...
By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Professional wrestling legend Raven has provided a stark and deeply personal update regarding his physical health. He revealed that he has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease.
The former ECW World Champion, known for his psychological mastery and grunge-inspired character. He opened up about the condition during a recent appearance on "Insight with Chris Van Vliet."
Despite the medical diagnosis, the 61-year-old is adopting a unique and defiant mental approach to the illness. He admitted to experiencing tremors for nearly a decade but has chosen to mentally reject the label of the disease itself.
Read More on Wrestling
“It’s good. I mean, I got the early onset Parkinson’s, which I’m of the mind to say that I don’t have it.
But it’s why I have the tremor, and that’s what they think it is. There’s no 100% proof tests, so I didn’t get tested.
I’m just going to declare that I’m not, that I don’t have early onset Parkinson’s and then convince myself that I don’t, because I’ve had it for like 8 to 10 years, and all this is a tremor so far. I figure mind over matter,” Raven explained.
The veteran grappler was candid about the likely causes of his current state. Having spent decades performing an unforgiving style that often involved unprotected blows to the head, Raven acknowledged that his past choices are catching up with him. He views his current health struggles as the invoice coming due for a life lived on the edge.
...
“I’m sure, from years of drug abuse and chair shots to the head and stuff like that, and abusing my body, I’m sure this is the price I’m paying,” he said.
Beyond the tremors, Raven detailed a debilitating sleep disorder that severely impacts his quality of life. He described a nightly routine where rest is fragmented and fleeting, requiring the use of a specialized CPAP machine just to breathe properly.
“I go to bed, I can fall asleep, no problem. But then I start waking up. After about two hours, I’ll wake up, and I’ll wake up like every 20 minutes for the next six to eight hours,” he noted, adding that the cycle leaves him perpetually exhausted.
Despite his deep history in the business, Raven also revealed that he has completely detached from the modern product. He no longer watches professional wrestling, citing his personality as a "completist" who cannot just watch casually.
“Watching wrestling would just take up way too much time. I’m already addicted enough to the UFC and MMA, to get addicted back to wrestling again would be too much,” he stated.
More news: Nikki Bella Reunites With Ex-Boyfriend At WWE Raw
Raven’s candid discussion about his health coincides with the wider release of his biographical documentary, Nevermore: The Raven Effect. The film, which became available on major streaming platforms like Amazon Prime in late 2025, offers an unfiltered look at his career and personal demons.
Directed by Geordie Day, the documentary features interviews from peers such as Chris Jericho and Tommy Dreamer, providing context to the "warts and all" journey Raven described in his interview with Van Vliet this week.
More WWE News:
- Former WWE Champion is Preparing for In-Ring Return
- Ringside Tickets for WWE PLE Reach Shocking Price
- AJ Lee Calls Out WWE Fan for Bizarre AI Video
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines