The New Breed (ECW)

The New Breed was a professional wrestling stable in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in 1998. The group was conceived as a counterpoint to the ECW originals, representing a new generation of wrestlers who felt they were not being given the respect they deserved and were often overlooked in favor of the established ECW stars.

The stable was initially formed by Rob Van Dam, frustrated with his perceived treatment by ECW management and the fans who he felt were taking him for granted. He aligned himself with Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon, who were also relatively new to ECW at the time and similarly felt underappreciated.

The New Breed quickly became a disruptive force in ECW, engaging in intense rivalries with established stars like Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Taz. Their matches were often characterized by their innovative and athletic offense, contrasting with the more hardcore style of many of their opponents.

Over time, the New Breed's membership shifted. Shane Douglas joined the group, initially aligning himself with them before eventually turning on them. Chris Chetti and Lance Wright were also associated with the group at various points. The stable's storylines often revolved around their efforts to establish themselves as the dominant force in ECW and to challenge the established hierarchy.

While the New Breed did not achieve the long-term dominance they sought, they played a significant role in the evolution of ECW's in-ring style and contributed to several memorable matches and storylines during their time in the promotion. The group's message of a new generation challenging the old guard resonated with some fans and helped to further blur the lines between heels and faces in ECW's already complex moral landscape.