'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Manhatten Ballroom was the place where it all kicked off, back on January 11, 1993. While the sport has certainly evolved and some things have changed, one thing has remained the same and that is the fact that WWE Monday Night RAW is without question the flagship program in all of professional wrestling.
This week we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the greatest wrestling series of all-time and while it was great to see the legends who came out to help celebrate, it is especially good to know that the future is in good hands with the current group of main roster Superstars, as well as the crop of talent coming up in NXT.
This is a very special column for me to write, as I take a look back at all of the epic memories from the past 25 years and out of that, I give you the following 25 photos, which represent the top 25 photos from the past 25 years of WWE Monday Night RAW!
#25. First episode of Monday Night RAW
January 11, 1993
On a cold January night in Manhatten, WWE RAW kicked off from the Grand Ballroom. RAW started out as a replacement for 'Prime Time Wrestling,' which aired on the USA Network for 8 years prior to the debut of RAW.
#24. Santino shocks the world!
April 16, 2007
WWE travelled to Milan, Italy for a very special episode of RAW. During the show, Santino was planted in the crowd and chosen to challenge Umaga for his Intercontinental Title. When it was all said and done, Santino shocked the WWE Universe when he became the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
#23 Icon challenges Icon
February 18, 2002
As Hollywood Hulk Hogan was delivering an ego-driven promo in front of the Chicago fans, The Rock's music suddenly hit and the crowd went bonkers. After exchanging a few pleasantries, The Rock finally challenged Hogan to a match at Wrestlemania X8 where he would go one-on-one with the great one!
#22 Occupy RAW!
March 10, 2014
E trucks rolled down Interstate-40, crossing the mighty Mississippi River and into Blues City USA- Memphis, Tennessee, the home of Jerry 'The King' Lawler.
During this time, Daniel Bryan was living under the thumb of The Authority and the doubt of Triple H. Bryan showed on this night that he was much more than just a "B-player" when he and a flood fans from the WWE Universe took over The FedEx Forum and pretty much shut down RAW for the movement now known as "Occupy RAW!"
#21 Austin chases Vince on an ATV
March 1, 2004
The feud between Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the most prolific and provocative rivalries in the history of professional wrestling. Dating back deep into the Attitude Era, Austin raised hell all over the world as he set out to cause Vince as much grief as possible. Austin would often use various vehicles to intimidate and chase Vince with. Austin used a Zamboni, a beer truck and several other means of transportation, including his Polaris ATV.
#20 NEXUS destroys John Cena
June 7, 2010
It was the "Viewers Choice" edition of Monday Night RAW as CM Punk was set to face John Cena in the main event of the evening. However, there was a storm brewing, which was called NEXUS.
A group of fairly unknown men jumped the barricade and began to attack everyone with a pulse. Clad in matching black and yellow armbands, they set their sight on the ring, which was where Punk and Cena were. The group, led by Wade Barrett proceeded to dispose of the main event Superstars as well.
#19 Trips crashes Steph's wedding
November 29, 1999
A twisted tale of hate turned to fate.
During the Attitude Era, there was a very compelling storyline surrounding Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. However, this particular storyline didn't always involve them being a couple...well, sort of.
Stephanie was set to marry former WWE Superstar Test during a November 29, 1999, edition of RAW. As the ceremony was about to kickoff, Triple H appeared on the jumbotron with a video that featured himself and Stephanie at a Las Vegas wedding chapel, which brought an abrupt halt to the wedded bliss.
#18 Paige debuts, wins Divas Title
April 7, 2014
After climbing to the top of the NXT roster, Paige made her WWE main roster debut on April 7, 2014, in a match against WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee. Not only did the two top stars put on a show-stopping performance, but Paige actually came out on top, winning the Divas title in her very first match on the main roster.
#17 Kane unmasks for the first time
June 23, 2003
Kane has always been one of the most intimidating personas in all of professional wrestling. During the first years of his time as the Big Red Machine, Kane always wore the mask to the ring. However, on June 23, 2003, Kane revealed his evil mug to the entire world on this historic episode of Monday Night RAW!
#16 Goldberg makes WWE debut
March 31, 2003
For years, Goldberg reigned supreme as the most dominant and destructive force in WCW. On March 31, 2003, the WWE Universe was introduced to the man known as Goldberg, for the first time as a WWE Superstar. While he only stuck around for about a year, the same mystique that always surrounded Goldberg followed him to the WWE during his short stint with the company.
#15 D-X invades WCW
April 27, 1998
Degeneration X is one of the most popular and successful factions of all-time. During the Attitude Era, D-X was one of the primary driving forces behind the major success that the company enjoyed. This also happened to be at the height of the storied Monday Night Wars. With that said, members of Degeneration X did something that was unheard of when they invaded Norfolk, Virginia on April 27, 1998. This happened to be the same night that WCW Nitro was being held in Norfolk.
#14 "He's got the whole world..."
April 28, 2014
Bray Wyatt may not be on top of the world at the moment, but there was a time in which he actually had the whole damn world in his hands!
Leading up to Wrestlemania 30, Bray Wyatt was involved in a very entertaining feud with John Cena. Despite John being victorious at Wrestlemania, their feud carried over after 'Mania and on April 28, 2014, during Monday Night RAW, Bray completely psyched Cena out with his antics. Wyatt had a complete children's choir surround the John Cena as he was inside the ring and they began to sing "he's got the whole world in his hands."
#13 Big Show launches Mayweather
March 10, 2008
Floyd Mayweather is regarded by many as, pound-for-pound, the greatest boxer of all-time. One thing about Floyd is that he is all about the money and he was not about to pass up the opportunity to cash a check from Vince McMahon, even if it involved going head-to-head with the worlds largest athlete, Big Show. Leading up to the payoff at Wrestlemania XXIV, Mayweather had an intense face-off with Big Show during a March 10, 2008, episode of RAW. Unfortunately for Money-Mayweather is that the night ended with him being launched into the second row.
#12 Pillman wields firearm
November 4, 1996
It has been over 20 years now, but it feels like it was just yesterday. Stone Cold Steve Austin was embroiled in a heated feud with Brian Pillman. During the November 4, 1996, episode of RAW, Pillman wielded a 9MM pistol in defence of an invading Steve Austin.
On an interesting side-note, this segment nearly never made it to the show. WWE officials had to first get the approval from the USA Network before airing. With that said, it is rumoured that some of the USA executives were not at all pleased with the idea, but it was allowed to move forward regardless.
#11 Bubba Ray power-bombs Mae Young through a table
March 13, 2000
The Dudley Boys will always be known for their love of tables and on March 13, 2000, many believe that love crossed the line and may have gone too far as Bubba Ray Dudley power-bombed Mae Young off the stage and through a table.
In defence of Bubba, Mae Young was a warrior in her own right. Until her final breath, Mae was willing to do whatever it took to entertain the audience, even if that meant sacrificing her own safety.
#10 The staredown of the century
February 10, 2014
In 2014, The Wyatt Family and The Shield embarked on what is now regarded as a rivalry of a lifetime. In fact, many, including this writer, consider this to be one of the greatest feuds to ever involve two stables facing off against one another.
The crowd inside the Los Angeles Staples Center nearly burst at the seams when The Wyatt Family and The Shield stood face-to-face in a staredown for the history books.
#9 Vince makes in-ring debut vs. Austin
April 13, 1998
Vince McMahon has always taken pride in his health and the way he carries himself. Even today, in his 70's, Mr. McMahon is in better shape than many people a fraction of his age.
During the famed Attitude Era, it was no secret that Vince and Stone Cold Steve Austin had no love for one another. Vince would finally put his money where his mouth was, as he made his official in-ring debut against The Texas Rattlesnake on RAW, during the April 13, 1998 episode of RAW. That match would end with a chaotic "no-contest" call by the referee.
#8 RAW is JERICHO!
August 9, 1999
In the weeks leading up to August 9, 1999, edition of RAW is WAR, WWE aired a series of cryptic vignettes, all which contained some sort of countdown theme. That countdown reached a climax as Chris Jericho made his official WWE debut on RAW and proclaimed to the entire world that he had arrived and that RAW was in fact JERICHO!
#7 Sting makes his WWE debut
January 19, 2015
For decades, Sting was the face of World Championship Wrestling. Many still consider the Stinger as the greatest WCW star of all-time, but one thing that he never accomplished, was appearing in a WWE ring, as a WWE Superstar. That was until a cold night in 2015.
Sting made his official debut on Monday Night RAW on January 19, 2015. Sting would also go on to face Triple H at Wrestlemania 31, in a match that he would eventually lose.
#6 Mick Foley wins WWE Championship
January 4, 1999
Mick Foley remains one of the most adored WWE Superstars of all-time. On January 4, 1999, he made history as he(as Mankind) defeated The Rock to become the new WWE Champion.
During this match, Foley had Degeneration X in his corner, as Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and the rest of The Corporation were in the corner for The Rock.
#5 Shane McMahon BUYS the competition!
March 26, 2001
In early 2001, it was becoming blatantly obvious that WCW was in trouble. With this said, rumours flew like wildfires regarding the fate of World Championship Wrestling. During Monday Night RAW on March 26, 2001, Shane McMahon suddenly appeared on the WWE jumbotron, holding a WCW microphone, standing inside a WCW ring. Fans went absolutely bananas as Shane-O-Mac announced that he had apparently purchased WCW.
#4 Ric Flair says farewell
March 31, 2008
He is the limo-riding, jet-flying, Rolex-wearing...you get the hint. He's the Nature Boy and no matter who comes along, there will never be another like him, ever. During a March 31, 2008, episode of Monday Night RAW, family, friends and fellow legends joined Ric Flair in the ring, where he delivered an emotional farewell speech to the WWE Universe.
#3 CM Punk's PIPEBOMB!
June 27, 2011
Things were uneasy between former WWE Superstar CM Punk and WWE's creative powers-that-be, back in the summer of 2011. Punk thought of himself one way and well, WWE officials felt a little differently about him, or at least it appeared so. With his contract nearing expiration, Punk sat down Indian style, at the top of the entrance ramp and for the next few moments, what may have seemed like an eternity for those in the gorilla position, CM Punk spewed his guts out and the infamous "pipebomb promo" was born.
#2 The most EXPLOSIVE ending to any RAW ever
June 11, 2007
It has been just a little over a decade ago that WWE held a "Mr. McMahon Apprecation Night" on Monday Night RAW. At the time of this particular episode of RAW, the company was struggling to provide content that was worth mentioning, to be honest. Quite frankly, it was a quiet time in WWE's creative history. Well, creative officials decided to attempt a finish for the ages as Mr. McMahon's limo exploded into a fiery oblivion.
While WWE attempted to bankroll this storyline, the Chris Benoit tragedy happened less than two weeks later, putting an end to a "pretend" death situation.
#1 Warrior has one last message...
April 7, 2014
On the heels of what was an incredible Wrestlemania weekend in The Big Easy, The Ultimate Warrior took centre-stage for what would be his final speech to the WWE Universe. During his in-ring promo, Warrior talked about how every man's heart will one day beat its last beat and everyone will eventually take their final breath. The eerie irony of the situation was that Warrior would pass away just hours after what was a huge celebration of the life of The Ultimate Warrior.
