Its hard to believe now, but The Sandman originally appeared in ECW as a surf dude character called Mr Sandman. However, behind the scenes, he was anything but a surf dude. He was a hard drinking, chain smoking grizzled character and ECW owner Tod Gordon suggested that he channel this. After all, most successful wrestling characters are an extension of the persons real character, but with the volume turned up. So The Sandman started coming to the ring smoking cigarettes and drinking beer. Ditching his old manager, Peaches (his real life wife), he took Woman (the late Nancy Benoit) as his new manager, who encouraged his smoking and drinking. In 1994, an American teenager called Michael Fay made worldwide headlines when he was sentenced to be caned for theft and vandalism in Singapore. Booker Paul Heyman, always with his finger on the pulse of popular culture, gave Sandman a kendo stick, renamed it a Singapore Cane, and added it to The Sandmans entrance. At this time, Sandman was feuding with a local wrestler called Tommy Cairo, which then developed into a feud with then-rookie Tommy Dreamer. At the end of 1994, the two had an I Quit match where Sandmans lit cigarette was accidentally pushed into his eye. He was rushed out of the building, and fans were told that he had been blinded and would have to retire from wrestling. A distraught Dreamer dedicated the rest of his career to Sandman. Cairo made fun of Sandmans accident, leading to Dreamer giving Cairo a vicious beating to teach him a lesson. At Sandmans retirement ceremony, Sandman attempted to reconcile with Peaches, but Woman caned her and threatened Sandman. Dreamer came to the rescue. At this point, Sandman peeled off the protective bandaging around his eyes and attacked Dreamer. It had all been a ruse to get Dreamer to attack Cairo without getting Sandmans own hands dirty. This was a creative angle executed brilliantly. It was sold by all involved as entirely legitimate and genuinely fooled people. It elevated Sandman, and Dreamer for that matter, to main event status in the ever growing ECW promotion, and, to this day, they are two of the first names that people associate with the glory days of ECW.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
