May 22, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WWE & ECW, Bob Sapp

The gearing up for starting a third brand under the WWE banner, using the ECW name, has been the major behind the scenes news in the company, to the point that any and all booking ideas for both Raw and Smackdown past the early part of June are being labeled as tentative.

A lot of changes, almost all considered positive by those close to the situation, have taken place regarding roster and scheduling. While the TV situation hasn't changed, in that they will still be taping every Tuesday night prior to Smackdown in the Velocity spot, many other favorable decisions have been made.

While there is still no official TV deal in place, it is now considered close to a lock there will be a TV deal in the U.S. and it won't be simply an internet property domestically. Ironically, one of the reasons Shane McMahon pushed the idea on his father is because he wanted the idea of an internet exclusive brand, but now Vince sees the potential of this and knows it can't achieve it without television. The feeling is that if it was just an internet property, Vince would lose his current enthusiasm for it very quickly.

Subscribers can read this issue here.