WWF Monday Night RAW
Episode 1
Original Air Date: January 11, 1993
Event Date: January 11, 1993
(aired live on the USA Network)
City: New York, NY
Venue: Manhattan Center
Commentary: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Rob Bartlett
Ring Announcer: Howard Finkel
Outside the Venue
Sean Mooney welcomes everyone to New York City and the first episode of Monday Night RAW. Bobby Heenan arrives and says he has to be inside to host. Mooney tells him he’s been replaced by Rob Bartlett, and the show’s sold out so he can’t even get a ticket. They argue as the shows intro music begins.
Ring Area
Vince McMahon, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Rob Bartlett welcome us live to Monday Night RAW.
Match 1
“The Birdman” Koko B. Ware vs. Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji, two unnamed women
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Yokozuna wins via pinfall with the Bonzai Drop
Time: 3:46
Match Thoughts
A squash, literally. Koko tried some offense, but it all bounced off of Yoko. Good as an exhibition for Yokozuna, but not much else.
Commercial
30 wrestlers, 1 ring. The Royal Rumble is January 24th! Featured match: Bret Hart putting his title up against Razor Ramon.
Video
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan addresses Mr. Perfect and his questions about who the Narcissus is. Heenan says comparing Narcissus to Mr. Perfect would be like comparing ice cream to horse manure.
Match 2
The Steiner Brothers vs. The Executioners
(referee: Joey Marella)
Result: Scott Steiner pins an Executioner after the Steinerizer
Time: 3:02
Match Thoughts
A squash, but it’s always fun watching the Steiners throw people around. Scott and Rick basically just took turns showing off their throws and slams.
Outside the Venue
Sean Mooney stop Bobby Heenan from getting into the building dressed as a woman.
In the Ring
Razor Ramon is interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. Razor says he’s ready to take the title from Bret Hart. Bret’s been wrestling for years, but Razor caught him in just over eight and a half months. Razor also says that attacking Owen was fun, and there’s nothing Bret can do about it.
Video
Tatanka speaks on behalf of Headlock for Hunger Somalia Relief Fund.
Match 3
Intercontinental Title Match
Max Moon vs. Shawn Michaels (IC Champ)
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Shawn Michaels wins via pinfall after the Teardrop Suplex, Michaels retains his title
Time: 7:54 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. Max had some quick offense in the beginning, and it took a little while for Shawn to figure him out. Even when Shawn started to get the upper hand, Max pulled off some good moves from time to time (like a Stage Dive from the apron to the floor). Shawn, of course, didn’t have too much trouble, but it was a fast and fun match.
Commercial
Wake up Saturday mornings for WWF Mania!
Video
Time for the Royal Rumble Report! Shawn Michaels will defend the IC Title against Marty Jannetty, but whose corner will Sensational Sherri be in? Via video, Shawn says Sherri will of course be with him, but Marty says maybe Shawn doesn’t know Sherri as well as he thinks he does.
Mean Gene then talks about the wrestlers announced for the Royal Rumble: Ric Flair, Tatanka, IRS, Bob Backlund, Jerry Lawler, Mr. Perfect. Via video, Perfect is happy because nobody else in the Rumble is perfect.
More wrestlers for the Rumble: Ted Dibiase, Crush, Rick Martel, Yokozuna. Via video, Mr. Fuji says no one will be able to move his Yokozuna.
More: Randy Savage, Papa Shango, Earthquake, The Berzerker, The Undertaker, Carlos Colon, The Great Tenryu, Tito Santana, Typhoon, Samu, Fatu, ad Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Duggan says he might not win the Rumble, but he’ll give us 110%, tough guy.
Mean Gene also mentions the WWF Title Match between Bret Hart and Razor Ramon.
Outside the Venue
Bobby Heenan is still trying to get inside the building, but Sean Mooney sees through his disguise as a bearded Jewish man.
VIdeo
This past weekend on WWF Superstars, Reverend Slick “saved” Kamala from Harvey Wippleman and Kim Chee.
Match 4
Damian Demento vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
(referee: Joey Marella)
Result: The Undertaker wins vis pinfall after the Tombstone Piledriver
Time: 2:25
Match Thoughts
A squash. Demento tried some offense and sort of staggered The Undertaker, but that didn’t last long. Neither did the match.
Ring Area
Vince McMahon tells Doink that Crush doesn’t like that he laughs about making kids cry. Doink talks tough, but Crush comes out and chases Doink around the ring. Doink laughs as he gets away.
Outside the Venue
Sean Mooney tells Bobby Heenan that he can finally go inside… now that the show is over.
Show Impressions
This is a classic episode, and I enjoy it for the newness of it all. The in-ring action was little more than exhibitions for some of the current stars, but it’s fine. I get it. I really enjoy the ongoing gag with Bobby Heenan trying to get inside the Manhattan Center. That is probably the best part of the show. The commentary is 50/50. Typical stuff from McMahon, but Rob Bartlett is trying too hard to be edgy and “raw,” and Savage occasionally sounded like he wasn’t exactly sure how he should act.
Match of the Night
Max Moon vs. Shawn Michaels
This was the only match that really had any back-and-forth action. Plus, it was pretty good.