Tommy Dreamer Suspended By Impact Wrestling
Following comments made on Dark Side of the Ring
Impact Wrestling has suspended Tommy Dreamer, following remarks he made during Thursday night's broadcast of Vice's Dark Side of the Ring.
In a statement obtained by John Pollock of Post Wrestling, Impact said, "We are aware of Mr. Laughlin’s (Tommy Dreamer) comments on “Dark Side of the Ring”. The views expressed by him in the interview are completely unacceptable. We can confirm Mr. Laughlin was suspended this morning with immediate effect, pending further action."
Fightful noted earlier on Friday that Dreamer would not be present at this weekend's spate of Impact tapings in Nashville. Staff was informed during a Friday production meeting that Dreamer (who works in creative, and as an occasional wrestler) would not be present.
The Dark Side episode focused on the notorious "Plane Ride From Hell" involving WWE's Raw brand roster in 2002, in which numerous parties behaved inappropriately on a return flight from the United Kingdom, resulting in several firings.
Dreamer (a Raw brand talent at the time of the flight) commented on accusations that Ric Flair acted inappropriately toward flight attendant Heidi Doyle, physically imposing himself on her, and forcing her to touch his genitals.
Dreamer disputed that version of events, saying in part, "Ric Flair’s not going to try to impose by force any sexual stuff onto anybody. He’s just flaunting, styling and profiling, doing the Ric Flair stuff where everybody’s going to laugh about it. But obviously, someone took offense to it."
Dreamer also questioned why Doyle chose to settle with WWE and Flair, instead of pursuing further action.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.