ktc

Dueling Chair Shots
by Kurt La Mont
column date 05/23/2000

What about me? What about Raven?

Another week, another departure. I’m starting to regret writing that ECW had its deepest roster a few months ago. Good thing I don’t believe in jinxes.

This time it’s Raven who has been offered (given?) his release from ECW. Given what Paul E had to say repeatedly about Raven at Cyberslam (more or less he said he’s fat and unmotivated....buy the tape for the whole scoop, wink, wink) this isn’t a huge surprise.

Initially, I thought Paul E was saying these things to either motivate Raven or to swerve the fans for the Cyberslam show later that night. He probably was trying to motivate him but it looks like it was less than successful as Raven has pretty much been unused in any angles since Guilty as Charged (you’d think he was on the undercard or something).

Raven’s in ring work since his return to ECW has been less than stellar. With the exception of a match with the Sandman at the Arena a few months ago and his initial return (which was only a DDT) I can’t remember any noteworthy matches. By that standard I would say Raven leaving isn’t a big deal.

However, I think the majority of fans (myself included) want to see Raven in ECW because we’ve seen what he can do and want to see him do it again. However, I think at this point its pretty clear that we’re not going to see it. Paul E has realized this and is cutting his losses. It’s time for us to do the same as hard as it may be for us to accept it.

Raven’s main goal is to be the center of a promotion. His main reason for his WCW departure is that he wasn’t one of the chosen top 10. Apparently, by his actions, Raven thinks that he can do this in WCW or WWF. Frankly, I’m guessing that both of those companies aren’t looking to center their promotion around someone who’s 37. If Raven wanted to be on top of a company ECW is really his best option at this point (or, hello XPW).

Raven’s second go around in ECW had great expectations and few results. It’s a shame because we know the talent is there to produce classic moments, like he did the first time around. The desire was the missing element. It’s really a credit to Paul E that he would pull the plug on Raven, who clearly can make him money. I don’t think that too many other people would do the same thing in this situation.

More good stuff next week.

Past editions of Dueling Chair Shots