On January 11, 1993 WWE changed the history of wrestling when they debuted their new Television program Monday Night Raw. The show which started out as a one hour program which was live every other week is now a two hour program that airs live every week. Over 17 years later Monday Night Raw will be celebrating it’s 900th episode later this month. I’m sure you’ve heard Michael Cole mention numerous times that it is the longest running episodic show on television. To celebrate 900 episodes of Monday Night Raw throughout the month of August I will be taking a look back at the early years of Monday Night Raw and we will be reliving some of the special moments of the first two years.
With today’s article we will take a look back at the very first episode of Monday Night Raw, which took place on January 11, 1993 at the Manhattan Center. The first 8 episodes of Raw took place at the Manahttan center. That first episode featured the following.
Featured Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, & Rob Bartlett on commentary
Bobby Heenan attempting to get into the show unsuccessfully at the beginning of the show and later returning dressed as a woman, telling Sean Mooney he was Rob Bartlett’s aunt, and later appearing dressed as Bartlett’s uncle; Heenan was finally allowed in the building during the closing segment
McMahon conducting an in-ring interview with Razor Ramon regarding his WWF World Title shot against Bret Hart at the Royal Rumble
Footage from WWF Superstars of Kamala’s falling out with Harvey Wippleman and Kimchee, with Kamala then joining Slick
comments from Heenan regarding Narcissist
included a promo by Tatanka regarding the Headlock on Hunger promotion
Royal Rumble report in which it was announced WWF IC Champion Shawn Michaels would defend against Marty Jannetty and that Genichiro Tenryu, Tito Santana, Typhoon, the Headshrinkers, and Jim Duggan would be in the Royal Rumble match
McMahon conducting a closing interview with Doink the Clown regarding Crush’s warning not to make the kids in the audience cry, with Crush eventually appearing, Doink squirting him with a water pistol, and Crush chasing him around the ring
Yokozuna (w/ Mr. Fuji) vs. Koko B. Ware
Rick & Scott Steiner vs. the Executioners
WWF IC Champion Shawn Michaels vs. Max Moon
The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) vs. Damien Demento
We’re going to take a look at two of the matches that took place that night.
Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) vs. Koko B. Ware
This is the first Raw match ever 10 seconds in and I already hate Rob Bartlett as an announcer. Koko B. Ware is in the ring first, but I don’t see Frankie anywhere. Yokozuna comes out with Mr. Fuji and the two geishas. Fuji and Yokozuna bow and Yoko tosses salt over his shoulder before the match. They lock up and Yoko pushes Koko and tosses him around. Koko goes for a shoulder block and bounces right off Yoko. Koko hits two dropkicks on Yoko but can’t take the big man off his feet. he goes for a third one but Yoko steps ot of the way and swats him into the ropes. Yoko hits the huge legdrop, then hits a flying butt smash in the corner. He then climbs to the second rope and hits the banzai drop squashing the bird man and getting the win.
Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) vs. Damien Demento
Most current WWE fans will only know Damien Demento as that crazy guy on youtube who got mad at WWE airing this match during Raw specials and anniversaries and I think may have even attempted to sue them with no luck. Damien Demento would wrestle a total of 5 matches on Raw, winning only one match against Jim Brunzell of Killer Bees fame. This match with the Undertaker was the main event of Raw’s first episode.
We start with Demento in the ring talking to himself as Undertaker makes his way ot the ring. I still hate Rob Barlett on commentary. Paul Bearer takes Taker’s hat and goes outside with the earn. I miss the look of old school Undertaker. Demento continues to talk t himself then punches Taker multiple times, but it gets no sold. He then whips Taker into the ropes, but Taker rebounds and slams him head first to the mat. Taker then goes old school walking the top rope and hitting the axe handle smash. Demento gets in a kick to the face and an axe handle smash from the second rope. He is finally able to get Undertaker off his feet with a shoulder tackle, but Taker does his sit up spot. Taker hits a flying cross body and follows it up with the tombstone piledriver to get the win.
Out of every one featured on the first episode of Raw only two people are still with the company, Vince McMahon who owns the company and the Undertaker who will be celebrating his 20th anniversary with the company in November.
