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Jeremy Hanna is a Newsweek contributor based mostly in Los Angeles. His focus is on skilled wrestling, sports activities, and leisure. Jeremy has been with Newsweek since 2024 from LA Sports activities Report. He’s a graduate of California Lutheran College. You may observe Jeremy on X (previously Twitter) @JeremyHanna753 and on Bluesky @jeremyhanna753.bsky.social. You may contact Jeremy through e mail at j.hanna@newsweek.com. Languages: English.
Contributing Sports activities Author
ECW is among the most beloved promotions in skilled wrestling historical past, bringing hardcore wrestling to the mainstream and introducing numerous iconic wrestlers, together with Rob Van Dam, Taz, Sabu, and lots of extra.
Sadly, this was not the case with the WWE model of ECW. Whereas it served as a terrific platform for some superstars, together with Bobby Lashley and CM Punk, it felt like a pale imitation of the unique product.
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This sentiment was felt by a number of ECW originals who joined the model, together with former ECW Champion {and professional} wrestling legend The Sandman.
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In a current look on “1 of a Variety With RVD,” The Sandman revealed that he completely hated his time with WWE, calling the whole expertise “soulsucking.”
“I hated it there,” Sandman mentioned, per Fightful. “I had no associates. It was soul sucking. I hated to get on a airplane. I hated to go there. I hated to be within the locker room. I could not wait to get out of the f—— constructing. I hated it a lot.”
“You know the way everybody goes on TV and so they need as a lot time as they will, they needed to inform me to cease going residence early. I used to be moving into there and giving them 5 minutes. Kevin Dunn sends it all the way down to [referee Mike] Chioda, ‘Don’t go residence early.’ I went residence early each single match. By no means took any time I used to be allotted.”
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his time in WWE, it is simple to see why Sandman did not have an urge to stay round.
After important eventing ECW: One Evening Stand alongside Tommy Dreamer and The Dudley Boyz in 2005, Sandman was left to extra middling matches and made transient appearances on ECW earlier than being drafted to Uncooked.
Whereas he nonetheless had memorable moments, it was nothing in comparison with his time with ECW correct within the 90s.
There, Sandman was beloved for his hardcore character that might enter via the group, chugging beer and holding a kendo stick, which he would use to nice impact.
Ultimately, Sandman could be a five-time ECW Champion and a beloved hardcore icon.
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For extra WWE {and professional} wrestling information, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
