Ex-WWE Star Calls ECW One Night Stand Match Finish “Dumb”

Former WWE star Stevie Richards has shared his unfiltered thoughts on the 2005 ECW One Night Stand match between Mike Awesome and Masato Tanaka, labelling its concept and execution as “dumb.”

Speaking on The Stevie Richards Show podcast, Richards critiqued the bout for its extreme violence and questionable presentation.

“I met Mike backstage at the show.”

Richards recalled, offering insight into his personal impression of Awesome.

“He seemed like a very kind, easy-going guy, but this is just stupid. The whole thing is dumb.”

The match, renowned for its brutal and high-risk spots, captivated the live audience but raised concerns for Richards. He criticised the level of violence, arguing that it went beyond entertainment and unnecessarily jeopardised the safety of the performers. Richards also expressed dissatisfaction with the match’s conclusion, which unfolded outside the ring and beyond the barricade, preventing much of the audience from witnessing the final moments.

“The finish happens when three-quarters of the people can’t see the finish in the audience. You could’ve done this spot in the ring.”

Richards pointed out, highlighting what he felt was poor planning in a high-profile match.

Why Did Stevie Richards Say It Was Necessary To Hide Injuries In WWE?

Stevie Richards spoke about how it was necessary to hide being injured whilst working in WWE. Richards said that he had to hide his injuries while he worked for WWE because if he didn’t he was worried he would lose his spot if he took time away from the promotion. Richards also said that wrestlers had to watch what they said to Vince McMahon as he had a very short temper, and it was easy to say something that would upset him.

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