The ECW / XPW Incident At Heatwave 2000 | War Stories

War Stories Episode 11 - By the year 2000, ECW had been reborn for more than five years, and in that time, had proved to be highly influential on other promotions both large and small, particularly when it came to pushing the envelope. But by no means did they have the market cornered on that loose principle. In fact, when a promotion with a few similar ideals popped up in California in the summer of 1999, they eventually managed to draw the ire of their east coast counterpart. Eventually, parties from both sides engaged in a rather unusual confrontation one night in Los Angeles...
Special thanks to Danny Doring and Kevin Kleinrock for additional information during the production of this episode
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Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, NXT and 205 Live), AEW, IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, lists, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@phyrexiancoffee6324]

The most ridiculous part of this whole story is the idea of New Jack getting into a fight that didn't end in someone getting stabbed or beaten into a bloody pulp.

[@LeroyPatterson]

Jack was on crutches at the time, so he wasn't in tip top shape!

[@tommymann69]

Xpw was on it's way out anyway because of the porn crap

[@BrianSmith-ct3kh]

I dunno, the idea of Heyman himself throwing hands is pretty ridiculous. Paul's a lover, not a fighter.

[@jaybarbieri8619]

@@BrianSmith-ct3kh Clearly not as much as we thought lol

[@dreadkalibur1613]

Fun fact with XPW new Jack was paid with money but forklift size crate of adult videos.

[@krectus]

Heyman got pissed off at XPW not paying Sabu because not paying Sabu is an ECW exclusive.

[@DFloyd84]

If Heyman and Black could have sorted things out, this could have been done as a work for an inter-promo angle and could have made money.

[@donniesmith3688]

Paul Heyman didn't want nothing to do with Rob Because of his Porn Industry Connections.

[@GTA_500]

@matt I don't understand it so what if he had connections to the porn industry.

[@shawnredmond8402]

No one was watching this cringe nonsense other than ecw die hards, which was like 300 people by 2000.

[@AT-il2ej]

@@GTA_500 TNN had the issue with it

[@cherrypopscile3385]

Rob Black (allegedly) had a dudes finger cut off once.

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Those LA cops probably thought that the fight outside was a work and did not want to get involved.

[@freshlyshrimped4651]

"New Jack's there? nah fuck that"

[@DottyBlitz]

@@freshlyshrimped4651 😂😂

[@GangmakerZaken]

Can't say I'm surprised to hear that New Jack got into a fight😅

[@oscobblepotcobblepot6972]

Holy crap Ainsley Harriet!

[@GangmakerZaken]

@@oscobblepotcobblepot6972 huehueee boii

[@ArcherSuh4721]

At one point, I didn't understand why ECW would have a problem with this Rob Black guy being in the adult entertainment industry but they had Jasmine St. Clair on the payroll. So I googled his name and... Oh. Yeah, smart move on ECW's part! Wise decision!

[@micahjohnsonboxing6409]

I remember Rob Black being on ABC news show because his movies were so sick.

[@hostilethetruth]

lol Heyman went to war with Black and XPW while he was going out of business .. He could have saved ECW by working with Rob Black who had money

[@Ringmaster138]

I was at this show. Can't believe it's been 20 years since this happened. It's still the best live show I've ever attended. Nothing beats being live with an ECW crowd.

[@rubennajera6735]

My cousin and I were at this show, and We remember thinking “XPW is getting airtime on an ECW PPV?” Nope...those guys were kicked out of there quick before anything notable happened...it was a wet fart... but the show was Awesome! We were center and 4 rows back on the hard camera... still have the tickets

[@justinxpwsane]

Me too, I’ll never forget it

[@WillThaK]

I was there, and I was about 6 rows behind where the XPW guys were sitting. Never forget the night, nor will I forget the comic book convention that was happening a few streets down where it was basically a Pro Wrestling event. That weekend was very memorable as I also got to met RVD at a swap meet!

[@theopeningset]

Same. Also caught the XPW go funk yourself event they talked about. Good times back in the day.

[@jdroz65]

I was there too across from the hard cam next to the guys with that giant Tajiri banner on the side where sandman entered i remember that was a fun show

[@CamPlaysPlanetZoo]

This might be my favourite series on Cultaholic.

[@christophercarl1774]

I was thinking the same thing as I started this one. This may be my favorite wrestling content on KZbin.

[@distantandvague]

@@christophercarl1774 Yikes. There are only 100 other channels that do this detailed retrospective stuff so much better. As with everything What Culture does: good idea, lazy execution.

[@suprcrzy]

@@distantandvague - Name the 100 channels please.

[@TheManInTheLongBlackCoat]

This was actually mentioned in WWE’s Rise & Fall Of ECW book. Nevertheless, it was a complete waste of time: all they did was cause the ECW locker room to storm to ringside, drag the XPW wrestlers out and smack them around. And to avoid arrests the police outside were told that it was all part of the show. Instead of publicity, all Rob Black and his merry men got was a good kicking.

[@InfectedChris]

I cannot believe we are mere weeks away from 20 years since ECW went under.

[@drums4lyfe0987]

And days from the purchase of WCW

[@DottyBlitz]

Actually at this point already ECW had shut down for almost two months and in 2 from now days WCW will be showing its Final nitro💔

[@WillThaK]

Cultaholic could do a whole series on just XPW alone. XPW was filled with Porn, Sex, Legal Issues, America's Most Wanted, etc. I mean XPW was a promotion that took the void that ECW left and filled it with something, while hating and treating the fan base like idiots. I kid you not... a quick google search will tell you a lot about XPW.

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

I still miss the old ECW under Paul Heyman

[@DottyBlitz]

In my opinion in the early Monday night wars 94-96 ECW Hardcore TV was the best better then RAW and Nitro, I don’t think something like ECW can ever be replicated ever again, One in a lifetime experience and thing, If only they didn’t have financial problems

[@jack_ssr]

@@DottyBlitz frr

[@outlawrip-offartist4161]

This is the one I’ve been waiting for the most actually.

[@joefeeney5497]

I’m waiting for the Philly Indy Wars haha.

[@bignat]

I can't wait to hear this incident be talked about on the Rob Black/XPW episode of the upcoming season 3 Dark Side Of The Ring

[@craigstrachan]

Remember getting a copy of that Heatwave ppv on vhs from a coworker at my job and seeing that incident with the XPW guys at ringside starting up that situation and the ECW lockerroom emptying to escort them out of the building . Also have a copy of Rob Black's promo on the incident and the Go Funk Yourself show where Josh Lazie mentions the incident in a promo . The whole thing started right before the main event with Dreamer and Credible's Stairway To Hell Match where Francine Jumps up on the ring apron yelling at people in the crowd and Dreamer goes to look to see what's going then it shows Kid Kaos , Supreme and Homeless Jimmy standing up and confronting the ECW guys coming out to escort/defend Francine . In Black's promo he claims that flyer guys were attacked and that lawsuits were coming down because of it . Have a few XPW videos in my collection but mostly because of the fact that ECW guys were working there as well . XPW was nothing more than a west coast ECW wannabe promotion and aside from that and doing death matches nothing really much else to them and they went under due to Black selling snuff inspired porn movies plus he was believed to have put out a hit on former employee and champion The Messiah for sleeping with his wife Lizzy Borden . For better or worse XPW left its mark on pro wrestling depending on which side your on . It was wtf it was but it was no ECW that's for sure .

[@brandonizaguirre2963]

To say that I'm hyped for the XPW episode for the 3rd season of Dark Side of the Ring would be an understatement

[@emmadilemma7800]

18:30 awww i need more stories about the philadelphia wrestling scene and the territories pre-WWF taking over. I feel like the attitude era and the monday night wars has been covered many many many many times. Im more interested in stuff like this.

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodsm4708]

I’m hoping that after this 23 get an episode on the Philly indy wars. Seems like a natural Segway as XPW is also involved with that

[@IGCproductions2001]

New Jack's book talks about this and he talks about stopping some guys head while the police watched.

[@TheEjishere]

Honestly if you see New Jack kicking a head in, do you want to get in the middle of that?

[@sheepdavis]

I think you mean 'stomping'

[@HBKman1]

@@TheEjishere ima record it

[@michaelsmith5769]

@@HBKman1 Of course you would, golfer.

[@drums4lyfe0987]

This is my favorite backstage wrestling info series on KZbin. This is an awesome Sunday treat before tonight’s “pay per view”

[@vampirascoffin870]

Facts! We need more of this!

[@TJV83]

Except for a couple of matches I thought Fastlane was boring

[@elosobratto3802]

Well, imagine watching this tonight haha

[@ItsAWildeThing]

stories like this have always interested me. especially ones that i’ve not heard much of, like this one. kudos to being the first video i’ve seen about this incident that isn’t just the incident itself!

[@playboy_x]

Sandman dying of an OD, coming back to life at hospital and going to the arena to wrestle that same night has got to be my favorite.

[@lovelyhurlin6494]

16:16 "This is tango five nine, we have two groups of wrestlers doing wrestling things outside a wrestling show, we need backup" 😂

[@ligomi]

ECW came to the Minneapolis area twice. I went both times. I'll never forget those 2 shows.

[@jdroz65]

I'm born and raised in LA and i was in the building this night this was very accurate and word in the building was Francine was saying she was grabbed which obviously never happened and the XPW street team got beat up. I still remember Rhino and Angel of the Baldies went to Carl's Jr and were walking back with food like nothing happened

[@ZillMob]

Ronnie Lang got a mention! I swear someone could make a whole show around that guy

[@beane10]

Please more XPW content. Would love a deeper dive into their promotion. Great vid Sam!

[@KatyLawson]

The man on the right in the thumbnail kind of looks like Tom Campbell with mutton chops...

[@danieldicicco3605]

That was my first thought.

[@1992geop]

Also forgot to mention that Tommy Dreamer pulled a Will Ospreay on Supreme that “You’ll never work for this business again”

[@CaptainCBass]

I remember being at the 2002 Gathering Of The Juggalos & wore my ECW shirt for the 1st night of JCW wrestling. I got so much legit heat from the XPW guys from that. Messiah & Kid Kaos shared an elevator with me & told me I was an asshole for wearing that shirt. My response was “yeah well nobody knows who you jobbers are.” They left the elevator rather pissed at that.

[@KingHayabusa384]

Messiah left XPW in 2001. Pretty sure he didn't care about them in 2002.

[@CaptainCBass]

@@KingHayabusa384 Could’ve been kayfabing idk? We’re you at that GOTJ?

[@joeyl7656]

Fully realize I say this about every series on Cultaholic Wrestling but this series truly is one of my favorites! Thank you, Sam, for a job truly well done! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@elkagrot]

A full retrospective on the Messiah is needed

[@KatarHero72]

I would love to hear the story about Bischoff and Hogan taking over TNA. That one was teased early on but not shown yet.

[@M613M]

I haven't watched Cultaholic in a while but its nice to see that they're veering more towards Wrestlelamia style videos and less WhatCulture.

[@justinxpwsane]

R.I.P. Supreme

[@Atomykpimp]

Can’t wait to see XPW Dark Side of the Ring.

[@varisht4]

I just want to say that I love the production and sound of these videos. It's a compelling package and I'm glad Cuktaholic make this. The wrestling KZbin world would be far less without you guys and your approaching to storytelling.

[@robhiphop2go]

I was there!! That shit was nuts ! Such a good time,

[@nickgreg78]

Didn't know Justin Henry had so many years of experience! Kudos sir!

[@OliveMule]

Lol the LAPD thought it was a work lol

[@Kas58223]

So glad this is finally getting covered I seen some XPW stuff but I preferred ECW over it any day you should check out that promo New Jack did on XPW saying XPW tried selling out the venue that ECW Heatwave 2000 was held saying so many times it did ECW goes that venue one time sold it out

[@zacharythomason7359]

U & me both.

[@calvindirette4860]

God just the thought of little Paulie in the middle of a bunch of big ass dudes brawling screaming “get em’” in my head made me die 🤣

[@asbo891]

Love this series. Got to say all the new series from the last 12 months have been amazing

[@nicholasbozec2828]

Only problem I have with these videos is I've watched them all, keep up the great work

[@NL8584]

I love this series... Professionally produced and edited... Plus Sam's butter smooth voice in the background... Great stuff guys.

[@llydrsn]

Ah yes, late 90s (including at most the first 2 years of the 2000s) wrestling is the best period of Professional wrestling ever

[@kidpresentable6004]

Not just wrestling, tv , sport, movies music, social relations , I really think the 90s was the peak of humanity

[@c.l.freeman7654]

Depends on when you grew up. Mid 70s to 1990 was great for wrestling and better choices

[@wrestlemix]

Your a legend Sam! War Stories is the best wrestling doc series on KZbin imo

[@dasdeke]

These insights are amazing! Some of the best wrestling stuff on KZbin!

[@dalecurtis6919]

Nice! An incident I am completely unfamiliar with. I am loving these videos. I'm sure they take more work and research than your average video, but it's well worth it. Loving the series.

[@bignat]

This was the last real 100% shoot invasion done in pro wrestling history

[@gregcaytonjr7167]

My favorite cultaholic series. Maybe my favorite youtube series

[@AdamGrowells.they-them]

I actually love War Stories can we get them as podcast feed as id love to listen to em while working.

[@GM-tw4el]

This was excellent. Well done.

[@kyleshiflet9952]

Gonna say this ECW OFTEN DUPLICATED NEVER REPLICATED and XPW is a great example of that

[@kyleshiflet9952]

@Lucien Hicks exactly why watch us when there's a better program on TV ran by a guy who knows the Wrestling Business and actually had great wrestlers like Malenko,Benoit,Guerrero,RVD,and others that's my motto for XWP

[@stevefredericks4674]

You guys are the best thank you for constantly providing good content!!

[@jonathonrussell474]

LAPD:This is totally a work guys, I’m not falling for something WCW did a few years before

[@bigpoppajersh]

New jack in a fight? You dont say. Im shocked lol

[@VMP666]

Oh boy, was refreshing YT for this today.

[@MovieEggman]

XPW made it very clearly that they were a parody of ECW and not even a good one.

[@llopnikgaharrison3136]

Breach of contract? Sabu would need to get paid 1st before any kinda backlash.

[@cmrodican]

I'm really glad that cultaholic is doing this show war stories. I really enjoy the documentary style videos. Wrestling Bios has the best ones but there's always room for more. What are some of your favorite Pro Wrestling KZbin Channels?

[@billblaski9523]

Wrestlelamia

[@chayden153]

Wrestling with Wregret

[@leeriddick7]

OSW Review

[@PH4N7OM21]

I almost went to train at XPW's school. I don't know if I wish I would have done it but it's always what if I had.

[@youngtate3891]

Yess, i was waiting for this one.

[@LA-ze1os]

Growing up my hardcore wrestling was CZW between 1999-2014

[@TiltBrook]

XPW is currently being featured on a new show/podcast called; “Xtreme Memories w/ Kris Kloss” on “The Wrestling Chatter” KZbin channel. Kloss was of course the play-by-play announcer for the company. So far, he has interviewed many of the XPW wrestlers. Including The Messiah, who tells ALL!

[@gabrielmunoz4086]

I remember after the main event ppl talking about a brawl in the parking lot, if only camera phones existed back than .

[@weavecity]

What monster made the stock clip of counting $100 bills with every other one upsides down? Monsters, I say!

[@johnathoncalleros8641]

Heard XPW is gonna have a reboot and that Marty scroll is gonna be apart of it 👿👿

[@FXDGRND]

I used to watch XPW. IT was insane. Made everyone else look like a sunday school class. They disappeared for a little bit when they moved from cali to Phili. Since it was out of socal there were plenty of porn stars to view.

[@aaronhurst4379]

Holy crap, the production in this series is brilliant

[@anthonychobotdoespopcultur7762]

This is awesome video

[@annradwan2070]

New jack wasn't in the fight, no one was stabbed...🤣🤣

[@relentlesschaos7445]

Well XPW and ECW aren't around anymore so now they're both even

[@seanthomxx2694]

@16:00 "No arrests were made, which is quite surprising seeing as officers from the LAPD...watched the whole incident go down"... I'm not surprised

[@buda559TV]

Crazy how XPW is back and instantly became one of the top feds in the death match scene

[@DragonHeart613]

Never heard of this XPW organization before. This wannabe promotion may've outlasted ECW but ECW is still talked about & referenced & it's influence still felt to this day. You never hear anyone talk about this XPW promotion.

[@funkyweapon1981]

It was subsidised by a shitty pron company.

[@WillThaK]

XPW may not be remembered by the whole wrestling world, but in Southern California is holds a legacy. While this legacy might be negative or positive depending on who you ask, it still holds a legacy.

[@thefunmachine]

Yea here in Southern California they do hold a legacy. Plus they have already been featured in a New Jack segmentnon Vices Darkside of the ring. And in the new season they will have a whole episode.

[@DragonHeart613]

@@WillThaK But it's legacy is nowhere even remotely close to that of ECW's. It's like comparing Go-Bots to The Transformers.

[@kfajo27]

I think very few wrestling fans, if any, outside of Southern California, give a damn about XPW.

[@juansantiago6635]

Cultaholic showing my home town on the map...small world lol

[@jessicadarlin6893]

I was Part of XPW I’m actually in your Video I’m in the Pic with Lizzy Borden.

[@andosevenz]

I was there also, been to many XPW shows in Ventura. Didn't miss the opportunity to see ECW. I even have pictures of the parking lot brawl. DAMN. I probably could have made some money from them.

[@kevthegoat8774]

You should upload the pictures man

[@andosevenz]

@@kevthegoat8774for sure, I wonder if anyone else has pictures. They were taken on a disposable camera but I developed the pictures. I have to fish them out of storage.

[@nowtheworld138]

I was f'ng there that night lol. Good times.

[@aprilbrooks570]

Imagine WWE And AEW Went To War Just Exactly Like What ECW And XPW Had Did Back In The Day???🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@nbr6116]

I could listen to Sam all day long

[@chunkyboy90]

You guys should check out “Xtreme Memories” interviews with Kriss Kloss of XPW. Its on The Wrestling Chatter Channel! Highly recommend!

[@justjustreid1527]

Please cultaholic could you do a episode on the war in montreal bethween grand prix wrestling And all star wrestling in the 1970s 🙏

[@Marc_Araujo]

RIP Messiah's Thumb.

[@allright]

ECW feels classy compared to XPW.

[@Meatman8089]

This is obviously before messiah had his thumb cut off.

[@JWS1985]

Why did XPW use the LA Sports Arena? There's no way these guys filled it. What a complete waste of money.

[@detroitproper9129]

XPW is back in SoCal, just grabbed a ticket for the April event. 16 man death match tournament.

[@patrickperalta59]

I remember XPW and I meet Wrestler Supreme at a indy show in San Diego (NOT XPW) he was a nice guy.

[@isaacgarcia771]

It's unfortunate the two promotions couldn't co-exist, because it could have helped both of them financially in my opinion. They could have done an awesome invasion storyline between the two! Where they interfere with each other's monthly shows eventually leading to a PPV event that has them compete to win the most matches. I think that would have brought in more fans and more money for both promotions, and it could have possibly helped ECW live longer. Even when the WWF bought ECW and WCW, all the remaining wrestlers that didn't immediately go to the WWF could have gone to XPW and made it very successful.

[@SecondandGrant]

Sabu is the man!

[@jerransperarman9411]

good video

[@mattfischertt]

Awesome job man! Also what's the background music playing? Love it.

[@ronjeremy4571]

I was at this PPV 🤘

[@icey32]

Hahah new jack was right in there ? No surprise there surprise no one got stabbed up ...them XPW dudes were lucky

[@dylanreidel5520]

XPW and ECW instant click

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Cops most likely though it was a work.

[@lilpoetat]

thanks!

[@LeroyPatterson]

I was part of XPW during this event! I ran Kristy Myst to her car right as the brawl started. I was sad I wasn't there to help with the brawl, so I went to the hotel all the ECW guys were staying at, and stole a six pack of Sandmans beer, brought it back to the XPW offices, and we drank it in victory. For people saying it did nothing for us, people are still talking about it and making videos about it to this day, so it did get the name out there! It was also awesome to see the ECW PPV in person on XPW's Dime!

[@kfajo27]

And yet none of you XPW guys made it on a national level. Very few wrestling fans outside of Southern California know who you are.

[@janakudeshi]

Here's one for the algorithms

[@jessica.reed1986]

🤣🤣🤣