Source: Rob Leigh of The Daily Mirror (UK)
Recently, Tommy Dreamer sat down with Rob Leigh at the United Kingdom’s The Daily Mirror newspaper. In his interview, he commented on how he has promised to not participate in another ECW reunion show, never to wrestle Raven again, and he gives some thoughts about the head writer position at TNA Wrestling. You can read the article in full below:
TNA superstar Tommy Dreamer has closed the door on another return to hardcore nostalgia – but hasn’t ruled out working alongside Paul Heyman for his new employers.
Dreamer booked and produced TNA HardCORE Justice, set for UK broadcast tomorrow evening, and has now reached “closure” with his ECW past and feud with in-ring career rival with Raven.
He said: “There will never be a show like this again. I’m a man that believes in stipulations, so I’ll never wrestle Raven again.
“I will not do any sort of show like that again. This is all about closure.
“HardCORE Justice was the perfect send-off for all the guys involved. It’s been all about TNA – to create a positive buzz for the company, especially after they got behind giving the guys a proper farewell.”
“And my wife got to walk off with me into the sunset. Even though I lost the match, I still won the war against Raven.”
Observers have noted that Hulk Hogan’s promo putting over the original 1990s ECW as being as influential as himself in the 1980s during the build up to last week’s PPV could have been taken as insincere, but the Innovator of Violence doesn’t subscribe to that viewpoint.
“I was at WrestleMania 1, I was at WrestleMania 2… Believe me, having Hulk Hogan endorsing us meant a lot to me.
“Me and (Brother) Devon were like two little kids being in the ring with him. Once Hulk Hogan, the most recognisable face in wrestling ever, came out and basically bowed down to us, the little fan in me was like ‘Oh my God!’
“I have nothing but respect for The Hulkster. He may have a limp, he’s a little bit slower now, but he’s still in shape and he’s bled buckets for this business.
“He’s broken his hip. He’s broken his back. He did everything for this business and he keeps giving back to this business. That’s what it’s all about.
“That’s kinda like the role I want to keep going with. As long as I can still contribute, I will still keep giving back to this business.”
But when asked to reflect on recent praise from Chris Jericho that suggested “a guy like Tommy Dreamer involved behind the scenes might be [what TNA] needs”, Dreamer was diplomatic and modest.
“I will do whatever it takes to help continue the success of TNA.
“Any task handed to me, I will love to do it. I love being creative, I love being different. Here, you have a lot more creative freedom.”
Dreamer wouldn’t even be drawn on speculation that he is “inches” away from replacing Vince Russo as TNA Head Writer – although he didn’t make a categorical denial, either.
“I have no clue that I’m taking over the head writer’s position!”
“It’s great, but I also don’t know if I want that job. During the last few weeks putting HardCORE Justice together, my bald spot has got bigger.
“I just want to come in and help in any way possible. If that means writing, I would love to write some day.”
So might Dreamer continue cutting his teeth for a full-time backstage role alongside another rumoured contender for a job in creative, the architect of extreme Paul Heyman?
“Paul Heyman has a place in professional wrestling,” Tommy said.
“He has a great mind for this business. Whether he chooses to come to TNA, whether he chooses to go back to WWE, whether he just wants to hang out with Brock Lesnar – Paul has an amazing mind.
“When we used to work together, we were like Batman and Robin. I love to work with Paul.
“I wish he and Joey Styles could’ve been at HardCORE Justice – they would’ve been there in a perfect world.”
