Top 15 Moments in Raw History

In the spirit of the 15th Anniversary of the most successful wrestling program of all time, I figured I’d do a little ranking and I’d like to invite the other 3 members of Steel Cage Radio to do the same. Putting all current tastes and preferences aside, it’s nice to sit back and reflect on some of those moments, matches and mishaps that have kept us involved in sports entertainment. WWE managed to provide a tremendous 3 Hour Tribute this past Monday and I want SCR to take a crack at it.
15 years ago Vince McMahon decided it was time to get away from Prime Time Wrestling and move over to Monday nights with a program that was uncut, uncooked and uncensored. In its early stages, Raw was different than what we had been accustomed to. As it developed it hit a nice stride, only to be outdone by WCW’s Monday Nitro. When Vince decided to turn up the volume on his product, the WWE went head and shoulders above its competitor and no promotion has come close since.
With that being said, I think it’d be appropriate to do a Top 15. I know it isn’t the traditional Top 10 that we are used to, but I think it is okay in this situation. Besides, we don’t have Flair’s music to introduce it. On this list I took the following into consideration: Entertainment Value, Impact on the Business, Quality, Personal Enjoyment and its place in Raw’s Legacy. So I present to you my Top 15 Moments in the History of Monday Night Raw:

15: The Draft – This was the beginning of the Roster Split we are familiar with today. Some of the biggest names in the company’s history were chosen to either be a part of Vince’s Smackdown or Ric Flair’s Raw. The Rock, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Edge, Big Show and Kane were sent to either show and it led to some entertaining television.

14: DX impersonates The Nation of Domination – Hilarious skit. I think the guys in blackface really teetered on the edge of taste, but I still laughed.

13: Hogan’s Reception – After putting on one of the greatest matches of all time with The Rock at WM18, Hogan opened Raw the next night to receive on of the longest ovations any Superstar has ever received. It brought the Hulkster to tears and clearly demonstrated the impact he has had on the business.

12: RAW is OWEN – Sad, but memorable edition of Raw following the loss of a great wrestler and person.

11: The Rock’s runs his mouth on Toronto – I put this promo on the highest of pedestals. The Rock beats Hogan for a 2nd time, shows up on Raw in Toronto and verbally destroys everyone. Austin, Hogan, the fans. His delivery, timing and heat generated is something to marvel. Easily my favorite promo of all time.

10: Austin Crucified – Austin being raised on The Undertaker’s crucifix-like logo is an image that will forever be associated with Raw’s controversial reputation.

9: Foley introduces Socko – Great skit that really got Foley over as a babyface and showcased his personality. Vince’s reactions are priceless as well as the Austin attack the followed later in the episode.

8: ECW Invasion – The night ECW invaded the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York was a memorable one as the WWE gave us a taste of something different and gave us something unpredictable.

7: Kirk Angel vs. Some Guy in a Steel Cage – Probably the best Steel Cage Match of all time where the pill-popping guy who wears the mouthpiece, flaming singlet and white sneakers in TNA fought some other guy whose name we can’t mention. The Olympic Gold Medalist’s moonsault from the top of the cage is hard to watch, but amazing at the same time. He’s lucky he came out alive…

6: RAW is JERICHO – A great way to debut a great talent. Weeks of mysterious build-up with a millennium countdown led to verbal magic between Y2J Chris Jericho and The Rock. I loved every second of it.

5: HBK gauze Promo – an obnoxious Shawn Michaels shows up with his little biker shorts stuffed with gauze and proceeded to disrespect Jim Ross during the entire interview. Certainly one of the first tastes of the Attitude Era.

4: Foley Wins the Title – “Yeah, that’ll put butts in the seats”. Actually Schiavone it did. In fact, it was the night the ratings switched and WCW began its downward spiral. Very important evening to say the least. Can’t imagine what would have happened if JR ever said, “Our competition is having David Arquette win their World Title. Ha!”

3: Beer Truck – That was just fun. The Austin Era was in full effect and it gave the home and live audiences something to remember.

2: Rock: This Is Your Life – The highest rated segment in Raw History. You don’t cut The Rock off at 2nd base. Poontang your ass on outta here.

1: Raw/Nitro Simulcast – Uhhh… probably the single most important moment in Monday Night Wrestling history. Vince won the war and now they are alone at the top. Very nice.

Honorable Mention: Sable Topless (Lawler’s reaction = Priceless), Pillman pulls a gun, Lightning Kid pins Razor Ramon, HBK vs. Cena, Bischoff, Flair, Heyman and The Radicals (Saturn, Malenko, Guerrero and some guy) all showing up on Raw.

Vince Has No Shame Moments: Trish Barks Like a Dog, Katie Vick, Kiss My Ass Club, Choppy Choppy Yo PeePee, Mae Young’s Rubber Hand, Hawk’s Drunken Fall, “You’re illegitimate ya big nasty bastard!”, Tribute Show for that guy… ya know…, and last but not least, The Attitude Era.

-Winky