By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE wrestler Evan Bourne says the current ECW TV product under the WWE umbrella is better than Paul Heyman's ECW TV product that aired nationally on TNN (now Spike TV). Original ECW announcer Joey Styles said he agrees with that claim.

Bourne said he was a fan of the Original ECW product, but he says the current roster and storylines on WWE's version is superior to Heyman's product on TNN.

"If you compare ECW now to the old ECW on TNN - we blow that show out of the water," Bourne said. "Every week we blow it out of the water."

Bourne's comments aren't way off base, though. The ECW on TNN product was during the twilight of the Original ECW's lifespan after ECW was successful with the highly-acclaimed syndicated ECW TV show. Former ECW announcer Joey Styles, who currently runs WWE's website, says he agrees with Bourne's opinion on the TNN show.

"As controversial as this may be, I agree with Evan," Styles said on his WWE Universe blog. "While I feel the Original ECW was superior to today's ECW overall, ECW on TNN was an awful TV show and it showed the world that ECW was on its last legs by the year 2000."

Bourne said he doesn't want to disrespect the ECW talent who paved the way in the original promotion. He says he was a fan of the Original ECW and he's proud to be part of the lineage that includes RVD and Sabu.

"I have tons of respect for Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Super Crazy and Tajiri - as they were the guys I idolized growing up. I loved ECW," Bourne said. "So that's why I'm so proud to part of the current ECW, to make sure the name has the same feel and fans feel the same way I did at that age."

Styles added: "The underground late night ECW TV that aired on various sports networks from 1993 through 1999 was groundbreaking and breathtaking. As far as I am concerned, The Original ECW had its much needed conclusion at ECW One Night Stand 2005 and I am eternally grateful to WWE for making that dream a reality."

Links: Evan Bourne interview with the U.K. Sun and Joey Styles blog.

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