Forever Hardcore" is a 2005 documentary that delves into the history and legacy of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), a professional wrestling promotion that revolutionized the industry in the 1990s. This Explicit documentary offers an unfiltered look at ECW's rise and fall, featuring interviews with many of the key figures involved in the promotion, excluding those under WWE contract. ECW was founded in 1992 by Tod Gordon as Eastern Championship Wrestling, an affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). In 1993, Paul Heyman took over as head booker and rebranded the promotion to Extreme Championship Wrestling. ECW became known for its hardcore wrestling style, rabid fan base, and innovative storylines, which contrasted sharply with the mainstream offerings of WWE and WCW at the time. Forever Hardcore" covers numerous pivotal moments in ECW's history, such as Shane Douglas breaking Gary Wolfe's neck, the infamous "Mass Transit incident," and the controversial crucifixion angle involving The Sandman. The documentary highlights the intense loyalty of the ECW fan base, which often played a significant role in the shows themselves, sometimes overshadowing the performers. One of the central themes of the documentary is the financial and managerial turmoil within ECW. Paul Heyman, known for his charismatic yet manipulative leadership, is portrayed as both a visionary and a con artist. The documentary reveals that Vince McMahon and WWE secretly funded ECW during its later years, a fact that Heyman concealed from his performers. This financial arrangement allowed ECW to survive longer than it might have otherwise, but ultimately, the promotion declared bankruptcy in 2001. The documentary also contrasts with WWE's own production, "The Rise and Fall of ECW," by including voices excluded from WWE's version. Notable interviewees in "Forever Hardcore" include Sabu, Shane Douglas, Terry Funk, Raven, The Sandman, and New Jack. Their candid stories and personal insights provide a raw and authentic look at the highs and lows of ECW's existence. Overall, "Forever Hardcore" serves as a companion piece to WWE's documentary, offering a more independent and unfiltered perspective on the legacy of ECW, emphasizing the promotion's impact on wrestling and the personal experiences of those who lived through its tumultuous history.
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