MTV Launches Daredevil Wrestling Promotion

MTV is jumping into the wrestling wars with a new series called Wrestling Society X. If you watch the trailer, you will see some eye-popping stuff: guys diving off the rafters; zapping each other with electric wires; and slamming each other through car windows. Huge explosions are going off throughout the arena. Wresting Society X is different, and that's why it's going to succeed.

The comparisons to the old ECW are obvious, with the non-traditional arena, the hardcore wrestling and the high-flying action. In fact, WSX looks much more extreme than the current ECW brand that is being presented by the WWE.

In my first article ever on this site, I talked about what the new ECW had to do in order to succeed. ECW is currently limping along as a third WWE brand, looking way too much like Raw and Smackdown. Wrestling Society X is what the WWE should have done with ECW.

The two shows are going to go head-to-head, starting with the debut on WSX on MTV on Jan. 30. ECW starts at 10 p.m. on Sci-Fi, while WSX will begin at 10:30 on MTV. It will be interesting to see if Vince McMahon pumps up the ECW brand to do battle with WSX.

The only recognizable wrestlers from the trailer (with experience in WWE, WCW or the old ECW) are Vampiro, Sean "6-Pac" Waltman and New Jack. Vampiro feuded with Sting during the dying days of WCW. Waltman was a big star as X-Pac in Degeneration X (and as 6 in the new World order). New Jack should be in ECW now, since he often turned ECW shows upside-down by popping up unexpectedly with his trash can full of weapons.

Here are some of the new stars who will get their first national TV exposure on WSX:

Teddy Hart - The brash scion of the Hart wrestling dynasty has caused controversy with his outrageous behavior on the independent wrestling scene. He could be the breakout star of the group. Watch for him to potentially jump to the WWE after this, since WWE has already signed Harry Smith (The British Bulldog's son) and Nattie Neidhart (Jim The Anvil's daughter). They could form a new Hart Foundation.

Jack Evans - He is one of the premier flyers in wrestling. He has teamed with Hart in the past. Evans has also made a name for himself as a part of the Generation Next stable in Ring of Honor.

Matt Classic - This is actually "Classic" Colt Cabana, one of the best talents on the independent scene. He's big, he's funny and he can wrestle any style.

That 70s Team - Disco Machine and Joey Ryan bring a disco ball into the ring.

Do It For Her - This is another tag team, which will try to capitalize on the popularity of "emo" music.

Matt Sydal and Lizzy Valentine - These two will portray a pair of snobby catalog models. Sydal has shown great talent as an underdog babyface (good guy) in Ring of Honor, so we will see if he can pull off this gimmick.

Another of the differences between WSX and its mainstream competition (WWE and TNA) are the live musical performances from bands like New Found Glory, Good Charlotte and Three 6 Mafia. This idea didn't work when the WWE aired Sunday Night Heat on MTV, but maybe it will succeed this time around.

MTV is also basing much of it promotion of WSX around the internet. This makes perfect sense when trying to reach young people these days. The promotion will deliver exclusive matches and plot developments on its website, wsx.mtv.com.

Wrestling fans are begging for something new, and this is it. Even if the wrestling isn't the best, I think this project will be a success.