WWE Legend Defends Tommy Dreamer: “These Guys Are Very Rare”

Tommy Dreamer recently quit TNA after representing the promotion for over a decade across multiple stints.

In 2019, he began working as a member of the creative team while also making sporadic in-ring appearances. Between September 2023 and January 2024, he held the TNA Digital Media Championship.

Dreamer became an ECW Original while competing for Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1993 until it closed shop in 2001.

There, he became a one-time World Heavyweight Champion by beating Tazz at Cyberslam 2000, only to lose it minutes later to Justin Credible.

Tommy Dreamer signed with WWF/WWE in 2001 as part of the Invasion angle, representing the ECW Alliance. He has also competed in other wrestling promotions, including All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Major League Wrestling (MLW).

During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the 55-year-old shocked fans by announcing that he had parted ways with TNA.

WWE Hall Of Famer Defends Tommy Dreamer Amid Criticism

Tommy Dreamer’s commitment and loyalty to the wrestling business are unquestionable.

There is a reason why he is an ECW Original and earned the moniker of the “Heart & Soul” of Extreme Championship Wrestling.

Dreamer’s vision of the wrestling business carved him a path to TNA, where he had multiple stints. But despite his legendary reputation, some talents took issue with the way he operated.

Since his departure from the Nashville promotion, multiple names have come forward to express their grievances.

Among them is an independent wrestling referee named Dan Perch, who, in a series of tweets, claimed that Dreamer tried to blacklist him from the industry. TNA Hall of Famer Mickie James responded to Perch’s accusations with skepticism, while Missy Hyatt shared her thoughts while defending him.

Female wrestlers Kennedi Copeland and Dani Jordyn also accused Tommy Dreamer of altering cane spots to “spanking” and “crotch grab” spots. Jordyn said that she was not part of the discussion and that the spot made her feel uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Carli Bravo echoed strongly with Dan Perch, revealing that Dreamer told him he would never get a job in wrestling.

Amid the criticism, Tommy Dreamer has received support from WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield.

While speaking on Something To Wrestle with Conrad Thompson, JBL brushed off criticisms directed at Dreamer, claiming that the veteran showed respect to talent backstage.

Yeah, Tommy’s a good dude. I mean, everybody who has ever worked with Tommy, I don’t know anybody who has anything bad to say about Tommy. Tommy’s a good human being. He’s just a good dude. He sticks up for people. He’s a ballsy guy. He’s got a backbone. He’s willing to stand up for what he believes is right, which I admire greatly.

JBL also confessed that he got involved with TNA because of Dreamer.

Reason I went to TNA was because of Tommy. You know, Tommy—I reached out to Tommy, Tommy reached me, whatever happened—and worked with him. I like Tommy. I like his booking style, like everything about it. You know, Conrad, booking in wrestling is hard.

The former WWE Champion also looked back on Dreamer’s time working under Paul Heyman, which he compared to Road Dogg’s association to Vince McMahon.

You look at Tommy Dreamer and who he worked under. He worked under Paul Heyman closely, one of the best minds in the business. Heyman worked under others. It’s all passed down.

Look at Road Dogg. He’s one of the few guys who worked hand in hand with Vince McMahon. These guys are very rare. [H/T: Ringside News]