One Of The First Users Of The Chokeslam On TV - ECW's 911

in WOOGame19 hours ago


(this video found on the NFS Media YT channel)

In today's pro wrestling the chokeslam is a commonly-seen move, often used by larger wrestlers on smaller opponents. However, in the mid-1990's it was a move rarely seen on TV. ECW, then "Eastern Championship Wrestling", made this the primary move of 911.

The name "911" came into ECW in 1994 - so this predates the 9/11 event by roughly 7 years. The gimmick included manager Paul E. Dangerously using his large-model cell phone to "call 911" when a situation needed rescuing. Once a fan favorite, they would chant "911! 911!" until he chokeslammed his opponent, sometimes two at a time.

His first credited match in ECW, and possibly his first-ever singles match, was against Duane Gill.

https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=602&page=4&s=100

Occasionally the fans would chant for additional chokeslams as seen in this match against Jungle Jim Steele at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia;

This video shows Paul E. introducing 911 to ECW TV with announcer Matty In The House:

In case you want to know more about the origins of the chokeslam that you see so commonly used today in professional wrestling, then hopefully this gives you a glimpse of how the move became so popular due to it being featured so prominently in ECW.

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Wow, really interesting! Seeing the chokeslam become so popular through 911 is pretty awesome, and Paul E. Dangerously’s way of presenting it made it even more memorable. Those ECW moments from the ’90s were truly iconic.

One of the big differentiators showing the ECW Arena crowd as being truly unique in wrestling - and perhaps other sports - was the night Santa Claus went to the ring and threw out caps to the crowd... with the crowd booing! Then Paul E. and 911 came in and he chokeslammed Santa with the crowd cheering wildly. Welcome to ECW!