WWE’s flagship show started way back in 1993, and has since become the longest running weekly episodic television show today! From starting out in the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Centre to hosting house shows and TV episodes all over the world, Monday Night RAW has indeed come a long way.
During this time, RAW has provided the fans with countless memorable segments. From Mick Foley’s “This is Your Life” segment for The Rock, to Edge and Lita’s ‘live celebration’, the fans witnessed some truly remarkable moments.
The ratings war between RAW and Nitro also led to compelling storylines and angles being integrated into WWE’s product. Towards the end of the ‘Monday Night Wars’, RAW became the undisputed A - show.
Today, we take a look at the top 10 highest rated episodes in RAW history (source: TWNPNews.com)
#10 It’s me, Austin, it was me all along Austin! - June 7, 1999 (6.65)
In the late 90’s, we witnessed the single greatest feud in WWE… nay, professional wrestling history! Steve Austin and Mr McMahon were embroiled in a heated rivalry, with the blue - collar hero sticking it up to the boss. In 1999, the rivalry continued, with The Undertaker winning the WWE Championship at Over the Edge against Steve Austin.
It was also at this time that Owen Hart tragically passed away. Two weeks after the unfortunate incident, the world waited eagerly to find who the “higher power” was, that even The Undertaker claimed was greater than him!
The Ministry of Darkness merged with The Corporation to form The Corporate Ministry, with Shane usurping his father as the leader.
On June 7th, 1999, The Undertaker promised to reveal who the higher power was. However, in one of the biggest ‘swerves’ in WWE history, it turned out to be Mr McMahon himself, who went through all that trouble to ensure that Austin wouldn’t walk out of Over the Edge as the WWE Champion!
Mr McMahon then uttered the famous line, “It’s me Austin, it was me all along Austin!” in front of a stunned audience. That particular edition of RAW drew an impressive 6.65 overall rating.
#9 ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Au stin and The Undertaker battle for the WWE Championship - June 28, 1999 (6.8)
The night after the King of the Ring PPV saw The Undertaker still holding the WWF Championship. ‘Taker had defeated The Rock 24 hours ago at KOTR, and on RAW, he was in for a surprise.
The Rattlesnake, who lost to Shane and Vince at the King of the Ring PPV in a Ladder match for the control of the company wanted a title shot against The Undertaker.
In the main event, The Undertaker and Steve Austin fought for the WWE title. Austin also laid down the stipulation that if anyone interfered and Undertaker got disqualified, the title would change hands. After a solid match, Austin dropped The Undertaker with a couple of stunners to pick up the victory, and thus became the new WWF Champion!
Post-match, The Undertaker attacked Austin and busted him open! The second hour drew a mammoth 7.2 rating, with the overall rating for the show coming out to be 6.8.
#8 “This Is Your Life, Rock!” - September 27, 1999 (6.8)
The September 27th edition of RAW was special for a couple of reasons - first, the WWF Championship was defended in the main event, between The Rock and Triple H. Second - and the most important reason - this edition of RAW featured the ‘This Is Your Life’ segment, which drew a staggering 8.4 rating - the highest rated cable segment in the history of the business!
Crucially, it was also considered to be the one episode which proved to WCW that they could never compete with the WWE again. The segment became one of the most watched and talked about in recent memory, and in the main event, The Rock faced Triple H for the WWF Championship.
While ‘The Brahma Bull’ didn’t walk out as the WWE Champion, he did cement his status as one of the biggest names in the history of the business. The entire show did an overall rating of 6.8 - something Vince McMahon can only hope for today.
#7 Change Is A Comin’ - July 24, 2000 (6.9)
In late 1999 to early 2000, something monumental happened in the professional wrestling world. WCW was nearing bankruptcy, while WWE was drawing the best ratings since its inception!
Moreover, top talents from WCW were jumping ship to WWE - namely The Radicalz. Benoit, Guerrero, Malenko and Saturn.
The night before RAW, WWE rolled out with the Fully Loaded PPV, which saw The Rock beating Chris Benoit to retain the WWF Championship, albeit through some controversy. On RAW, Kurt Angle faced The Undertaker, while Benoit and Angle teamed up in the main event to face the team of The Rock and Kane.
While there were no title changes on the show, it still did a 6.9 overall rating.
#6 The Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla has a problem - April 24, 2000 (7.1)
At the turn of the new millennium, the McMahon - Helmsley era was in full swing. Stephanie McMahon won the Women’s Championship, while Triple H was the WWE Champion.
The April 24th edition of RAW was the go-home show, leading up to Backlash. Triple H was set to defend the title against The Rock, while Chris Benoit would put his WWE Intercontinental title on the line against Chris Jericho.
On RAW, however, the fans wanted to see the conclusion of the McMahon family drama. The week before, Linda McMahon slapped Stephanie, leading to Triple H nearly Pedigreeing his mother-in- law!
However, Shane decked Triple H to save his mother. During the go-home show, however, Shane apologised to Triple H, as both men hugged and forgave each other.
Chris Jericho then came out and had some unflattering words for Stephanie. This resulted in a main event match, with Jericho and The Rock teaming up to take on Chris Benoit and Triple H, with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee. The final hour did a remarkable 7.9 rating, and the overall rating of the show was 7.1!
#5 The return of The American Badass - May 22, 2000 (7.1)
At Judgment Day 2000, Triple H and The Rock faced each other in a 60-Minute Iron Man match for the coveted Championship. In the end, the numbers game caught up to The Rock, but a returning Undertaker saved The People’s Champion.
However, the referee disqualified The Rock, and the subsequent DQ resulted in Triple H winning the Championship!
Just 24 hours later, Triple H once again ambushed ‘The Great One’, with the McMahons and D-Generation X going after the Brahma Bull. This led to The Undertaker making his RAW return, as the American Badass chased the McMahons and the members of D - Generation X to the back.
Triple H tried to Pedigree The Rock on top of the steel steps, but the plan backfired. Triple H then tried to Pedigree Rock through the announce table, but ‘The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment’ turned things around, and Rock Bottom’ed Triple H through the table!
The fall out of Judgment Day saw RAW doing a 7.1 rating, with The Undertaker finally making his return to Monday nights.
#4 ‘Na na na na, oh hell yeah, goodbye Vince!’ - July 26, 1999 (7.1)
The night before RAW, WWE rolled out with the PPV-titled Fully Loaded. Steve Austin faced The Undertaker in a First Blood match for the WWF Championship, with the stipulation that if Undertaker lost, Vince McMahon wouldn’t be seen on WWE TV again. Had Austin lost, he would never get a shot at the WWE Championship again.
Steve Austin defeated The Undertaker for the title, thus kicking Vince McMahon off WWE TV. During RAW, Vince McMahon made his way out and wanted to go out on his own terms. Steve Austin then came out and asked Jim Ross for some help. Austin told ‘Good ol’ Jim Ross’ to sing Vince McMahon out of the company!
The fans sang along, as Vince strutted his way to the back, irate at Steve Austin. Towards the end of the night, Austin and Triple H went through a table and brawled to bring down the curtains. The July 26th edition of RAW also did a 7.1 overall rating.
#3 RAW is Owen - May 24, 1999 (7.15)
This was one of the most emotionally charged editions of RAW in history. Storylines and angles were thrown out of the window for one evening, as the WWE Superstars cerebrated the life of Owen Hart. Owen tragically passed away merely 24 hours before RAW, during the Over the Edge Pay Per View.
Vince McMahon, along with the other Superstars wanted to give Owen a proper send - off — something Owen would’ve wanted.
Throughout the night, WWE Superstars recalled their interactions with one of the most jovial personalities in wrestling. Owen was a proud father, and his untimely demise left the WWE fans reeling. Mark Henry memorably recited a hauntingly beautiful poem, dedicated to Owen Hart, as the big man couldn’t hold back his tears.
Towards the end of the evening, Steve Austin performed his beer - bash routine, leaving the beers in the ring, as a final toast to Owen Hart.
#2 The Rock faces Boy Wonder in a Steel Cage match - May 1, 2000 (7.4)
At Backlash 2000, The Rock defeated Triple H to become the new WWE Champion, where Shane served as the special guest referee. The next night on RAW, it was revealed that Triple H hurt his shoulder, and had his arm in a sling.
However, the champion wasn’t given the night off. Instead, The Rock was put in a Steel Cage match against Shane for the WWE Championship!
Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson were named as the special guest referees for the match, while Triple H, Stephanie and Mr McMahon were at ringside. In the main event, Shane almost had the match won, but The Rock managed to drag him back into the ring. Earl Hebner then ran down, much to the chagrin of Mr McMahon!
Earl’s interference led to The Rock climbing out of the cage, to retain the WWE title. The May 1st edition of RAW drew in the second highest overall rating in RAW history - a whopping 7.4!
#1 The Rattlesnake dishes out his version of justice - May 10, 1999 (8.1)
The highest-rated edition of Monday Night RAW rolled out on May 10th 1999, which saw the WWE Women’s title change hands. Shawn Michaels, the Commissioner of Monday Night RAW named Vince McMahon as the second special guest referee for the title match at Over the Edge, alongside Shane O’ Mac.
In the main event, Steve Austin teamed up with The Rock and Vince McMahon, as they faced the team of Triple H, The Undertaker and Shane McMahon. Shawn Michaels served as the special guest referee for the bout, and in the end, Austin dropped Shane with a couple of stunners to pick up the victory for his team.
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