Featured Article Raven

TRACKING RAVEN'S FLIGHT

Now In The WWF, Can Raven Match The Success He Experienced In ECW In The Mid-1990's?
Analysis by Gabe Sapolsky
WOW Magazine / April 2001

Scott Levy has portrayed many characters throughout his wrestling career. In the early 1990's, he concentrated on playing spoiled, cocky rich kids in gimmicks such as Scotty The Body (in territories around Memphis, Tenn. and Portland, Ore.), Scotty Flamingo in World Championship Wrestling and Johnny Polo in the World Wrestling Federation. Although Levy's potential as a performer was evident in these personas, he was never able to rise above mid-card status.

His greatest success occurred in 1995 when he assumed the in-ring identity of Raven, the dark and morose loner. For two years he reigned as the top heel of Extreme Championship Wrestling, which included two world heavyweight championships.

Since he left ECW for WCW in the spring of 1997, Raven has yet to surpass mid-card status. In his second stint in ECW, from August 1999 to July 2000, he didn't rise above the mid card.

Now, after more than six months in the WWF, it's not apparent whether Raven will match or surpass the main-event success he enjoyed in ECW in the mid-1990's. Do WWF main events loom in the future of the brooding bird?

A RUDE GOODBYE FROM RHINO

Raven ended his second stint with ECW with a loss to Rhino on the July 16, 2000 edition of Hardcore TV. An apathetic goodbye on the TNN show a few days later is nearly a forgotten footnote.

Raven's return to the WWF at Unforgiven on Sept. 24 featured him inexplicably attacking Jetty Lawler in Lawler's match against Tazz. From there, Raven joined Tazz in a brief feud with Lawler. Before a compelling storyline got started, his partnership with Tazz ended, and he settled in as a lower card personality throughout the fall.

Raven returned to semi-prominence when he captured the WWF hardcore title from Steve Blackman on RAW on Dec. 25. While capturing the title completed Raven's sweep of holding a singles belt in the WWF, WCW and ECW, the WWF hardcore title is considered by many as the lowest level belt a performer can hold. In early 2001, it appeared as if the federation was trying to establish Raven as the cornerstone of the hardcore division. The question remains, however: Can Raven elevate the title to prominence or will the hardcore label anchor him low on the card?

When Raven rejoined the WWF in September 2000, many fans questioned his ability to perform in the premier federation. His efforts in ECW matches were often lackadaisical. His personal demons seemed to have taken control, resulting in an unsightly gut and general poor conditioning. His apathetic attitude landed him in ECW owner Paul Heyman's doghouse. Heyman even remarked that Raven was treating his ECW stay like an "Animal House" party. Raven's disinterest in ECW's product was illustrated by a sign the was posted in the locker room of almost every show stating the number of days he had before his ECW contract was up. The WWF agreed to take Raven when his ECW commitment was over, but federation officials vowed that they would not tolerate any mistakes. Raven responded by getting back in shape.

BIRDWATCHING

"Given the chance, he could be a main-event player in the WWF," said Tommy Dreamer, who was Raven's ECW world tag team championship partner. "In the last year, he's overcome injuries, personal problems and he's changed companies. That's a lot."

WWF officials seem pleased with Raven's progress so far.

"Raven hasn't disappointed anyone," Jim Ross said in a conference call with reporters on Dec. 7, 2000. "He's a great addition to the locker room, a bright young man and a student of the game. He realizes that this is an opportunity he shouldn't take lightly and is pushed very seriously. I think probably sometime after the first of the year we'll see more development of his character."

The fact that Raven entered 2001 as the WWF hardcore champion is proof of Ross' statement of stronger character development. Perhaps his listless ECW efforts were the result of injuries and out-of- ring excesses, which he seems to have conquered. However, Raven has had a long career and has endured much in-ring abuse. Short hardcore matches in the WWF have not demonstrated whether he can still perform at a high athletic level. Since his best workrate days may be behind him, he may have to ride on his strong grasp of ring psychology to carry him up the card.

Raven was instrumental in teaching many of the younger wrestlers ring psychology in his first ECW run. He helped Stevie Richards (now known as the WWF's Right To Censor leader Steven Richards) develop his manipulative skills in the ring and on the microphone. Few performers are as adept as Raven at executing subtle mind games with opponents and the crowd.

However, hasty hardcore matches involving multiple wrestlers do not give him the opportunity to exhibit his intellectual strengths. His cerebral characteristics initially got him over in ECW. Raven's performances in classroom vignettes highlighted his ability to effectively portray his complex character. He will only be able to replicate such character development in the WWF in the federation gives him adequate time on the microphone.

Except for a match in which The Undertaker annihilated Raven on SmackDown! on Dec. 14, 2000, he has not been featured alongside the WWF's top stars. In order to gain credibility with WWF fans, Raven must gain a few victories, or at least have competitive matches, against the WWF elite. For the first time since the character's inception, Raven has been depicted as a coward. He'd rather run from challengers to his WWF hardcore title than face them in the ring.

Regardless, some of Raven's peers believe he is on the right track up the WWF card.

FLYING HIGH

"I think winning the hardcore title suits his character," said Danny Doring, a frequent travel partner of Raven in ECW. "I really believe Raven has the opportunity to make an impact on the hardcore division and take it along with himself to the next level."

At least one peer thinks that Raven can overcome the high expectations set for him by the federation and its fans.

"I think a lot of people thought he was going to self destruct in the WWF," said Nova, an original member of Raven's flock in 1995. "From what I've seen, he's doing great, and I'm proud of him. I think he needs a chance to be the same Raven he was in ECW."

There is no doubt that when Raven is at his best, he is a brilliant performer psychologically and athletically. The WWF is usually slow to push new talent, especially those who enter the company under such scrutiny. Raven's progress in the WWF has been slow, but every sign has pointed upward. The next few months of 2001 will determine if Raven can take the hardcore division to another level or if his glory days in ECW from 1995 to 1997 will remain his career highlight.

RAVEN ON THE WING

Real Name: Scott Levy

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 237
Hometown: Short Hills, N.J.
The Move: Evenflow DDT
Notable Titles Held [As Of Feb. 1, 2001]: WWF hardcore title (12/25/00); ECW world heavyweight title (2: 1/27/96, 12/7/96); ECW world tag team title (4: 6/30/95, 10/7/95 - with Stevie Richards, 8/26/99 - with Tommy Dreamer, 3/4/00 - with Mike Awesome); WCW world tag team title (5/9/99 - with Perry Saturn); WCW U.S. heavyweight title (6/20/92); Pacific Northwest heavyweight title (3: 9/2/89, 10/14/89, 6/2/90)