In any wrestling company, you want a standard-bearer. This isn’t always the ace or icon but someone who has grown with the company and has seen or been at the top. The standard-bearer is the heart of the company. They usually end up becoming legends. WWE had The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show. WCW’s standard bearers were Arn and DDP. New Japan had Shinya Hashimoto. Basically, a gatekeeper who could easily be a main eventer. Tommy Dreamer was ECW’s standard-bearer.
The Innovator of Violence
Tommy Dreamer didn’t come to the dance with multiple ways to hurt an opponent if there was plunder around. His early gimmick was some sort of odd pretty boy gimmick. It’s weird because the ECW fans were not having it. A savage? Cool. A mad flying sheik? No problem. A surfer dude? Fine.
However, the ECW Arena just wasn’t with this guy with a generic gimmick and basic but light green gear. He was booed until he showed how hardcore he was. Wrestling crowds have always been odd regardless of the decade.
Dreamer existed between The Sandman’s basement level ring skills and the likes of Taz and 2 Cold Scorpio. Shane Douglas kept him company in the middle ground. Like Douglas, he was able to do quite a bit with his skills and that made him a better wrestler.
Add in that he took to the extreme style and attitude of the company quickly and even embraced it and you had the makings of one of ECW’s endearing stars.
Tommy Dreamer: The Standard Bearer of ECW
Of all the stars who came through ECW’s doors, the one who stayed until the ship sunk was Tommy Dreamer. Even Mikey Whipwreck bounced for a hot second and headed to WCW. In the time that everyone was coming and going, he held things down and did his role as standard-bearer perfectly.
Internal threats? Tommy Dreamer fought them. Invaders? Dreamer fought them. “Here’s the ECW title for your dedication and loyalty, Tommy. Oh, you have to lose it in a little bit. Like later tonight. I wouldn’t even bother putting it around my waist” and Dreamer stayed. Balls and RVD stayed with the company until the end as well but they came in later than Dreamer by years.
After ECW closed, Dreamer and several other alumni continued to represent the company. However, Tommy Dreamer was one of a few who were true blue ECW. He was there before Eastern became Extreme until the last show. ECW has guys who are remembered more fondly who weren’t as loyal as the “Innovator of Violence.”
Several names come to mind when someone brings up Extreme Championship Wrestling. However, when the question of who was the heart and soul of ECW comes up the only correct answer is Tommy Dreamer.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
