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

Shawn Michaels--resplendent in his 1990s mullet--puts the squeeze on Max Moon. Believe it or not, this is a match for the Intercontinental championship.

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.