#2 Raven wins the first of his 27 Hardcore title – December 22, 2000
Raven remains pretty close to the top of the ‘Underutilised WWE wrestlers list’.
A magnificent speaker, who was one of the mainstays of ECW during its heady days, Raven was lauded for his psychological heel tactics probably aided by a degree in Criminal Justice he holds from the University of Delaware. The Raven’s Nest group can be rightly called as the precursor to a number of stables, including the likes of the Wyatt Family and the Straight Edge Society.
WWE gave Raven the gimmick of a spoilt rich kid named Johny Polo during his first stint, and even when he came back to the company after stints in WCW and ECW, failed to consider him above mid-card status.
WWE had launched its Hardcore division, aimed at capturing the ECW fanbase and Raven was randomly thrust in the division. The Hardcore title would be contested under 24/7 rules, and multiple title changes happened every week.
His first title run would begin on December 22nd, 2000, when he beat ‘The Lethal Weapon’ Steve Blackman to win the title. Raven would make history by winning the title a record 27 times, making him the most decorated wrestler in the company’s history.
