C. K. Punk: This is the second time, so far in 1997 where WWF has stepped up their game and produced a quality Monday Night RAW, much like the show I remembered from my childhood. The show moved from a one hour to a two hour format (for the first time ever) and they incorporated a good mix of back stage trash talk, promos, and matches. The final tag team, no DQ, match between Faarooq & Mankind and the Undertaker & Ahmed Johnson really provided and exciting end to the night. This helps to push match excitement up to 4.
There is however, some controversy over this show. It was called Royal Rumble Raw and it was being touted that for the first time since the 1980’s viewers would get to see an entire royal rumble match for free (IE: not having to pay for the pay per view (PPV). Long story short, after some push back and threatening of lawsuits from cable companies, the WWF had to back out of this, but do the best they could and simply played a couple video highlights of the Royal Rumble match and have some dubbed over commentary related to the Royal Rumble. Thus, at the time, if you were anticipating being able to see the entire Royal Rumble, you would have surely been disappointed. Additionally, it seems that the Sky dome in Toronto was around half capacity, and lighting got turned down to hide this fact. This dark atmosphere is a turn off to many. I can understand this, but watching it decades later and a fairly low quality recording I did not pick up on this point.
All things considered, I find this RAW to be one of the best shows I have seen so far far in 1997 (though to be fair, we are only talking 5 shows). No doubt there is better to come but I have to think this marks the turning point or WWF in being able to match up to WCW Nitro.
Some thoughts:
We finally got to see a video clip of Stone Cold’s “tainted” victory in the Royal Rumble. Yes, it was not was was promised, but for those who were not fortunate to be able to see PPV’s, this would have been at least a treat of sorts. In 1997, it would have been almost impossible to see clips like this on the internet, unlike today.
Stone Cold Steve Austin was agitated by the ref for trying to pull him off Vader and he gave the ref a stunner. Very reminiscent of the many shenanigans we will be seeing (based on my memories) out of Stone Cold.
Flash Funk definitely has some cool moves to hype up the crowd.
Marlena: I forgot about her staple of smoking cigars. She could be seen having a good smoke on this episode.
My rating:
Acting: 3 Commentating: 3 Match Excitement: 4 Production Quality: 3 Story: 3
Erock:
My Rating:
Acting: ? Commentating: ? Match Excitement: ? Production Quality: ? Story: ?
C. K. Punk: Another so-so night of RAW. Still milking the story line for the four-way between Undertaker, Vader, Brett Hart, and Stone Cold. Other than this and a rivalry brewing between Ahmed Jonson and the N.O.D., there wasn’t too much going on, story wise.
As usual, the acting and showmanship of Shawn Michaels and Brett Hart is on point. They really sell the WWF story.
Some thoughts:
This was apparently before the “TV-14” era as the king said: “Here’s a guy that’s going to come out here and open a big can of whoop A……” and then caught himself as Vince stopped him
They are still advertising for Shotgun Saturday night riding on when Marlena dropped her top a month ago. Shotgun Saturday Night was a more adult oriented show at the time.
My rating:
Acting: 3 Commentating: 3 Match Excitement: 2 Production Quality: 2 Story: 3
Erock:
My Rating:
Acting: ? Commentating: ? Match Excitement: ? Production Quality: ? Story: ?
C. K. Punk: To start with, I must say that I am pleasantly surprised this week with this episode of RAW. I believe that the production quality stepped up some over the past couple weeks. Coming out of the Royal Rumble that occurred the previous night, Stone Cold’s “tainted victory” was mixed into the story line and I thought the 48 minute show had a good balance and flow between drama, brawls, and matches.
Some thoughts:
Bret Hart and Stone Cold’s acting was top notch. They are very believable characters. It isn’t corny or over the top; it is well done and draws me into the conflict.
Stone Cold got a microphone that didn’t work. I assume this was not planned, but it was humerus how he cussed out the audio guys.
Commentary between JR and the King was funny tonight and I was happy to hear their commentary for most of the night. I am not a fan of Vince commentating and have not liked The Honky Tonk Man’s commentary either. Nor other wrestlers. Lines like: “I may have to have my smile surgically removed….Bret Hart has quit the world wrestling federation” made for some good laughs.
Kind of sick of the “Anything can happen” mantra that is preached by Vince. Third episode into the new year and it is getting pretty old. It just seems like overselling RAW.
My rating:
Acting: 3 Commentating: 4 Match Excitement: 3 Production Quality: 3 Story: 4
Erock: Format Improvement. finally, the show seems like it may hold up to some expectations. 1997, 3 weeks in, still with the 80’s music in the opening theme? I can’t wait for that to change.
Why were the announcers not at their table? standing in front of the spanish announcers table? what was up with that?
Bret Hart comments and Stone Cold Response was quite entertaining. so far, I’m seeing a major improvement here. I’m almost convinced that Bret Hart Response to Royal Rumble was legit and not part of the show.
Doug Fernas and Phillip Lafonte are still unknown to me (other than Jan 6th raw), but I still find them to be impressive with their wrestling skills, still somehow, this match did not maintain my interest very long.
Farooq v Bart Gunn was an excellent match. first one to keep my interest throughout.
The announcement by monsoon was just what I would expect from a show with any dignity. indeed, the 4 way elimination should prove to be and outstanding match. Of course they would make that for a ppv, but this wrestlemania promo provided an outstanding match between stone cold and the undertaker. I was thoroughly entertained as I should be.
Raw has finally stepped up.
My Rating:
Acting: 3 Commentating: 3 Match Excitement: 3 Production Quality: 3 Story: 4
Acting:2 Commentating: 3 Match Excitement: 3 Production Quality: 2 Story: 2
Erock:
this 2nd episode of raw seemed better to start. after the 80’s sounding intro music, this first match was exciting and entertaining. the main mistakes I noticed were: 1) when Goldust hit HHH then turned and hit Lawler before continuing on HHH, but the timing was off. Goldust was on fire, but HHH stopped, looked at Goldust and turning himself fell back onto the ropes. 2) Goldust knocked HHH back into the ropes, camera cut for a second, and suddenly HHH is tied up in the ropes?? major fumble on their part. This episode does seem improved from the first, but not a whole lot.
My rating:
Acting: 3 Commentating: 2 Match Excitement: 3 Production Quality: 2 Story: 3
C. K. Punk: I first got into wrestling back in 1997, watching primarily Monday Night Raw. I am surprised to see how “raw” (no pun intended) the production quality is on this compared to what I remember for the RAW is WAR format. I suspect that this will improve a lot when RAW goes to 2 hour format and especially the RAW is WAR theme. For right now, WCW has a large edge in production quality over WWF.
The acting seems over the top, almost like that of an outlandish cartoon. To the contrary, WCW gives the feel that we are watching a “real” sport like boxing or UFC, which I prefer. I never did like Paul Bearer and still don’t. I am a huge Mic Foley fan, but didn’t seem to feel any connection to Mankind this episode. Vader and Shawn Michael were over the top as well. Bret Hart is really the only wrestler that I think seemed believable.
Keep in mind, I am 100% a WWF fan. That is virtually all that I watched when I was into wrestling as a kid/teenager. I no doubt began watching soon before WWF started to win the rating wars and I can see now why WCW was top dog at the time. I fully expect my opinion of WCW vs. WWF is going to change once the RAW is WAR format begins, along with the attitude era.
My Rating:
Acting: 2 Commentating: 3 Match Excitement: 3 Production Quality: 2 Story: 2
Erock: I remember watching wrestling with my dad in the early days. A Sting fan from the beginning, I was mostly a WCW boy. I didn’t get into wrestling on my own until the 96/97 range. As I got into wrestling more, I began to explore the WWE (then WWF) wrestling as well as WCW. in the realm of WWE/F, I have always been partial (as with many other fans) to Stone Cold and The Rock. These early 97 Raw episodes are completely new to me, although I am familiar with most of the wrestlers.
In this first episode which aired on Jan. 06 1997 I was immediately struck by the awkwardness of Vader’s ‘over the top’ acting. Then seeing Owen Hart Standing there looking all oiled up and posing with a trophy. this seemed a bit cheesy. Mankind was kind of interesting with his entrance, and I did enjoy this 1st match a little, but the timing was off a few times, and at one point I witnessed something strange. A double reversal is a good move, but Owen never lifted his arms from his sides in this process. interesting feat. then comes the team of Razor Ramon & ‘Big Daddy Cool’ Diesel, who were both in WCW as Hall & Nash, but the obvious impostors were awkwardly acknowledged by the commentators, and smoothed over with a subject change and continued with .. what? deceiving the fans? I am not deceived, just disgusted. This team that faced the impostors, seemed to be well versed in moves, speed, agility.. I was impressed by their performance most in the entire show up to this point. I found the Hart v Vader match to be pretty decent on excitement, but I was confused a little about the ref telling Vader not to go on top rope? was there a no top rope rule in place at this time? Finally, the ending of the show was pretty decent, but I felt like this show lived up to a mid week or weekend standard. Monday Night? not quite!
My Rating:
Acting: 2 Commentating: 2 Match Excitement: 2 Production Quality: 2 Story: 3
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