Raven PART ONE - SAS CLASSIC

Summary

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The Steve Austin Show – Raven Part One (SAS Classic)

PodcastOne | Aired: March 24, 2026

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Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this episode, Steve Austin sits down with Scott Levy, better known as Raven, for a classic, deep-dive conversation. Broadcasting from Austin’s legendary “317 Gimmick Street” in Los Angeles, the longtime friends reminisce about their early wrestling days, reflect on the evolution of the business, share war stories from the road, and delve into the psychology underpinning professional wrestling. The episode features frank discussions about addiction, health, character creation, and the often unpredictable nature of wrestling careers. The mood is candid, nostalgic, and filled with humor—perfect for wrestling fans and anyone interested in behind-the-scenes storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Reunion and Introduction (15:01 – 16:14)

• Steve Austin welcomes Raven, highlighting his new podcast “The Raven Effect” (drops every Monday on the Jericho Network/PodcastOne).
• Both share memories as travel partners in the WCW days—the “Comedy Trio” with the late Brian Pillman.
• Raven plugs his podcast’s live show at The Improv in LA, humorously hoping at least “eight people show up” (15:45).

“Our podcast is… basically like me and you are doing right now: we just start talking and whatever comes up, comes up.”
— Raven [17:46]

Podcasting, Stand-Up, and Raven’s Approach (16:14 – 20:56)

• Raven describes his “lazy” approach to stand-up (“I’ll do like eight gigs a year… that’s plenty.”).
• Discusses the improvisational format of his Raven Effect show—with minimal planning and heavy banter.
• Show opening includes absurd rants, nonsensical rhymes, and running jokes.

“I’ll talk about my dog who is also the executive producer… my fire-breathing pet goat who doesn’t really exist, but I think he might in my mind…”
— Raven [19:00]

• The podcast is “loosely wrestling-based,” often drifting into pop culture, news oddities (“the mad pooper”), and fan mail.

Losing the Wrestling Passion & Industry Reflections (20:56 – 24:43)

• Raven candidly explains why he no longer watches much wrestling: WWE “broke my heart” by underutilizing him.
• Recalls feeling creatively fulfilled in ECW and WCW but “mistreated” in WWE.
• Critiques wrestling’s creative downturn and shift towards better television options outside wrestling.

“It’s a cruel mistress, the wrestling business… you know that. I mean, you were in your prime and got dropped on your head—career over.”
— Raven [22:42]

• Admits he now keeps up by reading “the sheets” and quick highlight updates.

Physical and Mental Health Post-Career (24:43 – 27:53)

• Both discuss chronic sleep issues (Raven’s severe sleep disorder; Austin’s sleep apnea).
• Raven links his health troubles to years of drug use during his career—and wishes he’d “cut out half my adventures for better health now.”
• Advocates for mental health checks: “Take yourself to the shop, get a look under the hood.”

“If I could go back and do it again… I would cut out half my adventures for better health now. I wanted to be elegantly wasted, that was my goal—but I made it come true way too much.”
— Raven [26:25]

• Describes the blurring between his dark “Raven” character and real life and regrets how that fueled excess.

Wrestling, Addiction, and Locker Room Culture (28:42 – 33:05)

• Austin talks about his first exposure to painkillers in wrestling: “Wanna bike?” on a road trip to Oklahoma [29:02].
• Both agree the business was a mix: part athlete, part rockstar, part “truck driver.”
• Raven shares vivid stories about pill distribution in locker rooms (e.g., chin lock with “placidils” in Memphis), and the dangerous camaraderie this fueled.

Learning the Craft: Early Territory Days (33:05 – 48:02)

• Raven recounts breaking into the business in Memphis, Florida, Portland, and Vancouver in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s:
  • “Seven or nine matches” under his belt when he started in Memphis (34:10).
  • Performing horrendous matches as a rookie, but quickly being thrown in deep and learning from veterans.
  • Highlights workers like Jimmy Jack Funk and Billy Joe Travis—“one of the best workers nobody’s ever heard of” (32:55).
• Both swap stories about being “green as grass,” working TV tapings, and learning via painful on-the-job mistakes.
• Reminisce about learning psychology, working with trainers like the Grappler and Chris Adams, and discovering how to “have fun” in the ring only after several years.

“If you’re having fun, they’re having fun. If you’re not, you’re screwing yourself.”
— Austin [49:28]

The Art of Storytelling & Ring Psychology (52:04 – 64:56)

• Raven and Austin discuss how psychology and the “feel” for the audience make a great worker, more than physicality.
• Emphasis on the importance of poise, timing, and recognizing crowd reactions.
• Raven recalls elaborate crowd warmup routines (like teasing with robe removal for 13 minutes in Portland) and being taught when “enough was enough.”
• Both swap stories about idolizing technical, expressive workers like Flair, Ricky Morton, Bobby Eaton, Brad Armstrong, and the subtleties that made them pros.

“Leave them wanting more. Hardest thing to learn.”
— Raven [59:04]

Humor, Mistakes, and the Evolution of "High Spots" (74:03 – 81:12)

• Sharing embarrassing stories of botched spots—tackle/drop-down/hip-toss miscues, both as greenhorns and veterans.
• Reflecting on how high spots and wrestling routines evolved: from classic “drop-downs” to the move toward faster, more athletic sequences.
• Comparing pro wrestling’s creative evolution to martial arts/jiu-jitsu—questioning who first invented these core sequences (79:11).

“I always thought about this… where did the drop down come from? And I guess it came from the guy rolling at you to take a knee block… and someone goes, ‘What if I just step over that?’”
— Raven [78:27]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On under-appreciated talent:
  “Billy Joe Travis… was probably one of the best workers that nobody’s ever heard of.”
  — Raven [32:55]

• On wrestling’s relentless grind:
  “Six days a week… Battle Royal months… you had a thousand matches in three years. Now, indie guys, ten years—only 150 or 200.”
  — Raven [57:36]

• On wrestling addiction and regrets:
  “Here I found something I was really good at: taking pills. What a stupid skill, but that was my skill set.”
  — Raven [31:00]

  “That’s why I always give the 800 number for the addiction hotline. It’s funny now, but…”
  — Raven [31:25]

• On matching up with wrestling legends:
  “Bobby Eaton, if you look at the way he incorporated the second rope on some of his high spots… phenomenal.”
  — Austin [55:04]

• Mistaken high spots, greenhorn lessons:
  “I sent Billy off… thinking certainly he’s going to go down for the tackle—nope! … Time stops, and you’re like: I’m a freaking idiot.”
  — Austin [73:39, 73:45]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15:01 | Start of interview: catching up and Raven’s podcast intro | | 16:14 | Raven on live shows, standup, podcast format | | 20:56 | Discussing passion for wrestling, “divorce” from WWE, creative heartbreak | | 24:43 | Health issues, addiction regrets, crossover of real life and ring persona | | 28:42 | Drug culture in wrestling, rookie misadventures | | 33:05 | Early days in Memphis, Portland & learning territory life | | 49:28 | Realizing the importance of enjoying oneself in the ring | | 52:04 | Deep dive into match psychology and reading the crowd | | 57:36 | Territory schedules, grind of learning, evolution of the road | | 74:03 | Botched spots, humor in high spots, learning from mistakes | | 78:27 | Discussion: evolution of “the high spot” and wrestling’s creative ancestry | | 81:11 | End of part one, Raven plugs, preview for next episode |

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Tone and Language

• Conversational, candid, self-deprecating, and filled with insider lingo and humor.
• Both men are open about their failings and learning curves, offering a mix of nostalgia, advice, and sharp observations on the wrestling business.

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For New Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

• Unique behind-the-scenes perspective from two true industry veterans who’ve seen both sides of wrestling’s glory and grind.
• Candid discussion of personal and professional struggles: from addiction to career setbacks.
• In-depth wrestling psychology talk: invaluable for aspiring wrestlers or hardcore fans seeking to understand how the art of the match really works.
• Rare, hilarious road stories and technical breakdowns you won’t get on TV.

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Where to Find Raven’s Podcast

"The Raven Effect"
Drops every Monday on the Jericho Network, PodcastOne & iTunes
“Leave five stars—even if you hate it, just leave a funny comment and five stars to humor me.”
— Raven [81:21]

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Next time:
Raven and Steve continue their conversation with more stories, lessons, and laughs. Don’t miss Part Two!

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Transcript

[Steve Austin]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with a name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here and MLB is almost back.

[Steve Austin]

And every day there's a new headline,

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so

[Steve Austin]

you never miss a moment. The following Program is a podcast ONE.com production from Hollywood, California by way of the Broken Skull Ranch.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

This is the Steve Austin Show.

[Steve Austin]

Give me a Hell yeah. Hell yeah. Now here's Steve Austin. All right everybody, welcome to Steve Austin Show. I'm coming to you from the main streets of Los Angeles, California. Today. I'm sitting at my house over here, 317 Gimmick street with a microphone in my hand and a laptop computer on my table. Today is Monday as I record the opening of this podcast and it is trash day. And I've had to close the doors, the windows, batten down the hatches because Monday is trash day in this neck of the woods in my part of the neighborhood in Los Angeles. And three trash trucks coming by to get the green stuff, the recyclable stuff, and the trash has been absolutely discombobulating. Holy smokes. I can't even get my train of thought. But I gotta get my train of thought together because I gotta do a good open for my buddy. Scott Levy is my guest today on the podcast. He's got a brand new podcast himself in. It's on podcast1.com just like mine, a free download on itunes. He's under the Jericho Network as a part of podcast one. It's called the Raven Effect. Let me read a little quote about his show. It says, join professional wrestling superstar and world class idiot raven, along with a motley assortment of friends, enemies, know it alls, know nothings, professional level morons and highly functioning sociopaths for a veritable cornucopia of stupidity covering current events, conspiracies, pop culture, politics, general monkety monk and any and all Topics that can be properly bantered. Tell you what, I got a chance to listen to his live podcast, which he did over here. Was it the Hollywood Improv? Something like that. Him and his buddy Busby just get on Skype for most of the episodes and they just start shooting the breeze, talking back and forth and going over things and listen to part of the live podcast they did over in Hollywood. Some funny stuff, man. I tell you what, I've had a lot of laughs with Scott Levy. He was one of our travel partners. Him, myself, and the late, great flying Brian Pillman. In our WCW days, we called ourselves the comedy Trio. Always plagued by bad service at all the restaurants that we stopped at. We used to travel around in a Chevy Lumina van. And I would never let Raven drive because he was a horrible wheel man. I didn't like when Brian drove either because Brian drove too fast. A lot of times Brian would drive, but I prefer driving. But man, I got a lot of laughs with this guy and known him forever. Happy that he started doing a podcast. And he's under the Jericho Network on podcast one. It's also a free download on itunes. Give him a five star rating, send him some feedback. And it was good seeing him again, man. Scott went through some dark times, had a few demons back in the day, and he's overcome all that. He came all the way out here to California and I got a call from my old producer and said, hey, man, Raven's coming in town. You want to have him on a podcast? And I said, well, hell yeah, I want to have him on the podcast. So he came by 316 Gimmick street and over here to 3:17 and man, we got a chance to catch up and visit, shoot a fat laugh our heads off. And it's good to see him. He's in a real good place right now. He's got a good podcast. I highly suggest you give it a listen, give him some feedback on it. You can catch it. It drops every single Monday under the Jericho Network on podcast one. I'll tell you what, got a good podcast for you today. I'm talking to Raven, and before I get to Raven, tell you guys a little story. Y' all know when I sold the Broken Skull Ranch about six, seven, eight months ago, however long it's been, I'm looking for another place and could end up being in Texas. Could be in Nevada. It could be, man, I don't know yet. Probably could be anywhere. But a while back we had looked at a property in Nevada and man, almost put an Offer on it, but just couldn't quite pull the trigger on it. And we've been looking around ever since and hadn't seen anything really pop up that kind of grabbed our attention. So I said, you know what, let me get back on the computer, see if we can find that property again. And I found it, and it wasn't on the market anymore, but it was still for sale. So I got in touch with my real estate agent, said, hey man, is there any way we can get back in, look at that property? You know, I was kind of looking at it again and maybe it will work for what we're looking for. So he called me back and he goes, hey man, yeah, they'll show it to us. Come on down. I won't be in town, but my partner can show you around the place. I said, that's cool, because I know what it's all about. Anyway, so me and my illustrious wife Crystal, we loaded up the GMC Yukon XL denali with the 6.2 liter, 420 horsepower motor, put our dogs Callie and Moola in the back, had that whole thing laid out flat and headed down to Nevada to look at a potential ranch. I tell you what, man, that damn Yukon got so much room in it, Me and my wife, it was only an overnight trip. Distance is about 420 miles. We had a little bitty ass suitcase, damn near looked like a lunchbox. Couple pairs of underwear and a couple pairs of socks in there. We was just going for an overnight stay. So anyway, man, 420 miles, it was easy drive. Y' all know me, most time I'm hauling ass. Everything flies by because I'm usually driving about 90. But just like that last trip we made out there to Mammoth Lakes, I was taking my time and enjoying the drive. And that ain't a bad drive to make 420 miles pretty easy to do. So. So whether you're hauling ass or driving a fixed speed limit, you're basically going to get there at about the same time. So why risk life and limb? Nice leisurely drive. Stopped by that sandwich shop in Bishop, got a pastrami sandwich. It was cheat day. Went over, looked at the property and then we went out to eat at the restaurant and had a glass of whiskey. Had a glass of Woodford reserve and a Sculpin IPA because they didn't have Broken Skull IPA because we don't sell it in Nevada. It was a damn good beer and that's a damn good whiskey. We went back to the hotel room and we went back to the Hotel room. We had thrown our stuff in a room and it seems like every single time we go to Nevada there's some kind of function. Last time we tried to find a place, well we canceled that trip. The hot air balloon festival was statewide or whatever it was. Couldn't find a damn room. Nowhere. This time it was the air show. The blue angels was flying around. When we got there, we were watching them in the distance. Every damn hotel room in the entire area was sold out. Finally we found a room and it was a double. Two queen size beds. Now I don't think you could suppose to smoke in a hotel. It wasn't really a non smoking room. It's supposed to be a no smoking hotel. We opened the door to that place and I was happy to have a hotel room. But I'll tell you what, it was a little on the rough side and had that distinct odor in the air about it. And those two double beds. It was funny when we started relaxing and getting ready for bed, we each had our own bed now. Say Steve, you could have both slept in a queen size bed. Yeah, we could have. But we sleep in a king size bed every single night. So sleeping apart and a queen size bed, I can handle it. We're only four feet away from each other. I tell you what man, I was sitting there sipping on a glass of whiskey because it was my cheat day, just trying to wind down and everybody's in town for the air show. Got a nice quaint quiet room going on. And boy I tell you what, someone must have said ready, set, go. Because all of a sudden somebody let the kids loose and they was running 50 yard dashes, hundred yard dashes, 200 meters stop and goes, jumping up and down, cartwheels tumbling. I thought the damn ceiling, their floor was going to cave in. We was on the first floor, they was on the second floor. Holy smokes. I told my wife, I said if I hadn't had a couple of drinks I'd just soon get in the damn Yukon and drive over to next town to get another hotel. But I wasn't going to get behind the wheel. I wasn't messed up but I probably had a little bit of a buzz and that ain't worth risking. But them damn kids was so loud and they was raising so much hell. And I was wondering because if my kids would have been 4 to 6, 8, 10 years old, however old they was running up and around that hotel, boy my parents would have lit my ass up. So I'm over there listing all that damn stuff I Thought about going into the bathroom, getting some toilet paper, wadding it up and putting it in my damn ears. But then I said, you know what, Steve? If you drink another glass of whiskey, you'll go to sleep and then you'll get on the road at 5am and then you'll be home. So that's what we did. To sum it up, 420 miles there, 420 miles back. Looked at the property, you know, could it be the broken skull ranch 2.0? I don't know. I don't think so. Don't think we found it yet. But the journey continues. We're still looking. I think I'm gonna head down to Texas in a day or two and go down and visit my folks, take a look down there and visit with some friends of mine. We have been trying to get down to the great state of Texas for about six months. Every time we think about going, something pops up. But right now, I told my wife earlier today, I said, you know what I'm feeling Texas, I'm thinking we're leaving in three to four days and we'll load up the dogs and I'm going with you or without you, but we got to go. Well, of course, my wife, she's ready to go down to Texas too. I wasn't drawing a hard land in the sand. I was just trying to be a tough guy on the podcast. Anyway, looks like maybe head down there for a couple of days, see everybody, stop by and see a friend who works on hot rod cars down there. Maybe do a podcast with him. Graduated Edna High School with him. He was the center of the football team. Weighed about a buck 65, buck 85. I was a running back, weighed 205 north and south Runner. Wasn't fast enough to run east or west. Anyway, looking forward to get down there to Texas to seeing my family, my mom and dad and some friends. Hey man, before I get to Scott Levy, the Raven of the Raven Effect podcast under the Jericho Network on Podcast one, my guest today, I want to tell you guys, man, the the ratings have been awesome for Broken Skull Challenge. I appreciate everybody tuning in. Make sure you put your TV set, your DVR this Tuesday night. Tonight, if you listen to the podcast today, when you download this thing, make sure you got your DVR set on CMT. Tuesdays 10, 9 Central only on CMT. This will be the third episode and things start ramping up from here on out. Got some new challenges we're throwing at you. The Skull Busters new design and it's just total badassness. And it's only on CMT every Single Tuesday at 10. Set your DVRs. Make sure you don't miss the toughest show on television. My buddy Scott Levy, the Raven is coming up.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

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[Steve Austin]

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[Scott Levy (Raven)]

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[Steve Austin]

the Steve Austin Show. I Just pushed the record button. Sit across the table at 317 Gimmick St. Scott Levy.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Raven, how you doing, man?

[Steve Austin]

Host of the podcast the Raven Effect. Mo travel partner, long time friend. God dang, it's good to see you.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Good to see you, man.

[Steve Austin]

Hey, I got a word that you were coming to Los Angeles, California, as we record this podcast. I think it's October 6th.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

So you had a gig. No, it's October 5th.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Fifth. October 5th.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah. So you had a little gig in town. You're doing a little bit of.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, we got a stuff. We got me and my. Me and Busby, my sidekick on my podcast, Raven Effect. Shameless. Plug.

[Steve Austin]

We got to plug the Raven Effect. It's on the Jericho Network at podcast one. And you drop a show every single Monday?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yep, every Monday. And so we're doing a live one tonight at the Improv in Los Angeles. So hopefully at least eight people show up. So have somebody to clap.

[Steve Austin]

God, how many people does comedy club seat?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Thousands. Millions? Maybe six?

[Steve Austin]

No, we're 60. 60?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

So how is it going back in front of a crowd? Because this takes it back to, you know, our younger days in the business when we're first starting out and, you know, sometimes. Dude, you wrestling in front of Nobod. Yeah, the nerves. And what's the transition?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

My record, I think, was 13 people when I was wrestling for Florida Championship Wrestling in Lakeland, in Tigertown. Hangar number two. We didn't even rate. Hangar number one. We got hangar number two.

[Steve Austin]

Is that a shoot?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's a shoot. 13 people. But, like, as I moved through the career and I got, you know, my career, I got better and better and then. And I learned more how to behave in front of. You know, eventually you just. When crowds are that small, you just ask them what they want to see. What do you want to see? And the guy in the front row. I want to see a suplex. There's a suplex for you.

[Steve Austin]

Give a guy Iggy suplex coming your way.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And.

[Steve Austin]

And you put it twice. Give it to me.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

You put all the. All the audience on one side. So they're all piled up. And then if you want to call spots, you just turn your back to them.

[Steve Austin]

So. But the gig is tonight.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, the gig is tonight.

[Steve Austin]

Let me ask you something. I'd love to go, but I hate to get out on the mean streets of Los Angeles, especially down there in Hollywood at nighttime. Traffic is absolutely just berserk. And we're hauling ass to make a long distance trip tomorrow morning early. But we'll leave about 5am when you do a live podcast at the Comedy place, like you're doing. I know you're Busby. He's a comedian.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Funny guy. And you are too.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, I do some standup, but I'm so lazy that I don't do much of it. Like, you know, I'll do like eight gigs a year. You know, it's just plenty.

[Steve Austin]

I want to talk about your laziness in a minute because it's in part of your write up on your website, what we all do. Are y' all just gonna just call us singing a ring? Yeah, make it ad lib.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's what we do at the show. Like our podcast is basically if you never heard it, which probably you haven't

[Steve Austin]

because I haven't heard my own podcast.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, no, I don't mean you. I mean the audience listening. Because you got like a million listeners and we have much, much less. So. So 90% of your audience hasn't heard my podcast. But basically it's like me and you were doing. Right now, we just, we just start talking and whatever comes up comes up.

[Steve Austin]

So you got any kind of format or you just roll in there and. Is it straight up? Shoot, dude.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Well, yeah, I mean, like. Well, we might have an 8 second production meeting, which is me texting him, saying, what do you want to talk about? And he'll say, I saw something on Raw that, you know, because we're trying to make it more wrestling adjacent, you know, because we don't. It's so loosely wrestling based. I mean, the, the idea that it's a wrestling podcast is not the strongest title for it. It's more just a platform for me and him to talk nonsensically and just banter back and forth. But so he'll say, like, I saw an angle because I don't watch wrestling anymore because I'm just. I got too divorced from it. It just, it broke my heart too much, you know, it's like it's a cruel mistress.

[Steve Austin]

But.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So he'll say, he'll suggest something. I'm like, that's fine with me. That's the end of the production meeting, you know, and then the show with the slide whistle, that's the opening of the show. And then I'll do some ridiculous rant, like an introduction. Like I'll talk about my dog who's also the executive producer of the show, and. And my fire breathing pet goat who really doesn't exist, but I think he might in my mind. And, and I'll talk about what they're up to. And then I'll introduce my co host with some rhyming nonsense. Like, it'll be something like, he has a picture of the Great Gamma. He. He fellated a llama. He once said, yo, what's up, Holmes? To Obama. And. And it'll be like five minutes of just nonsense like that. And then. Then we start the show. And sometimes we do news items. Like, there's a news item that I was gonna probably do tonight talking about this. It's called. It says, there's a mad pooper in town. And some lady's taken, like, poops in people's yards and just dropping them and then traveling on. And every day she does it somewhere different. Mad. Oh, is it. Is that where it is?

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. So the mad Pooper. And so, you know, and then we. For a while, we are on the. The head transplant. Did you hear about that? There's the guy supposed to get a head transplant. Like, they're going to. Yeah. So Busby's completely in disbelief. He's like, there's no way that they could keep the guy alive. And I'm like, they're going to do it. It's going to happen. And so then we go. So news items. We have fan mail, which is always preposterous. And. And then we give recommendations. But mostly the body of the show is just me and him just chatting about, you know, like, either, you know, whether it's the ufc, whatever, who happened that week, or. Or wrestling or whatever. It's really just a vehicle for us to talk. Like, me and you are just talking now, you know, and just, you know, shoot the breeze.

[Steve Austin]

But let me ask you a question. Somewhere along that rant, you said you kind of became divorced from the business of professional wrestling. Dare I say sports entertainment.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yes.

[Steve Austin]

So how did you lose your way with the business? Or how did the business lose its way from you?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It's, you know, it's. I. To be absolutely honest, it broke my heart when I was in wwe and they didn't use me to my fullest or even to half my fullest or even a quarter of my fullest. And. And to finally, you know, get some. To make a name for yourself, you know. You know, it's just been, you know, I put a. I got 30 years in now, but that's, you know, 15, 20 years ago, I was at my peak. I just come off ECW and WCW and then went to wwe and they just mistreated me left and right, and. And it just broke my heart. And I'm like. And, and then what compounded it was the wrestling had got so bad. I mean, you know, it just, it had gotten. Other than, you know, maybe one angle on the show, the rest of the show was just junk and the booking was bad and it just wasn't fun to watch. And, and then there started to be really good television. Like, they didn't used to be great shows. I mean, maybe Three's Company might be considered a top 10 show. I mean, now it wouldn't even make the muster. So I just started watching more tv and next thing I know, I was just not watching wrestling anymore. And I was about 2,000 and. And I really, you know, it's like, if I, if, if I'm passing, if I'm at a gym and it's on, I'll watch it. You know, I'll watch a match or two. If I'm at a pay per view because somebody pays me to fly in and be a celebrity guest at a pay per view, I'll watch it, but I won't put it on my tv. I won't watch it if I, I don't flip channels because I DVR everything. So there's. I just don't come across it that much. But I keep up with it because it is what I do. It is my, you know, even. Because I still do endings.

[Steve Austin]

How do you keep up with it?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I read one of the sheets, you know, basically, Jesus Christ. I read one of the sheets. Somebody sends me some information. I got a buddy who sends me, like the highlights of what happened. You know, I'll skim through the sheets, you know, it's, it's like an hour worth of reading I'll do in like eight minutes, you know, because I don't really care enough. But I, I still want to know what's going on. And, and, and then that breaks my heart even more. Like when you read stuff like, you know, when they put all the heat, you know, on Triple H and Stephanie and, and they just emasculate the talent. I'm like, well, how do you expect them to draw? You know, how is anybody going to draw that way? And so it's just, it's, it's just. She's a cruel mistress to wrestle in business, you know that. I mean, you were in your prime and you got dropped in your head, career over. I mean, it's a brutal mistress.

[Steve Austin]

It works that way sometimes. I was able to land on my feet after many years of doing a lot of stupid things. And so here I am sitting in the house, talking with you on a podcast. If you were to watch, if I was put on TV right now, could you just watch and say, okay, and watch the story that's being told in the ring? Or are you gonna nitpick everything? Yeah, because you can watch as a guy who did it right, basically for 30 years or, you know, your active years, but you can also just put your hands back, say, okay, I'm gonna enjoy this, and not try to look at it as a guy who did it forever. How do you, how do you watch a business if you were to watch the business?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I do watch indie matches when I'm on indie shows. Like, I don't watch a lot of them. Like, you know, we, we used to watch all the matches, you know, but now, you know, I'll read a book in the back, you know, or I'll, you know, schmooze somebody, you know, or just chit chat, but, you know, I'll watch a match or two. And I used to be hypercritical when I was in it. I mean, you know, I've, I've, I alienated more people by giving advice and saying, this is what you should have done. And you were famous for that. Yeah, I was famous for being a dick.

[Steve Austin]

And I always enjoyed hearing your opinion.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, well, it's like some people either love me or you hate me. There's not a lot of middle ground to it, but. But now I'm less critical, I think, because I've less invested in it. The best way to say it.

[Steve Austin]

How are you feeling physically?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Physically, I feel fine, but my interior health isn't bad. My. I have a sleep disorder that's just brutal. I wake up like every. I don't want to get into it. And woe is me because I had a great career, made a lot of money. Yeah, but.

[Steve Austin]

But tell me a little bit about the sleep disorder, because I don't sleep with a damn myself. I got sleep apnea. I got the CPAP machine. I tell all of my listeners that if you're a little bit overweight or you got some nose problems or whatever, go get your checkup. So I've been wearing a sleep apnea mask for eight or 10 years, but I just. On top of that, dude, I just. I wake up three, four, five times a night, so. And I'm only in bed for like six hours. I don't sleep worth a damn.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, so what? I wake up after, like, basically everybody over 35 wakes up after every sleep cycle, but most people aren't aware of it. They just roll over, go back to bed. I wake up bolt upright, and this will happen anywhere from 10 to 30 times a night.

[Steve Austin]

That's a lot.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. So that's why I never get a full night's sleep. And so a lot of times there's days where I'm just. I'm not getting out of bed, you know, other than to watch tv, you know, and. But here's the thing. It's my own damn fault, because if I wouldn't have done so many damn drugs and screwed up my system, I wouldn't be in this position. So I hate to glorify drug use, but, man, I had some crazy adventures. But we always give at the end of the show an 800 number for addiction help, because, let's face it, if I could go back and do it again, if I. I got regrets, but, you know, everybody says they don't have regrets, is full of crap. But I got. If I could go back and do it again, I would cut out half my adventures for better health now. So, I mean, you know, it's. I wanted to be elegantly wasted. That was my goal, so to speak. But, you know, I made it come true. Way too much.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, but, you know, just in my own deal, man, I was. I was the alcohol guy. And I would say to anybody, you know, with retrospect or hindsight being 2020 or now, the fact that I'm 52 and I'm looking back at my bulletproof years, you know, 20 through, you know, 40. Yeah, you know, it was, dude, Katie, bar the door. I say everything in moderation. Cut back.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. Oh, my God. I would. I would so. I so would have done things differently, but. But I couldn't because I had so many emotional, you know, problems, you know, because I couldn't. You know, let's face it. I think everybody should have to visit a psychologist at least a couple times, you know, in their lifetime, just to get a. You know, to see what's going on underneath the hood. You know, it's like you take your car to the shop, you know, take yourself to the shop, get a look under the hood. The Raven character was a manifestation of my inter. Inside stuff, like what's going on in my head. But anybody who knows me, like, I'm a ridiculous, goofy bastard, you know, so if you knew me, it was like, wait a minute, that's kind of. That's not you, Raven. But it really is, because the people who really knew me knew inside that's where Raven was. But unfortunately, so art imitated life but then eventually what happened was my life started to imitate art, and I started to do a little more drugs and a little more alcohol, because that's what Raven was. And I wanted to be true to him, even though he was really just based on me to begin with, so. And next thing, it spirals and spirals. I bet you can relate to that.

[Steve Austin]

But you worked yourself into a shoot.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. That happened to you a little bit.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah. Not. Not enough in the form of the Stone Cold Persona, but it was almost like I always said, when. When I hit the ring or whatever that was me turned up to an 11. Right. So, yeah, I would kind of say then being dialed up from my normal one or two.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Well, no, no. I mean, but like, after. When you get out of the ring, did, like, did Stone Cold start infecting Steve. You know, Steve Williams, I guess. Did he start infecting you and where you started to drink a little more? Because. Because Stone Cold would.

[Steve Austin]

No, no, not because Stone Cold would. Because Steve Williams would. Yeah. And that wasn't a life imitating art. That was just me. You know, I was. I like to drink.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

You know, I still like to drink. I just drink a lot less. But it wasn't a case of that. But let me ask you a question, if you don't mind talking a little bit about.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I don't mind that. I'm wide open, dude.

[Steve Austin]

I remember I was going to. I was in a car in Dallas, Texas. I won't mention the name of the person I was with. I was riding shotgun.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Eric Embry.

[Steve Austin]

Personal. You get two more guesses.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Skandar Akbar.

[Steve Austin]

No, it wasn't.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It wasn't Gary Hart.

[Steve Austin]

No, it wasn't him.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

All right.

[Steve Austin]

So anyway, riding down the road to Oklahoma, it's one of my first shots, and person looks over me, says, hey, man, you want a bike?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right?

[Steve Austin]

I'm like, what? Yeah, they say, you want a bike? I said, man, what are you talking about? I said, it's a pain pill. I said. I said, well, what for?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, exactly. I was, same way.

[Steve Austin]

Give you a bus, dude. This is after playing a College football. I'm 23, 24 years old.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Think you've been around the block, dude,

[Steve Austin]

I ain't never seen a pain pill of Tylenol or Excedrin or whatever. And I said, what do you say? You're on the spot. Well, sure.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

So I took the bike. I'm riding to Oklahoma. Maybe I got a little bit of a buzz from. Yeah, it was like 750 milligrams no big deal.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

But anyway, through the course of your career, then you kind of get, you know, the lay of the land. Everything is introduced to you. Because, one, it's like the sporting business. I consider myself a professional athlete.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

While we.

[Steve Austin]

But also we were rock stars while we were doing it.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I always say that.

[Steve Austin]

And then we were also truck drivers because we. We was driving ourselves up.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Never thought of that one, but. Yeah, that's a good one, too. Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

So. And then with all the gym stuff, with the traveling, the rock star stuff. Dude, all of a sudden, dude, I went from just coming from. Born in Austin, Texas. Grew up down there in Victoria and Edna, Texas, a population 5,000 people. All of a sudden, man, I'm in the wrestling business. And everybody's K faving me in the beginning because I'm the. I'm the J, bro. I'm the green guy. He's smarting him up, right? Hey, dude, what about a pain, Bill? And all of a sudden you see a little bit this, you see a little bit of that, and all of a sudden you're doing a little bit of this, a little bit that could turn into a whole lot for a whole lot of gas.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

You would consider yourself at one time, dude, a hardcore addict.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

So. So I was able to stay in the vein or the zone that I was in, which is a medium zone.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

Alcohol was high.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

So what spun up for you?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It just my tolerance. I just. And I found something I was really good at

[Steve Austin]

to that point. Say, a parallel with the drinking.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. Because, you know, I mean, I was. The reason I used to be so egotistical was because I was insecure, you know, so it was all trying to mask that I was insecure inside. And here I found something I was really good at. Taking pills, you know, what a stupid skill, but that was my skill set.

[Steve Austin]

We're. We're laughing, but you and me are longtime friends, right? It's not funny, but it is funny.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It is funny, but it's.

[Steve Austin]

It's.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It's just. But that's why I always give the 800 number for the addiction hotline. Because. Yeah, it's funny now. But, you know, anyway, back to my first time seeing, like, drugs in the business. I was wrestling in a first territory. I'm in Memphis, in Memphis. We're on a spot show, and it's me, Jimmy Jack Funk, and Max Payne. I think. Or I'm not sure, but I know it's a meme. Jimmy Jack Funk against Billy Travis and two others. And so we're in the corner, me and Jimmy Jesse Barr and Jimmy Jack Funk. And he's like. He's like, when I get the chin lock on Billy Travis, I'm gonna shove two placidils in his mouth. I'm like, what? He's like, like. And I knew what placidils were because I'd heard about them like, the week before, you know, but which. They were like old timey drugs, like, you know, barbiturates or Seconals or, you know, stuff they don't make anymore. And so he goes. And I'm like, oh, my God. And I'm thinking, so he grabs Travis, puts him in a chin lock, and then he just covers his mouth and forces him to take the placidils. And then, of course, little do I know that Billy Travis was probably ecstatic that he was getting two free plastidils, you know. So I went from being, oh, my God, I hope nobody does that to me to five years later, gone. I wish somebody would do that to me.

[Steve Austin]

Hey, Jimmy Jack, can you call the same spot for me

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

and get it again?

[Steve Austin]

Billy Joe Travis. You mentioned a couple of names. I want to get back on her drugs in a second. Billy Joe Travis, kind of a. God rest his soul. He's no longer with us, but he was like a poor man's honky talk. Man. That dude could work his ass off.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

He was an amazing worker.

[Steve Austin]

Travis was a hell of a worker.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Unbelievable. Yeah, unbelievable worker. I mean, he was probably one of the best workers that nobody's ever heard of.

[Steve Austin]

Yep.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I mean, not nobody, but I mean,

[Steve Austin]

he could also work great babyface. But I loved him as a heel.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Great in the ring, great punches. He. He had that. He had that punch where when he'd throw a punch, instead of slapping his chest, he would snap his arm like a root. Like he have. His arm would be bent at the. At the elbow, and like a rooster, he would pop it against his. His flabby side chest, and it would make a big pop sound. And it was. Oh, it was brilliant. And. And it. Like. A lot of guys try to throw that punch where they slap their chest, but it's so obvious.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Or. Or they miss completely that the punch is just way off target, hitching a nose and the ear. But he was right on target with every punch. Like a Bobby Eaton, except he did it by. By snapping his elbow down like a. Like a rooster.

[Steve Austin]

But another guy who was also a guy that I watched have a lot of great babyface matches against Matt Barney. We're Going to end up in Portland territory here in a minute. But God dang Jimmy Jack Funk could work his ass off too. He was another guy that helped me out a lot with advice on the road. Dude, white meat, baby face, green as grass. He gave me a whole lot of advice, really helpful.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

First, so I had like seven matches before I got to Memphis. I had seven or nine. I can't remember exactly. It's either seven or nine.

[Steve Austin]

And because that's a vast amount of difference in experience on your resume.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, so it's either seven or nine. So I get to Memphis and.

[Steve Austin]

Definitely wasn't eight.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

There wasn't eight, but it was seven or nine. So I get to Memphis and so they call me in the room Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett. And Jerry Jarrett's, you know, spitting his tobacco. And I'm just shaking like a leaf, you know, and they go, what's your finish? And I'm like, wow, I didn't think I was going to be going over. I'm like, I'm like a clothesline. Which is pathetic as it is. It's, it was, it's not quite that pathetic because it wasn't used in six times a match back then. It was only used, you know, sparingly, but it was still pathetic. And they go, we have somebody who does that. I go off the second I, I, I was on the spot, man, I was, yeah. So nervous. So then they had me go out there and they gave me four minutes with Keith Eric, Remember him? Jobber? Yeah. So four minutes, two minutes. I, after two minutes, I'd forgotten every move I ever learned in the business, you know, because I only had seven to nine matches. And so I hit him with the finish. One, two, three. I get to the back, they go, you went a little short. I go, I'm sorry about that. You know, just trying to play cool. That night, we went back to Nashville and they had me wrestle Jimmy Jack funk for a 10 minute Broadway. And so we're wrestling and he's got a wrist lock. He starts squeezing my wrist. Like, why is he squeezing my wrist? Nobody taught me, you know, I didn't know any of this. I didn't know Carney. I didn't know how to, I didn't know, you know, Larry Sharp didn't teach me. You know, he wasn't even there when I learned because I went to Sharp's Monster Factory. Charlie Fulton, the old hand was there. So he trained me, but I didn't, he didn't smart me up to much anything, you know, other than The. You know how to do it. And so he's squeezing my wrist, squeezing my wrist. And then third time he does it. I'm like, maybe he wants me to reverse it, so I reverse it. He's like. He looks at me like, yeah. I'm like, oh, I got this business now.

[Steve Austin]

So you're on your way to General?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

On my way. And so we somehow. He carries me. He carries me through 10 minutes after only having seven to nine matches. And. And we get done and. Oh, and then he sets up a thing where. So he has a time. So as they go in five, you know, 10 seconds left. Three. Five seconds left. At two seconds left, like, top him. He has me on top of him. One, two. But three. But the time runs out. They thought I was great. Oh, man. They're like, oh, what a match, man, you're great. And we had done this. We didn't talk at all before the match, you know, because opposite corners, you know, So I had no idea. I'm just, you know, I think he's going to beat me up or something before the match. I don't know what is going to happen. I never met the guy, you know, and. And then I ended up riding with him for a while, you know, while we were both in the territory. But so they thought I was. They thought, oh, wow, this kid's good. You know, maybe a little. Maybe he went home early on TV today, but, you know, he's going good. And then the next night, it was me and. Remember Ricky Nelson?

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So me and Ricky Nelson, we kid. Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Work.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. Yeah. So it's. I don't. I don't think it was. It might have been his first territory too, but. So they put us against these guys, the Zebra warriors, who are like 5, 7. They got masks on with an. With a Spartan Trojan kind of hair thing sticking out, you know, down the bat, you know, from the top to the front to the back, like a Trojan helmet. And so. And they were. There is their first territory. We stunk the joint out so bad. I got to be one of the worst matches in the history of the business. I mean, they're just like, oh, my God, you're terrible. And the next week I was doing jobs.

[Steve Austin]

Did the. Where was that? Was that down in Tennessee?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Did Jerry or anybody back in the day, because you remember when WCW run, Grizz would come to the ring and he start waving that tie, right? He was sticking out the joint. He was killing the town.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, no, no. They let you stink out the joint there yeah.

[Steve Austin]

God dang.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's how you separate the wheat from the chaff.

[Steve Austin]

I worked at Lebanon, Tennessee. I just came into Tennessee territory.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I don't even. I remember the name. I have no idea where that is.

[Steve Austin]

Dutch Mantell. Just right outside of Memphis, if I'm not mistaken. But anyway, it's just a small town spot show, and maybe it was out of Nashville. I don't remember. Dutch Mantell was a booker. When I came in, he didn't know I was coming into the territory, gave me my name, all that whole story. Everybody's heard that a million times. And he said, well, hell, you know, it puts me out there. I'm working with. I think it was. It might have been Doug Gilbert's father.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, Tommy Gilbert.

[Steve Austin]

Tommy Gilbert. He was wearing a hood, right? He says, go out there with Tommy. You'll go about 10 minutes. And I think. I can't remember who went over in the match. That's how long ago it was. But I just remember Dutch Mantel. I'm green, dude. I've been in the business for two months, right? And my first match there in the Sportorium, I'm wrestling Frogman LeBlanc situation all of a sudden. I'll get back to Lebanon in just a second. So there we are in the Sportatorium. Chris figures it's time for my first match. I've been training for two months, basically doing a little bit of chain wrestling, taking some bumps. You know the routine, right. I didn't know nothing. So we go into the office upstairs at the Sportatorium. Of course, I'd never been there, right? And we're talking about.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And you had to be in. You had to be in awe at that point, right? Dude, I'm. I'm.

[Steve Austin]

I'm. I'm still thinking this is a halfway shoot because in five months, he hadn't smartened us up none. Really? No, dude, zero.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Wow.

[Steve Austin]

And so, you know, prior to that, I was playing football at North Texas State. Me and my buddies drive up to Sportatorium. We're getting drunk, throwing stuff at the wrestlers. You know, the standard, what you do. Right?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

And so I'm thinking, he gives me the elbow. He's looking at Carrie. He goes, come on, man, you're as big as he wants. You need to go ahead and get in this. So anyway, I got into Chris Adams wrestling school. There we are. We're about to have my first match. Then he goes, steve, I'm not going to even fake the British accent. You're going to win with the flying Clothesline. Stupid ass.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Flying clothesline.

[Steve Austin]

Not even off the second like yours was. So you would, you were a high flyer right off the get go.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I was a medium flyer.

[Steve Austin]

Dude. We go out there and this is a television match for ktvt. I mean, it's like live to tape.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Wow.

[Steve Austin]

I'm out there working with Frogman LeBlanc. He's got this thick Cajun, you know, accent.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

How did you understand him?

[Steve Austin]

Well, we just kind of were going off of. Of what Chris told us Tony Falk was a referee. He's, he's trying to call us some high spots. Right. I, I must, I must have hit frogman with about 10 clotheslines that match. And then finally the fly in one at the end. Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

For that it was Tony Falk going, I'm old Tony Falk Paduk.

[Steve Austin]

Here's the thing. Tony Falk could work his ass off.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yes.

[Steve Austin]

I love Tony Falk.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

He was amazing.

[Steve Austin]

He got a referee, he was a referee. He didn't get a great run in business, but God dang, he could work his ass off. But going back to the 10 minute Broadway, I mean, think about how ludicrous that is. Yeah, the 10 minute Broadway.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Because they can put the 10 minute time limit on the match and then neither guy can beat each other in 10 minutes. And so you've got all these, you know, this build up, right. To the false finishes. But when you think about it, sounds easy as hell.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It ain't.

[Steve Austin]

No, it might be if you got a couple of years in the business, but if you're green as grass. Yeah, because, dude, I used to, you know, do a bunch of 10 or 15 minute broadways. And when Matt Bourne was working with Jimmy Jack Funk and they were doing 15 minute babyface broadways, that would be the best match on the card night, of course. But when you think about building it, you think 10 minute Broadway because you always think about flair. The 60 minute man.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right, Right.

[Steve Austin]

Almost every single night, the real world champion was going 60 Minute Broadway. So when it's minimized to 10 minutes, you kind of feel like a J bro in retrospect.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, well, I gotta, I gotta interject. I gotta do my Tony Falk impression. A humuna humna. I'm old Tony Faulk from Paducah, Kentucky. I had my first match. I was dressed up like a girl. They made me tuck my wee wee through my back of my legs and I put on a woman's outfit. I put a mask on and I had my first match as a girl. Did you know that you ever heard that story?

[Steve Austin]

I've never heard that story.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Me and Brian Christopher used to. Every day we would. Whenever we'd see each other at a building, as soon as we saw each other, we'd walk up and we'd go to shake hands. And then we'd stop before we did and we'd look at the non existent people and I'm like, come on, shake my hand. And he's like, should I, should I talk? There's nobody there except me and him. He's like, you know, we could be in a mall. And he's like, should I do it? Should I do it? I'm like, come on, come on, it's okay. And then finally we shake hands and start doing Tony Falk impressions. And I guess Tony Falk's first match, they had him dress up as a girl under a hood and do a match as a girl. But he goes, I had to stick my wee weed. I had to stick it back to my legs because he had that paducah Kentucky accent. It was amazing.

[Steve Austin]

But the Duke could work his ass up.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Amazing worker. And he actually drew money for Jared in Memphis as he was doing that boy Tony character.

[Steve Austin]

How long did you work for Jared?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I worked for him like three, three months the first time. Then I came back after being Scotty Flamingo and I was back for I don't know how long, but it was like the Hotel California. You could check out, but you can't ever leave.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, but you, you went to. Was that pre or post Portland?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

First place I went was Memphis. Was there for three months, went to Florida for 10 months, then went to Portland and actually I went to Vancouver for Altomco for a month. But then I got run out of that country and then I went to Portland, which is where I learned how to work. And I was there for two years.

[Steve Austin]

Who was the guy that helped you out in Portland? Because remember when you left Portland, I was going to be the guy that was going to take your spot.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, were you?

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I didn't know that.

[Steve Austin]

No, I said, man, right, now we got a guy, Scotty the Body. Because that's what you're Right, right. He goes, man, he's a great bumping hill. We see you kind of being in a similar vein. And so I was going to come in on your heel steps on your

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

way out, but you got brought into wcw, got the call. Really?

[Steve Austin]

I never ended up going to Portland, but I'd heard.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I never knew that.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, yes, right up.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Wow. Yeah, it was the grappler, man. I've had one. My show, I don't have a lot of guests on. I mean, every maybe once a month, because I try to. Me and Busby have such a good rapport. But the grappler I wanted to have on because he's another guy that's. Names lost in the past, who's one of the greatest workers. Like, just. There's so much I learned from him. I mean, you know, it's a. It really. It was like an honor to be able to tell him, you know, how much it meant to me at this point, you know. You know, in my. You know, now that I'm older and he knows I'm not, you know, BSing him, you know, because everybody's BS and everybody in this business, you know, and to be able to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I learned from him. But my favorite thing that he ever said, though, was I go. He wanted me to drive down because I always had to drive because I was a green kid, you know, So I used to ride with him. He said, are you drive, kid? But at least I get to drive his truck. So I didn't put the miles on my car. And so we had to go to Coos Bay, and it's like 220 miles. This is a horrible trip. And because Portland had all the short trips, so 220 was like a long, long trip. And he goes, you drive there, kid. I'll drive on the way back. So we get. We're getting ready to leave, man. I'm exhausted, you know, And I get. I'm getting ready to get in the car. He goes, you just get us out of town, and then I'll take over. So we start driving. We get about 10 minutes. He goes, listen, if you get tired, pull over, get out of the car, put my mask on, and let the grappler drive.

[Steve Austin]

That's ridiculous.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Is that great? Put my mask on and let the grappler drive.

[Steve Austin]

I always heard I didn't get a chance to see a lot of that guy's work, but I. I heard it was awesome.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

You would if you watched, like, now. You could watch his stuff from Portland now, like, you know, from 1990, and you would just be like, wow, why didn't that guy get a break? You know what I mean?

[Steve Austin]

Why didn't he?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Well, it's funny. He did he. When he was his first year in a business or no, maybe his third, fourth year in a business. He's 510 and 2 40, and he's working on top For Watts. And you know, Watts was all about the big guy. So I mean, to put the guy that young, that green and that small, you know, for him and short on top, man, that says a lot. I mean, and so basically he. He. It, long story short is he was working on top with the dog, and then one day he got. Yeah, it's. It's not for me to say, but I mean, it's in his book. But basically he thought he should get equal pay to the dog, not realizing that the dog's been on top because the dog was a money machine.

[Steve Austin]

Absolutely.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It was just a license to print money in Watts's territory. And, you know, he wanted to save money. Basically, Watts. Watts said, forget it. So he goes, well, I'm walking. Then he goes, well, there's a door. Watts calls up Oli, has, convinces Oli to bring. So Oli calls up Lenny the grappler and says, I'll bring in. I'll give you this much. This much. And then starved him out because, you know, because Watts made the call and Lenny and the grappler. Lenny's his real name. Everybody thinks it's Len Denton. Len, but it's really Lynn Girl's name. And so Lenny just then he had to rebuild his career from scratch. And he never really got back to the top of the game. You know, it just didn't work for him. Even though he was an amazing worker, could make anyone look good, could go just. Just one of those guys that you just watch. It was like Barry Windham, he glided. I mean, Dustin Rhodes is like that too.

[Steve Austin]

They glide.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It's like they're on ice or something. And that's how he was. And he just so funny. Like, he taught me how to be funny, you know, how to tell jokes in a ring. And you know that it's not. You know, I'm like, wait, you can be funny. You can actually have. Have a good time wrestling. It's not just, I gotta, you know, woo the crowd or do that, but I can actually, you know, be loose and light, you know. And, you know, it just. It was a whole new experience. I mean, everything I learned, I learned everything from.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, but I didn't. I didn't learn that you could actually have a good time in a ring until several years into my WCW run.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right, right.

[Steve Austin]

And it's kind of like, man, you know, as soon as, you know, your interest music hit, I'm kind of in a different zone. All of a sudden, the bell rings, you're locking up. But I'm serious as A heart attack. Trying to have the best match of my life right then, right there at that time. Trying to have a good time wasn't even part of the equation. I wanted to have a good match, right? And then it might have been when I started working with Barry, that guy, you know, I don't say he took me under his wing, but Barry and I wrestled a whole bunch on television and we never really hung out together. I made a couple of trips with him, him and Peewee when he was still alive. But Barry Windemont might have been the guy that really kind of smartened me up. Hey, kid, you know, you can have fun out there. And all of a sudden, man, when. When I kind of got smartened up and worked with a couple other veterans, that let me know, dude, what you're doing is serious. You're trying to draw money, you're trying to tell a story, you're trying to get people to hate you, trying to get that baby face over, make them love him and, you know, get them mad because you're beating him up and fly, flip, flop and fly for the comeback. But in the process, you can have fun, right? And when all of a sudden I got smart enough to. That, it just gave me a whole different level to my matches because it brought me a little bit of relaxation and peace within myself. It was like, hey, dude, if you're having fun, they're having fun. If you're sticking to whatever thought process you got in your head and you're not free thinking or enjoying yourself, you're screwing yourself.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

You don't have the same poise. You don't have the same grace. I mean, it's a word you don't hear in wrestling, but you just don't have that same looseness that, that ability to, to think on your feet, you know, like, if I, if, if I didn't know I could have fun in the business. Like, I remember one time I was in England and. And I was working with Alex Shane. I don't know if you know him or not, but he's a British guy. And so the. He's the champion. So they hand me the belt to look at it. And I was a baby face. And so I seen this kid in the crowd. Kid's got to be five years old, the cutest kid I've ever seen. And so I. All right, you know what? I'm going to go put the belt on the kid. So I go roll out the ring, put the belt on the kid, you know, because the ref hand did it to Me to look at. So I go, I put on the kid. So I tell. I told a ref to tell, alex, go get the belt. So he goes, of course, the ref, instead of meandering over there, he just walks in a beeline diagonal straight towards him, whispers in his ear, puts his hand to his mouth and whispers in his ear. You know, instead of, you know, instead,

[Steve Austin]

go get the belt. Yeah, yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Or instead of just circling the ring like, okay, we're starting to match. And then just kind of on the back out of the corner of his mouth, because there's referee psychology too, you know. And so he goes out there, gets the belt from the kid, gives it back, gets in the ring, gives it to the ref. I take it from the ref, I give it back to the kid. He goes, now, now, he's smart now. So he go, he just goes right back out, takes the belt from the kid. Let me back it up. So the first time, I give it to the kid. Big, yeah. He takes the belt from the kid.

[Steve Austin]

Boo.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, they hated him. I mean, yeah. Without that part of the story, story doesn't make any sense.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So they're booing the crap out of him. He gives it to the ref. Let's start this match. I take it again, give it back to the kid. Yeah, the kid's so happy, you know, he comes back out, boo, Takes the belt. So ref gives it to the ref. I take it again. Third time's a charm. I give it to him. He comes around to take it from the kid. I jump off. Boom. Sobbie down the back of the head. We're off to the races.

[Steve Austin]

Why is it always in three?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It's just the rhythm. Just a rhythm.

[Steve Austin]

Got to set the hook.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

And then every now. And someone said, okay, let's go for five.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Five's too many.

[Steve Austin]

Kill them.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, you're right.

[Steve Austin]

You can't do it on force, an even number. But no, that's a seven to nine matches.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Seven to nine matches. But no, but you said it, right. You set the hook. You set the hook. Then you got to let the bait wiggle, which is the second time, and. And then you can pull it. Pulled the shit out of. Out from under him, right?

[Steve Austin]

The Steve Austin Show. The Steve Austin Show. How fast or quickly in the business did you gravitate towards the psychology?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Pretty quick, I'd say. Like Memphis. I kind of started there like after about three weeks, four weeks, you know, after I had made that horrendous match with the Zebra Warriors.

[Steve Austin]

After, like, the Zebra Warriors, I mean, I'll be. WWE's got a trademark. Yeah, I just. Amount of money.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. Money in the bank. So.

[Steve Austin]

Zebra Warriors.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Zebra warriors.

[Steve Austin]

Go for it. So we're talking about psychology, but here's the thing. So all of a sudden, I'm about to start working with Chris. Okay?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right, right.

[Steve Austin]

I get you back into your psychology.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

How is his psychology?

[Steve Austin]

Oh, dude, awesome.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's what I thought.

[Steve Austin]

Awesome. Chris is a great storyteller. And here's the thing. That, dude, he was a smart, shrewd businessman. And Chris had his demons, as many people in life do. And so when it came down to the business, though, dude, when it came time for him to get a win, he got a win. It was time for me to get the heat back. I got the heat back. And he was running our program. Embry had the book. Embry would okay everything. Jarrett was okay with everything. But Chris was booking our stuff. So he was a smart businessman and he carried me through every match because I was green as grass. I did my thing. But, you know, I was lucky to have him as a trainer to put me in those high profile matches, which helped me win the 90 rookie of the Year. Because, dude, other than that, if I'd have been in a high profile match, I would have got the exposure. I wouldn't want nothing. Okay, To a degree, it's a work. But nonetheless, he was fantastic. But one time he handed me a piece of paper just like this on my desk right here. It was a legal pad. He goes, steve, here's the basic formula of a match. And he basically wrote out, you know, I'll paraphrase this. I have it somewhere here in this house in a briefcase, an aluminum briefcase.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Do you really?

[Steve Austin]

Oh, yeah. You know, it was basically Baby Face Shine. Sure, he'll heat Baby Face, comeback and finish and finish. Either a, you know, Baby Face goes over or heel slips on a banana and baby goes over. You know, something to that. But he goes, man, it come back. So he laid out like five points of a basic fishbone psychology for me before.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Before we get off of Chris Adams. I heard his super kick was stiff as hell.

[Steve Austin]

Dude, he never stiffed me with that thing. But then again, I was 24, 25. I was so.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

You wouldn't even have known.

[Steve Austin]

I was so damn tough from playing football at North Texas and, you know, and still a macho mode, right? You know, you know, towards the end of your career or you always fancier yourself as being a pretty tough guy, but you want to work with people that aren't going to Kill you.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Exactly.

[Steve Austin]

I mean and if anybody says any different, I know there's the tough guys in the business. I like it. And I was snug, right? I was snug and I like being.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

But you were safe.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, I was snug and safe. Right. And so I like the same in return. One of my favorite guys and I didn't get a chance to work with him very much, only a few times.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Ricky Morton, oh my goodness. Bobby Eaton, right.

[Steve Austin]

Those are guys. And of course Flairs. Flair, he's one of my, he's my favorite.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Bobby Eaton was like a wrestling savant.

[Steve Austin]

Bobby Eaton, if you look at the way he incorporated the second rope on some of his high spots or just falling back into a feed. Phenomenal.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

But to me, to watch those guys, their style, it was the clean pro style. Yeah, everything was crisp, everything looked good.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Brad Armstrong.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, Brad Armstrong. But, but when you watched, it looked like a pro style. The presentation was, you know, everything looked good. The gaps were tight. Things that didn't like it was just crushing you. It looked like what you know, you would put on pro wrestling is.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Let me interject for real quick. The show was at the other night in Jersey. No. And was it Jersey? Yeah, I don't know. I think, yeah, it was Jersey. And Manny Fernandez was on the card and he was wrestling Homicide. Manny Fernandez, first of all, how the hell he can move like that at 60 something is ridiculous because. But he made it. He still looks so believable. And he did some little things like, you know, like homicides, trying to lock up with him. And he just slaps the hand away like what are you doing? I'm running this show. You know, like his character, not right, not him really, but just I was like, wow. I was like, man, to be able to like that realistic looking wrestling disappeared a long time ago.

[Steve Austin]

It did. But then back to the psychology. When did you. When were you able to stray from your basic.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

Formula into the multi layered storytelling of a long time period match?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Portland, I mean I wrestled seven. Literally. Literally. People always say literally, but literally six nights a week. There might have been maybe three months, three weeks a year that you wrestled five, but they were made up by like three weeks where you were seven. Seven days. So it was six days a week. Then there were Battle Royal months where you had to wrestle twice. You know, you got your match and a battle royal. Or then there's the show where nobody, where somebody doesn't show up. So then you got to wrestle two times and the battle royal. So you're putting in 330, you know, you gotta have 350 matches in a year. I mean. And like, I tell guys, you know, when they go, I like, I'm working indie guys. I'm like, how long you been working? He goes, ah, ten years. I go, well, how many matches you had? He goes, 150, 200. I'm like, then you've been working two years, right? Like now, because of the way the business is, 100 matches, I'll give you as a year, you know, but back then, 300 matches was a year, you know, so I had a thousand matches in three years. But basically, you know, and most guys now don't even, you know, the indie guys who've been doing 10 years don't have a thousand matches. I mean, which. Not to denigrate them, but it just. That's how lucky I was. And same with you. I mean, you got right away into Texas and they were still running, I think, like four or five nights a week, right?

[Steve Austin]

Four or five nights a week. And then two months after I started, I was right there in Tennessee. And so, you know, that's six shots a week. And if you get the. The other Saturday spot show, and then you could be working seven nights a week, but, man, working at least six days a week and seven like you, or sometimes a double shot. That went into wcw, because a lot of times you would work. You would work. Probably you could work eight matches in a week. Yeah, but just going back to the repetition, dude, that was the key, right? If you ain't in the ring, well.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

But even more so is what I. What I learned, and this is probably the hardest thing to learn, is to listen to the people. And I was able to distinguish when they're cheering but they really mean, we've seen enough of you. Or they're cheering and they're gone. We want more. Or they're cheering and they're gone. We're cheering, but we're just cheering because we're supposed to cheer. Like, it's like aloha in Hawaiian means like 60, 16 different things. But so does audience applause. It doesn't just mean just because they're cheering doesn't mean they still want you to stay out there and knowing how much to. How much they wanted, like, not to insult Canyon, because I love Canyon. He's a great guy, bless his soul. But Canyon would always milk everything, so he'd get every last drop out of the audience. And I'd be saying, man, we need to leave. He's like, no, they're still popping. I'm like, yeah, but they're not popping because they want us to stay. They're popping because they like us. We were over. But they don't want to be disrespectful. It's not.

[Steve Austin]

They're popping because it turned into a courtesy pop.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, it's starting to turn into a courtesy pop. Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Leave them wanting more.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Leave them one and more. And it's the hardest thing to learn. I remember I was talking. There was that guy, Hurricane. No, Bobby Hard to Watch Work Walker, or Bobby Hard Work Walker, but we call him Bobby Hard to Watch Worker

[Steve Austin]

Walker with the body.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Black guy.

[Steve Austin]

No, I was thinking about the. I was thinking about Chris Walker.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, he had what, a body Of a body. Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Tennessee, a little bit. Jesus Christ. God. We're about 4% body fat. Anyway, so talk about.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So. So I go to him, I said, after. I think it was him. And after a match, I go, didn't you listen to the crowd? Because obviously he didn't. And he's like, no, I try not to. I'm like, what? And I was just like, I just know I can't help this guy. I mean, and I'd only been in the business, like, you know, four years at that point, but. But because of the two years in Portland, like, I knew. You know what I mean? I knew when enough was enough. When it wasn't enough. Yeah. Because I remember the first time. I remember I was working Alma Drill, and so I was taking my robe off, you know, bell rang. Because I always was smart. I always waited till the bell rang to work my Gaga. So it counted as time. And I'm working the Gaga because, you know, because they tell you. They tell you you got 12 minutes or 15 minutes, you know, you want that bell to ring right away as soon as you're in the ring, and then you can start playing with the crowd. And so I start taking off my robe and the people start booing me. So I covered myself up and I start to, you know, sexually unveil it. They boo. I cover up. So I did like 13 minutes of that, Right. Not knowing that. That's way too much. And then this is the rest of the match. Rest of the match. I remember this like the. Like yesterday Owl attacked me from behind in about 13 minutes. Shot me into the turnbuckle. I know. I moved in schoolboy. He charged me. I moved in, school board in 1, 2, 3. That was the match, you know, and

[Steve Austin]

the thing about it is, back in the day, you could get away with Stuff like that. And sometimes when I watch some of my old stuff off those TV tapings in Georgia, and a lot of those are center stage. You there, Anderson, South Carolina. All those little towns, dude, there'd be so much gaga or laying in rear chin locks for so long. It'd be like, sometimes when I watch my old stuff back, I'm like, well, first of all, that was doable for that era. It doesn't translate. No, you can't do that.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

But it's also. They didn't work a chin lock. They just sat in a chin lock. Oh.

[Steve Austin]

And I was laying in chin like, I'm guilty, right?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, no, I'm not saying you. I'm saying. But that's also what ushered in a new era, because people, you know, there's one thing to work a chin lock and you crank it and you'd bring the guy down. Up, down, up, whatever. But if you just sit in a chin lock, that. That's.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, but with respect to television.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

And matches. Oh, dude. If you. It's almost. I don't know that you don't watch anymore, but, I mean, the pace is pretty rapid now and. And I'm accepting of the pace. Right. But there's. Back in the day when I was, you know, kind of in those early 90 years, I was laying around a little too much. Right.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Really, you think? Sometimes I always thought you kept a pretty strong pace, like just right at the edge of. Of, you know, if you would have gone too much faster, I would, you know, you would have been a little bit. But I always felt you were right at the edge, you know, perfectly, man.

[Steve Austin]

Here's a guy that I always thought worked a little bit fast, and it was also part of his gimmick that worked for him, but I also thought it could have worked against him as well was Chris Benoit.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, I. I totally agree.

[Steve Austin]

Phenomenal worker. But whatever happened at the end of his life, that was terrible. But in the ring, awesome.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

But just too fast.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Thank you. Because I've always said that, and people look at me like, he's the greatest worker ever.

[Steve Austin]

Work. Great work great. Dude. He's too fast.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Too fast. And when he was on offense, he couldn't slow it down at all because he was too uncomfortable being. Stopping, milking a pose, hitting a pose. Like, ever see a guy, like, he'll hit a move and he'll raise his arms up like, yay me. But he's so self conscious that halfway through the pose, before the audience can boo or cheer, he'll Turn away. So that way he doesn't. That way, if they didn't. Boom. Or didn't cheer him, he doesn't have to feel the, you know, the. The self conscious gaze. But that's the whole idea is when you hit that pose, you got to stop. If they don't boo you, they don't cheer you, they don't do anything. You just stay there until they do or. Or you're not over.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, but just. Just as far as he goes, man. I was like, man, psychology. Everything was just spot on. Execution, mannerisms, just. Dude, he was legit.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

But, you know, if you just slowed down to give those beats and pauses and let the people in on certain levels, I thought the dude would have had twice the run that he did. And he had a phenomenal run.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's like Dean Malenko, he was the heaviest small guy in the history of business. Everything he did was too smooth. Like, he was the other way. Like, it was just too. And so it looked like a dance, not a fight. And also, they would move through so many chain wrestling things so fast that you couldn't digest them. As opposed to. It's like you need a beat. Boom. Something else. Boom. You know, duck under, go behind. Boom. Hold for just a half a second just before the counter, as opposed to just non stop, like, you know, like a dance.

[Steve Austin]

And Dean was a hell of a technician. Oh, hell of a technique. It was. It was too smooth. But then.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, I don't mean to denigrate him. He's a great worker.

[Steve Austin]

But Dean's awesome. But on the other side of that, sometimes when you get the dudes out there and trying, they're trying to struggle through the lockups and really look like you're just sitting. Ascension in the headlock and it just. Just straining.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Almost looks like you're gonna blow up in a static, you know, workhold. It's like, dude, that's too much on the other side.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right, Right.

[Steve Austin]

That's why I go back to the Bobby Ricky style for me, which I thought was perfect, or the flare style even.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It just. It just made me think of, we should. Me and Marty Jannetti would ride together back in Memphis, and he'd go. He goes. We'd start burying people because that's what, you know, that's what the boys do, you know, like, not that we were burying Dean or Chris, but just, you know, like we're talking about them. And Marty would always go, hey, get the booking sheet out. We don't want to leave anybody off.

[Steve Austin]

We always Booking the territory to ride up around in cars.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, that, that. I mean, and that also if, if I didn't have that two years of riding with the grappler, like, the two years in the ring wouldn't have been anywhere near as, as meaning to my, you know, to, to my learning, because it's that, that ride in the car afterward and when they're explaining to you what you did wrong, why you did it wrong, how you can fix it, you know, until it. Until somebody throws a flag and it's like, that's enough wrestling talk.

[Steve Austin]

Did you ever run down the road with Gary Young?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, but Gary Young, I. Earlier, when you're talking Billy Joe Travis, I thought you were going to bring him up because I know he was like big in your career, right? When he.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, yeah, man. He had a Datsun or Nissan 280zx and he had a shoot million miles on that guard.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Wow.

[Steve Austin]

And man, I'd always ride shotgun with him when I was making the rides with him. And God dang, you know, I'd watch his match.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

What a worker.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah. I'd get down the road, we'd be drinking a 12 pack of beer. And Gary's Markinson had an accent, right? Similar mind, but different. Well, kid. And he started, I said, man, why did you do this when you did it or how or what? And, man, he'd sit there and just break it down to me and just like straight up, 101 fashion. And it's like, you know, all the little pieces. And dude, when you're that young in your career, it's like, you know, a few years in, you're like, oh, yeah, that's stupid. I should have got it right off the bat. But dude, when you're right in the middle of it, trying to learn it, it ain't as easy as it looks. Or sometimes really broke it down on a really easy level for me to pick up.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. And sometimes they'll tell you, and it still don't make any sense, as simple as it is. And you're like, I don't get it. And they're like. Or I'll be like, I used to ask Al Madrid because Al Madrid was a hell of a worker. He was in Portland. And I go, he'd say, you need to do this, kid. And I'd go, well, why not? Meaning, like, I'm not questioning, like, saying, why, you know, why do you do that? Like, you're an idiot. You know, I'm questioning him, like, why? So I know when it's Appropriate when it's not. And he like, shut up, kid. You do it because I told you to, you know, but they, it was, it was weird because you could only pilfer the information so much before they would think you're quite. Before the, like, if you questioned the, the why, they would get offended. Like you're questioning their, you know, the answers.

[Steve Austin]

But, but sometimes to me, if you're talking to a group of guys and they're all in business here, talking 15 guys and some of them been in the business for seven, eight, nine years, and you got one, two, and you're three, four, five guys. So if you're telling them stuff, some of the guys are going to pick up what you're saying because they're, they're at a level that they can understand.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Sure.

[Steve Austin]

The people that, that aren't at that level yet, who haven't gained enough just base knowledge.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

They'll look at you like you're crazy. And they'll be nodding their head. Okay, okay, okay. And they're like, I don't get it. Right. Because you're just not ready to absorb the information yet. You're not at that level.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. I remember Mike Graham when I was working in Florida Championship Wrestling.

[Steve Austin]

Man, Mike Graham.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

For the past.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah. I mean, I was along good with

[Steve Austin]

the guy until he cussed me out one time after a. Of piece Pay per view. Would Johnny be bad? Anyway, instrumental in my career. Continue.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So I was in Memphis for three months. I went to Florida. I, I wanted to like, believe it or not, I actually used to do a plancha over the top rope to the floor. And I believe it. Yeah. Not, not. Well, I mean, like Ted Petty used to say, he goes, yours looks more realistic because it's so sloppy. So anyway, so I wanted to do it and Mike Graham goes, why don't you save it and make it a meaning spot? And I'm like, okay. And I'm like, what does he know? Hey, old timer. He doesn't want, he just doesn't want me doing a cool move. I had no idea what he's talking about. A year later, I'm wrestling. I'm like. And I was working a grappler and the grappler, I think I turned baby face. And we had a pull apart. And I go to the grappler, I go, listen, have them pull you out of the ring. In the pull apart, I'll break free and I'll dive over the top on you. So it looks like I'm really, you

[Steve Austin]

know, now it means something.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And I'm like, oh, my God, now I know what Mike Graham meant. Two years ago.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah. How'd you get along with Mike Graham?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Usually pretty well. Most of the time, pretty well. But he, he was. I don't know, I. I mean, I. I irritate a lot of people. So, I mean, you know, I was a different person.

[Steve Austin]

Hard on yourself?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Well, you did.

[Steve Austin]

Used to.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, I did. I mean, I'm not.

[Steve Austin]

But Mike Graham was interested down there in wcw. They brought him in and I go down there and of course, you know, 6 to 250 and pretty jack, you know, come. I'm still on my football days. Young kid, long blonde hair, and all of a sudden.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

What do you weigh now?

[Steve Austin]

242.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, you're still huge. It's really annoying.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, I lost a lot of weight, so I was about 270, so.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I know, but I'm saying. But you're still jacked. And it's really pissing me off.

[Steve Austin]

I'm trying to hang in there, as our buddy would say, ddp. I'm trying to fight back the hands of time. Not doing a whole lot of yoga, though. But Mike Graham, I went down to WCW and all of a sudden, you know, he's one of the agents, but he also. He's like a player coach.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Sure, sure.

[Steve Austin]

Running the show. But sometimes he'll work matches as well. I'm thinking, okay, Steve, I'm getting there in the ring with you and work. I'm thinking, dude, man, 5 10, you know, about a buck 85. His deal was he didn't have great body, but his dad owned the territory. Really smart. But he was a bench press guy, right? And Mike could work his ass off. Great psychology. So anyway, I'm thinking all jacked up. The ego, right? Green as grass, trying to learn the business. I'm gonna work with this guy. Yeah, dude, we went out there, he's calling a match, and all of a sudden the lights went off in my brain. And I said, like, holy smokes, this guy's good.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right?

[Steve Austin]

I had a lot of fun with that guy and learned a lot from him. And his dad was an absolute mastermind. Yeah, so he helped me out a whole lot.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Did you ever see the finish? It was one of their, you know, their big finishes. They used him and Kern as a tag team where somehow I forget what's going. Oh, yeah, I guess Mike's getting beat down. They shoot Mike off, then the heel would backdrop Mike, and Steve Kern would come in underneath while he's flying. My Mike's flying over his head. He'd come in from behind and give him the rolling reverse.

[Steve Austin]

Yep.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

What a finish.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, Mike, one of the things I really liked about what he did was the way he took a tackle. Yeah, he would. Instead of taking the flat back off a tackle. Oh, I got a good Billy Joe Travis story that involves the tackle. But the way Mike would take a tackle, he was a smaller guy. So, you know, you'd meet, give or take around mid ring or by the ropes for the tackle. You know, go into a drop down or whatever the next high spot was. But he'd take that roll and bump.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

I remember take it, roll through, and then go back into whatever the sequence was.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

And I just thought, man, that's so smart because it's very realistic. And now you don't want everybody on the roster doing it or doing it. But he had a very unique way of doing it.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

It.

[Steve Austin]

That made it look, or use the word organic, but it made it look like a shoot. Like that's how it always happened. Because it has always got to be a flat back bump.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, organic's the perfect word. The grappler had it. He would take a tackle and he would take it and like Bobby Eaton would. And he'd go where he'd slide facing you as opposed to perpendicular to you, and he'd slide facing you, and then he'd be right back up either, you know, whether you went to the next rope or stayed at the same rope. But it was so fluid. But it looked legit. But it was like, how does it. It was just. It looked so perfect. I mean, it was crazy.

[Steve Austin]

One time I was working with. Here's my Billy Joe Travis tackle story. I'm working in Dallas Sport tourium. Me and Billy Joe Travis. It could have been anywhere in Tennessee. I was working that territory, but I was working Billy Joe Travis. He's a hill. I'm the white meat. Baby face, long hair, dumber than the rock. Greatest grass. He's got a headlock. Yeah, yeah. Steph is a board. He's got a headlock on me. We're in the middle of the ring. All right, you know, Billy, tackle, drop down and hip toss. Get it again. No tackle, drop down, hip toss. And then that was. That was it.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right?

[Steve Austin]

So, okay, I'm thinking, okay, here's Billy Joe. He's got a headlock on me. So I'm gonna send him in. He's gonna give me the tackle, I'm gonna drop down, and then when I come back up and he hits the Robes. I'm gonna hip doss him, right?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, of course.

[Steve Austin]

Tackle, drop down.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I see this coming. I see this play developing.

[Steve Austin]

All of a sudden I send Billy off. He comes ricocheting off those ropes, and he's hitting me right there in the shoulder, chest to chest in the middle of the ring. And I'm thinking, okay, that dude's about 511, 205, 210, right. I'm 250. Certainly he's going to go down for the tackle. Dude, when you're calling that spot, the guy in motion is the guy given a tackle. The guy in the middle is a guy taking a tackle. Guy in the middle. So what, what did we do? Or what did I do? I did. Jabroni. Don't do this ever in a match. I'll get to a Dallas. Dallas page store after this. So we hit in the middle. There's that static pause, right? He's standing there, I'm standing there.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Time stops. Time stops. And all of a sudden you're like, I'm a freaking idiot.

[Steve Austin]

I realize that I'm the guy that's supposed to be twisted. So three seconds later, I take a bump.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, it's awesome.

[Steve Austin]

So then he proceeds to hit the ropes. I do the drop down because, you know, I'm a rocket scientist. I got the high spot, but I didn't remember the hip toss stayed on the ground.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No, you didn't.

[Steve Austin]

I did, I promise.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That's awesome.

[Steve Austin]

And so when he jumped over me for the drop down, he came back. I'm still laying there in the middle of the ring. So he started putting the boots to me. I'm supposed to hip toss him, tackle, drop down, hip toss him, and probably grab a headlock, take him over. But I was so damn stupid. Sure, that's how simple, I mean, the business can be, but that's how complex you can be when you're that young in a business. I was stupid as frick.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I love when you get two green guys and the guy will say, tackle, drop down, leapfrog something. Doesn't matter what else? Here comes the leapfrog. Both guys think the other guy's leapfrogging. They both bend down and run into each other.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

So awesome.

[Steve Austin]

That of the double drive by.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Or what else? I like when a guest on a clothesline or the guy ducks. Whatever it is, it's just a discombobulation. What was that other story I said I was going to tell you?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Ddp.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, ddp. I think it was the match. Who was he working With, I think it was the tuxedo. Oh, it was him and big Scott hall before he was Razor. And it was a deal where, you know, like, you're supposed to get clotheslined over the top rope, right?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right.

[Steve Austin]

Dude. Sometimes if you aren't up high enough, you can't get over that rope because the axis is too high. Be down at the waist. So you learn.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, people don't understand that the mechanics that you have to get enough of your body at the top of the rope to go over with it and enough force to get you and the force to get over.

[Steve Austin]

So. But the other cardinal rule that you don't do, if someone gives you a clothesline over the top rope and you don't make it, you don't throw yourself over the top rope. And so, sure enough, I think Scott comes to give Dallas. And me and Dallas have laughed about this a million times. And so Dallas doesn't make. Mick Foley was the guy that used to write him real hard about this. He doesn't make it the first time. So sure enough, what does he do? There's nobody within five feet of him. He throws himself.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Awesome.

[Steve Austin]

The top rope takes a bump and the crowds at a frenzy. And then when that happens, like, oh, really?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Right. Me and Scotty, too, hottie had a match, like on an indie show like, I don't know, 10 years ago maybe. And like, you'd think at this point in our careers, like, that we wouldn't, you know, screw up, like, you know, jabroni, stupid stuff. But somehow we did like a tackle, drop down, duck this clothesline, something. And I don't know whose fault it was, but I went for the clothesline and he ran by the other arm. And we just. After the match, we're like, we got 40 years between us and we can't even run a stupid spot.

[Steve Austin]

That's. That's kind of similar what I was thinking. You know, throw the clothesline one side and the guys dip down and run on the other side.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

That runs to the other side.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, man. The high spot. Do you think the way it's evolved in business and work, but, you know, back in the day, you know, like a typical building that you've been and I've been in with opposite dressing rooms at the opposite sides of the building, you never get a chance to see each other. Nashville fairgrounds.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And it wasn't until somebody like 10 years later, like, or like 70 years later, from the start of business, it goes, hey, why don't we have a tape recorder and put some spots on it and pass it to the other side.

[Steve Austin]

I never have been in the locker room and did that.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

No. Yeah, I guess in Memphis, like when you're in Nashville, after a while somebody finally smart. It's like the guy who figured out to put wheels on luggage. Like house. How obviously like it's so obvious. But man, do you remember luggage when no wheels.

[Steve Austin]

It was brutal, dude. Well, see, here's the thing. If the guy was here, I'd like to shake his hand and give him a hug for inventing the wheels on the bottom of the CPS by. By the same, by the same token, like to kick him in his ass and ask him why he didn't invent it 10 years earlier. So I could have used it.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, exactly. But like the old time, remember Dusty, because he was such an old timer, never had a wheeled bag. Always had the bag over his shoulder and he had like a, like a lamb skin thing pad that went over his shoulder where the strap was. And I always like, I always respected that because man, I hate carrying luggage. Luggage is a nightmare. But I always thought like, that's cool, man. Old timer, you know, he's still carrying the old school way, you know, with the luggage over the shoulder.

[Steve Austin]

We're back to the high spot, the evolution of the high spot. What's the earliest wrestling you remember watching?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

70s when I was a kid.

[Steve Austin]

And that was pretty slow stuff back then. Well, it depends. I mean, because Jesus Nick Bockwinkle was doing good stuff, but just the way the business has evolved.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Well, I think the drop, I always, I thought about this one day. Where did the drop down come from? And, and I guess it came from the guy falling down. Like not falling down, but going down and rolling at you to try and take a knee block. Yeah, yeah. To take your legs out. And somebody goes, hey, why don't I step over that?

[Steve Austin]

Yeah.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And next thing you know. So that went for a while and, and I think that's how they developed. You know, it's like one guy goes, hey man, I bet like the first guy to hit the ropes was like, I wonder if I hit the ropes and I come off and maybe the guy, I can do whatever, I can do something to him. And then that went on for a year. And then somebody goes, well, what if I tried to take his legs out? And that went on for 10 years. And then somebody goes, why don't I jump over him? And I bet it just developed bits and pieces.

[Steve Austin]

I guess when I think about jiu jitsu, because I'm a big UFC fan, right?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Me too.

[Steve Austin]

I watch it. But I watch, you know, man, how everybody has got to have a Jiu Jitsu background. You got to have a wrestling background. That really helps.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, and this Saturday, man, what a car.

[Steve Austin]

Oh, yeah. I'm going to be watching.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, I can't wait.

[Steve Austin]

So I always figure when I'm watching two badasses, and Joe Rogan's really good

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

at calling it amazing.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah. So I'm sitting there listening everything Joe saying, and now I can kind of put some pieces together. I don't know nothing about Jiu Jitsu. Right. But I'm thinking, okay, who were the two dudes that just sequestered themselves like a dojo and started inventing all this stuff?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah.

[Steve Austin]

Because it's so high level. And then I look at the business of pro wrestling. It's just like you and me are sitting across from each other at a 4 by 4 table talking about the evolution of the high spot. Yeah. Okay. Tackle here. You know, six.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I think the table. I think the table's three by three.

[Steve Austin]

Well, three by three.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Three and a half by three and a half.

[Steve Austin]

It's 40 by 40. I got a tape measure.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Did you really?

[Steve Austin]

But I mean, just, just. Evolution of the high spot attack. Okay. Right. Drop down. It's kind of like you're blocking the guy's knees and the guy jumps over you, Right. And then.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Okay, so you think Helio Gracie, it was going to his brother Carlson. He goes, if I grab you and I pull this and something, I mean. Yeah, you're right. You're absolutely right. Never thought about it like that.

[Steve Austin]

Well, I'm just like. And then you have like. What's it called? International. What's the international spot? It's like a tackle, drop down, hip toss. What? Get it again. It's like.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I don't ever heard international spot.

[Steve Austin]

Really? Dude, that's like the spot. And I don't even know it either. I mean, got 60 years between us in the business.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I know what the one of us

[Steve Austin]

knows what the international is.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

I know what the 12 is, which nobody does anymore. 12 is. Is he'll punches the baby face. Baby face punches him back. Yeah, but that was the one. That was the one, too. But. But you never heard that term anymore. Or the old sabi da.

[Steve Austin]

Sabi day.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Sabi da.

[Steve Austin]

What's next?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Oh, anyway, he goes, here we go. We should do Howard Cosell in present. Here we go. Sabi da. Here we go. Sabi day.

[Steve Austin]

Man, that's a good way to end this podcast you got time to stick around for another one?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Steve Austin]

Hey, man, let's talk about your podcast for ride off of Sunset and kick it back up. The Raven Effect drops every single Monday on the Jericho Network at Podcast one.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Yeah, please tune in and if you do, if you like it, subscribe, leave 5 star reviews and you can leave and leave uncomplimentary comments, but. But just leave the five stars. So if you think it sucks, but this thing sucks, but put five stars and just, you know, humor me.

[Steve Austin]

Yeah, we can work with you. Help us out. Hey, good talking to you. This is the Steve Austin Show. All right, everybody, give me a go home Cuesta, Wrap up the podcast and ride off in the sunset. Before I do that, I want to thank my guest, Scott Levy, the Raven. He came by, we opened up a can of audio. Whoop ass today on today's podcast. I got another episode coming up with him real soon. Make sure you check out his show. It's under the Jericho Network at Podcast one, just like my show is at Podcast one. It's a free download on itunes. Make sure you give it a listen. It was great seeing Scott and catching up with him. Hey man, don't forget to set your DVRs this year. Broken Skull Challenge Tuesdays, 10, 9 Central. Only on CMT. And all the badass shirts I'm wearing on that show can be found at prowrestlingtease.com steveaustin every single shirt I wear this season is at that website. And I got some badass shirts this year and this is a badass season. Make sure you set your DVRS. IPAs. I love them. You can find mine, Broken Skull IPA at El Segundo Brewing Company here in California. We sell it to Whole Foods and Total Wines. And if you ain't in Cali, check insidethecellar.com and see if they ship to your state. And if you're looking to get either the cold steel Broken Skull knife or the new working man's knife, you can get them at my new Amazon store. Amazon has the best price on both knives. Just go to Amazon.com shop I got to say one more thank you to all the fine sponsors. The Steve Austin Show. That's how I'm able to do this podcast for you twice a week for free. And you can find all my [e-mail]. Just click on the killer deals button at the top of the page and then click on the Steve Austin show banner. And speaking of Podcast 1, the new Podcast 1 app is now available for Download at the App Store or Google Play. There ain't another podcast app like this one anywhere. And that's because the new Podcast one app is is loaded with some cool features that let you do a lot more than just listen to your favorite shows. You can access behind the scenes photos articles and connect with other fans of the shows you like. And you can watch over a thousand 360 virtual reality videos. You can actually watch some of your favorite shows in virtual reality. It's like you're sitting right in a room with them. So get to the App Store, Google Play and download the new Podcast one app. Now folks, if you want to follow me on social media or Instagram, you can find me teveaustinbsr. Until next time, my name is Steve Austin and I will catch your ass down the road. This has been a Podcast one production. Download new episodes of the Steve Austin

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

show every [e-mail] that's podcastone.com. Pluto TV has thousands of free movies and TV shows. You swear if I'm lying, I'm dying.

[Steve Austin]

This is the mindset.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Free.

[Steve Austin]

This is the mantra.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Free.

[Steve Austin]

This is the. With movies like Titanic, Dreamgirls and Gladiator, why are you not entertained? And TV shows like Survivor, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Fairly Odd Parents and Ghosts.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

Pluto TV is always free. Huzzah. Pluto TV stream now pay.

[Steve Austin]

Never. He gave me a book on art forgery. I found myself drawn to these old masters. How did these artists take paint from a palette, arrange it on a canvas? I began to unlock the secrets. I was a storehouse of knowledge of how to create an illusion, present it to a experienced expert, manipulate his mind and convince him and bring him to the inevitable conclusion that the painting is genuine. We flooded the market with my paintings and I couldn't believe what I did. I couldn't believe it. Then the dominoes started falling and eventually the FBI were led to my door. They uncovered a mountain of evidence against me, but they never actually got you.

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

At this point, you've sold a lot.

[Steve Austin]

You've got like a million dollars in cash. You sold one painting for 717,000. Why did it go away? Why did you never get indicted?

[Scott Levy (Raven)]

And how are we having this conversation?

[Steve Austin]

I guess that's the greatest story of all. To hear how Ken Parenti made millions in art forgery, dodged the mafia and the FBI. Subscribe to the Jordan Harbinger show and check out episode 282 in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.