Tod Gordon founded Eastern Championship Wrestling, the promotion that later became Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Gordon established the company in Philadelphia in 1992. It was initially a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and used the name Eastern Championship Wrestling. In 1994, the promotion separated from the NWA and rebranded itself as Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Paul Heyman became the company’s prominent booker and creative leader, which is why he is often mistakenly identified as its founder. Heyman’s influence helped shape ECW’s aggressive style, recognizable characters, and emphasis on innovative wrestling.
ECW became known for presenting hardcore matches alongside technical and high-flying wrestling. Its television exposure and devoted Philadelphia fan base helped it become one of the most influential North American promotions of the 1990s, despite operating with fewer resources than WWF and WCW.