved from mere spectators to being an integral part of the show. Unfortunately, the same risky presentation that brought them popularity, would ultimately lead to their demise. This is ECW--Extreme Championship Wrestling--an underground movement that would change the face of professional wrestling forever, and create a unique legacy that is still felt to this day in WWE.