Text By Neil Cathan

What if...Raven defeated Tommy Dreamer at Wrestlepalooa 1997?

Part II

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster - Fredrich Nietzsche

We return to our story on the 23^rd of August, 1999, the episode of Hardcore TV just before ECW on TNN starts. The show ends with footage from the August 22^nd house show in Gainsville, Georgia.

Justin Credible stands in the ring, microphone in hand. "ECW on TNN is just a week away, and Justin Credible was gonna take a shot at Taz's ECW Championship. But I got told that I'm not deserving of a shot right now. Obviously they forget that Justin Credible has already been champ-" He stops here, waiting for the mocking chants of "One Day Champ! One Day Champ!" to die down from the crowd. "Yeah, yeah, get it all out folks. You're just jealous. Anyway, as I was saying before you inbreds interrupted me, I've been told I need more wins over top guys, so here it is. The very first match on ECW on TNN will see me kick the ass of lifelong loser Tommy Dreamer, if that's what it takes to get me to the big belt. August 29^th, the world will see why I deserve to be ECW champion, and when I win that belt, I'm going to be too important to show up at little towns like this - it's nothing but live, national TV and Pay-Per-View for Justin Credible!"

August 29^th, 1999: ECW on TNN

Justin Credible comes to the ring to the usual catcalls, but the crowd aren't too receptive to Tommy Dreamer either. Joey Styles fills in on commentary to new ECW fans about Tommy, his time as the never say die hero of ECW, but how he's fallen from grace since his nemesis left, and has lost all sense of decency and compassion, while Tommy, wearing a leather jacket, long ringleted black hair over his face, heads to the ring to 'Echo' by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. "It's the same as the same sad echo around here" and Tommy is sitting in the corner of the ring, staring up at Justin Credible. The two engage in a bloody battle, introducing any new fans to the ECW trademark violent style with canes, chairs and tables coming heavily into play. Eventually, Tommy is able to put Justin Credible away with the Infector DDT, and earn a three count.

Towards the end of the show, ECW World Heavyweight Champion Taz makes his way to the ring with the belt and a microphone. "The office gave me a choice in who I'd fight on the first episode of ECW on TNN. Problem is, I can't think of anyone who's a challenge anymore. See, I beat everyone that's been put in front of me. So here it is, I'll take on any and all challengers come to the ring. Whole locker room want to file out now? I'll kick all their asses! So, who's the first victim?"

'Put down your things and rest awhile, you know we both know where to go'

Tom Petty's 'Echo' hits the speakers, and out comes Tommy, carrying all the effects of his battle earlier in the night. As he makes his way down to the ring, Justin Credible comes at him from behind with a singapore cane, smashing it across his head. Credible lays the boots to Tommy until Taz comes up the ramp and belly-to-belly suplexes him. Credible is tossed into the ring, where Taz follows him, hitting an exploder suplex, followed by a Tazmission to eliminate Justin Credible. While this is happening, Dreamer makes his way into the ring with a chair, and blasts Taz across the head. He works Taz over, but Taz eventually mounts a comeback, and, still battered from his earlier match, once Taz gets going, Dreamer is unable to stop him.

Taz is just finishing Dreamer off when the crowd erupts in noise as Raven rolls into the ring. Raven rolls Taz up from behind by surprise, and earns a three count! The crowd explodes. In the space of about a minute, one of their biggest stars has returned without warning, and claimed the title. Dreamer pulls himself to his knees, and stares in shock at Raven, while Taz looks furious. Raven wastes no time in fleeing back through the crowd with his new prize.

September 5^th, 1999: ECW on TNN

This week's episode starts with the new ECW champion Raven slumped in his corner of the ring, as though he never left, the ECW title across his chest, and a microphone in his hands. The crowd are a mix of those happy to see him back, and those frustrated at his sudden ending of Taz's great title run, but one thing all have in common: excitement. Raven lets the noise die down before he starts to speak.

"There comes a time in every man's life when he must make decisions that will forever shape his destiny. In WCW, the Raven was a bird in a cage. He was promised great things, but all that he saw were others caged in golden cages, and fat from feeding, not the malnourished imprisonment of the Raven. But Raven will be kept by no-one, and has come back, to where man can be master of his own fate. And on his return, he saw two imprisoned men. Taz, imprisoned by the pressure of championship, and the pressure of living up to their expectations, and Tommy Dreamer, forever haunted by the ghost of me, and I freed them both last week. I can carry this gold, Taz. You needn't take the strain. And Tommy, there's no need to see my face in every reflection: your shadow has come home! I don't suppose either of you will be grateful now, but I can accept this. Those who do great things are rarely recognised for it during their time.  Quoth the Raven, nevermore." As Raven makes to leave, Taz comes charging down the ramp, and the two engage in a brawl which Taz gets the better of, Exploder Suplexing him off the ramp. Taz poses with the ECW Title, before dropping it onto Raven's prone form "Keep hold of that for me until I come back for it at Anarchy Rulz, punk."

Another scene tonight sees Tommy Dreamer sat alone on a bench in the locker room, bottle of whiskey hanging limply from his right hand. The mirror across from him is shattered, and shows at least a dozen despondent Dreamers staring back at him. He takes a swig from the bottle, and mutters "Jesus. He's really back." before the scene fades to black.

After a match with Steve Corino too short to really call a match, Taz heads up the ramp, having taken out his frustrations on the 'King of Old School', Mike Awesome catches him by surprise, running in from backstage as Taz nears the entrance to backstage. He running chair shots Taz from the side, dropping the former champion. With Taz lying on his side, Awesome gives him another two shots to the head, before scooping him up and delivering a running Awesome-Bomb off the side of the ramp. He stops briefly to soak in the hatred of the fans, and heads backstage, looking very pleased with himself.

September 12^th, 1999: ECW On TNN

Taz marches angrily to the ring to start ECW on TNN, microphone clutched in his fearsome right hand.

"Last week, I got jumped out of nowhere by Mike Awesome. Week before that, my title got stolen by Raven. I am getting real sick of all the cowards in this promotion! Now, it ain't exactly no secret that I ain't long for this company, so I was wondering if someone could make a dream come true while I still got time for it: Could someone in this company actually have the balls to come at me head on?"

"Awesome Bomb" hits the speakers, and out comes Mike Awesome. He strides powerfully to the ring, and stands toe to toe with Taz, staring down at the former champion. Taz unsurprisingly looks unintimidated.

"So Mike, what the hell? I run your dog over recently or what?"

"Taz, I was set to go one-on-one with you, take that gold around your waist at Anarchy Rulz. But you came out and invited the unexpected to happen to you when you had gold around your waist, and big surprise, your stupidity cost you the title. Which means it cost me the title, little man. I don't let that go easy."

"Raven's the one with the belt. Go take out your insolence on him why don't you?"

"He's strapped gold around his waist. Sure, that means he's painted a bullseye on his chest. But I reckon it's a bullseye you're aiming at. Want to make it clear - I go first, or you go to hospital."

"Tell you what, big guy. Tonight, you and me, we go head to head -"

"Reckon you need a ladder then."

"You're not the first to underestimate me on account of size. You won't be the first goes home in a bodybag for it, either. No, you ain't special, you just like to think you are. Tonight, I'm going to put you in your place. You somehow come out ahead, you go at Raven at Anarchy Rulz next week for the title. If not, he's mine. Deal?"

Taz extends his hand. Awesome takes hold of it.

"Deal."

Awesome kicks Taz in the gut and pulls him in for an awesome bomb. When he lifts Taz up, however, Taz drops out behind him, clutching onto his neck for a tazmission. Awesome runs desperately backwards, dropping Taz over the top rope to the outside. Taz gets quickly to his feet, and backs slowly off from his huge opponent later tonight, neither of them letting the other out of sight.

Later on in the show, we see Raven in a darkened room, the ECW World Heavyweight title slung over his shoulder.

"Pride. Greed. Wrath. We are brought up to believe these are deadly sins, sins that drive men to the gates of hell. And yet, they are the most human of emotions. Look at ECW. The pride of Taz drove him to issue the open challenge that dethroned him. When Tommy Dreamer lost his pride, he lost his identity, and is nothing but a shadow now, a shadow of my former self. The greed of men like Taz and Mike Awesome drives them to destroy each other tonight in order to get a shot at my title. The wrath of Mike Awesome at being denied his chance drove him to attack Taz. These are sins, but they are also what drives men ever on in life. Without these sins, we are nothing. And this gold that drives men to fight me makes one thing clear - I am the greatest sinner in all of ECW. Quoth the Raven, Quoth the king of sinners, Quoth the man, Quoth the champion, Quoth them all, nevermore."

The main event rolls around. Awesome starts off with huge overhead punshes to Taz, smashing him back before delivering  a running big boot. Awesome pulls Taz up and throws him into the corner, charging in there after him. Taz dodges out of the way, and steps behind Awesome for a german suplex. Awesome has barely reached his feet before he takes a swinging neckbreaker. Taz goes outside, gets a chair, and goes back inside. He smashes Awesome with a shot, but it merely staggers the huge man. Awesome dodges a second shot, and wrestles the chair away from Taz. He blasts Taz across the head, toppling him over the top rope. Awesome follows him with a dive between the second and third ropes once Taz gets to his feet. Both men lay stunned for a while, before Awesome gets up, and removes one of the guardrails between the ringside and the fans. Security rushes to keep the fans from spilling over to ringside. Awesome sets the railing up between the apron and another guardrail. He hoists Taz up, and gives him an Awesome Bomb onto the railing, prompting a huge "E-C-Dub" chant. Taz is thrown back into the ring, then carefully positioned by Awesome, before Awesome climbs the top rope to deliver a frog splash. Taz somehow kicks out at two, shocking Awesome. Awesome goes outside, grabs a table, slides it into the ring. He enters the ring himself, and sets the table up. He lifts Taz onto the top turnbuckle, facing away from the table. He ascends the turnbuckle himself, and gets himself into position to Awesome Bomb Taz from there. Taz low blows Awesome, however, then steps down to the second turnbuckle. He hooks the doubled over Awesome's head, and his left leg, and gives him a release fisherman's superplex through the table, popping the crowd huge. Taz has taken such a beating at this point that by the time he's covered Awesome, Awesome has recovered enough to kick at two. Taz rolls slowly and painfully outside, and fetches a chair. He heads back in, only to find that Awesome has reached his own feet, and has his own chair. They swing simultaneously, their chairs crashing against each other. Both men stagger a little, their arms jarring from the impact. Awesome swings at Taz's head, but Taz ducks, and steps under Awesome's arm. Awesome turns around, and is hit in the gut with Taz's chair. Taz drops the chair, and DDTs the doubled over Awesome onto the chair. Taz then climbs atop Awesome's back, and locks on the Tazmission. Awesome's arm drops once, twice, thrice, this one's over. Taz is now set to face Raven on September 19^th, at Anarchy Rulz, to regain his stolen prize. Taz looks tired and battered, but determined to take that gold from Raven.

September 19^th, 1999: ECW Anarchy Rulz

Taz goes right after Raven from the start, pursuing his title with suplexes and strikes. Raven rolls outside to escape, but Taz follows him out, and whips him into the guardrail. Taz charges after for a clothesline, but Raven steps forward, grabs him by the head, and smashes his head into the ringpost, using his own momentum against him. Raven wraps an arm around Taz's neck and russian leg sweeps him into the guardrail. Both men are dazed by the move, and struggle to get up. When they do, they immediately start to trade punches, and the fight quickly goes into the crowd. They brawl through the crowd, before returning to the ring, both tired and battered. Once in the ring, Taz continues to utilise suplexes to demolish Raven, but the tide turns when he goes for the Tazmission on a standing Raven, only for Raven to swing his leg backwards to kick Taz low. Raven then turns him around and scores an Evenflow DDT. While this only gets two, it turns things back in Raven's favour. Raven controls Taz with boots and basic submissions, then succesfully hits a drop-toe-hold into a seated chair. He covers for two, then pulls Taz up for a piledriver. Taz backdrops Raven out of it, and limps to the ropes to recover. Raven reaches his feet, and Taz charges in for a clothesline. Raven goes running for one of his own, and the two collide, both going down.

“Put down your things and rest awhile, you know we've both nowhere to go”

Tom Petty's 'Echo' hits the speakers, and sure enough, out comes Tommy Dreamer, brandishing a chair. He heads to the ring with a determined look on his face as both men slowly regain their feet and stare at Dreamer. He slides under the bottom rope, and raises his chair to strike Raven, only to turn at the last second and deliver the blow to Taz. Taz drops to the ground, and Dreamer drops his chair to the ground. Him and Raven both pull Taz up by the head, and deliver a double DDT onto the chair. Raven rolls onto Taz, and the cover gets three. Raven stands again, and is given his title. Clutching onto it in his right hand, he uses his left to grab the back of Dreamer's head, and pull it towards him, kissing the forehead. He laughs victoriously as he lets Dreamer go, and they both make the crucifixion pose with their arms as the crowd voice their anger, and Anarchy Rulz goes off the air.

September 26^th, 1999: ECW On TNN

ECW on TNN this week starts with Raven and Dreamer heading to the ring to a chorus of jeers, before slumping in a corner together. Raven raises a microphone, holding it in one arm, while the other arm lies protectively around Dreamer's shoulders.

"Identity is one of life's cruelest paradoxes. Through our identity, we define what makes us different, what makes us individuals. Yet in order to define our identity, we must turn to others, against whom we contrast ourselves, or with whom we compare ourselves. We must turn to our relationships with others. In short, man is dependant on others in order to become self-dependant. In order to be the hero you sheep once loved, Dreamer had to contrast himself against me, and our selves became complexly tied in each other. When I left, I carelessly tore the knot that bound us, leaving Dreamer to bleed inwardly, a bleeding that has continued for over a year. A bleeding that can now begin to heal, for I am returned. And now, the Dreamer can awaken, can know that his identity is once more defined by the Raven, that the knot that bound them once, binds ever tighter now, for we are together in goal. Now there is no pain, no confusion, there is only Raven, and there is only Dreamer, and there is only total domination of ECW ahead."

The main event of the night sees Dreamer and Raven go up against Taz and Mike Awesome. While Dreamer and Raven display a level of teamwork that seems like they're reading each other's minds, Taz and Awesome fail to get on the same page, and eventually are toppled by the extremely unlikely duo. Joey Styles mentions on commentary that next week's main event is to see Dreamer and Raven team against Rob Van Dam and Sabu.

October 3^rd, 1999: ECW On TNN

Raven and Dreamer are backstage. Raven looks at Dreamer with interest.

"How are you feeling about tonight's match?"

"I feel good. I can't wait to get my hands on him."

"I know. I know from feeling what you're feeling now, once before. It seems a long time ago. It's funny, isn't it? How men, no matter their differences, will almost all feel fire and vengeance at this?"

"Do you still-"

"No. No, I'm long past that. But I still remember, and sometimes, that's enough."

The main event rolls around. Van Dam and Sabu both look focussed on Raven's title. Raven, and Dreamer even more so look focussed on the manager and girlfriend of Rob Van Dam - Beulah McGillicutty, who unintentionally draws Dreamer's attention several times during the match. Van Dam and Sabu's speed and intensity gives them the advantage at the start, but both take too big risks during the match, and do some serious damage to themselves at various points. Raven and Dreamer are able to turn things around by capitalising on these opportunities when they come around, leading to a fairly even match. Once Dreamer has Van Dam downed, he goes outside, and slowly closes in on Beulah. She backs off a little, but is eventually stuck in a corner of the barrier. Dreamer places one hand forcefully on the back of her head, and stares into her eyes. Beulah brings a knee into his groin, and backs off. Van Dam manages to get his act together, and sentons onto Dreamer as Dreamer follows after Beulah again. Dreamer is then tossed into the ring, and subjected to a vicious beating from Van Dam. Sabu and Raven are busy brawling outside the ring when Van Dam scales the top rope and delivers his Five Star Frog Splash for the three count. He takes Beulah by the arm, and leads her to the back, leaving Dreamer beaten and alone in the ring.

October 10^th, 1999: ECW On TNN

Tonight, the news is broken by Joey Styles that next week's main event will see Rob Van Dam challenge Raven for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. At the start of the show, we see Van Dam practising his kicks with Beulah close by, and watching. She makes to leave quietly, but he stops the workout for a moment.

"You going?"

"Got something I need to take care of."

"Alright. See you out there, I guess."

"Yeah."

Tommy Dreamer sits alone, staring at the floor. A knock comes at the door, and he mumbles that they should come in. And so Beulah does. He rises to meet her and starts to come closer, but she puts an arm out in front of her.

"Close enough Tommy. Not really comfortable after last week."

"What are you here for then, if I'm making you uncomfortable?"

"It's about tonight."

Tommy laughs bitterly, turns his head and spits before turning back to Beulah.

"Of course it is. Here to try and turn me against Raven, huh? Get the gold on your man? I never could get it on myself, could I Beulah? That why he's a better choice than me?"

Beulah becomes angry herself.

"Yeah, okay, you know what, this is about Raven, and you fighting him again. What's with you sitting under his arm like that? He used to be your enemy."

"Yeah, and you used to be my girl. Things change, Beulah. Now you're off with that creep Van Dam. I mean, how could you? You remember what that guy was like, right?"

"Yeah. I remember what you were like too."

"Meaning?"

Beulah is enraged now, and all but screams at Tommy.

"You used to be a man, Tommy! You used to be a fucking man! You used to have things you wanted, things you believed in, and god-damn if you weren't gonna fight to the death for them! Now look at you, just fucking look at yourself, Tommy, if you can bear the sight of it! Just who are you? Not that same man, not even a man anymore, just the shadow of one! Here I was, going to try and make good, despite everything, remind you of who you are, and you want to get petty on who took your place! Well fuck you, Tommy!"

Beulah storms out, and Tommy leans tiredly against a wall, his head resting on his arms.

October 17^th, 1999: ECW On TNN

Raven and Tommy Dreamer sit backstage. Raven speaks softly.

"I know who came to visit you. It must have been a difficult spot. I know how badly you take loss of personal relationships. You must know that this is what she knows too, what she plans on using. You and me, we are building a righteous order here in ECW, an order where we finally take our spot at the top, and she is the serpent in the garden. Do not let her lead you into temptation, do not let her lead her from the path of righteousness, the path of the Raven and the Dreamer."

Dreamer looks thoughtful, and we leave this scene.

The main event rolls around, Raven vs Rob Van Dam, for the ECW World title. Anticipation at the Hammersmith Ballroom reaches fever pitch as the combatants make their way out. Raven looks as usual on a higher plane than everything around him, looking perfectly calm. Van Dam himself is famed for his calm demeanour. Neither man looks shaken by the atmosphere, and Raven isn't even bothered enough to leave his corner. Van Dam paces in front of him as the bell rings, and calls for him to stand and fight, but Raven shakes his head and laughs, calling for a microphone instead. Raven gets it, but Van Dam steps forwards and kicks the microphone from his hand. He flicks his leg to the side, striking Raven in the face. Van Dam proceeds to lay boots into Raven, causing him to slump to the side. Van Dam hits the opposite ropes and dropkicks him to the outside. He heads back opposite, and comes back again with a senton to the outside. Raven casually sidesteps it, however, and reaches to pick up the microphone kicked from his hand by Van Dam.

"As I was about to say, this is the reason" he breaks off for a second to plant a vicious kick in Van Dam's ribs, and then hold the belt above his head "that you will never be ready to take this from me. You are too emotional, too proud, too enthusiastic." Another kick "What does this mean, that you must be proud of it? It means one thing, it means you are king of the garbage people! I've accepted this, I am ready for this" Another kick "I am of them myself, I am their lowest levels of social function and their highest levels of mental function, I am their best and their worst - but you? You are a proud knight in a dark kingdom, and to rule that kingdom means embracing that darkness, and you will never be ready for that!" A series of vicious stomps to the face now, blood flows thick from Van Dam's nose as Raven moves away to the corner of the guardrail, where he slumps. "There is no place for pride here. There is no place for you here. You are not welcome in my kingdom of sin."

He casually throws the microphone away, and carefully lays his title on the apron. He heads back to Van Dam, who has begun to rise again. Van Dam angrily, desperately throws a punch towards Raven's midsection. It connects, and Raven takes another punch, staggering back. Van Dam goes for a superkick, but Raven ducks it. He grabs Van Dam by the head and runs him into the ringpost. He keeps hold of Van Dam's head, and performs a russian leg sweep into the barrier. Both are stunned, but Raven is up first, having taken the least punishment. Raven whips Van Dam towards the guardrail, onto which he bounces up, and comes back with a leg lariat. From here, Van Dam rushes Raven with ultra stiff kicks and suplexes, and dominates the match until he is caught with a chair shot from Raven while attempting a five star frog splash. Raven rolls away, having only been able to lift a nearby chair in defence. He pulls himself up by the ropes, and lays the boots into Van Dam. He then sets a chair up in the middle of the ring, and drop toe holds Van Dam into it. A cover gets two. He pulls Van Dam up for a Raven Effect DDT onto the chair, but Van Dam avoids it. The two trade punches in the middle of the ring

"Put down your things and rest awhile, you know we've both nowhere to go”

'Echo' by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits the sound system, and out comes Tommy Dreamer, steel chair in hand. Raven seems to be expecting this, so while Van Dam's attention is drawn for a moment, his isn't, and he uses this distraction to low blow Van Dam. Dreamer enters the ring, and motions for Raven to pick Van Dam up. Dreamer raises the weapon above his head, and slams it down across Van Dam's. He drops the chair, and turns to Raven, who has turned to thank him. He kicks Raven firmly in the gut, and delivers a vicious DDT onto the steel chair. He rolls out of the ring, leaving both men down. Van Dam is the first to his feet, and he punishes Raven with stiff kicks. Raven utilises a blow to the eyes to turn things around, and goes for a chair to srike Van Dam with, only for Van Dam to kick the chair into his face. Up to the top rope Van Dam climbs, and off he flies, the Five Star Frog Splash hitting it's target this time around, and winning a three count. Van Dam is handed the title, and celebrates proudly in the crowd, Beulah and Fonsie coming out to join in the celebration.

October 24^th, 1999: ECW On TNN

Tonight's episode starts with Rob Van Dam, the new ECW World Heavyweight Champion in the ring. He waits for the chants of "R-V-D!" and "Whole Fucking Show!" to die down, then starts to speak

"This is it! This is what it's about! Being world champion! But I'm aware, I didn't exactly win this under the best of circumstances, I won this thanks to Tommy Dreamer, and it's Tommy Dreamer I want to see out here, and it's Tommy Dreamer I want to defend my title against at November 2 Remember!"

A familiar guitar riff not heard for almost two years, echoes through the arena: Alice In Chain's 'Man In A Box'. No more sad echoes for Tommy Dreamer, who looks more focussed, more alive than he has for over two years. Van Dam sees Dreamer come out, and immediately thanks him.

"What are you thanking me for, Rob? You think I did this for you? You think I was sitting in the back, saying to myself 'It's Rob's time'? Hell no, this wasn't about you. I can see you thinking maybe it was about Beulah? Hell, once upon a time friend. You taking a chair shot too was about Beulah, me winning you that title wasn't! Then it must be about Raven, right? I mean, that's why Tommy does what he does, and that's always been why Tommy does what he does, right? You think that's why you're wearing gold?  It wasn't about Raven either, kid. Now I see that little puzzled look cross your face. Everyone that matters ticked off, right? It was about Tommy, Rob. It was about being that man again, it was about fighting for myself, for these fans! So save your thanks. I sent Raven a message needed to be sent, and I've got him at November 2 Remember, and at November 2 Remember, I end it all. Then that very next night, I come after you. Everything in my past behind me, I set about the future of Tommy Dreamer! So if you want to thank someone, thank Raven, Rob, thank Raven. Because Raven is buying you time. Raven is buying you up until November 2 Remember with that title!" With this, Tommy storms off the stage, leaving Rob Van Dam with a shocked look on his face.

Later in the show, Tommy Dreamer finds himself going at it with Justin Credible again. Again, Tommy beats Justin Credible. Justin Credible stares with deep frustration and resentment at Tommy as Tommy celebrates victory. Justin finds vengeance through proxy however, as Mike Awesome storms the ring and violently assaults Tommy Dreamer, laying him out with an awesome bomb from inside the ring to outside it, leaving Tommy unconscious on the outside.

October 31^st, 1999: ECW on TNN

The last ECW on TNN before November 2 Remember starts with Mike Awesome pacing up and down backstage, while Joey Styles stands with a slightly exasperated look on his face and watches. Finally, Awesome makes his voice heard. "I should have been the one to go after Taz, but he gave that shot up to Raven! I should have been the one to go after Raven, but Tommy gave that title to Van Dam! When is it Mike's turn? Who do I have to break to make it Mike's turn? Is it you, Dreamer? Because I'll do it! I know you're in some kind of career rebirth or whatever, born again, dip me in the river bullshit, but I'll do it! I'll keep on breaking until I get what I deserve, goddamn it!"

Later on in the show, Raven approaches Awesome. Mike looks frustrated. "You look frustrated, Mike. And I understand. I know what it is to have the machinations of others disrupt your destiny, Mike. I know what it means to be so close to your goal, only to have it torn from you. I understand this pain of yours. I suggest to you an alliance of mutual understanding. In fact, while I would be getting a shot at Van Dam, at November 2 Remember, I am tied up in fighting Dreamer again. Dreamer has disrupted my destiny. Aid me in my battle against him, and I will aid you against Rob Van Dam. Oh yes, my friend, I have many voices that whisper to me, and they tell me you have been given your chance next Sunday. Do we have an alliance of like-minded souls, Mike?"

Raven extends a hand to Awesome, who accepts it.

Raven then looks with a serious face towards the camera. "And I have a message for you, Dreamer. You have disappointed me. Do you remember, back when we first knew each other as children? You despised me back then, I know. And I thought the feeling was the same. But I later realised that that's not true. I admired you, back in those days. I wanted to be you. Everyone liked you, for some reason I'll never understand. You were always successful. Then after our years of adult blood being shed for the sake of a childhood grudge, I had moved on, I had defeated you, but still was my life empty. My life grew complete when I got word about you here in ECW, about your 'failures' as they were called. But I didn't see failure. No, I saw a man who finally understood me. I saw a completeness of that childhood dream. I saw a man I had once wished as a boy to be, wishing to be me. I have not cried often since high school, Tommy. The torment I had there washed them all from me. They were of my childhod, not my adulthood. I cried that night, Tommy. I cried with completion, with closure, with the beauty of everything that had come to pass. And so I returned, and I took you to my side, and we were as one, as we always were, perhaps, and for both of us, we had found completion. But then you betray me, for the soft eyes of a whore who discarded you, Tommy! I know that you feel your old self, and that's great for you, I'm sure. But remember this: your old self never could beat me, could he? Dreamer, you will always be left quoting the Raven."

Later on, towards the end of the show with Tommy Dreamer: "There's a little voice, in the back of my head. There's this little, whispering voice. It tells me I'm not enough, it tells me I'm not ready. It tells me lies. It's name is Raven. I tried to destroy it, and I failed, and I surrendered to it for over a year. But now I see it for what it is. Now, I can feel clarity about what I have to do. Now I know how I must do it too. Now I know the path ahead of me, and it starts with me destroying you next week at November 2 Remember, Raven. Quoth the Dreamer, nevermore."

November 7^th, 1999: ECW November 2 Remember

The semi-main event of our show sees Tommy Dreamer and Raven face off for the first time in over two years. Anticipation among the fans, and in Tommy Dreamer has reached breaking points. Dreamer marches to the ring with a determined look on his face, as 'Man In The Box' blares across the arena. Raven, meanwhile, moves calmly to the ring as Dreamer paces feverishly, waiting for his chance at revenge.

Dreamer charges at Raven as soon as Raven hits the ring, unleashing a furious storm on Raven, which Raven should be commended merely for surviving. Raven rolls outside the ring to escape Dreamer's fury, but Dreamer simply follows outside, and continues the beating, smashing Raven's head against anything he can find outside, drawing blood early. Raven is able to reverse an irish whip into the barricade, however, and send Dreamer hurtling into the steel instead. Raven follows with a clothesline, sending Dreamer into the crowd. Raven follows him in there, and the two brawl through the crowd, Raven still in control by the time the brawl works it's way back to ringside. Raven Russian leg sweeps Dreamer into the barrier, stunning both men. Dreamer, through sheer determination, finds his feet first, and hits Raven with a vicious piledriver onto the concrete. Raven is thrown back into the ring and covered for two. A chair is brought in, and set up in the centre. Dreamer whips Raven against the ropes, and delivers Raven's signature drop toe hold onto the chair, earning two. Dreamer pulls Raven up for a DDT onto the chair, but Justin Credible makes his presence felt, hitting the ring.

Dreamer pushes Raven away, and turns to clothesline Justin. He lays the boots into Justin Credible, and is attacked from behind by Raven. Raven and Justin Credible double team Dreamer for a while, the two-on-one assault proving too much, until he manages to drop them both with a clothesline, before pulling Justin Credible outside and DDTing him onto the concrete. Dreamer heads back in, and gives Raven another clothesline. Out comes Mike Awesome, however, who viciously assaults Dreamer. Raven goes outside for a table, and sets it up in the ring, encouraging Awesome to powerbomb Dreamer through it, until the lights go out, and the sound, missed for so long, of guitar picking and hammering drums fills the arena. The guitar starts to smash out a heavy riff, and a voice full of gravel growls

'Say your prayers, little one, don't forget my son, to include everyone..."

A spotlight hits the crowd, where a blonde man with a beer and a singapore cane stands proud. He heads through the adoring crowd, who scream out the lyrics along with the song. The beer can is busted open busting his forehead open. He makes his way to ringside. The Sandman is back.

And The Sandman is back with a vengeance, dishing out cane shot after cane shot to Raven and Awesome. Awesome rolls from the ring, where Sandman follows. Awesome drops Sandman with a punch. Sandman throws a cane shot from the ground. The two brawl their way up the ramp, leaving Dreamer and Raven alone together again. Dreamer sets Raven up in the corner for a superplex through the table, but is pushed off, and goes through the table himself. Raven goes after him, and covers for two. Raven pulls Dreamer up, and scores an Evenflow DDT, earning another two cunt, as Dreamer somehow kicks out. Raven picks up a broken shard of the table, and stabs Dreamer repeatedly in the forehead with it, causing the forehead to gush with blood. Dreamer defiantly throws punches from the ground, and manages to knock Raven back. The two trade punches from their knees, and slowly make their way up. Raven grabs Dreamer by the head, and throws a knee to his face, before dragging him towards the broken shards of the table, looking to DDT Dreamer through it. Dreamer throws an arm low, catching Raven where it hurts, andsending him staggering back. A haymaker from Dreamer drops Raven. Dreamer drags Raven up by the head...

"E-C-FUCKING-W!"

The DDT connects this time. Raven's head smashes through the remains of the table, wood showering out from the impact.

1-2-3!

He has done it. Dreamer stares at Raven in amazement. He kneels next to the fallen body of his foe, tears filling his eyes as he stares down, tears of amazement that at long last, it is over. Dreamer slowly reaches his feet, and wipes his eyes with his arm, which comes back stained by the blood all over his face. He turns to the approving crowd, and steps out to join their ranks, to celebrate among them. It is all over. It is all, at long last, over, and he cannot quite believe it.

End of Act II