At some point in his 20-plus year career, ECW, WWE and TNA veteran Tommy Dreamer may have evolved from being "The Innovator of Violence" to the "Innovator of Pandering." 2014 has seen Dreamer engage TNA owner Dixie Carter in a bizarre storyline (where Dixie and TNA management were heels) that involved him, Team 3D, the former Ezekiel Jackson and Snitsky, Al Snow and EC3. At intrigue in the story was a unique worked shoot that reeked of desperation wherein Team 3D's Bully Ray was booked for Dreamer's House of Hardcore independent promotion but "pulled at the last minute from appearing by Dixie Carter." Veteran wrestlers opening independent wrestling organizations is a wonderful concept for the future of the industry. Young wrestlers need promotions to work in where veteran talents are willing to set them under the proverbial learning tree and pass down industry secrets. What was once the province of the territory system now largely falls to once monthly independent shows like Dreamer's and yes, I get the idea that linking the show to a globally televised storyline could potentially increase the number of eyes on the promotion. However, that being said, Dreamer casting himself as a real-life underdog babyface for not other reason than to fill seats and get buys of an indy show just feels like the lowest level of pandering possible. If the larger goal of the company is to not re-create established main eventers, established main eventers placing the heat squarely on themselves doesn't actually trickle down the card, it just makes the already known stars look desperate for attention. Now say, had Dreamer pushed an indy performer wrestling in his company on TNA TV, that isn't pandering at all, that's what WWE would call "best for business."
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
