Jeremy Borash (JB): My name is Jeremy Borash along with Mark Madden and Bob Ryder, this is WCW Live we just heard from Disco Inferno in a very entertaining segment here on WCW Live. Let's bring in Bob Ryder into the conversation and Mark Madden... Whoops just lost Bobby (Bob Ryder) let's make sure Bob is there. Whoops Bob isn't there, let's try Mark Madden. Mark are you there?

Mark Madden (MM): I was getting tired of Bob anyway . . .

JB: (laughs) Let's bring in Raven into the conversation. Raven welcome to WCW Live!

Raven: Hey, what's up?

JB: How you doin'?

Raven: Good.

JB: Mark I know you watched Raven for many years and of course in his current status in WCW. Raven how are things going for you right now and where do you see your future going?

Raven: Where do I see the future? What am I, Nostradamus?

JB: You might be.

Raven: Uhh, I can't tell what the future is gonna be, where it's gonna go. I can't fore tell it no one else can. Umm, well how am I doing? You know it's funny, I had to get my giant toe nail removed today. I hurt it somehow in a brawl on Monday Night (between) me and Bam Bam and Hak. My big toe was really purple, I smashed it and I had no idea. So I had to go see a foot surgeon to have the toe nail extricated from it. It's pretty gory stuff.

JB: That was an amazing match that we saw, hardcore match and (it's) not the first time you've been to the ring with these two, but is this kind of an example of what we are gonna see Sunday (WCW Uncensored)?

Raven: What do you think?

JB: I would certainly hope so. I wouldn't expect anything less from you.

Raven: Absolutely . . .

JB:... Right to the heart of the matter, obviously hardcore wrestling become kind of a mini-phenomenon first with ECW where you, you know, first originated the character Raven, and the WWF has the hardcore belt, and you guys are gonna kind of crown the unofficial King of Hardcore here in WCW.

Raven: Yeah, I don't mind a hardcore belt.

JB: Pardon me.

Raven: Well, I would like a hardcore belt.

MM: Well, I am working on it right now maybe by Sunday.

Raven: All right.

JB: But my point is, is like hardcore wrestling was existent long before ECW and I wanna know who were your influences. I know in Georgia were a lot of bloody matches, and Florida. What did you watch when you were young, where did you get this hardcore style from?

Raven: Umm, that's funny you say that because I was a big Michael Hayes fan.

JB: Not exactly hardcore was he?

Raven: No, not exactly. Umm, but uhh I don't know. I'm not really sure where I picked up my style. It's just a logical extension of my talents.

JB: Well, what inspired you to go in that direction?

MM: . . .

Raven: I could take punishment and so it just seemed like a natural step.

JB: Mark I don't think he heard your question.

MM: Raven, what exactly inspired you to go in that direction?

Raven: I heard the damn question. What are you an idiot?

JB: Hahaha, that's debatable go ahead and answer it.

Raven: I already did answer it I said I didn't have any hard-core influences.

MM: The question that I asked which maybe you didn't hear was what inspired you to go in that direction, did it kind of fit in with the Raven character so you adopted that, you think?

Raven: Umm, you know I really have to think about it. Let me think, I - I guess it's just you know what I finally decided to do, was I decided to drop all the personas, all the shit, all the gaga that I thought was what I needed. I mean I had a manic-like depressive personality and for the first 7 years of my career I was in a manic period and then I went to the depressive period and when I did I just let that side come out and that side of Raven is what you see. And then I'm kind of bouncing back and forth and that's what you see. I mean manic depression is an illness. It's umm, it's every bit an illness as say, a broken arm. And these are just sides and shades of who I am. What I would say is what you see on TV right now is the closest . . . is actually me, it's an exact approximation. So . . .

JB: Let's bring in Bob Ryder into the conversation.

Raven: Do we have to?

JB: (laughs)

Bob Ryder (BR): He cut me off.

JB: Yeah, I accidentally... Bob what's going on in the chatroom? What are people asking about?

Raven: Hey Bob Ryder, what about Stevie Richards? You are his boy, what's up with him?

BR: I haven't heard from Stevie Richards in months. But I'm sure he says hello.

Raven: What about him? What about Stevie?

BR: What about Stevie? You know Raven has worked some of the toughest matches I've ever seen, I guess the thing now for me is how he's been able to work matches with serious injuries. You had all kinds of problems with your foot, and things like that . . .

Raven: Yeah, yeah I have another one now if you were paying attention.

BR: Yeah, but what-what-what's it like I mean . . .

Raven: I actually had to fly to the foot surgeon, a good friend of mine is a foot surgeon he had to take off the toe nail today, and he had to shoot it up with all kinds of crap.

BR: Wow.

Raven: And I got a feeling that I'll have to fly him in before Sunday to the PPV to shoot it up with some more stuff so I won't be able to feel it, because I can barely even walk as it is. Just an occupational hazard.

JB: Is this uhh... the match we are gonna see Sunday at least with Bam Bam Bigelow and Hak (out of) the two of them who is tougher? Who is a tougher opponent for you?

Raven: I don't know. I haven't wrestled Bam Bam that much, I think it's only the second time I'll wrestle him. And Hak I wrestled about a zillion times. And Hak and I go way back. You know way back to high school so I would like to say that Bam Bam would probably be more difficult because I don't know him as well. I haven't wrestled him as often. But I think there is no one who can withstand a bigger amount of punishment than Hak. I mean I think he can withstand more than me more than Sabu. He is just a . . . of course he is an idiot which is probably why.

JB: Haha

Raven: I'd say Cactus Jack maybe but I'd put Sandman on Cactus Jack's level. You know?

JB: Wow.

Raven: Yeah, absolutely. I mean if you've seen the 9 sickening chairshots that Cactus took Hak would've taken 11.

JB: Well, let me ask you this Raven . . .

Raven: In fact if I do recall Cactus used to complain that his hands were getting tired from hitting Hak so much back in ECW.

JB/BR: (laugh)

MM: Raven, well let me ask you this, I am a big fan of the chairshots, and the falling of the cage and stuff . . .

Raven: Let me interrupt you. I am a big fan of judicious use or creative use of the chairshots like you know if you . . .

MM: . . .

Raven: What?

MM: You took the question right out of my mouth please go ahead.

Raven: Drop-toe hold on a chair is a piece of creative genius and actually if I have to give full credit, I actually took it from Shane Douglas. I really hate to admit that but I saw Shane Douglas do it one night and I just thought it was the most brilliant piece of wrestling I've ever seen and I said "I really like that. Can I use that?" and he said "Yeah, I'll never use it again," and I made it a cornerstone in my arsenal. The fact of the matter is that anybody can swing a chair, I think it's lame. When you watch my matches, you know, whether it's (Chris) Jericho, or Saturn whoever it is... I mean the false finishes, the way I build... No one builds a better match from ground zero to a climax than me. And I'll put that against anybody in the sport. No one builds a better story. You know its like going to see a movie, you wanna see a movie that builds and builds and descends to the climax and finish. No one does that 'cause no one knows how. But I've studied it and it's a passion and it's a hobby, and it's my career so that's what I do. And to me the creativity must be applied in all aspects, you know. It's funny like you see a lot of the creativity from like the Mexicans and young cruiserweights like in the highspots, but you don't see any crea... It's like their matches start in one level and end at the same level, it's a flatline. They are all great spots but they don't build anywhere. And so what I like to use, I - I like to take everything that you expect and then make a right turn with it. So the last thing you expect is where I'm going. It's like on Monday night Hak and I hugged, the last thing everybody expected was me and Hak to hug, but the last thing everyone expected when we hugged was me to cheap shot him.

JB: Well, it certainly built a story line. And you know I think coming up this Sunday . . .

Raven: Well, it's obvious, I had to address the fact that we go back to high school so I gave him a hug. He thought we weren't gonna wrestle as soon as I hugged him, so then I just slugged him.

JB: (laughs)

Raven: Jumping through a table, everyone's done it, it's been done a million times. But no one's ever used the entrance way. So I said I'll climb up the entrance way and drop off through a table. That's different, it's creative, it's interesting. You know, just to go through a table, that's fine and dandy but this is better.

MM: Right, I-I agree with Scott. Anybody can swing a chair, anybody can take a chair shot but to weave it within the context of the story line. I think is the challenge, it's something I think Raven does really well. I mean, for example, Sabu, I don't wanna burn the guy 'cause they do it a lot, but I just don't get it. It's like, stand still - jump through a table, stand still - get hit with a chair. I mean, there is no inner weaving there that I think guys like Hak and Scotty do.

Raven: And-and another thing too, is umm... You made me forget my point, bastard. Now, am I being typed on the Internet or how does this work?

BR: You are live.

JB: We are live in real audio.

Raven: No, I am saying on the radio or the Internet.

BR: It's on the Internet but it's like a radio show.

Raven: So does somebody type it on there or is it like a closed caption gimmick.

MM: They can hear you right now.

Raven: Oh so they can hear me through the Internet?

JB: Exactly.

Raven: Oh I thought that was one of those typing gigs. No one explains the Internet to me. I am not quite computer literate. I think the last computer thing I did was in the 6th grade I think uhh . . . I don't know what it was. I made this uhh program for the final for uhh some computer class or no maybe 7th grade. The guy threw a snow ball into the Santa Claus who was sitting on the roof of the house, and the snow ball hit him and Santa exploded. That was the last time I picked up a computer.

MM: Actually that explains a lot.

JB: That might tie in with that manic depressive deal. I am not sure, I am not gonna judge. How about Sandra that wants to talk to Raven, she lives in Ohio.

Sandra: Hi Raven?

Raven: Hello, Sandra.

Sandra: How are you?

Raven: Speak up.

Sandra: How are you?

Raven: Good. How are you?

Sandra: I am talking as loud as I can.

Raven: OK, now listen. I wanna point this out before we go any further. I've listened to enough call-in and talk radio shows, now everybody that calls in is gonna say how am I doing. I mean I am doing fine, let's just get right to the questions to the meat of the matter because I don't like to be bored with the petty details.

JB: You heard the man, Sandra. Go ahead.

Sandra: You are not gonna be bored, I have a two part question for you.

Raven: Alright. I'd like to have the part two first.

Sandra: Huh?

Raven: I want part two first.

Sandra: You want part two first?

Raven: I was just kidding.

Sandra: I can give you part two first.

Raven: No, give me part one.

Sandra: OK, first of all we met if you think really hard like a year ago.

Raven: Wait lay down, let me see if it rings a bell . . .

(laughter)

Sandra: I know you'll remember if you think really hard. Anyways, first question... I am curious about some backstage gossip that I heard.

Raven: Wait, where did we meet at?

JB: Where did you meet at Sandra?

Sandra: Troy, Ohio.

Raven: Where?

Sandra: Troy.

Raven: I didn't drop you off at a waffle house, did I?

Sandra:(laughs) Oh yeah, you did.

Raven: That was you?

Sandra: That was me. I knew you'd remember.

JB: OK, let's not get into details of that encounter . . .

Sandra: No, we won't get into details.

Raven: I'll tell you about it later, Madden. You'll dig it . . .

(Everyone laughs)

Sandra: OK two questions, first I heard some backstage gossip that certain people claim that Nash and Hogan are the reason for delay in your career, is there any truth to that?

Raven: What do you think?

Sandra: You tell me.

Raven: I couldn't tell you. Let's put it this way if I knew . . . OK, on the premises I don't know so I don't know if I could answer it. If I did know and I said something than that would further exaccerbate the condition.

JB: That's what we call a no-win question.

Sandra: That would make a really good angle!

Raven: Yeah, so I mean this question it has no answer and honestly I don't know. Me and Kevin Nash go way back so I wouldn't think Kevin Nash would sabotage me.

JB: That's true, Sandra go ahead.

Sandra: First of all, this is extremely serious. If you have any questions about it, you know where to find me. Will you marry me?

Raven: Well, I am sorry I am permanently single. Next time I'll pass through the town I'll throw you the high hard one.

JB: All right Sandra thank you. Let's go to Chris. He's got a question for Raven. You are on.

Chris: Raven? Where is Kanyon?

JB: Where is Kanyon?

Raven: What?

JB: Where is Kanyon?

Raven: The Grand Canyon?

JB: No, the wrestler.

Raven: Oh, Kanyon is busy.

Chris: OK.

JB: I can answer that. He is a consultant for the wrestling scenes in a movie they made about Jesse Ventura's life. Isn't that right, Bob Ryder?

BR: That's what I hear on the Internet.

Raven: So that's where he is.

JB: All this time, ha?

Raven: Who knew.

JB: All right Chris thanks for your call. In our last couple moments, let's talk about Uncensored, your match coming up this Sunday, the triangle match, this match will be hard-core and extreme, Bam Bam Bigelow and Hak along with yourself in the ring. What are we gonna see this Sunday?

Raven: What are we gonna see this Sunday? What do you think we are gonna see? We are gonna see a bunch of violence, we are gonna see some creativity, we are gonna see a climactic conclusion. Umm I don't know what we are gonna see. I haven't really thought about it too much.

JB: Raven, let me ask you this; the fact that WCW can't go quite all 9 yards for the violence, no blood, you can't use the real barbed wire, does that [detract] from the hardcore wrestling or does it just make it more challenging for you guys to do?

Raven: Umm... Both, it's both.

JB: Let's take a look at the flip side positives and negatives about it?

Raven: The positives uhhmm ... There are none. The negatives - numerous, far too numerous to mention.

JB: All right.

Raven: Well, here is the thing though, I mean, I - I don't get it. I honestly don't get it. I understand the point you know Bischoff is afraid of losing sponsors, so it's at a "G" rating. But I find it really odd that WWF continues to pull in sponsors, I mean, I've seen them get a Coast Guard sponsor so if the government is backing them, then I can't see anybody else falling out. But Bischoff, Bischoff truly believes that he is right, so maybe this will pay off. But I really can't see wrestling without violence. I mean, that'd be like saying books without written words.

JB: Well, I think point needs to be made that on the PPV the . . . we kind of need to say.

Raven: Do I?

JB: I think you have a little less restriction on the PPV.

Raven: Yeah, I would think so. Especially at "Uncensored."

JB: All right.

Raven: Now wasn't there some color in the last PPV.

JB: We did have some color in the main event.

MM: And one thing I think that is gonna be count for in the hard-core matches is that obviously the main event between Hogan and Flair is a first blood match so I don't think they'd want blood in the hard-core match, simply 'cause the bookers might feel ir might detract from blood in the main event.

Raven: I really think that first blood match are absolutely stupid. And I'll tell you why, because the excitement begins when the guy starts bleeding . . . I think the old-timer philosophy is like "Oh Yeah, First Blood!!!" but I think when the blood starts coming that's when it gets exciting.

JB: Scotty, let's face it, it's a way for one guy to beat the other guy without really beating him.

Raven: What would you say was your favorite finish . . . What would you say was the worst finish you've ever seen. Involving some sort of first blood stipulation or blood being the reason the match ended?

JB: Mark answer that.

MM: I am gonna be honest I don't remember any first blood matches it's been like what 10 years since . . .

Raven: . . .

JB: Go ahead, what?

Raven: Wasn't there one in Baltimore years back.

MM: No, I don't remember one.

Raven: Or they stopped the match cuz of blood.

MM: Yeah, that was Luger and Flair in the "Great American Bash.

Raven: Yeah, what was the deal with that?

MM: Uhh, Luger had Flair in the Torture Rack for the submission for the World Title, but before he (Flair) submitted the referee said that Luger was excessively bleeding so they stopped the match due to blood. The thing was that Lex was kind of a newbie to the blade 'cause the blade did not exactly hit the gusher . . .

Raven: Really?

MM: ...And there was hardly any blood at all. The idea was actually not that bad but Lex was barely bleeding I don't blame . . .

Raven: . . .

JB: Go ahead Raven, sorry.

Raven: Oh no, just reitterating statements made by one of my favorite people- Mark Madden. I like Mark Madden, I am not a big fan of his excessive girth you know, but as long as I don't have to sit next to him in an airplane I really don't mind.

(Everyone laughs and jokes around.)

JB: Raven we gotta rap things up with you thanks for joining us, we'd love to have you back real soon. And thanks for being on WCW Live!

Raven: OK.

JB: All right, so Raven our guest and coming up...

Raven: Hey Mark Madden give me a call this week.

MM: All right, I will Scott.

- Transcript by DMX, edited by Vic