Tommy Dreamer: An Exclusive Interview

Do you think there is still a place for hardcore wrestling in this day and age with the knowledge we now have about concussions?DREAMER: Absolutely, 100%. Chair shots, yes they are a good reason for a few of my concussions, but there have also been chair shots that haven't even touched me. There is an art to swinging a chair, and you know what? You also get as much a reaction to swinging a chair to the head as you do to the back. Every time a wrestler bumps, their brain is coming to a quick stop, so if it was all about then you basically have to try and ban all wresting. Your brain is surrounded by water and if your brain hits your skull it's called a concussion. But every time a wrestler bumps we are trained to bump, get up and move forward. So your brain is coming ajar every time you bump. So I don't think hardcore wrestling has anything to do with it, that is just wrestling in general. TNT: Well, you know, if you are a good worker you can still tell your story and take some of the heavy blows in a way that is believable and still be convincing that it is a legitimate blow. I mean, unprotected chair shots are silly and the wrestling has evolved and become smarter because of it. And in my opinion, there's no shame in getting your hands up to look like you are reacting, ya know. Was there a moment TNT that sticks in your mind when you saw something on television and said, okay, that was bad? Yeah, I saw Sid Vicious jump off the rope and his shin broke, it was awful. I saw one time I think it was Sabu vs Benoit in ECW and they did a back body drop thing and I believe Sabu broke his neck....turns to Dreamer....when Benoit did that back body drop thing to Sabe did he really break his neck or was it a shoot? DREAMER: That wasn't a shoot, that was real. It was pretty heavy. Your opinions on the WWE Network?DREAMER: I think it's great. I think it really, really has helped wrestling. It has shined a new light for like myself, where a whole new generation gets to see what myself did in wrestling, as well as ECW and stuff like that. TNT: Well, the WWE Network has a lot of great content for fans. It will change the landscape of professional wrestling. I think for independents it might hurt them a little., Not saying it will, but there will be so much wrestling being offered so it might have a global affect on some of the independents because of oversaturation. But when I think of some of the older wrestling fans I think it may bring a revival. I mean, it is not just WWE, but Mid South and ECW and a bunch of other stuff. The strategy is tremendous as well. It will be good value for a lot of wrestling fans. Could we possibly see an Australian influence or even "an Invasion" within the WWE anytime soon?DREAMER: I think we already have. It's funny, a lot of people credit the English, the UK fans after Wrestlemania for hijacking RAW, or having like one of the more entertaining Monday Night RAW's. But every Wrestlemania I have ever been to and I have been to them all almost, I always meet just as many Australian fans as I do UK fans and they say "yeah, I'm going to the show too." I think the fans are a lot more vocal and they have a lot more fun because they appreciate it more because they don't get it as much live. And I would love to see a more of an Australian presence in wrestling also with the amount of wrestlers they produce. But the (Australian) fans are just as special, I usually see it the day after Wrestlemania or Smackdown as there are a lot of leftover fans who plan their vacation around it. It's really cool. TNT: I don't know about an invasion, but I think that wrestling here is evolving, like it is everywhere and there is some good talent in Australia. The standard of wrestling over the last ten years Down Under has increased tenfold. Tenille Dashwood from Melbourne (WWE Superstar Emma), she got into developmental and is now on television. There is another young guy not many people know about, Matty Bolton, he was in developmental for a little while. Matt Silva, who wrestles as Buddy Murphy, he is in developmental now and is giving it a go. But over here, locally you know, a lot of our guys are going to Japan. Mikey Nichols and Shane Haste, I myself have been to Japan quite a lot of times. Jonah Rock is another guy. These guys are getting out there and doing it. So maybe not an invasion as such but I think internationally we will be making our mark a lot more. But will we see Aussie Ozbone vs Tommy Dreamer, say, in your company the House of Hardcore anytime soon?TNT: Oh, no, no (laughter) DREAMER: Oh no, I mean, I once hosted Ozzfest when I worked for the WWE.... TNT: Oh no, not that Ozzy (laughter all round). Aussie Ozbone is the Crocodile Dundee wrestler I sometimes go as.

DREAMER: Really (laughter)? That's really cool. Any advice for Australian fans looking to become professional wrestlers?TNT: If they want to learn from me, come to the AWF school of Pro Wrestling. There are other schools in Australia that are doing it well now too. In each State there is probably at least one place you can learn that is pretty good. But you know, just really do your research, learn about the head trainers, where they learned and what they have done. And really know what you are getting yourself into, research it and when you get there, apply yourself. DREAMER: Follow your dreams, I know I did. I was a person who I don't think was supposed to make it, but due to my heart and my passion, my love for this business is kind of why I did. And if your dream is to be the best doctor in the world or the best lawyer, guess what, study. And in the country that you live in you can do that and you just have to go all out.

Special thanks to Tommy Dreamer, Greg Bownds and the Australasian Wrestling Federation for their kindness and Hospitality. To follow Tommy Dreamer on Twitter click here To follow him on Facebook click here. For more information on his wrestling promotion the House of Hardcore click here. For more information on the Australasian Wrestling Federation or the AWF School of Professional Wrestling visit their website, www.awfwrestling.com.au or follow them on Facebook by clicking here or follow them on Twitter by clicking here.