Paul Heyman says WWE’s 2006 relaunch of ECW was a bad move. He calls it a “miserable experience” and says the real spirit of ECW comes from its original run in the 1990s.
Heyman’s view on the 2006 ECW relaunch
Paul Heyman, who owned and led creative for the original ECW, spoke recently about WWE’s 2006 relaunch of the promotion. He said the WWE version did not reflect the real ECW and that fans who chant “ECW” now are thinking of the original era.
Heyman said, “I don’t think anybody that chants ‘ECW’ in 2026 ever is thinking about the WWE-ized version of 2006 which was one absolutely abhorrent, miserable experience for everybody involved.”
The WWE relaunch began after a 2005 tribute show. WWE made ECW a third brand alongside Raw and SmackDown. That version ran until February 2010. Heyman left WWE soon after the relaunch started and stayed away from pro wrestling for about six years.
Hardcore Heaven 1994 featured in WWE 2K26
Heyman was speaking to VideoGamesChronicle about the new WWE 2K26 video game. He was happy to see ECW’s history included in the game. One match in the game’s showcase is a fantasy fight between CM Punk and Cactus Jack at ECW’s Hardcore Heaven 1994.
He said it is an honor to have Hardcore Heaven 1994 in the game. Heyman added that the event shows ECW when it was changing the wrestling business. He used the words “revolutionizing” and “evolutionizing” to describe the promotion’s impact.
Below is the video of Heyman’s interview where he discusses these topics.
ECW’s legacy and timeline
Heyman says when people think of ECW they mean the period from September 1993 to January 2001. That was the original run that made ECW famous for a rougher, more extreme style.
WWE’s ECW brand was different. Heyman felt WWE’s version watered down the product and did not capture the authentic spirit of the original company.
Heyman’s comments remind fans why many still hold the 1993–2001 ECW in high regard. The inclusion of Hardcore Heaven 1994 in WWE 2K26 will likely bring more attention to that era for new fans.
Quotes credited to VGC on YouTube. H/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
