Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

i was just pondering the real reason why WWE is resurrecting ECW. it really isn't about the workers at all. it's about the fact that they do see a small threat in TNA and want to capture a part of the independent wrestling audience. or at least this is my interpretation of the situation. at the same time, they don't want to overshadow their own product so they decided to put the ECW brand where the velocity spot currently is. that shows where their priorities are on this. the main thing, as always, is to see how far this thing takes off. of course, there will be internal politics where each brand would want to keep this promotion down to retain their spot. however, as with any business, if it takes off, the WWE would probably push it as far as they can. that said, my feeling is that it's not going to be as successful as they would want. the main problem is that it's not a true "independent" promotion no matter how hard the WWE tries to sell it. that especially would bring resentment from fans who prefer alternative wrestling because they realize that the WWE would control what goes on in the end. compare, for instance, the handling of intellectual property. in the case of YouTube.com, the WWE send legal threats against them whereas TNA embraced them as a potential partner. these aspects make the WWE corporate no matter what brand they decide to promote. even if Heymen is at the helm for booking, he still is restrained and would be considered branded as a WWE employee for all intents and practical purposes. ultimately, i see the resurgence of ECW as a failure because of the inability for the promotion to escape its association with the WWE and the McMahons. it does not represent what ECW had once stood for, and that principle is the foremost flaw in this push. if anything it will be nostalgic but that's as far as it should go.