CyberSlam

Background

It began in 1995 with the Double Tables event, held at the ECW Arena. The event was held for those who were posting on Usenet's rec.sport.pro-wrestling to be able to meet performers in person and see some live pro wrestling. ECW's Tod Gordon assisted the ECW fans in organizing this. Prior to the ECW Arena show on February 4, 1995, there was a show held at the Flagstaff in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The red shirts seen on some wrestlers and fans say "To The Extreme" and was the nickname given to the event. In addition to the two shows, there was also a question-and-answer session held at the ECW Arena itself. The main guests were Tod Gordon, the Sandman and The Public Enemy. Once the wrestlers began to arrive for the show, they came out to mingle and chat with the fans. Another event was held during the summer of 1995, called "Back to the Extreme". This time, the Q&A session was held at the Holiday Inn in Essington, Pennsylvania.

In 1996, Paul Heyman christened the event "CyberSlam". There were two events of CyberSlam in 1997. Every year, the convention included a question and answer session.

1996

CyberSlam (1996) was a live event that took place on February 17, 1996 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. The announcer for the event was Joey Styles.

CyberSlam (1996) featured the ECW return of Brian Pillman (who used to be known in the company as California Brian), who had recently left World Championship Wrestling in unusual circumstances. During an interview conducted in the ring by Joey Styles, Pillman insulted Bischoff, calling him a commentator, a "gofer", and a "piece of shit". He then turned his attention to the ECW audience, derisively calling them "smart marks". After Styles attempted to end the interview, Pillman threatened to "yank out [his] Johnson" and urinate in the ring. Pillman was confronted by ECW owner Tod Gordon, booker Paul Heyman, and wrestler Shane Douglas, who had him removed from the ring by security guards. While being dragged from the arena, Pillman attacked a plant sitting in the audience with a fork he produced from his boot. Pillman's erratic behavior in the ring and backstage caused confusion amongst both members of the audience and his fellow wrestlers.

CyberSlam also saw Francine pin Stevie Richards, avenging his betrayal of her in August 1995, while Tommy Dreamer was betrayed by his allies The Bruise Brothers, who attacked him and joined Raven's Nest. Meanwhile, Mikey Whipwreck betrayed Cactus Jack by attacking him during his match with Shane Douglas, setting up an encounter between the two at Big Ass Extreme Bash on March 9, 1996 in what would be Cactus Jack's final match for ECW.

1997

The 1997 event featured two events which were held at February 21 and February 22. The first event of 1997 was held on February 21, 1997 in Lost Battalion Hall, Queens, NY

The second event of 1997 was held on February 22, 1997 in ECW Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1998

The 1998 event was held on February 21, 1998 in ECW Arena, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event began with a Ten-bell salute, given in remembrance of Louie Spicolli who had died from an accidental drug overdose, just six days earlier, on February 15, 1998.

New Jack, Spike Dudley and John Kronus joined the 6-man match already in progress to make it a 9-man match. This was the only CyberSlam to broadcast on pay-per-view (in some areas only).

1999

CyberSlam (1999) was a live event that took place on April 3, 1999 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. The announcer for the event was Joey Styles.

2000

CyberSlam (2000) was a live event that took place on April 22, 2000 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. The announcer for the event was Joey Styles.

The scheduled main event of CyberSlam 2000 saw ECW mainstay Tommy Dreamer face Taz for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Taz, who had signed with the World Wrestling Federation earlier that year, won the championship from Mike Awesome, who had signed with World Championship Wrestling. As Dreamer celebrated his victory, Justin Credible attacked him before challenging him to an impromptu match. Credible defeated Dreamer after Francine turned on him, ending Dreamer's title reign just a few minutes after it had begun.