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PWINSIDER Q&A: ECW DRAWING POWER, WRESTLEMANIA 25, VINCE MCMAHON AND MORE

When the original ECW was at its peak as far as drawing power, what kind of attendance do you think they could have got had they run a building like the Spectrum or Wachovia Center in Philadelphia or Madison Square Garden in NY for one big, blow off show?

Considering that ECW was able to draw 6,000 in Chicago at their peak and 2,500 in New York near the end of the company, I think if ECW really loaded up a show in a major arena in New York of Philadelphia during their peak, they would have drawn over 10,000 fans.  You have to figure that Philadelphia and New York, in addition to being huge wrestling towns, were also ECW hotbeds for support.  While Paul Heyman loved the "vibe" of the Elks Lodge in Queens and the ECW Arena in Philly, there were many fans who never attended shows in those areas because the buildings were always sold out and packed.  Now, if you were to load up a show, and promote it early enough that fans could fly in for it (and they would), I think drawing over 10,000 would be possible. 

With new sets coming soon on Raw and SmackDown!, can we expect new theme music too?

I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to change themes, however, I haven't heard of any plans to do so.  Raw and Smackdown have had several music changes over the years, certainly far more than we've had set changes (especially in the case of Smackdown).

Where do you think Wrestlemania 25 will be held?

Well, it seems that Phoenix, Arizona is pushing to host the event, and I think WWE (wisely) should go with a city that wants the event, since it can only help with promotion for the show. So, that works for me!

In your opinion, has Vince McMahon hurt or helped the wrestling industry more?  I mean, without him we wouldn't have cool things like Wrestlemania, The Rock, and Stone Cold but also their wouldn't be such STUPID things like the Gobbledy Gooker, the Invasion storyline, and WWECW.  What do you think?

In my opinion, Vince has helped wrestling more.  He opened it up to a more mainstream audience in the 1980's, and helped make it a staple of cable television and a pioneer in Pay-per-view.  Now, ask someone who worked for one of the territories that Vince crushed, and they will give you a different answer, but for me, Vince has helped more. 

I know you guys have reported the Big Show is likely to be on his way back to WWE, but do you think there's a chance we'll see him by the Royal Rumble?

I think there is a very good chance.  If you're going to bring back someone like Show, having him toss around a few bodies in the Rumble is a great way to get him reestablished immediately.

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