WWE Raw: The Unstoppable Force of Monday Night Wrestling
Imagine a wrestling program that has been a constant in the world of professional wrestling for over three decades, captivating audiences across continents and changing the landscape of television. That’s WWE Raw, an iconic show that has been a cornerstone of the WWE brand since its inception on January 11, 1993.
From WWF to WWE: A Brand Evolution
WWE Raw began as WWF’s Monday Night Raw, airing on USA Network for eight years before moving to TNN (now Spike TV) in 2000. It returned to USA Network in 2005 but will move to Netflix in 2025, marking a significant shift in the show’s broadcasting landscape.
Live from Around the World
The show has been broadcast live from 209 different arenas and 172 cities across eleven nations. From the United States to Afghanistan, Iraq, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, Raw has brought the excitement of wrestling to diverse audiences.
Breaking New Ground
Raw was initially 60 minutes long but broke new ground by airing live with an audience. This format was different from pre-taped weekend shows like Superstars and Wrestling Challenge, setting a precedent for the industry. The program originated the ‘WWF Attitude’ brand after WrestleMania XIV in 1998, helping to establish the WWF as a dominant force.
Notable Moments
In January 1999, Mick Foley won the WWF Championship as Mankind on Raw Is War. Tony Schiavone gave away the result live on Nitro, causing over 600,000 viewers to switch channels. This moment highlighted the intense competition and drama that defined WWE during its heyday.
Rebranding and Changes
In March 2002, the WWF rebranded as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) due to overabundance of talent and changes in programming content. Raw moved back to USA Network in April 2005, ending a three-year deal with Spike TV.
Format Changes
The show has undergone numerous format changes since 2011. In August 2011, performers from Raw and SmackDown became non-exclusive, dissolving the brand extension. In July 2012, Raw aired its 1,000th episode with a three-hour format.
Live vs. Pre-Recorded
In February 2020, all WWE live programs were temporarily moved to an audience-free setting at the Performance Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Raw has been pre-empted for special events and temporarily moved to SciFi/Syfy.
Future of Raw
In September 2023, USA Network announced that SmackDown would return to the network in October 2024 after the expiration of its contract with Fox. It was concurrently reported that the rights to Raw and NXT were on the market with heavy interest among linear networks and digital properties.
Graphics and Set Design
The original set featured red, white, and blue ring-ropes, a blue ring-apron, blue steps, and a small stage made of neon light tubes. In 1995, the entrance way was changed to feature ‘Raw’ in giant letters. Beginning on March 10, 1997, broadcasts were split into two hour-long blocks, each given its own name for television ratings purposes.
Modern Updates
The set was updated to feature a 70-foot tall large screen video wall known as the ‘TitanTron.’ In October 2024, Raw will be shortened from three to two hours; a request made by USA Network. Ring apron lettering replaced Raw Is War slogan with WWF website ad, black ring-ropes used, Spike TV logo on TitanTron, special stage design for John Cena-Chris Jericho concert.
Legal Battles
Muscle Flex Inc. sued WWE over similar trademarks and won in August 2009. The WWE appealed but failed to file documents by the deadline. In June 2017, the WWE issued a legal order to Raw Motors claiming an infringing logo.
Special Episodes
Raw has aired special episodes such as Slammy Awards, tributes, and milestone celebrations like RAW IS XXX on its thirtieth anniversary. Wrestlers are featured in scripted feuds and storylines with primary commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.
Broadcasting Around the Globe
Raw airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. ET in the US on USA Network, and various other countries including the UK, Ireland, India, and Latin America. The show is broadcast live or on-demand in various countries, with different broadcasting partners ensuring its reach.
Streaming Options
In Canada, Raw airs on Rogers Media until 2024. In the Middle East, it airs on Shahid streaming platform and MBC Action. In Europe, it airs on various channels like ProSieben MAXX in Germany, AB1 in France, and Discovery Plus in Italy.
Conclusion
WWE Raw has been a pivotal part of professional wrestling history, evolving with the times while maintaining its core essence. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global phenomenon, Raw continues to captivate audiences worldwide, proving that it is more than just a show—it’s an institution.
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This page is based on the article WWE Raw published in Wikipedia (retrieved on December 17, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
