Top 5 ECW Champions

4. The Sandman – 5 reigns – 446 days as champion

https://youtu.be/iGfrBfim0-w

I’m not entirely convinced that the Sandman was even a wrestler, I’m pretty sure he’s just a drunk fan that they were too scared to throw out. I know you’re asking how the hell I could include Sandman but leave off Terry Funk. Brother, it wasn’t easy. But Sandman is, like Booker, a five-time world champion.

Sandman was almost the ECW‘s attitude made manifest in an ill-fitting Rutger Hauer skin. Except, it wasn’t tears in the rain, just a lot of beer sloshing about.

He was perfect for the blue-collar ECW fan-base.  Originally, Sandman was gonna come out with a surfboard and do a surfer gimmick before Heyman saw him drunk backstage chain-smoking. Seeing, basically, an avatar for their entire fan-base, Heyman decided to send the Sandman out as he was. It didn’t matter if he couldn’t wrestle. I mean the Great Khali can barely walk and we’re supposed to see him as a legit wrestler.

Sandman may have been all character and minimal skill, but it was one of the rawest, most unique characters to hit the squared circle (then promptly pass-out in it). Sandman held the ECW Championship more times than anyone else and, collectively, held the belt longer than anyone except for Shane Douglas. Sandman was a brawler in and out of the ring, though his matches never seemed to run too long. I’m not sure if his matches were shorter to hide his faults or just because they were afraid he’d dry-out mid-match and get the DTs.

Regardless of ability, Sandman was captivating and managed to make a career out of being the most unhealthy athlete since the 1950’s men’s track team endorsed the smooth, mild taste of Chesterfields. That’s right, there’s nothing like a good Chesterfield after a hard day at the office. 9 out of 10 doctors agree, smoking a pack of Chesterfields a day can reduce irritability and make you more attractive to others. Now, try Chesterfield Jr.’s! Their small size fits in most lunch pails and makes it easy to smoke during a short recess.

This entry was brought to you by Altria.

Authors Note: Mr. Fullington, if you’re reading this, these were jokes. Please don’t beat me to death with your kendo stick, you terrifying, terrifying human beer keg.

• the sandman
• tommy dreamer
• ecw
• nwa world heavyweight championship
• raven
• tazz
• sabu
• Extreme Rules
• shane douglas
• paul heyman
• NWA
• wwe

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