October 23, 2007 Observer Newsletter: ECW brand changes, TNA Bound for Glory recap
The future of ECW is very much in question, with step one being the announcement on 10/16 from a storyline standpoint that Vickie Guerrero and Armando Estrada, the figureheads for each group, are negotiating a deal that would allow talent from each brand appear on the other show.
The Sci-Fi Network has not agreed to a new contract for the show, which has fallen in ratings to the 1.2 level in recent weeks. The current deal expires at the end of this year. Vince McMahon and the inner circle made the call to use Smackdown talent on ECW in an attempt to boost ratings on 10/14 on the way to the U.K. for television. The first move was using Kane as C.M. Punk’s mystery partner in a match against Big Daddy V & John Morrison & The Miz in the main event of the 10/16 show from Birmingham, England.
Keeping three brands separate has been something under discussion considering the lack of main event talent depth on all three rosters due to injuries and an inability to effectively elevate new talent.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.