Raven's Nest
Encyclopedia
Raven's Nest was a professional wrestling
stable led by Raven that was present in Extreme Championship Wrestling
between 1995 and 1997.
Later, Raven created other incarnations of the group in World Championship Wrestling
(The Flock and The Dead Pool) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(The Gathering and Serotonin).
, consisting of Raven's follower
s, henchmen
, Paramours and several hired guns
. The Nest chiefly assisted Raven throughout his feuds
with Tommy Dreamer
and The Sandman
. Over the years, Raven's Nest members and allies included:
(WCW). All wrestlers in the faction adopted Raven's grunge
gimmick, complete with similar ring attire.
Unlike other factions in WCW at the time, the group (though popular) met with limited success and lost most of their matches. The group disbanded after former member Perry Saturn won the rest of the members' freedom from Raven on September 13, 1998 at Fall Brawl. The Flock is best remembered for hanging around in the crowd (usually at ringside) and then pouncing on any given wrestler, usually without provocation. Each member of the Flock was a social outcast for one reason or another and sought acceptance within the Flock:
and the Insane Clown Posse
(ICP) (Violent J
and Shaggy 2 Dope
). When Raven quit WCW and went back to ECW
a month after the group's inception, Vampiro and ICP stayed together under the moniker the Dark Carnival and continued without him.
The group has since resurfaced numerous times, including in ICP's Juggalo Championship Wrestling where ICP formed another version of the group, The Dead Pool 2000, with the addition of Balls Mahoney
as well as various independent promotions
where Raven and ICP team together. Members included:
, he formed a new version of the Flock, this time calling them The Gathering. The original Gathering members were Julio Dinero
and Alexis Laree
, with CM Punk
joining the group soon after its inception. Punk and Dinero played 'adoring Raven fanboy' gimmicks, making Raven the main focus of the group. Alexis left both the group and TNA after being signed to a contract by WWE
. On December 7, 2003, Punk and Dinero turned on Raven during a six-man steel cage match. Raven disappeared from TNA, while Punk and Dinero joined up with longtime Raven-enemy James Mitchell and continued to wrestle under the Gathering tag team name.
The team came to an abrupt end when Punk left TNA to remain in Ring of Honor
in the midst of the "Rob Feinstein controversy." As well, Dinero was eventually released. Mitchell disappeared for over a year before returning in July 2005 as the manager of Abyss
, continuing their feud for a short time. Members included:
, Kazarian
, Maverick Matt
, and Johnny Devine
appeared with drastically changed appearances, calling themselves The New Movement. Later, through a series of vignettes, they revealed their name to be Serotonin, referencing the brain chemical of the same name
that regulates, among other things, aggression
, moodiness
, and depression
--things the Raven character has been linked to since its inception.
Raven's involvement with Serotonin began differently than with other incarnations of The Flock. Instead of speaking for the group during promos and being around at ringside during matches Raven is only seen after matches, when he comes to the ring to hit the members with a kendo stick
, regardless of the result of the match, as part of a program referred to as "torture builds success". The members drop to their knees and take their licks without complaint, for the most part. The only dissension being diffused by other members instead of Raven. Serotonin wrestled mostly on dark matches before Pay-Per-View
s and lost the majority of them. On the March 8, 2007 episode, it was announced that Raven had changed their names: renaming Kazarian to Kaz, Maverick Matt to Martyr, and Johnny Devine to Havok. On the June 21, 2007 episode of Impact!, Kaz turned on Serotonin by costing Raven a match against Chris Harris
. Kaz defeated Raven
in a match at Hard Justice. Bentley was later released by TNA, leaving only Havok and Raven as Serotonin members. Raven made few appearances in the succeeding months, some of which involved Raven and Havok aligning with Black Reign and James Mitchell, who were attempt to destroy Mitchell's long time enemy and kayfabe son Abyss. On the November 15 edition of Impact, Havok was revealed to be Team 3D's X Division traitor and reverting back to his Johnny Devine ring name, effectively ending Serotonin.
While the team was active, they competed in several pay-per-view pre-shows, often in losing efforts. They officially debuted as a team at Genesis 2006, in a losing effort against VKM. Serotonin only won twice on a pay-per-view event, albeit in dark matches, defeating Sonjay Dutt
and Jay Lethal
at Against All Odds 2007, after Martyr interfered, and Akira Raijin
and Brute Issei at Victory Road 2007.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
stable led by Raven that was present in Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
between 1995 and 1997.
Later, Raven created other incarnations of the group in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(The Flock and The Dead Pool) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(The Gathering and Serotonin).
Raven's Nest
Raven's Nest was a large stable with a frequently fluctuating membership in Extreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
, consisting of Raven's follower
Follower
Follower is a poem by Seamus Heaney released in his 1966 collection Death of a Naturalist. The poem is about how he admired and followed his father....
s, henchmen
Henchman
Henchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
, Paramours and several hired guns
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
. The Nest chiefly assisted Raven throughout his feuds
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with Tommy Dreamer
Tommy Dreamer
Thomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
and The Sandman
Jim Fullington
James "Jim" Fullington better known by his ring name Sandman, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling , where he developed into a "Hardcore Icon"...
. Over the years, Raven's Nest members and allies included:
- Stevie RichardsStevie RichardsMichael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
- Tony StetsonTony StetsonTony Matteo is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, best known by his ring name "Hitman" Tony Stetson, who has competed in Northeastern independent promotions during the late 1980s and 1990s...
and Johnny HotbodyJohnny WeissJohnny Weiss is a retired American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Johnny Hotbody. He is best known for his work in the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance and Extreme Championship Wrestling where he became the first ECW Triple Crown Champion.-Career:Johnny Hotbody broke into...
- Joined the Nest after heralding Raven as the "voice of their generation". - Beulah McGillicuttyTrisa HayesTrisa Hayes Laughlin is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, Beulah McGillicutty. She is best known for her appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s...
- Beulah was a girl who both Raven and Dreamer had "met at summer camp when they were teenagers". She had been fatObesityObesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
, so Dreamer rejected her advances, and Raven slept with her instead. Stevie Richards kayfabeKayfabeIn professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
brought Beulah to ECW on April 8, 1995 to act as Raven's managerManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
and girlfriend, realizing that he could channel her thirst for revenge against Dreamer into a useful weapon. Raven was initially shocked, and berated Richards for bringing "that fat piece of hell" to ECW, but changed his tune when it became apparent that Beulah had lost a great deal of weight, and had since appeared in Penthouse. - The PitbullsThe PitbullsThe Pitbulls were a professional wrestling tag team that consisted of "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe and "Pitbull #2" Anthony Durante. They were best known for their tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling, where they were one-time World Tag Team Champions...
(Pitbull #1 and Pitbull #2Anthony DuranteAnthony Durante was a professional wrestler best known as "Pitbull #2" as one half of the tag team The Pitbulls, with "Pitbull #1" Gary Wolfe.-WWF:...
) - Luna VachonGertrude VachonGertrude Vachon was a Canadian-American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Luna Vachon.-Training:...
- The Vampire WarriorDavid Heath (wrestler)David William Heath is an American professional wrestler and pornographic film director. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Gangrel.-Beginning:...
- The Dudley BoyzDudley BoyzTeam 3D was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Brother Ray and Brother Devon, formerly sporadically joined into a stable by Brother Runt on several intervals...
(Big Dick DudleyAlex RizzoAlex Rizzo was a professional wrestler, best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling as Big Dick Dudley, the eldest of the Dudley Family.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Dudley DudleyJeff BradleyJeff Bradley is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling as Dudley Dudley, the leader of the Dudley family. Bradley is currently wrestling on the independent circuit in Europe, Japan, Puerto Rico and South...
and Lil' Snot DudleyAnthony MichaelsAnthony Michaels is an American professional wrestler, also known as Snot Dudley and Tony Carlone. He is best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling as a member of the Dudley family in the mid-1990s.-Career:...
) - Don E. Allen and Dino Sendoff
- Cactus JackMick FoleyMichael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
- Turned on Tommy Dreamer and joined Raven to help send a message about hardcore wrestlingHardcore wrestlingHardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
to Dreamer. - Mikey Whipwreck
- The EliminatorsThe EliminatorsThe Eliminators were a professional wrestling tag team that consisted of Perry Saturn and John Kronus who were best known for their time in Extreme Championship Wrestling between 1995 and 1997.-History:...
(Perry SaturnPerry SatulloPerry Arthur Satullo is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Perry Saturn. Since debuting in 1990, Saturn wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action .-Early career:Satullo enlisted...
and John KronusJohn KronusGeorge B. Caiazzo was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, John Kronus and later "Kronus". Caiazzo worked for Extreme Championship Wrestling, the United States Wrestling Association and Xtreme Pro Wrestling...
) - The Heavenly BodiesHeavenly Bodies"Heavenly Bodies" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist Earl Thomas Conley. It was released in May 1982 as the first single from the album Somewhere Between Right and Wrong. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
(Tom PrichardTom PrichardThomas Prichard is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, working in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling as a trainer using his ring name Tom Prichard...
& Jimmy Del Ray) - The Blue MeanieBrian HeffronBrian Heffron is a professional wrestler and actor better known as The Blue Meanie or Da Blue Guy.-Early career:...
- Kimona WanalayaKristina LaumKristina Laum is a retired professional wrestling valet and manager in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling...
- Kimona replaced Beulah after Beulah left the Nest in January 1996. - The Bruise Brothers (Don and Ron Harris)
- Brian LeeBrian LeeBrian Lee Harris is a retired American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Prime Time" Brian Lee...
- Super NovaMike BucciMichael "Mike" Bucci is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. Bucci is probably best known for his appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling as Nova, Super Nova, and "Hollywood" Nova and World Wrestling Entertainment as Simon Dean...
- Miss Patricia
- Lori FullingtonLori FullingtonLori Fullington is an American retired professional wrestling manager. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling under her real name and as Peaches.-Career:...
- The Sandman'sJim FullingtonJames "Jim" Fullington better known by his ring name Sandman, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling , where he developed into a "Hardcore Icon"...
ex-wife. - Tyler Fullington - The Sandman's seven year old son. Raven brainwashed Tyler into "worshiping" him, and had him turn on Sandman during a match, hitting him with a Singapore caneShinaiis a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo representing a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
. While Tyler was physically incapable of helping Raven defeat The Sandman, he was a useful psychological distraction. - Lupus
- ChastityDenise RiffleDenise Riffle is an American former professional wrestling valet, better known as Chastity.-Early career:...
- Reggie BennettReggie BennettReggie Bennett is an American former professional wrestler. She is best known for her work in joshi puroresu organizations such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:...
Championships
- ECW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – Raven and Richards
- ECW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times) – Raven
The Flock
The Flock was Raven's faction founded in August 1997 soon after his debut in World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
(WCW). All wrestlers in the faction adopted Raven's grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
gimmick, complete with similar ring attire.
Unlike other factions in WCW at the time, the group (though popular) met with limited success and lost most of their matches. The group disbanded after former member Perry Saturn won the rest of the members' freedom from Raven on September 13, 1998 at Fall Brawl. The Flock is best remembered for hanging around in the crowd (usually at ringside) and then pouncing on any given wrestler, usually without provocation. Each member of the Flock was a social outcast for one reason or another and sought acceptance within the Flock:
- Stevie RichardsStevie RichardsMichael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
– Raven's lackey from his ECW days, a (legit) falling out between Richards and Raven led to them separating in WCW and Richards returning to ECW. - Hammer – A heavy metal star turned wrestler who was released from WCW and (kayfabe) had nowhere to go. He joined the Flock as an outcast, looking for work. He defeated Saturn in a "Loser leaves The Flock" match, but was thrown out of the group by Raven, who preferred Saturn.
- HoraceHorace HoganMichael Bollea is an American professional wrestler. In wrestling, he is best known by his ring name, Horace Hogan. He is the nephew of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and cousin of the late Mike Awesome....
– Horace was recruited into the group solely because he was the nephew of the WCW World Heavyweight ChampionWCW World Heavyweight ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation . It existed within WCW between 1991 and 2001. Following the acquisition of WCW by World Wrestling...
, Hollywood HoganHulk HoganTerrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
. Raven attempted to use him to get close to Hogan. - KanyonChris KanyonChristopher Klucsarits was an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon and Mortis.-Early career:After college, he began training under Pete McKay Gonzalez, Ismael Gerena and Bobby...
– Like many Flock members, Kanyon feuded with Raven before eventually joining him. Kanyon was the last person to join The Flock before it was disbanded. In spite of this, he remained loyal to Raven, and would stay by his side several months afterwards. Tried to join The Flock while still in his Mortis gimmick, but was rejected. Kanyon unmasked, attacked Raven, and feuded with him for a few months before joining the Flock. - Kidman – Kidman was said to be homeless before meeting Raven. He had something of a heroin addict gimmick, though this was never explicitly said on WCW television; he constantly scratched his body (a sign of heroin use) and exhibited other behavior linked with the drug. Kidman turned on Raven during his match at Fall Brawl, allowing Saturn to win and free The Flock. After his freedom from The Flock, he'd exhibited a turn-around, no longer scratching himself and had made a cleaner, more hygienic presence.
- LodiBrad CainBradley "Brad" Cain is an American professional wrestler, author and personal trainer, better known by his ring name, Lodi...
– Lodi had a psychological need for approval and acceptance, and so became Raven's most loyal lackey. He carried signs to ringside with slogans written on them which promoted the Flock and mocked their opponents, the fans, and sometimes rival promotions. - ReeseRon ReisRonald Allen "Ron" Reis is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the late 1990s as The Yeti and Reese.-World Championship Wrestling :...
– Reese was extremely tall, which, according to Raven, had led to him being ostracized, so he took him in. - RiggsScott AntolScott Antol is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling under the ring names Scotty Riggs and Scotty Anton, respectively....
– In a match with Raven, former American MaleThe American MalesThe American Males were a professional wrestling tag team in World Championship Wrestling composed of Marcus Bagwell and Scotty Riggs. Their gimmick was of two "pretty boys" who were fond of their own bodies and popular with women. Riggs was Bagwell's third partner with whom he won the WCW World...
Scotty Riggs fell victim to a kayfabeKayfabeIn professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
eye injury after Raven executed a drop toe-hold that drove Riggs face first into the seat of a steel chair. Forced to wear an eyepatch, Riggs began seeking revenge while Raven tried to recruit Riggs to join him. Raven further injured Riggs by hitting three DDTs while he was unconscious, then instructed The Flock to take possession of Riggs. He emerged from the injury just as despondent as the rest of the members. - Saturn – Raven's enforcer, he eventually grew tired of Raven and left The Flock, causing the feud between the two which led to the disbanding of the group.
- Sick BoyScott VickRobert Scott Vick is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint with World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Sick Boy and as a member of Raven's Flock....
– A Power PlantWCW Power PlantThe WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
hopeful who mysteriously succumbed to Raven's influence.
Championships
- WCW United States Heavyweight ChampionshipWWE United States ChampionshipThe WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
(1 time) – Raven - WCW World Television ChampionshipWCW World Television ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling World Television Championship was a professional wrestling championship in World Championship Wrestling....
(1 time) – Saturn - WCW World Tag Team ChampionshipWCW World Tag Team ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
(1 time) – Raven and Saturn
Necro Ward/Dead Pool/Dark Carnival
The Dead Pool (originally called the Necro Ward) was another stable centered around Raven. It was first put together in August 1999 while Raven was in WCW and saw him teaming up with VampiroVampiro
Ian Richard Hodgkinson , better known by his ring name Vampiro, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently working as a wrestler and a consultant for Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Hodgkinson is semi-retired and is a member of the citizen crime patrol organization Guardian Angels, acting as...
and the Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
(ICP) (Violent J
Joseph Bruce
Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler and actor. Bruce is most commonly known as Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse . He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Joseph Utsler and their former manager,...
and Shaggy 2 Dope
Joseph Utsler
Joseph William "Joey" Utsler is an American rapper, record producer, DJ, professional wrestler and actor. Utsler is known as Shaggy 2 Dope of the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow Insane Clown Posse rapper Joseph Bruce and...
). When Raven quit WCW and went back to ECW
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
a month after the group's inception, Vampiro and ICP stayed together under the moniker the Dark Carnival and continued without him.
The group has since resurfaced numerous times, including in ICP's Juggalo Championship Wrestling where ICP formed another version of the group, The Dead Pool 2000, with the addition of Balls Mahoney
Balls Mahoney
Jonathan Rechner better known by his ring name Balls Mahoney , is an American professional wrestler...
as well as various independent promotions
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
where Raven and ICP team together. Members included:
- VampiroVampiroIan Richard Hodgkinson , better known by his ring name Vampiro, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently working as a wrestler and a consultant for Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Hodgkinson is semi-retired and is a member of the citizen crime patrol organization Guardian Angels, acting as...
- Insane Clown PosseInsane Clown PosseInsane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
(Violent JJoseph BruceJoseph Frank "Joe" Bruce is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler and actor. Bruce is most commonly known as Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse . He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Joseph Utsler and their former manager,...
and Shaggy 2 DopeJoseph UtslerJoseph William "Joey" Utsler is an American rapper, record producer, DJ, professional wrestler and actor. Utsler is known as Shaggy 2 Dope of the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow Insane Clown Posse rapper Joseph Bruce and...
) - The Great MutaKeiji Mutohis a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
(joined after Raven left) - The DemonDale TorborgDale Christian Torborg is an American baseball trainer and former professional wrestler. He is the son of former Major League Baseball manager Jeff Torborg. He is currently the conditioning coordinator for the Chicago White Sox....
(joined after Raven left)
The Gathering
When Raven joined Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
, he formed a new version of the Flock, this time calling them The Gathering. The original Gathering members were Julio Dinero
Brian Wohl
Brian Wohl is an American professional wrestler better known under his ring name Julio Dinero.-Career:Wohl debuted in 1994 after training at the Baltimore Wrestling Factory under Axl Rotten and Hack Myers...
and Alexis Laree
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
, with CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
joining the group soon after its inception. Punk and Dinero played 'adoring Raven fanboy' gimmicks, making Raven the main focus of the group. Alexis left both the group and TNA after being signed to a contract by WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
. On December 7, 2003, Punk and Dinero turned on Raven during a six-man steel cage match. Raven disappeared from TNA, while Punk and Dinero joined up with longtime Raven-enemy James Mitchell and continued to wrestle under the Gathering tag team name.
The team came to an abrupt end when Punk left TNA to remain in Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
in the midst of the "Rob Feinstein controversy." As well, Dinero was eventually released. Mitchell disappeared for over a year before returning in July 2005 as the manager of Abyss
Chris Parks
Christopher J. "Chris" Parks , better known by his ring name "The Monster" Abyss, is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, continuing their feud for a short time. Members included:
- Julio DineroBrian WohlBrian Wohl is an American professional wrestler better known under his ring name Julio Dinero.-Career:Wohl debuted in 1994 after training at the Baltimore Wrestling Factory under Axl Rotten and Hack Myers...
- Alexis LareeMickie JamesMickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
- CM PunkCM PunkPhillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
- Cassidy Riley
Finishing moves
- Near Death Experience (Diving neckbreaker (Punk) / Powerbomb (Dinero) combination)
Serotonin
On the November 16, 2006 edition of Impact!TNA iMPACT!
Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that currently airs in the United States and Canada on Spike...
, Kazarian
Frankie Kazarian
Frank B. Gerdelman is an Armenian-American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Frankie Kazarian or simply Kazarian. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Maverick Matt
Matt Bentley
Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on...
, and Johnny Devine
Johnny Devine
John Peter "J.P." Parsonage is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Hot Shot" Johnny Devine...
appeared with drastically changed appearances, calling themselves The New Movement. Later, through a series of vignettes, they revealed their name to be Serotonin, referencing the brain chemical of the same name
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
that regulates, among other things, aggression
Aggression
In psychology, as well as other social and behavioral sciences, aggression refers to behavior between members of the same species that is intended to cause humiliation, pain, or harm. Ferguson and Beaver defined aggressive behavior as "Behavior which is intended to increase the social dominance of...
, moodiness
Mood (psychology)
A mood is a relatively long lasting emotional state. Moods differ from emotions in that they are less specific, less intense, and less likely to be triggered by a particular stimulus or event....
, and depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
--things the Raven character has been linked to since its inception.
Raven's involvement with Serotonin began differently than with other incarnations of The Flock. Instead of speaking for the group during promos and being around at ringside during matches Raven is only seen after matches, when he comes to the ring to hit the members with a kendo stick
Shinai
is a weapon used for practice and competition in kendo representing a Japanese sword. Shinai are also used in other martial arts, but may be styled differently from kendo shinai, and represented with different characters....
, regardless of the result of the match, as part of a program referred to as "torture builds success". The members drop to their knees and take their licks without complaint, for the most part. The only dissension being diffused by other members instead of Raven. Serotonin wrestled mostly on dark matches before Pay-Per-View
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
s and lost the majority of them. On the March 8, 2007 episode, it was announced that Raven had changed their names: renaming Kazarian to Kaz, Maverick Matt to Martyr, and Johnny Devine to Havok. On the June 21, 2007 episode of Impact!, Kaz turned on Serotonin by costing Raven a match against Chris Harris
Chris Harris (wrestler)
Christopher Eric "Chris" Harris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was formerly one-half of the tag team America's Most Wanted along with partner & Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm.-World Championship...
. Kaz defeated Raven
Scott Levy
Scott Anthony Levy , better known by his ring name Raven, is an American professional wrestler, wrestling producer, wrestling writer, and occasional author and actor currently working for Juggalo Championship Wrestling , where he is co-holder of the JCW Tag Team Championship, as well as other...
in a match at Hard Justice. Bentley was later released by TNA, leaving only Havok and Raven as Serotonin members. Raven made few appearances in the succeeding months, some of which involved Raven and Havok aligning with Black Reign and James Mitchell, who were attempt to destroy Mitchell's long time enemy and kayfabe son Abyss. On the November 15 edition of Impact, Havok was revealed to be Team 3D's X Division traitor and reverting back to his Johnny Devine ring name, effectively ending Serotonin.
While the team was active, they competed in several pay-per-view pre-shows, often in losing efforts. They officially debuted as a team at Genesis 2006, in a losing effort against VKM. Serotonin only won twice on a pay-per-view event, albeit in dark matches, defeating Sonjay Dutt
Sonjay Dutt
Retesh Bhalla is an American professional wrestler of Indian Punjabi descent, better known by his ring name, Sonjay Dutt. He is best known working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and is also known for his stints with Combat Zone Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and other various independent...
and Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal
Jamar "Jay" Shipman better known by his ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Ring of Honor , where he is the ROH World Television Champion...
at Against All Odds 2007, after Martyr interfered, and Akira Raijin
Akira Raijin
is a Japanese professional wrestler, who formerly competed in North America for the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion under the ring name Kiyoshi and previously worked under a mask as Suicide...
and Brute Issei at Victory Road 2007.
Members
- RavenScott LevyScott Anthony Levy , better known by his ring name Raven, is an American professional wrestler, wrestling producer, wrestling writer, and occasional author and actor currently working for Juggalo Championship Wrestling , where he is co-holder of the JCW Tag Team Championship, as well as other...
- HavokJohnny DevineJohn Peter "J.P." Parsonage is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Hot Shot" Johnny Devine...
- KazFrankie KazarianFrank B. Gerdelman is an Armenian-American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Frankie Kazarian or simply Kazarian. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
- MartyrMatt BentleyMatthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on...
Finishing and signature moves
- Aided suplex
- Fireman's carry by Havok followed by a superkick by Martyr