Two Things: ECW stars we want back in WWE

Back in the day ECW was known for its Hardcore and Extreme antics. On todays edition of Two Things, we are picking out two ECW stars we would like to see back in a WWE ring.

Raven

Few antagonists in the history of sports-entertainment have stirred as much controversy in the squared circle as the man from The Bowery called Raven. The grungy sociopath terrorized opponents and fans alike in major wrestling organizations including WWE, WCW and the original incarnation of ECW.

Raven may have looked like a roadie for Pearl Jam, but he had the brains to become one of the ring’s most influential leaders. With an IQ of more than 140, the gutter punk became a member of Mensa and used his intellect to recruit a cult of followers when Stevie Richards brought him to ECW in 1995. Surrounded by converts like Richards, Blue Meanie, The Pitbulls and Cactus Jack, the sadistic messiah became a villainous idol in Philadelphia by employing a mesmerizing blend of an indomitable demeanor and glib prose. His signature signoff became Edgar Allen Poe’s elegant line, “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’ ”

The master manipulator first targeted his former summer camp rival Tommy Dreamer, who had been a popular jock while Raven was a social outcast. “For three years, I’d never beat him,” Dreamer said of the man who once broke his fingers in the ring. “Every time I’d come so close, I’d somehow not pull it off.” It wasn’t until two years of battles later that Dreamer finally defeated his longtime rival at Wrestlepalooza 1997, Raven's final night in his first ECW tenure.

The Sandman, whom Raven twice defeated for the ECW World Championship, became the deranged mastermind’s most emotionally affected victim. In 1996, Raven became involved with The Sandman’s ex-wife and brainwashed The Hardcore Icon’s own 7-year-old son Tyler, who adopted Raven’s wardrobe, mannerisms and phrases and told him, “I love you more than my own daddy.” At one event, the charismatic miscreant assaulted The Sandman in such an offensive manner that Kurt Angle, who was in attendance, stormed out of the ECW Arena in disgust. Raven was later forced to publicly apologize for the brutalization.

After arriving in WCW, Raven recruited competitors like Perry Saturn and Billy Kidman to join his sect, now called The Flock. He defeated Diamond Dallas Page for the United States Championship and competed in memorable matches against Goldberg and Chris Jericho before returning to his Extreme roots. Raven’s second tenure in ECW was brief, as he moved to WWE in 2000, where he became a record 26-time Hardcore Champion by defeating Superstars like Big Show and Bradshaw.

“I loved Raven,” Paul Heyman once proclaimed. “Raven motivated me. He inspired me. He could do anything, embrace it and had a passion for it — the likes of which I’d never seen before and may never see again.”

Rhyno

Built as tough as an American-made automobile, The Man Beast from Detroit had more than a few crash tests in the squared circle.

Rhyno began his career wrestling for small companies in Canada where he became close friends with future ring allies Christian and WWE Hall of Famer Edge, but he first rose to national prominence in the original incarnation of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Debuting in mid-1999, the powerhouse took the renegade company by storm as he destroyed Extreme icons like Raven, Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman. Soon, even the highly passionate hardcore fanbase began to take notice of the devastating and impactful “GORE!”

Rhyno didn’t just defeat opponents. He ended them – barreling through his rivals like a full-steam ahead locomotive. At CyberSlam 2000, he defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri for the ECW Television Championship. Over the ensuing months, Rhyno defended his title against all-comers including Jerry Lynn, Raven, Mikey Whipwreck, New Jack, Spike Dudley and even Rob Van Dam – who had vacated the title after a 23-month reign – but all were unable to topple The Man Beast.

At ECW’s final pay-per-view, Guilty as Charged 2001, Rhyno made history. Immediately after The Sandman had won the ECW Championship in a grueling matchup, The Man Beast appeared in New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom and pinned his rival to win the title in just one minute, becoming the first competitor to simultaneously hold ECW’s two singles championships. The company ceased operations later that month.

Rhyno kept moving, and debuted in WWE two months later. He rekindled his longtime friendships with Edge and Christian, and helped his allies win the tag titles at WrestleMania X-Seven. The trio joined with Kurt Angle to form Team RECK, and all four members advanced to the semi-finals of 2001’s King of the Ring Tournament.
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taying true to his ECW roots, Rhyno won the Hardcore Championship on three occasions early in his WWE tenure, and joined the ECW portion of The Alliance during 2001’s Invasion. When Chris Jericho made nasty remarks about Stephanie McMahon, Rhyno fought for the ECW owner’s honor, and even Gored Y2J straight through SmackDown’s set. He picked up the United States Championship from former ECW rival Tajiri, but was suspended by The Alliance authorities when he lost the title to Kurt Angle.

Rhyno’s period of destruction in WWE might have been brief, but he is known for his dedication as much as his wreckage. More than 10 years since ECW closed its doors, The Man Beast still remains true to his roots, defining the hard-nosed style that the Philadelphia-based company was known for.

And Rhyno’s longtime friendships, both on-screen and off, have remained a clear indication of his loyalty – as evidenced by honoring Edge during his sudden retirement and subsequent WWE Hall of Fame induction, where he received a shout out during The Rated-R Superstar’s speech.

But when most fans see Rhyno in action, there’s only one word to shout out: “GORE!”