Raven was a huge free agent acquisition in the summer of 1997 for WCW. Raven had risen to the top of the industry during his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a two time heavyweight champion. Raven personified a change in the status quo of professional wrestling. Raven represented the outcast of society. His grunge ring attire and psychological tactics would resonate with fans around the world. Raven built himself a faction of followers in almost every promotion he performed in; from Raven's Nest (ECW), The Deadpool (WCW), The Gathering and Serotonin (Impact).
His most successful faction in terms of fan reaction would be his original WCW faction: The Flock. A group of social outcasts that looked at Raven for acceptance. Their loyalty could be found every Monday Nitro by congregating with Raven at ringside and attacking anyone at Raven's will. Raven would impact WCW with his flock at his beck and call. Their attire, their actions and their commitment to Raven, would make them stick out among the other WCW factions.
10 Mortis Asked To Join The Flock
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Mortis was portrayed as a Mortal Kombat-esque character in WCW. His gimmick never really got over in a reality based WCW. The evil monster would ask to join the grudge faction in early 1998. The Mortis character would have looked completely out of place sitting ringside with the rest of the social outcasts, yet Raven gave him the opportunity. Raven would allow Mortis into the group if he could defeat Diamond Dallas Page and win the United States title. Mortis would lose to page, leading Raven to ddting him on the entrance ramp. That ddt and feud with Raven, led to the Mortis character shedding the mask and ending his participating in the horrible Blood Runs Cold storyline and turning into the "Innovator of offense" Kanyon.
9 Kidman Scratching Himself
Billy Kidman would become one of the most successful WCW originals in all of professional wrestling. Kidman is a former three time WCW Cruiserweight Champion and former 4 time WWE Cruiserweight Champion. His high-flying offense rivaled Rey Mysterio Jr. Maybe Kidman's greatest claim to fame is marrying former WWE Diva, Torre Wilson (the couple would divorce in 2006). Yet, Kidman's time in The Flock was highlighted by his need to scratch himself. In The Flock, Kidman portrayed a heroin addict and changed the name of his Shooting Star Press to the Seven-Year Itch.
8 Riggs Kidnapped
Scotty Riggs' WCW career had a lot of stops and starts with multiple gimmicks. Riggs is best known as a former tag team champion in the American Males. Once his partner Buff Bagwell joined the nWo, Scotty was left to flounder in the mid-card. Raven took an interest into Riggs, and wanted him to join The Flock. Riggs would turn down Raven, which turned into a feud. During the feud, Raven would injure Riggs' eye. Riggs would start to wear an eye patch to the ring for his matches. At the World War 3 pay per view Riggs would loss to Raven and be kidnapped after the match. Eventually Riggs would join the group of social outcasts, as a man with an "ocular disability".
7 Sickboy Receives Title Shot
Sickboy would debut in WCW as Lance Ringo. Ringo would lose his first match to Diamond Dallas Page, which led to a bout of depression. Raven would feed on that depression and bring Sickboy into the Flock. While greatly talented, Sickboy was mostly used as an enhancement talent. Yet, in January 1998, he would receive a United States Championship match with the aforementioned DDP. After losing the match, Sickboy would get yet another title shot less than a month later. Again Sickboy would come up short.
6 Saturn Becomes Lodi's Lackey
Perry Saturn wanted to free The Flock from Raven's psychological control in 1998. Once a member of The Flock, Saturn would challenge Raven for the freedom of The Flock (more on that later) at Fall Brawl 1998. Before that match could occur, Raven's lackey, Lodi challenged Saturn to a match. If Lodi could beat Saturn, then Saturn had to become Lodi's lackey. With The Flock's interference, Saturn would lose the match. As Lodi's lackey Saturn would have to carry his bags. During Lodi's matches, Saturn would start Lodi chants and hold up positive Lodi signs at ringside.
5 Van Hammer Leaves The Flock
Van Hammer would return to WCW to join The Flock in November 1997. Hammer showed up in grunge attire and an unstable personality. He fit perfectly in the social outcast group. Hammer looked like a star in The Flock. Eventually, Hammer and Saturn would sign a match with the stipulation that the "loser leaves The Flock". Hammer would win the match, but somehow Raven decided to throw Hammer out of the group instead. The Flock would attack Hammer, and he would no longer be associated with the faction. Hammer would set aside his grunge attire for a tie-dye shirt, and debut a new hippie gimmick by the end of 1998.
4 Horace's Debut
Raven's WCW contract had a stipulation that all matches would compete under "Raven's Rules". This made most matches no disqualification. At Spring Stampede 1998, Raven and Diamond Dallas Page would have an absolute banger of a match. Raven would get the win and take the title after the debut of Horace.
Disguised as a ring crew member Horace would assist Raven with DDP. Horace would go by the surname Boulder. The Boulder name would also be the first wrestling name of his uncle. His famous uncle was the one and only Hulk Hogan.
3 Raven Steals US Title On MTV
Leading up to the aforementioned Spring Stampede, Raven would take over MTV's Total Request Live. At the time, TRL was one of the most popular shows on MTV. Diamond Dallas Page was on the show discussing a future title shot with Raven. Raven would interrupt first on a television screen and then attack DDP from behind. Raven would "evenflow" DDT Page onto a table and walk out with the US title. All the while, absolutely freaking out the Foo Fighters, who were also guests of TRL.
2 Saturn Frees The Flock
Saturn would challenge Raven for the freedom of the flock at Fall Brawl 1998. Saturn wanted the ultra talented members of The Flock to have their own careers and not continue to do Raven's bidding. Saturn wanted to release The Flock from Raven's psychologically hold over them. He wanted to end Raven's cult like leadership of The Flock.
The match stipulated that if Saturn lost he would have to become Raven's servant. In a swerve that fans didn't see coming, Kidman would interfere on Saturn's behalf causing Raven to lose. Kidman overcoming Raven's control would lead to the entire Flock being freed.
1 Goldberg Wins The US Title
Goldberg was an undefeated juggernaut in WCW during 1998. His matches were intense, brutal and usually over in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Yet, the night after Raven won the US title, Goldberg would compete in one of his best matches. Goldberg versus Raven (and The Flock) on Monday Nitro in April 1998 would be historical. Goldberg would win his first singles title against Raven. The Flock made Goldberg work for it. Goldberg even Jacckhammered the 7'2 massive giant, Reese on his way to beating Raven.
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