ECW Rankings - Brief Article

Wrestling Digest, August, 2000

1. Mike Awesome

A lack of singles opposition forced Awesome into tag-team action, where he held the ECW world tag-team title with Raven. The two lost the title to The Impact Players at Living Dangerously on March 12. Until someone challenges him for the lop belt, he is No. 1 by default.

2. Super Crazy

Super Crazy won the ECW world television title at Living Dangerously. Although most wrestlers can't match his in-ring ability, his elocution may be a deciding factor when it comes to how long he holds the belt.

3. Steve Corino

Regardless of the beating he took from Dusty Rhodes at Living Dangerously, Corino remains a credible performer for ECW. Expect Corino to be a major contender for the ECW world and television titles.

4. Dusty Rhodes

The "dream" lives on in ECW. Despite his age and poor physical well-being, Rhodes continues to give credible performances. How long he can continue to persevere is unclear. Is it worth getting Rhodes "over" at the expense of younger performers?

5. Little Guido

Little Guido is often overlooked on the ECW roster, but he is a very good wrestler. His semifinal appearance in the ECW world television title tournament may mean bigger things for this under-used midcarder.

6. Rhino

Many fans thought Rhino was a lock to get the ECW world television title. But in typical ECW style, that didn't happen. Rhino is a solid performer for ECW and should capture a title soon. His loss to Super Crazy does nothing to reduce his importance in the federation.

7. Lance Storm

Lance Storm and Justin Credible became two-time ECW tag-team champions by defeating Tommy Dreamer and Tanaka in a three-way dance at Living Dangerously. One can't help but wonder what kind of noise Storm would make in the singles ranks.

8. Sandman

Although he was jettisoned from the ECW world television title tourney due to his wife's "injury" at the hands of Rhino, Sandman is still receiving a big push from ECW. With ECW's roster depleted due to injury and defections, the federation can definitely use Sandman's star power.

9. Vic Grimes

Vic Grimes and New Jack waged war on scaffolding 25 feet above the ring at Living Dangerously. On loan from the WWF, Grimes cut a path of destruction through the Balls Mahoney-Kintaro Kanemura match, only to be silenced by New Jack and a fall through two tables.

10. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Now a full-time member of "The Network" with Jack Victory, Rhino, and Cyrus, Tajiri is running with a bad crowd. This association could mean big things for "The Network" and bad things for the rest of ECW.