BeforeWWEhad an attitude during its best era,ECWset the tone. Extreme Championship Wrestling is best remembered as the hardcore deathmatch promotion, but it was so much more than just the Land of Extreme. As influential as ECW was when it came to hardcore content, it was just as influential when it came to pure in-ring wrestling.
And how could it not? This is the promotion where in-ring generals like Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio, Dean Malenko, and several others all caught their first big break. There was a time when, compared to WWE and WCW when all three companies aired on TV at the same time,ECW had the best in-ring wrestling out of all of the three. There are a select few matches that attest to this fact, and either serve as perfect gateway viewing for those who never watched ECW or are essential viewing for anyone who calls themselves an ECW fan.
Barely Legal 1997
In the earliest days of ECW, Sabu and “The Tazmaniac” held the Tag Team Titles together, until Sabu was legitimately fired for no-showing an ECW show in favor of working for NJPW. Soon enough, Tazmaniac would suffer a neck injury after receiving a spike piledriver -one of wrestling’s most dangerous moves- that put him on the shelf indefinitely. Once he returned in 1996, the rebranded Taz targeted a similarly returning Sabu, furious that Paul Heyman rehired him.
ECW fans couldn’t have asked for a bigger match on the marquee for ECW’s first pay-per-view. The build-up made this one feel special, just like any main event one might find at a WrestleMania. In the ring,it was power vs. speed with smoldering rage in between. It truly felt as if there was hatred building between these two men and this was a true spectacle to behold.
9RVD vs Jerry Lynn
Hardcore Heaven 99
Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn might be the definitive feud of Extreme Championship Wrestling, and it’s easy to see why after watching this match, the second of their famous trilogy over the ECW Television Championship. Their first match took place at Living Dangerously, and it ended in a 20-minute time-limit draw, with Lynn being awarded the title as a result. Lynn wanted to win the belt under unquestionable circumstances, and so demanded the match be restarted. RVD won to retain, but to return the favor, requested a rematch for Hardcore Heaven.
Their first match was more of a feeling-each-other-out process, both in character and with both wrestlers getting a feel for each other’s chemistry. This rematch was a literal back-and-forth between two competitors perfectly in tune with each other’s bodies. One counter after another and the transitions couldn’t be smoother.
8Rey Mysterio Jr vs Psicosis
Gangstas Paradise 1995
ECW Gangsta’s Paradise ended up being one of the most important PPVs in the company’s catalog if not wrestling history. It provided the ECW debuts for “Stunning” Steve Austin and Rey Mysterio. While Austin made the jump from WCW by debuting a new attitude that he’d bring toWWE as Stone Cold, this wasRey Mysterio’s introduction to American audiencesbefore going to either WCW or WWE. A first impression means everything, and Mysterio made the most of it with his match against Psicosis (also making his ECW debut).
The luchador style is a highly celebrated wrestling style, but one that was still unseen and unheard of by the majority of North American wrestling fans in 1995. Mysterio and Psicosis' lightning-quick display of offense made just as much of a good first impression and it instantly sold luchadores as one of the hottest attractions of that era.
7Eddie Guerrero vs Dean Malenko
Hostile City Showdown 1995
When most ECW fans want to point to an actual in-ring wrestling match from the company that isn’t blood, guts, and chair shots, this is usually the first match that springs to mind. Malenko and Guerrero had circled each other their entire careers, not just after this in WCW, but prior in Japan. Once they finally brought their dynamic to America,they became pioneers of technical wrestling through bouts like this.
Much of the match is a slower, methodical pace as most technical wrestling matches tend to be. The rabid ECW faithful are used to a more breakneck pace, hence why there are “boring” chants and the crowd likely didn’t appreciate this in the moment. Not at first, at least. Once the match gets going, especially following a sunset flip powerbomb off the top, everyone in the crowd is on their feet.
6Raven vs Tommy Dreamer
WrestlePalooza 1997
Not every wrestler in ECW needs to be a technical wizard or a master of the ring to have the match of the night. In some cases, all it takes isa heated, personal rivalry to keep the crowd so invested. Raven and Tommy Dreamer had exactly that over the course of two years from the moment that Raven stepped foot in ECW. Here, they have a Loser Leaves Town match, and per the stipulation, the loser would have to leave ECW.
In reality, this was Raven’s excuse to exit ECW in favor of WCW, but props to him for deciding to put over Dreamer on his way out. More importantly, this was a satisfying textbook end to their feud, markingthe first time in their entire two-year-long storyline that Dreamer would pin Raven. The crowd makes this memorable, even with shenanigans and run-ins galore.
5Taz vs Bam Bam Bigelow
Living Dangerously 1998
This ECW Television Championship match is best remembered for both of these behemoths crashing through the ring, a moment that forced the entire Asbury Park Convention Hall crowd to stand up in unison. It’s certainly one of the most shocking moments to happen on ECW soil, but this match is far more than just a moment.
It’s also the sight of two gladiators engaging in war with each other. One clubbing blow after another as both equally matched monsters just endure everything the other has to give in hopes of taking advantage for even a second.It’s not pretty, it’s not technical, but good gosh it is fun to watch. As the saying goes, it’s two big meaty men slapping meat, and watching something like that never gets old.
42 Cold Scorpio vs Sabu
Cyberslam 1996
2 Cold Scorpio is something of an unsung pioneer in wrestling history as he either popularized or innovated several moves that have become commonplace in the wrestling business, like the 450 Splash, corkscrew moonsault, or somersault leg drop. Many of these moves are old hat by today’s standards, but in the 90s, fans were in awe. 2 Cold Scorpio left his mark in WWE and WCW, butECW was where he shined brightest, especially in this match with Sabu.
While he maintains some aerial offense, Sabu isn’t as high-flying as he usually is in a more rugged, hellish role. He frequently works on the mat, raking at Scorpio’s face while the latter plays the aerial assassin in this match in hopes of mounting a comeback. It’s surprising to see two high-flyers not match each other’s style as Sabu works differently, but it makes for a good contrast of personas.
3Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada and Masato Yakushiji vs Men’s Teoh, Dick Togo and Taka Michinoku (Blue World Order Japan)
As if being the first ECW pay-per-view and housing Taz vs. Sabu wasn’t evidence enough, it deserves to be reiterated just how important Barley Legal is in the canon of ECW lore. This PPVneededto fire off on all cylinders to ensure the long-term success of ECW, even on the undercard. As a result, a match that few - if anybody - had expectations for practically ended up stealing the show.
For newer fans watching this for the first time, it’s easy to miss the value in this match with modern eyes when so much of this fast-paced style is old hat in most wrestling today, but that’s exactly why this match is valuable. Years ago,this was innovative and, in retrospect, highly influential to how wrestlers approach their matches today. Honestly, this matchstillfeels innovative as there’s so much in it that audiences don’t see in wrestling often even today, like an atomic drop off the top rope.
2Dudley Boyz vs Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley
Heat Wave 1999
When he wasn’t by his brothers' side, Spike Dudley was the torment of Buh Buh Ray and D-Von. Some ofECW’s most extreme momentssaw Spike getting brutalized by the Dudley Boyz. This was no different, as the post-match saw the two legends put the runt of the Dudleys through a flaming table (something they repeatedly did to Balls during the build), but two things are remembered just as fondly: the infamous pre-match promo from the Dudleys, and the feel-good moment of Spike and Balls winning the titles.
The feel-good moment speaks for itself, butthe promo from Bubba is what made this match so hot. Crowds were ready to riot against the Dudleys as Buh Buh’s venom almost incited a fight with fans in the crowd. Still riled up, this crowd was begging to see these dastardly Dudley Boyz get their comeuppance, and when they did, it was wholly satisfying.
1RVD vs Bam Bam Bigelow
Hardcore TV, June 29, 2025
When most people point out RVD and Bam Bam’s respective best wrestling matches under the ECW brand, most point to Rob Van Dam’s matches with Jerry Lynn or, in Bam Bam Bigelow’s case, his matches with Taz. However, some people forget that these two wrestled each other on an episode of Hardcore TV. In fact, it’s something of a quintessential episode asRVD’s win marks the beginning of his legendary ECW Television Championship run.
Roman Reigns' Phone Call Scene on SmackDown Has an Incredible Inspiration Only Real ECW Fans Will Remember
Hollywood tends to remake movies all the time, and as WWE produces “cinema,” they borrowed that strategy for Roman Reigns' phone call to Paul Heyman.
It’s the classic David vs. Goliath dynamic, but with a twist. Despite being the smaller of the two and, presumably, in an underdog position, RVD plays the cowardly heel while Bam Bam is the no-nonsense juggernaut. It’s fun seeing RVD try his best to outsmart the bigger man while using his agility as an X-factor. Matches like this prove that whileWWEwas the more popular product at the time,ECWput on the better wrestling.
