• Raven Admits To Using PEDs: “I got those Jewish genetics that are only good for brain”
During his interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Raven openly admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his wrestling career, stating that “everyone did” at the time.
Raven said that early in his career, he was heavily focused on achieving a bodybuilder’s physique and would have taken steroids regardless of wrestling’s culture because he wanted to look like his idols. His desire for a sculpted body came from personal preference rather than pressure from promoters.
“I would have done them anyway because I wanted to be a bodybuilder. I mean, I wanted to look like a bodybuilder my whole life. But I got those Jewish genetics that are only good for brain function but not so good for physicality.”
He clarified that he eventually got clean before joining the WWF in 2000, having already given up both PEDs and recreational drugs by that point. However, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging how deeply involved he once was in that lifestyle.
Raven’s comments shed light on the locker-room realities of the 1990s, when steroids were common and often viewed as necessary for wrestlers to succeed. While he didn’t condemn others for doing the same, he reflected on the long-term damage that lifestyle inflicted on his body – from head trauma to his current Parkinson’s diagnosis.
• Tony Khan Says AEW’s Partnership With DC Is The Closest He’ll Ever Get To Working With John Cena
During an interview with Z100 New York, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about his thoughts on the legacy of John Cena, who will have his final match in WWE on December 13.
Here’s what Khan said:
“I wasn’t expecting that. John Cena is an absolutely legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people, as far as I know, in pro wrestling.
I’ve never actually met John Cena and I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person. Everybody I know that’s worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him. And he’s known for being the utmost professional. I think he’s also a very, very talented actor.
I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max. AEW Full Gear is presented by DC. DC being the presenting sponsor. We have a great partnership going with DC. So even though I’ve never worked with John Cena in any wrestling capacity, we are partners now with DC. So that may be as close as we ever get.
But I think that he’s absolutely fantastic in the ring and out of the ring, certainly on screen, one of the all time greats and he came into the wrestling business after many of the top stars were either getting ready to retire or entering the final phase of their career. And he really stepped up as one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time.
Even though I’ve never met him or talked to him, I have a ton of respect for him.”
• Mercedes Moné Says She “Lost Her Smile” During Her WWE Run In 2018
Mercedes Moné/Sasha Banks could not stay at the top for long in WWE. She won the RAW Women’s Championship several times between 2016 and 2020, but none of her reigns were lengthy enough to build credibility, as most ended within days or weeks. Her only decent title run came with the SmackDown Women’s Championship from late 2020 to early 2021.
A fan on X recently compared Moné to WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels following her 11th title win at AEW WrestleDream.
The CEO responded:
“Call me Moné ‘CEO’ Michaels.”
Another fan replied, “Just gotta lose your smile now too. Complete the cycle,” referencing HBK’s infamous 1997 promo.
Moné jokingly responded, “I did in 2018,” taking aim at one of the darkest periods of her WWE career when she was struggling mentally and emotionally.
The current AEW TBS Champion was not featured much in the main event scene after 2017 and went nearly three years without a singles title after losing the RAW Women’s Championship to Alexa Bliss just eight days after winning it at SummerSlam that year.
Things worsened when she and Bayley became the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions at Elimination Chamber 2019, only to lose the titles less than two months later at WrestleMania 35.
In a 2021 interview with Stone Cold Steve Austin on Broken Skull Sessions, Moné revealed she fell into depression during her time in WWE. She said that for 7 years, she didn’t even hear her own name, Mercedes, anymore, only Sasha Banks. She eventually asked for her release from WWE, but Vince McMahon denied it and gave her time off instead; she returned to the company four months after WrestleMania 35.
The booking of her Women’s Tag Team Championship reign with Naomi became the reason for her departure from WWE, as both walked out of the company a few months after winning the belts.
