Raven Reveals Early Gimmick Was Inspired by Jesse “The Body” Ventura
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WCW/ECW veteran Raven, renowned for his grunge-inspired character that resonated with fans across promotions including WWE, recently discussed a vastly different gimmick from early in his career. He revealed that this initial persona, “Scotty The Body,” was a deliberate homage to wrestling personality and former professional wrestler, Jesse “The Body” Ventura.
The Inspiration Behind “Scotty The Body”
During an interview on The Wrestling Classic, Raven explained his desire to portray a classic “chicken st heel” – a cowardly villain designed to elicit strong reactions from the audience.He found inspiration in Ventura, who was known for his commentary and physique during his wrestling days.
“I wanted to be a chicken st heel, I loved chicken st heels. They’re fun, they’re funny, they get great heat, and everybody’s a tough guy,” Raven recalled. “I was a big fan of Jesse ‘The Body’ on commentary,so I like – that’s why I liked the name,and it rhymed. You know what I mean? scotty The Body.”
Playing with Perceptions of Size
Raven also noted the comedic element of the “Scotty The Body” name, acknowledging he wasn’t as physically imposing as many of his contemporaries. At the time, he weighed around 220 pounds while many wrestlers were closer to 280 pounds. He intentionally leaned into this contrast to generate heat from the audience.
“But rather,people now just remember it and say,’Aw,he was so built back then!’ No,I wasn’t! I wasn’t! I just photographed well,” Raven stated. He further explained that the wrestling landscape of the era, particularly in the WWF (now WWE), favored larger physiques. “Everybody was 280 in the WWF, so you know, even the 5’10 guys! Guys were 5’9, 280, and that’s what Vince liked.” Vince McMahon,then-chairman of WWF,reportedly preferred larger wrestlers.
Raven’s Career Trajectory
Raven’s career evolved significantly after his “Scotty The Body” days. He became a prominent figure in ECW and WCW, developing the brooding, anti-establishment character that became his signature. He later brought this persona to WWE, where he continued to connect with a dedicated fanbase. His influence can still be seen today in wrestlers who embrace darker, more unconventional characters.
Source:** The Wrestling Classic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANgdCiUx3sY) via Wrestling Inc.
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