Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon. ECW closed when then owner Paul Heyman declared bankruptcy in April 2001. The promotion showcased various international styles of professional wrestling, ranging from lucha libre to puroresu and hardcore wrestling, and became known for having an intelligent, often rowdy and vocal fanbase that rejected the more cartoonish programming of ECW's competitors. Widely considered the most daring wrestling company, many fans were heartbroken when ECW declared bankruptcy.