When WWE NXT announced an ECW-themed event at the legendary 2300 Arena (formerly the ECW Arena), fans immediately reached for their barbed wire and nostalgia goggles. The November 6 show delivered everything from chair-swinging legends to table-breaking moments, featuring appearances by ECW icons The Dudley Boyz, Little Guido, Rhino, Francine, Dawn Marie, and Rob Van Dam—all sharing the stage with NXT’s rising stars. But who masterminded this ode to hardcore wrestling? The answer, it seems, is wrapped in as much mystery as Paul Heyman’s original checkbook.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, no one has officially stepped forward as the genius behind this chaos-meets-creativity night. The event had reportedly been in the works for some time but wasn’t initially planned for November 6. When NXT shifted their schedule due to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, the ECW concept was dusted off and conveniently slotted against AEW Dynamite. Coincidence? About as likely as Sabu winning a ladder match without falling off it.
The gamble paid off. NXT not only delivered a highly-praised show but also edged out Dynamite in viewership, drawing 619,000 viewers (a five percent increase) compared to AEW’s 523,000. With numbers like that, WWE is reportedly considering making the ECW tribute an annual tradition—though whether it will always take place at the 2300 Arena remains unconfirmed.
The night was not just a ratings win but a love letter to extreme wrestling fans, bridging generations of hardcore legends with the future of the sport. Whether it’s the Dudley Boyz teaching table etiquette or Rob Van Dam reminding everyone he can still defy gravity, NXT’s ECW homage brought the spirit of Philly to the modern era of wrestling.