Former ECW star Nunzio was part of Wednesday’s NXT 2300 from the famous former ECW Arena and he challenged Tony D’Angelo for the NXT North American Championship. However, things didn’t go as per the plan as he couldn’t dethrone the champ. Moreover, the match duration was also reduced.

Nunzio and Tony Mamaluke had a FBI reunion on the show and were among several ECW originals who returned. They shared a backstage moment with Tony D’Angelo and family which led to the title match. However, the championship bout went just a couple of minutes.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Nunzio spoke about the NXT locker room environment and also reflected on competing in a title match that went a little shorted than what he expected. Here is what Nunzio said:

“I thought it was great. I actually went with Francine. She didn’t really know anybody and was like, ‘I want to go with you.’ I said, ‘Honestly, I know who they are but I don’t know anybody either.’ Everybody was very nice and respectful. I talked to a few guys and always try to help out with a couple of matches. I talked to some people, trying to get my own match going. A little shorter than I wanted. Some people went over and stuff. I’m not paid by the hour. Take the minutes off, it’s okay. I love when they say that, ‘I’m sorry I cut your two.’ Okay, so I do three. It’s what you do in that five or six minutes.”

In the final moments on the match, The Family’s Luca Crusifino distracted the referee while Channing “Stacks Lorenzo” handed a crowbar to D’Angelo. The champ threw the weapon towards Nunzio and the referee thought he was about to use it.

However, the ref then snatched then weapon. This allowed D’Angelo to capitalize during the chaos and planted the 52-year-old star with a delayed chokeslam to earn the win. Following the match The Family and FBI embraced and showed respect to each other to end the segment.

NXT found a new way to promote their brand by hitting smaller venues and the company may have found a sweet spot in the 2300 Arena.

With NXT finding a new broadcast home on The CW, Shawn Michaels and his team assembled there put on an event, that if done consistently, can create a very strong and rapid fanbase, echoing the very vibes that ECW Arena was notorious for.

That creates appointment television and the brand is on the right track, starting with Swanson & Ritner.

This ECW inspired NXT intro is DOPE pic.twitter.com/PuWOEH7JsY

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) November 7, 2024

I was on site for WWE NXT 2300 and spent a half-decade in Philly (two of those years right down the street on Snyder Ave.). I’ve seen many wrestling shows there from many promotions (past the Paul Heyman heyday) and I haven’t seen a crowd that electric.

There were previous reports that Heyman’s induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame was the spiritual “closing the book” of ECW, but Tuesday dispelled that notion. WWE sees there’s still market for it and Tuesday night walked a very nice balance of mixing the legacy in without overdoing it. As a matter of fact, the tone-setters for the show can greatly go to a clearly stacked women’s division.

Crowd is SUPER into @JordynneGrace! The main event exemplifies how STACKED the women's division is. #WWENXT @2300Arena pic.twitter.com/nlWC4gXYls

— Dominic DeAngelo | 1TS (@DominicDeAngelo) November 7, 2024

WWE got the heavy-hitters for legends. ECW names like Rob Van Dam (I know that guy!) and Bully Ray set the tone for the whole evening by their mere presence. They’re home run hitters for those three letters and pairing Bubba with the NXT Champ Trick Williams ties history with future. Fans were ready to go ballistic if RVD had a match and they dangled that carrot for down the road. Even RVD said he plans to be back for a bout. Knowing that those two were going to be there established buzz and then they had a good deal of names in store for the show.

Then you had the surprises to help to blow the roof off the building. D-Von walked out to “get the tables” for Trick and Bubba in a “send the fans home happy” moment. I was admiring the ECW mural in the bathroom when Rhyno came out to Gore Robert Stone, but that pop ‘The Man Beast’ got was worthy of a TNA Hall of Famer.

I felt “family” and heritage collide when Nunzio surprised Tony D’Angelo by challenging ‘The Don’ for the North American Championship and it was a nice way to get Tony D even more over and creating a “lineage” that adds to the value of The D’Angelo Family.

Well how about that! ?@TonyDangeloWWE will handle his "Family Business" by defending the North American Championship against Nunzio TONIGHT! ?#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/paEkqVng8d

— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2024

Nunzio was an “off-the-beaten-path” ECW incorporation which made it refreshing and the same can be said by having Dawn Marie and Francine involved. Blue Meanie would have been an excellent addition to the festivities, but hopefully there’s more to come with the 2300 pairing.

The merchandise was well executed to make this event feel special. You had an “NX F’N T” tee, a 2300 NXT tee and of course, an RVD special event tee. The line was quite long before the show.

NXT Has A New Energy And It’s For Good Reason

Speaking with a key creative name in the NXT mix, a credit to the growing identity of the brand goes to the incorporation of athletes not from wrestling and the positive team environment behind-the-scenes. The fact that many names have played in organized sports make taking direction much easier and while some aspects have a bit of a learning curve, the ROI has reverberated through the roster. Today’s wrestling has a lot of just “pro wrestlers” and haven’t played a lick of organized sports in high school. They’re strictly used to fending for themselves on the indie scene. That doesn’t create a foundation for “tough love” and the reception for criticism is less welcoming. If you get a good deal of that early on, you get more of a team effort and friendly competition. That in turn, creates good energy.

You embrace that with unique (and historic) atmospheres such as the one on Swanson & Ritner, and you get yourself something different than everyone else. Now that Deadline has been announced for Minneapolis at The Armory, they’re geared up for yet another spectacle.

WWE NXT’s recent tribute show at the iconic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on November 6, 2024, has reignited fans’ passion for the extreme wrestling era. This event not only honored the legacy of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) but also showcased the ongoing evolution of professional wrestling.

Let’s explore this memorable show and other notable ECW tribute events that have left an indelible mark on the wrestling world.

Read More – NXT 2300 Results from Philadelphia’s ECW Arena

NXT Takes Over the ECW Arena

WWE NXT’s special episode at the 2300 Arena, formerly known as the ECW Arena, was a nostalgic journey for wrestling fans. 

The show featured a good blend of NXT’s current roster and ECW legends, creating an electric atmosphere that paid homage to the extreme wrestling roots.

Francine’s Surprise Appearance

One of the highlights of the event was the return of Francine, the “Queen of Extreme.” Her presence in the crowd during the main event added a layer of authenticity to the tribute, reminding fans of ECW’s glory days.

Francine’s cameo was particularly significant given her long absence from wrestling, making this appearance a true treat for longtime ECW supporters.

Star-Studded Main Event

The show’s climax was a thrilling 10-woman tag team match that showcased NXT’s deep and talented women’s roster. 

This match not only paid tribute to ECW’s legacy but also highlighted the evolution of women’s wrestling, demonstrating how far the industry has come since the ECW era.

Other Memorable ECW Tribute Shows

While NXT’s 2300 Arena show was exceptional, it’s not the only tribute that has captured the essence of ECW. Let’s look at some other notable ECW tribute events that have left their mark on wrestling history.

ECW One Night Stand 2005

This pay-per-view event was WWE’s first official ECW reunion show. It featured original ECW stars and recreated the promotion’s unique atmosphere. Matches like Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome and the main event featuring The Dudley Boyz against Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman perfectly encapsulated the ECW spirit.

ECW One Night Stand 2006

Building on the success of the previous year, this event saw ECW alumni clash with WWE superstars. The show is particularly remembered for Rob Van Dam’s WWE Championship victory over John Cena in a highly charged atmosphere that epitomized the ECW fanbase’s passion.

Hardcore Homecoming 2005

Organized independently by Shane Douglas, this event brought together numerous ECW originals for a series of hardcore matches. It served as an alternative reunion for fans who wanted a more authentic ECW experience outside of WWE’s production.

Here are the quick results from the NXT 2300 special on the CW network, November 6, 2024:

1. Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker (Hardcore Match): Vice defeated Parker with a DDT onto a chair.

2. Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee: Evans secured the victory after delivering a springboard cutter.

3. Tony D’Angelo vs. Nunzio (NXT North American Championship Match): D’Angelo retained his title against Nunzio.

4. Ten-Woman Tag Team Match: Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, and Fallon Henley defeated Jordynne Grace, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, and Kelani Jordan when Perez pinned Zaria following Pop Rox.

5. Trick Williams & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Ethan Page & Ridge Holland: Williams and Dudley won after Williams hit the Trick Shot on Page.

Additionally, NXT General Manager Ava announced the introduction of the NXT Women’s North American Championship, with a tournament set to begin next week to crown the inaugural champion.

WWE presents NXT 2300 tonight from the historic ‘ECW Arena’ in Philadelphia, PA. This special ‘extreme homecoming’ broadcasts live on The CW at 8/7c.

Confirmed matches and segments

• Bubba Ray Dudley and Trick Williams team up against Ethan Page and Ridge Holland.

• 10-Woman Tag Team Match: Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, ZARIA, Kelani Jordan, & Jordynne Grace team up against Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx, & Jacy Jayne.

• Hardcore Match: Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker with Special Referee: Dawn Marie

• A special announcement by NXT General Manager Ava

• Appearances from Rob Van Dam, Francine, and more ECW originals.

NXT 2300: Watch the ECW-Themed Cold Open for Tonight’s Show

WWE takes it to the extreme tonight with NXT 2300, a special Wednesday edition of WWE NXT broadcasting live on the CW 8/7c. The show takes place from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

The venue, located at 2300 S Swanson St, is best known to wrestling fans as the ‘ECW Arena’ and is the former home of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).

NXT 2300 be heavy on the ECW nostalgia, including appearances from legends including Rob Van Dam, Francine, Dawn Marie and more.

WWE has released the ‘cold open’ video package that will air at the start of NXT 2300, featuring the classic ECW TV theme song, and footage of classic ECW moments spliced in with today’s NXT stars.