WWE’s handling of the ECW brand has faced significant criticism over the years, particularly from fans and former stars of the promotion, including Rob Van Dam. One such critic, Stevie Richards, a former ECW World Tag Team Champion, recently revisited ECW One Night Stand 2005 in an episode of his podcast, “The Stevie Richards Show.” During this discussion, he specifically addressed the highly violent match between Mike Awesome and Masato Tanaka, offering his candid thoughts on the match and its brutal finish.
Richards Critiques the Violence and Risks of the Match
Reflecting on his experience at the event, Richards shared, “I met Mike backstage at the show,” noting that he found Awesome to be a “kind, easygoing guy.” However, he quickly criticized the nature of the match itself, stating, “this is just stupid. The whole thing is dumb.”
ECW One Night Stand 2005 is notorious for being one of the most violent nights in professional wrestling, filled with high-risk spots and extreme brutality. Richards was not the only one to voice concern about the dangerous risks taken by competitors like Awesome and Tanaka, both of whom pushed the limits of what should be expected in the ring. Richards emphasized the danger, calling out the excessive violence that, in his view, overshadowed the excitement of the match.
Criticism of the Finish: Out of Sight for the Audience
Richards’ main critique was aimed at the finish of the match, which saw Mike Awesome crashing through a table. However, this moment was not in full view of the audience. As the action unfolded over the barricade, a significant portion of the crowd missed the impactful moment. Richards pointed out this flaw, saying, “The finish happens where three-quarters of the people can’t see the finish in the audience; you could’ve done this spot even in the ring.”
For Richards, the lack of visibility diminished the effect of what was meant to be a major highlight. A well-executed finish is key in building the climax of a match, and he felt this particular spot failed to deliver that for the live crowd.
The Exhaustion and Fear Over the Match’s Violence
Richards didn’t just criticize the finish—he also discussed the overall toll the match took on the fans. While the match kept the audience on the edge of their seats, Richards explained that the constant brutality left them feeling more fearful than excited. “They ended up being more fearful whether or not each man would walk out of the match alive,” Richards said. The excessive nature of the violence, according to Richards, pushed the audience into a state of dread, overshadowing the thrill of watching two wrestlers go head-to-head in a competitive contest.
The Legacy of ECW One Night Stand 2005
While ECW One Night Stand 2005 remains a landmark event for many fans, known for its raw energy and the return of the extreme style that defined ECW, Richards’ critique sheds light on some of the drawbacks of this approach. The event showcased brutal spots that excited the crowd but also raised serious concerns about the safety of the performers involved.
For Richards, the line between exciting, high-stakes wrestling and reckless endangerment was thin, and it was a line that many in the ECW faithful sometimes crossed in their pursuit of extreme spectacle. As wrestling continues to evolve, Richards’ commentary offers a valuable perspective on the balance between violence and the safety of the performers, especially in today’s era where awareness of concussions and long-term injuries is at an all-time high.
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