Now that's Cool

​“The Innovator of Violence” entered the Mid-Hudson Civic Center on October 6th, proudly carrying his FWE heavyweight championship.  Many superstars, from Little Guido to Scott Steiner to Edge, approached Tommy Dreamer and congratulated him on successfully defending his title against “The War Machine” Rhino the night before at FWE’s “Back 2 Brooklyn” event.  There was, however, one former friend and foe that was not in a congratulatory mood.  He walked right up to Tommy Dreamer without even batting an eyelash and the room instantly went quiet.  

Everybody could see the intensity in both men’s eyes as he stepped a few inches away from Dreamer. ​“I hear you’re facing Mike Knox in the main event tonight?”  Carlito Colon said to Tommy Dreamer.  Dreamer stared directly into Carlito’s eyes without saying a word.  He immediately sensed where Carlito was taking this.  “How about tonight, like we did at Dysfunctional Family, we make this a 3-way dance?”  Tommy Dreamer, as everyone knows, NEVER backs down from a challenge.  This rightfully earned Tommy Dreamer the respect from the fans and all his peers over the years, but this certainly has a history of backfiring on Tommy Dreamer.  

Tommy and Carlito appeared ready to start the match right there in the locker room and had to be pulled and held back by Edge, the Steiner Brothers, the FBI and security.  “You’re not going to start backing down from challenges now, are you Tommy?”  Carlito continued to taunt the FWE champion.  Tommy quickly nodded and said some shuffling would have to happen that night.  Carlito was initially scheduled to open the show and take on Daivari and Crowbar in a three-way dance, but Tommy then said to Carlito “You got your wish… you’re in our match tonight.” ​Carlito, however, was not finished.  “How about you put that strap on the line tonight too?”  A hush instantly spread through the room.  Could the FWE championship be defended in an HOH ring?  “You want this belt?  Come take it…”  

Tommy immediately approached FWE CEO Jordan Schneider and requested permission to defend the belt in the three-way dance against Carlito Colon and Mike Knox in the HOH ring that very night.  A shocked Jordan Schneider looked over at his FWE team, speechless.  His matchmaking team instantly nodded their heads in approval, and Jordan looked back at Tommy and responded “It’s your world title…  If that’s what you want to do, by all means, defend it tonight.”  Contracts were signed, trash talk ensued, and the thousands of people watching had no idea that they were about see a main event title match of epic proportions.

​After two straight nights of epic matches at both the FWE and HOH shows, the incredible weekend concluded with the main event.  Mike Knox walked to the ring amongst a shower of boos.  Carlito’s music hit and he walked to the ring with the famous apple in hand.  The crowd seemed very happy to see Carlito Colon in the main event.  But then the roof nearly came off the Civic Center arena when Tommy Dreamer’s famous “man in the box” song hit the air.  He walked to the ring proudly wearing his FWE Heavyweight Championship.

 The former ECW ring announcer, Stephen D’Angelis, made it 100% official when he introduced the two challengers and then finally the FWE Heavyweight Champion.  He then officially declared the main event an FWE Heavyweight Title match.  Over half of the people in attendance seemed unsure of what the FWE Heavyweight Championship was, but they were super excited that there was a title on the line.   Out of anger, Dreamer seemed to target Carlito first.  He had the upper hand and seemed to eliminate Carlito from the match after hitting him with his infamous Death Valley Driver… through a table.  

Carlito, somehow, displayed incredible resiliency and got back into the ring and was able to hit Dreamer with his famed “back cracker” finisher off the top rope while Tommy was attempting a super-plex on Mike Knox.  The match ended with Carlito pinning Dreamer to win the match and the FWE Heavyweight Championship.   ​As angry and disappointed as Tommy Dreamer was at losing the FWE title to Carlito Colon at the inaugural House of Hardcore show, the legendary “Innovator of Violence” once again showed another reason he’s respected by all.  

He remained a true sport and true champion by personally handing the belt over to Carlito and raising Carlito’s hand in front of the thousands watching intently.  Dreamer’s longtime nemesis Raven didn’t wait too long to hit the ring and begin attacking Dreamer.  Knox and Raven teamed up and did everything they could to maul the new and former FWE champions.  Another man from Dreamer’s past came to the rescue, as “Enter Sandman” suddenly blared over the stereo systems.  The crowd roared again as they spotted The Sandman walking towards the ring.  A 6-pack and 2 cigarettes later, The Sandman finally got in the ring and rescued his former friend and foe.   ​

Dreamer capped off the incredible weekend by doing what the fans wanted him to do most, and that was grab the microphone and address the thousands in attendance.  As the crowd shouted and roared “THANK YOU TOMMY!!!” the “Innovator of Violence” could not hold back his emotions any longer, and he was brought to tears.  He thanked the fans and said none of this would be possible without the loyalty and love of his fans.  

Dreamer also reminded everyone that they are truly a part of his family.  The emotional moment was capped off with the cheers of “ECW” transforming into a thunderous “HOH” chant.  With that, Tommy Dreamer promised an HOH 2.  Although Carlito went home with the Championship belt, Tommy also went home a winner, knowing that his first ever show was a huge success.  What does this mean for the future of both FWE and HOH?  This means the continuation of growth for both companies.  Currently, the sky appears to be the limit for both companies.