Tommy Dreamer Talks Hardcore Justice, Bashing WWE & More
Tommy Dreamer talked to SLAM Wrestling about Sunday's Hardcore Justice PPV. Here are some excerpts:
Reason for Sunday's PPV: "This is about a celebration, a celebration of the past and a celebration of life. I hope it gives a lot of guys more life out there wrestling, where it shows their faces again. And again, it's just my way of saying thank you to everyone who supported us forever."
On how the PPV came together: "It's been in the works for me for a long time, and I was just given the opportunity by TNA and Dixie [Carter] — which I am forever thankful for. Yes, it did come together rapidly. But if you think about how we used to do it back in the day, well, I wouldn't have it any other way, really."
On getting the gang back together: "After I left WWE, I was kind of working on the independents and just listening to what the people said to me, talking about myself and what a lot of the guys did for the business, having the chance to basically say goodbye, getting everyone back together. I equate it to your favourite rock band getting back together for one last show, no politics, no nothing."
Similarities between TNA and ECW: "The Impact Zone has a great, great feel to it. I said that when I spoke in my promo. I was there, sitting in the crowd, basically observing," he said. "The energy in that building, at times, I don't think comes across on television. You have to experience it live to truly get what it is. That's how it was in the original ECW. I look at it, and there's a lot of similarities in how I saw it. It kind of reminds me of what I used to do."
Friends doing well: "I loved it when Rey Mysterio won the title in WWE because he was always dubbed the little guy who couldn't do it. Same went for Eddie Guerrero, where they all cut their teeth in the original ECW. Now Rob Van Dam, who held both titles in WWE, now is the TNA champion," he said. "Those are kinds where the little engine that could did it, and how could you not get behind it? Rob Van Dam is still one of the most amazing athletes to this day. He's deceptively large, and still does things that guys his size should not be able to do. He always delivers."
On what he wants from the show: "To me that proved that the fans still wanted to see me. This isn't about bashing WWE. This is a business. It worked out for them with the whole Nexus angle, and I'm happy those guys are getting that opportunity to go out there and showcase their skills on a national level. Even now, the last TNA Impact was the highest-rated Impact since we moved back to Thursday nights. To me, I'm so happy that people still want to see me. For TV executives, ratings mean a lot, and if I can still contribute, and still go in the ring, that's what I want people to do. I do have pride, and I don't want to be a shell of myself. I feel I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I'm 39 years old and am going to continue doing this for as long as I can."
You can check out the full interview by clicking here.
Source: Slam Wrestling