The whole storyline with ECW vs. the Network, represented by Cyrus, was rooted in ECW's real-life conflicts with TNN. TNN had buried the show in what is known as the "Friday Night Death Slot," and only aired promos for the show during the actual show, making no effort to promote the show the rest of the week.
The whole angle with Cyrus (Don Callis) criticizing commentator Joel Gertner for trying to get himself over at the expense of the talent was an inside reference to how WWE had treated Don Callis when he was The Jackyl in 1997-1998, since they'd have him cut promos over his stables' matches and then punish him for it.