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Hello readers and welcome to the fourth edition of “Keeping The Memories Alive“. In today’s edition, I will be reviewing the very first episode of WWF Raw. The event was shown live on USA from the Manhattan Center in New York City, New York on January 11, 1993. Keep your requests coming.
The show kicks off with Sean Mooney standing outside the Manhattan Center. Bobby Heenan walks by on his way inside the venue but Mooney informs him that he has been replaced on color commentary. Mooney also tells him that the event is sold out.
We go to the Raw intro video.
Vince McMahon, Randy Savage and the debuting Rob Bartlett welcome us. They inform us that tonight we will see the Steiner Brothers in action, a special interview with Razor Ramon, Koko B. Ware vs. Yokozuna and Damien Demento vs. the Undertaker.
Match #1: “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware vs. Yokozuna (With Mr. Fuji).
Tale Of The Tape: Koko B. Ware (228 pounds, from Union City, Tennessee, 35 years old, 6 time NWA Mid America Champion). Yokozuna (505 pounds, from Japan, 26 years old, former UWA Trios Champion).
It shocks me to hear Bartlett say the word “ass” on commentary. Its 1993! McMahon then reminds us that Monday Night Raw is uncensored. The announcers talk about the fact that Yokozuna is not only undefeated but he is also yet to be taken off his feet. Yokozuna totally dominates and wins with the banzai drop in about 4 minutes.
A promo for the Royal Rumble airs.
Commercial Break. Its fun to watch these, 16 years later.
The announcers send us to a pre-tape of Bobby Heenan. Heenan is talking about a new wrestler coming to the WWF, going by the name of the Narcissist. He will debut at the Royal Rumble. Heenan is bringing him in to get back at Mr. Perfect. The Narcissist would end up being former WCW Champion Lex Luger.
Match #2: The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) vs. The Executioners (1 & 2).
Tale Of The Tape: Steiner Brothers (520 pounds, from Detroit, Michigan, 2 time WCW Tag Team Champions. Rick is 31 years old, Scott is 30 years old). Executioners (457 pounds, from parts unknown, former MEWF Tag Team Champions).
The men under the Executioner masks are Barry Hardy and Duane Gill. Gill would go on to become a comedy character in the “Attitude Era” known as Gillberg. The Executioners have “Lords Of Darkness” written on their ring attire. That is usually the team name the duo goes by. During the match, McMahon mentions that NFL star Mitch Frerotte is on his way to the WWF. I never remember hearing about this. Obviously, nothing ever came out of it. Doink The Clown is shown in the crowd. The match ends in about 3 minutes after Rick hit’s the top rope bulldog for the win.
We go outside to Sean Mooney. An old woman is trying to get in the arena, claiming to be Rob Bartlett’s aunt. The woman is revealed to be Bobby Heenan. Razor Ramon is coming up next.
Commercial Break.
Back from the break and Vince McMahon is about to interview Razor Ramon in the ring. Razor talks about his up coming WWF Title match with Bret Hart at the Royal Rumble. We see a clip from WWF Mania this past Saturday where Ramon attacked Owen Hart. Ramon talks about how he enjoyed beating up Owen and Bret cannot do anything about it. Razor flicks the toothpick in Vince’s face before exiting the ring.
The announcers plug Headlock On Hunger. Tatanka is shown backstage and does the same thing.
Match #3: Shawn Michaels defends the WWF Intercontinental Title against Max Moon.
Tale Of The Tape: Max Moon (238 pounds, from parts unknown, 31 years old, former AWA Tag Team Champion). Shawn Michaels (240 pounds, from San Antonio, Texas, 27 years old, on first reign as WWF Intercontinental Champion).
The man underneath the mask is Paul Diamond, from the tag team “Badd Company” in the AWA. He was also the masked Kato in the WWF before this persona. This Max Moon gimmick was originally intended for the man we now know as Konnan from WCW and TNA. He only lasted about 3 appearances before Diamond took it over. Looks to be a pretty even match before we go to break……
Commercial Break.
We are back, Doink The Clown is back at ringside. Rob Bartlett is pretending to be Mike Tyson. Michaels retains the IC strap in about 10 and a half minutes with a side suplex.
Promo for WWF Mania airs. Undertaker vs. Damian Demento is coming up.
Commercial Break.
Its time for Royal Rumble report with Gene Okerlund. The Rumble is 13 days away. Just announced, Shawn Michaels defends the WWF Intercontinental Title against Marty Jannetty. Sherri will be at ringside. We go backstage to both superstars. Michaels says that Sherri will be in his corner, Marty says the opposite. Some of the wrestlers in the Rumble….. Ric Flair, Tatanka, Irwin R. Shyster, Bob Backlund, Jerry Lawler and Mr. Perfect. We go to Perfect backstage, everything in his life is perfect but nobody else in the rumble is which means he will be the winner. Lame. More names include….. Ted Dibiase, Crush (who ended up not participating due to Doink injuring him), Rick Martel and Yokozuna. Backstage, Mr. Fuji talks about how nobody can even take the grand champion off his feet, while Yoko talks in Japanese (probably Samoan). Also in the match are Randy Savage, Papa Shango, Earthquake, Berzerker, Undertaker, Carlos Colon, Tenryu, Tito Santana, Typhoon, Samu, Fatu and Jim Duggan. We go backstage to Duggan. Yack, yack, yack. He says he cannot guarantee a win but can guarantee he’ll give 110%. And finally the main event, Bret Hart defends the WWF Title against Razor Ramon.
Outside to Mooney. Bobby Heenan is trying to get in the building again. This time dressed as a rabbi.
Plug for WWF All American Wrestling next Sunday. Bobby and Gene will be in New York City.
Commercial Break.
We are shown a clip from Superstars over the weekend where Kamala turned on Harvey Whippleman and Kimchee to become a baby face and join Slick. I hope WWE never does this angle with Umaga.
Mach #4: Damien Demento vs. the Undertaker (With Paul Bearer).
Tale Of The Tape: Damien Demento (269 pounds, from the outer reaches of your mind, 34 years old). Undertaker (328 pounds, from Death Valley, 30 years old, former WWF Champion).
Nice to see mister anti-WWE wrestling in a WWE/F ring. Demento was a horrible idea. I actually remember as a kid thinking Jesse Ventura commentated in WCW and then wrestled as this guy in the WWF (I guess it was the bald look with the hair at the bottom). Vince plugs Tito Santana vs. Ric Flair for next week. Undertaker wins with the tombstone in about 2 and a half minutes. Vince jokes that Woody Allen will be in a steel cage match next week.
Commercial Break.
We are back and Vince McMahon is interviewing Doink The Clown. Vince questions why Doink has to make children cry. Crush has warned him about this. Out comes Crush. Brian Adams trying to spit a Hawaiian accent is classic. Crush then chases Doink around the ring.
Outside, Sean Mooney finally lets Bobby Heenan in the building. Unfortunately for Heenan, the show is over.
I remember watching this show back when I was 8 years old. Its crazy how much time has gone by. See you next edition.
I hope you enjoyed reading the fourth edition of “Keeping The Memories Alive”. In the next edition, I will be reviewing the very first NWA Clash Of The Champions. Now I ask, what would you like to see reviewed? Got a favorite Pay Per View from WWE, WCW, ECW or TNA? A favorite episode of Raw, Smackdown, Nitro, Impact, ECW, Superstars, Hardcore TV, Clash Of The Champions or Saturday Nights Main Event? What about a classic super card like Super Clash or Parade Of Champions? A certain home video release? Email me your feedback and requests at jbryan21408@yahoo.com.
