Tommy Dreamer beginnings

Laughlin was trained in professional wrestling by Johnny Rodz.[2] and by kyle koogler His first notable foray into the business came when he worked in International World Class Championship Wrestling (IWCCW) under the name T.D. Madison.[9] While there he and his storyline brother, G.Q., held the IWCCW Tag Team Championship three times in 1991.[10] He changed his name to Tommy Dreamer, reportedly after taking his given first name and adding "Dreamer" in tribute to Dusty Rhodes, in 1992 while working in the New England based Century Wrestling Alliance (CWA). While in the CWA, he became its first Heavyweight Champion by defeating "Mr. USA" Tony Atlas in a tournament final held in Wallingford, Connecticut on November 5, 1992. He held the title for over four months before losing it to The Iron Sheik in Burlington, Vermont.[11] Tommy had to leave ECW on Tuesday, December 29 2009