WWE History Vol. 12: The First Ever Monday Night RAW

With NXT making its debut on the USA Network, WWE History looks back at the first ever episode of Monday Night RAW.

It's the longest-running weekly episodic series in television history. It's featured future presidents, rock stars, movie stars, and captains of the industry. It's also a show where men without pants fight for belts.

It's WWE Monday Night RAW, and for over one thousand episodes and thirty years it's been a Monday night staple. Throughout its history, the show has been the source of controversy, entertainment and, of course, big, sweating men grappling for the right to be named champion.

When the first RAW aired, it was a new evolution in pro wrestling television programming. Previous shows were often taped at large arenas or small television studios, but RAW would attempt to capture the energy that can only be attained in front of a live audience.

It was indeed a maverick show that has stood the test of time to become a force to be reckoned with in wrestling history.

Without further ado, let's look back at the illustrious history of Monday Night RAW's first episode ever.

The beginning: Prime Time Wrestling.

Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby the Brain Heenan hosted Prime Time Wrestling every Monday night on the USA network for eight years.

Even though Monday Night RAW would make its debut episode on January 11 1993, that was not the first time WWE wrestling was aired on the USA Network. Far from it.

As a matter of fact, WWE had been featured on the network for over eight years. The show Prime Time Wrestling featured pre-taped matches and video packages of the current feuds going on in the promotion at the time. There was also clever banter between the two legendary wrestling hosts, Gorilla Monsoon (who was sympathetic toward the baby faces) and Bobby Heenan (who always rooted for the heels.)

For a cable network show, Prime Time Wrestling did good ratings, especially considering that it was entirely composed of pre-taped matches. Vince McMahon, however, began to envision a new type of wrestling show which would capture all the energy, glitz, and glamor of a live arena show.

Opening Act: Bobby Heenan is shut out.

Sean Mooney informs Bobby Heenan that the first ever Monday Night RAW is sold out, and he cannot enter.

Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan was one of the most well known (and hated) heel managers in WWE when RAW's first episode aired. He was also the entertaining co-host of Prime Time Wrestling, the show which proceeded RAW.

Naturally, WWE wanted to both acknowledge his long-term contribution to wrestling airing on the USA network, while also poking fun at him. Meanwhile, fans enjoyed seeing the villainous 'Brain' suffer. To that end, RAW opened with Bobby Heenan showing up late to the arena and being told he could not enter. When Heenan pointed out that he was a member of the announcement team, he was told he had been replaced by Rob Bartlett -- a local DJ who had very little wrestling knowledge.

Heenan was, of course, flustered, playing his role to the hilt as always. Sean Mooney, who long-time WWE fans might remember endured a lot of ribbing from Heenan, was a great straight man for 'The Brain' to play off of.

Then the show changed to display the live arena and WWE Monday Night RAW truly began.

One can trust Heenan to generate a lot of heat and still make it look entertaining and 'the Brain' did just that.

The Venue.

The Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios was the host of many early editions of RAW, including the first ever.

These days, WWE fills up enormous arenas for their RAW, SmackDown Live, and pay-per-view broadcasts. The large number of fans in attendance help to create excitement, as thousands of fans chant, boo, and cheer on their favorite superstars.

For the very first edition of RAW, WWE chose a much more intimate venue. The Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios was the perfect mix of live venue and cozy studio.

With clever camera work and other tricks, WWE made the Grand Ballroom appear much larger than it actually was, and created the impression that there were many more fans in attendance than there actually were.

None the less, the intimate surroundings helped foster a new feel for RAW that was not present during the Prime Time Wrestling Era.

Today, WWE RAW has adorned some of the biggest and best arenas across the world. But in 1993, it was a much more humble start that propelled the red brand to great heights.

The Narcissist?

Lex Luger's short lived gimmick, the Narcissist.

One of the surprises on the first edition of RAW was the announcement that Lex Luger would be wrestling for WWE.

Luger was supposed to join the roster a lot sooner, but a terrible motorcycle accident put him on the shelf for a long time. He spent some time in Vince McMahon's short-lived World BodyBuilding Federation before making his debut as a wrestler.

Gone was the 'Total Package' Lex Luger, a former football player and member of the elite Four Horsemen. Instead, fans were presented with The Narcissist, a self-centered Adonis who spent most of his time staring at himself in a mirror rather than wrestling his opponents.

Even in 1993, in the infancy of what we now consider the Internet, fans were well aware of who Lex Luger was. The gimmick didn't last long, but it did make its debut on the first ever edition of Monday Night RAW.

Luger went on to have a mixed bag as WWE superstar. Fans might best remember him for body slamming Yokozuna aboard a ship.

Razor Ramon Does a great interview.

Razor Ramon and Vince McMahon.

Back in 1993, many fans were aware that Vince McMahon, lead announcer for WWE, was also the owner of Titan Sports, its parent company at the time.

However, he continued his announcing and interview duties unabated. On the first ever RAW, he invited Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) to the ring to discuss the fact that he would be facing the winner of the upcoming WWE Championship bout between Bret Hart and Yokozuna.

This interview displays 'Mr. Machismo' at his oozing best. The swaggering Razor Ramon is quick to point out that while it took Bret Hart eight and a half years to win his first title, he himself would win one in less than eight and a half months. It was a great burn that also alluded to Hart's illustrious history with the company.

The interview ends with Vince getting the toothpick to the face, despite warning Ramon that he 'knows who runs things around here.' If you're into old school interviews and 'The Bad Guy,' this is one of the best ever.

The Steiners squash the Executioners.

A young fan was so excited about the Steiners in WWE that he made this sign. Unfortunately, Rick and Scott seemed out of place in the company.

Back in 1993, The Steiner Brothers grew frustrated with the management of WCW, the company which had risen from the ashes of Jim Crockett productions.

They believed that their more serious style of stiff wrestling--learned and refined by and large by their many stints in Japan--was being discredited in WCW in favor of established talent like Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.

WWE eagerly signed what was probably the best tag team in the world at that time. The Steiner Brothers wrestled on the first edition of RAW, demolishing the Executioners. Executioner #2 would later become 'famous' as Gillberg and Duane Gill.

Unfortunately, the serious Steiners seemed an odd fit for WWE, even though they were initially met with success. Indeed, during their match Doink the Clown distracted the audience both in the arena and at home, which proved to be prophetic for their WWE career.

Yokozuna Squashed Koko B. Ware.

Yokozuna's entrance was full of pomp and circumstance.

The first edition of RAW featured only four matches. One of them was a squash match where the number one contender for Bret Hart's WWE World Championship, Yokozuna, defeated 'The Bird Man' Koko B. Ware.

While it's true that Koko B. Ware was never a main event talent in WWE, he was one of the better known mid-card baby faces. Even when Koko B. Ware lost a match, he always put on a good showing.

Not so much here. While Ware gets in a bit of offense, it's all ineffectual against the massive Yokozuna. While today, fans sometimes see well-known stars lose without putting up much of a fight, it was almost unheard of in 1993.

Yokozuna's squash victory was meant to build him up for the title match against Bret Hart, and it succeeded quite well, providing a taste of things to come.

The Samoan, billed to be from Tokyo, Japan, was a popular fixture back in the day as a strong heel character.

The Undertaker wrestled in the main event against--Damien Demento?

The Undertaker easily crushes Damien Demento in the corner.

One would have thought that the Intercontinental championship match featuring Shawn Michaels would be the first RAW main event. After all, it was the only title match on the card.

However, the main event duties would fall upon The Undertaker. That WWE put one of their biggest remaining stars (after WCW poached their talent) on the first main event is no surprise. Who they pit him up against, however, had everyone scratching their heads.

Damien Demento had wrestled as Mondo Kleen on the independent circuit, and had a good reputation as a worker and a talker. He was signed to a WWE contract after a recommendation from The Bushwhackers, who were familiar with Demento's work.

His character was not exactly an instant sensation. To Demento's credit, he didn't back down from the Undertaker, and they two men put on a decent match, all things considered.

Well, there you have it: A look back at the first ever edition of Monday Night RAW. What did you love and/or hate about the first episode of RAW? Please comment and let us know, and as always thanks for going back into WWE History with us.