The beer drinking, cigarette smoking badass from Philadelphia was the embodiment of extreme. Utilizing a Singapore cane, his weapon of choice, The Sandman carved a name for himself in the early days of ECW in feuds with both Tommy Cairo and Tommy Dreamer. Accompanied to the ring by valet Woman, it was incredibly easy to despise the character at first. After all, he assaulted his estranged wife Peaches with the aforementioned cane, not to mention some of the most popular stars in the promotion. It was Woman that assisted him in a grand double-cross of Shane Douglas, leading to the competitor's second heavyweight championship. Successful title defense against the likes of Cactus Jack, Terry Funk and the former champion helped intensify Sandman's status as one of the top stars in the thriving independent promotion. The only five-time ECW World Heavyweight champion in the history of the company, it is no wonder that the Philadelphia native is remembered fondly as one of the most beloved and enduring stars Paul Heyman ever produced.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
