While ECW continues to be a strong performer for the Sci-Fi channel, long time fans of the network have been expressing their displeasure with the decision to run a pro-wrestling program. At the same time, irate hardcore fans blamed the reformed ECW’s watered down shows on interference from Sci-Fi management. Perhaps because neither group has access to Sci-Fi’s upper echelons to lodge formal complaints, the message boards on the official Sci-Fi Channel web site provide them with the next best targets for their wrath - each other.

Ugly comments are being thrown at warp speed, or at least D.S.L. speed, by both sides as the increasingly hostile factions come as close to a near riot as possible (for people sitting in their parents basements thousands of miles apart).

Sci-Fi purists claim the show, and indeed the entire Pro-Wrestling industry isn’t realistic enough, it’s too “fake” for them to suspend disbelief, not plausible enough in premise to meet the exacting standards fans demand of their beloved network. Standards that shows like Countdown to Doomsday or Immortal met with gusto and aplomb, we’re to assume are not being met by ECW.

For their part, ECW fans claim that despite being active on the Sci-Fi message board, they have no interest in being associated with “nerds.” Yes you heard right, people who post on message boards on Friday and Saturday nights look down on other people on those same boards.

Mind you, the median age of the average Sci-Fi channel viewer is in the mid-forties; the average age of an ECW viewer is around 32.

While perusing the board, with such lofty categories as “ECW is Fake!” and “rednecks and Pro Wrestling,” is extremely amusing, as a service to readers ECW on SCI-FI has paraphrased the entire board’s contents for your convenience.

BOBOinspace: Wrestlings fake, you’re all rednecks.

Hardcorenoodle: Hey, it might be fake, but these are finely tuned athletes…and your a nerd.

One-Handed Surfer: How dare you rednecks call us nerds, that’s an offensive stereotype, but that’s what we expect from you Bush-voting lowlifes. Go fight a war for oil!

Ravenfan: NERDS!!!!

BoBoinspace: Your show’s ruining our network!

Hardorenoodle: Your networks ruining our show!

ClaudiaB: Will you guys stop sending me pics of you genitalia!

Will anything be able to bring an end to this destructive feud? Can these two groups of nerds … I mean people find anything that will bring them together? We can only hope.