ECW Barely Legal: Where Are They Now?

ECW Barely Legal: Where Are They Now?

May 31, 2022

By Ryan Porzl

1997 will go down as one of American wrestling's greatest years. Business was booming and creatively, things seem to be at an all time high with much watch television from both WWF and WCW. 1997 saw WCW as the undisputed #1 promotion in the country riding off big success with concepts like the nWo to the cruiserweight division to Sting's reinvention with the Crow gimmick while WWF was slowly but surely putting everything together for a big comeback and had stars like Steve Austin, The Rock, HHH, and Mick Foley ready to burst while Undertaker got his opportunity to run with the championship, Bret Hart was doing his critically acclaimed anti-USA/pro-Canada Hart Foundation stuff, and Shawn Michaels was about to put together D-Generation X. However, while the big two were fighting it out, we saw the number three ECW have their own memorable year with the biggest moment being they were about to make the leap to Pay-Per-View. On April 13, 1997, ECW broadcasted their first PPV called Barely Legal from the ECW Arena in Philadelphia having one of the more memorable events of the year. With this year being the 30th Anniversary of ECW and April 13th marked the 25th Anniversary of Barely Legal, we'll close our 30th Anniversary celebration of ECW by looking back at the participants at that show, the key players, and where they are now.

Note: I don't own any of the pictures. I found them on Google

Results from Barely Legal:

Dark Match: Louie Spicolli defeated Balls Mahoney

Dark Match: Little Guido and Tommy Rich defeated Chris Chetti and JT Smith

ECW World Tag Team Championship: The Eliminators defeated The Dudley Boyz (w/Sign Guy Dudley, and Joel Gertner) (c)

Rob Van Dam defeated Lance Storm

The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, and Masato Yakushiji defeated Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy, and Dick Togo

ECW World Television Championship: Shane Douglas (w/Francine) (c) defeated Pitbull #2

Taz (w/Bill Alfonso) defeated Sabu

Terry Funk defeated Big Stevie Cool (w/bWo) and The Sandman

ECW World Heavyweight Championship: Terry Funk defeated Raven (c)

Paul Heyman

Background: Longtime wrestling personality, Heyman originally started in wrestling as a teenager in the 1980s first as a photographer and then as one of wrestling's great managers under the name Paul E. Dangerously where he portrayed a New York psycho yuppie type character. Heyman worked as a manager from the late 1980s to mid 1990s in promotions such as the AWA, NWA/WCW, and Continental. He jumped to ECW in 1993 where he continued as an on-air character before replacing Eddie Gilbert as ECW's booker. As booker, Heyman would eventually phase himself out as a personality and focused on booking where his ideas were considered groundbreaking that helped ECW change wrestling and be considered revolutionary while he also garnered praise for his abilities to mask his wrestler's weaknesses and showcase their strengths. By 1995, he eventually took over as owner of ECW.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Heyman continued booking and running ECW until filing for bankruptcy in April 2001. From 2001-2006, Heyman then went to work for the WWF/WWE where he worked in various capacities including as a color commentator, a member of the creative team, an authority figure as the general manager of Smackdown, and eventually returned as a manager where he managed the likes of The Big Show, Kurt Angle, and most notably, Brock Lesnar among others. In late 2006, Heyman left WWE after a falling out over the way to book the revived ECW which was now a third brand for WWE along with RAW and Smackdown and took a leave from wrestling as he did other projects. In 2012, he returned to WWE once again in various roles on and off camera but mostly as a manager where he's reunited with Lesnar while also managing the likes of CM Punk and Roman Reigns. As of 2022, Heyman still works for WWE. In 2005, he was inducted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Tod Gordon

Background: The founder of ECW. Gordon has long worked at a jewelry store and loan office while first entering the wrestling business in the early 90s as part of the short lived Tri-State Wrestling Alliance until it shut down in 1992. Afterwards, he founded ECW (first Eastern and then later Extreme Championship Wrestling) and would largely run it until selling to Heyman in 1995. On camera, Gordon served as ECW's figurehead commissioner and even had a memorable rivalry with referee turned manager Bill Alfonso in 1995.

Where Is He Now?: Gordon continued working for ECW after Barely Legal until abruptly leaving in September 1997 under conflicting reasons. Supposedly, Gordon and ECW parted ways when he was exposed as a mole trying to bring ECW talent to WCW to do an invasion angle. Gordon has long denied it but the ECW book Hardcore History and wrestler turned WCW employee Terry Taylor have argued otherwise. After leaving ECW, Gordon remained out of wrestling until resurfacing in the short lived Pennsylvania based 3PW (Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling) promotion where he served as the promotion's booker from 2002-2004. From 2006-2008, he was then apart of the Pro Wrestling Unplugged promotion as an owner before leaving it in 2008 and the promotion shut down shortly after. Gordon is largely retired from wrestling and currently owns the Carver W. Reed pawnbroker's shop while having previously served as president of the Pennsylvania Pawnbroker's Association. In 2009, he was inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame.

Joey Styles

Background: The longtime voice of ECW. Styles originally got his start in the early 90s first for working for the independent promotion North American Wrestling Alliance. Styles joined ECW in September 1993 and served as their long time voice. At Barely Legal, Styles became the first wrestling announcer to call a Pay-Per-View by himself.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Styles continued working as the voice of ECW until it shut down in April 2001 though he would later be joined by Rick Rude, Joel Gertner, and Don "Cyrus" Callis at various points. After ECW, Styles would do one shot with XPW and then worked for MLW before the latter shut down in 2004. From 2005-2016, Styles then worked for WWE briefly serving as an announcer for Monday Night RAW from 2005-2006, called the two ECW One Night Stand events, and then became the original announcer of the ECW brand from 2006-2008. Afterwards, he worked behind the scenes as Vice President of Digital Media which also saw him work with the sales and merchandise department as well as the WWE's app and WWE.com website while also making contributions to ECW releases including providing new commentary for past ECW shows due to having to censor licensed music due to copyright reasons. After being released in 2016, Styles briefly returned to announcing for CHIKARA and EVOLVE but eventually retired after parting ways with EVOLVE due to an inappropriate joke. Styles currently is retired from announcing and sells digital advertising in New York.

Buh Buh Ray Dudley (top) and D-Von Dudley (bottom)

The Dudley Boyz

Background: Tag team consisting of "half-brothers" Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley. The Dudley Boyz were part of the Dudley family which consisted of fictional half-brothers that first began coming into ECW in 1995/1996. After originally starting out as rivals, Buh Buh Ray and D-Von eventually began teaming in February 1997 and that March, defeated the Eliminators for the ECW World Tag Team Championships at Hostile City Showdown '97.

Where Are They Now?: The Dudleyz continued working in ECW till August 1999, during which time they became one of the biggest acts in company history and the most successful tag team winning the tag team titles seven more times and at various points, were one of the top heel (villain) acts in the promotion. After leaving, they worked for the WWF/WWE from 1999-2005 where their legend further grew as they captured nine World Tag Team Championships during this time as well as the WCW World Tag Team Championship making them the first tag team to have been WWF/WWE, WCW, and ECW Tag Team Champions. The team also became famous due to their series of Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches against Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz from 2000-2001. In 2002, the team briefly broke up with Buh Buh winning ten Hardcore Championships. After being released, The Dudleyz became Team 3D with Buh Buh becoming Brother Ray and D-Von becoming Brother Devon due to copyright reasons. From 2005-2014, they mostly competed for TNA (now Impact) where they held the NWA World Tag Team Championship once and the TNA World Tag Team Championship two times including being the inaugural champions in 2007. From 2010-2013, the duo would briefly split up and focus on singles competition with Buh Buh becoming Bully Ray and ended up winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship two times while Devon won the Television Championship two times. Outside of TNA, the duo also made appearances in Japan winning All Japan's 2005 World's Strongest Tag Determination League, New Japan's IWGP Tag Team Championship two times, and HUSTLE's Super Tag Team Championship. From 2015-2016, The Dudleyz returned to WWE but weren't able to replicate their past success and Buh Buh would leave again in 2016 for a stint in Ring of Honor where he held the Six Man Tag Team Championship with the Briscoe Brothers. As of 2022, D-Von is retired and working behind the scenes for WWE while Buh Buh co-hosted the radio show Busted Open Radio. In 2014, they were inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame and in 2018, we're inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Perry Saturn (left) and John Kronus (right)

The Eliminators

Background: Tag team consisting of Perry Saturn and John Kronus, both trainees of wrestling legend Killer Kowalski. The team began in 1993 and originally achieved success in the Memphis based USWA where they held the tag team championship and did tours for WAR in Japan. They debuted in ECW in 1995 and engaged in memorable feuds with the likes of the Pitbulls and the Gangstas while winning the ECW World Tag Team Championships two times. Going into Barely Legal, the Eliminators were looking to three-peat.

Where Are They Now?: After Barely Legal, The Eliminators continued as champions but Saturn would go down with an ACL tear that May and Kronus would lose the belts back to The Dudleyz in a handicap match in June. Despite being told he be out for a year, Saturn rehabbed and returned by August but by the summer of 1997, the team had a real life falling out due to Saturn believing Kronus was not as motivated or dedicated as he should be and eventually got his release after coming to terms on a contract with WCW in September 1997. Despite Saturn's claims the Eliminators would never reunite, in 2005, the two were set to reunite at the Shane Douglas promoted ECW reunion show Hardcore Homecoming but Saturn would pull out after getting hurt during an incident where Saturn attempted to save a woman from attempted rape. Ultimately, the two never reunited again.

After the Eliminators broke up, Saturn jumped to WCW where he wrestled until January 2000 during which time he enjoyed solid success feuding with the likes of Chris Jericho and Raven while winning the WCW World Television Championship once and the WCW World Tag Team Championship two times with Raven and Chris Benoit. After leaving WCW with Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Eddie Guerrero, Saturn jumped to the WWF in January 2000 where he was paired with the three of them as The Radicalz and while he would go on to win the WWF European Championship and two WWF Hardcore Championships, attitude issues, injuries, and possibly drug problems hurt his run and he was eventually released in 2002. Afterwards, Saturn became a journeyman from 2003-2005, appearing in places like New Japan and TNA (now Impact) as well as the independent circuit until being sidelined in June 2005 when he was shot in the back of his neck and shoulder while trying to save a woman from being raped. After the incident, he became addicted to meth and went homeless for years afterwards. Because of this, he lived off the grid and nobody knew where he was or if he was even still alive for years afterwards until finally cleaning up and remarrying in 2009 with his wife posting a picture of them on her social media. Saturn briefly returned to wrestling for a few more years before retiring in 2013. As of 2022, Saturn is retired and battling a traumatic brain injury.

As for Kronus, he continued working in ECW for another year and a half and briefly continued to enjoy success as he formed the Gangstanators with New Jack and won a fourth and final ECW Tag Team Championship but from 1998-1999, his stock dropped and he became a jobber to the stars with his only highlight being getting destroyed by Sid in his debut match at Guilty As Charged 1999. After leaving ECW, Kronus then worked for another hardcore promotion XPW from 2000-2001 and then helped form an independent promotion called Dangerously Intense Wrestling before retiring in 2002. After retiring, Kronus would only make a few more appearances, for the Hardcore Homecoming shows. On July 18, 2007, he passed away of heart failure at the age of 38. Apparently, he had a history of heart issues and his death wasn't a surprise to his family.

Sign Guy Dudley

Background: A member of the Dudley family, Sign Guy was one of many fictional half-brothers of Buh Buh Ray and D-Von while also being the only Dudley who was not a wrestler but a manager. Sign Guy was usually mute but carried around signs hence his name.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Sign Guy continued managing his "half-brothers" until Buh Buh Ray and D-Von left for the WWF in August 1999. After some time away, he was repackaged and resurfaced in October 1999 as "Lou E. Dangerously" playing a parody of boss Paul Heyman's old Paul E. Dangerously persona where he managed a variety of wrestlers. After ECW closed, Sign Guy worked the indie circuit until retiring in 2003. From 2006-2010, he worked for WWE behind the scenes as Director of Live Events Promotions and Booking and then as Director of Promotions and Event Marketing. He currently works as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Cirque de Soleli shows from Las Vegas.

Joel Gertner

Background: Former ring announcer turned manager in ECW, Gertner became most famous as a manager of the Dudley Boyz during their time in ECW and for his long introductions of the Dudley family which eventually gained popularity due to his use of sexual limericks and innuendo specifically when introducing himself. 

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Gertner continued managing the Dudleyz until right before they left ECW in the summer of 1999. When the Dudleyz left and ECW going on TNN, Gertner became the co-host alongside Joey Styles and would spend the remainder of ECW in a feud with colleague Cyrus including defeating him in a match at Anarchy Rulz 2000. After ECW closed, Gertner continued to pop up on the indie circuit and went back to school. In 2002, he made appearances for TNA during their early shows as a manager of the tag team The Rainbow Express. He later made appearances at various ECW reunion shows like ECW One Night Stand 2005, the first Hardcore Homecoming show, and TNA Hardcore Justice 2010. By 2016, he began announcing and commentating for the New Orleans based Wildkat Sports and Entertainment.

Chris Candido

Background: Longtime professional wrestling journeyman, Candido was a second generation talent as his grandfather was WWWF preliminary wrestler "Popeye" Chuck Richards. Turning pro in 1986 at the age of 14, Candido worked the indie circuit before he got his break with ECW in 1993 winning their tag team championships two times and then went to Smoky Mountain Wrestling enjoying success there from 1993-1995. Candido then went to the WWF as Skip of the Bodydonnas in 1995 and worked there for a year and a half till the summer of 1996 during which he had a memorable feud with Barry Horowitz and won the WWF Tag Team Championship with Dr. Tom Prichard (Zip of the Bodydonnas). Candido returned to ECW in late 1996 and became a member of Shane Douglas' newly reformed Triple Threat stable. At Barely Legal, Candido was set to face Lance Storm but was forced out due to injury though he cut a promo at the show.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Candido continued to work for ECW until December 1999, during which he held the ECW World Tag Team Championship a third and final time and also feuded with Taz for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Sadly, by the end of his ECW run, he began suffering from a drug addiction which affected his career for the next several years. He would have short stints in WCW, XPW, WWC in Puerto Rico and New Japan over the next few years and won titles in almost every promotion before finally cleaning up in 2004. After originally hoping for a WWE return, he instead joined TNA where he served as a wrestler and a manager for the Naturals tag team who he led to the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Tragically, Candido would fracture his leg and hurt his ankle during his match at the Lockdown 2005 pay-per-view and passed away days later on April 28, 2005 due to pneumonia at the age of 33. He was posthumously inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame in 2009.

Rob Van Dam

Background: Michigan professional wrestler who was trained by the Original Sheik and turned pro in 1990. Van Dam became a journeyman wrestling for WCW, All Japan, and South Atlantic Pro Wrestling during the early to mid 1990s. He joined ECW in 1996 where he had a memorable feud with Sabu before forming an alliance with him and was a star on the rise. At Barely Legal, Van Dam filled in for the injured Candido. 

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Van Dam would continue working for ECW till it closed in April 2001. During this time, he became one of the most popular wrestlers in the promotions history thanks to his high flying/fast paced style and arrogant laid back stoner persona. Van Dam would hold the ECW World Television Championship once and held it a record 23 months from April 1998 to March 2000 while also holding the ECW World Tag Team Championship twice with Sabu. He also engaged in memorable rivalries with Tommy Dreamer and Jerry Lynn. After ECW, Van Dam briefly returned to Japan before signing with the WWF in June 2001. In WWF, Van Dam became a popular fixture during which time he held both the WWE Championship and the revived ECW World Championship in 2006 along with many other championships including the Intercontinental, Tag Team, European, and Hardcore Championships. After leaving in 2007, Van Dam worked the independent circuit for three years until signing with TNA in 2010 where he competed till 2013 and had runs as both the TNA World and X Division Champions while having feuds with the likes of Sting and Abyss. Since leaving TNA in 2013, Van Dam again became a journeyman working the independents while making returns to WWE and Impact Wrestling in recent years. More recently, he made an appearance for Pro Wrestling NOAH. In 2021, Van Dam was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Lance Storm

Background: Canadian wrestler trained by the legendary Hart family and turned pro in 1990. Storm first started in the Canadian independents teaming with Chris Jericho in the tag team Sudden Impact (later renamed The Thrillseekers) before touring the world first for Smoky Mountain Wrestling in America and then for CWA in Germany and WAR in Japan winning titles in all three.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Storm continued working for ECW for another three years during which he briefly joined the Triple Threat stable and won three ECW World Tag Team Championships (one with Candido and two with Justin Credible) while engaging in feuds with Candido, Shane Douglas, and Tommy Dreamer. After leaving ECW, Storm jumped to WCW in 2000 and would be one of their top stars during it's final year portraying an anti-American/pro-Canadian wrestler. He held the WCW United States Championship three times, the WCW Cruiserweight Championship once, and the WCW Hardcore Championship once all the while holding all three simultaneously while getting several title shots at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. After WCW was bought by WWE in March 2001, Storm's contract was picked up and he competed there till June 2005 capturing the WWF Intercontinental Championship and four World Tag Team Championships with his last match being against Jericho at ECW One Night Stand 2005. After leaving WWE, Storm retired from wrestling and opened up his own wrestling school called the Storm Wrestling Academy which helped train or co-train several wrestlers over the years including Tyler Breeze, Chelsea Green, and Taya Valkyrie to name some. Despite retiring, Storm continued to occasionally come out of retirement here and there over the years, mostly for Ring of Honor, where he challenged Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Championship in 2006 as well as Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore promotion with his last match to date being in 2016. In 2019, Storm then shut down his academy and became a road agent/producer for WWE but was eventually furloughed and released in 2020 due to the pandemic. Since 2022, Storm has worked for Impact as a producer.

The Great Sasuke

Background: Legendary Japanese wrestler and promoter who originally got his start in the Universal Lucha Libre promotion while doing tours in Mexico for the Universal Wrestling Association before eventually forming Michinoku Pro Wrestling (then known as North Eastern Wrestling in Japan) in 1993 where he served as the top star. Though mostly competing for Michinoku, Sasuke also made special appearances for other promotions like New Japan where he became the inaugural J-Crown Champion (a championship that consisted of eight different junior heavyweight championships). Throughout the 90s, Sasuke was one of wrestling's greatest juniors mixing amazing high flying skills with martial arts. 

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Sasuke would make a hand full of appearances in ECW till early 1998 taking on the likes of Tiger Mask IV and Lance Storm but his most notable matches were losses to the up and coming Justin Credible while also making some appearances for the WWF in July 1997. Since then, Sasuke returned to Japan where he's been a regular for Michinoku while making special appearances in other promotions such as New Japan, Big Japan, and ZERO1. In 2003, Sasuke entered politics when he was elected to the Iwate Perfectural Assembly, making him only the fourth Japanese wrestler to successfully go into politics after Antonio Inoki, Hiroshi Hase, and Atsushi Onita but was the first masked legislator in history, Due to this, he relinquished control of Michinoku Pro to Jinsei Shinzaki. In 2007, he ran for Governor of Iwate but lost. As of 2022, Sasuke still wrestles for Michinoku Pro.

Gran Hamada

Background: Legendary Japanese wrestler who was one of the first to graduate from the New Japan dojo but went to Mexico shortly after due to his size. Despite being Japanese, Hamada achieved his biggest success in Mexico, specifically for the Universal Wrestling Association where he won multiple titles and it was in Mexico he earned his name "Gran" (Spanish for Great). He eventually returned to Japan competing for the original UWF and All Japan before forming the Universal Lucha Libre promotion in 1990 and would run it until it shut down in 1995, at which point, he joined Michinoku Pro.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Hamada would make some more ECW appearances but mostly returned to Japan mostly for Michinoku Pro before eventually becoming a journeyman, having runs in New Japan, All Japan, Muga Pro, and Wrestling New Classics. He also won some of the last titles of his career during this period including Big Japan's Heavyweight Championship and the Osaka Pro Wrestling MWF World Junior Heavyweight Championship. His last match to date was in Michinoku Pro in September 2018 but he hasn't officially announced his retirement yet. His two daughters, Xochitl and Ayako, have since followed him into the ring with American fans having seen Ayako (under the name Hamada) in TNA back in 2010 where she was a two time Knockouts Tag Team Champion.

Masato Yakushiji

Background: Japanese wrestler who was a regular for Michinoku Pro upon turning pro in 1993. Yakushiji was replacing the injured Gran Naniwa at Barely Legal.

Where Is He Now?: Barely Legal proved to be Yakushigi's one and only appearance in ECW. He would return to Japan and Michinoku Pro where he remained until leaving in 1999 for Osaka Pro Wrestling where he enjoyed success as he won both the CMLL Japan Super Lightweight Championship and the CMLL Japan Tag Team Championships before retiring in 2001.

Taka Michinoku

Background: Legendary Japanese wrestler and promoter who was trained by The Great Sasuke and Gran Hamada. Taka got his start in Universal Pro Wrestling and Michinoku Pro while also appearing for promotions like W*ING and FMW winning the latter's junior heavyweight championship twice. It was also in Michinoku Pro where he joined the Kaientai DX stable who's members became members of bWo Japan (a parody of nWo Japan) at Barely Legal.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Taka would make sporadic ECW appearances over the next two years before signing with the WWF in late 1997 where he became the inaugural WWF Light Heavyweight Champion upon the title's revival in December 1997. Taka would hold the championship for ten months before losing it in October 1998 to Christian (Cage). Afterwards, he spent the remainder of his WWF run in a comedy version of Kaientai mostly with Sho Funaki until leaving in late 2001. Taka returned to Japan where he founded Kaientai Dojo in 2002 where he won many titles and served as a top star until resigning in 2019 after an affair he had was revealed (following his departure the promotion changed it's name to Active Advance Pro Wrestling or 2AW). During this time, he also competed regularly for All Japan from 2003-2010 and again in 2017 holding their World Junior and All Asia Tag Team Championship while also leading the stable RO&D (Roughly Obsess & Destroy). He's also been competing for New Japan since 2007 enjoying runs as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and has been a member of Minoru Suzuki's Suzuki-gun stable. Since 2019, Taka has since founded and wrestles for a new promotion called Just Tap Out.

Terry Boy

Background: Japanese wrestler who idolized Terry Funk, hence the name Terry Boy. Otherwise known as Mens Teioh, he turned pro in 1992 for the Universal Pro Wrestling promotion before jumping to Michinoku Pro in 1993 and became part of the Kaientai DX stable while winning his first championship in the UWF Super Welterweight Championship.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Terry would return to Japan before jumping to the WWF in the spring of 1998 as part of the Kaientai dojo with Sho Funaki and Dick Togo who feuded with Taka before he joined them. After leaving WWF in 1999, he then jumped to Big Japan where he regularly competed until 2015 all the while enjoying reigns as both heavyweight and tag team champion. He also enjoyed reigns in CZW holding their World Junior and World Tag Team Championships. After leaving BJW, Terry would become a journeyman competing for promotions such as Kaientai Dojo and Secret Base winning gold in both while reuniting with Taka in the former promotion.

Dick Togo

Background: Japanese wrestler who turned pro in 1991 where he too debuted for Universal Pro Wrestling before jumping to Michinoku Pro in 1993. Like Taka and Terry, Togo would also be a member of Kaientai DX. Outside of Japan, he also made appearances in Mexico for UWA.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Togo returned to Japan before briefly working for the WWF as part of Kaientai with Sho Funaki, Taka, and Terry for a brief time in 1998. Afterwards, he returned to Japan where he mostly worked as a freelancer competing for Michinoku Pro, New Japan, ZERO1, and DDT, winning championships in each promotion including reuniting with Taka to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship and DDT's KO-D Openweight Championship. In 2012, Togo would announce his retirement but as is usually the case, his retirement didn't last and he returned to the ring in 2016. After continuing to work as a freelancer, Togo returned to New Japan in 2020 as a member of Bullet Club and it's House of Torture subgroup and currently competes there as of writing.

Shane Douglas

Background: ECW legend who trained under wrestling legend Dominic DeNucci (the same man who trained Mick Foley) and turned pro in 1982. Douglas spent the first decade of his career touring the territories including runs in WWF, WCW, UWF, and Continental, winning titles in all but WWF (though he later won the Intercontinental Championship in his second run). After enjoying some success, Douglas would break out upon joining ECW in 1993 thanks to both his in-ring talents as well as his gift on the microphone. Outside of a failed, short WWF run in late 1995, Douglas spent most of time in ECW where he captured the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the ECW World Television Championship twice. He also famously put ECW on the map first with his three way dance against Sabu and Terry Funk and then famously winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship only to throw the belt down and proclaim the ECW Title as a world title with both events happening in 1994. At the time of Barely Legal, Douglas was leader of his own Four Horsemen like stable the Triple Threat and was feuding with the Pitbulls after accidentally legit injuring Pitbull #1's neck in 1996.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Douglas continued working for ECW for another two years, during which time, he won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship two more times with his fourth and final reign lasting a record 406 days. Eventually, Douglas would leave ECW in May 1999 after a falling out with Paul Heyman and jumped to WCW where he worked during their last two years enjoying mid-upper midcard success as he won the WCW United States, World Tag Team, and Hardcore Championship while having a long awaited feud with real life nemesis Ric Flair. After WCW closed in March 2001, Douglas was not picked up by the WWF and became a journeyman, appearing for both MLW and XPW where he became the inaugural MLW World Heavyweight Champion and the last XPW World Heavyweight Champion. From 2003-2007, Douglas then worked for TNA where he went on to have a memorable feud with Raven before working in various capacities including wrestler, manager, color commentator, and road agent/producer until getting released. In 2009, he briefly returned to feud with Christopher Daniels and earn his job back but he wasn't rehired after the storyline ended. From 2005-2012, Douglas would also make various attempts to revive ECW including the Hardcore Homecoming shows and the Extreme Rising promotion but neither lasted long. Since 2009, Douglas has mostly worked the independent circuit where he still competes to this day.

Pitbull #1 (left) and Pitbull #2 (right)

The Pitbulls

Background: One of ECW's staples in the tag team division, The Pitbulls consisted of Gary "Pitbull #1" Wolfe and Anthony "Pitbull #2" Durante. The two trained under legendary trainer Larry Sharpe and turned pro in 1988 where they first worked as preliminary wrestlers for the WWF. They eventually toured for New Japan and enjoyed success in the Carolinas for South Atlantic Pro Wrestling, winning the tag team championship, while #2 enjoyed success in the German/Austrian CWA promotion as Mad Bull Buster where he won the tag team championship twice. Debuting in the early years of ECW, The Pitbulls were a fixture during the early years of the promotion winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship while each enjoyed a run with the World Television Title. At the time of Barely Legal, they were feuding Shane Douglas and the Triple Threat due to Douglas legit accidentally breaking Pitbull #1's neck.

Where Are They Now?: After Barely Legal, The Pitbulls briefly continued to feud with the Triple Threat but largely never were able to get revenge. By the summer of 1997, they were arrested as they were accused of distributing steroids and marijuana outside of ECW. They eventually reached a plead deal where they pled guilty and gave up their suppliers in exchange for three years probation. From September to December 1997, they returned to ECW mostly to feud with Taz but came up short and eventually left again. #2 would enjoy some singles success during this time winning the Jersey All Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship and Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation Championships. In 1998, they received a tryout with the WWF against The Headbangers but were not hired. They then toured the independents and XPW while making one more appearances for ECW in 2000. By 2000, the team began to compete less only making sporadic appearances in Puerto Rico for WWC and IWA: Puerto Rico which would be some of #2's last matches. Outside of wrestling, the two also became trainers as they trained CZW legends the Wifebeater and the Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere). On September 26, 2003, #2 was found dead along with his girlfriend due to a fentanyl overdose at the age of 36. He left behind two small children.

Before and after #2's passing, #1 continued working, mostly for 3PW from 2002-2005 where he became the inaugural and only two time 3PW Heavyweight Champion while also winning the 3PW Tag Team Championship. From 2006-2008, he was then part of PWU as a wrestler and trainer before the promotion shut down. He also did tours of Japan for FMW and Pro Wrestling NOAH. During this time, #1 was also a fixture on the Hardcore Homecoming shows and even reignited his feud with Douglas. As of 2022, #1 continues to pop up here and there on the independent circuit. In 2014, the Pitbulls were inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame with #2 inducted posthumously.

Francine

Background: Longtime ECW personality and valet, Francine first came to ECW in 1995 as a fan in love with Stevie Richards only to eventually be dumped by him at the request of Raven. She eventually became a valet for the Pitbulls and engaged in memorable catfights with Beulah McGillicutty. In July 1996, she then betrayed the Pitbulls and sided with Shane Douglas, becoming his "head cheerleader".

Where Is She Now?: After Barely Legal, Francine continued managing Douglas and the Triple Threat until Douglas left in May 1999. She then continued working for ECW till it shut down in April 2001 during which time she managed Tommy Dreamer, Raven, and Justin Credible. After ECW, Francine made appearances for TNA during their early shows as well as a taped appearances for their 2010 Hardcore Justice ECW reunion show and a cameo in a 2021 episode of Impact Wrestling. From 2002-2005, she made some appearances for MLW as well as women's promotions such as Women's Extreme Wrestling and Hottest Ladies of Wrestling. In 2006, she then was signed to WWE as part of their revived ECW brand making sporadic appearances before being released by the end of the year. Since 2006, she's mostly been semi retired from wrestling, married, and has two children.

Rick Rude

Background: Legendary professional wrestler, Rude originally trained under legendary trainer Eddie Sharkey in 1983 and after paying his dues, eventually began to hit his stride in the mid 1980s as an arrogant, womanizing heel named "Ravishing" Rick Rude. Rude would originally enjoy success in Memphis for the CWA, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and World Class in Texas, even becoming the inaugural world champion in the latter promotion. From 1986-1994, Rude was one of the top wrestlers in America for WWF and Jim Crockett Promotions/WCW, enjoying multiple title reigns with the WWF Intercontinental Championship, the WCW United States Championship, the NWA World Tag Team Championship, and the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship (3x) and legendary rivalries with the likes of The Ultimate Warrior, Sting, Jake "the Snake" Roberts, and Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat. Unfortunately, Rude suffered a career ending back injury during a match with Sting at New Japan's Wrestling Dontaku 1994 event on May 1, 1994 and left the business for three years, during which time he sued WCW and collected on a disability claim from Lloyds of London. In 1997, Rude emerged on the wrestling scene with ECW as a masked man stalking Shane Douglas. At Barely Legal, Rude agreed to take his mask off should Douglas defeat Pitbull #2.
Where Is He Now? After Barely Legal, Rude continued working for ECW till November 1997 during which he briefly served as a color commentator with Styles before turning heel and joining Shane Douglas as his manager and advisor only to eventually betray Douglas by convincing Triple Threat member Bam Bam Bigelow to accept a world title match against Douglas and won the championship. While in ECW, Rude also returned to the WWF in August 1997 as Shawn Michaels bodyguard/insurance policy and a founding member of D-Generation X alongside Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. On November 17, 1997, Rude then shocked the world by abruptly showing up on WCW Monday Nitro live while appearing on a taped edition of WWF RAW Is WAR. Rude settled his lawsuit with WCW and joined the nWo. Originally brought in to be an announcer, the gig never came about due to changed plans and Rude spent most of his time as a manager of real life close friend Curt Hennig. In September 1998, Rude was taken off television due to a testicular cancer scare and Hennig suffering an injury. By early 1999, Rude then co-hosted WCW Backstage Blast (WCW Nitro on DirecTV with no commercials and exclusive interviews and commentary) all the while training for an in-ring comeback but the comeback never happened due to his inability to get out of his Lloyds of London deal as well as refusal from WWF and WCW to buy it out for him. On April 20, 1999, Rude passed away at the age of 40 due to heart failure brought on by mixed medications. Rude was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.

Brian Lee

Background: Longtime Tennessee wrestler who turned pro in 1988 and spent the majority of his early career in Tennessee and Texas for CWA, USWA, Southeastern Championship Wrestling, and World Class, winning titles in each. Lee's big break then came during his 1991-1994 run in Jim Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling where he was the inaugural heavyweight champion and enjoyed runs as Heavyweight, Television, and Tag Team Champion. In 1994, he then achieved his biggest claim to fame for his brief appearance for WWF as Ted Dibiase's fake Undertaker who main evented Summerslam 1994 against the real Undertaker. After his runs in Tennessee, Lee then jumped to ECW in 1996 first as a member of Raven's Nest and then as part of the Triple Threat where he engaged in a memorable rivalry with Tommy Dreamer.

Where Is He Now? After Barely Legal, Lee would leave Douglas' Triple Threat after turning on him at the event and was eventually replaced by Bam Bam Bigelow. From 1997-1998, he then returned to the WWF as Chainz and was a member of the Disciples of Apocalypse stable which feuded with other stables of the time. After WWF, Lee worked the independent circuit and in Puerto Rico. From 2002-2003, he then worked for TNA where he achieved success as a member of James Mitchell's Disciples of the New Church where he held the NWA World Tag Team Championship and engaged in one of the promotion's first major tag team rivalries with top team America's Most Wanting. During much of his wrestling career, Lee battled drug addiction and eventually retired from wrestling in 2004. From 2012-2014, he briefly worked the independent circuit until retiring in 2014. As of 2022, Lee is still retired though he has appeared at autograph sessions.

Taz

Background: Longtime ECW wrestler, Taz originally turned pro in 1987 and worked the independent circuit for the first six years of his career. In 1993, he joined ECW as the Tazmaniac with the look of a caveman. He held the Television Championship once and three Tag Team Championships. In 1995, Taz shorten his name and changed his gimmick to a shoot fighter. Upon recovering from a neck injury, Taz turned heel at November to Remember 1995, took on Bill Alfonso as his manager, and went on a tear for a year and a half all the while calling out former partner Sabu. At Barely Legal, Taz and Sabu would finally go to war after an almost year and a half build.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Taz continued in ECW for another two and a half years, during which he became one of the promotion's top stars enjoying two reigns as ECW World Heavyweight Champion, a run with the ECW World Television Championship, and two runs with his unrecognized FTW (Fuck the World) World Heavyweight Championship. He would also continue his feud with Sabu while also having feuds with all three members of the Triple Threat (Douglas, Candido, and Bam Bam Bigelow). In January 2000, Taz left for the WWF (where he went by the name Tazz due to copyright reasons) where he spent the first two years of his tenure as a wrestler winning the WWF Hardcore Championship three times and the WWF World Tag Team Championship once but wasn't able to enjoy the same success and eventually retired to become a color commentator for Smackdown alongside Michael Cole (another reason for the transition was neck problems as well). Taz served as a color commentator from 2002-2006 on Smackdown before transitioning to the ECW brand from 2006-2008. It would be during the second ECW One Night Stand in 2006 that Tazz had his retirement match by defeating Jerry Lawler. From 2009-2015, Taz then worked for TNA, originally serving as an advisor for Samoa Joe before becoming a color commentator there as well. After leaving TNA due to financial issues, Taz took a leave from wrestling and worked in radio and as a podcaster. Since 2019, Taz has since returned to wrestling for AEW where he still works to this day as a color commentator and manager for his Team Taz stable. His son Tyler, who wrestles under the name Hook, has since followed into the business.

Sabu

Background: One of wrestling's most legendary and innovative wrestlers. Sabu was trained by his legendary uncle The Sheik and turned pro in 1984. He spent the first several years paying his dues until joining FMW in Japan in 1991 where he career took off as he built a reputation as a high flying daredevil willing to do insane spots as well as being one of the first wrestlers to use tables as weapons by putting opponents through them. While having success in Japan for FMW, New Japan, and All Japan throughout the 1990s, Sabu made his way to ECW in 1993 where he quickly became a top star winning the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, the ECW World Television Championship, and the ECW World Tag Team Championship once each. He also became known for several memorable ECW moments including taking part in the three way dance with Shane Douglas and Terry Funk which put the promotion on the map as well as suffering a broken neck at the hands of Chris Benoit, both in 1994. With the exception of a brief period in WCW in 1995, Sabu was a fixture of ECW for years. At the time of Barely Legal, he was in a year and a half long build up for his rivalry with Taz and had both a feud and alliance with Rob Van Dam.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Sabu continued in ECW for another two and a half years having feuds with Taz, the Triple Threat, Justin Credible, and the Dudley Boyz. He captured a second ECW World Heavyweight Championship in a legendary barbwire match against Terry Funk in August 1997 as well as Taz's FTW World Heavyweight Championship and two runs with the ECW World Tag Team Championship while teaming with RVD. After leaving ECW in February 2000, Sabu attempted to jump to WCW but contract issues with ECW prevented it from happening. Sabu then spent the majority of his career as a journeyman who toured the world. In the early 2000s, Sabu worked for the NWA and their territories where he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 2000 and then worked for XPW winning their world championship. From 2002-2020, Sabu worked on and off for TNA/Impact Wrestling where he served as a title contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship during the promotion's early years and had a memorable feud with Abyss. From 2006-2007, Sabu then signed with WWE where he took part in the ECW brand and briefly served as a contender for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship but like most of the ECW originals, he couldn't repeat his past success and was eventually released. Sabu would continue to journey the world until having his last match in July 2021. On November 5, 2021, he officially announced his retirement after a near 40 year career. In 2009, Sabu was inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame.

Bill Alfonso

Background: Longtime wrestling personality, Alfonso first entered wrestling in 1979 and spent the first fifteen years of his career as a referee for promotions such as Championship Wrestling from Florida, WCW, and WWF. He came to ECW in 1995 with the story being he was a referee from the Pennsylvania state athletic commission brought in by Shane Douglas. He quickly became one of the most hated personalities due to his insistence of enforcing rules and regulations in the wild west world of ECW. Eventually, he began a rivalry with Tod Gordon which led to matches including a win for Alfonso at November to Remember 1995 thanks to Taz. Afterwards, Alfonso transitioned to managing as he became a manager of Taz. He quickly gained a reputation for obnoxiously blowing his whistle throughout his client's matches.

Where Is He Now?: At Barely Legal, Alfonso aligned with Sabu and RVD and continued managing them till Sabu left in February 2000 and ECW shut down in April 2001. He's been working the independent circuit since and continues to this day all the while having reunited with Sabu and RVD at various ECW reunion shows like ECW One Night Stand and TNA Hardcore Justice 2010.

Tommy Dreamer

Background: Longtime ECW wrestler, Dreamer was one of ECW's longest tenured wrestlers and has long been considered the heart and soul of the promotion. Originally trained by WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz and turning pro in 1989, Dreamer worked the independent circuit before jumping to ECW in 1993. After enjoying a run with the tag team championship, Dreamer first was an unpopular pretty boy who the fans didn't accept but eventually earned the respect of ECW fans for his toughness and proudly waving ECW's banner. He mostly became known for his rivalry with Raven which had gone on and off for two years by the time Barely Legal occurred as well as with the likes of the Sandman, Cactus Jack, and Brian Lee. At Barely Legal, Dreamer was set to take part in the three way dance to determine Raven's challenger in the main event but stepped aside in favor of mentor Terry Funk getting a shot at one more World Title reign. He did guest commentary for the last two matches.

Where Is He Now? After Barely Legal, Dreamer continued working for ECW as a wrestler and behind the scenes until it shut down in April 2001. During his remaining ECW years, he eventually settled the score with Raven while also engaging in feuds with Jerry Lawler, Rob Van Dam, the Dudley Boyz, and Justin Credible to name some. Dreamer would also win the Tag Team Championship two more times with Raven and Masato Tanaka and briefly held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in 2000. After ECW ended, Dreamer jumped to the WWF as part of the the WCW/ECW Alliance invasion angle. Dreamer worked for WWE till 2010 both as a wrestler and as an executive behind the scenes. He won the WWE Hardcore Championship fourteen times and then wrestled for the ECW brand where he won the ECW Championship once. Appropriately enough, Dreamer is the only wrestler to have held the original ECW World Heavyweight Championship as well as the WWE version. After leaving WWE, Dreamer has spent time on the independent circuit and formed his own independent promotion House of Hardcore. Since 2010, Dreamer has also worked for TNA/Impact on and off over the years as both a wrestler and behind the scenes. As of 2022, Dreamer still works for Impact while doing independent shows and his HoH events. Outside of wrestling, he married Beulah McGillicutty in 2002 and the two have two children.

Beulah McGillicutty

Background: Longtime ECW personality, Beulah first entered the wrestling business in 1988 for Stampede Wrestling, appearing as Brian Pillman's fictional sister. She became a backup dancer to Prince which led to her meeting Raven and then Paul Heyman. She first came to ECW in 1995 as the childhood friend and love interest of Raven and Tommy Dreamer during their famous rivalry. She originally aligned with Raven in the feud before joining Dreamer in 1996 and would be with him for the remainder of her run. Like most of ECW's women, she became memorable for her catfights. 

Where Is She Now? After Barely Legal, Beulah continued working as Dreamer's valet until leaving ECW in the summer of 1998 with the story being her career ended after taking the Dudley Boyz 3D finishing move. After leaving ECW, she returned to college and eventually married Dreamer in 2002 with the two having two daughters. Since her retirement, she's appeared at several ECW reunion shows and even teamed with Dreamer and Terry Funk to take on Edge, Mick Foley, and Lita in a six person tag match at ECW One Night Stand 2006. She retired from wrestling for good in 2014 after accompanying Dreamer for his match at House of Hardcore VII and getting in a catfight with TNA knockout Velvet Sky. Outside of wrestling, Beulah wrote a children's book which was published in 2012.

Terry Funk

Background: One of wrestling's all time greats, Funk is a member of the Funk wrestling family which included father Dory Funk Sr. and older brother Dory Funk Jr. Trained by his father, Funk turned pro in 1965 and became one of wrestling's top stars from the 60s all the way to the 1990s. Funk originally was a successful and accomplished wrestler enjoying both singles and tag success with his brother and from 1975-1977 was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion which made him and Dory the only brothers to date to hold the belt. Along with being a star in America, Funk was also huge in Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling during the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. From 1985-1986, he worked for the WWF engaging in a feud with the Junkyard Dog while challenging Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship and in 1989, had a legendary feud with Ric Flair. By the 1990s, Funk began to reinvent himself as a pioneer of hardcore/deathmatch wrestling in ECW in America as well as FMW and IWA: Japan in Japan. Funk became another staple of ECW during their time capturing the ECW World Heavyweight Championship and ECW World Television Championship while taking part in the 1994 three way dance against Shane Douglas and Sabu that helped put ECW on the map. Going into Barely Legal, Funk was seemingly in the end of his career and was hoping for one more world title. Outside of wrestling, Funk also dabbled in Hollywood, mostly with Sylvester Stallone. Despite his status as a respected legend, Funk has also become somewhat a punchline in wrestling due to his notorious track record of constant retirements.

Where Is He Now?: After winning the championship at Barely Legal, Funk would hold the ECW World Heavyweight Championship for four months fending off challenges from Candido and Douglas until losing it to Sabu in August in a memorable barbwire match. In September 1997, Funk wrestled a retirement match losing to Bret Hart at a special independent show called Terry Funk's Wrestlefest which featured wrestlers from various promotions. However, in typical Funk fashion, he broke the retirement less than two weeks later. From 1997-1998, Funk then returned to the WWF, first as "Chainsaw Charlie" and then as himself where he formed a dream team with Mick Foley (as Cactus Jack) and even won the WWF World Tag Team Championship at Wrestlemania XIV. In the fall of 1998, Funk returned to ECW one last time, now as a heel feuding with protege Tommy Dreamer. Unfortunately, the angle didn't get far as Funk would contact hepatitis and took several months off which cancelled the rivalry and ended Funk's run in ECW. In June 1999, Funk retired again but went on to break the retirement in January 2000 when he signed with WCW first as their on-screen commissioner and then as a wrestler during which he won the United States Championship once and the Hardcore Championship three times. After WCW was bought out by WWF in March 2001, Funk became a journeyman, competing all the over the world including making stops for ROH, TNA, MLW, and New Japan. From 2006-2016, Funk made the occasional one night only appearances for WWE including teaming with Dreamer and Beulah against Edge, Mick Foley, and Lita at ECW One Night Stand 2006. During this time, Funk continued to have several short lived retirements until retiring for good in 2017. As of 2022, Funk is still retired but has battled health problems due to age and the toll his career took. Before and after Barely Legal, Funk has been honored in many Hall of Fames including WWE, WCW, NWA, Hardcore, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame, International, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling.

The Sandman

Background: Legendary ECW icon, The Sandman originally turned pro in 1989 and worked the independent circuit, as well as ECW's predecessor Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. Debuting for ECW upon it's formation in 1992, Sandman originally had a surfer gimmick before eventually adapting his famous cane swinging, beer drinking, cigarette smoking, blue collar ass kicker persona he became more famous for. Along with the Crusher and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Sandman is one of the more famous examples of the blue collar, beer drinking bad ass. In ECW, Sandman became one of the promotions biggest names and engaged in many memorable rivalries and matches with Tommy Dreamer, Steve Austin, Mikey Whipwreck, Cactus Jack, Shane Douglas, and Raven. Going into Barely Legal, Sandman held the ECW World Heavyweight Championship four times and the World Tag Team Championship once with Too Cold Scorpio and was entering the three way dance to gain revenge on Raven who tried to steal his family from him.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Sandman continued in ECW for another year and a half feuding with Sabu and the Dudley Boyz during this time. In September 1998, he surprised many when he jumped to WCW where he had a similar gimmick but a different name in Hak (which is a legit longtime nickname Sandman had). Taking part in their new hardcore division, Sandman worked in WCW for a year before being released. He eventually returned to ECW in October 1999 and engaged in rivalries with Rhino and Steve Corino all the while winning a record setting fifth and final ECW World Heavyweight Championship. After ECW shut down, Sandman then became a journeyman competing in XPW from 2002-2003 where he held their King of the Deathmatch Championship and briefly toured with FMW in 2002 where he became the final WEW World Tag Team Champion. From 2003-2004, he wrestled for TNA where he reignited his old feud with Raven and won the promotion's Hard Ten Tournament. From 2006-2007, Sandman then joined the WWE for their ECW brand but, as was the case with almost all the legends, he didn't have the same success and was released after a year. In 2010, he briefly returned to TNA as part of the Hardcore Justice 2010 PPV and the EV 2.0 stable which featured other ECW alumni but left after a short run. Since 2009, Sandman has been a fixture on the independent circuit. As of 2022, he's largely semi-retired but occasionally wrestles with his recent match being in October 2021. In recent years, he's made cameo appearances for promotions such as Impact (the former TNA), ROH, and MLW. In 2007, He was inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame.

Big Stevie Cool (Stevie Richards)

Background: Longtime ECW wrestler, Richards turned pro in 1991 and wrestled for Tri-State and ECW in 1992 before going on the independent circuit for experience. He returned to ECW in 1994 and by 1995 became mostly known as Raven's top lackey upon Raven's arrival in ECW. Richards would go on to win the ECW World Tag Team Championship two times with Raven. By 1996, Richards and other Raven lackeys The Blue Meanie and Nova would begin a gimmick where they impersonated famous wrestlers and celebrities. Finally, at the 1996 November to Remember, the three impersonated WCW's top stable: the New World Order or nWo by calling themselves the Blue World Order or bWo. Richards would become "Big Stevie Cool" (a parody of Kevin Nash), Meanie became "Da Blue Guy" (a parody of Scott Hall), and Nova became "Hollywood Nova" (a parody of Hollywood Hulk Hogan). The group became an unexpected hit and eventually left Raven and became babyfaces or fan favorites. At Barely Legal, Richards was not only looking at a title shot but also wanted revenge on Raven for all his abuse.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Richards continued in ECW for a brief period but suffered a neck injury in May 1997 and briefly retired. In August 1997, Richards resumed his career and jumped to WCW where he again aligned with Raven but left that November. From November to December, Richards then returned to ECW for a few appearances but left quickly. After undergoing surgery and working the independents throughout 1998 and 1999, Richards briefly considered retirement and going back to school but changed his plans when he got hired by WWF. From 1999-2008, Richards then competed for WWF/WWE, first reuniting with the Blue Meanie and doing an impersonator gimmick before doing, perhaps, his most memorable angle when he led the Right To Censor stable from 2000-2001. During his WWE run, he reunited the bWo and also had alliances with the tag team Kronik as well as WWE divas Jazz and Victoria. He also would do time for WWE's ECW brand. During his WWE run, Richards held the WWE Hardcore Championship 21 times. From 2009-2011, Richards then worked for TNA as Stevie Richards and as "Dr. Stevie", serving as Abyss' psychologist before eventually feuding with him, during which time, he reunited with Raven. Richards also would be part of the ECW stable EV 2.0 during this time but eventually left as he was unhappy with the pay. From 2012-2014, Richards worked for Extreme Rising (an ECW like promotion) where he held their world title and then competed for ROH from 2015-2016 all the while working the independent circuit. As of 2022, Richards is largely semi-retired.

Da Blue Guy (The Blue Meanie)

Background: ECW wrestler who was originally trained by Al Snow and turned pro in 1994. He joined ECW in 1995 as another lackey of Raven. His name and gimmick are inspired by the Blue Meanies from the Beatles' 1968 film Yellow Submarine. As previously mentioned in the Stevie Richards portion, Meanie eventually formed the bWo with Richards and Nova where he was known as Da Blue Guy. At Barely Legal, Meanie was in the corner of Richards for his three way dance.

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Meanie would continue working for ECW for the next year and a half, spending a lot of that time teaming with Nova. In November 1998, Meanie then joined the WWF where he first was a member of Al Snow's JOB Squad before becoming a rival and then ally of Goldust. Upon Stevie Richards entering WWF in August 1999, Meanie would briefly align with him until he was released at the end of the year. From 2000-2001, Meanie briefly returned to ECW as "Blue Boy" after losing 100 pounds but didn't do much as ECW was near the end. After ECW shut down, Meanie then helped co-found 3PW in 2002 and ran it till it shut down in 2005. Also in 2005, he participated in WWE's ECW One Night Stand reunion show and had an incident where he was legit attacked by wrestler John Bradshaw Layfield which led to a short return to WWE during the summer of 2005. Since 2005, Meanie has worked the independent circuit including making appearances for NWA and CHIKARA. Since 2012, he's been a wrestler and trainer at the famous Monster Factory school in New Jersey. Since 2020, he's hosted his own podcast called Mind of the Meanie.

Hollywood Nova (Nova)

Background: Another longtime ECW mainstay, Nova was trained by longtime wrestling vet "Iron" Mike Sharpe and turned pro in 1992. He spent the first four years in the independent circuit while doing preliminary work for WWF. In 1996, he debuted for ECW as "Super Nova" while being giving a superhero gimmick. After being put in Raven's Nest, Nova aligned with Richards and Meanie with the three doing a popular parody angle which culminated with the formation of bWo. At Barely Legal, Nova was in Richards' corner. 

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Nova continued with bWo until Richards left and then formed a tag team with Meanie until he too left in November 1998. From 1999-2000, he then teamed with Chris Chetti and had decent success until the team broke up in late 2000 and feuded. After ECW shut down in April 2001, Nova then toured the world appearing for Pro Wrestling ZERO1 in Japan and Border City Wrestling in Canada. In 2002, Nova then signed with WWE and worked their developmental promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling till 2005 where he held both the OVW Heavyweight and Southern Tag Team Championships while feuding with John Cena (then the Prototype). From 2005-2007, he then worked on the main roster first as a wrestler and then in the office. During his main roster run, he competed as Simon Dean, an evil fitness instructor. From 2006-2007, he then worked in the office as a talent development manager in OVW until he left. Since 2008, Nova has been working the independent circuit and largely works part time these days as he's now a mortgage broker as of 2022.

Raven

Background: Longtime wrestling veteran, Raven trained under legendary trainer Larry Sharpe and turned pro in 1988. For the first few years, Raven toured the territories including Pacific Northwest Wrestling in Portland, Global Wrestling Federation in Texas, and the United States Wrestling Association in Memphis. He would do time in both WCW and WWF in the early 90s competing as Scotty Flamingo in WCW where he held the WCW World Light Heavyweight Championship and then appearing as manager/commentator Johnny Polo in WWF where he also worked behind the scenes as a producer. In 1995, Raven joined ECW as Raven, a grunge like punk who gained fame for his use of psychology during matches and dark promos. Raven would immediately begin a feud with Tommy Dreamer that went on and off for two years while winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship twice with Stevie Richards and forming a stable of misfits called "Raven's Nest". In 1996, he then had two runs with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship and had another memorable feud with Sandman after trying to take away his family. At Barely Legal, Raven defended the World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the three way dance which turned out to be Terry Funk

Where Is He Now?: After Barely Legal, Raven would leave ECW in June 1997 but not before finally falling to Dreamer. From 1997-1999, Raven then returned to WCW where he led another faction named "Raven's Flock" and engaged in memorable rivalries with Chris Benoit, Diamond Dallas Page, and Perry Saturn. He also went on to win the WCW United States Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championship with Saturn (after they reunited). After requesting and receiving his release, Raven returned to ECW in August 1999 where he captured the World Tag Team Championship two more times with Mike Awesome and former rival Tommy Dreamer. From 2000-2003, Raven then returned to the WWF as both a wrestler and later a color commentator for Sunday Night Heat. During his run, Raven would capture the WWF Hardcore Championship a record 27 times and would also be part of the WCW/ECW alliance. After his WWE departure, Raven jumped to TNA in early 2003 where he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and had memorable feuds with Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, and Larry Zbyszko while also being member of EV 2.0 and briefly reunited with Stevie Richards. Since leaving TNA in 2010, Raven has mostly been semi-retired though he still occasionally works the independent circuit. Outside of wrestling, Raven has done acting, stand up comedy, and a podcast.