Alan Wojcik sent along the following:

While Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were exiting WWF for WCW in May of 1996 and Shawn Michaels was enjoying his first WWF World title reign, Raven ruled the proverbial roost in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Kayfabe Commentaries continues its timeline series with the former ECW/WCW/WWE/TNA star as the guide.

Raven was a well-established character in ECW after his debut in January of 1995. He had feuds going during that time frame with the Sandman (guest for ECW 1995) and Tommy Dreamer, while mentoring Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie. Raven had an excellent working relationship with ECW booker Paul Heyman to keep the creative area flowing. Host Sean Oliver and Raven cover the following high and low lights of 1996 including the Beulah pregnancy storyline with Raven/Dreamer, the formation of the Full Blooded Italians faction, Tazz injuring two wrestlers, World Title defenses against Axl Rotten, Mikey Whipwreck, the Fullington family joining the Sandman/Raven storyline, Shane Douglas breaking “Pitbull” Gary Wolfe’s neck on the ECW TV Title belt, ECW doing a joint show in Japan with IWA, Lori Fullington breaking Miss Hyatt’s arm, Sandman, Dreamer & Tazz appearing on the WWF In Your House PPV, losing the World Title to Sandman in a Tag Team Match where Stevie Richards was pinned, an appearance by Kurt Angle at a live event, the infamous crucifixion of Sandman where Heyman/Gordon made him apologize afterwards and the more infamous Mass Transit incident.

Also covered are the arrivals of Rob Van Dam, Shane Douglas (after the Dean run in WWF), Kimona, Devon & Spike Dudley, Chris Jericho, Bam Bam Bigelow (from WWF), Juventud Guerrera, Brian Pillman (from WCW), Nova, Devon Storm, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, Louie Spiccoli (from WWF), “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Chris Chetti, Chris Candido (from WWF), Terry Funk (from retirement) and the exits of 911 (fired), Public Enemy (to WCW/WWF) and Cactus Jack (to WWF).

Raven lets fans in on the initial creation of the character when he first met with Heyman after leaving Johnny Polo (and a corporate office job) behind in WWF. He also admitted to going to counselling to conquer some personal demons, one was not being the main Champion in WWF or WCW. Also included is background on the creation of the Dudley’s gimmick, plus the Blue World Order. He clearly breaks down the crucifixion angle, plus how he found Beulah and Kimona. I did take umbrage when Sean and Raven tie the creaton of the New World Order to being influenced by WCW. The NWO was based off a New Japan storyline in the early 1990’s, unless Eric Bischoff admits different.

Next to be released by KayfabeCommentaries.com is YouShoot with Rikishi (June 23), Season 3 of Wrestling’s Most (July 14), plus History of WCW 1994 with Eric Bischoff (August 22). To follow Alan Wojcik’s wrestling coverage, check out @MyNameIsWojcik on Twitter and Facebook.com/KayfabeWrestlingRadio on Facebook.