Paul Heyman Says No One Who Chants ‘ECW’ In 2026 Thinks Of WWE’s ECW

Paul Heyman has long been vocal about his disdain for the WWE version of ECW, and he shared a few thoughts on the 2006 brand while talking about ECW being in WWE 2K26. The WWE version of ECW which launched in ’06, has been pilloried by everyone from D-Von Dudley to Rob Van Dam. Heyman has gone on record as saying that he hated his experience there, where he was gone by the end of 2006. The brand continued until 2010 before being shut down.

Heyman was interviewed by VGC to promote WWE 2K26 and spoke about having Hardcore Heaven ’94 in the Showcase Mode and more. You can see the highlights below:

On WWE ECW and Having Hardcore Heaven ’94 In WWE 2K26:

“I don’t think anybody that chants ‘ECW’ in 2026 ever is thinking about the WWE-ized version of 2006, which was one absolutely abhorrent, miserable experience for everybody involved. When people chant ECW, they chant from the period of September 1993 to January 2001. And to have Hardcore Heaven ’94 as part of the WWE 2K26 video game is an honor for A, anyone that was involved in that, and I certainly was; anybody that was there, and there are many who were; and anyone who wants a genuine authentic portrayal of ECW when it was revolutionizing — indeed, evolutionizing the entire industry.”

On If He Had a Say In New Jack and Sandman Being Included:

“I was asked my opinion, and most likely after the decision was already made. And I concurred with their astute assessment that if we’re going to have ECW representation within this game, here are two people that truly embodied the spirit of ECW at its height. Because there was no greater entrance in the history of professional wrestling than the Sandman’s, and there was no more authentic personality in the history of professional wrestling than the Original Gangster New Jack.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit VGC with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.