Interesting Tidbits
1- Raven has some very candid and interesting comments about working for the WWF, WCW and ECW.
2- He also talks about Yokozuna, Tazz, Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts, kicking drugs, former characters and his future plans.
Full Recap
- Michael Hayes is hosting the show tonight, replacing Coach.
- Once again, there were "thousands" of emails sent in for Raven.
- Recap of No Mercy. They were very impressed with Steve Austin's performance at the show. They played along with the storyline of Rikishi having an accomplice in running over Austin. They also put over Kurt Angle winning the WWF title, saying that if there is anyone who is worthy of the belt after 1 year, it is Angle. Hayes decided to "shoot" and said that he hopes that we don't ever see Los Conquistadors again. After this, they basically put over the entire PPV.
- Discussion about the WWF on Wall Street yesterday. Tom felt that all the "suits" did not know what to think about seeing the WWF there but it was a success.
- Rundown of what occurred on Raw and what will happen on Smackdown and Sunday Night Heat.
- Raven joined the show.
Question: Background in other feds
Raven feels that apparently he can't keep a job anywhere since he has been everywhere twice. However, he wanted to always return to the WWF.
Question: Year 2000
His plans have come into fruition because his single goal was to return to the WWF. Being a purist and a student of the game, there is no better company to work for. He loved working for Paul Heyman, even though there was a lot of bickering and arguing. However, he wanted to come back and work for Vince McMahon.
Question: Leaving WCW
WCW was being run so poorly and it was horrible. Looking back, he feels that maybe he shouldn't have been talking so badly about the company while working there. He talked about going on the Mancow show and burying the company. Bischoff confronted him about doing it. He knew that he and guys like Konnan would get in trouble. Then, Bischoff called the big meeting where he offered Raven the opportunity to leave, which he took. He gained a lot of respect for Bischoff for doing that. He left, with every intention of coming to the WWF. However, Bischoff and the WCW attorneys decided that he could not jump to WWF but could go to ECW. Paul Heyman gave him a figure that he was very suprised with, considering Heyman's frugalness. He also felt that ECW was making a big stride towards becoming number 2 in the business. Things did not work out the way that he wanted. He then saw the Radicals jump to the WWF and saw that this is where he wanted to be. The one good thing that came from it was that he was able to kick drugs.
Question: Being accepted in the WWF locker room
Raven feels that he is getting along with everyone but it may all be a scam. However, he basically knows everyone in the company with the exception of Triple H and the Rock. He met them in his last tenure with the WWF, ECW and WCW.
Question: Comparison to Tazz
Raven felt that Tazz's whole career was ECW before arriving in the WWF. Therefore, he can't compare the situations with each other. He thinks that he is trying very hard to fit in but has lost a piece of his edge doing that.
Question: The Raven character
He is happy to have used the same character in all 3 major federations. It is an extension of his true character. Scotty the Body was also a different extension of his true personality. However, he then saw the business changing and he had to develop a character with more of an edge. The "misfit" character became more compatible with the fans.
Question: Does he like teaming with Tazz against former ECW guys or taking on new guys?
Right now, Raven is actually just enjoying going out there and working in the ring. He also enjoys working on new moves which he is trying to incorporate into his repertoire.
Question: His theme music
Raven did not have any hand in his theme music. He did have a hand in his WCW theme song. (side note: that's really messed up, this will be the same music he'll have to come out to and he wasn't even allowed to have ANY say in it, yet other wrestlers DO have a say in their theme's)
Question: Another Flock?
He can't say what the future holds and he does not want to know because there is too much anxiety involved in it. He has always been put in a position where his help was a necessity. In the WWF, they don't really need any assistance. However, he would always be willing to help. It is a refreshing change to work for a company that knows what it is doing.
Question: Roddy Piper
Roddy had a hand in helping to save his career at one point. Raven spoke about working around the country before going down to Portland. Roddy heard about and enjoyed Raven's commentary where he worked with Gordon Solie and gave him the opportunity.
Question: Jake "the Snake" Roberts
Raven felt that his character is largely influenced by Jake Roberts. Dr. Tom made a joke that it is no wonder that Raven was involved in drugs. (that remark was uncalled for, period...joke or not.)
Question: Work ethic in WWF
The work ethic is tremendous because everyone works at such a frantic pace. Guys like Albert, who are heavier, work at such a tremendous pace, it is amazing to him. His friends in WCW ask him how to prepare for the WWF, in case they buy WCW. He tells them to get in great shape. The guys backstage all get behind everyone else. Raven told a story about working a PPV match against Brian Pillman in WCW, where once the match was done, all of the boys were lined up to congratulate them. He commented that it was the last time that happened in WCW. This is what it is like in the WWF.
Question: What about Raven?
He does not feel as much pain inside anymore. After he got clean, he started to get rid of some of those feelings. 6 years ago, it was 100% him. Now, the feelings and pain are still there but not controlling him.
Question: Goals
His ultimate goal is to be the WWF champ. Whether he actually achieves it is another story. He used to watch wrestling as a kid and always wanted to be the champ. He brought up watching Mr. Fuji as a youngster.
Question: Yokozuna
Raven did not really know him that well but he feels that it is a great shame and tragedy. He knows a lot of people who knew him well and he feels very sad for them.
Question: Did he feud with Tazz in ECW?
They had only one match ever in ECW when he was the "furry" Tazz. Tazz used to be kind of reckless at that time. He spoke about getting suplexed on the wooden floor. The ironic thing is that they always rubbed each other the wrong way. He never thought that they would be teaming together and they get along well now. Raven spoke about growing up as a person over the years and that has him over the years in getting along with people.
Question: Favorite matches
Being a perfectionist, he is never pleased with any of his matches. He is always impressed with angles leading up to matches. He brought up a Jerry Lawler/Austin Idol angle from Memphis.