40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told
24. Raven & Tommy Dreamer Despise One Another (ECW, 1995-1997)
Remember a creaking argument that the original ECW was best-consumed in highlight package form or via weapons-heavy brawls? Yeah, about that. Raven and Tommy Dreamer proved that Paul Heyman, at heart, was a storyteller with a vision (not Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, Maxxine Dupri and Logan Paul).
From 1995 onwards, Raven claimed that Tommy had ridiculed him at a summer camp when they were kids. Stick with it, because that sophomoric story had more legs than those unfamiliar with ECW lore might think. Dreamer had been the popular, ultra-athletic jock, whereas Raven was an outcast who didn't fit in socially and grew to resent Tommy for it.
Splice in Beulah McGullicutty, the source of affection and simmering hatred between both boys-turned-men, and you had all the ingredients to make this an all-timer. For years, Dreamer and Raven fought like they were trying to kill one another, but they'd also develop an uneasy bond and become tag-team partners later on in ECW's shelf life too. That unexpected bit of twin character development kept everyone watching on their toes, and it was also 100% authentic Heyman twisting and weaving.
He found fun ways to keep people invested, and to explain the biggest story beats.
Things culminated at Wrestlepalooza 1997 when Tommy finally pinned Raven for the first time in a 'Loser Leaves ECW' match. Afterwards, a bitter Raven (who was leaving for WCW) watched Dreamer take a kicking from Sabu, Rob Van Dam and Jerry Lawler without stepping in to help. That genius decision kept things going even in his absence.