Picture this: What if WWE had revived the legendary vampire faction known as The Brood in the mid-2000s, injecting fresh blood – pun intended – into their roster with a brand-new lineup? It's a tantalizing 'what if' that wrestling fans have long speculated about, and now, thanks to a candid revelation from a former WWE star, we're finally getting the inside scoop on why it all fell apart.
For those new to the world of professional wrestling, a 'stable' is basically a group of wrestlers who team up to dominate storylines, matches, and rivalries, much like a gang in a action movie. The Brood burst onto the scene during WWE's wildly popular Attitude Era – that gritty, rebellious period from the late 1990s to early 2000s that redefined sports entertainment with its edge-of-your-seat drama and larger-than-life characters. Formed in October 1998, the original trio featured the eerie Gangrel as the vampire leader, alongside the up-and-coming high-flyers Edge and Christian.
Though their time together was brief, The Brood left an indelible mark on fans' memories, largely thanks to one of the most visually stunning entrances in WWE history. Emerging from beneath the stage amid bursts of flames, the group looked like supernatural beings rising from the depths – it was pure theatrical magic that still gives chills today. Adding to the gothic vibe, Gangrel's character would dramatically sip a crimson liquid (which audiences assumed was blood) and spray it skyward like a ritual before battles, heightening the otherworldly atmosphere.
Sadly, the classic Brood lineup disbanded by July 1999, barely lasting nine months. But Gangrel wasn't done; he quickly assembled a short-lived reboot featuring the daredevil Hardy Boyz, Matt and Jeff Hardy. This iteration flickered on from August to October 1999, offering just a glimpse of potential before fading away. For example, imagine the Hardys' acrobatic flips combined with The Brood's dark mystique – it could have been explosive, but it wasn't meant to be.
Fast forward to more recent times, and The Brood got a nostalgic nod that thrilled audiences. At WWE SummerSlam 2021 (check out the full review here: https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-summerslam-2021-review/), Edge made a jaw-dropping return to the ring using the iconic Brood theme music, complete with fog and fire effects. Fans went wild, proving that the faction's allure hasn't dimmed over two decades later.
But here's where it gets really intriguing – and a bit heartbreaking for die-hard fans: WWE almost pulled off a full Brood resurrection in the mid-2000s, only for it to crumble spectacularly. In a revealing chat with WrestlingNewsco (watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7tUh89Vgz4), ex-WWE performer Shelly Martinez – who portrayed the mysterious Ariel during WWE's 2006-07 stint and later Salinas in TNA – spilled the beans on the scrapped project.
She shared how ECW creative head Tommy Dreamer pitched an exciting revival: 'We're putting together a new Brood led by Gangrel, with me, Jimmy Wang Yang, and Kevin Seven on board.' Martinez was buzzing with anticipation, envisioning a darker, more intense group dynamic. Yet, when she arrived ready to dive in, disaster struck – Jimmy Wang Yang, Kevin Seven, and even Gangrel were all let go from WWE. 'I knew right then this dream was dead,' she recounted, highlighting how fragile these creative plans can be in the cutthroat wrestling business.
And this is the part most people miss: Instead of joining the reformed Brood, Martinez's Ariel character landed in WWE's controversial ECW relaunch of 2006, teaming with the vampiric Kevin Thorn. That era of ECW is often panned by fans as a watered-down shadow of the original hardcore promotion from the 1990s, lacking the raw energy that made it legendary. To clarify for newcomers, the relaunch aimed to recapture ECW's spirit under WWE's umbrella but ended up feeling more corporate than chaotic, sparking endless debates.
On a brighter note for that storyline, Ariel and Thorn did snag a tag team victory at WWE's ECW December to Dismember event (dive into the review: https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-ecw-december-to-dismember-2006-review/), but let's be real – that pay-per-view is infamous among wrestling enthusiasts as one of the most disastrous WWE productions ever, complete with botched bookings and lackluster crowds. Boldly put, it was a low point that many blame for burying ECW's revival for good.
Now, here's a controversial take to chew on: Could a rebooted Brood have injected the supernatural edge needed to salvage that faltering ECW? Or would it have just been another gimmick flop in WWE's ever-changing landscape? What do you think – would you have tuned in for Gangrel's new crew, or does the original Brood remain untouchable? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team 'revival' or 'let it rest'!
