Before WWE went soft, this was wrestling's beautiful, bloody chaos.
Shane Douglas defends the ECW World Heavyweight Championship against Taz in the main event. Justin Credible takes on Tommy Dreamer in a Stairway to Hell Match. Rob Van Dam defends the ECW Television Championship against Lance Storm. The Dudley Boyz take on New Jack & Spike Dudley. Tajiri battles Super Crazy in an aerial classic and more.
Stunts
New Jack's balcony dive that should've killed someone.
Acting
Shane Douglas's promos — pure unfiltered ego and spray tan.
Production
Guerrilla filmmaking with zero budget and maximum blood.
Director
Paul Heyman
Troy Martin
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas
Peter Senerchia
Taz
Peter Polaco
Justin Credible
Tom Laughlin
Tommy Dreamer
Rob Szatkowski
Rob Van Dam
Lance Evers
Lance Storm
Mark LoMonaco
Buh Buh Ray Dudley
Devon Hughes
D-Von Dudley
Jerome Young
New Jack
Matt Hyson
"Little" Spike Dudley
Sid Eudy
Sid Vicious
George Caiazzo
John Kronus
Francisco Rueda
Super Crazy
Brian Knighton
Axl Rotten
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was ECW's first pay-per-view after nearly folding, making every match feel like a defiant middle finger to WCW and WWE. The crowd chants weren't scripted — they were survival.
Paul Heyman allegedly financed this show by maxing out multiple credit cards; several wrestlers were paid in pizza and promises. Tajiri vs. Super Crazy was essentially a tryout for both men's later WWE careers.
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