If this isn’t an original thought of yours, you should definitely take credit for it. Unless it’s a famous quote from a famous person and I’m just not aware then you’re outta luck
"When you get CTE/your bell rung from a stiff chair shot to the skull... you gotta see Chris(topher Nowinski (Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) and/or Boston University's CTE Center (at their School of Medicine)." - a realistic "Dancin' " Stevie Richards promo. Dory Funk (83 years old; one of pro wrestling's famous families) vs. Atsushi Onita (66 years old; he is known for FMV (Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling): with cats like a Sabu (59), his uncle The Sheik; Mike Awesome, R.I.P.): Why Dory, Why...?!?! He has nothing else to prove, man.. AEW showcases Minoru Suzuki (he's is 56 years old); (Chris) Jericho is 53. Worst case scenarios: one is injury prone, paralysis (he will stuck in a wheelchair, for life) or to die in the ring. The Wrestler was that 2008 dramatic film, by director: Darren Aronofsky; Robert Siegel wrote the screenplay; starring: Mickey Rourke (as Randy "The Ram" Robinson), Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, & Mark Margolis. Maybe that he still has that Bug (like the late Terry Funk (79), a "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (75)(retirement matches), Jeff "Slapnuts" Jarrett (57) or "Iron" Mike Tyson (58) in his bout against Jake Paul (27), who is Logan's brother (29 years old), a RUclipsr sensation and a current WWE Superstar.)... It is painful to see Sting (age 61), Matt (46) or Jeff Hardy (also 46) take bumps, but these guys are all doing fine: Paul Wight (49), "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (50), Dustin Rhodes (52), Billy Gunn (56), Adam "Edge" Copeland (50), Christian Cage (47), L.A. Knight (41), and CM Punk (45); I wonder if Bubba/Bully Ray (Dudley (53), Tommy Dreamer (53), Bill Goldberg (57), Ryback (42), Sid Vicious (63: the Man who wants Ryback to retire from pro wrestling; since CM Punk returned to the WWE), The Sandman (61) or Rhyno/Rhino (48) still wrestles; D-Von Dudley (52) was like (naaah); Spike Dudley (53) is a schoolteacher; yeah, the Stinger is retired now. Some WWF fan had a sign, in an arena, back during the 90's Monday night Wars; he/she poked fun at WCW: "WCW = Wheel Chair Wrestling." (credit: wikipedia)
@@antonycuff4512 people are complex and nuanced with different facets. One can love another, and still find it difficult or impossible to keep that person in one's life.
Raven's one of the best of all time and truly deserves WWE HOF. He was one of my favorites growing up. I make sure to buy stuff from him when he does virtual signings, pro wrestling tees, etc.
26 time hardcore champ (wwe record),2 time ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION,4 time Ecw world tag team champion, wcw united states heavyweight champion, wcw world tag team champion, wcw light heavyweight champion, uswa world tag team champion, NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, and a bunch of other credentials/championships i didnt even name that's why. @Dman3827
Loved Raven when I was growing up. Strange, but there are some characters that just help you get through, even if they bad guys on tv. I remember a time I was in hospital. I had a reaction to the anaesthetic I was given, I couldn’t stop shaking. In my mind I tried to stop, but my body wouldn’t listen. What helped was thinking “what would Raven do”. I finally came through, but the strength of the Raven character set me right. A lot of respect for that man, and I hope things get at least a little bit easier for him. I know I’m not the only person that Raven has helped, unknown to him, and he deserves a bit of peace after putting his body through everything it has.
I think the most painful thing I learned from this video is that I'm 5 years OLDER than Stevie Richards, and have NEVER been in the kind of shape that he's in now.
@@TravelatorH8r Oh, I'm not fooled by his demeanor (in fact, I'm impressed by it).... I'm just saying that it hurts me knowing that he's in WAY better shape now considering that I'm five years older than he is... and have NEVER, even in at my own peak, been in as good shape that he is now. That is part of the reason I respect people like Stevie, Raven and more than a few others.
@@sheepdavisplenty of wrestlers who still train and wrestle that look terrible in 40s and 50s. Diet is the biggest key no matter what. You can’t out work a bad diet. I lift 5 days a week for 15 years and still not lean simply because of my diet
man, this is heart breaking to hear. I was a huge Raven fan especially during his time in WCW with the flock. Stay vigilant Stevie. All of your work is appreciated.
Bro, Stevie you are one good dude. I love how thoughtful and sincere you are! Keep putting out all that good in the world and hopefully the world will share it back
I met Raven a bunch of times at indy shows over the years and he is always a gracious, humble person who is cool and appreciates his fans. Thank you Stevie Richards, Im a fan of yours as well.
This is heartbreaking to hear. Raven is one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, and hugely influential on my gaining a more nuanced education of the artistry of pro wrestling. One of the sharpest minds for the business there ever was, and a groundbreaking performer who elevated the artform to levels few others have, before or since. I even had the privilege of meeting him in-person once, which was an extreme rarity living in Australia, when the major wrestling promotions only pass through once in a blue moon. The guy has overcome a lot of demons, and never really gotten the flowers he deserves for just how much of an impact he made on the business and generations to follow in his footsteps. A terrible shame to hear that he is in mental and physical decline in his twilight years. Wish only the best for him.
CTE doesn't get better, unfortunately. It's degenerative and irreversible, like basically all forms of dementia. At best, it can be slowed down. The fact that Raven marinated his brain with every drug available for years, really doesn't help with anything.
Listening to Raven's recent podcast episode from August 4th, he still has his wits and is quick. I think interviews can kinda just slow him down, reaching for all the memories. Raven in his own time is still Raven aka Scotty.
Yeah there have certainly been moments since the interview where he mostly seemed his usual self. The reason I'm still worried is that the symptoms of CTE can kind of come and go during their early stages, like many types of dementia. There are moments where Scott is clearly sharp and his usual self, but there are other moments where he really has me worried. Of course we don't know if he has CTE, and there's no real way to diagnose it except post-mortem, but let's be real, with wrestlers of his generation that's the big thing many of us are most worried about. Then again, it could also be anything from depression to him being under the influence, but he really does have me worried at times. From my POV there are too many signs of *something* being wrong to ignore. That being said, I hope I am wrong, and I hope he's okay. Scott Levy is one of the smartest guys ever to set foot in a ring, I love listening to him, I got to meet him a few times and he's much the same in rl. I love his subtle multi-layered humor and sarcasm. He's such a unique character, even outside the world of wrestling, and I hope that brilliant mind still has many years ahead of it.
Stevie is a thinker and an accountable guy. Many other wrestlers just keep going to knackery because its the rush of performing, they just dont want to confront reality, or the booker exploits the fuck out of them. That's what makes it difficult to be sensible about what one is up for body-wise.
Love you Stevie, so much! You're a gem of a human and the wrestling world owes you a debt that can't be repaid. Your insights, attitude, and approach are commendable my friend
I had the pleasure of meeting Raven at an Indie show here in NC several years ago. He's a super nice dude. He is very eclectic, and some of the stuff he said was next-level. That dude thinks on another level. It breaks my heart to hear he is struggling.
Raven ate at a restaurant I work at in NW Florida a few months back, he was with his mom and treated everyone nice from what I heard ,signed autographs for a few of the staff. He's fine...
My grandmother was and still is a very active person and fit person at the age of 72 she'd walk at least two miles every day and do some form of gardening one day she lost her footing in the kitchen, fell and fractured her femur. It took a lot of physio for her to get back to being independent. I can't imagine letting a guy in his 80s whose body is already degraded by past injury take bumps
Agreed. I totally accept that you can’t blame the wwe or any wrestling authorities for cte as it just wasn’t known but now to allow anyone of that age to do a match for me is so wrong
Raven will always be my favorite wrestler. To me, he had such a innovative mind for the business. I'm glad he's still with us, and sad he deals with the effects of CTE.
Compare Stevie's schedule when he was a wrestler to Harley Race's schedule as NWA Champion throughout the 70s. Race wrestled until about fifty years old, he used a falling headbutt as one of his trademark moves and I never saw an interview with Harley where he looked lost or confused. He always had interesting things to say and made good points. Seems that some people are genetically predisposed to suffering CTE while others can take an incredible amount of head trauma and be alright.
Drugs and alcohol, partying, poor sleep hygiene. It all catches up to you. Most men of Harley's generation didn't abuse themselves like Raven's generation often did.
I remember the chair shot Jungle Boy took from Blood and Guts and it reminded me of the chair shot Raven took from Dreamer. I believe they coined the phrase “the chair shot heard around the world.” Raven is one of my all time favorite wrestlers and I hope he is doing well.
I had no idea I would like this podcast as much as I do, Stevie is an open book and that is very much appreciated. The more he talks the more I like it. Keep up the good work and the white board segments are awesome!
Raven's drug use likely didn't cause long term harm on his mind. He was still very sharp in the 00s into the 10s. The mental decline is recent, which is why it's scary. It suggests early onset senility or dementia is on the cards. That's what CTE does.
@@andrelegeant88 Nonsense. He used to do Ecstasy like crazy. That stuff definitely messes with you later in life. The headache you get the next day are the result of your brain being dehydrated.
Must be brutal for Stevie to watch the start of Raven's spiral downward knowing what's probably coming, especially considering how much he cares for Scotty and how intimately he knows him. It's like a very slow bereavement, as bad as a sudden death though in different ways. Hopefully they can put aside differences, and still enjoy a few moments together, as long as it lasts.
@MilkWasABadChoice17 , I agree for the most part, but I don't think he'd bury anyone if it was done discreetly and not putting him on blast in front of people.
@@flavaj13 It's really funny that he just responded to those retire chants a few days ago. I was basically correct in thinking he would think it's insulting if anyone brought it up to him. "To me, when the please retire chants were going I was laughing because it’s like I have zero intentions of that. I mean, I’ve got a six-pack and I can do a moonsault and I know exactly what I’m doing in the ring. I know how to write storylines, I like the company I work for, I like my boss, I like the guys and girls in the company. Why would I want to retire? What’s the point? Just because somebody told me to? F**k off.”
@MilkWasABadChoice17 , but those fans made a public spectacle of it. That's what pissed him off. Let's say Sting or Dustin Rhodes pulled him aside, away from everyone and said something privately, I don't think he'd call them out for it because it doesn't make him look bad on TV. Then again, he could have lost his mind and just be a vindictive prick, I honestly don't follow that closely these days.
I'm so glad we have wrestlers like Stevie to remind us of the sacrifices that they go through for our entertainment and ANY pro wrestler currently I always pray for to have a healthy as possible life
I saw that shoot interview recently with Scott and James and unfortunately he looked very lost and deeply troubled. Hopefully he gets the help he needs.
Raven is who I think of when the term 'underrated' is mentioned. One of the best talkers and he could get people heated unlike any other. I wish him the best and will always consider him one of my favorites in the business.
Honestly it's a bit uncomfortable to watch. I saw his spot in the cage match thing... He wasn't all there. Even when you watch interviews from a few years ago the difference is night and day.
Something just as bad as concussions is seizers. My wife started having seizures in July 2020. by 2022 she had over 60 seizures. Unfortunately we made the stupid mistake of dealing with her seizures on our own and did not seek medical help. We finally went for help in February 2023 and her seizures have decreased significantly. She went from having a seizure every 2 weeks or so, to having only 5 or 6 since she has been on medication. Anyway, my point is, her memory is completely shot. She has a PHD in Neuroscience, so she is a very smart woman. But now, because of so many seizures, she had the memory of the main character in Memento. I'm exaggerating there, but her memory is very VERY bad. She will walk into the kitchen and forget what she went there for. I will ask her to do something, and unless she does it immediately, she forgets about it. Her attention span is also shot. She can never drive a car ever again, because she wouldn't be able concentrate long enough to pull out of the parking lot. It is very hard to deal with. Most days it takes all my effort just to not break down and cry. And if it's that bad for me, it is worse for her. So I wish nothing but the best for Stevie Richards and anyone else who deals with concussions or seizures.
@@themetaldudespodcast8136 Thanks, but unfortunately, there is no getting better. Lost brain cells do not regenerate. At least not yet in terms of where medical science is at. But thanks anyway, I appreciate it. Cheers mate.
I really am disappointed we didn’t get more of ravens wrestler rescue. There was soooo much info an insight on how wrestlers “work” in and out of the ring.
@@pleaseshutup7053Its true, drugs don't actually do anything... But speaking as a recovering addict, I can tell you that WE are to blame. So you're right... don't blame drugs... don't even blame the dealer... Blame the people who choose to take that path in life... because we're the only ones at fault.
This is why i have lots of respect for people who put there bodies in the line for our entertainment. Even more so for the people who put there lives on the line to keep us safe.
one of the things I always loved about Raven was his ability to get over as ecw champion , wrestling the hardcore style while never actually taking many bumps in his matches (because he’s SMART). Always assumed his decline would be blamed on substance abuse. I didn’t see all of his TNA work but maybe that is where in-ring injuries took a toll
"We didn't know" is a lie told by the companies to the workers. The problem has been known about since the 1920's with boxers suffering the same symptoms.
The problem is there's no way to know if the Tao protein is in your brain until they can take it out and look at it. They have no way of even the possibility of knowing if it's treatable or even possible to treat.
Raven was one of my faves in the late 90s. Just imagine going from generic Scotty the body or Scotty flamingo or Johnny Polo and then coming up with the Raven gimmick. Total transformation. And he made the damn thing work.
Raven was a great part of my childhood wrestling memories, him and Tommy Dreamer did things that I will never forget, taught me how to get emotionally involved in an angle properly and made me a fan of both, such a shame if he's starting to suffer now from all that 😢 a proper forgotten hero of the 90s for me
Cognitive decline must be especially painful for someone as smart as Raven--to have flickering awareness that you used to be so quick and sharp and deep, but it's now out of your reach, perhaps forever. Would feel like losing a limb, one imagines. It's not like being an athlete/performer such as Jack Grealish or Ryan Lochte, who never had it to lose and wouldn't even notice the difference.
It sucks, man. I'm an author with a deep knowledge of history. I suffered at least two concussions in competition karate before I chose to quit. A little too late unfortunately since I have slight memory recall issues in my mid-thirties. I can't imagine how bad Raven's issue could be after such a wild career.
@@Hussain93786 I'm saying he never had general academic intelligence, not that he never had specific footballer IQ. Please read more carefully before replying to comments. Are all City & England nt fans this illiterate?
I'm about to be 40. I've never really smoked weed or done any drugs. Earlier this year, I started taking 10mg of CBN for sleep and it literally changed my life. I'm out within an hour and my body still hasn't developed a tolerance to it in 5 months. I get 7-8 solid hours and when I wake up, I am 100% ready to go. I'm glad to hear Stevie mention it for this as well.
ECW was a major success and influence over the evolution of wrestling, Because of guys passion and sacrifice, like Stevie Richards, don't underestimate your part and influence! ECW had the best wrestling show. We watched emotionally and in disbelief. I loved the fan's no BS attitude. The pregnant angle is still remembered today, the Raven's scapegoat, When he started beating you without waiting an answer! ECW had original, unpredictable storylines.
On RUclips I just saw Dutch Mantell talk about Bob Backland's dementia. Just like NFL stars, we may have to deal with the fact our heroes may not get to grow old gracefully.
I think the best thing that prevents this mental regression is constantly learning new things and keeping your common sense sharp, teaching yourself to rewrite the automatic functions of "going through the motions" is one of those goals and thankfully they've been doing research into dementia and Alzheimer's that is suggesting a chemical regulatory imbalance could be causing a majority of the problems associated with brain cell death and cognitive degradation. We're not there yet but hopefully we will be before people like Stevie really need help
If it's CTE as the amount of Tao protein increases across your brain, it actually causes it to rot. You can do all the crossword puzzles you want, it won't change anything.
This is truly sad to hear. Raven is one of those performers who never quite got the recognition he deserved for how great he actually was. ECW was the only show who used Raven correctly and I enjoyed his NWA title run in TNA. Criminally underrated as a talent which may be even sadder than his current condition.
I thought it was so cool how tna inducted him a year or 2 ago, but it was quite noticeable that while he was still quite coherent he talked about the nerve damage he has & he cant bump anymore, and he was a little out of it, its sad to see cuz hes a fuckin legend
While Dementia Pugilisitica was established early in the 20th century it doesnt seem to have been applied to any sport or activity other than boxers. It wasnt until 2005 that Dr Omalu published his paper on CTE with it applying to football players and then later also wrestlers. Prior to that, it is murky how much anyone knew, if they knew at all, if chair shots, etc, were causing serious chronic decline. But now that we do know. WWE and other organizatiosn should be helping or paying for wrestlers (active and retired) to be insured to cover any future issues. Long term care insurance and maybe also an annuity plan to help them.
I’m 49, and I was at war from 2001-2015. I’ve had a TBI and was in a coma for 3 months. I also had multiple concussions during my career in the service. I can’t remember sometimes when I leave the living room to the kitchen what I went in there for. I’ve going over to Ukraine and help out and fight to help my family when I get Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. I can remember things as a kid like yesterday, yet can’t remember what I did yesterday.
Same with me! I've had 3 concussions. 2 from car accidents. 1 from snowboarding. I have the same thing happened to me. I can't remember why I entered a room. Where I put my phone. What I was going to say. Etc
I was worried when I saw Raven's interview on WSI because he so clearly wasn't himself. I saw quite a few people voicing their concerns about it, and it was weird how there were people who were outraged because we were voicing our concerns about Scott's not seeming to be his usual self during the interview.
Tip for aspiring new wrestlers; DO NOT perform the flying headbutt. The man who invented the move (Harley Race) said his biggest regret with wrestling was inventing that move; he saw multiple wrestlers use that move and get permanent injuries from concussions. Harley even tried reaching out to Chris Benoit (RIP) in an attempt to get Chris to stop using this move
Heyman is notorious for being a man of no moral fiber whatsoever. He can grandstand all he wants, give hugs to others in the business, and be a family man all that he wants, but he has and still shown that he is the "demon seed".
Having had a couple of concussions, I was surprised at the kinda "buzzed" and "floaty" feeling you end up with. It isn't at all pleasant like a buzz, but you aren't all there. I can see how someone who just lives constantly in that state takes bump after bump and headshot after headshot and ends up with life-ruining damage.
If you can't control it, don't worry about it. If you can control it, again don't worry about it. Also: 1. Exercise-train 2. Stay sharp 3. Don't smoke 4. Eat healthy 5. Don't be anxious about anything!
Thanks for the pep talk, but CTE brain rot. It should definitely be worried about but there's no stopping it or slowing it down. It's legitimately something these guys should know ahead of time what they're signing up for.
@@skepchica Thanks for the reply. I understand what you are saying. But finding out about CTE should allow you to make the conscious decision to retire. Why should you get anxious about? I am commenting on the way you see things, stoically. Then, any decision you make is going to be based on logic, not fear
@@christoskettenis880 My approach to CTE is pragmatic. If you mean you should "find out" about CTE as in they should be talking to kids playing tackle football because they are at risk, then yes. If you mean "find out" as in people need to know if they have it- that's not possible. Dr's can only see the Tao protein in your brain if it's removed, dissected and located. There's no way of knowing if a living person has it, so they don't know how or if it's even treatable. It moves faster in others, they don't know why and unfortunately have no way of telling, at least at the moment. Boston University is the only place they're doing research, so what they can do is extremely limited. Any person playing contact sports needs to understand exactly how bad this is, and understand what they're getting into. Have you ever seen a healthy brain vs one with CTE? You should see what this protein does to a brain.
@@christoskettenis880 The tau protien is not only rotting your brain, but it's reprogramming the cells and they way they function. Any logical person SHOULD fear this as a possibility.
I noticed Raven was notably slower in the last interview, such a shame because he was always such a shapy guy but 30 years of chairshots, bumps n drugs are always going to catch up with you.
A healthy man has 1000 wishes, a sick man has 1. Good luck brother, stay positive.
If this isn’t an original thought of yours, you should definitely take credit for it.
Unless it’s a famous quote from a famous person and I’m just not aware then you’re outta luck
@@Hippityhop-13 its a quote from snow white
@@ducklife420 Doesn’t get much more famous than Snow White .
Gracias
@@ducklife420you could’ve fooled me into thinking that was a quote from Sun Tzu’s Art Of War.
Hats off to you with that quote. 👍🏻
@@LennyHenrysDorsalCavity im a lying bastard
Stevie still has love in his heart for raven you can see it in his eyes.. thats a genuine friend. 😢
they're insane about each other
"When you get CTE/your bell rung from a stiff chair shot to the skull... you gotta see Chris(topher Nowinski (Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) and/or Boston University's CTE Center (at their School of Medicine)." - a realistic "Dancin' " Stevie Richards promo. Dory Funk (83 years old; one of pro wrestling's famous families) vs. Atsushi Onita (66 years old; he is known for FMV (Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling): with cats like a Sabu (59), his uncle The Sheik; Mike Awesome, R.I.P.): Why Dory, Why...?!?! He has nothing else to prove, man.. AEW showcases Minoru Suzuki (he's is 56 years old); (Chris) Jericho is 53. Worst case scenarios: one is injury prone, paralysis (he will stuck in a wheelchair, for life) or to die in the ring. The Wrestler was that 2008 dramatic film, by director: Darren Aronofsky; Robert Siegel wrote the screenplay; starring: Mickey Rourke (as Randy "The Ram" Robinson), Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, & Mark Margolis. Maybe that he still has that Bug (like the late Terry Funk (79), a "Nature Boy" Ric Flair (75)(retirement matches), Jeff "Slapnuts" Jarrett (57) or "Iron" Mike Tyson (58) in his bout against Jake Paul (27), who is Logan's brother (29 years old), a RUclipsr sensation and a current WWE Superstar.)... It is painful to see Sting (age 61), Matt (46) or Jeff Hardy (also 46) take bumps, but these guys are all doing fine: Paul Wight (49), "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels (50), Dustin Rhodes (52), Billy Gunn (56), Adam "Edge" Copeland (50), Christian Cage (47), L.A. Knight (41), and CM Punk (45); I wonder if Bubba/Bully Ray (Dudley (53), Tommy Dreamer (53), Bill Goldberg (57), Ryback (42), Sid Vicious (63: the Man who wants Ryback to retire from pro wrestling; since CM Punk returned to the WWE), The Sandman (61) or Rhyno/Rhino (48) still wrestles; D-Von Dudley (52) was like (naaah); Spike Dudley (53) is a schoolteacher; yeah, the Stinger is retired now. Some WWF fan had a sign, in an arena, back during the 90's Monday night Wars; he/she poked fun at WCW: "WCW = Wheel Chair Wrestling." (credit: wikipedia)
i heard raven doesn't like other wrestlers speaking out on his behalf because it makes it harder for him to be booked ,
@@pendafen7405 why don't they appear together then ?
@@antonycuff4512 people are complex and nuanced with different facets. One can love another, and still find it difficult or impossible to keep that person in one's life.
Raven is one of the smartest guys ive ever listened to in professional wrestling.
I wish I look that good when I reach 52. Stevie Richards was a gargantuan under-rated talent.
Stevie looks healthier now than then, he's definitely doing something right, great person to listen too , he really was so underappreciated
Loved watching Stevie Richards in ECW and WWE
Ya right dude sucked😂@@jean-pierremestanza8186
Stevie in the BWO was great, Stevie in the RTC in hindsight was great…. But by god that theme song, DO NOT listen to the 30 minute version! 😂
He wasn’t 😂
Raven's one of the best of all time and truly deserves WWE HOF. He was one of my favorites growing up. I make sure to buy stuff from him when he does virtual signings, pro wrestling tees, etc.
He was barely in WWE though.
26 time hardcore champ (wwe record),2 time ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION,4 time Ecw world tag team champion, wcw united states heavyweight champion, wcw world tag team champion, wcw light heavyweight champion, uswa world tag team champion, NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, and a bunch of other credentials/championships i didnt even name that's why. @Dman3827
theres probably 30 people in the HOF you could say that about
Loved Raven when I was growing up. Strange, but there are some characters that just help you get through, even if they bad guys on tv. I remember a time I was in hospital. I had a reaction to the anaesthetic I was given, I couldn’t stop shaking. In my mind I tried to stop, but my body wouldn’t listen. What helped was thinking “what would Raven do”. I finally came through, but the strength of the Raven character set me right. A lot of respect for that man, and I hope things get at least a little bit easier for him. I know I’m not the only person that Raven has helped, unknown to him, and he deserves a bit of peace after putting his body through everything it has.
I think the most painful thing I learned from this video is that I'm 5 years OLDER than Stevie Richards, and have NEVER been in the kind of shape that he's in now.
Stevie's in pain don't let him fool ya
@@TravelatorH8r Oh, I'm not fooled by his demeanor (in fact, I'm impressed by it).... I'm just saying that it hurts me knowing that he's in WAY better shape now considering that I'm five years older than he is... and have NEVER, even in at my own peak, been in as good shape that he is now.
That is part of the reason I respect people like Stevie, Raven and more than a few others.
@@IggyStardust1967 If you had been training as a wrestler on the regular for 25 years, I'm sure you would be in the same shape.
There's always tomorrow
@@sheepdavisplenty of wrestlers who still train and wrestle that look terrible in 40s and 50s. Diet is the biggest key no matter what. You can’t out work a bad diet. I lift 5 days a week for 15 years and still not lean simply because of my diet
As a longtime Raven fan... this is sad to hear 😢
Same. I saw him in MLW recently and it was definitely a little depressing.
man, this is heart breaking to hear. I was a huge Raven fan especially during his time in WCW with the flock. Stay vigilant Stevie. All of your work is appreciated.
Bro, Stevie you are one good dude. I love how thoughtful and sincere you are! Keep putting out all that good in the world and hopefully the world will share it back
I met Raven a bunch of times at indy shows over the years and he is always a gracious, humble person who is cool and appreciates his fans. Thank you Stevie Richards, Im a fan of yours as well.
I met him about a decade or so ago and he was so nice. Just an all around great guy.
This is heartbreaking to hear. Raven is one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, and hugely influential on my gaining a more nuanced education of the artistry of pro wrestling. One of the sharpest minds for the business there ever was, and a groundbreaking performer who elevated the artform to levels few others have, before or since.
I even had the privilege of meeting him in-person once, which was an extreme rarity living in Australia, when the major wrestling promotions only pass through once in a blue moon.
The guy has overcome a lot of demons, and never really gotten the flowers he deserves for just how much of an impact he made on the business and generations to follow in his footsteps. A terrible shame to hear that he is in mental and physical decline in his twilight years.
Wish only the best for him.
@@seanmorrison8386 The AIDS?
Love raven hes one of my favorites hope he gets better
CTE doesn't get better, unfortunately. It's degenerative and irreversible, like basically all forms of dementia. At best, it can be slowed down.
The fact that Raven marinated his brain with every drug available for years, really doesn't help with anything.
I adored Raven and the Flock when i first started watching WCW. He was special talent and i hope he still has many good yrs left. He did go hard 🙏
Listening to Raven's recent podcast episode from August 4th, he still has his wits and is quick. I think interviews can kinda just slow him down, reaching for all the memories. Raven in his own time is still Raven aka Scotty.
Yeah there have certainly been moments since the interview where he mostly seemed his usual self. The reason I'm still worried is that the symptoms of CTE can kind of come and go during their early stages, like many types of dementia. There are moments where Scott is clearly sharp and his usual self, but there are other moments where he really has me worried.
Of course we don't know if he has CTE, and there's no real way to diagnose it except post-mortem, but let's be real, with wrestlers of his generation that's the big thing many of us are most worried about. Then again, it could also be anything from depression to him being under the influence, but he really does have me worried at times. From my POV there are too many signs of *something* being wrong to ignore.
That being said, I hope I am wrong, and I hope he's okay. Scott Levy is one of the smartest guys ever to set foot in a ring, I love listening to him, I got to meet him a few times and he's much the same in rl. I love his subtle multi-layered humor and sarcasm. He's such a unique character, even outside the world of wrestling, and I hope that brilliant mind still has many years ahead of it.
Stevie is a thinker and an accountable guy. Many other wrestlers just keep going to knackery because its the rush of performing, they just dont want to confront reality, or the booker exploits the fuck out of them. That's what makes it difficult to be sensible about what one is up for body-wise.
Would love to see Raven as a guest on the show and catch up with stevie they have a lot of history together.
I dont think they are on good terms
Raven has a podcast. I don't listen to it, but he's on Konnan and Disco's podcast now and again and he seems pretty chill and happy.
@@GV213why?
Love you Stevie, so much! You're a gem of a human and the wrestling world owes you a debt that can't be repaid. Your insights, attitude, and approach are commendable my friend
I had the pleasure of meeting Raven at an Indie show here in NC several years ago. He's a super nice dude. He is very eclectic, and some of the stuff he said was next-level. That dude thinks on another level. It breaks my heart to hear he is struggling.
Raven was so sharp and on it several years back, really upsetting how he is now
Raven ate at a restaurant I work at in NW Florida a few months back, he was with his mom and treated everyone nice from what I heard ,signed autographs for a few of the staff. He's fine...
@@headtrauma911Nah…He ain’t fine
What's wrong with him?
I met Raven many years ago, he's one of my all time favorites, if not my favorite. Very sad to see him now with the shaking and stuff.
Stevie and Raven were big influential part of my wrestling watching career
Career?
@@coolpiraterapstar yeah it's a joke don't take it so seriously 😒
Wrestling watching career made me spit my water out thank you 😂
With that career , you should be in the WWE Hall of Fame
I hope you become Television Champ soon 😂
I’m becoming a bigger fan of Stevie more now than ever before
Me too
Love raven. I still play his theme in the car, and used to have it as a ringtone
One of my favorite themes of all time for sure if you mean his wcw one
@@dieselviper7811 the "what about me?" One.
I always liked his "End of Everything" theme from Stereomud, too.
My grandmother was and still is a very active person and fit person at the age of 72 she'd walk at least two miles every day and do some form of gardening one day she lost her footing in the kitchen, fell and fractured her femur. It took a lot of physio for her to get back to being independent. I can't imagine letting a guy in his 80s whose body is already degraded by past injury take bumps
Agreed. I totally accept that you can’t blame the wwe or any wrestling authorities for cte as it just wasn’t known but now to allow anyone of that age to do a match for me is so wrong
Raven is always one of those wrestlers that should have been bigger than what he was. Spent too much time with ECW, and got totally misused by WWE.
His own choices, misdeeds, predilections & vices had a lot to do with his limits.
He literally spent 95-97 in ECW not including the lackluster return before quickly leaving.
He had too many enemies in the WWF office and then WCW was a disaster so just a case of right guy wrong time
Raven will always be my favorite wrestler. To me, he had such a innovative mind for the business. I'm glad he's still with us, and sad he deals with the effects of CTE.
I love Raven. Such a legend.
Godbless you Stevie.
Stevie comes across as a super nice guy! I wish you good health
Sting appears to be in good shape in his sixties and thankfully he just retired.
Sting is a smart man and earned his big money.
@@rigsby1454 Absolutely
Sting is a smart worker. They are using Raven as an example which is the furthest example of that
@@ibelus Tommy Dreamer says he sleeps like 3hrs a night and we know what almost happened to Heyman.
Love your positivity and insights
Compare Stevie's schedule when he was a wrestler to Harley Race's schedule as NWA Champion throughout the 70s. Race wrestled until about fifty years old, he used a falling headbutt as one of his trademark moves and I never saw an interview with Harley where he looked lost or confused. He always had interesting things to say and made good points. Seems that some people are genetically predisposed to suffering CTE while others can take an incredible amount of head trauma and be alright.
Drugs and alcohol, partying, poor sleep hygiene. It all catches up to you. Most men of Harley's generation didn't abuse themselves like Raven's generation often did.
This is an outstanding video.
I remember the chair shot Jungle Boy took from Blood and Guts and it reminded me of the chair shot Raven took from Dreamer. I believe they coined the phrase “the chair shot heard around the world.” Raven is one of my all time favorite wrestlers and I hope he is doing well.
Stevie is an International treasure.
Your an inspiration Stevie!
Stevie, it's sad how many Wrestlers have passed way too young, especially the ECW guys.🙏
I had no idea I would like this podcast as much as I do, Stevie is an open book and that is very much appreciated. The more he talks the more I like it. Keep up the good work and the white board segments are awesome!
Raven abused drugs his entire life and took a ton of bumps. I think he’s doing a lot better than most would w his track record.
Like hell he did. He's been sober for many years.
The Drugs are good for you
Raven's drug use likely didn't cause long term harm on his mind. He was still very sharp in the 00s into the 10s. The mental decline is recent, which is why it's scary. It suggests early onset senility or dementia is on the cards. That's what CTE does.
@@andrelegeant88 Nonsense. He used to do Ecstasy like crazy. That stuff definitely messes with you later in life. The headache you get the next day are the result of your brain being dehydrated.
@@andrelegeant88exactly, he has brain damage. It’s that simple.
Must be brutal for Stevie to watch the start of Raven's spiral downward knowing what's probably coming, especially considering how much he cares for Scotty and how intimately he knows him. It's like a very slow bereavement, as bad as a sudden death though in different ways. Hopefully they can put aside differences, and still enjoy a few moments together, as long as it lasts.
Someone needs to have this conversation with Chris Jericho.
I don't think he would listen. Besides, whose to say people haven't had that conversation with him?
@@flavaj13 He wouldn't listen. I doubt anyone would mention it to him, because he would just bury them.
@MilkWasABadChoice17 , I agree for the most part, but I don't think he'd bury anyone if it was done discreetly and not putting him on blast in front of people.
@@flavaj13 It's really funny that he just responded to those retire chants a few days ago. I was basically correct in thinking he would think it's insulting if anyone brought it up to him.
"To me, when the please retire chants were going I was laughing because it’s like I have zero intentions of that. I mean, I’ve got a six-pack and I can do a moonsault and I know exactly what I’m doing in the ring. I know how to write storylines, I like the company I work for, I like my boss, I like the guys and girls in the company. Why would I want to retire? What’s the point? Just because somebody told me to? F**k off.”
@MilkWasABadChoice17 , but those fans made a public spectacle of it. That's what pissed him off. Let's say Sting or Dustin Rhodes pulled him aside, away from everyone and said something privately, I don't think he'd call them out for it because it doesn't make him look bad on TV. Then again, he could have lost his mind and just be a vindictive prick, I honestly don't follow that closely these days.
This is heartbreaking to listen to. Thank you for everything, Stevie 🖤
I'm so glad we have wrestlers like Stevie to remind us of the sacrifices that they go through for our entertainment and ANY pro wrestler currently I always pray for to have a healthy as possible life
I saw that shoot interview recently with Scott and James and unfortunately he looked very lost and deeply troubled. Hopefully he gets the help he needs.
Raven is a icon
Raven seems like one of the coolest and most down to earth people you could meet. It really hurts to see the decline he's in.
Raven is who I think of when the term 'underrated' is mentioned. One of the best talkers and he could get people heated unlike any other. I wish him the best and will always consider him one of my favorites in the business.
Stevie your the man for these videos.
This is the best show of all wrestling shows and podcasts imo, I could listen to stevie and James talking wrestling and life forever
Raven was one of my favorites during the ECW years. I hope he's ok and gets some help and takes care if himself
Raven is still wrestling in MLW god bless him
Seriously
Honestly it's a bit uncomfortable to watch. I saw his spot in the cage match thing... He wasn't all there. Even when you watch interviews from a few years ago the difference is night and day.
Something just as bad as concussions is seizers. My wife started having seizures in July 2020. by 2022 she had over 60 seizures. Unfortunately we made the stupid mistake of dealing with her seizures on our own and did not seek medical help. We finally went for help in February 2023 and her seizures have decreased significantly. She went from having a seizure every 2 weeks or so, to having only 5 or 6 since she has been on medication. Anyway, my point is, her memory is completely shot. She has a PHD in Neuroscience, so she is a very smart woman. But now, because of so many seizures, she had the memory of the main character in Memento. I'm exaggerating there, but her memory is very VERY bad. She will walk into the kitchen and forget what she went there for. I will ask her to do something, and unless she does it immediately, she forgets about it. Her attention span is also shot. She can never drive a car ever again, because she wouldn't be able concentrate long enough to pull out of the parking lot. It is very hard to deal with. Most days it takes all my effort just to not break down and cry. And if it's that bad for me, it is worse for her. So I wish nothing but the best for Stevie Richards and anyone else who deals with concussions or seizures.
sounds like she took the jab
So sad. Sorry to hear about this bro. I hope someday she can get better than how she is right now from this😔
@@goatcity2266 Sounds like you drank the flavor-aid...
@@themetaldudespodcast8136 Thanks, but unfortunately, there is no getting better. Lost brain cells do not regenerate. At least not yet in terms of where medical science is at. But thanks anyway, I appreciate it. Cheers mate.
@@goatcity2266Sounds like you're an asshole?
Raven and Triple H were always my 2 No1 Wrestlers...grew up watching them since 1995
Stevie being pro-cannabis is awesome, this channel is the realest wrestling media out right now keep asking more hard questions!
Weed kills brain cells. Opiates do not.
I really am disappointed we didn’t get more of ravens wrestler rescue. There was soooo much info an insight on how wrestlers “work” in and out of the ring.
Stevie Night Heat! Love the show you two make an awesome team congrats on the new show.
It probably wasn't just the concussions that have Raven in his current state, but also the drugs
Don’t blame drugs
No sh*t sherlock lol
Doesnt take away from what he has given to the biz
@@pleaseshutup7053Its true, drugs don't actually do anything...
But speaking as a recovering addict, I can tell you that WE are to blame.
So you're right... don't blame drugs... don't even blame the dealer...
Blame the people who choose to take that path in life... because we're the only ones at fault.
He aint blaming them. He's stating the fact the drugs didn't help then and continued misuse hasn't helped..@@pleaseshutup7053
This is why i have lots of respect for people who put there bodies in the line for our entertainment.
Even more so for the people who put there lives on the line to keep us safe.
Thoughts and prayers Raven. Love ya Stevie
Great job again on this video
I've always loved pro wrestling, but these guys are obviously crazy. Can't imagine the pain
1:11 this ladies and gentlemen, is a REAL man
Should have had this mindset when hbk was disrespecting. But better to learn it before it’s too late
@@pleaseshutup7053 this mindset/wisdom comes with age.
prayers to raven
one of the things I always loved about Raven was his ability to get over as ecw champion , wrestling the hardcore style while never actually taking many bumps in his matches (because he’s SMART). Always assumed his decline would be blamed on substance abuse. I didn’t see all of his TNA work but maybe that is where in-ring injuries took a toll
"We didn't know" is a lie told by the companies to the workers. The problem has been known about since the 1920's with boxers suffering the same symptoms.
The problem is there's no way to know if the Tao protein is in your brain until they can take it out and look at it. They have no way of even the possibility of knowing if it's treatable or even possible to treat.
I don't like how Scott Levy treated Stevie in ECW or WCW but I do wish Raven the best of luck.
Damn Steve you said it. I try to tell people who think wrestling is FAKE, the shit hurts. It is the hardest job/sport period.
Raven was one of my faves in the late 90s. Just imagine going from generic Scotty the body or Scotty flamingo or Johnny Polo and then coming up with the Raven gimmick. Total transformation. And he made the damn thing work.
Raven was a great part of my childhood wrestling memories, him and Tommy Dreamer did things that I will never forget, taught me how to get emotionally involved in an angle properly and made me a fan of both, such a shame if he's starting to suffer now from all that 😢 a proper forgotten hero of the 90s for me
Dreamer is in a similar shape.
Cognitive decline must be especially painful for someone as smart as Raven--to have flickering awareness that you used to be so quick and sharp and deep, but it's now out of your reach, perhaps forever. Would feel like losing a limb, one imagines. It's not like being an athlete/performer such as Jack Grealish or Ryan Lochte, who never had it to lose and wouldn't even notice the difference.
It sucks, man. I'm an author with a deep knowledge of history. I suffered at least two concussions in competition karate before I chose to quit. A little too late unfortunately since I have slight memory recall issues in my mid-thirties. I can't imagine how bad Raven's issue could be after such a wild career.
There may be some relief for him within that decline, many people with intelligence are in their own heads so much that it causes them pain
Jack grealish never had it? What are you on about. Hes quality
@@Hussain93786 I'm saying he never had general academic intelligence, not that he never had specific footballer IQ. Please read more carefully before replying to comments. Are all City & England nt fans this illiterate?
I'm about to be 40. I've never really smoked weed or done any drugs. Earlier this year, I started taking 10mg of CBN for sleep and it literally changed my life. I'm out within an hour and my body still hasn't developed a tolerance to it in 5 months. I get 7-8 solid hours and when I wake up, I am 100% ready to go. I'm glad to hear Stevie mention it for this as well.
Love the honesty brother ! Big fan always ! Just subscribed, great brother keep it up !
Really a positive guy .man Stevie Richards is a good dude . I hope scott levy pulls through i liked the raven gimmick .
ECW was a major success and influence over the evolution of wrestling, Because of guys passion and sacrifice, like Stevie Richards, don't underestimate your part and influence! ECW had the best wrestling show. We watched emotionally and in disbelief. I loved the fan's no BS attitude. The pregnant angle is still remembered today, the Raven's scapegoat, When he started beating you without waiting an answer! ECW had original, unpredictable storylines.
On RUclips I just saw Dutch Mantell talk about Bob Backland's dementia. Just like NFL stars, we may have to deal with the fact our heroes may not get to grow old gracefully.
Mick Foley's recent interviews make me sad.
I think the best thing that prevents this mental regression is constantly learning new things and keeping your common sense sharp, teaching yourself to rewrite the automatic functions of "going through the motions" is one of those goals and thankfully they've been doing research into dementia and Alzheimer's that is suggesting a chemical regulatory imbalance could be causing a majority of the problems associated with brain cell death and cognitive degradation. We're not there yet but hopefully we will be before people like Stevie really need help
If it's CTE as the amount of Tao protein increases across your brain, it actually causes it to rot. You can do all the crossword puzzles you want, it won't change anything.
This is truly sad to hear. Raven is one of those performers who never quite got the recognition he deserved for how great he actually was. ECW was the only show who used Raven correctly and I enjoyed his NWA title run in TNA. Criminally underrated as a talent which may be even sadder than his current condition.
So sorry to hear this. I remember seeing him a time or two on a quiz show of some kind perhaps Jeopardy, and I know Scott is very bright.
I thought it was so cool how tna inducted him a year or 2 ago, but it was quite noticeable that while he was still quite coherent he talked about the nerve damage he has & he cant bump anymore, and he was a little out of it, its sad to see cuz hes a fuckin legend
While Dementia Pugilisitica was established early in the 20th century it doesnt seem to have been applied to any sport or activity other than boxers. It wasnt until 2005 that Dr Omalu published his paper on CTE with it applying to football players and then later also wrestlers. Prior to that, it is murky how much anyone knew, if they knew at all, if chair shots, etc, were causing serious chronic decline.
But now that we do know. WWE and other organizatiosn should be helping or paying for wrestlers (active and retired) to be insured to cover any future issues. Long term care insurance and maybe also an annuity plan to help them.
Considering Raven was a member of Menca this is very eye opening
I’m 49, and I was at war from 2001-2015. I’ve had a TBI and was in a coma for 3 months. I also had multiple concussions during my career in the service. I can’t remember sometimes when I leave the living room to the kitchen what I went in there for. I’ve going over to Ukraine and help out and fight to help my family when I get Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. I can remember things as a kid like yesterday, yet can’t remember what I did yesterday.
Same with me! I've had 3 concussions. 2 from car accidents. 1 from snowboarding. I have the same thing happened to me. I can't remember why I entered a room. Where I put my phone. What I was going to say. Etc
I’ve had 5 concussions in my life so far and often worry about the future
Crazy stuff and we fans knew and just hope he gets better..
I miss him so much steve
Raven should be immortalized when he dies.
Very sad to hear. Enjoyed his work as Raven
I love raven my man
What about me.....what about Raven.....Raven is one of the 🐐 s and so is SR 🐐, thank you for the content
Man, Raven was/is the man.
My first tattoo is a copy of his ankh on his finger.
I was worried when I saw Raven's interview on WSI because he so clearly wasn't himself. I saw quite a few people voicing their concerns about it, and it was weird how there were people who were outraged because we were voicing our concerns about Scott's not seeming to be his usual self during the interview.
Tip for aspiring new wrestlers; DO NOT perform the flying headbutt. The man who invented the move (Harley Race) said his biggest regret with wrestling was inventing that move; he saw multiple wrestlers use that move and get permanent injuries from concussions. Harley even tried reaching out to Chris Benoit (RIP) in an attempt to get Chris to stop using this move
It really is such a shame. Raven has one of the greatest wrestling minds living today. He could be such an asset to any company even to this day.
Damn sorry to hear this about Raven he was my second favorite wrestler as a kid behind Bret Hart..
S/o to Paul Heyman for financially fucking over all the boys, in addition to the gift of CTE.
They all willingly did it to themselves…no one forces any of these wrestlers to wrestle. It’s what the want and choose to do.
His comment about Chris Benoit was disgusting as well
Heyman is notorious for being a man of no moral fiber whatsoever. He can grandstand all he wants, give hugs to others in the business, and be a family man all that he wants, but he has and still shown that he is the "demon seed".
Gimmie a break lol no one even knew “CTE” was a thing back then
@@LMDiazBX lol everyone knew about protecting your brain
Having had a couple of concussions, I was surprised at the kinda "buzzed" and "floaty" feeling you end up with. It isn't at all pleasant like a buzz, but you aren't all there. I can see how someone who just lives constantly in that state takes bump after bump and headshot after headshot and ends up with life-ruining damage.
If you can't control it, don't worry about it. If you can control it, again don't worry about it. Also:
1. Exercise-train
2. Stay sharp
3. Don't smoke
4. Eat healthy
5. Don't be anxious about anything!
Thanks for the pep talk, but CTE brain rot. It should definitely be worried about but there's no stopping it or slowing it down. It's legitimately something these guys should know ahead of time what they're signing up for.
@@skepchica Thanks for the reply. I understand what you are saying. But finding out about CTE should allow you to make the conscious decision to retire. Why should you get anxious about? I am commenting on the way you see things, stoically. Then, any decision you make is going to be based on logic, not fear
@@christoskettenis880 My approach to CTE is pragmatic. If you mean you should "find out" about CTE as in they should be talking to kids playing tackle football because they are at risk, then yes. If you mean "find out" as in people need to know if they have it- that's not possible. Dr's can only see the Tao protein in your brain if it's removed, dissected and located. There's no way of knowing if a living person has it, so they don't know how or if it's even treatable. It moves faster in others, they don't know why and unfortunately have no way of telling, at least at the moment. Boston University is the only place they're doing research, so what they can do is extremely limited. Any person playing contact sports needs to understand exactly how bad this is, and understand what they're getting into.
Have you ever seen a healthy brain vs one with CTE? You should see what this protein does to a brain.
@@christoskettenis880 The tau protien is not only rotting your brain, but it's reprogramming the cells and they way they function.
Any logical person SHOULD fear this as a possibility.
I noticed Raven was notably slower in the last interview, such a shame because he was always such a shapy guy but 30 years of chairshots, bumps n drugs are always going to catch up with you.
It's sad to hear,Raven was extremely cool.