A Matter of Respect was the first A Matter of Respect professional wrestling event produced by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). It took place on May 11, 1996, in the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. Excerpts from A Matter of Respect aired on episodes #160, #161, and #162 of the syndicated television show ECW Hardcore TV on May 14, 21, and 28, 1996. The full event was later released on VHS and DVD, as well as being made available for streaming on the WWE Network. Background Rob Van Dam and Sabu faced one another at Hostile City Showdown in May 1996. After Sabu won the match, he offered a handshake to Van Dam, who refused to shake his hand and walked away. This led to a rematch between the two men being scheduled for A Matter of Respect with the stipulation that the losing man was required to shake the winner's hand and declare their respect for them. D-Von Dudley - the newest member of the Dudley Brothers - had debuted in ECW in April 1996, violently beating down the opponents of the Dudley Brothers. D-Von Dudley and Buh Buh Ray Dudley - the Dudley Boyz - had teamed together for the first time at Hostile City Showdown, only for the match to end in a no contest after D-Von Dudley attacked the referee. The Dudley Boyz teamed together once more at A Matter of Respect. Raven had won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in January 1996 and subsequently defended it against a string of challengers. After Pitbull #2 and the Sandman supposedly tied in a poll of fans to determine Raven's number one contender, a three way dance was booked for A Matter of Respect. At Hostile City Showdown, Shane Douglas had attacked 2 Cold Scorpio after Scorpio objected to Douglas disrespecting the ECW World Television Championship, which Scorpio held. This led to Scorpio defending his title against Douglas at A Matter of Respect. ECW World Tag Team Champions The Eliminators had begun feuding with the Gangstas upon challenging them at Massacre on Queens Boulevard, while Tommy Dreamer had begun feuding with Brian Lee in an extension of the long-running feud between Dreamer and Raven. This led to a match pitting Dreamer and the Gangstas against Lee and the Eliminators being booked for A Matter of Respect. Event The event was attended by approximately 1,000 people.