Throughout a recent episode of his “What Happened When” podcast, Tony Schiavone of AEW gave his thoughtful insights on the singular career and legacy of professional wrestling’s Jerome “New Jack” Young.
Here are key takeaways from this edition of Schiavone’s podcast:
On the uniqueness of New Jack: “With New Jack, there was always an element of uniqueness, something you couldn’t find anywhere else. Every time I revisit an ECW event and watch him, it feels like I’m spiraling into a kaleidoscope of pain. It’s almost as if I’ve been jabbed with a fork directly into my forehead. There’s something unsettling about watching New Jack in action.
“I’m not quite sure why that is. I’m well aware that ECW was renowned for its extreme violence, but something about New Jack’s presence seemed to be a catalyst for an escalation in brutality. It’s not that I’m disregarding other ECW members who perpetuated violence in their time. It just felt like New Jack brought a new level of gore. From him stapling adversaries to utilising forks — it’s intense. I find myself wondering sometimes, how much New Jack was really ‘working,’ or if he actually subjected people to such harsh pain. That’s just my perception.”
Showing reverence for the trials wrestlers undergo: “After witnessing such intense performances, I make it a point to head backstage once the dust has settled. I thank them for being brave enough to put themselves out there, laying their bodies on the line to create an engaging television experience that I have the privilege of narrating. Without them, I’m just addressing an inanimate wall.
“I wholeheartedly admire and appreciate them — New Jack, Nick Gage, The Dudleys, Sabu, and all other ECW personnel who veered into the realm of hardcore stunts. Their contributions are truly remarkable, which is why I find such pleasure in revisiting these moments. It’s as real as it gets.”
Relish a recap of ECW Hardcore Heaven 2000 in the following video: [embedded content].