Legendary professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer sent a clear message to fans ahead of his return to the Awesome Championship Wrestling (ACW) ring. He will compete against Josh Shernoff in a lumberjack match, featuring tag teams The Now and Sent 2 Slaughter. These wrestlers share a long and storied history. In January, Shernoff pinned Dreamer during a six-man tag team match at the Poughkeepsie Rumble. Following this, Shernoff issued a challenge to Dreamer for a match at ACW’s Indypendence Day, scheduled for Saturday.
The rivalry between these groups has intensified. Dreamer suggested that fans attending the event at the MJN Center in Poughkeepsie, New York might witness unprecedented levels of violence.
“People try to make a name for themselves in this industry,” Dreamer explained in an interview. “I didn’t initially take Shernoff seriously. It’s embarrassing to lose control in a match unexpectedly. He’s been running his mouth, capitalizing on my absence from recent ACW shows.”
Dreamer expressed remorse for fans unfamiliar with the old-school professional wrestling style, noting, “I’m going to do what made me famous, especially in that building. I apologize to those who might find the violence unsettling.”
During a previous steel cage match at Reckoning, Shawn Donovan and Danny Maff inflicted severe harm on Vik Dalishus, who was left hospitalized. Dalishus’s wife intervened in an attempt to stop the brutality. Dreamer commented on the extreme lengths to which these wrestlers have gone, referring to actions that stretch beyond typical wrestling bounds.
“I wasn’t at that show, yet they’ve done terrible things to my friends,” Dreamer said. “As wrestlers, we fear nothing, but we often forget our responsibility to others. Witnessing Vic get injured in front of his family was difficult. Past generations have shared similar pain, recalling their fathers getting hurt.”
Dreamer reflected on his long career in wrestling, sharing how much he values participating in the matches at the MJN Center. He reminisced about legendary moments witnessed in that venue throughout his career, including performances alongside famed wrestlers like Cowboy Bob Orton and Randy Orton.
“I’ve been wrestling for 37 years,” Dreamer said. “I’m grateful for the career I’ve had. Performing at the MJN Center is an honor. Wrestling is deeply embedded in the culture here.”
Dreamer noted that post-COVID, wrestling fans have rallied around ACW, supporting local events as part of an enduring community tradition. With affordable pricing, these events provide a captivating experience for all attendees.
ACW’s Indypendence Day event will take place Saturday night, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.