WRESTLING NEWS
Facts Only Hardcore Fans Know About WWE Raw
By BRIAN HOGLUND
The Name Raw
Wrestling show names usually pack a punch and are easily marketable, but WWF wanted a show that was grungy, dirty, unpolished, and uncensored. The show's original working title was "Down & Dirty," but after showing low marketability, the producers wanted a name to show anything that can happen.
Manhattan Center
Vince McMahon had a grand vision for "Raw" to be in an elegant setting to give the show an upscale vibe, but the Manhattan Center was not a permanent venue. It was a nightmare to get over a thousand fans to the 8th-floor set, and some wrestlers complained about the cost of relocating to New York for taping.
Post-WrestleMania Raw
The episode of "Raw" that follows WrestleMania weekend always features a hot crowd and big surprises. However, the first "Raw" after WrestleMania was pre-taped and gave a lamentable debut of Jerry "The King" Lawler, making it notably lackluster in comparison with today's standards.
The First Title Change
Usually reserved for pay-per-view matches, a title change can make an episode historic. "Raw" had been on the air for about 4 months when Shawn Michaels defeated Marty Jannetty to capture the Intercontinental Championship, helping boost the credibility of "Raw" as a major player on Monday nights.
Gun Segment
During one of the most infamous, heated segments, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin broke into Brian Pillman's house for a confrontation, and Pillman pulled a gun on him. After several viewer complaints, USA Network almost dropped the show, and WWF agreed to tone down the content.