In the world of Extreme Championship Wrestling, many grapplers entered the Philly-based hardcore promotion determined to make a name for themselves, or cement their legacies. From 1992 (when it was initially known as Eastern Championship Wrestling) to 2001 (when the promotion folded and its assets were eventually picked up by WWE), ECW showcased all manner of stars and legends.
A who's-who of hardcore brawlers, Lucha libre stars, technical wrestlers, super heavyweights and old-school grapplers waged war through the Land of Extreme. Many of their greatest achievements took place in ECW, and some went onto even greater success in WWE and WCW. These 10 legends are the ones who were integral to ECW that many fans love them the most for having been in ECW.
10 Too Cold Scorpio
Debuting for ECW in 1994, Too Cold Scorpio won fans over by showcasing what an amazing technical wrestler he was. Not only could he mat-wrestle, but Scorpio also possessed outstanding agility, that the ECW fans really appreciated.
Right at home in the ECW World TV Title scene, Scorpio would capture the championship a record four times, and have first-class wrestling matches with all-time greats like Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko & Sabu. Still wrestling on the independent scene to this day, Too Cold Scorpio remains beloved by fans because of what he did in ECW.
9 Jerry Lynn
When people hear the name of Jerry Lynn, they immediately think of his amazing matches with Rob Van Dam over the ECW World Television Championship. Despite never being able to beat RVD for the TV Title, Lynn's bouts with The Whole F'N Show rank among the greatest in ECW history.
Beloved by fans for his work in ECW alone, Jerry has taken that loyal following to success in TNA (where he would be a two-time X-Division Champion), and Ring of Honor (becoming their World Champion in 2009). Although long-retired from in-ring competition, Jerry Lynn is always regarded fondly by fans, critics and his co-workers.
8 Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards wrestled a handful of times for ECW in 1992, before joining the promotion full-time in 1994. Stevie's remarkable character-work and relationship with Raven got fans invested in him, and his popularity reached new heights when he debuted the Blue World Order (alongside Nova and The Blue Meanie); a brilliant parody of the NWO.
Outside ECW, Stevie Richards remains a beloved figure in wrestling. For his WWE legacy as leader of the Right To Censor, his excellent YouTube Channel (Stevie Richards Wrestling Analysis), and being a creative mind, constructive critic and genuine human being.
7 Raven
One of ECW's most fascinating and well-developed characters, Raven sported a rich & compelling gimmick that Paul Heyman and fans immediately took to. A tremendous heel - and exceptional at psychology & promos - Raven is best remembered for his epic (& controversial) feuds with The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer.
Regarded as a missed opportunity in WWE, Raven's legacy is still heavily-intertwined with ECW, and fans love him for it. It translated into successful runs in WCW, TNA and ROH, and fans still revere Raven for his persona and the epic storylines he's been involved in.
6 Tommy Dreamer
Joining ECW in 1993, Tommy Dreamer was initially rejected by fans for his boyish appearance and wearing wrestling-attire that included ridiculous green-suspenders. Eventually, ECW fans began accepting Dreamer when he was infamously caned by The Sandman after losing a Singapore Cane Match. Then it was Tommy's epic feud with Raven that made fans fully embrace him.
In many ways, Tommy Dreamer was the heart & soul of ECW. Growing up & maturing in ECW was a remarkable journey for The Innovator Of Violence, featuring many great matches and moments until ECW folded in 2001. Fans have never stopped loving Tommy since he proved he belonged in ECW, and that has led to success in WWE and TNA/Impact Wrestling.
5 Sabu
Trained by his uncle (the original Sheik), Sabu first arrived at ECW in 1993. Sabu proved an immediate hit with audiences for his gimmick (rarely speaking, uncontrollable to the point where he needed restraining) and for being a spectacular, aerial performer.
In the early nineties, no one had ever witnessed a wrestler do things like Sabu. An amazing innovator and pioneer, The Suicidal, Homicidal, Genocidal, Death-Defying Sabu is one of the most fascinating & revolutionary legends of wrestling for his work, risks taken and catalog of injuries. He's competed over the world in all major promotions, but ECW is what fans remember Sabu most for.
4 Cactus Jack
Mick Foley's first-appearance for ECW took place in 1994 whilst he was still under contract to WCW (per a talent-exchange between the two promotions). A loss to Sabu at the Hostile City Showdown led to Cactus Jack cutting the infamous promo where he spit on the WCW Tag Team Title Belt (for which Foley was the belt's holder at the time).
It was an omen of things to come for Cactus Jack, who cut some of the most amazing promos of all time. His anti-hardcore heel stance made Foley reviled by ECW fans, but come his final match for the promotion, the audience had recognized Mick's genius and loved him for it. Although WWE was where Mick Foley cemented his legacy, his time in ECW was an integral highlight for this thrilling, brilliant wrestler.
3 Terry Funk
In 2005's The Rise & Fall Of ECW, Paul Heyman said "There wouldn't have been an ECW without Terry Funk". When the legendary Funker joined the promotion in 1993, his name immediately brought respect and notoriety to the product, and Terry's knowledge & experience helped many a talent and ECW make a name for themselves.
One of the all-time greats, Terry Funk could still perform at an outstanding level; well into his fifties. Terry's emotional ECW World Title triumph at Barely Legal 1997 was rejoiced by fans, and will never ever be forgotten. For his time in ECW, along with everything else he achieved in his life and career, Terry Funk will forever be loved and missed.
2 Taz
Originally known as The Tazmaniac upon debuting in 1993 for ECW, Taz achieved great success for being a brutal, monstrous worker. Evolving into Taz in 1995 (after returning from a severe neck-injury), he changed his entire image, showcased amazing mat-wrestling and became The Human-Suplex-Machine.
The new attitude and amazing work-ethic made Taz the face of ECW. Throughout his career, Taz would have many amazing matches, and go on to be arguably the greatest ECW World Heavyweight Champion of all-time. Although neck issues would ultimately force Taz to retire from in-ring competition in 2006, Taz is still beloved not just for his wrestling career, but being a successful color commentator in WWE, TNA and AEW.
1 Rob Van Dam
Signing with ECW in 1996, Rob Van Dam became one of the promotion's biggest stars due to his cool, laid-back persona, his airbrushed singlets, and for being an amazing, unorthodox performer with a martial-arts background. And it was his phenomenal ECW World Television Title reign that really put RVD's name on the map.
After beating Bam Bam Bigelow, Van Dam retained the TV Title over the likes of Lance Storm, Jerry Lynn, Too Cold Scorpio, Sabu and Rhino in a catalog of amazing matches; only relinquishing the belt after 23 months due to a broken ankle. RVD's legendary career in WWE - and induction into the 2021 Hall of Fame - may have never come about if it hadn't been for his success in ECW, and the following he'd built there.