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77-571: The event is known for the speech given by the tournament winner, ECW Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas , who dropped the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt and proclaimed the ECW Heavyweight Championship to be a world championship. Douglas' speech presaged the emergence of ECW – renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling shortly after the event – as a nationally recognized promotion and

154-574: A 450 somersault landing on the supine opponent with the elbow drop. Independent wrestler Flip Kendrick has used the move. John Morrison uses a modified version of this move which sees him utilizing a diving cartwheel motion during the move and uses this as a finisher calling it the Countdown to IMPACT , IMPACT Elbow (using both names while in Impact Wrestling ), and Thursday Night Delight respectfully. This less common variation sees

231-472: A senton sees the wrestler landing back or buttocks first on the opponent's stomach or chest. The move sees an attacking wrestler jumping to the top turnbuckle or top rope facing away from the ring before falling down backwards onto the lying opponent. Popularized by Darby Allin who uses it as a finisher as the Coffin Drop . He's also known to use this move to hit a standing opponent. The attacker on

308-651: A small package . In the semi-finals, 2 Cold Scorpio defeated 911 by count-out after 911 was distracted by Douglas (disguised as Doink the Clown), while Douglas pinned Dean Malenko following two piledrivers . In between the semi finals and the finals, there was a scheduled tag team bout for the ECW Tag Team Championship between champions the Public Enemy ( Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock ) and challengers Cactus Jack and Terry Funk . After Funk

385-549: A swan diving motion by spreading their arms outwards while arching their legs backwards midair while performing the move. Benoit and Danielson are best known to use this technique. Benoit also used a version of this move by simply falling forward off the turnbuckle, with his arms spread up and outwards, to hit an opponent at close range. Honma also uses this version that he calls the Kokeshi while keeping his arms to his sides. This move, popular in lucha libre, can also be used to hit

462-451: 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"

539-513: 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

616-523: A finishing move called the Tsunami . Also known as firebird splash , involves an attacker facing the ring from the top of the turnbuckles, then performing a "Rudolph" ( front somersault with 1 1 ⁄ 2 twists ) to land the upper body's front on the opponent. This move was innovated by Japanese superstar Hayabusa , hence why it is also called the Firebird Splash . Scott Steiner introduced

693-454: A leg across the downed opponent. 2 Cold Scorpio uses this move as a signature called Drop The Bomb . Ruckus has also used this as an occasional move. The wrestler jumps forward from an elevated position following a full 360° or beyond rotation, driving a leg across the fallen opponent. The wrestler, standing on an elevated position, jumps and flips forward to land one leg on the opponent lying beneath. This move can also be performed from

770-416: 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

847-512: A pinning position. Innovated by Molly Holly . Tegan Nox uses this move. The attacker jumps to the top turnbuckle or top rope facing away from the ring, and executes a moonsault, landing in an ordinary senton position. There is also a standing version of this move. In this variation, the attacking wrestler executes a quick front somersault off the top turnbuckle, landing on the opponent back-first. Popularized by Jim Fullington and renaming it as Rolling Rock . The standing, running variation

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924-582: A raised platform, landing stomach first horizontally across an opponent lying on the ground below. This move was popularized by Jimmy Snuka , naming it the Superfly Splash , for his “Superfly” gimmick, and is currently used by his daughter Tamina Snuka as a tribute to her father. The Usos also use this move as their finishers called the Uso Splash , and is also occasionally used by Solo Sikoa called Flying Solo . Bronson Reed also uses this as

1001-534: A standing non-elevated position although this variation is quite rare. Booker T used this move during his time in WCW naming the move, Harlem Hangover. 2 Cold Scorpio uses a variation of this move as a finisher which sees him, while facing away from the supine opponent, utilizing a single corkscrew with the move and calls it the Tumbleweed . Executed by diving onto a supine opponent with one elbow cocked, driving

1078-403: A standing opponent as demonstrated by Rey Mysterio who has used diving and springboard versions of this move earlier, and rarely at later parts in his career, as a signature and finisher. It was later publicized that the move in general could cause severe spine, brain, leg or chest damage. A move in which a wrestler jumps from the top turnbuckle, top rope, or the apron, landing one knee across

1155-520: A standing or seated upright opponent with each knee striking both of their shoulders simultaneously. Springboard , slingshot , and standing or running versions of this move are also possible with the latter being used while the attacker is charging towards an opponent, against a charging opponent, or a combination of both. Innovated by CIMA , who has used both a springboard and top rope version as finishing maneuvers in Dragon Gate , and named it after

1232-469: A supine opponent. There is also a variation where a wrestler jumps from the elevated position and lands both knees across the supine opponent, referred to as a diving double knee drop . Bob "Spark Plug" Holly used this as a finisher, calling it the Pitstop Plunge . This version of the diving double knee drop sees the attacker performing the maneuver from an elevated platform, jumping forward onto

1309-667: A tournament in Cherry Hill, New Jersey hosted by Smoky Mountain Wrestling , defeating Tracy Smothers in the finals. Douglas' actions have been described as "killing the title's credibility forever". ECW World Heavyweight Championship 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

1386-416: A wrestler jumping from a raised platform landing the bottom side of one leg across the opponent's throat or chest. This move was used as the finisher of former WWE wrestler Fandango (now known as Dirty Dango) calling this move The Last Dance . This variation sees the wrestler performing a moonsault but instead of landing on the opponent in a splash position, the wrestler continues the rotation to drive

1463-470: A wrestler stand facing away from a standing or supine opponent and in an elevated position (usually the top turnbuckle). The wrestler then dives backwards to strike the opponent. Ted DiBiase has used this move against a supine opponent as a finisher. The wrestler sits on the top turnbuckle with a foot on each second rope facing a supine opponent. The wrestler then leaps forward while clasping both forearms together, landing on their knees, driving an elbow into

1540-537: Is dubbed the Friday Night Fever (formerly known as Area 451 ). The move was innovated and popularized by Hayabusa , who named it the Phoenix splash . The wrestler facing away from the ring on the top turnbuckle performs a 180° turn in mid-air while performing a 450° splash onto a lying opponent. Kota Ibushi uses this move. Also known as flaming star press or inverted / reverse 450° splash , sees

1617-498: 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

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1694-599: Is just barely complete when the attacker impacts the opponent with upper back/shoulders. Invented by The Great Sasuke calling it Senton Atomico , Jeff Hardy popularized this move in North America, calling it the Swanton Bomb . It would be used by Kevin Owens , as well as British professional wrestler Amir Jordan, who calls the move Swanton Bombay . Another variant where the attacking wrestler, facing away from

1771-464: Is known as a cannonball . Another variant where the attacking wrestler facing to the ring does a 360° twist in the air before impact. A.J. Styles popularized this by calling it the Spiral Tap . A variant which sees a wrestler leaping off the top turnbuckle keeping the body straight and arms out-stretched, resembling a swan dive and then waiting until the last moment to execute the flip, so

1848-508: 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

1925-557: The Greek landmark where he proposed to his wife. American wrestlers Sasha Banks and Matt Sydal also use it as a signature move, the latter having also performed in Dragon Gate. This move sees the wrestler jumping forward from the second turnbuckle, executing a mid-air backflip, landing knee first on an opponent down all on fours. It is a finishing move used by "Speedball" Mike Bailey as Ultima Weapon . This diving variation for

2002-464: The Rump Shaker , sees the wrestler standing over a fallen opponent next to the turnbuckle, then climbing up to the second rope and jumping down, landing on the opponent's stomach or chest. This variant, which is technically described as a diving somersault seated senton is performed by flipping forward off a raised platform on to the shoulders of a standing opponent, forcing them to the ground into

2079-653: 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

2156-484: 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

2233-620: The "ECW Heavyweight Champion of the world". In the tradition of Lou Thesz , in the tradition of Jack Brisco of the Brisco Brothers, of Dory Funk, Jr. , of Terry Funk : the man who will never die. As the real "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers , upstairs tonight. From the Harley Races , to the Barry Windhams , to the... Ric Flairs , I accept this heavyweight title . Wait a second, wait a second. Of Kerry Von Erich . Of

2310-465: 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

2387-466: 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

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2464-566: The Franchise, as the new ECW Heavyweight Champion of the world . We have set out to change the face of professional wrestling. So tonight, let the new era begin: the era of the sport of professional wrestling; the era of the Franchise; the era of the ECW. Dennis Coralluzzo was interviewed immediately after the event, referring to Douglas' actions as "a disgrace" and stating that he would move to have Douglas stripped of both championships. There are conflicting accounts as to whether Coralluzzo

2541-584: The Japanese wrestler Osamu Nishimura by submission using a standing figure-four leglock , followed by 911 squashing the surprise wild card entrant, Doink the Clown , with a series of chokeslams . Shane Douglas , the-then ECW Heavyweight Champion , pinned the Tazmaniac with a roll-up , followed by 2 Cold Scorpio defeating Chris Benoit in an "aerial showcase" by reversing Benoit's superplex into

2618-429: 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

2695-465: The NWA board of directors took it upon himself to inform you that they have the power to force NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling not to recognize the Franchise, Shane Douglas, as a world heavyweight champion. Well, as of noon today, I have folded NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling. In its place will be ECW – Extreme Championship Wrestling – and we recognize the Franchise, Shane Douglas, as our World Heavyweight Champion . And we encourage any wrestler in

2772-416: 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

2849-628: 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

2926-412: 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

3003-426: The attacking wrestler standing on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring. Then jumping backwards executing a 450° splash inwards (facing the turnbuckle) onto a downed opponent on the mat. Mustafa Ali once used this move, naming it the 054 . The attacking wrestler stands on the top turnbuckle facing towards the ring and performs a 180° turn in mid-air while performing a 450° splash inwards. The wrestler places

3080-433: The continued decline in the power and profile of the NWA. The event has been described by WWE as "one of the most controversial incidents to ever occur at any sports entertainment event". Douglas described his throwing down of the title strap as "the defining moment for [his] career". Mid 20th Century 1970s and 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s and 2020s The NWA World Heavyweight Championship

3157-487: The elbow into the opponent as the wrestler falls on one of their sides. The move was popularized by WWE Wrestler Randy "Macho Man" Savage , It has since been used by a number of WWE superstars such as CM Punk , Bayley who also uses it as a homage to Randy Savage, and Kairi Sane who uses the move as her finisher and refers to it as the InSane Elbow . The wrestler dives forward from an elevated position performing

NWA World Title Tournament - Misplaced Pages Continue

3234-451: The fat man himself, Dusty Rhodes . This is it tonight, dad. God, that's beautiful. And Rick Steamboat ...and they can all kiss my ass! Because I am not the man who accepts a torch to be handed down to me from an organization that died - RIP - seven years ago . The Franchise, Shane Douglas, is the man who ignites the new flame of the sport of professional wrestling . Tonight, before God and my father as witness, I declare myself,

3311-477: The mat or floor and striking the opponent with two fists held together in the fashion of holding an axe. This is usually done on a standing or rising opponent. A common variation sees the wrestler standing over the top rope, facing away from the ring. From this point, the wrestler jumps, twisting to face inside of the ring, and quickly clutching both fists together to strike the double axe handle. Used by Randy Savage . Also called guillotine leg drop , this move sees

3388-610: 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. Diving senton Aerial techniques , also known as "high-flying moves" are performance techniques used in professional wrestling for simulated assault on opponents. The techniques involve jumping from

3465-533: The move as a tribute to Guerrero. The legendary Hiroshi Tanahashi uses this move as High Fly Flow There is a high-angle turning variation named the Five-Star Frog Splash where the opponent is not placed perpendicular to the corner. Instead, the attacker turns mid-air to land on the opponent in the splash position, regardless of which direction the opponent is lying in. It was made famous by ECW , WWF/E and TNA superstar Rob Van Dam as it

3542-466: The move in 1987 before 2 Cold Scorpio popularized the move in the 1990s. It can also be dangerous when it cannot be executed properly, as WWE previously banned it in 2005 after Juventud Guerrera broke Paul London 's face before they allowed Justin Gabriel to use it in 2010. It is often used by high-flying wrestlers, but has also been used by mat-based wrestler Kris Statlander as her finisher, which

3619-517: The move itself was innovated by La Fiera in Mexico in the early 1980s. Later it was used by Art Barr in the late 1980s and was named by 2 Cold Scorpio who remarked Barr looked "like a frog" whilst performing the move which resulted in Barr naming it. After Barr's death in 1994, Guerrero used the move in tribute to his fallen tag team partner. After Guerrero's death in 2005, Christian Cage began using

3696-443: The move, the wrestler jumps from an elevated position (usually the top turnbuckle) onto an opponent, landing horizontally across the opponent's torso, forcing them to the mat and usually resulting in a pinfall attempt. There is also a reversed version, called a reverse crossbody , where the wrestler faces away from the prone opponent before executing the maneuver. This move is one of the basic moves of lightweight wrestlers. This move

3773-402: The opponent lying supine perpendicular to the turnbuckle. Then approaching to the turnbuckle in the same corner, grabbing a hold both hands on the top rope and climbing to the first or second rope, the wrestler bounces on the ropes before throwing both legs backwards and placing the body parallel to the mat as releasing the ropes, thus falling inwards and downwards to the ring squashing and pinning

3850-415: The opponent. The wrestler dives from an elevated position tucking both arms in, and striking a standing opponent with one shoulder to the upper body. A diving version of the takedown known as a spear . A wrestler will jump from a raised platform driving a shoulder into the torso as pulling both the opponent's legs, forcing them down to the mat. This basic maneuver involves a wrestler jumping forward from

3927-439: The opponent. It was used by Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin . This move sees a wrestler jumping forward from an elevated position followed by executing a mid-air backflip to land elbow first on an opponent lying on the mat. A move in which a wrestler jumps down from the turnbuckle on an opponent, driving their fist into the opponent's head. While doing it, wrestlers have their front four knuckles out, and their thumb to

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4004-488: The opponent. Often referred to as Vader Bomb , for it was (Big Van) Vader who popularized it. Jack Swagger used a running variation as his signature in WWE, calling it a Swagger Bomb and is currently being used by Otis as the Dozer splash . A wrestler executes a backflip and lands torso first on the opponent. A basic moonsault is generally attempted from the top turnbuckle, though myriad variations exist. To perform

4081-421: The prison slang term 187 . The wrestler takes hold of one of the opponent's wrists, twisting the arm into an arm wrench . The wrestler then climbs up the corner turnbuckles and takes a walk on the top rope before falling down striking the opponent's head, back, shoulder or nape with a chop. The move combination is better known as Old School . Invented by Don Jardine and popularized by The Undertaker , who

4158-474: The proposal. Ostensibly unbeknownst to the board of directors, Gordon and Heyman – who had previously had disagreements with Coralluzzo – planned to use the tournament to publicly break away from the NWA and springboard ECW to prominence. Gordon and Heyman approached Shane Douglas , the planned winner of the tournament, who agreed to their plan. The event featured an eight-man tournament for the vacant championship. The tournament began with Dean Malenko defeating

4235-408: The ring's posts and ropes, demonstrating the speed and agility of smaller, nimble and acrobatically inclined wrestlers, with many preferring this style instead of throwing or locking the opponent. Aerial techniques can be challenging for wrestlers to learn since they learn to trust the other performer, the nominal opponent, to either target the jump correctly or to safely catch their fall. Due to

4312-614: The ring, does a 180° twist followed by the senton bomb. This was popularised by Jeff Hardy calling it Whisper in the Wind . This can be done with the opponent standing up or laying. Jumping forward from an elevated position, the attacking wrestler executes a mid-air backflip ending in a senton. Created by Chaparita Asari, the Sky Twister Press sees the attacking wrestler somersault backwards from an elevated position, twisting their body around in mid air so as to land back first on

4389-428: The risk of injury caused by these high-risk moves, some promotions have banned the use of some of them. The next list of maneuvers was made under general categories whenever possible. This move sees a wrestler jumping forward from an elevated position while holding a steel chair or other weapon, driving the weapon onto an opponent lying prone on the mat. This move was innovated by New Jack and named in reference to

4466-399: The side of the body and parallel to the ground, hitting the standing opponent in the neck or chest, knocking them over. A version of this move, called a flying lariat , involving the wrestler wrapping the attacking arm around the opponent's neck. Also known as diving axe handle, diving double axe handle smash, or diving double sledge, this is accomplished by jumping from the top turnbuckle to

4543-610: The side. This move was popularized by Jerry Lawler as his finisher. Also known as a Diving headbutt drop or a Flying headbutt, it is delivered from the turnbuckle with the wrestler leaping forward into the air head-first to fall and strike anywhere on the opponent's prone or surpine body. The move was accidentally invented by Harley Race , who adapted it as a signature move and it was then further popularized by The Dynamite Kid , Chris Benoit , Bam Bam Bigelow , D-Von Dudley , Tomoaki Honma and recently Bryan Danielson and Chad Gable . The wrestler will sometimes use this move with

4620-448: 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

4697-426: The top turnbuckle jumps and flips mid-air into a double front somersault to land sitting on the opponent below. It was innovated by Jack Evans and popularized by Ricochet who uses a corkscrew version of this move. In this version, the wrestler facing away from the ring on the top turnbuckle performs a 180° mid-air turn while executing the maneuver. Jack Evans and Ninja Mack uses this move. This variant has

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4774-514: The world today to come to the ECW to challenge for that belt. This is the ECW, Extreme Championship Wrestling, changing the face of professional wrestling. The ECW Tag Team Championship and ECW Television Championship were also renamed the ECW World Tag Team Championship and ECW World Television Championship . The NWA World Heavyweight Championship remained vacant until November 19, 1994, when Chris Candido won

4851-512: The wrestler using the tailbone and lower back to fall in a seated position forcing a standing opponent to the mat rather than using their whole back. Performed by jumping forward off a raised platform or springboarding on to the opponent's shoulders, forcing them to the ground. This can also be performed onto an opponent prone or supine on the mat. A variation of this move known as the Banzai Drop , popularized by Yokozuna and by Rikishi as

4928-591: Was Jardine's protégé. Japanese wrestler Jinsei Shinzaki uses the move while praying as the Ogami Watari . Standing on the top turnbuckle, the attacking wrestler proceeds to jump in order to deliver an overhead chop to a standing opponent's head. This is one of the most recognizable signature moves performed by Manabu Nakanishi . This was also used by WWE Hall of Famer Tatanka as a signature move called, "Diving Tomahawk Chop". The attacking wrestler jumps from an elevated position as extending their arm out from

5005-470: Was aware in advance that Douglas intended to throw down the belt. On the August 29, 1994, episode of ECW Hardcore TV , Tod Gordon delivered a promo stating that Eastern Championship Wrestling had withdrawn from the NWA, and had renamed the company Extreme Championship Wrestling , and would recognise Shane Douglas as its world heavyweight champion. I listened with great interest as the representative of

5082-467: 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

5159-439: Was forced to withdraw from the event due to missing a flight, Tommy Dreamer was teased as Funk's replacement but was attacked by the Public Enemy, with Rocco Rock putting him through a table using a diving senton . Mikey Whipwreck was then announced as Funk's surprise replacement. Cactus Jack and Whipwreck went on to score an upset victory over the Public Enemy, with Whipwreck pinning Rock after Cactus Jack jostled him while he

5236-681: 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 ,

5313-469: Was made famous as the finisher of WWE Hall of Famer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat . The Hurricane used diving crossbody as his finisher and named it the Cape . This move is performed by leaping from the top rope, stretching out to a horizontal position, and bringing one's feet and hands inward and outward before landing. Eddie Guerrero made the frog splash famous in the mid-1990s and early 2000s. However,

5390-435: Was on the top rope, causing him to fall and hit his groin on the ring rope. In the final bout of the tournament, Douglas pinned 2 Cold Scorpio following a belly-to-belly suplex . After being presented with the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt, Douglas began to deliver an acceptance speech before abruptly throwing down the title belt and instead picking up the ECW Heavyweight Championship belt, proclaiming himself to be

5467-416: 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

5544-513: 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

5621-432: 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

5698-441: Was the principal championship recognized by professional wrestling promotions affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). By the early 1990s, the largest NWA affiliate was World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In 1993, the relationship between WCW and the NWA board of directors began to deteriorate. In September 1993, WCW withdrew from the NWA and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship – held by WCW employee Ric Flair –

5775-409: 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

5852-576: Was used as his finisher. He also uses a regular version, generally going halfway or more than halfway across the ring to hit his opponent. Lio Rush uses a split-legged version called the Final Hour . The split-legged version was popularized by D'Lo Brown , who dubbed his version the Lo Down . Montez Ford uses a spinning version of this move called From the Heavens . Cedric Alexander uses this as

5929-474: Was vacated. After the title had been vacant for several months, NWA board member Dennis Coralluzzo proposed holding a tournament to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Tod Gordon and Paul Heyman – the owner and booker of the NWA affiliate Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) – wrote to the board of directors proposing that ECW host the tournament given that it had more television exposure than any other NWA affiliate. The board of directors accepted

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