NWA Bloodfest was the second ECW event to be produced by Paul Heyman, who had taken over booking of the promotion from Tod Gordon earlier that year. The commentator for the event was Joey Styles, whose commentary was added following the event in post-production. Excerpts from the event aired on episodes #26 to #31 of ECW Hardcore TV, ECW's syndicated television program, in October and November 1993.[3]
The event saw the debut of Sabu, the Tazmaniac (the future "Taz"), and Tommy Dreamer - all of who would go on to be ECW mainstays - as well as the Bad Breed. Heyman used the event to catapult Sabu to the top of the promotion. On the first night, Sabu defeated the Tazmaniac; he was led to the ring on a gurney wearing chains to establish his character. During the match, Sabu's "daredevil tactics" won him the favor of the ECW crowd. On the second night, Sabu defeated Shane Douglas for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.[4] Heyman also used the event to build sympathy for Tommy Dreamer by having him repeatedly kick-out before being pinned by The Tazmaniac.[3]
NWA Bloodfest has been described as marking the onset of the "more darkly violent direction" for ECW under Heyman's leadership.[4] Heyman used the event to condition the audience to accept that "there really are no bad guys or good guys", noting "in every segment the guy that they didn't want to win won".[3]
NWA Bloodfest: Part 1 was held on October 1, 1993 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. It was attended by approximately 250 people.[1] The referees for the event were Jim Molineaux and John Finnegan.[5]
The third bout was a tag team match pitting the Public Enemy against Gino Caruso and Silver Jet. The Public Enemy won the bout by pinfall following a senton bomb by Rocco Rock.[6][7]
The fourth bout was a singles match in which Malia Hosaka defeated Molly McShane by pinfall following a senton bomb.[5][6]
The eighth bout was a "no disqualification, no count out" match between Sabu and the Tazmaniac, both of whom were making their debuts in ECW. Sabu won the match by pinning the Tazmaniac following a moonsault.[6][7][8]
The ninth bout saw ECW Tag Team ChampionsJohnny Hotbody and Tony Stetson defend their titles against Badd Company. Hotbody and Stetson defeated Badd Company to retain the Championship after Rocco Rock interfered in the match by attacking Paul Diamond, enabling Stetson to pin him.[6][9]
The tenth bout was a singles match between Rockin' Rebel and Chris Michaels. Rockin' Rebel won the bout by pinning Michaels after striking him with a foreign object.[5][6]
The penultimate bout was a singles match between Kevin Sullivan and Abdullah the Butcher. The match ended in a no contest.[6]
The debuting Tommy Dreamer received a standing ovation following his match at the second night of Bloodfest.
NWA Bloodfest: Part 2 was held on October 2, 1993 in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. It was attended by approximately 400 people.[2]
The sixth bout saw Chris Michaels face Rockin' Rebel in a rematch from the prior night. Michaels defeated Rockin' Rebel by disqualification after Rockin' Rebel attacked the referee.[10][12]
The eighth bout was a tag team match pitting Don Muraco and Jimmy Snuka against the Public Enemy. Muraco and Snuka won the bout via forfeit.[10]
The ninth bout saw ECW Heavyweight ChampionShane Douglas defend his title against Sabu, with Sabu announced as a replacement for the Sandman after he was shown unconscious backstage, implicitly having been attacked by Sabu's manager Paul E. Dangerously. After Douglas attempted to attack Dangerously at ringside, Sabu gave him a belly-to-back suplex followed by a moonsault, then pinned him to become the new Heavyweight Champion.[10][13]
The tenth bout was a singles match between Chad Austin and Jimmy Snuka. Snuka defeated Austin by pinfall following a slingshot suplex.[10][11]
The main event was another steel cage match, this one featuring Badd Company, the Bad Breed, and the Public Enemy. The Public Enemy won the bout after Rocco Rock climbed out of the cage.[9][10]
