Close your eyes and think of an ECW wrestler. Chances are, The Sandman is one of the first individuals who immediately comes to mind. This cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking, Singapore cane-swinging badass embodied everything that made ECW unique. But it wasn't just his relatable persona, rebellious attitude, and love of violence that made him a legend. The Sandman was involved in some of the most pivotal moments and storylines in ECW history, cementing his place in the hearts of wrestling fans everywhere. From his iconic entrance to Enter Sandman, to his unforgettable matches, The Sandman was a force to be reckoned with in the Philadelphia-based promotion.

In 1998, The Sandman was already a 4-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion and undoubtedly one of the most beloved wrestlers in the company. However, a disagreement over pay with Paul Heyman and a guaranteed six-figure contract from WCW proved too tempting to resist, leading him to leave the promotion that had endeared him to fans. This is a story all too familiar in the world of professional wrestling, where the promise of wealth and fame can often lead even the most loyal performers astray.

Exit Sandman

As the hardcore wrestling movement gained popularity, WWF and WCW saw an opportunity to capitalize on the intrigue. They each presented their versions of the genre, albeit toned down compared to the extreme style of ECW. The goal was to appeal to a broader audience without alienating advertisers. While WWF was already ahead of the curve, having followed ECW's influence, WCW was in a fierce battle for ratings supremacy and constantly looking for ways to outdo its rival. This led them to acquire any established talent they could get their hands on, including The Sandman, who had grown unhappy with his situation in ECW and became a free agent.

In an interview with The Whig from 2016, The Sandman explained that a pay dispute with Paul Heyman led to his departure.

“I was pissed off at Paul E. because he told me I was always going to be his highest paid player and then I found out he paid Sabu like $15,000 and me $14,000 for a pay-per-view or something. So I quit on principle alone. I knew damn sure I was going to end up back in ECW because I knew WCW was a sinking ship. They were hemorrhaging money."

During a conversation with Hannibal, Sandman revealed several details about his WCW deal. With the assistance of DDP, he met with Eric Bischoff days after quitting ECW and was offered $250,000 per year from WCW. Furthermore, he sat at home for six months earning $5,000 a week before debuting.

Arrival In WCW

Paul Heyman would famously accentuate the positives and hide the weaknesses related to ECW, specifically with the performers. The Sandman was never known to be an exceptionally gifted in-ring performer or even well-spoken on the microphone, but his entire presentation resonated with fans. Without Heyman’s vision and guidance, it was inevitable that WCW wouldn’t know what to do with him. With WCW concerned, they would be sued over The Sandman's name; the company was forced to change his name, resulting in the loss of identity.

Initially, The Sandman would appear as Raven’s preppy neighbour, Jim, in vignettes. Raven was portrayed as a spoiled rich kid, contrasting his ECW character.

In one vignette from WCW Thunder on January 7, 1999, Chris Kanyon is seen cleaning out the pool while Raven’s family welcomes James back.

Kanyon: “Hello, Jim”

Jim: “Hello, Kanyon”

This was meant to mimic the relationship between Jerry Seinfeld and Newman.

Raven’s mom explains to Jim that he wants to be alone until he appears and asks, “what about me?”

Anyone who was previously familiar with The Sandman’s body of work in ECW must have been constantly scratching their head in confusion, believing this to be an elaborate practical joke.

The original plan for Jim to debut under this gimmick was scrapped. Rightfully so.

Jim (even though he was never mentioned by name during this segment) made his official WCW debut during the February 1, 1999, edition of Monday Nitro. He walked down the ramp with his Singapore cane and barbwire wrapped around his body. He attacked Van Hammer with a cane moments after defeating Kenny Kaos. He would then hit the White Russian Leg Sweep as Tony Schiavone asked, “who in the world is this?”

The man formerly known as The Sandman would then grab a microphone.

“Yo! You know what ticks me off? When somebody comes out here in WCW and tries to take credit for my work. Yeah, a lot of guys call themselves hardcore. You see them coming out to the ring with barbwire wrapped around them. I was the first man to take down these ropes and put up barbwire and have a match in between them. I was the first man to wrap barbwire around a baseball bat and crush somebody’s head with it. I was the first man to wrap barbwire around my body and jump off the top of a steel cage through a table on somebody. Bam Bam Bigelow, you think you’re hardcore? Well, you’re talking to the King of Extreme! I’ve watched you hunt Goldberg. I’ve watched you hunt Nash. How’s it feel to be hunted? I ain’t leaving until you get out in this ring, Bigelow.

Following the commercial break, Bam Bam Bigelow accepted the challenge and promised to give him a hardcore beating, Jersey style.

Mike Tenay speculated: “It sounds like their paths have crossed before!”

Jim pummelled Bam Bam with cane shots until he would turn it around by throwing the nameless man into the ring post outside the ring. Bam Bam would then throw him back into the ring and execute a vicious chair shot to the head, along with a standing sidekick for good measure.

Momentum returned to Jim as he recovered and got in some offense, but it wouldn’t last long. Bam Bam eventually threw him into a turnbuckle covered in barbwire, followed by a running splash to seal the deal.

As Bam Bam hit the Greetings from Asbury Park finishing maneuver, the man formerly known as Sandman lost in his debut.

Booking 101 says you never allow wrestlers to lose in their debut, but that concept rarely seemed to register in the wild west known as WCW.

Jim was officially be rechristened as Hak (his actual nickname in real life), and the former vignettes with Raven were never acknowledged.

Throughout the next couple of weeks, WCW finally acknowledgee Hak by name as he defeated the likes of Bull Pain on WCW Saturday Night along with Damian and The Barbarian during episodes of WCW Thunder.

In his first WCW pay-per-view match at WCW UnCensored on March 14, 1999, Hak defeated Bam Bam Bigelow, and Raven in a Triple Threat Falls Count Anywhere match. Chastity (who was booked as Raven’s sister) turned the fire extinguisher on her brother, allowing Hak to capitalize on the pinfall victory.

WCW UnCensored 99’ was headlined by Hollywood Hogan and Ric Flair in a First Blood Steel Cage Championship Match. Oh, the irony.

The following evening on WCW Monday Nitro, Hak (joined by Chastity) unexpectedly issued a challenge to Goldberg.

“I was the man who came into WCW my first night and I told you that I was the King of Extreme. I told you I was the King of Hardcore. So, from now on, you will refer to me as Hardcore Hak, The King of Extreme.

Goldberg….Goldberg….Goldberg…….hey, you think Goldberg’s extreme? I’ll show you extreme -proceeds to hit himself in the head with the cane- Let’s get it on Goldberg!

Hardcore Hak initially took the match to the outside and gained control. Whenever the fight transpired in the ring, Goldberg would take advantage. This bout was surprisingly more competitive than anyone would have imagined, but after Goldberg withstood cane shots to the head, he landed a power slam, spear and Jackhammer for the pinfall victory.

While Hardcore Hak defeated Kendall Windham and Mikey Whipwreck (former ECW star) over the next couple of weeks, he ultimately lost far more frequently than he got his arm raised. Hak would spend most of his run losing to Raven, Bam Bam Bigelow, Scott Norton, and Brian Nobbs.

His most high-profile match occurred in a Hardcore Match against Kevin Nash during WCW Thunder on April 29, 1999.

In his most high-profile moment during the June 7, 1999 edition of WCW Monday Nitro, Hak (smoking a cigarette) was scheduled to face Prince Iaukea. Tony Schiavone noted that the lit cigarette was against corporate policy. He was portrayed as a rebel who was acting in defiance of the rules. Hak would blow the smoke into the referee’s face.

J.J. Dillon entered the ring with a microphone in hand.

“Listen Hak, WCW has cut you a lot of slack in terms of your activities in the ring, but we’re drawing the line. You cannot start this match until you put the cigarette out. There’s no smoking. Do you understand me?”

Dillion suffered the same embarrassing fate as the referee.

Eric Bischoff dropped the headset to intervene.

“Let me give you a hand. Look Hak, I’ve got no problem with you. These people came because they want to see a match. Match isn’t going to start until you put the cigarette out. Could you do me a favour and do everybody here a favour and put the damn thing out so we can get the show on the road. Come on, man. Put it out. It’s no big deal. Smoke it when you’re done.”

Eric Bischoff slapped Hak as WCW security held him back. The bell rang until Eric pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and instructed, “let em’ wrestle.”

The act of defiance towards Eric Bischoff was a compelling moment that left fans wondering what would happen next. However, the segment was never revisited, leaving us to question why it was even proposed in the first place without a proper payoff. It's a missed opportunity that could have added depth and intrigue to the storyline.

Hak’s final televised appearance occurred on July 11, 1999, in the Junkyard Invitational at Bash at the Beach. This resulted in an injury to his neck, which WCW questioned.

Following Raven’s footsteps months prior, The Sandman quit WCW and headed back to familiar territory where he could be fully appreciated again.

There’s No Place Like Home

At the ECW Arena on October 23, 1999, the ECW World Tag Team Championships were on the line as Tommy Dreamer and Raven defended the gold against The Impact Players consisting of Justin Credible and Lance Storm. This match would be the main event during ECW Hardcore TV on October 30, 1999.

As Tommy Dreamer set up Dawn Marie for a piledriver, Rhino would slide into the ring and clothesline The Innovator of Violence. This revealed the mystery partner for The Impact Players at November to Remember on November 6, 1999. Rhino then hit Dreamer with a vicious spinebuster, which prompted Raven to get involved but was met with a kendo shot to the head courtesy of Credible. Dreamer then suffered the same fate.

With a numbers advantage, The Impact Players had firmly taken control of the match. They had the tag-team champions pinned in unison, and victory seemed certain. Suddenly, the arena went dark, and the referee could not count to three.

The crowd at the ECW Arena erupted as the lights came back on, revealing The Sandman standing on a raised platform behind the audience. He looked more muscular than ever, with a cigarette in his mouth, a Singapore stick in hand, and beer in his pockets. The crowd went wild as he went down to the ring, evening the odds.

As he climbed up on the ring apron, The Sandman poured a cold beer down his throat and slammed the can against his forehead, drawing a steady stream of blood. Jason was the first to attack, but he received several cane shots from The Sandman. Credible and Storm tried to hold Rhino back as Steve Corino and Jack Victory rushed to help restrain him. The atmosphere was electric as the two sides clashed, with the crowd cheering on their favourite wrestlers.

As Victory turned around, he was met with a cane shot directly in the middle of the forehead. Corino turned around in sheer horror only to be smacked in the back.

The Sandman cleaned house as Tommy Dreamer and Raven struggled to catch their bearings. Raven was first of the two on his feet, took several steps back, struck his signature pose and sauntered out of the ring—a nod to continuity and the vast history between them.

The Sandman reached into his pocket, pull out a beer and offer it to Tommy Dreamer. With one in hand for himself, the two would crack open the can and pour the bubbly into their mouths.

Dreamer and The Sandman embraced with a hug as a visibly emotional Tommy absorbed the electric atmosphere.

No matter who you are or where you are, instinct tells you to go home.