We've lost another legend of the land of Extreme, this one being one of ECW's biggest names in it's history and one who just days back had his final match.
"The Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal Maniac" known as Sabu has passed away, aged 60 (1964-2025).
The former one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion recently wrestled in what was being billed as his retirement match and we now know that it indeed was. He faced Joey Janela in a brutal No Ropes Barbed Wire match and for 60 years old gave the fans a hell of a match with lots of sick spots.
Sabu and Joey Janela wrested in what would be Sabu's final match - a match billed as his "Retirement Match" at Game Changer Wrestling's Joey Janela's Spring Break 9 event in Las Vegas on April 18th, 2025. The match was a "No Rope Barbed Wire" match.
Sabu's most famous moment happened during a similar Barbed Wire match, this one, taking place in 1997 in the height of ECW's success, saw Sabu tear his bicep during his brutal match for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship against the champion, Terry Funk. Instead of stopp
ing the match (something no ECW fans would have allowed), Sabu requested his manager, Bill Alfonso, grab some super glue and athletes tape and you know the rest! Iconic momen in his career and ECW's history!
The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of it's pioneers, as Gran Hamada has passed away at the age of 74. Hamada is remembered for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1997, including at the ECW Barely Legal 1997 pay-per-view debut event for ECW. His passing was first reported on by San Luis Potosi, marking the end of a career that spanned decades and left a lasting impact on lucha libre and Japanese wrestling.
Born in Maebashi, Japan, in 1950, Hamada's career took him across the globe, making him one of the most influential junior heavyweight workers of his time. He trained under the legendary Antonio Inoki and started his career with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in the early 1970s. With his quick, technical style, he became one of the first Japanese wrestlers to fully embrace lucha libre, blending high-flying maneuvers with strong grappling techniques.
His work in Mexico helped bridge the gap between Japanese puroresu and Mexican lucha libre. Hamada became a staple of Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), capturing multiple championships, including the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship, UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship and the UWA World Middleweight Championship. His innovative offense and ability to seamlessly transition between different wrestling styles made him a respected figure in both countries.
In the 1980s, Hamada held the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship while competing in Mexico and Japan, long before the title became an official part of WWE programming. His influence extended far beyond just holding gold - his style directly impacted future stars like Jushin Thunder Liger, Ultimo Dragon and countless others who followed in his footsteps.
In 1990, Hamada founded Universal Lucha Libre, a promotion that played a key role in popularizing lucha-inspired junior heavyweight wrestling in Japan. The company helped launch the careers of wrestlers such as Taka Michinoku and the original Kaientai, who would go on to make a name for themselves in both Japan and the UNited States.
He made appearances in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Michinoku Pro Wrestling, continuing to prove that he could still go even as younger generations emerged. Hamada even had a brief run in ECW, where he wrestled in a memorable 6-Man Tag Team match at ECW Barely Legal 1997, teaming with Masato Yakushiji and The Great Sasuke against Dick To0go, Taka Michinoku and Terry Boy. The match was an introduction for many U.S. fans to the fast-paced Japanese junior heavyweight style.
Despite slowing down in later years, Hamada continued to wrestle into his late 60s, with his last recorded match taking place back in 2018. His contributions to wrestling cannot be overstated, as he helped shape an entire generation of junior heavyweight and lucha-inspired wrestlers.
Gran Hamada's legacy will live on through the countless wrestlers he influenced and the promotions that embraced his innovative style. His impact on NJPW, UWA, AJPW, Michinoku Pro and beyond is undeniable, and he will always be remembered as one of the true pioneers of junior heavyweight wrestling,.
Perry Saturn (of the Eliminators) has been through more than his fair share of struggles, but nothing could have prepared him for the night he was shot twice while trying to help a woman in danger. In a recent interview with Maven on YouTube, the former ECW star shared the shocking details of the night that changed his life forever.
Saturn explained that it all started when he dropped off a stripper at her bar. As he was leaving her, he heard a woman screaming. Thinking it was just a fight between dancers, he went to check - but what he found was far worse. "So I go, 'Oh f**, strippers are fighting.' So I go around the way, and these two guys have this girl down on the ground." he said. Without hesitation, he rushed in.
"I ran up and shoved one of them, and this guy - I tried to grab him - and he spun around I turned this way, and I thought the guy hit me. But he shot me. He shot me in the neck, and then he shot me in the shoulder,” Saturn recalled.
At first, he didn’t even realize what had happened. “I thought he punched me. I didn’t feel the gunshots at first,” he said. “I just felt a thud, and then I tried to move, and I was like, ‘Oh s**, something’s wrong.’”*
Saturn was supposed to be making his WWE return that same week. “I was just getting ready to come back to WWE. I was—uh—I was supposed to go to Raw on Monday, and I got shot on Friday. And it f***** ended everything,”* he said. The aftermath of the shooting left a permanent mark on him, both physically and mentally. “So I got, like—you can feel here—the indention. It’s gone,” he said, pointing out where the bullet wounds had healed.
Despite the life-altering experience, Saturn doesn’t regret stepping in that night. “I didn’t even think about it. I saw something happening, and I had to stop it. That’s just who I am,” he said.
Saturn, who retired from wrestling in 2013, has endured countless battles in and out of the ring, but his toughness and sense of justice remain a defining part of his legacy. His story is a reminder of the sacrifices he’s made, both for his career and for the people around him.
Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu is set for his retirement match coming up on April 18th, 2025 for the Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) promotion. The event is set to take place at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada, during The Collective Weekend!
Ex-ECW star Joe Malenko will be holding a wrestling training seminar along with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in Louisville, Kentucky on February 15th, 2025! Get a spot for this by purchasing a ticket online at OVWTIX.com!
For more information including directions on how to get to the Hotpoint Davis Arena, please visit OVWrestling.com!
Malenko is the brother of Dean Malenko (another fellow ex-ECW star), Joe is not remembered by many fans of ECW but he did in fact appear in the Original ECW in 1994-1995. His first match in ECW saw himself and his brother lose to Sabu and The Tazmaniac during an episode of ECW Hardcore TV in November 1994. He would return in January 1995, where he went on a 4 match winning streak, beating the likes of Stevie Richards, Osamu Nishimura, Alex G. and Miguel San Juan, before he left ECW never to return again.
Apparently, former ECW World Television Champion Rob Van Dam (who held the title for a record of 700 days) will be launching his own professional wrestling promotion called OWA Pro Wrestling and it's debut event will take place on Thursday, March 20th, 2025!
The event will take place at The Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, California and is sponsored by www.OnlyWrestlers.com (the OnlyFans of pro wrestling) and Psychopathic Records (the official record label of Insane Clown Posse).
Among those appearing on the debut event include, fellow ECW legend Bill Alfonso, Insane Clown Posse's Violent J (who also appeared for one night only along with his ICP cohort Shaggy 2 Dope at ECW's Hardcore Heaven 1997 PPV), his wife Katie Forbes, former WWE stars Chris Masters, Charlie Haas and Xia Brookside and AEW contracted talent Brian Cage and Melissa Santos, and TNA Wrestling contracted star Tessa Blanchard!
Meet and Greet begins at 5:30 PM PST with the events bell time at 7:30 PM PST! For ticket information click HERE!
Penta El Zero Miedo recently expressed gratitude to ECW Legend Tommy Dreamer who provided guidance to Penta throughout his career. In a conversation on Busted Open Radio, Penta referred to Dreamer as his "role model" and acknowledged him for providing "the best advice in the industry". He stated, "Tommy [Dreamer] always gave me the best advice in this business... I want to say thank you for everything. You are my role model."
On January 13th, Penta made a significant impact upon his arrival in WWE with a victory over Chad Gable. This match, held in California where Penta began wrestling at, was particularly meaningful as it took place in front of his family. Reflecting on the milestone, Penta described the match as a turning point in his career, emphasizing that he had worked 20 years to "achieve this dream".
Addressing comparisons to another ECW Legend Rey Mysterio, Penta expressed his desire to establish his own identity in wrestling. While he holds respect for Mysterio, Penta aims to be recognized as the "first Penta" rather than the next Rey Mysterio, humorously noting that he loves Rey, but loves himself more.
Check out their conversation on Busted Open Radio below from their Official YouTube channel:
John Finegan, best known for his time as the head referee in the Original ECW, is now officially hanging up his stripes this spring.
After nearly 4 decades in the business, Finegan announced on Facebook that he will officiate his final 2 matches in 2025. He wrote:
“Well, the time has come. I will be reffing my final two shows ever in 2025. March 22 in Morganville, NJ, at The 2025 Super 8 and May 3 for TWA’s One and Done at the world-famous ECW Arena!” Finegan wrote.
His final match at Tri-State Wrestling Alliance's One and Done will be especially meaningful for him, as it takes place in the very building that he made his name in during the legendary ECW! Finegan has been a fixture in pro wrestling, working with East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) for over 12 years while also being one of the most respected referees in the industry. His retirement marks the end of an era for those who grew up watching ECW and independent wrestling over the past few decades.
Gabe Sapolsky Involved in New WWE EVOLVE Program That Debuts in March 2025!
Paul Heyman's right-hand man Gabe Sapolsky who helped Heyman back in the day in the Original ECW will be involved in WWE's new program, WWE EVOLVE, which was announced during last night's WWE Royal Rumble 2025 pay-per-view event!
WWE EVOLVE will debut on Tubi at 8 PM ET on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025! A new episode would premiere each week. WWE noted that the program would "showcase in-ring action featuring rising WWE prospects as they look to make it to WWE NXT, SmackDown and RAW"
EVOLVE's History:
The logo of the original EVOLVE promotion from 2010-2020. The company would be purchased by WWE in 2020. At WWE Royal Rumble 2025 it was announced it would be making it's return starting on February 7th, 2025
EVOLVE was previously an independent wrestling promotion run by Gabe Sapolsky from 2010-2020, when WWE purchased the company and added some of it's library to it's WWE Network and Peacock libraries. Sapolsky has been involved with WWE as he still works there and is heavily involved with WWE's new WWE ID program which is scouting various independent wrestling promotions worldwide and finding WWE the next generation of talent.
The show will be debuting on the same night as All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite airs on TBS, so that shall be interesting to see how that goes. WWE vs. AEW war rages on (if you want to call it one).
Also, another ex-ECW guy works for WWE through their WWE Recruit program with it being former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino, who has worked with WWE for a couple years now helping train the next generation and passing on his knowledge to tomorrow's superstars!
WWE EVOLVE's 1st taping is scheduled for February 7th, 2025!
The former mastermind behind Extreme Championship Wrestling, none other than Paul Heyman, recently spoke with "Screen Rant," where he was asked about some matches from the original ECW that just don't quite get the credit they deserve. He cited a feud from the company's latter years as one that is underappreciated still to this day:
"We, being ECW, got so much credit for the popularity of a three-way match, and I don't think there was a three-way match in history that was nearly as exciting as the series that was put together by Super Crazy versus Tajiri versus Little Guido, who later became known as Nunzio in WWE. I would suggest those three-way matches are the most underrated, the most underappreciated. And just because they were on the supporting part of the card for, at the time, big title matches that we were presenting and really pushing as the centerpiece of the promotion, people, just in terms of history, have lost sight of how influential Super Crazy versus Tajiri versus Little Guido was. And the quality of the matches that they put on stands the test of time," Heyman said.
To prove how tightly linked Super Crazy, Yoshihiro Tajiri and Little Guido are to this day, the 3 men were recently teammates on January 19th, 2025 for Game Changer Wrestling's "The People vs. GCW" event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, a building that ECW made famous. The ECW originals picked up the win over Los Desperados (Arez, Gringo Loco and Jack Cartwheel) in an action-packed 6-man tag match on a show that also featured Masato Tanaka (another ex-ECW star) being defeated by Joey Janela.
Related (GCW-wise):
peaking of GCW, the ultraviolent deathmatch promotion that some say is like the original ECW, has been booking several ECW Originals recently and will be hosting the upcoming retirement match of Sabu, who will be facing the aforementioned Joey Janela at GCW's Joey Janela's Spring Break 9 event in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18th. Also, Super Crazy will be appeared on their San Diego event coming up on February 28th, facing Rey Horus. More information on GCW can be found HERE
Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven made his return to TNA Wrestling on this week's TNA Impact on AXS TV episode.
During Thursday's edition of Impact, the ex-ECW, TNA and WWE star appeared in a segment where Rosemary was discussing how predictable Masha Slamovich has become these days.
Raven questioned Rosemary on if she was ready to go after the TNA Knockout's Championship again. Rosemary then held a knife to Raven's throat and asked if she had to prove how capable she was.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Robin Hunt aka Hunter Q. Robbins, III passed away over the last day.
Robbins worked primarily as a manager in the original ECW and was actually the manager for Sabu when Sabu made his ECW debut. He portrayed a snotty heel manager, often cutting promos with a condescending British accent.. He managed both The Super Destroyers and The Suicide Blondes when they had the ECW World Tag Team Championship. Robbins also managed Jimmy Snuka for the promotion and was often derided by fans with the chant "K-Mart Suit", knocking his fashion sense. Although he worked primarily as a manager, Robbins did get into the ring from time to time, including teaming with Snuka against Tod Gordon and Davey Boy Smith and competing in a Battle Royale at ECW UltraClash 1993.
After his time in ECW, Robbins also promoted some independent events in the Northeast. Robbins had not work in professional wrestling for many years but was very involved in independent film. A short science fiction film he directed "Paradox", picked up a number of awards at film festivals last year. He had also produced a number of other independent films over the last decade.
We here at Extreme Network send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Hunter Q. Robbins, III.
The founder of CableVision and HBO, Charles Dolan, has passed away at the age of 98.
Dolan owned CableVision, the box office PPV company and one of the first companies to carry the original ECW after ECW fans (most notably the Strictly ECW fan movement led by Tony Lewis) wrote letter after letter and email after email until the company caved in and decided to begin carrying ECW PPV events in 1998. It was a big moment for the company as CableVision was one of the leading pay-per-view networks at the time.
In addition to his founding of CableVision, Dolan also had a hand in the founding of the HBO network, which is still around to this day as Max (formerly known as HBO Max).
Strictly ECW was a fan led movement in the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2000s led by Tony Lewis, a New York City Transit System worker who was a passionate fan of ECW. Without Lewis's help, it is unlikely ECW would have ever been cleared by CableVision, this ECW wouldnt have gotten as many PPV buys as they did.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has released a very cool tribute video that brings back memories of the Original ECW's 'November Rain' by Guns 'n Roses music videos that were aired annually in the lead-up to one of ECW's largest Pay-Per-View events "ECW November to Remember" (previous to 1997 considered a 'SuperCard' (non-PPV major show)).
This video package by AEW is a fitting tribute that brings back nostalgia feelings for me as a Original ECW fan myself. This was created as a throwback that is promoting AEW's next PPV event - AEW Full Gear 2024 on November 23rd, 2024.
WATCH: AEW's November Rain Music Video for AEW Full Gear 2024:
Before Eastern Championship Wrestling was founded in 1992, a company by the name of Tri-State Wrestling Alliance was ran by Joel Goodhart and operated out of the same venues that early-ECW did. Tri-State would fold after running from 1989-1992. Following the folding of TWA, several talents met with Tod Gordon, a local jewelry store owner who had been a financier of TWA. At the end of their talks, we had a new wrestling company, using the same talent as TWA, using the same title belts and rings. Just under the new Eastern Championship Wrestling banner.
Recently, we covered our good friend Chubby Dudley's podcast he has been doing that has discussed the early days of ECW and even TWA, with talents from them days. Well, evidentally, Joel Goodhart and Bay Ragni (Chubby Dudley) are working together on this TWA "One and Done" tribute show that will take place during an event they are calling "RassleCon" which is set for MAY 2025 and will feature a series of VIP Meet & Greets with the stars of TWA, and the "One and Done" event.
Here is a quote from their press release:
"On January 18th, 1992, Joel Goodhart the promoter of the TWA (Tri-State Wrestling Alliance) shocked the wrestling world by announcing on his weekly 610 AM Radio Wrestling Talk Show “Rasslin Radio” which averaged over 20,000 listeners per week, that the TWA is CLOSING IT’S DOORS!!!
The Fans, the Wrestlers, the TWA Employees, TWA Investors, EVERYONE was SHOCKED!!!, including The Nature Boys!!!
This happened exactly one week before the biggest show of the TWA’s almost 3-year existence with the Main Event of “The Battle of the Nature Boys” featuring TWA Champion “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel vs Original “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers who was 71 years old!!!!
Joel Goodhart, closed the doors, disconnected the phones and went back to his normal life, running his business, and being a family man.
Joel came out of hiding in 2009 with a short-lived resurrection of the TWA, which was owned and run by former TWA Talent, Michael Bruno (Mike Tartaglia) who asked Joel to be a part of the company.
Naturally, this put the juices flowing back in Joel, but Tartaglia shortly after purchasing the legendary ECWA from Jim Kettner and promptly buried the TWA.
This did not sit well with Joel, and many others who still have that special place in their heart for what the TWA was.
It was the The Original, The Foundation of what was to happen a couple years later which was known as ECW.
Fast-forward to 2024, one of TWA Ringmaster student Bay “Chubby Dudley” Ragni on a podcast interview goes on a tirade stating that a banner needs to be dropped in the 2300 Arena to show respect to
The Late Larry Winters “Mad Dog” DC Drake Johnny HotBody Tony “The Hitman” Stetson Joel Goodhart
Then a buzz started around this banner and the TWA, which got the promoter in Joel thinking, why not do one official last TWA Show, let us do “ONE and DONE”!!!
Let us go out properly and have a celebration of what we did 32 years ago, that people still talk, discuss, and now watch matches on YouTube!
So, he started trying to persuade Bay Ragni to help him pull this off, and after three weeks of persistent nagging, he finally convinced him to join forces with him to pull this off!!!
So, after 4 months of plotting, planning, and coordinating we are ready to announce!!
May 3rd, 2025
2300 Arena
Joel Goodhart Presents………….
RassleCon (Noon to 3:30)
TWA – “One and Done” (7:30 Bell time) Doors open 6pm
**** We have the matches and talent booked, but will slowly roll out the surprises****
The Stars of the TWA will Be in Attendance for both events
Plus happening on this day…………
The Banner - we discussed, well a deal is in place with the 2300 Arena, if we get one thousand signatures on our petition, they will raise a banner that night!!!
We currently have over 550, so please sign and share the petition!
The Book!!! – Joel Goodhart has also been working on his book that will be released that day and will be available for sale to be autographed.
The Documentary – Ryan Kavanaugh, who is in the middle of wrapping up his documentary on Jim Kettner, is also going to do one on Joel Goodhart and we will be filming all final scenes of the documentary that day and night with what we hope will be the raising of the banner which will be the perfect ending for this film.
Tickets go on sale on October 5th.
Here is the link to purchase tickets for “One and Done”
On May 3rd, 2025, 33 years after the sudden and shocking demise of the TWA, Come and give the Tri-State Wrestling and its stars the true official fond farewell it deserves. Facebook event page
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is getting rave reviews all over social media for it's inaugural events, which took place October 19th & 20th. Among those who worked the event were #ECW Originals Bully Ray (formerly known as Buh Buh Ray Dudley), Johnny Swinger of TNA Wrestling and Don Callis (formerly known as Cyrus The Virus in ECW) of All Elite Wrestling!
The promotion is owned by Scott D'Amore, who was let go from #TNAWrestling / #ImpactWrestling last year. This marks his first gig in wrestling since being let go, in a move that many were very upset about.
The debut events were called "Forged In Excellence" for those who are interested in looking them up.
More information about Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling can be found by visiting their website at: www.MLPWrestling.com
Here is the ECW Originals that worked "Forged In Excellence":
The official website for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced on October 17th, 2024 that two ex-ECW talents are set to take their rightful spot in the TNA Hall of Fame. Those talents are Rhino, who is a former 4-time World Champion (including the final ECW World Television Champion and final ECW World Heavyweight Champion (of the Original ECW), and Bob Ryder (who is best known for his work with the wrestling website 1Wrestling.com back in the 1990s and was also the webmaster for the original ECWWrestling.com website (the original ECW website for the original ECW).
Rhino first joined TNA back in 2005 and stuck around until 2010-ish, and made a brief return in 2014, and made a second return in 2019, and has appeared sporadically since then. The Detroit native will also be honored in his hometown as TNA Bound For Glory 2024 will be taking place at the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan.
Bob Ryder was one of the co-founders of TNA back in 2002 alongside Jeff Jarrett and his father, Jerry Jarrett, and was recognized as the promotion's very 1st employee. As mentioned, prior to founding TNA with the Jarrett's, Ryder worked in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) behind the scenes and also founded 1Wrestling.com (which was one of the first really popular wrestling websites that came out back in the mid-to-late 1990s). Ryder will be inducted posthumously, as he passed away in 2020 unfortunately.
"A former pro wrestling journalist, Bob Ryder was a pioneer in the online wrestling community as the head of Prodigy’s pro wrestling area. He founded 1Wrestling.com and was the webmaster for ECW’s website. He worked for WCW during the Monday Night War era and co-hosted the popular WCW Live with Jeremy Borash. He co-founded TNA Wrestling and was its first employee and the longest-tenured employee in history, employed from its launch in 2002 until his death in 2020. Ryder held multiple backstage positions for TNA, including director of travel operations."
The main event of TNA's Bound For Glory 2024 Pay-Per-View Event will see Joe Hendry challenge Nic Nemeth (c) for the TNA World Championship. TNA first hosted the Hall of Fame ceremony back in 2012 with Sting being the inaugural inductee. Other names who have been recognized for their contributions to the industry include fellow ex-ECW talents Kurt Angle and Team 3D (formerly known in ECW as The Dudleys (Buh Buh Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley), alongside non-ECW talents Jeff Jarrett, Gail Kim and the longtime TNA commentary duo of Mike Tenay and Don West.
Ahead of the latest episode of All Elite Wrestling's flagship program, AEW Dynamite, the promotion announced that former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Taz was attacked in the parking lot, which the legend would later corroborate with a post on X/Twitter. During the same episode, HOOK had a very brief backstage interview with Renee Paquette, in which the star was visibly upset and made his intentions known that he will take revenge on whoever hurt his dad.
Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Newsletter talked about the injury in his latest newsletter, noting that the attack was kayfabe, as most fans already guessed, but that Taz is legitimately going in for surgery on his knees. According to Meltzer, the cover story was created in order to write him off television because he will be getting full knee replacement surgery. It's been common knowledge for a while that Taz has been struggling as of late to walk around backstage, and that his wife finally talked him into taking his stubborn self to get his knees looked at.
Taz was last seen on AEW television when HOOK officially retired the FTW Championship, handing the title back to his father, who created the title as an unsanctioned title in 1998, during his ascent to the ECW World Heavyweight Championship (which he won in January 1999 @ Guilty As Charged by defeating Shane Douglas). The move was notably praised by Taz's fellow ECW alumnus Buh Buh Ray Dudley (Bully Ray), who described the segment as a full circle moment. On "Busted Open Radio," Buh Buh Ray additionally noted that while he is happy with the segment, the FTW Championship has not place in professional wrestling unless it's on Taz's shoulder. Now, without the FTW Championship and without his father, AEW has an opportunity to show fans exactly what HOOK is capable of, and hopefully elevate his star high enough to capture gold unrelated to Taz's legendary title.
