ECW legend has ‘no regrets’ ditching his ‘Innovator of Violence’ moniker

Former ECW, WWE and House of Hardcore legend Tommy Dreamer has ditched his infamous "Innovator of Violence" moniker, and has "no regrets" about it.

The legend of the ring, now 52 and fighting on Impact, was instrumental in the rise of the Paul Heyman-led ECW and went on to hold his own in a career spanning over three decades.

But in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, the former heart and soul of Extreme Championship Wrestling spoke of his decision to ditch the tag that had defined his in-ring career.

READ MORE: Impact legend claims he's put people through a table '3,217 times' ahead of title bout

Dreamer, who is facing off against fellow in-ring legend Bully Ray at the upcoming Impact PPV Rebellion on Fite.TV this weekend, had stern words for his competitor, and the violence they were championing back in the 1990s.

Dreamer, speaking to The Daily Star, said: "I don't think people understand the ramifications of straight up chair shots to the head. Back then we knew nothing of this thing called concussions.

"Thank God we realized the effect. Guess what? I've seen it. I've caused it. That whole 'Innovator of Violence' thing was the time when there was a lot of monikers and everyone had one. The Brahma Bull, The Rattlesnake. I came up with mine, it worked for me."

But Dreamer has outgrown the moniker that defined his early career, and had a bone to pick with long-serving colleague Bully Ray.

The 52-year-old added: "The word 'violence' has a negative connotation. I always choose to use my platforms for good as opposed to bad. And for a lot of times I said, 'Hey man, stop calling me the Innovator of Violence.' I don't want that anymore.'

• 

  Abducted Ukrainian kids 'treated like animals and lived with cockroaches and rats'

"Him [Bully Ray] saying during a match, 'your daughters are gonna see this' – because the moment something happens, yes, my daughters don't know that guy.

"They don't know the guy that would go bite a bloody head open, suck a human being's blood out of their head and spit it in the air for the pleasure of the fans.

"You don't know the noises of somebody screaming when you stick a cheese grater in their head or when you hit them with a chair shot so hard your hands would hurt. But then years later, you're seeing the effects."

Dreamer has since warned Bully of his roots in the ring, adding that he was nothing more than a "dancing, stuttering Dudley" until D-Von was paired with him, a Hall of Fame pairing Dreamer and Heyman take credit for.

The 14-time WWE Hardcore champion added that he had a "personally strained" relationship with Bully Ray, but that will not stop him from stepping in the ring with the ECW legend.

Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley were paired up in 1996, and almost 27 years on, Dreamer is set to take on one half of the infamous Dudley Boyz tag team.

Dreamer added: "When I go out there and perform and I go through that curtain, it's the best feeling in the world.

"I wish I could be Tommy Dreamer forever, and I know I can't be because I know I'm at the tail end of my career, but I've had a blessed career and I have very few regrets. This is the best job in the world."

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

READ NEXT:

• Commonwealth star Joe Hendry 'not bothered' by 'legacy' after 'crazy' Impact title win
• 'Speedball' Mike Bailey credits his 'discipline' despite 'extremely unusual' title loss
• WWE legend Santino Marella keen on 'lacing up the boots' after brutal injury setbacks
• Impact star 'breaking barriers' after 'magical' title win led to longest belt reign ever
• Impact Wrestling's Kaz challenging for belt that 'defined' career at Bound for Glory

Source: Read Full Article