Ultraclash was a finacial success for Tod Gordon's ECW, and things looked to be heading in the right direction with his new booker(Heyman), and their new affiliation with the NWA. Eastern Championship Wrestling was being pushed by the NWA as their premier northeast promotion, and their next big show would be the 2 day "Bloodfest" show at the ECW Arena on October 1st & 2nd of 1993.
ECW's two part NWA Bloodfest show was another step in the right direction for the company. The show was marked by the debut's of two wrestlers that would go on to define the ECW in later years.
Sabu made his Eastern Championship Wrestling debut at Bloodfest part 1. Sabu was trained by The Original Shiek(his uncle). The Shiek, and Sabu both competed in the successor to the ECW in Philadelphia, the TSWA years before. Sabu was a veteran of the Japanese FMW promotion in Japan in the early 90's. The FMW took the violence of the Memphis/Florida territories of the southern US to a whole other level. By The NWA Bloodfest show, Sabu had already accumalated many of his trademark scars due to the incredibly violent barbed wire matches he competed in over in FMW.
For his ECW debut at NWA Bloodfest, Sabu was rolled to the ring strapped to a dolly with a mask, and a bunch of chains tieing him up ala Hannibal Lecter. The man he would be wrestling that evening was none other than Taz, also making his ECW Debut. This was way before the bad ass MMA Taz of later years, this was "The Tasmaniac". The Tasmaniac was a similar gimmick to Sabu's. They were both uncontrollable forces of choas. Even though their gimmicks were still quite cartoonish, Sabu and The Tasmaniac were glimpses into the darker, grittier direction that the ECW was headed under Heyman's booking. Gone were the goofy characters, and comedy heavy storylines of Gilbert's booking. Another aspect of Gilbert's booking that was on it's way out was the traditional definition of heels and faces in pro wrestling. The Public Enemy continued their rise up the ranks, and kicked off their first ECW rivalry with two more new characters that were Paul Heyman originals. Ian and Axle Rotten may not look like anything impressive these days watching the old tapes, but they really were quite a bit ahead of what other tag teams were doing for gimmicks. Grunge had swept the nation by 1992, and in 1993 it was everywhere. Ian and Axle Rotten formed the newest tag team in the ECW at Bloodfest, The Bad Breed, and they embodied the grunge look and attitude like nobody else in wrestling at the time.
Here are the results for ECW's NWA Bloodfest shows, and the preceeding episodes of ECW TV:
September 21, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Jimmy Snuka b Metal Maniac to retain ECW TV Title, Footage from UltraClash
September 28, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Hunter Q. Robins, III shows footage of Sabu in FMW, Sal Bellomo b The Canadian Wolfman
October 1, 1993--NWA Bloodfest: Part 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at ECW Arena: Ian & Axl Rotten b Chad Austin & Todd Shaw, Rockin' Rebel b Don E. Allen, The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) b Silver Jet & Gino Caruso, Malia Hosaka b Molly McShane, Badd Company (Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka) b Ian & Axl Rotten, Sandman b Metal Maniac, Abdullah the Butcher & JT Smith & Terry Funk b Jimmy Snuka & Kevin Sullivan & Don Muraco, Sabu b The Tazmaniac, Tony Stetson & Johnny Hot Body b Badd Company (Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka) to retain the ECW Tag Team titles, Rockin' Rebel b Richard Michaels, Kevin Sullivan vs Abdullah the Butcher ended in a DOUBLE DISQUALIFICATION, Terry Funk b Jimmy Snuka in a "Steel Cage" match to win the ECW Television title.
October 2, 1993--NWA Bloodfest: Part 2 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at ECW Arena: Tony Stetson & Johnny Hot Body b Sandman & JT Smith to retain the ECW Tag Team titles,The Tazmaniac b Tommy Dreamer, Kevin Sullivan b Gino Caruso, Shane Douglas b JT Smith by DQ to retain the ECW Heavyweight title, Badd Company (Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka) b The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge), Sir Richards Michaels b Rockin' Rebel by DQ, Ian & Axl Rotten b Don E. Allen & Chad Austin, Don Muraco & Jimmy Snuka b The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) by forfiet, Sabu b Shane Douglas to win the ECW Heavyweight title, Jimmy Snuka b Chad Austin, Kevin Sullivan b Abdullah the Butcher in a "Steel Cage" match, The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) b Ian & Axl Rotten and Badd Company (Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka) in a "Triangle Steel Cage" match.
Through the end of 1993 Paul not only kept working to establish his new characters, but he kept working to establish a trademark Attitude for the ECW. Heyman gave the violent old Memphis style he inherited from Eddie Gilbert a fresh 90's twist. It was also during this time that Paul established the ECW's Attitude as the scrappy underdogs that were going to stand up to "The Big 2", which would eventually lead to the ECW becoming the #3 promotion in the states by a wide margin. At the 1993 November To Remember event, Paul turned the WWF into an enemy of the ECW in the storylines by telling the fans that Medusa(Alundra Blayze) would not be making her scheduled appearance at the show because she was told not to by the WWF after being signed by the company. Joey Styles would even take shots at the WWF's steriod scandal at the beginning of ECW tv episodes.
By the end of 1993 Paul Heyman's ECW was well on it's way to being the top independant promotion in America. The trademark Attitude was there, the talent was there, and it wouldn't be long before the little hole in the wall Philly promotion would rise to be the #3 fed in states.
Here are the results for the rest of ECW's 1993 year under Paul Heyman's booking:
October 5, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Public Enemy b ??? & Silver Jet, Sabu b Tazmaniac(From NWA Bloodfeast), Sandman b Metal Maniac, Terry Funk b Jimmy Snuka to win ECW TV Title in a Steel Cage Match(From NWA Bloodfeast)
October 12, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: J.T. Smith, Terry Funk & Abdullah the Butcher b Don Muraco, Jimmy Snuka & Kevin Sullivan, Malaya Osaka b Molly McShane, Bad Company(Tanaka & Diamond) b Bad Breed, Rockin Rebel b Don E. Allen(After the match Rebel & Chris Michaels brawl), Rockin Rebel b Chris Michaels
October 19, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Bad Company b The Public Enemy, Jimmy Snuka b Cahd Austin, Paul E. Dangerously announces the new members of the Dangerous Alliance which is Shane Douglas, Sherri Martel & Sabu, Shane Douglas didn't like Sabu joining, Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson b The Sandman & J.T. Smith via DQ to retain ECW Tag Team Titles(Terry Funk hit Sandman with a chair), Tazmaniac b Tommy Dreamer(Dreamer's debut)
October 26, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Bad Breed b Don E. Allen & Chad Austin, Rockin Rebel vs Chris Michaels went to a NO CONTEST(Sal Bellomo returned and chased Rockin Rebel out of the building), Don Muraco & Jimmy Snuka b Bad Company via forfeit(Before the match Public Enemy attacks Bad Company with Steel Chairs, Bad Breed attacks Public Enemy), Shane Douglas b J.T. Smith to retain the ECW Heavyweight Title(Terry Funk throws in the towel for J.T. Smith, Terry Funk attacked J.T. Smith after the match)
November 2, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Sabu(sub for Sandman) b Shane Douglas to win ECW Heavyweight Title(Before the match Sandman was found knockedout in the dressing room so Paul E. Dangerously announced Sabu as Sandman's replacement), Bad Breed b Chad Austin & Todd Shan
November 13, 1993--November to Remember in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at ECW Arena: Salvatore Bellomo b Rockin' Rebel by forfeit in a "Chair" match, Sandman vs Jim Niedhart ended in a DOUBLE DQ, The Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) b Badd Company (Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond) in a "South Philly Hood" match, Kevin Sullivan b Tommy Cairo in a "Shoot" match, Malia Hosaka b Sherri Martel by DQ, Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson b Ian & Axl Rotten to retain the ECW Tag Team titles, Johnny Gunn & Tommy Dreamer b Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson in 9-seconds to win the ECW Tag Team titles, The Tazmaniac b Tommy Dreamer, Mr. Hughes b Johnny Gunn, Sabu & Road Warrior Hawk b Terry Funk & King Kong Bundy (Sabu won Terry Funk's ECW Television title)..
November 16, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Jim Niedhart vs The Sandman went to a DRAW(From November to Remember, Mr. Hughes & Jason attack Sandman after the match), Public Enemy attacks Bad Company
November 23, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Footage of Public Enemy being arrested after attacking Bad Company last week, Kevin Sullivan b ???, Johnny Hotbody & Tony Stetson b Sandman & J.T. Smith, Mr. Hughes b ???, Tommy Cairo b Chris Michaels
November 30, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA: Sabu b Tazmaniac to retain the ECW Heavyweight Title, J.T. Smith, Sandman & Peaches b Johnny Hotbody, Tony Stetson & Hunter Q. Robins, III(After the match Jason & Mr. Hughes attack Sandman)
December 6, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA: Mr. Hughes b "Stormin" Mike Norman, J.T. Smith b Johnny Hotbody(Hunter Q. Robins, III hit Hotbody with his cane), Kevin Sullivan & Tazmaniac b Bad Breed in a #1 Contenders Match(Sullivan attacks J.T. Smith before the match), The Lumberjack w/Hunter Q. Robins, III b, Mr. X, Women asks Shane Douglas if he wanted to join her and Douglas said no
December 13, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Sal Bellomo b Don E. Allen, Tazmaniac & Kevin Sullivan b Tommy Dreamer & Shane Douglas(sub for Johnny Gun) to win the ECW Tag Team Titles(After the match Shane Douglas, Kevin Sullivan & Tazmaniac attack Dreamer), The Sandman b Tony Stetson, Mr. Hughes vs Chad Austin went to a NO CONTEST(Match never started, Lights went out and huge brawl between everyone in ECW breaks out)
December 21, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena:Shane Douglas b Tommy Dreamer via DQ(Douglas knocked out Dreamer with a chain and wrapped it around Dreamer's hand and the ref saw it), Funk's Grill with Sabu: Terry Funk brings out a Sabu impersonator(Chad Austin) and attacks him, Paul E. Dangerously shows up and Funk chases him off, Kevin Sullivan & Tazmaniac b Mike V. & "Stormin" Mike Norman(Mike V threw in the towel), J.T. Smith, Sal Bellomo & Sandman vs Terry Funk & Bad Breed went to a NO CONTEST(Lights went out again and a brawl between everyone in ECW breaks out again)
December 26, 1993--Holiday Hell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at ECW Arena: Chad Austin b Pitbull #1, Mike Awesome b Randy Starr, Kevin Sullivan & The Tazmaniac b JT Smith & Tommy Cairo to retain the ECW Tag Team titles, Shane Douglas b Tommy Dreamer, Mr. Hughes b Sandman by KNOCK OUT, Rockin' Rebel b Don E. Allen, Terry Funk b Sabu in a "No DQ" match to win the ECW World Heavyweight title, Pat Tanaka b Rocco Rock in a "Body Count" match, Tommy Dreamer won a "Lights Out Battle Royal"..
December 28, 1993--ECW Television in in Philadelphia, PA at ECW Arena: Chad Austin b The Pitbull(ECW debut, After the match Pitbull attacks Austin, Sandman makes the save, Pitbull attacks Sandman), Mr. Hughes b Sandman, Rockin Rebel b Don E. Allen
You will notice that Paul continued to operate the ECW under traditional wrestling rules at this time. Even though the shows were wildly violent for the time, there was still that structure of DQ's, Coutouts, and traditional rules. This was what was going on elsewhere.
September 20, 1993 - RAW: Scott Steiner def Quebecer Pierre, Bam Bam Bigelow def Lavern McGill, Mr. Perfect def Mike Bell, P.J. Walker def Irwin R. Schyster.
September 27, 1993 - RAW: Tatanka vs Rick Martel ended in a Double Countout, Ludvig Borga def Phil Apollo, Jimmy Snuka def Paul VanDale, The Quebecers def The 1-2-3 Kid & Barry Horowitz.
October 4, 1993 - RAW: Razor Ramon & Rick Martel were Co-winners of a 20-Man Battle Royal to determine the new Intercontinental Champion (Participants: Irwin R. Schyster, 1-2-3 Kid, The M.V.P., Mr. Perfect, Diesel, Adam Bomb, Bam Bam Bigelow, Randy Savage, Pierre & Jacques, Giant Gonzalez, Marty Jannetty, Bastion Booger, Owen Hart, Tatanka, Mabel, Bob Backlund & Jimmy Snuka), The Heavenly Bodies def Mark Taylor & Scott Thomas, Doink def Corey Student.
October 11, 1993 - RAW: Razor Ramon def Rick Martel to win the Intercontinental title, The Headshrinkers def Tommy Morrison & Sid Curtis, Owen Hart def Scott King, Adam Bomb def Russ Greenberg, The RockNRoll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton) def Duane Gill & Barry Hardy.
October 18, 1993 - RAW: The Steiner Brothers def P.J. Walker & Tony DeVito, Irwin R. Schyster def Scott Taylor, Tatanka def Iron Mike Sharpe, Bam Bam Bigelow def Dennis Diamond.
October 25, 1993 - RAW: Crush def Phil Apollo by submission, The 1-2-3 Kid vs Marty Jannetty ended in a Double Count out. Ludvig Borga def Mike Bucci. Men on a Mission (Mable & Mo) def Todd Mata & Steve Greenman, Diesel def Dan Dubiel.
November 1, 1993 - RAW: Razor Ramon def Bastion Booger, Mr. Perfect def The Executioner, The Smoking Gunns def the team of Well Dunn (Timothy Well & Steven Dunn), Adam Bomb def Virgil.
November 8, 1993 - RAW: Ludvig Borga vs Scott Steiner ended in a Double DQ, Men on a Mission (Mable & Mo) def Corey Student & Steve Smyth, Rick Martel def John Paul, Crush vs Dan Dubiel ended in a No Contest, Bob Backlund vs Barry Horowitz ended in a No Contest..
November 15, 1993 - RAW: Razor Ramon def The Brooklyn Brawler, The Headshrinkers def Mike Bucci & Mike Moraldo, Quebecer Pierre def Lex Luger, Diesel def Sid Garrison.
Survivor Series PPV-
Dark: Billy Gunn d. The Brooklyn Brawler Singles match 07:46 Marty Jannetty, Randy Savage, Razor Ramon and The 1–2–3 Kid defeated Irwin R. Schyster, Diesel, Rick Martel and Adam Bomb (with Harvey Wippleman) Four-on-four Survivor Series elimination match1 26:58
The Hart Family (Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Bruce Hart and Keith Hart) (with Stu Hart) defeated Shawn Michaels and His Knights (Shawn Michaels, The Red Knight, The Blue Knight and The Black Knight) Four-on-four Survivor Series elimination match 30:57
The Heavenly Bodies (Jimmy Del Ray and Tom Prichard) (with Jim Cornette) defeated The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) (c) Tag team match for the SMW Tag Team Championship 13:41
The Four Doinks (The Bushwhackers (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) and Men on a Mission (Mabel and Mo)) (with Oscar) defeated The Headshrinkers (Samu and Fatu), Bastion Booger and Bam Bam Bigelow (with Luna Vachon and Afa) Four-on-four Survivor Series elimination match 10:58
The All-Americans (Lex Luger, The Undertaker, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) (with Paul Bearer) defeated The Foreign Fanatics (Yokozuna, Crush, Ludvig Borga and Quebecer Jacques) (with Jim Cornette, Johnny Polo, and Mr. Fuji) Four-on-four Survivor Series elimination match
November 29, 1993 - RAW: The Steiner Brothers def Mike Bucci & Reno Riggins, Razor Ramon def Diesel by DQ, Bam Bam Bigelow def John Crystal, Owen Hart def Chris Duffy,, Ludvig Borga def Scott Taylor.
December 6, 1993 - RAW: Shawn Michaels vs The 1-2-3 Kid ended in a Double Countout, The Quebecers def Mike Walsh & Bert Centano, Doink def Tony Devito, Crush def Tony Roy.
December 13, 1993 - RAW: Randy Savage def Fatu, The Smoking Gunns def Jim Massenger & Steve Smyth, Irwin R. Schyster def Todd Mata, The Undertaker def J.S. Storm, Rick Martel def Tim McNeany, Bret "Hitman" Hart def The Brooklyn Brawler
December 20, 1993 - RAW: Jeff Jarrett def P.J. Walker. Men on a Mission (Mable & Mo) def Duane Gill & Barry Hardy. Tatanka def Ludvig Borga by DQ. Adam Bomb def Mark Thomas. Owen Hart def Mike Bell by Submission. The Headshrinkers def Phil Apollo & Jerry Seavy.
December 27, 1993 - RAW: Lex Luger def Barry Horowitz, Johnny Polo def Marty Jannetty, Crush def Mike Moraldo, Razor Ramon def Derrick Domino.
Fall Brawl 1993 - Astro Arena; Houston, TX 9/19/1993
- TV Title: Steven Regal beat Ricky Steamboat to win the title
- Charlie Norris beat Big Sky
- 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell beat Paul Orndorff & The Equalizer
- Ice Train beat Shangai Pierce
- World Tag Team Titles: The Nasty Boys beat Arn Anderson & Paul Roma to win the titles
- Cactus Jack beat Yoshi Kwan
- WCW International Title: Ric Rude beat Ric Flair to win the title
- War Games: Sting, Davey Boy Smith, Dustin Rhodes & The Shockmaster beat Big Van Vader, Sid Vicious & Harlem Heat
Halloween Havoc 1993 - Lakefront Arena; New Orleans, LA 10/24/1993
- Shockmaster, Ice Train, & Charlie Norris beat Harlem Heat & The Equalizer
- Paul Orndorff beat Ricky Steamboat by count out
- TV Title: Champ Steven Regal fought Davey Boy Smith to a time limit draw
- US Title: Champ Dustin Rhodes beat Steve Austin
- World Tag Team Titles: The Nasty Boys beat 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell to win the titles
- Sting beat Sid Vicious
- WCW International Title: Rick Rude beat Ric Flair by DQ
- Texas Death Match for WCW World Title: Big Van Vader beat Cactus Jack
COC 25 - Bayfront Arena; St. Petersburg, FL 11/10/1993
- WCW International Title: Champ Rick Rude fought Hawk to a double count out
- The Shockmaster beat The Equalizer
- TV Title: Champ Steven Regal beat Johnny B. Badd
- Steve Austin beat Brian Pillman
- US Title: Champ Dustin Rhodes beat Paul Orndorff
- WCW Tag Titles: Champs The Nasty Boys beat Sting & Davey Boy Smith
- WCW Title: Ric Flair beat Champ Big Van Vader by DQ
Battlebowl 1993 - Civic Center; Pensacola, FL 11/20/1993
- Cactus Jack & Big Van Vader beat Charlie Norris & Kane
- Johnny B Badd & Brian Knobs beat Paul Roma & Erik Watts
- Shockmaster & Paul Orndorff beat Ricky Steamboat and Steven Regal
- King Kong & Dustin Rhodes beat Awesome Kong & The Equalizer
- Sting & Jerry Sags beat Ron Simmons & Keith Cole
- Ric Flair & Steve Austin beat 2 Cold Scorpio & Maxx Payne
- Rick Rude & Shanghai Pierce beat Tex Slazenger & Marcus Alexander Bagwell
- Hawk & Rip Rogers beat Davey Boy Smith & Kole
- Big Van Vader won the battle bowl by last eliminating Sting
Starrcade 1993 - Independence Arena; Charlotte, NC 12/27/1993
- Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma beat 2 Cold Scorpio & Marcus Alexander Bagwell
- Shockmaster beat Awesome Kong
- TV Title: Champ Steven Regal fought Ricky Steamboat to a time limit draw
- Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne beat Tex Slazenger & Shanghai Pierce
- Best of 3 Falls Match for US Title: Steve Austin beat Dustin Rhodes 2 falls to 1 to win the title
- WCW International Title: Champ Rick Rude pinned The Boss
- Tag Team Title: Sting & Road Warrior Hawk beat Champions The Nasty Boys by DQ
- WCW World Title: Ric Flair beat Big Van Vader to win the title, if Flair lost, he would have been forced to retire.
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