Earlier today on WWE.com’s Byte This a fan called in to ask guest-host Tommy Dreamer when he would be back in the ring as a WWE superstar. Tommy said that he ‘would drop a bombshell’.
Dreamer then confirmed that his contract with the company expires this July and that he would not be returning to the ring as a wrestler in WWE. Like Lance Storm and others who have left the company, the former ECW Champion hopes to land a job backstage as an agent or creative team member.
This, like Lance Storm's retirement, is kinda sad. Living in Philly, seeing ECW become a national promotion, I always was a fan of Dreamer. He never got any really run with a title, and the one time he did win the title, he jobbed it to Justin Credible in like 20 mins after he won it. Hell, when he won the WWE Hardcore title, they got rid of it the next week! He never seemed to get much recognition considering he never put himself first and was always willing to do the job to get the other guy over.
I just hope he saved up his money and can live ok in his retirement now.
Not really a surprise here, as he hasn't been in the ring in a while, plus factor in the injuries. I think he'd be a pretty good guy to have backstage in some capacity.
I always liked Tommy Dreamer. I first saw him, I believe, doing a male exotic dancer gimmick in some indy leagues around Pennsylvania. Not a very good gimmick. Then, with the coming of ECW, and the Bingo Hall being a mere 45 minute drive from my house, he became the "Innovator of Violence" in front of me and on Sportschannel Philadelphia every Tuesday at 6 PM. I think a lot of people are in agreement that his feud with Raven was brilliant, with him never getting the win until the end, and the bringing in of Beulah about midway through. The Cactus/Dreamer/Funk/Raven/Pitbulls/bWo eras produced some brutal matches and amazing visuals. With everybody leaving ECW for WCW and the WWF(E), he stuck around, and it made him look brilliant when the ECW guys (for the most part) failed in the big 2. I knew he wasn't going to get a major belt in the WWE, but I bet he was a good influence in the back, and he probably has still a lot to give to younger wrestlers. That's what was great about ECW, to me: the throwaways and castoffs were made into icons by Paul E and the gang.
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Can't say I'm surprised at all. If memory serves, wasn't he in quasi-retirement due to injuries when he showed up as part of the Alliance? Regardless, as little as he wrestles now I don't imagine WWE would have much for him as an active wrestler anyway. All that aside, though, from what I've heard of him Dreamer does sound like a guy who would have a lot to contribute in other capacities. Hopefully he'll get a chance - someone who has been around as much as Dreamer undoubtedly would have to have something beneficial to say.
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I've only got one thing to say about Dreamer announcing his retirement: Thank you Tommy Laughlin. Thanks for the Raven-Dreamer fued, for the Sandman-Dreamer fued, and thanks for driving me to my dream of being a pro wrestler.
When I leave this world, I want to go the same way I came in, naked, covered in goo, and screaming in fear! LAter God bless Mercer
Although I'll be selfish and say that I really wish he wouldn't hang up the tights just yet, I do wish him the best. The man has given so much of himself from his first day in ECW to the company's last gasp and I'll be forever grateful for that. At least he'll be able to enjoy fatherhood in relatively good health.
Originally posted by BigVitoMarkCan't say I'm surprised at all. If memory serves, wasn't he in quasi-retirement due to injuries when he showed up as part of the Alliance?
Before he signed with the WWE, he was doing occasional indy dates, and honestly looked better than he had in years. WWE didn't actually want Tommy Dreamer, the wrestler. They wanted Tom Laughlin, the guy who helped run ECW. They wanted him to be a road agent and do promotions. Tommy wanted to wrestle until he couldn't.
I'll miss his occasional ring appearances, but now he should have more time for his new kids.
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To me, it's actually kinda nice to see. He's won a world title, earned the respect of many wrestling fans, and is able to retire without having to worry, years down the line, about the possibility of not being able to play with his kids.
So, thank you Tommy Dreamer, and I hope you do well in your new position.
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A question about Dreamer, how exactly did he get his "Innovator of Violence" nickname? Was it just because of how crazy he got in hardcore matches, or was it because of an ability to come up with new moves, or what?
In any case, a guy with a nickname like that is a good guy to have backstage helping newbies out with their matches. Crappy offense is the number one problem with most WWE rookies right now.
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Should he not get a road agent position (they are getting to the point where road agents might outnumber wrestlers soon), is the over/under 3 months before the Tommy Dreamer Comes Out of Retirement Tour debuts in the indys/TNA? Unless someone is dead or crippled, they generally don't stay retired until they hit Social Security.
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Originally posted by samoflangeA question about Dreamer, how exactly did he get his "Innovator of Violence" nickname? Was it just because of how crazy he got in hardcore matches, or was it because of an ability to come up with new moves, or what?
In any case, a guy with a nickname like that is a good guy to have backstage helping newbies out with their matches. Crappy offense is the number one problem with most WWE rookies right now.
I agree. The WWE needs more guys backstage who have cool nicknames. That's bound to lead to better matches!
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Well, Sean Shannon finally got his wish. Tommy was great and hopefully he will stay around. He is a great booker and I do'nt know if he's part of Raw actually being decent, but even if He isn't, He has my respect (Sean Shannon never did, that whining biznitch!)
This is quite sad. With this "ECW"-esque resurgance on Smackdown, Dreamer would have fit in quite well with the Dudleys' new attitude...even if he kept a relatively small roll as the hired muscle or something like that.
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All Hail the true INNOVATOR OF VIOLENCE TOMMY DREAMER, the true extreme king of hardcore :). I wish Tommy Dreamer would be named the GM of Smackdown! Bring him in to manage a tag team against Paul Heyman and the Dudley's maybe, have Sabu sign with WWE Smackdown and have Tommy Dreamer manage them.
Faust, you are so right on, dude. Well said. It's almost like he's mocking himself and his beliefs, which are supposed to be so "deep and private". What an idiot. But YOU, Faust, are my idol.