Team ECK
Encyclopedia
Team ECK, later known as Team RECK, was a professional wrestling
stable in World Wrestling Federation
(WWF) from 2000 to 2001. The stable consisted of Kurt Angle
, Edge and Christian
, and Rhyno. The stable lasted from mid-2000 to mid-2001. The name came from the first names from each wrestler: Edge, Christian, Kurt Angle and Rhyno
Established around the time when Angle won the King of the Ring crown in 2000, the group was known best for its comedic promos, which usually included either Edge or Christian, whose lingo went over with the fans. Although the team was very successful at getting over as the comic heel unit of the WWF in 2000-2001 without taking away from the individual characters, this stable had ostensibly come to an end around mid-2001.
From then on, the team members would frequently help each other to win matches or even team together. Even though Edge was the official team leader, the team spent much of their time helping Kurt reach the WWF Heavyweight Title
. In early 2001, Rhyno became Edge & Christian's bodyguard. While Rhyno focused mainly on his own singles career, he frequently attacked rivals of Edge & Christian, helping them to win matches. Rhyno had little interaction with Kurt.
Edge & Christian were once in a faction with Rhyno and Joe E. Legend
before signing with WWF/E. Legend would also later sign with WWF, but would not align with any members of Team RECK.
, the four members of this stable took up all four of the semi final spots, guaranteeing Team RECK's victory in the King of the Ring tournament in the semi finals. Although this was a historical achievement, as no stable has ever controlled the tournament like this before, it was often overlooked because the stable self-destructed almost immediately after the fact.
Edge defeated Rhyno in their semifinal match, Angle defeated Christian in their semifinal match, and with interference from Shane McMahon
, Edge beat Angle to become King of the Ring. Around this time, the WWF Invasion
storyline was working its way in, and Rhyno joined the WCW/ECW Alliance as an ECW member. Edge's victory started a rivalry between Edge and Angle that would build up and last for the next year (which resulted in Kurt Angle's head being shaved bald), as well as was the basis for Christian's jealousy which led him to turn on Edge on the September 3, 2001 episode of Raw
in Edge and Christian's hometown of Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. Eventually, Rhyno, Angle, and Christian were all part of the Alliance; although Angle was in it as a mole
, and outside of a feud between Christian and Edge (who stayed with WWF) over the Intercontinental title
, as well as Angle defeating Rhyno for the United States Championship (prior to his defection), then losing it to Edge, the members were never involved in any of the same spots within that angle.
Members of this faction have come together in matches and storylines very rarely in the years since then, though the most notable of these reunions, other than the on-and-off reunion of Edge and Christian during 2004-2005 and again in 2011, was the reunion of Christian Cage and Rhino after a character falling-out was mended in 2008 in TNA
, ironically against an assortment of heels led by Kurt Angle
.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
stable in World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF) from 2000 to 2001. The stable consisted of Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
, Edge and Christian
Edge and Christian
Edge and Christian was a tag team made of real life best friends Edge and Christian , who performed in WWE and the Canadian independent circuit. They won the WWF Tag Team Championship on seven occasions...
, and Rhyno. The stable lasted from mid-2000 to mid-2001. The name came from the first names from each wrestler: Edge, Christian, Kurt Angle and Rhyno
Established around the time when Angle won the King of the Ring crown in 2000, the group was known best for its comedic promos, which usually included either Edge or Christian, whose lingo went over with the fans. Although the team was very successful at getting over as the comic heel unit of the WWF in 2000-2001 without taking away from the individual characters, this stable had ostensibly come to an end around mid-2001.
Formation
For Angle's first few months in the WWF, he went on an "unbeaten streak". While he lost half of his matches, he has never been successfully pinned. The streak was officially ended by Big Show in April 2000. At this point, Angle went on a losing streak, in which most of his matches ended after Angle himself was pinned. He formed an alliance with the Tag Team Champions, Edge & Christian.From then on, the team members would frequently help each other to win matches or even team together. Even though Edge was the official team leader, the team spent much of their time helping Kurt reach the WWF Heavyweight Title
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
. In early 2001, Rhyno became Edge & Christian's bodyguard. While Rhyno focused mainly on his own singles career, he frequently attacked rivals of Edge & Christian, helping them to win matches. Rhyno had little interaction with Kurt.
Edge & Christian were once in a faction with Rhyno and Joe E. Legend
Joe Hitchen
Joseph Edward "Joe" Hitchen is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Joe E. Legend.-Canadian independent circuit:...
before signing with WWF/E. Legend would also later sign with WWF, but would not align with any members of Team RECK.
Split
At King of the Ring 2001King of the Ring (2001)
King of the Ring was the ninth annual King of the Ring professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Federation . It took place on June 24, 2001 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey....
, the four members of this stable took up all four of the semi final spots, guaranteeing Team RECK's victory in the King of the Ring tournament in the semi finals. Although this was a historical achievement, as no stable has ever controlled the tournament like this before, it was often overlooked because the stable self-destructed almost immediately after the fact.
Edge defeated Rhyno in their semifinal match, Angle defeated Christian in their semifinal match, and with interference from Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon
Shane Brandon McMahon is an American executive, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of YOU On Demand. A former executive and professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment , he is the son of WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and former US Senate candidate Linda...
, Edge beat Angle to become King of the Ring. Around this time, the WWF Invasion
WWF InVasion
Invasion was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on July 22, 2001 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
storyline was working its way in, and Rhyno joined the WCW/ECW Alliance as an ECW member. Edge's victory started a rivalry between Edge and Angle that would build up and last for the next year (which resulted in Kurt Angle's head being shaved bald), as well as was the basis for Christian's jealousy which led him to turn on Edge on the September 3, 2001 episode of Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
in Edge and Christian's hometown of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Eventually, Rhyno, Angle, and Christian were all part of the Alliance; although Angle was in it as a mole
Mole (espionage)
A mole is a spy who works for an enemy nation, but whose loyalty ostensibly lies with his own nation's government. In some usage, a mole differs from a defector in that a mole is a spy before gaining access to classified information, while a defector becomes a spy only after gaining access...
, and outside of a feud between Christian and Edge (who stayed with WWF) over the Intercontinental title
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
, as well as Angle defeating Rhyno for the United States Championship (prior to his defection), then losing it to Edge, the members were never involved in any of the same spots within that angle.
Members of this faction have come together in matches and storylines very rarely in the years since then, though the most notable of these reunions, other than the on-and-off reunion of Edge and Christian during 2004-2005 and again in 2011, was the reunion of Christian Cage and Rhino after a character falling-out was mended in 2008 in TNA
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
, ironically against an assortment of heels led by Kurt Angle
Angle Alliance
The Angle Alliance was a heel wrestling stable headed by Kurt Angle in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. For Lockdown 2008, in the absence of Kurt from the stable's activities, Tomko captained a subdivision under the name "Team Tomko".-Initial Formation:The formation took place at Genesis when A.J...
.
Championships and accomplishments
- WWF ChampionshipWWE ChampionshipThe WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
(1 time) – Kurt Angle - WWF Tag Team Championship (6 times)- Edge and Christian
- WWF Hardcore ChampionshipWWE Hardcore ChampionshipThe World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Championship is a hardcore wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and is contested under "hardcore" rules, meaning there is no disqualifications, no countouts, and pin falls could be counted anywhere...
(3 times) - Rhyno - 2000 King of the RingKing of the RingKing of the Ring is a professional wrestling single-elimination tournament held by WWE. The tournament was held annually from 1985 to 2002, with the exception of 1990 and 1992, and from 1993 to 2002 the tournament was produced as a pay-per-view event....
- Kurt Angle - 2001 King of the Ring - Edge