WWE Raw: Top five all-time greatest moments in Raw history

“That’ll Put Some Butts in Seats”

So far, the greatest moments in WWE Raw history on this list have run the gamut of emotions. You have incredible hope, unparalleled devastation, euphoric shock, and the ultimate heartbreak. Why don’t we close out with not only an actual match, but a tremendously uplifting, feel-good moment?

For younger fans, the only time Raw doesn’t air live is when the show airs from overseas. Due to time differences, a telecast from Europe is taped several hours before it airs. But during the early days, Raw was taped quite often in an effort to defray high production costs.

By the time the Attitude Era was in full swing, the World Wrestling Federation would air one week’s episode of Raw live, and then tape the following week’s.

During the Monday Night Wars, WCW would often spoil the results to taped episodes of Raw while Nitro aired live. Despite being ahead in the ratings, Eric Bischoff had no problem trying to put one over on Vince McMahon; even after the WWF took the ratings lead in late 1998, Bischoff instructed commentary to tell the audience what was going to happen on Raw.

But on January 4, 1999, the decision to give away results backfired spectacularly.

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On December 29, 1998, an episode of Raw was taped to air on January 4. In the main event, Mick Foley defeated The Rock in a No Disqualification Match to win the WWF Championship. When Tony Schiavone told the Nitro audience not to change the channel because “… Cactus Jack is going to win their world championship,” millions of viewers switched to Raw.

Despite a story that would have you believe Foley’s win was the beginning of the ratings turn, Raw had been ahead since November 1998. WCW tried to reform the nWo to recapture their former glory, but airing the “Fingerpoke of Doom” opposite Foley’s big win was a disaster for Nitro.

Even discounting Schiavone giving out spoilers, Foley’s victory was huge for the WWF. The Rock was at that time associated with Vince McMahon and the Corporation. Foley had the backing of D-Generation X and all of their “anti-corporate” antics. Foley was basically the everyman — did his job, did it well, but had always been “held down” by those in power.

The biggest star in wrestling in 1998/1999 — Stone Cold Steve Austin — entered the arena during a huge brawl to attack The Rock and basically give Foley the win. It was like a tacit approval from Austin of Foley’s qualifications to be world champion (not to mention Austin once again sticking it to Vince McMahon).

The crowd response for Foley’s victory was huge. His body was on the verge of breaking down thanks to his in-ring style, but he held it together for a few more years of full-time competition. The world title win could be seen as basically a “thank you” for all he had done to make so many opponents look good in the ring over the years.

Foley may never be viewed as one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, and honestly, that’s fine. His victory to earn the first one was one of the greatest moments in WWE history.

What do you think of our list of the five greatest moments in WWE Raw history? What would you add to the list?