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52-543: The title was deactivated in 2001 when ECW went out of business. ECW was then purchased by WWE two years later during the summer of 2003. In 2006, WWE reactivated the championship as the world title of their newly established ECW brand . It was the third concurrently active world championship in the promotion, complementing the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship of the other two brands, Raw and SmackDown . The ECW Championship briefly appeared as

104-451: A design of a phoenix over a globe in the center with its wings expanded and rays of light emitting from it. At the top of the piece, the WWE logo and the words "World Wrestling Entertainment" are engraved with "ECW" in large letters engraved prominently over the phoenix. A nameplate, which has the name of the champion etched, is located below it and at the bottom of the piece, the word "Champion"

156-402: A design of a phoenix over a globe in the center with its wings expanded and rays of light emitting from it. At the top of the piece, the WWE logo and the words "World Wrestling Entertainment" are engraved with "ECW" in large letters engraved prominently over the phoenix. A nameplate, which has the name of the champion etched, is located below it and at the bottom of the piece, the word "Champion"

208-513: A design similar to that of the centerpiece. The new belt as of June 20, 2006 was differentiated by a full black strap with barbed wire tooling , red ECW logos, and the innards of the steel cage pattern outlined in black. On July 22, 2008, ECW General Manager Theodore Long introduced a new belt design for the ECW Championship belt. This design features a large black leather strap with five platinum pieces. The large centerpiece features

260-445: A design similar to that of the centerpiece. The new belt as of June 20, 2006 was differentiated by a full black strap with barbed wire tooling , red ECW logos, and the innards of the steel cage pattern outlined in black. On July 22, 2008, ECW General Manager Theodore Long introduced a new belt design for the ECW Championship belt. This design features a large black leather strap with five platinum pieces. The large centerpiece features

312-416: A pair of baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire . At the top of the piece, a purple ECW logo and the words "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion" were engraved with the words "Heavyweight Wrestling" in red, which gave the text a blood -like appearance. In addition, the entire piece was engraved with a pattern similar to that of a steel cage. Along the strap, on both ends, were four smaller pieces that featured

364-416: A pair of baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire . At the top of the piece, a purple ECW logo and the words "World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion" were engraved with the words "Heavyweight Wrestling" in red, which gave the text a blood -like appearance. In addition, the entire piece was engraved with a pattern similar to that of a steel cage. Along the strap, on both ends, were four smaller pieces that featured

416-498: Is engraved. Additionally, the entire piece is bordered by a jagged saw -like pattern. Along the strap, on both ends, are four small biker cross -shape pieces that feature a design similar to that of the centerpiece. Overall, there have been 49 ECW World Heavyweight Championship reigns shared among 32 individuals. The inaugural champion was Jimmy Snuka, who won the title by defeating Salvatore Bellomo in April 1992. The Sandman holds

468-445: Is engraved. Additionally, the entire piece is bordered by a jagged saw -like pattern. Along the strap, on both ends, are four small biker cross -shape pieces that feature a design similar to that of the centerpiece. Overall, there have been 49 ECW World Heavyweight Championship reigns shared among 32 individuals. The inaugural champion was Jimmy Snuka, who won the title by defeating Salvatore Bellomo in April 1992. The Sandman holds

520-704: The Raw and SmackDown television programs due to talent exchange agreements between the brands. The brand was dissolved in February 2010, and its show was replaced by the reality series NXT , which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory , NXT , in 2012. In early-to-mid-2002, then World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) underwent a process they called the " brand extension ". The WWF divided itself into two de facto wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and authority figures . Raw and SmackDown! would host each division, give its name to

572-508: The Chris Benoit double murder and suicide . (*) – Johnny Nitro was an event-day replacement added by WWE after Chris Benoit was a no-show, with the official statement a "family emergency". It was later discovered Benoit's double murder/suicide had taken place that weekend . Following the events of the WWE brand extension , an annual WWE draft was established, in which select members of

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624-399: The Chris Benoit double murder and suicide . (*) – Johnny Nitro was an event-day replacement added by WWE after Chris Benoit was a no-show, with the official statement a "family emergency". It was later discovered Benoit's double murder/suicide had taken place that weekend . Following the events of the WWE brand extension , an annual WWE draft was established, in which select members of

676-587: The premiere event in the relaunch of the ECW franchise as a third WWE brand , complementary to Raw and SmackDown . On June 13, Paul Heyman , former ECW owner and newly appointed figurehead for the ECW brand , recommissioned the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to be the brand's world title and awarded it to Rob Van Dam as a result of winning the WWE Championship at One Night Stand 2006. Heyman had originally stated that either

728-447: The premiere event in the relaunch of the ECW franchise as a third WWE brand , complementary to Raw and SmackDown . On June 13, Paul Heyman , former ECW owner and newly appointed figurehead for the ECW brand , recommissioned the ECW World Heavyweight Championship to be the brand's world title and awarded it to Rob Van Dam as a result of winning the WWE Championship at One Night Stand 2006. Heyman had originally stated that either

780-575: The world title of the NWA, was vacant. Consequently, a tournament was organized to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion and on August 27, NWA-ECW Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas defeated 2 Cold Scorpio in the finals to win the title. However, Douglas immediately relinquished the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and instead proclaimed himself the new ECW World Heavyweight Champion. ECW subsequently seceded from

832-433: The world title of the NWA, was vacant. Consequently, a tournament was organized to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion and on August 27, NWA-ECW Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas defeated 2 Cold Scorpio in the finals to win the title. However, Douglas immediately relinquished the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and instead proclaimed himself the new ECW World Heavyweight Champion. ECW subsequently seceded from

884-465: The ECW video library and a series of books, which included the release of The Rise and Fall of ECW documentary. With heightened and rejuvenated interest in the ECW franchise, WWE organized ECW One Night Stand on June 12, a reunion event that featured ECW alumni . Due to the financial and critical success of the production, WWE produced the second ECW One Night Stand on June 11, 2006, which served as

936-414: The ECW video library and a series of books, which included the release of The Rise and Fall of ECW documentary. With heightened and rejuvenated interest in the ECW franchise, WWE organized ECW One Night Stand on June 12, a reunion event that featured ECW alumni . Due to the financial and critical success of the production, WWE produced the second ECW One Night Stand on June 11, 2006, which served as

988-466: The ECW Championship in July 2007. The ECW World Championship Tournament was a tournament created to determine a new ECW World Champion after Bobby Lashley vacated his championship due to being drafted to Raw on June 11, 2007. The finals took place at Vengeance: Night of Champions . This tournament is notable because one of the semi-final rounds was Chris Benoit's final match. The tournament final

1040-413: The ECW Championship in July 2007. The ECW World Championship Tournament was a tournament created to determine a new ECW World Champion after Bobby Lashley vacated his championship due to being drafted to Raw on June 11, 2007. The finals took place at Vengeance: Night of Champions . This tournament is notable because one of the semi-final rounds was Chris Benoit's final match. The tournament final

1092-429: The NWA and became Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The ECW World Heavyweight Championship was thus established, spun off from the NWA title. It remained active until April 11, 2001, when ECW closed and World Wrestling Entertainment subsequently purchased its assets. The final champion Rhyno went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 2005. By 2005, WWE began reintroducing ECW through content from

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1144-428: The NWA and became Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). The ECW World Heavyweight Championship was thus established, spun off from the NWA title. It remained active until April 11, 2001, when ECW closed and World Wrestling Entertainment subsequently purchased its assets. The final champion Rhyno went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 2005. By 2005, WWE began reintroducing ECW through content from

1196-416: The NWA to become Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1994 it continued using this belt until 1996 when it had a new belt created in 1996 starting during Raven's second title reign and was used through 1998. In 1998, ECW had a new belt created for its championship that would be used until the promotion ceased operations in 2001. Soon after its recommissioning, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship belt design

1248-415: The NWA to become Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1994 it continued using this belt until 1996 when it had a new belt created in 1996 starting during Raven's second title reign and was used through 1998. In 1998, ECW had a new belt created for its championship that would be used until the promotion ceased operations in 2001. Soon after its recommissioning, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship belt design

1300-628: The WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship would "become" the ECW World Heavyweight Championship if a competitor designated to the ECW brand became WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion at the event. However, Rob Van Dam later declared that he would hold both titles simultaneously instead. The title became known as the ECW World Championship in July 2006, and later simply as

1352-400: The WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship would "become" the ECW World Heavyweight Championship if a competitor designated to the ECW brand became WWE Champion or World Heavyweight Champion at the event. However, Rob Van Dam later declared that he would hold both titles simultaneously instead. The title became known as the ECW World Championship in July 2006, and later simply as

1404-412: The WWE roster are reassigned to a different brand. ECW was revived as a third brand in 2006 to rival Raw and SmackDown and continued to operate until February 16, 2010, rendering the title inactive once again. The original belt was a five-plate title belt made by Mike Vartanian. The belt was an exact copy of NWA-ECW's forerunner Tri-State Wrestling Alliance's Heavyweight title. The only difference

1456-409: The WWE roster are reassigned to a different brand. ECW was revived as a third brand in 2006 to rival Raw and SmackDown and continued to operate until February 16, 2010, rendering the title inactive once again. The original belt was a five-plate title belt made by Mike Vartanian. The belt was an exact copy of NWA-ECW's forerunner Tri-State Wrestling Alliance's Heavyweight title. The only difference

1508-410: The air and would air its final episode on February 16. The final match on the show was an extreme rules match where Ezekiel Jackson defeated ECW Champion Christian . With the ECW brand permanently disbanded, the ECW roster were assigned to other brands. The ECW show was replaced by the reality series NXT , which was rebranded as WWE's developmental territory , NXT , in 2012. When ECW

1560-733: The division and essentially compete against each other. The split came about as a result of the WWF purchasing its biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling (WCW); and the subsequent doubling of its roster and championships . The brand extension was publicly announced by Linda McMahon during a telecast of Raw on March 25 and became official the next day. WWE acquired the rights to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)'s trademarks and video library in 2003. The enormous popularity of The Rise and Fall of ECW and other ECW merchandise prompted WWE to organize One Night Stand , an ECW reunion pay-per-view in 2005. The financial and critical success of

1612-498: The event motivated WWE to organize a second One Night Stand the following year. With rejuvenated interest in the ECW product, WWE began exploring the possibility of reviving the promotion full-time. On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of ECW as a stand-alone brand, congruous to Raw and SmackDown! , with its own show on Sci Fi (now Syfy ). On May 29, the WWE held their 2006 brand extension draft . The draft featured ECW founder Paul Heyman receiving two total draft picks from

ECW World Heavyweight Championship - Misplaced Pages Continue

1664-419: The existing Raw and SmackDown! rosters for the newly created ECW brand. During the draft, Rob Van Dam was drafted from Raw and Kurt Angle from SmackDown! as the marquee signings. The ECW brand was initially produced differently from WWE's other brands. For televised events, the main ring-facing cameras were placed on a different location in the arena while the wrestling ring itself featured an ECW logo on

1716-410: The mat and blank turnbuckle covers. The male performers were referred to "Extremists" instead of " Superstars " while female performers were called "Vixens" rather than Divas . However, the brand steadily began being produced following the same format of the other brands and as opposed to the original promotion match rules, such as count outs and disqualifications , were now standard. Matches featuring

1768-429: The most reigns as champion, with five. Shane Douglas, in his fourth reign, had the longest reign in the title's history which lasted 406 days. Ezekiel Jackson 's 3-minute reign following his defeat of Christian on the television finale of ECW is the shortest, as the title was retired with the cancellation of the ECW brand. Christian's second reign was the longest under WWE at 205 days. ECW (WWE brand) ECW

1820-428: The rule set of the original promotion were then classified as being contested under " Extreme Rules " and were only fought when specified. Former ECW owner Paul Heyman served as the on-air ECW Representative until December to Dismember , when Heyman was relieved from both his on and off-air duties with WWE. After Heyman left in late 2006, there was no ECW authority figure until August 14, 2007, when Armando Estrada

1872-448: The sole world title of the Raw brand in 2008 as a result of that year's draft . When WWE disbanded the ECW brand in 2010, the championship was subsequently retired following the final episode of WWE ECW with Ezekiel Jackson as the final titleholder, who also had the shortest reign with the belt at 2 minutes 25 seconds as he won it during the episode. The ECW World Heavyweight Championship

1924-399: The sole world title of the Raw brand in 2008 as a result of that year's draft . When WWE disbanded the ECW brand in 2010, the championship was subsequently retired following the final episode of WWE ECW with Ezekiel Jackson as the final titleholder, who also had the shortest reign with the belt at 2 minutes 25 seconds as he won it during the episode. The ECW World Heavyweight Championship

1976-523: Was a brand of the American professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) that was established in May 2006 and discontinued in February 2010. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers that were assigned to ECW primarily appeared on the brand's weekly television program, ECW . The brand

2028-599: Was announced as the General Manager. On June 3, 2008, Estrada was replaced by Theodore Long . On the April 7, 2009 edition of ECW , it was announced that Long was returning to SmackDown to fulfill the role of General Manager. From this point, the Interim General Manager was named as Tiffany , who took over as full-time General Manager on the June 30 episode. On October 16, 2007, a "talent exchange"

2080-467: Was deactivated in 2001 when ECW went out of business. ECW was then purchased by WWE two years later during the summer of 2003. In 2006, WWE reactivated the championship as the world title of their newly established ECW brand . It was the third concurrently active world championship in the promotion, complementing the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship of the other two brands, Raw and SmackDown . The ECW Championship briefly appeared as

2132-490: Was established as a relaunch of the former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion, the assets of which WWE acquired in 2003. The brand operated during the second half of WWE's first brand extension period (2002–2011), and was one of WWE's three main brands, along with Raw and SmackDown . In addition to the brand's television program, ECW wrestlers competed on the branded and co-branded pay-per-view events . From 2007 to 2009, ECW wrestlers also occasionally appeared on

ECW World Heavyweight Championship - Misplaced Pages Continue

2184-681: Was introduced originally in 1992 as the NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship with Jimmy Snuka becoming the inaugural champion on April 25. However, its origin is attributed to events that began in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an organization with many members promotions . In the early 1990s, Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) was a member of the NWA and by 1994, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship ,

2236-422: Was introduced originally in 1992 as the NWA-ECW Heavyweight Championship with Jimmy Snuka becoming the inaugural champion on April 25. However, its origin is attributed to events that began in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an organization with many members promotions . In the early 1990s, Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) was a member of the NWA and by 1994, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship ,

2288-743: Was revived in 2006 as a third brand, the ECW World Heavyweight Championship was reactivated and was intended to be the brand's only championship. The brand would later gain championships through the yearly WWE draft , but the ECW Championship was deactivated along with the ECW brand on February 16, 2010. ECW World Heavyweight Champion The ECW World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship originally used in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and later, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It

2340-612: Was started between the SmackDown! and ECW brands, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand. On the September 8, 2008 episode of Raw , it was announced a "talent exchange" was started also for the Raw brand with ECW, allowing their respective talent to appear on either brand whenever they feel like. Following the 2009 WWE draft , both of these talent exchanges were quietly dropped. On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would be going off

2392-416: Was supposed to be Benoit vs CM Punk but Benoit no-showed the event and was replaced by Johnny Nitro, who would go on to win the title. It was reported the day after the event that Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel were found dead in their home in suburban Atlanta. The day after police ruled that Benoit himself had killed his wife and son before committing suicide. This event has gone on to be known as

2444-416: Was supposed to be Benoit vs CM Punk but Benoit no-showed the event and was replaced by Johnny Nitro, who would go on to win the title. It was reported the day after the event that Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel were found dead in their home in suburban Atlanta. The day after police ruled that Benoit himself had killed his wife and son before committing suicide. This event has gone on to be known as

2496-513: Was that the NWA-ECW's main plate featured the promotion’s name and had areas painted blue. During this belt's period of use, it was treated badly and was grinded, repainted, and had jewels placed on the main plate, which would explain why it appears different in almost every photo of it. By the time the belt was replaced, it was in a very bad state and two of the side plates were broken off or missing. When Eastern Championship Wrestling withdrew from

2548-458: Was that the NWA-ECW's main plate featured the promotion’s name and had areas painted blue. During this belt's period of use, it was treated badly and was grinded, repainted, and had jewels placed on the main plate, which would explain why it appears different in almost every photo of it. By the time the belt was replaced, it was in a very bad state and two of the side plates were broken off or missing. When Eastern Championship Wrestling withdrew from

2600-432: Was the original world title of the ECW promotion, spun off from the NWA World Heavyweight Championship . It was established under ECW in 1994 but was originally introduced in 1992 by the promotion's precursor, Eastern Championship Wrestling . The inaugural champion was Jimmy Snuka , however, WWE considers the inaugural world heavyweight champion to be Shane Douglas , with his reign beginning on August 27, 1994. The title

2652-409: Was updated to a design similar to the belt used before ECW's original closure in 2001, which featured a black leather strap with a snakeskin pattern on the rear, snaps to wrap around the waist of the wrestler who wore it, and five pieces made of gold . In the middle of the strap was a large centerpiece, which featured a design of a blue globe in the center, and to the left and right of the globe were

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2704-409: Was updated to a design similar to the belt used before ECW's original closure in 2001, which featured a black leather strap with a snakeskin pattern on the rear, snaps to wrap around the waist of the wrestler who wore it, and five pieces made of gold . In the middle of the strap was a large centerpiece, which featured a design of a blue globe in the center, and to the left and right of the globe were

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