– Former WWE Superstar Tommy Dreamer is preparing to debut his House of Hardcore promotion on October 6th from Poughkeepsie, New York. Dreamer’s latest column on TheWhig.com looks at why he is starting the promotion. Here is an excerpt:
“I am going to try to create new moments for wrestling fans beginning Oct. 6.
Running my own promotion is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid. It isn’t an easy task and it is a huge financial undertaking.
I also love learning the different aspects of promoting a show; how the building does it; putting flyers on cars; hanging posters on poles or in storefronts.
I have quickly learned, just as The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase says; “Everthing has its price.” I want this event to be exactly that — an event.
I don’t want it to be just another wrestling show. I want this to be my WrestleMania. I want this to be special for the fans. I have done everything in my power to make it fan friendly.
I’m having so many different wrestlers on the card, all of whom can contribute in their own ways to the show. I’m offering various meet and greets with the talent, so the fans can feel special.
As the show nears, I’m beginning to have some sleepless nights, being jolted from my sleep due to various nightmares about the show.
I am dreading my credit card bill statement because I have had to lay out so much money up front. As the promoter, I have to meet payroll and arrange hotel and air travel and transportation to and from the show for the talent. I have to supply insurance for the event. I have to pay the New York State Athletic Commission. I have to pay a doctor. I have to buy T-shirts, seat cushions, wrist bands, pictures for the fans to sign, markers for the talent, pay advertising on TV and radio and anything else that comes up.
I hope the show is a financial success because if it is, I will do others.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon once took a chance. He staked his company on the success of the inaugural WrestleMania. If the event hadn’t have proved to be the success it was, the WWE would have gone under then and there.
As a wrestling fan, I’m happy Vince’s gamble paid off. The pro wrestling landscape as we know it would be so much different.
The best part about launching my own promotion is I get to see the hard work of myself and others come to fruition. I already know I have fans coming from Japan, Canada, Scotland and England. To me, that is a great honour and I have to step up my performance.
Stuff like that motivates me to do better. This event has been a lifetime in the making for me. I have my own hopes and dreams riding on it. I hate the saying you can’t fight city hall. Instead of just sitting on the sidelines and taking a paycheck or just venting my frustrations about the current wrestling product, I am giving it my all to try and offer something different to the wrestling fan. My life’s work and my reputation are at stake on Oct. 6. I hope all turns out the way I envision it will.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you at House of Hardcore.”
