5 ways ECW's influence is felt today in wrestling

#4 The use of weapons

ECW used weapons to enhance some of their matches.

Often referred to as ‘garbage wrestling,' the hardcore and extreme style of wrestling were first embraced in North America by ECW. The use of various means to hurt your opposition, whether that be tables, ladders or chairs, was never simply relegated to just one match on an ECW card but managed to make its way into several.

It added an element of awe, shock, and destruction. A number of wrestlers, such as the late Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney, had careers that centred on their use of items such as chairs and tables. In fact, Mahoney was often referred to as ‘the chair swinging freak' due to his ability to batter the heads and bodies of opponents with a chair.

Other ECW alumni such as Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman and Raven would use these items as a way to help identify how ‘hardcore' they were in the ring. Dreamer was referred to as ‘The innovator of violence,' and for good reason. The punishment he gave and received, showcasing the use of tables, chairs, and canes as tools, is a trend that has continued to this day.