For years, Scott Levy, better known as Raven, rose through the ranks of the original ECW to become one of the very top stars of the extreme promotion. Now, a new documentary aims to spotlight the man behind the character, as well as the high-risk, high-reward lifestyle of the original Extreme Championship Wrestling.
This week, fans caught their first trailer for Nevermore: The Raven Effect. NightSchool Films, the team behind the documentary, describes the project as follows:
The man behind pro wrestling’s punk rock revolution.
“Wrestling is such a brutal business, it doesn’t surprise people that it attracts sociopaths, fame whores, coke whores and adrenaline whores, but why did it attract an artist?” Asks Billy Corgan, frontman for the Smashing Pumpkins and wrestling promoter. It’s the question posed in Nevermore: The Raven Effect, which examines a pivotal shift in wrestling history, through the eyes of Raven, a brilliant but complicated performer who simultaneously self-destructs while establishing the tone of ECW, an exciting, but extreme and hazardous indy wrestling promotion that
features bloody matches, involving real weapons. Featuring: Raven, Chris Jericho, Billy Corgan, Rob Van Dam, Diamond Dallas Page, Bubba Ray Dudley, Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, Perry Saturn, Kevin Sullivan, Blue Meanie, Shane Douglas, Lodi, Brian Meyers, D’Lo Brown, Buff Bagwell, Sami Callihan, Moose, Scott D’Amore
The trailer doesn’t hold back as several wrestlers and wrestling personalities open up on the rampant drug use in ECW during the company’s first run. The long-term effects of ECW’s violent nature are also spotlighted in the trailer, with Jim ‘The Sandman’ Fullington, struggling to know the name of the CTE he states he is dealing with.
With the success of the Iron Claw biopic, Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries, and VICE’s Dark Side of the Ring, there is a clear market for in-depth looks at wrestling’s past. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Nevermore, which is sure to be an extremely informative watch for fans of Raven and the original ECW.
Posted October 25th, 2024 in News. Tagged: ECW, Raven.
ECW legend Raven found himself in-between the ropes once again and it happened to be a violent battle put on by Major League Wrestling.
MLW continued to air their tapings that took place in St. Petersburg at the end of March and the card that was presented free on YouTube was War Chamber 2. The main fight featured the heel faction of The Calling taking on The Death Fighters, two groups that Raven is very familiar with.
The Calling was created over a year ago by Raven and it showcased Rickey Shane Page and AKIRA along with supporting names like Cannonball and Dr. Cornwallace (aka Doctor Dax). However, the group became fractured and Rickey ultimately backstabbed AKIRA, effectively kicking him out of the group.
However, AKIRA happened to find an ally in Jake Crist and then the rebel group really came together when Raven joined the fold, ready to take on the faction he created. That violent fight happened to air this past Saturday.
Raven Returns To The Ring
The War Chamber 2 match is very much like WarGames, complete with two rings, but instead of a top on the cage, there’s barbed wire around the top.
Raven happened to enter later in the foray and took everyone out via a kendo stick. He then joined forces with Crist to deliver his patented drop toe hold on a steel chair to Cannonball.
The Death Fighters came out victorious as AKIRA caught Rickey Shane Page in a crossface with barbed wire, forcing his former partner to submit.
Post-match, Raven got on the mic and put AKIRA over as the future of pro wrestling.
Don’t expect Raven’s physicality to be a trend, however. This was all but likely a one-off for the veteran. Aside from an appearance in MLW’s Battle Riot in 2023, this was Raven’s first match in nearly five years.
Posted April 21st, 2024 in MLW. Tagged: MLW, Raven.
The Melrose Ballroom in New York City was SOLD OUT and for good reason as Intimidation Games packed a punch with three promotions coming together under Major League Wrestling! Not one, not two, not three, but four titles were on the line in The Big Apple and the PLE starts off in a big way with World Middleweight gold!
MATCH 1
MLW World Middleweight Championship
Mistico (with Cesar Duran) vs. Rocky Romero (c) (with Salina de la Renta)
Rocky had a gameplan in place for this match, but it was saturated in disrespect as the champion attempted to get Mistico off his game by nearly tearing the challenger’s mask off his face.
The whole fight, which was full of many close calls, was teetering back and forth between both luchadors and even though Rocky tried to get Mistico off his game by literally ripping his mask, it didn’t deter the challenger from achieving his goal. He stayed true to his high-flying strategy and caught Rocky off-guard with his unbelievable headscissors to fujiwa armbar, causing the champ to immediately tap out!
WINNER and NEW MLW World Middleweight Champion: Mistico
Post-fight, Duran wanted Rocky to put his hair on the line in a hair vs. mask fight, but Rocky was not obliging.
MATCH 2
NYC Street Fight
The Calling vs. AKIRA & Jake Crist
AKIRA and Crist waste zero time in attacking Rickey Shane Page and Sami Callihan as they take The Calling out and then dive on top of them to the outside.
The battle lives up to the stipulation as weapons are certainly used with Sami resorting to paper cuts and RSP making the most of his brute strength. RSP was cagey throughout this entire fight as he used size and speed against his former tag partner in AKIRA. However, both AKIRA and Crist did have an unexpected ace up their sleeve.
It was reported that Raven was lurking in the Melrose Ballroom somewhere, but when Cannonball went to get the tables from underneath the ring, they got the Blue Meanie instead!
Boards were broken, but spirits weren’t as AKIRA almost relished in the challenge at fighting RSP and Sami. He nearly was about to get the win with The Death Penalty, but was fought off and Crist got tangled with RSP. Sami took the opportunity to low blow Crist and RSP got him in a backslide and 1-2-3!
AKIRA immediately goes on the attack to RSP and chaos ensues as the numbers games gets the advantage for The Calling. However, help is on the way as Jimmy Lloyd comes running down to help ward The Calling off! Sami wanted the trio to fight more, but sure enough, Raven appears on the big screen.
Raven asks that that Sami and RSP want to steal the name The Calling? Call his new faction The Response – “quote the Raven, nevermore.”
We see Tom Lawlor, MSL and Davey Boy Smith Jr are in the men’s bathroom and they feel it’s a good time to stake their claim for the World Tag Team gold. The Bulldog is relieving himself and doesn’t wash his hands as he makes clear it’s either “tap or snap” for Second Gear Crew.
MATCH 3
Bobby Fish vs. Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas & Faye Jackson)
Alex Kane is clearly focused and needs to be tonight against a game Bobby Fish. Fish is very much feeling confident and shows it in his offense.However, both men are quick to lock up and they work the ground game. Kane starts off on the offensive, and even locks in the Fade To Black early. Fish may have got a cheap shot in and then focuses on the left knee. It becomes a target for Bobby.
He has Kane on the defensive quite a bit in the bout, but Fish a little too cocky and he gets taken to Suplex Island. Sure enough, Kane finds the right opportunity and chokes Fish out in the Fade To Black!
WINNER: Alex Kane
Kane gets on the mic to acknowledge the fans in NYC, but AJ Francis stops the celebration. He says that many fans don’t even realize BOMAYE came from Muhammad Ali, but ended up dropping a bombshell on the group. “Some people in your ranks, may not be as loyal as you think they are.” The crowd “ooo’s” at that one as both Mr. Thomas and Faye dismiss that notion.
WTF (Tom Lawlor & Davey Boy Smith Jr. w/ MSL) vs. Second Gear Crew (c)
WTF make it a point to try to take Manders out of the equation as DBS goes back to his hoss fight ways by delivering stiff elbows to the Corn Belt Cowboy. Matthew Justice rises to the occasion and splashes the sports entertainment out of DBS and Lawlor. However, once Manders gets back in, WTF take control. They go for the Hart Attack on Manders but Justice puls Lawlor out. SGC focus on DBS and hit him with a harsh spear and lariat combo. That’s curtains but Lawlor pulls referee Frank Gastineau out!
A table get presented and Lawlor is the one to fall victim to it. He gets Tornado DDT’ed by Justice through it in an amazing double team. Lawlor is twitching in pain as Manders covers: 1-2-no! MSL, who came in wearing a helmet to the ring, gets slugged by Manders. However, out comes Brett Ryan Gosselin and it allows DBS to grab the helmet and hits Manders with it. He gets covered by Tom Lawlor: 1-2-3. New champs!
WINNERS and NEW MLW World Tag Team Champions: WTF
The feed soon cuts and we see Mads Krule Krugger. He’s ready for one last war and he’s going to unleash his “new blood” into the league. “HAIL CONTRA!”
MATCH 5
NJPW World Television Championship
Bad Dude Tito vs. Matt Riddle (c)
Both Riddle and Tito are game for this fight as each competitor shows speed, athleticism and strength is shown. Suplexes are readily exchanged before kicks and strikes are exchanged. Tito gets the better of the exchange with a massive lariat.
Tito says he’s gonna rip Riddle’s head off. However, Riddle hits a fisherman’s buster and then follows up with a Broton Bomb for two near falls. “BRO” chants echo throughout the Melrose Ballroom.
Tito spinebusters Riddle down and hits a frog splash for his own near fall. More strikes are exchanged. Riddle goes on a flurry but Tito slows him down when he gets his knees up. Tito knows how to grapple and it’s evident in this match.
Hard forearms are traded between the two and then so are strikes and suplexes. Tito hits a blue thunder bomb and it’s a near fall. Only 15 minutes in this fight. Riddle manages to hit a package tombstone and it’s good for the pinfall win.
WINNER
and STILL NJPW World Television Champion: Matt Riddle
Salina de la Renta walks out with a bag of cash and issues the challenge to anybody in the back. Out comes a game Zoey Cannon from Boston. A quick boot to the corner then a massive roundhouse knocks Zoey out cold quickly. The ref calls for the bell.
WINNER: Janai Kai
We cut to Cesar Duran who is smiling proudly in his office with the Middleweight Title sitting in front of him. He issues a new challenge to Salina. He wants her best luchador in the War Chamber. Who will she chose?
It’s main event time.
MAIN EVENT
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Minoru Suzuki vs. Satoshi Kojima (c)
It should be noted that Kojima hasn’t competed in MLW or NJPW since his last Major League match. However, these two men know one another way too well and Suzuki is sadistic in his gameplan, greatly torquing the leg of Kojima.
Strong style and fighting spirit is greatly shown in this fight, but sportsmanship is out the window as Minoru makes plenty of moments to taunt his longtime rival. Kojima does hit Suzuki with a Kojima cutter and a lariato, but doesn’t get all of the latter. However, the two-time champ perseveres and nails a crisp one on the undefeated fighter in MLW and gets the emphatic 1-2-3!
WINNER and STILL MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Satoshi Kojima
Former WWE star Raven has a lot in the tank before he hangs up his boots. Raven has contributed immensely to the business, working in different promotions. His career has spanned for over 30 years across WWE, ECW, WCW and TNA/IMPACT Wrestling. It seems that he is not planning to stop anytime soon.
Raven comments on possible retirement
Raven made several appearances on IMPACT Wrestling including at this year’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view. The former ECW World Champion is now gearing up for his return to Major League Wrestling(MLW). We also reported an update on MLW’s Relationship With Reelz.
Meanwhile, speaking with Fightful, Raven stated that he’s open to working as a producer for Major League Wrestling and elsewhere. He also noted that he is on a shortlist for potential producers in IMPACT.
In addition to this, the 58-year-old star revealed that he is actually producing for NWA now. He has actually been producing there for a while but went on a hiatus to recuperate from his knee surgery.
Furthermore, Raven also stated that he has not officially retired from in-ring action. He told Fightful that he plans on getting back inside the squared circle for some more matches after he gets his second shoulder taken care of. The former WWE Hardcore Champion said he is likely to work tag team matches in order to minimize bumps. He emphasized that he is definitely planning on wrestling again down the road.
Raven was inducted into the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame at last October’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view.
After runs in ECW, WCW and WWE, Raven joined Impact (then TNA Wrestling) on January 22, 2003, two days following his WWE release.
In June 2005, Raven would capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at that year’s Slammiversary.
After losing the World Championship to Jeff Jarrett, Raven would form the group Seratonin, consisting of himself, Frankie Kazarian, Johnny Devine and Matt Bentley.
Following a 2008 release from the company, Raven returned after over a year away in May 2009, working alongside fellow ECW alum Dr. Stevie (Steven Richards), and Daffney.
Raven’s final match for TNA/Impact came in November 2010, defeating then-TNA television Champion AJ Styles in a non-title match at a Live event.
Hall of Fame
Raven is the latest big name to join Impact’s Hall of Fame, which was founded in 2012 with the induction of Sting.
The Icon is one of three men to be both Impact and WWE Hall of Famers, alongside Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett.
The group also contains long-time Impact referee Earl Hebner, first-ever Knockouts Champion Gail Kim, and first World Champion in the promotion Ken Shamrock.
Team 3-D are the only tag-team to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, which also includes Impact veterans Abyss and Awesome Kong.
Raven recently took to social media to praise the NWA locker room. The 2x ECW World Champion noted that he just finished his first set of tapings working with the promotion. This included the Hard Times 2 PPV from Atlanta’s GPB Studios.
“Just did Tv for my good friendBilly Corgan as a producer, & I also did some on camera work for the new 2nd show he’s starting. I gotta say, no hyperbole, it’s one of the best locker rooms I’ve ever been in! But that’s bc of Billy, bc it starts at the top. Looking forward to the ride!”
Just did Tv for my good friend @Billy as a producer, & I also did some on camera work for the new 2nd show he’s starting. I gotta say, no hyperbole, it’s one of the best locker rooms I’ve ever been in! But that’s bc of Billy, bc it starts at the top. Looking forward to the ride!
The NWA recently presented Hard Times 2 on Saturday, December 4th:
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship Match: Trevor Murdoch defeated Mike Knox
NWA World Women’s Championship Match: Kamille defeated Melina
Fatal Four Wat Match For NWA Women’s World Tag Team Championship: The Hex defeated Missa Kate & Natalia Markova and Kylie Rae & Tootie Lynn and Paola Blaze & Jennacide
Qualifying Gauntlet Match For NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship: Homicide defeated Alex Taylor, Ariya Daivari, CW Anderson, Darius Lockhart, Jeremiah Plunkett, Jamie Stanley, Kerry Morton, Luke Hawx, PJ Hawx, Sal Rinauro, Victor Benjamin, and Ricky Morton
Impact Knockouts Championship Match: Mickie James defeated Kiera Hogan
ROH World Tag Team Championship Match: OGK defeated Aron Stevens & Kratos
No DQ, No Time Limit NWA World Television Championship Match: Tyrus defeated Cyon
NWA World Tag Team Championship Match: La Rebelión’s Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 450 defeated The End’s Odinson and Parrow
NWA National Heavyweight Championship Match: Chris Adonis (c) defeated Judais
Matthew Mims defeated Jax Dane
Austin Aries defeated Rhett Titus
Nick Aldis defeated Thom Latimer
Colby Corino defeated Doug Williams
On NWA Powerrr this week (From FITE TV), Nick Aldis and Doug Williams reunited their British Invasion tag-team from TNA. They will be entering the NWA’s tag-team division along with the new team of JTG and Dirty Dango (FKA Fandango). Trevor Murdoch addressed Matt Cardona’s appearance at Hard Times 2 but was interrupted by Aaron Stevens. NWA Powerrr airs most Tuesdays at 6:05 PM on FITE TV.
Posted December 9th, 2021 in NWA, News. Tagged: Raven.
On the 100th episode of his House of Hardcore podcast, Tommy Dreamer spoke to his longtime rival, Raven. During the discussion the two on-screen enemies discussed a variety of topics including Raven’s early time in ECW.
“As soon as I saw (ECW), the first episode I saw I was like ‘this is the best TV show I’ve ever seen, I gotta to be on this,'” Raven said. “I called Page to call Paul E because I didn’t know Paul E. I didn’t know his number and I didn’t think he liked me anyway. I figured DDP has always been a good friend to me. He called Paul E and Paul E hired me to put you (Dreamer) over.”
Raven continued to say that Paul Heyman had a different understanding of the Raven character at first.
“He thought it was going to be like a comedy gimmick. He didn’t really get where I was going,” Raven continued.
Raven Says Paul Heyman Saw Himself Through Dreamer and Raven
Raven continued to say that once Heyman got the character, he started to see himself in it.
“Bookers always see themselves through a certain wrestler’s eyes. Like Vince sees himself through Lex Luger, The Patriot and the Million Dollar Man. That’s who he views the world through and Paul E saw the world through my eyes and (Dreamer’s) eyes.”
Tommy Dreamer and Raven Comment On Their Rivalry
Dreamer and Raven then spoke about his favorite parts about the rivalry.
“My favorite thing part about the Raven/Dreamer feud, was you were a very giving heel,” Dreamer said.
“I’m a giving lover too,” Raven interrupted to add.
“Behind the scenes, it was all about to make the match better. It wasn’t like you wanted to get yourself over,” Dreamer continued.
Dreamer and Raven then spoke about what each other meant to their careers.
“Without you there would be no Tommy Dreamer. You had an amazing mind for what I would say is layering a finish,” Dreamer continued.
“You were the perfect dance partner,” Raven said. “I couldn’t have had a better dance partner to open up my new career with.”
Dreamer and Raven went through much of their long feud with one another during the podcast. The full discussion between Raven and Tommy Dreamer can be viewed in the player below:
Former ECW, WCW, WWE, and TNA alumni Raven recently spoke about why he had heat with Vince McMahon. Raven was on the Scheduled for 2 Falls podcast, when he commented on the situation.
“Me and Shane used to be really tight but we drifted apart. He’d go out with me every night. Big heat with Linda and Vince. The boys thought I was kissing ass for my career but it actually killed my career, giving me heat.”
Raven actually went into greater detail about this during a Talk is Jericho appearance in 2015.
“They used to call me Johnny Port Chester Polo because Stamford, they rolled the sidewalks up at one o’clock, but Port Chester was open till five in the morning. It 5 miles away. My downfall was I’d bring Shane out with me, Shane McMahon. And the boys are like, ‘ah, you’re sucking up to him’ and I’m like, ‘no, I’m not! I’m burying myself’ because he’d call his dad, and on commentary, I’d call his dad ‘Vic’ instead of ‘Vince’, so he’d go, ‘hey, Vic,’ which is just horrible! He’d say, ‘hey, Vic, it’s,’ and it would be, like, four in the morning, ‘I’m just going to sleep at Johnny Polo’s tonight’ and so I just buried myself.”
TheRavenEffect Podcast is a cornucopia of slapdashery, hijinx, shenanigans, Bennigans, ichthyology, jaywalking, lucid dreaming, wet dreaming, childish banter and pseudo-intellectual drivel, all here on @MLW every Monday whether you want it or not… I’d go with not.. Yay us! pic.twitter.com/t5e2LQOsok
“The thing about Raven, it was never a talent issue. He had talent. He was a good talker, smart guy, high IQ. Probably could have been a good road agent at some point later on. He could have contributed in a lot of ways.”
Raven had two stints in WWE. Once in a manager’s role as Johnny Polo in 93-94 and then again from 2000-03 as Raven. During his run in the company as a wrestler, Raven set the record for most Hardcore title wins with 27.
Raven signed with WWE in 2000 as it became clear ECW was struggling financially. He would eventually join “the Alliance” as part of the Invasion angle.
“It was just a matter of trust for a variety of reason,” JR said on the show.
“The thing about Raven, it was never a talent issue. He had talent. He was a good talker, smart guy, high IQ. Probably could have been a good road agent at some point later on. He could have contributed in a lot of ways.”
Conrad Thompson had previously mentioned that Raven’s reputation for substance abuse may have hampered in him in WWE. He also is said to have partied a bit too much with Shane McMahon during his first run with the company.
“It was never a talent issue with Scotty. He needed to distance himself from his previous indiscretions.”
“We used him on TV, he was a broadcaster, he probably could have been a great manager over time,” JR continued.
Raven briefly served as a broadcaster on Sunday Night Heat before returning to the ring. He competed at WrestleMania X-7 in a triple threat hardcore match against Kane and Rhino as well.
Many fans noticed that Raven could be seen attending last night’s Dynamite show in Atlanta. The former leader of the Flock was seated not far from where Evil Uno and the Dark Order spokesperson appeared in the live crowd during the tag team battle royal.
AEW posted the following Tweet with the caption “Did you see it? The exalted one is always watching.” Raven is sitting ominously in the crowd acting very unfazed by the brawling Stu Grayson and Scorpio Sky next to him in the video.
Did you see it? The exalted one is always watching.
Raven has been the leader or apart of several factions with a similar dark cult-esque type feel to them as the Dark Order has. There is perhaps nobody in wrestling history more closely associated with such angles.
In ECW, Raven led a stable of lackies known as “the Nest” which featured the Dudleys, Stevie Richards, Cactus Jack, and several others throughout its history. When he first brought the Raven character to WCW, he then debuted a similar faction known as The Flock with Perry Saturn, Billy Kidman, Lodi, Kanyon (though he was somewhat separate from the other members) and many others. Later in WCW, he was apart of the Dead Pool/Dark Carnival with the Great Muta, Vampiro, and the Insane Clown Posse.
In TNA Wrestling, Raven debuted “the Gathering.” This group included Alexis Laree, CM Punk, Julio Dinero, and Cassidy Riley. Later in TNA Wrestling, Raven would change things up a bit and debut a faction with A Clockwork Orange styled gimmick named Serotonin. This faction featured Johnny Devine, Frankie Kazarian, and Michael Shane.
– On Wednesday, WWE filmed SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella for a “great project” coming out later this year.
Joey Maloney, who handles producing, directing and cinematography on a wide range of features for WWE’s digital platforms, posted this behind-the-scenes photo of Carmella from the video shoot.
https://instagram.com/p/BlHKKPSgO4f/
With SmackDown taking place the night before in Manchester, New Hampshire, the shoot was apparently for a documentary-style video where Carmella returns to her hometown in the New England area. On her Instagram Story, she posted videos with her parents earlier in the day. Carmella also posted photos visiting her old dance school.
– With Extreme Rules taking place this Sunday, a number of WWE stars paid tribute to the hardcore icons of ECW, such as The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Sabu. Sonya Deville dressed up as Raven for the ECW photo shoot and the two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion tweeted his thoughts on her impersonation.
It’s funny, when asked who should play me in a movie (which of course will never happen) I always say Kristin Stewart… However, if it was a wrestler playing me,@SonyaDevilleWWE is perfection!
– Sean Waltman celebrates his birthday today as the former WWE/WCW wrestler turns 46 years old. In honor of his birthday, the official Instagram account for the WWE Network posted this clip of Waltman’s WCW debut on September 16, 1996, where he was shown sitting in the front row for a live episode of WCW Monday Nitro.
https://instagram.com/p/BlLlYQ0hLZk/
Later that night, Waltman stood and used a remote control to release New World Order (nWo) propaganda from the ceiling, revealing himself as the newest member of the recently formed faction. As the sixth member of the nWo, he became Syxx. WCW based his ring name on six being the sum of numbers of his name in the World Wrestling Federation, 1–2–3 Kid.
Former WWE Hardcore Champion Raven recently appeared on Prime Time with Sean Mooney to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Raven first discussed his struggles with mental health, and seeking the help of a Psychologist to help him get through it:
“Wrestling is full of tough guys, but we’re creative, because we’re creative people or you wouldn’t be in this particular sport. But tough guys don’t go to Psychologists. So many people could benefit from that, it saved me. I’m content now as a human being. I never could have dreamed of being content until I went to a Psychologist’s couch.”
Raven then talked about how he used to think that his professional wrestling career was a failure:
“I always held myself to a higher standard. I thought my career was a failure because I never was the World Champion of WWE. Of course, the odds against that were astronomical.
“The fact that I burned my bridge up there numerous times was making sure it’s not going to happen and I may not have been qualified to be the World Champion – I mean, I think I was – but let’s say some people didn’t think I was.”
He then realized that he actually had quite a successful career in the business:
“[My Psychologist] pointed out, ‘The only one holding you to a higher standard is you. You don’t have to hold yourself to that standard. You’re career was incredible successful’ and I go, ‘Yeah, but…’ and she goes, ‘Let me ask you this.
“If somebody else had your career, what would you tell them?’ Oh, they had an incredibly successful career! ‘Then why can’t you let yourself have that?’ That’s what I dealt with and that’s what we went through over and over until I accepted the fact that I had a hell of a goddamn career.”
Raven recently was interviewed by ESPN and below are some of the highlights:
Scripted promos being bad for the wrestling business:
“I think it’s bad for the business. Now they write promos for people. In the old days, you got bullet points. They said, ‘Here are the points you gotta hit, so do it in your character.’ If you didn’t know how to be a character or how to be a star, you didn’t get over.
Now they write for everybody, which is good for the lower-tier guys who can’t write, who aren’t creative enough yet or don’t have enough psychology yet. But for guys who have potential star power, you’re really killing it, because [Steve] Austin would’ve never came alive if they would’ve been writing his character for him. If they told him to just stay with these promos. It’s a whole different world now.”
The lack of original characters in professional wrestling:
“Ninety-nine percent of the business is two-dimensional. They don’t have points of view. People used to complain when they worked with Shane Douglas and he’d go, ‘The Franchise doesn’t do that,’ talking in the third person. I loved that about him because I want a guy that knows what his character would and wouldn’t do — because that I could work with. The character is three-dimensional. You know his point of view. The fans could probably tell you, which is ultimately what I wanted, what he would do in any situation.”
CM Punk crediting him for being the first veteran to teach him psychology during their ROH feud in 2003:
“I never realized I helped him that much. Maybe he was listening when I thought he was arguing with me. I thought he would’ve looked back with less than fondness on me because we butted heads quite a bit, but I’m glad he didn’t.”
You can check out the entire interview by clicking here.
Posted July 31st, 2017 in News, ROH. Tagged: Raven.
Former WWE Superstar Raven recently did an interview with ESPN to talk about his professional wrestling career and why he’s turned down multiple offers to work for WWE. You can see what he had to say here:
If he has any regrets about leaving WCW:
“I really wish I would’ve stayed. That’s one of my regrets. I didn’t stay because the idea he told me did nothing for me. I was gonna lose stock as a character, so I didn’t but I wish I would’ve [stayed] because the way things worked out with [Vince] Russo coming in six months later and Russo being a huge fan of mine, I probably would’ve been in the world title mix. I know I would’ve got way, way more money on my contract on my next deal because it was a year from being up, so I would’ve probably doubled what I was already making. So it really was a stupid idea of me to go, but I wasn’t having fun. It’s still a huge regret.”
Why he turned down offers from WWE:
“No, I wouldn’t take it. Here’s the problem– creative you’re just a cog. The problem is you create great ideas and then you don’t get to see them come to fruition. That’s so taxing to me emotionally because you get so involved in the characters. So that would suck. As far as being a backstage agent, I don’t have any interest in that because I’m not using my creativity in any really strong way. You’re just an agent, so that wouldn’t interest me. It’s a whole different world now. The old days I would’ve definitely been a booker somewhere, but now it’s a 24-hour, 7-day a week job. I have no interest in being on the road that much because after 30 years of being on the road I’m happy at home.”
His Johnny Polo gimmick in WWE:
“WWE made me Johnny Polo, which I never wanted to be. I never felt like I fit the character just because the way my vocal patterns are — sounds nothing like an upper Greenwich, Connecticut-type person. It sounds like a Philadelphia, south Philly kind of guy. It’s funny, Vince McMahon said to me when he let me go he goes, ‘you really aren’t Johnny Polo. It’s kind of a disconnect because you dress one way and when you leave the office, you dress a completely different way. You talk differently. You’re really not Johnny Polo.’ And I’m like, ‘I know, I never thought I was.”
You can check out Raven’s full interview with ESPN by clicking this link.
Posted June 6th, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Raven.
Scott Levy, better known as Raven, is the latest wrestler to be given his own podcast. It is set to debut on Chris Jericho’s podcast network on Monday.
Make sure u tune in to my new podcast The Raven Effect starting this Monday nite on the Jericho network on podcast one.
Jericho’s podcast network also includes shows hosted by Lance Storm and Don Callis, as well as “Keepin’ it 100” with Konnan.
Raven has appeared multiple times on Talk Is Jericho and has been a popular subject of various shoot interview DVDs.
Raven’s Career
The 52-year old Raven has a cult following of fans that rivals the cultish appeal of his character. Many fans have followed his unique career from ECW to WCW, and then from WWE to TNA. Jericho is banking that Raven’s flock of fans will follow him into the podcast world as well.
Raven first appeared on the wrestling scene in the early 90s as Scotty Flamingo in WCW’s first attempt at a light heavyweight division. He would later show up in WWE as Johnny Flamingo, who was primarily a manager and broadcast personality. When he left WWE in 1994 he decided to completely redo his character. Raven was invented, and became a focal point of ECW from 94-97.
In 1997 Raven debuted with WCW with the same character, and many of the same storylines. He would leave the company and rejoin ECW in 1999. He would sign with WWE in 2000, but largely foundered on Sunday Night Heat and other lesser programming. Raven also performed with TNA from 2003 to 2010.
Posted February 23rd, 2017 in News. Tagged: Raven.
The latest development in the ongoing battle between WWE and the various wrestlers suing them came today in the form of WWE filing a motion to dismiss the action filed by Marcus “Buff” Bagwell and Scott “Raven” Levy. This is the case dealing with WWE Network royalties, and there are two prongs to it:
That WWE has a legal obligation to pay both wrestlers royalties for WCW footage in general.
Levy’s 2000 WWF contract, because it allows for royalties from videos released in formats yet to be invented and did not specifically exempt royalties from internet and video on demand subscription fees the way current WWE contracts do.
WWE’s motion to dismiss deals with each in simple yet highly detailed fashion:
WWE does not fall under any of the legal criteria that would make it a successor company to WCW, if just because the legal entity formerly known as WCW still exists as the Universal Wrestling Corporation. Both plaintiffs’ WCW contracts also saw them forgo video royalties in exchange for other considerations.
The key language in the contracts is that royalties come from a “direct sale” of WWE home video products, with the references to technology not yet invented referring to formats like Blu-Ray. It didn’t exist at the time of the contract, but, like VHS, Laserdisc, and DVD, it’s a physical product that can be sold and re-sold. There’s also a detailed argument about how there’s legal precedent saying that a “sale” refers to a physical product, not a temporary license like a WWE Network subscription is. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt also points out that a WWE contract’s royalty structure is pretty much impossible to apply to WWE Network.
No word yet as far as when a ruling should be expected.
ECW Original Raven recently appeared as a guest on Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast and spoke about some issues he had during his early run in WWE, as well as his thoughts on a potential return to the company. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On what he felt the best match at WrestleMania 19 was:
“[Jericho] and Michaels had a phenomenal match, but I still thought that the best match, no offense, on the card was Hulk and Vince because Vince’s facials and they didn’t have 20 minutes of false finishes. I think they had just a comeback and go home, right? But I remember there was this one spot where Vince picked something up and he peers. Like, his head pops up and he’s peering over across the ring and the camera picks it up and I’m like, ‘oh, what a shot!'”
On leaving WWE during his run as Johnny Polo in the 1990s due to the company’s sex policy:
“Nobody leaves this company on their own terms. I did, so that was heat. Then, there [were] some other things that I can’t get into that were heat and so it was a whole confluence of things that were partially my fault, definitely partially my fault, and just circumstances. They made the policy that talent couldn’t sleep with the office people. I was proud of that.”
On getting heat with Vince McMahon for partying with Shane McMahon:
“They used to call me Johnny Port Chester Polo because Stamford [Connecticut], they rolled the sidewalks up at one o’clock, but Port Chester [New York] was open till, like, five in the morning. It’s, like, five miles away. My downfall was I’d bring Shane out with me, Shane McMahon. And the boys are like, ‘ah, you’re sucking up to him’ and I’m like, ‘no, I’m not! I’m burying myself’ because he’d call his dad, and on commentary, I’d call his dad ‘Vic’ instead of ‘Vince’, so he’d go, ‘hey, Vic,’ which is just horrible! He’d say, ‘hey, Vic, it’s,’ and it would be, like, four in the morning, ‘I’m just going to sleep at Johnny Polo’s tonight’ and so I just buried myself.”
On the possibility of a WWE return:
“Honestly, if I could go back, if I could go there now, I don’t think I would because I’d rather be semi-retired. If I had an opportunity to come in, which I don’t, but if I had an opportunity to come in and do what I wanted to do the way I wanted to do it, I’d take that in a heartbeat. But the odds of me ever getting that and the odds of them ever hiring me are [astronomically small], but the odds of me getting to do what I want to do are beyond [astronomically small].”
– WWE posted the above video preview of tonight’s new episode of the WWE Network original program, “Unfiltered with Renee Young,” where her special guest will be The Miz. In the above preview, The Miz talks about his hijinx while ordering food on the road.
– One-half of the legendary Rock ‘N’ Roll Express tag-team and arguably one of the best natural babyface performers of his era, Ricky Morton, is the guest on the latest edition of WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair’s WOOOOO! Nation podcast. The official description for the episode reads as follows:
“Ric welcomes his friend of over 30 years, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express’ Ricky Morton! Ric and Ricky share great stories from both inside and outside of the ring! Hear about the nine one hour draws they wrestled two weeks in a row, the drinking, the women and the infamous boat story! Ricky talks about the hard lessons learned on the business end of wrestling while riding high in the 80s. Another great episode from Ric and Conrad on WOOOOO! Nation! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!”
– The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast, which is available now, features an interview with ECW Original Raven. The description for the episode reads:
“Raven returns to TIJ, and this time he’s talking straight on wrestling! ECW, WCW, WWE, the creation of the Raven gimmick, in-ring psychology, booking, the indie scene, Roddy Piper, Paul E. Heyman, Vince Russo, and drinking with Shane McMahon.”
– The post-SummerSlam edition of WWE RAW at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, is officially sold out after another set of tickets for the show were released.
– ECW Originals Raven and The Blue Meanie have put their stamp of approval on the late “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith as a future WWE Hall Of Famer. The two posted the following videos endorsing the late wrestling legend.
Veteran pro wrestler Sonjay Dutt recently appeared on Main Event Madness Radio to discuss a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights from the interview:
On working with Amazing Red & early days of the TNA X-Division: “It was great, I was very young. So when you’re young and you’re put in that type of position you know, there really can’t be anything wrong. Everything is cool you’re in a different environment, a lot of fun in those early days in Nashville.”
On his feelings on Sabu & Raven: “I loved it because I was actually one of the biggest ECW fans there ever could be. I was fascinated by ECW. I watched it religiously, everything, anything I could get my hands on. I knew everything about everybody and Sabu was one of those guys I idolized and looked up to growing up watching wrestling. So just getting to work with him was a dream come true.
“[Opinion on Raven] It was awesome. He actually helped get me my job in TNA. He was a big proponent for me, and we had a real good relationship.”
On if the X-Division could’ve helped TNA, and his feelings on how it is today: “Yea absolutely. I think that was one of the main reasons people were watching. It was unlike anything else on television at the time.”
“[On how the X-Division is Today] Yea it’s definitely not what it was. I dont think it ever will be. I dont think they care to make it what it was. You’ve got to enjoy what’s put in front of you i guess.”
Check out the complete interview at MainEventMadness.com.
The chants can still be heard today. In fact, WWE still capitalizes on those three letters to this very day.
For example, last Monday night after RAW, WWE premiered “ECW Exposed” on the WWE Network as part of a full “ECW Week” theme for their digital subscription service.
Next Tuesday night, a second edition of “ECW Exposed” is scheduled to air on the WWE Network.
Hell, this weekend, Tommy Dreamer will be presenting the seventh “House Of Hardcore” event, which is considered by many to be a show with the old “ECW feel” to it.
My question is this, why do we see so many ECW reunion shows, but no WCW reunion shows? I’m assuming it has a lot to do with dollars and cents.
For an ECW reunion show to be held, you need at least some of the following guys: Paul Heyman, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Taz, Bully Ray, Devon, Terry Funk, The Sandman, Rob Van Dam, Raven and Shane Douglas. Sure, there are many other names you can go with, but you need at least a few of those guys on the event for it to feel like a legitimate ECW reunion show.
For a WCW reunion show to be held, you need at least some of the following guys: Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, Sting, Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Diamond Dallas Page, Lex Luger, Sid Vicious, Jeff Jarrett, Scott Steiner and Rick Steiner. Again, many names are missing, but the fact remains, the price tags of the key guys needed for an ECW reunion show versus the price tags for a WCW reunion show are world’s apart.
WWE has at different points in time had enough of the aforementioned WCW names under contract, and certainly has enough money to secure the stars they didn’t have at a particular point in time, to put together a legitimate WCW reunion show.
Outside of the financial side of putting together a reunion show for the former two biggest rival promotions to WWE, there is the financial side of how much these shows would generate.
When you compare the amount of DVDs sold between “The Rise & Fall Of ECW” and “The Rise & Fall Of WCW,” again you will notice that they are world’s apart.
When ECW went out of business in 2001 they were still a beloved promotion that just didn’t have the financial backing or television exposure to stay afloat. When WCW went out of business in 2001 they barely had a pulse.
The fan-base for ECW was a rabid, cult-like fan-base that loved their home-promotion dearly. The fan-base for WCW by the time the company folded in 2001 was practically nonexistent.
Still, it feels like there is enough WCW nostalgia for a reunion show to work. Anytime rumors circulate that claim WWE is in negotiations with Goldberg, Sting, or any of the other major names wrestling fans associate with WCW, there is a huge buzz. Fans are excited at the prospect of these guys coming into the current fold and squaring off against today’s crop of WWE Superstars.
Currently, there is a lot of interest in a Sting vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania. There has been buzz in the recent past about a possible showdown between Goldberg and his modern-day carbon-copy Ryback. There’s even been a lot of interest in “The Hulkster” lacing up his red and yellow boots once more.
If WWE were to sign all of these guys, or ever considered the idea at any point in time, why is it out of the realm of possibility that a WCW reunion show would be a success? Personally, I think it would work, however, I think WWE wants the WCW legacy buried and forgotten, and wants the fans of today to only remember history the way Vince McMahon and company choose to portray it.
Ever watched the “Monday Night War” documentary series on the WWE Network? Right there is a perfect example of the WWE-version of history being told.
The fact is, ECW was never a close second to WWE. They definitely provided a template on how to change the wrestling product into something more modern that fans of that generation soaked up in droves. The fact remains, however, that WCW was kicking WWE’s ass for a lengthy period of time.
Prior to that, when WWE was the top dog, WCW was always nipping at their heels. NWA before WCW was at times a close-second to WWE, and for a long period of time was considered to have the better talent roster. Additionally, NWA would beat WWE in television ratings on a somewhat regular basis before fans really paid attention to TV ratings or considered them any legitimate measure of success, as was the case when the ratings became the focal point of the WWE vs. WCW “Monday Night Wars.”
Outside of WrestleMania once a year, WWE puts on pay-per-views that for the most part feel the same. Nothing seems special or different about them anymore, and the entire idea behind a pay-per-view is to put on an event that feels bigger and more unique than a typical weekly wrestling television program.
Unfortunately, current WWE pay-per-views just feel like a slightly better version of a solid edition of WWE RAW and/or WWE SmackDown, when the company should be striving to put on pay-per-views that feel like “must see” or “can’t miss” programming.
Something tells me if WWE were to book a WCW reunion pay-per-view, if they booked the right guys, it would generate a ton of interest and likely draw a solid buyrate. It would garner interest from fans who escaped the wrestling bubble and moved on with their lives back in 2001 when the only alternative to the WWE-style of wrestling went out of business.
Picture it guys — WCW One Night Stand!
I’d fork out $44.95 and spend three hours of a Sunday evening to watch it.
And something tells me many others would as well.
How about you? Would you be interested in buying a “WCW Reunion” pay-per-view event? Let us know by posting your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also connect with me directly on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.
– The WWE DVD on Paul Heyman, “Ladies And Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman,” which is scheduled for an August 5th release, is scheduled to be built around Heyman as the guy who managed the guy who broke Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Among the people who filmed interviews for the DVD are Raven, Tommy Dreamer, Joey Styles, Mick Foley, Rob Van Dam, Jim Ross, Bill Apter and Stephanie McMahon.
– The Greatest Factions DVD that WWE is producing is set to be built around D-Generation X and the Four Horsemen as the key factions. The DVD will also cover the New World Order, The Nexus, The Shield, The Wyatt Family, Evolution, The Fabulous Freebirds, The Nation Of Domination, The Straight Edge Society and The Heenan Family.
-WWE returns to the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, the site of Sunday’s Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, on January 31st. The pre-sale password for tickets to the show is WWELIVE.
-On this day, 18 years ago, the famous fire incident in ECW took place with Terry Funk, Raven, Tommy Dreamer and Mick Foley in the original ECW Arena.
-Former WWE Superstar MVP celebrates his 40th birthday today. Also celebrating birthdays in the world of pro wrestling today are Christy Hemme, Les Thatcher and Rocky Romero.
-WWE Hall Of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch will be doing a live Q&A on November 14th in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as at Collector Mania in Milton Keynes, England on November 16th and 17th.
-TMZ posted an article today that noted Brian Wilson of the Los Angeles Dodgers dressed up as “Macho Man” Randy Savage at a Halloween party this past Saturday evening.
-The film “Riddick,” which stars Vin Diesel and features former WWE Superstar Batista, is expected to finish at number one for this weekend at the box office. The movie drew an estimated $18.67 million in gross for their opening weekened.
-Former WWE and WCW Superstar Raven celebrates his 49th birthday today. Raven was born on September 8, 1964.
-Also celebrating a birthday today is former WCW wrestler Lodi, who turns 43.
-Add Philly.com to the list of mainstream outlets covering football player Monkeith Brown’s decision to accept a developmental deal with WWE as opposed to pursuing his football career. You can read that story online at Philly.com.
– An independent organization in Georgia, AWF, is falsely advertising Ric Flair as competing at their “Wrestle Jam” event in Ringgold next Thursday.
In a press release the organization sent out, Flair is advertised to step into the AWF ring for the second time in a month against “Nature Boy” Paul Lee to “settle their ongoing feud.” The company claims that Flair and Lee have been rivals dating back to the early 1990s in World Championship Wrestling, which is false since Lee never appeared for the promotion.
The WWE Hall of Famer squashed the claim, writing on Twitter on Friday, “I am planning to go to the show in Ringgold May 30th, but I’m just signing autographs, NOT wrestling. Not sure how that rumor got started.”
– Raven has launched a podcast on YouTube, The Raven Effect, where he talks about wrestling and any other subject that pops into his head. In this edition, he talks about hats, head size and BBC America TV shows, in addition to wrestling.
– Former WWE and TNA Wrestling talent Elijah Burke turns 35-years-old today.