10 More Superstars Who Had Better Careers Outside WWE

2. Raven

Scott Levy€™s career in the WWE was noted for a record 27 reigns as Hardcore Champion, but that was when the title was defended under 24/7 rules, and was basically treated as a joke title. But before that, he competed in WWE as €˜Johnny Polo€™ all the way back in the early 1990s, which didn€™t give him much either. Though he did have a match against Big Show and Kane for the Hardcore title at WrestleMania X7, the WWE simply didn€™t capitalize on his popularity in other promotions like they should have. It was his stint in ECW and subsequent travels to WCW and then later TNA that defined his career. Upon arriving in ECW, he changed his appearance and gimmick entirely, going from spoiled rich kid Johnny Polo to grunge-inspired, nihilistic sociopath Raven, who spoke in allegory and in reference to Edgar Allan Poe€™s Raven. Under this character, he would become famous for taking part in some of ECW€™s most infamous rivalries. Two that stand out the most are his feud with Tommy Dreamer, in which he helped elevate Tommy Dreamer as a gutsy underdog; and his feud with The Sandman, which featured the latter getting infamously crucified. Raven would also wrestle in WCW, where the announcers did acknowledge his accomplishment in other promotions. However, he was unable to replicate his ECW success, winning both the WCW United States Championship and the WCW World Tag Team Championships, with the latter reign only lasting one day. After his WWE run from 2000 to 2003 ended, he went to TNA, while at the same time competing for Ring of Honor against CM Punk, whose Straight-edge lifestyle was a mirror image to Raven€™s, which was based off the drug and alcohol abuse that he experienced during the peak of his career. While in TNA, he would win their version of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, the 2005 King of the Mountain Tournament, and enjoyed success with such stables as The Gathering and Serotonin. Ultimately, WWE misused Raven just like they did many former WCW or ECW wrestlers. It€™s unfortunate that his WWE career didn€™t have many other high points. He was perfect for the Hardcore division, but that soon became a joke, and so did the Hardcore Championship. It is clear that Raven was smart to leave WWE when he knew nothing good would come by staying there.