***WATCHALONG WITH BRANDON & GENE AT THIS LINK***
https://rumble.com/v7evq76-rwr-ecw-podcast-ep.-11-61593-too-violent-for-sports-channel.html

On Episode #11 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast, Gene Jackson and Brandon Wheeler are finally on the doorstep of Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular, and this June 15, 1993 episode of Eastern Championship Wrestling feels like the real “go home show”. After last week’s heavy Rockin’ Rebel bonus episode, the boys come into this one looking for some forward momentum and ECW actually gives them plenty to work with.

The show is built around the final push for Eddie Gilbert vs. Terry Funk in the Texas Chain Match Massacre to crown the official “King of Philadelphia”, but there’s a lot more happening: Road Warrior Hawk challenging Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka for the ECW TV Title, the Suicide Blondes and Super Destroyers continuing their issue, Sandman and Rockin’ Rebel heading toward their street fight/catfight chaos, and The Dark Patriot (Doug Gilbert) makes his ECW debut stepping into the main event against the living legend, Terry Funk.

The biggest strength of this episode is the Eddie Gilbert/Terry Funk build. Eddie gets multiple segments: the outdoor promo, the crown, the Texas chain demonstration, and the final attack. Funk answers with a promo that makes Philadelphia feel special, telling the fans they are “hardcore fans” before that word becomes permanently attached to ECW’s identity.

The main event with Terry Funk vs. The Dark Patriot gives ECW the kind of finish it wants heading into the big show: Funk fights, Paul E. interferes, Funk goes for the mask, Eddie Gilbert hits the ring with a chair, and then the broadcast cuts away under the idea that the footage was too violent for Sports Channel! It’s a simple trick, but it does a good job making the upcoming chain match feel like something out of control.

By the end, Gene and Brandon both seem encouraged. The show feels better paced, the format feels different, Stevie Wonderful is settling in on commentary, and ECW feels like it is changing fast. The early awkwardness is still there, but now you can see the pieces starting to move toward something bigger.

Super Summer Sizzler is next.

And Eastern Championship Wrestling finally feels like it’s heating up.