In a move that questions the future of WWE's version of ECW the company has started merging talent between Smackdown and ECW on their respective television shows.
This situation was explained in a kayfabe manner with ECW general manager, Armando Estrada and Smackdown boss, Vickie Guerrero meeting and agreeing to mix the talent from both shows.
The real reason could be due to the contract between WWE and Sci-Fi Network which airs ECW on Tuesday nights.
It seems to me that the WWE have subtly acknowledged that the show is not going to be renewed when the contract between the two ends later this year. Mixing the talent between ECW and Smackdown means the talent will still be getting television air-time.
The company has even started promoting ECW matches online which could signal where the future of the division belongs. They have even been advertised on a chat program I use. Apparently episodes of ECW are being aired in a chat room on Friday nights.
It seems that the WWE has once again looked at new media as the future of their company. I think it is a long way off before they can move their premier shows like Raw and Smackdown to the Internet but it is an option that should remain open when their television deals run out in the future.
Maybe the loss of a TV spot for ECW is their way of doing a test run for preparing for the future.
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