Raven Shoot Interview (2024) | WSI 103 🎤

[@jackcurran4438]

I love a Raven interview. He's one of my favourites, not just as a wrestler, but even just listening to him talk about wrestling, he's brilliant. Such an intelligent, entertaining person. I really appreciate people like Raven. Cool guy, brilliant mind, one of the truly great performers in wrestling history.

[@davenwatts8173]

Quote the Raven,"it's uh...ya know?" Still love him

[@simonpeters9324]

It sucks. I hope it's not an early sign of CTE. He's a legend.

[@mdm32746]

@@simonpeters9324 yea its scary. hoping its not that.

[@andrewramsdale]

@@mdm32746it’s probably an early sign of cte memory loss is part of it

[@jeffswaggerty2797]

​@mdm32746 ...something is definitely not right

[@jeffreyblock16]

I don’t get all the hate. The dude is a normal person answering a fans questions. He’s not promoting anything and not a politician or full of shit.

[@thomashall6288]

Because people are retarded...that's why

[@ChillPill365]

@@Gluemn as far as I know Scott was never actually rude or anything. “Raven” was a gimmick lol. Those people are marks.

[@InYourHeadChangedMan]

I've seen every Raven shoot interview out there he doesn't say anything new here , there's even a 7 hour compilation of Raven shoots on KZbin we really don't need another, I think he works best in a structured manner like when he did the Kayfabe Commentaries ECW Timeline series, would be cool to see a WCW timeline series from when Raven showed up in WCW back in 1997

[@AP7K]

@@InYourHeadChangedManany new Raven interviews are good, imo. I appreciate that he still does stuff like this.

[@IamThePro78]

I didn't know he is hated lol

[@simonpeters9324]

Raven will always be my favorite wrestler. I found him on TNA as a kid, went back through old ECW/WCW shows and became fascinated with him. Exactly who teenage me thought I was lmao.

[@gordonirvine726]

The psychology of emotional pain Vs physical pain was awesome ❤

[@triumpthat]

I waited for this shoot for ever. Thankx Jim.

[@MagnumSkyWolf]

For those that don't know Raven was a member of mensa with a supposed high IQ. He's been open about multiple mental health issues and more. I'm glad he's still around with us and trying to improve himself

[@haiasieel6099]

It's also been said that people with high IQ are also bored easily and will disconnect during conversations or interactions they don't deem fit.

[@DavidMartinez-pg3zq]

For those that don't know Mensa is a work

[@Charles-h1x]

I want to be an ombudsman

[@briankiser3227]

​@DavidMartinez-pg3zq how is it a work ?

[@DavidMartinez-pg3zq]

@@briankiser3227 Because it's a club that only accepts folks who score a certain amount on a so-called supervised IQ test to make them feel like they are special being in the Top 2% when in reality the test means nothing (i.e there is no awards or money in it) and most of us couldn't care less about some IQ test. It's a work for those who buy stock in it.

[@brianbradford4023]

Raven looks like the love child of Vader and Gerald Ford.

[@simobut7174]

This loser taking a dig at someone that’s been in poor health .. accomplished more in 30 years than than you will in entirety..go back to your pc and jerk off saddo

[@aliceyuri]

spot on lol

[@jp_ekw]

Sir, that was an incredible interview with a legendary icon. Thank you for respecting the way you did.😊

[@kanedasrifle]

That was tremendous, channels been on fire lately Always good to listen to Raven.

[@Mikey2Times]

The Barry Horowitzs' and the Brooklyn Brawlers of the business were the drivers of house shows for years. It was all squash matches except the "main event" , which was usually the major babyface vs. a mid card heel . It kept everything believable and everyone strong.

[@larkvanderpooli7794]

Tiger Chun Lee. Iron Mike Sharpe

[@pendafen7405]

This should be Jon Moxley's current role

[@jakeerbst4073]

I feel like Raven is getting a little sick of talking about the same stuff over and over, but I feel like he sort of perked up while talking about the concepts of wrestling rather than “what was it like working with Vince?”

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

@@Gluemnyeah KZbin was at its best from 2014-2018. Now it’s so heavily censored you can’t even speak your mind freely in the comment section. Ridiculous

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

I knew Raven was going to crap on the interview from the moment James pointed out Saturn was number one and he was number two. James isn’t the great interviewer people say he is. He’s done a good job building a decent show but I’ve seen him run guest the wrong way countless times.

[@nbaldwin45]

Yeah, he stressed that he was only at WWE for a year but then James carries on asking him WWE questions. When James asked about Portland, he became much more enthusiastic. Like Raven himself said, he doesn't have fond memories of his Johnny Polo days overall. I'd have liked to have heard more about WCW and the light-heavyweight/cruiserweight division.

[@nbaldwin45]

@@Gluemn I wouldn't go that far but he gels better with some interviewees than others. He's a lot more comfortable than he used to be but I think he should've picked up earlier that Raven wasn't particularly happy being quizzed on certain companies.

[@pendafen7405]

Yes, Scotty is definitely the type who needs variety and stimulation in the enclosure. Can't keep feeding him the same thing or he'll either get depressed and disengaged or agitated.

[@JasonB_13]

I was 19, 20 years old watching Raven on ECW at midnight on Saturday but when he showed up on Nitro I thought he'd be a megastar. He absolutely was one of my favorites.Tuesday morning was centered around discussing Raw and Nitro and everyone dug Raven. Much like Bray Wyatt though the writers COMPLETELY WASTED his best years. He probably didn't do himself any favors but it could have been so much more.

[@HiGlowie]

Raven should have been far bigger than he was in WCW and WWE. As a kid, I watched WCW for Raven and Sting.

[@JasonB_13]

@@HiGlowie I still scratch my head over how it didn't happen. Yes, he (and partner in crime Saturn) made some poor recreational decisions outside of the ring and, by all accounts, could have an assertive and off putting approach backstage- no one disputes that. Nevertheless, he had the IT factor. Charisma out the wazoo, solid worker, world class promos and an innate understanding of wrestling psychology.

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

He could of been but WCW’s pecking order was based on pay grade. At least that’s what a lot of the guys say. Certainly seems that way because the main event scene barely changed from ‘97 - ‘99. On the other hand WWF’s main event totally transformed during same time period

[@gene_takavic57]

One of my favorite Scotty The Body lines, "He's got a good body..he just needs to develop it!"

[@karlvanslyke9059]

I live in the pacific northwest I remember when we wrestled I wasn't surprised that he became a true legend in wrestling

[@artminusme]

Big Raven fan, but I could tell Raven is done talking about the same old past wrestling questions

[@HiGlowie]

Agreed. He shouldn’t take the money for the interviews if he doesn’t want to them though

[@TheDonkeyFuzz]

That’s not it. He’s dealing with CTE and it’s hard for him to get his thoughts together. Listen to his speech slur. Ten years ago he didn’t talk like that. A lot of ECW guys are starting to decline. Same with the UFC guys from the 90’s to 2000’s.

[@Godblessusall100]

Raven one of the best got to meet him a few times love him...,.that shirt he got on is 🔥

[@LordAngron]

The Seven angle is covered in full on RF Video's Raven shoot interview part 2. That was a 2disc set covering the ECW/WCW/WWE years. He has a bandage on his forehead for that interview. More stuff on Tori was also covered.

[@steel927]

I feel bad listening to how much he loses train of thought on simple questions. Chairshots impacted him for sure

[@smoothpoon86]

That’s and he’s just a spaz with ADHD lol

[@stuartday1330]

Dude that isn't chair shots. The man has scattered brains and always has been. He is A.D.D personified and now he's old and probably could make use of ritalin but because of his addiction problems which surprise one was coke, he can't or won't do it.

[@TheSophisticatedSavage]

He's a member on MENSA

[@TheDonkeyFuzz]

He’s an amazingly smart dude but CTE is catching up with him. You can hear it in his speech pattern and him losing his train of thought and rambling from one subject to another. It sucks, I always liked Raven. These ECW guys are all dead or declining. Sandman and Tommy Dreamer are showing signs too.

[@Foreriverricky]

And drugs... Let's not forget that

[@erebustheslackerrr]

The years of drugs & wrestling finally caught up to Raven it seems. 😢 Lifelong fan here, he seems to be struggling to speak kinda like seniors going through dementia or complications from CTE. Forever a legend! Quote the Raven, Nevermore. 🐦‍⬛

[@francisj9003]

Oh this is great Raven is truly a wrestling mastermind. He's not talked about enough. Wish he had a podcast.

[@thesnerg8691]

He does! It’s called The Raven Effect :)

[@rollonickels4581]

He did have a podcast, maybe 8 or 9 years ago, long before podcasts became what they are now. Try to find it. Much fresher. Funny as hell, every episode. Lasted maybe a year (?)

[@trendmassacre8423]

Raven is the Dave Mustaine of wrestling, tells stories down to almost every detail, has a bit of an attitude (which I absolutely LOVE) and would have no problem putting you in your place if necessary!

[@bullettoothjosh]

Raven can use Dutch's excuse, too many shots to the head

[@stevenlamorte6330]

And your excuse is you hate yourself so you have to judge everyone

[@TheEvolver311]

​@stevenlamorte6330 As you judge someone, see it's almost like being judgemental is a human trait and you are not above it.

[@Charles-h1x]

If you haven't seen the USWA team of Scotty Flamingo and Brian Christopher ,they were really good.

[@mjdf122]

Quote The Raven 🐦‍⬛ Nevermore

[@packo12]

Great interview, thank you

[@acecommander1]

Very enjoyable thank you for this interview

[@danjohnson8138]

James is goat of wrestling podcasts.

[@David-no5vr]

Agreed 💯 never has an agenda he speaks really well and his questions are always good oh and he never cuts of his guest (looking at you Conrad)

[@danjohnson8138]

@@David-no5vr never commits DV , looking at you conrad

[@JanetsPlanetAMC]

Tori question/topic @ 1:01:36 - I too have always wanted a thorough answer on what happened on this completely dropped angle. I read somewhere that the feud was supposed to lead to a mixed tag match at Wrestlemania 17 between Crash and Molly Holly vs Raven and Tori. But then the angle was dropped, and Raven was added to the Big Show and Kane hardcore match. It’s too bad this happened because I feel like Molly Holly and Tori would have resulted in some great matches. Also, to answer the host: Her last name is pronounced ‘Pawk’ (like X-Pac, which is a crazy coincidence).

[@JoeChillton]

Here after the Stevie interview. Sad to see Raven, hope he gets better.

[@FreddyKruegerRealEstate]

You don't get "better" from the Ageing processes - let alone the effects of brain damaged and neurological scarring from decades of CTEs, substance abuse and cardiovascular issues. We all are slowly dy*ng after we stop growing, and we can't escape decline as we age. When things happen from illness, to bad luck, to accidents, to not taking care of yourself for years on end happen... typically that speeding up of the decline is permanent. You can't get the years of peak cognitive of physical health back. It takes years to grow up and fill out, but it only takes a few short years to undue all that. That's why it is so important to take care of yourself when you are young, and never let your health decline early. The most important thing you can do is in your twenties, thirties and forties to take care of your teeth, heart, body or mind/brain - you need to say active, keep learning, always challenge your mind, never gain too much weight, never be sedentary for extended periods, get regular daily cardio, and don't do drugs. However for guys in Ravens business, their options were more limited as they had to live rough and ab**e their bodies (especially the ECW guys) for years and years to pay their bills and make a living. They traded their longevity for monetary gain and fame. Most of them lived fast and hard instead slow and cautiously... So given that: quite frankly given Raven has hundreds of Chair shots to the head, countless bumps, dozens of dives off high places, almost two decades of substance issues, and life threatening health issues that effected his brain... it's amazing he's not only still alive, BUT also in fairly decent condition and physical shape compared to his peers. It's amazing that he is still a intelligent guy and quick witted, even if he still struggles cognitively. Hearing him talk about his car TV and tech, and how he lights up and becomes far more eloquent with his words shows that he's still in remarkably functional shape. But sadly he WILL decline more in the coming years as is the nature of his issues.

[@FrightfullyForgotten]

Getting schooled by Raven on VCP vs a VCR was amazing!

[@JoaquinGonzalezSmilingalways]

I wonder what happened between Raven and Tori? I’m really disappointed nothing was discussed about it.

[@kazman_6899]

Tori the X-Pac one?

[@nbaldwin45]

Yeah, that was killed stone-dead. On top of the ninja thing, Scotty and Tori/Terri worked together in Portland, so I was surprised he didn't say more about her. I think by this point in the interview, Raven just wanted to promote his game and get out of there.

[@pendafen7405]

Timestamps for any Kidman mentions? Am bookmarking to watch in full later

[@thewhitepanther6052]

Still think the perry saturn interview was one of the best james has done. Im sure theres heaps more questions to ask him.

[@sonofsarek]

One time I sat behind the Raven’s Flock at a Monday Nitro. Raven turned around, offered me a wadded up $10 bill, and told me to buy him a beer. I politely declined as I was only 18 years old at the time. My question would be, how drunk was he that night?

[@Mr.Majestic77]

Scott "Raven" Levy is currently a producer for Court Bauer's Major League Wrestling (MLW).

[@myyoutube62]

I came here after hearing how... "rough" this interview allegedly is. And yes, you can tell he's lost a step or two, mentally; whether it's being 60 years old, his laundry list of health problems, all the substance abuse in his past, being on the Spectrum, taking more unprotected chair shots to the head than most of us have gotten laid, or a combination of the above. That said, while you can tell he's struggling at times and loses his train of thought pretty often, Levy is such a literal absolute high IQ genius that him operating at 75% is still as good or better than a lot of dudes operating at 100%. I'll take listening to him despite him not firing on all cylinders over watching an Enzo Amore shoot even if Enzo somehow managed to fire on twice as many cylinders.

[@myyoutube62]

(Also, this isn't too terribly far off from how he's always been in shoot interviews even back into the early 2000's. It's more pronounced due to the issues listed above, but he's always been a bit of a rambler and known to go off on tangents and switch between multiple topics. I'd bet my entire bank account dude has ADHD.)

[@Randy_Reacts]

If I had 37 wishes, one of them would be for Raven to be in RetroMania Wrestling. Let's all join hands across America and make this happen.

[@priestfan81]

Raven is awesome in interviews. The only negative is, people like me watched his RF series and think we've been in the business for 20 years😅. He drops so much knowledge and has so many great ideas.

[@mox19380]

People want to know what CTE looks like? this is it. Raven is a very VERY smart person. IT is clear the years of vicious head shots and concussions have changed his mind. I mean damn he starts sentences and a few words into them clearly forgets what he meant to say. it's really unfortunate and for James who often cites this as one of the interviews he dislikes the most i hope he's considerate of the subjects state of mind always.

[@b.msabol8551]

Raven was into dope pretty bad at one point too. In one of his older interviews he did say he used to run into walls head first to knock himself out... So you do have a point

[@johnnybrix5308]

Love Raven and all the wrestlers. They were our childhood heroes. Respect.

[@905JimRaynor]

they say that Raven is the Flock's guide... down alienation's barren path... the truth is.. i walk alone... quote the Raven.. nevermore.

[@bryannimmo8548]

"I could give you a bunch of answers, but none of them would be accurate." Raven in a nutshell, and I mean that as a compliment.

[@Buffalo_Wingman]

The story about him and Davey Boy Smith being threatened at gunpoint sounds crazy. Also, these two drinking together: 🤯.

[@ClosedForChange]

What about me what about Raven! Dudes a genius of his gimmick. One of the best mid card performers. His time during the show helped keep me entertained till the end match.

[@paulytfromgc]

Raven was my favorite back in ecw/wcw. His wwe run was so disappointing. So funny how some of his answers is hell I don’t remember, but some is very detailed.

[@bigscarybaldguy1429]

Watching back the old ECW, Sandman story with Tyler, man that was some messed up stuff. That kid did some great acting with Raven...or was it acting?

[@richardwang1739]

He will be the Raven we remember nevermore. Maaaan he's gotten old.

[@daverindone655]

People are taking that as some kind of personal attack, it's rather fascinating. It's like seeing David Lee Roth now and then. I hardly look the same at 57 than 27, but I don't get all offended over it.

[@Rolo555]

Yeah we all get old.

[@jordanwilliams7996]

Gettin old is apart of life quit cryin.

[@kylemoore2330]

My favorite wrestler of all time honestly wish he was booking aew or something.

[@SLRose-bc4rs]

Scott looks just like his dad at that age. And that's a good thing.

[@MonoGrinded]

Sandman definitely the heaviest smoker. Rene Dupree booked a hotel room with him one night in the WWECW days and he had to just leave for a different room cause of how hard Sandman chain-smoked. And Rene is a smoker too haha.

[@TheDerekRubyShow]

One of the most underrated ever.

[@cfhcowboy9292]

Scott( raven) levy is awesome good to see him healthy and happy

[@siavonsenzu6959]

Really great to see Raven ! He is one of my favorite ! Discovered him as a wrestler in wCw 97 ! So underrated, great mind, love his run with TNA too

[@DVYPHONICDVY]

He looks like an albino guru yoga instructor

[@MidnightMetalUniverseYT]

Raven is a timeless legend!

[@ToJuRacing]

Raven is awesome! He has a great head for the Biz!

[@zemmons5000]

He's like, I know Vince and he could end up coming back with a vengeance so I'm not going to say anything

[@scotthalvorson1161]

Raven rocks, doesnt matter if he's getting older he will always be a legend and one of the best wrestlers and characters of the 90s

[@RetroHabit82]

What about me!!!!! What about Raven!

[@jayschultz202]

What about me??? What about Raisin??

[@Rocket_Skates]

So, Raven spoke about Tori (The Ninja) in an interview many years ago (his memory failed him here). He said she would have one spot per match as his valet and manage to mess up every time. She went and complained that Raven yelled at her backstage but several agents and other wrestlers said that wasn’t true. She was gone from the company not long after. Also of note, Raven said he wanted her to be a hippie/fairy Stevie Nicks type because she was a weird person anyway but she insisted on being a ninja for some reason.

[@Marvel_Polaris]

ECTOUGH ECW LEGEND 🏟

[@houdiniwitdajunk6824]

Thanks for awesome childhood!wonder how many of these comments would be said to him in his face in his prime 😂

[@MR-in8bl]

Raven is turning into Arn Anderson and Vaders love child

[@TeeTee-zm2re]

😂

[@iamdb1990]

I don't want to be nit-picky, but I feel like Raven's audio could've been bumped up a bit, or James' lowered a touch

[@DimJongUn]

Johnny Polo!

[@jeremybayne5895]

Once again, raven, just being cryptic.And not really answering anything way to go you did your best james

[@arcaderacer586]

Yes Raven! We want to watch 29 days of weekly shows &no matches so the PPV will be special #GENIUS

[@HiGlowie]

A lot of people would lose interest though. Maybe weekly shows, but even then the storytelling and characters would have to be insanely realistic.

[@ReanimatorsMutilations]

​@@HiGlowiethink they were being sarcastic

[@sammydabull4001]

@8:50 I THINK IT'S FUNNY HOW THE GENERATION THAT DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE RESPECT TO VETERANS NOW WANTS RESPECT FROM ROOKIES😂😂😂

[@pigactor]

22:27 Raven could have been a psychology professor there at the University of Science.

[@RedMachineKieran]

Smart guy, great mind of the business but Jesus Christ my head hurts listening to this 🤦🏻

[@Buzzard095]

Raven! 🖤

[@markconner8664]

I don’t care what anyone says. Raven is the greatest wrestling character of all time. Quote the Raven - Nevermore.

[@adarkprofilepicture1313]

You can tell that he hates the WWE related questions. He’s already explained in various interviews that he didn’t enjoy his time there when he was Johnny Polo and Vince was never on board with him as a wrestler to begin with. Why the interviewer insists on bringing it up, I have no idea.

[@tripleraven]

why is the sound in mono

[@kazman_6899]

They should have asked him if he felt he could have hung with DDP, Savage and Hall when he was brought in closer to the top of the card. And whether he felt he could maintain it. And whether he would have been comfortable playing a face and cutting face promos (or no promos at all) My guess is he'd say yes. $$$. Who wouldn't want to come in as a top guy? Raven was quickly moved down after the Mystery Man angle, and anchored to the midcard with Stevie and the Flock.

[@jamesdarwinsmithii7039]

James is the best at what he does. No agenda just asking the questions. His podcast with Dutch Mantell is amazing. Also if I was running a wrestling company I would try to get him in creative. Sharp guy. And I remember him in the Oregan area as Scotty the Body. Such a great change from that to Raven.

[@jonbourgoin182]

Sean Oliver did it best and paved the way for guys like James

[@geedee1264]

Oliver is more of a crass sleaze, was also amazed to learn hed never heard of the ruthless aggression term/era

[@inhumanoiddcompose7043]

ecw raven has always been one of my favorite wrestlers of all time.

[@k_gene2816]

Love Raven .. but his time with shoots and interviews are done.. the man is a hardcore legend!

[@AmericanCombatAssoc]

The Squash match tv format was great. It allowed name guys to showcase themselves and get their character over.

[@Censored4UViaGoogle]

Yeah. I’d like to see a company utilize it again. An hour of tv with squash matches, a weekly update segment highlight current angles and a short up coming events segment.

[@koolkeiths]

Raven has a brilliant wrestling 🧠

[@airfixx_8952]

Strange; reading these comments you'd have thought Raven was being a pain in he arse and being a tough interview and that James was botching it.......... He was willing and giving with his answers; but sometimes there's just not much story to tell on certain subjects and they're just more intriguing to the fans than they are to one that experienced it.... Especially things that are now 30 years ago and the wrestler has put behind them (i.e. the intricacies of his frustration during his OG WWF run). Hearing Raven talk psychology and character is always cool.

[@MR-in8bl]

My top by boy, "The Head of the Stable."

[@ducklife420]

Awesome James is the man I look forward to this!

[@NewportBox100s]

Raven is just going off the rails here 😂

[@JohnwayneNOgacy]

Quote the Raven

[@SegaCDUniverse]

One of my all time favorite wrestlers, thank you

[@michaelrood2751]

Love Raven. Such a smart guy

[@JunkYardCardGuy]

It's so unfair to try to diagnose this dude, based on a single sit-down.... The shaking hands could be seen a bit worrisome...

[@nbaldwin45]

Well done on getting through this one, James. Raven can be a notoriously prickly interviewee, as Louis Theroux can attest. He's smart but he insists that his interviewers are smart and listen too. Somebody like Hannibal interviewing Raven would be a car crash

[@AndyouareWrong]

Thoroux was and is for all of eternity a twat

[@tombhouseproductions]

Hannibal did interview Raven like two years or so ago on his channel, it was a good interview

[@TheSteel101]

Louis Theroux was a bozo though doing interviews and a documentary on wrestling while not knowing anything about wrestling or doing any research on who these people are

[@Randy-MacDonald]

@@tombhouseproductionsI thought it was a good interview as well.

[@rockitup2041]

He’s still got a functioning brain but I had his shoots from 20 years ago. I’m listening now and he has a slur to him, kind of. He’s sounds banged up a bit. He didn’t take the same bumps as someone like Sabu.

[@stevew7571]

His explanation about watching TV/videos in his car in the late 80's was amazing and beyond hilarious. The crying game reference was too damn funny too.

[@petrey9712]

I think what James was trying to say is , you give the fans some obvious truths about a wrestler . Like he's big then he's mean and maybe he's fast and show clips in-between then start a storyline.

[@HiGlowie]

It made sense. Raven was just acting obtuse.

[@JeremyBelin]

You'd get a more animated interview out of Raven talking to him about TV shows and movies he likes rather than wrestling these days.

[@Cbss12]

sad to see a legend in terrible health like this, but that is the price you pay for such a hardcore career.

[@jlovell162]

I didn't know Mickey Rourke actually was a wrestler

[@Sawcon4]

Love Raven

[@bigvanpapi]

” Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

[@timfox5337]

I wish there was a booking team of Jerry Lawler, Paul Heyman, Raven, and Kevin Sullivan. Bring real heat back 🔥. Build monster heels, chicken shit heels, etc. Personal issues draw money! Money 💵, championships, beautiful women, revenge. Make it have the realism of late 80s NWA, 80s Memphis, ECW, etc.

[@chrischar9428]

Pretty sure 3 are in no shape to do anything

[@geedee1264]

Soap opera

[@Godblessusall100]

You better have paid him for this‼️‼️‼️‼️