Paul Heyman also credited two of ECW's most memorable rivalries for not getting the credit that they deserve, not because the matches and feuds don't get talked about among fans, but aren't credited as being as influential as they are. To prove his point, Heyman went as far as to say that without two of ECW's most legendary rivalries, AEW wouldn't produce the style of television they do today.

"One way, it's Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn. I think AEW is RVD. I think anybody who watches AEW is witnessing a style that emanates from Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn in the style. And also Dean Malenko versus Eddie Guerrero. I think if you look at any Dean Malenko versus Eddie Guerrero match from ECW, or Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn match from ECW, you see exactly what the concept is that was employed by AEW in their style," he said.

AEW President Tony Khan has been very vocal about how much ECW has influenced his booking style and his tastes in wrestling. A young Khan was even seen in the ECW Arena at "The Doctor Is In" event in 1996, the show that featured Khan's favorite Rob Van Dam match — the stretcher match against Sabu. 

Up until 2024, Taz's FTW Championship was revived in AEW, a title that was born in ECW; RVD has since featured on AEW television numerous times with his old entrance music, "Walk" by Pantera, while Jerry Lynn and Dean Malenko still work backstage, highlighting how the ECW spirit still runs in pro wrestling today.