Raven Interview (Wrestlepress)
J-LUV: The last time you were really in the public eye before going to the ECW was in the WWF as Johnny Polo. That is a huge contrast. Who came up with the Raven character anyway?
RAVEN: The Raven gimmick I feel has always been an extension of myself. I feel that a guy in his career should try to play as many sides of life's coin as possible. To many guys are one dimensional as far as their gimmicks and style is concerned. Professional wrestling is all about variety. That's what the Raven persona offers. A variety all wraped up in one gimmick.
J-LUV: If you could do it all over would you still have played the Johnny Polo character?
RAVEN: Oh yes definatly. I would have liked to have been a little more active as far as in ring work was concerned but I was very pleased with my spot in New York. Like I said. Wrestling is about variety. That was just another chapter in my variety filled career.
J-LUV: How did you first get involved with the ECW?
RAVEN: When I first got involved with ECW the extreme idea really hadn't gotten off the ground. ECW is something special. I knew that before they went extreme. One of the deciding factors why I left the WWF was the fact that I wasn't being given the in ring time I wanted. I called Paul and asked if there might be a spot there for me. He was more than happy to bring me in and the rest was history.
J-LUV: What were you're first impressions of it, did you think it'd be as popular as it became?
RAVEN: I knew from the first moment I walked into the dressing room that this was the beginnings of something special. I had a feeling with the visions Paul E had that sooner or later people would be using ECW as the measuring stick in the buisness. Nash couldn't have said it any better when he first came into WCW. When ECW took off the measuring stick changed and ECW was where it was at. Still is...
J-LUV: Did you ever get seriously hurt in the ECW? If so against who?
RAVEN: Every injury in wrestling I consider serious so I really couldn't say exactly which one here or which one there. I will say that injuries was a big reason why I decided to go to WCW. Lighter schedule and better pay. I had to think about my future. ECW survived without me and they always will. I wouldn't be suprised if ECW was one day as big as WCW and the WWF. Wouldn't that be interesting? I just hope I'am around to see it.
J-LUV: Who all in the ECW did you enjoy working with?
RAVEN: Tommy Dreamer. Him and I really tested each other everytime we went out there. It was his idea to job for me everytime out. Sandman was another I had alot of fun with. Hell I could sit here and rattle off 30 reasons why I liked working with the company period. Tommy takes the cake though...Sorry guys
J-LUV: Who did you not like working with?
RAVEN: I didn't not like working with anyone. Everytime you step into the ring with a guy it's a chance to learn. I dont care if you've been working for 2 years or 20 years. There is never too much out there to learn about the wrestling trade.
J-LUV: How did you come into contact with the WCW?
RAVEN: Terry Taylor was the first to contact me. Todd Gordon never mentioned Jack to me. Todd Gordon is nothing but a gutless loser that had a dream and screwed it up. Anyway Terry made me an offer that I first turned down. After looking at my future and doing alot of soul searching I went ahead and signed. I felt I didn't have much of an option if I wanted to be active to a ripe old age.
J-LUV: How long is your contract with the WCW for?
RAVEN: 3 years
J-LUV: What do you have to say to people that call you a sell-out (Even though I know theyd do the same thing if they were in your position)?
RAVEN: You know. This is a touchy subject. Look at the people that labled me a sellout. These are people that sit on their asses every Monday night criticizing everything about wrestling when they need to look at their own lives. I have busted my ass in this buisness working to gain one thing. Respect. I feel I have earned that. Working the ECW style if a guy isn't careful can be very bad for your health. Look at it this way. If you were working a job that was very trying on you physical well being and were all of a sudden offered almost 4 times you current salary plus a greatly reduced schedule what would you do?? Enough said. To anyone out there who still thinks I sold out?? The ECW show must go on and it has so kiss my ass.
J-LUV: What do you think about the whole Tod Gordon/Mole deal? Do you know if this is legit?
RAVEN: You know like I said before. Gordon makes me sick. Nobody has really been told the straight story. The boys know that something was up...something that stunk...And Todd was gone. He doesn't belong anywhere near a ring anyway. He had a good thing and screwed it up. Good riddens
J-LUV: Did Tod Gordon have anything to do with you going to the WCW?
RAVEN: God I hope not. He never acted as a middle man for me. I did my own talking. Whatever else he might have done was hogwash.
J-LUV: How do you like the WCW so far? I know you've been there before but it has gone under some significant changes since then.
RAVEN: So far I have had a good time. Nothing to complain about. Significant changes yes. Bigtime changes. It's for the better though.
J-LUV: What are your thoughts on the WWF-WCW war?
RAVEN: I just wish that Vince and Eric would quit acting so childish and worry about their own product. While WCW and WWF are worrying about each other ECW is setting the standard as far as entertainment. You look at an ECW show and put it up against say a Clash or IYH. Which has more wrestling??
J-LUV: How did you feel about the ECW-WWF agreement?
RAVEN: This helped both companies so I was cool with it. We needed the exposure Raw could offer and Titan needed our guys to take their guys to the extreme. Give 'em a wake up call to what real entertainment really is.
J-LUV: We know that Saturn, you, Stevie Richards, Loui Spicolli and other have gone or are going to the WCW. Do you worry that the ECW may fold because of its loss of talent?
RAVEN: Anyone and everyone in this sport can be replaced. From Hulk Hogan to Shawn Michaels. All that needs to be done is their name be erased from the booking sheets and some elses be written in. I would personally be shocked if ECW folded. Paul E just has too good of a mind for that to happen.
J-LUV: Five years from now, do you think the ECW will still be around?
RAVEN: Definatly
J-LUV: Are there any wrestlers you just enjoy watching?
RAVEN: Anybody that goes out there and puts on a show because they love doing what they're doing is enjoyanle to watch in my book. If you dont love what you're doing in there than it will reflect in your work rate. If I had to pick one guy though it would be Terry Funk. For a guy his age to be doing moonsaults proves to me without a shadow of a doubt that he loves his trade. It shows....
J-LUV: I have heard that there is a no compete clause from your ECW contract that is keeping you out of the PPV's. When is this clause over?
RAVEN: No Comment
J-LUV: Could we see a version of Raven's Nest in the WCW?
RAVEN: I think you might be seeing the start of that as I type this.
J-LUV: Are things with the Kliq (Nash, Hall and Waltman) really as bad as everyone seems to say?
RAVEN: I'm probably gonna catch alot of heat for this but I'm gonna answer it anyway. Maybe not as bad as some of the fantasy horror stories I have read but yes.....They are bad. When they get on their soapboxes the back goes to shit. Too much ego stroking going on.
J-LUV: Do you hang out with any other wrestlers when you're not at events?
RAVEN: Glen (Disco) and I have always been really good friends. We hang out constantly. In my opinion it seems like the ECW guys are kinda sticking together. I'm cool with it though. I pal around a bit with Mongo. He's a riot. There's more to name but I'm just kinda tired right now...Sorry
J-LUV: Any closing comments?
RAVEN: In the past few days our buisness has been rocked by Brian passing on. It's a very sad thing when someone who loved this sport the way he did is taken away in the blink of an eye. I wish all people on the internet reading this would bow their head and say a prayer for Brian and his family.
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