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{{short description|Professional wrestling television program}} | |||
] | |||
{{For|the WWE brand featured on the program|Raw (WWE brand)}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2020}} | |||
{{Infobox television | |||
| image = WWE RAW Logo 2025.svg | |||
| image_alt = 200 | |||
| caption = ''WWE Raw'' logo starting from January 6, 2025 | |||
| genre = ] | |||
| creator = ] | |||
| writer = {{Plain list| | |||
*Jonathan Baeckstrom <small>(Lead Writer)</small> | |||
*''See list of ]'' | |||
}} | |||
| presenter = {{Plain list| | |||
* ] {{small|(play-by-play commentator)}} | |||
* ] {{small|(color commentator)}} | |||
}} | |||
| starring = ] | |||
| opentheme = "Born to Be" by ] (until December 30, 2024)<br>"TBD" by ] (from January 6, 2025) | |||
| composer = | |||
| language = | |||
| country = United States | |||
| num_seasons = 32 | |||
| num_episodes = {{#expr:1622 + {{age in weeks|June 24, 2024}}}}<!--Please do not alter this, it updates automatically!--> | |||
| list_episodes = | |||
| alt_name = ''Raw is War'' (1997–2001)<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE Entertainment's RAW IS WAR Delivers Highest Rating of the Season |url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2000/12-13-2000 |website=WWE Corporate |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415193935/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2000/12-13-2000 |archive-date=April 15, 2020 |language=en |date=December 13, 2000 |quote=WWE Entertainment’s (NYSE: WWE) RAW IS WAR, already the highest rated regularly scheduled program on cable television, achieved its highest rating of the season this past Monday night on The National Network (TNN).}}</ref><br />''Raw SuperShow'' (2011–2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Raw: August 29, 2011 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-08-29 |website=] |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016155711/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-08-29 |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |language=en |date= August 29, 2011 |quote=Not only did WWE’s Chief Operating Officer figure prominently throughout the first ever Raw SuperShow, combining Superstars from both Raw and SmackDown, he also informed one Superstar that he’ll be hanging up the suit and tie to square off in three weeks at Night of Champions.}}</ref> | |||
| executive_producer = ]<br>Lee Fitting | |||
| camera = ] | |||
| runtime = {{plainlist| | |||
* 60 minutes (January 11, 1993–January 27, 1997) | |||
* 120 minutes (February 3, 1997–July 16, 2012, October 7–December 30, 2024) | |||
* 180 minutes (July 23, 2012–September 30, 2024, from January 6, 2025) (including commercials) | |||
}} | |||
| company = ] | |||
| network = ] | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date|1993|01|11}} | |||
| last_aired = {{End date|2000|09|18}} | |||
| network2 = ] | |||
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2000|09|25}} | |||
| last_aired2 = {{End date|2005|09|26}} | |||
| network3 = ] | |||
| first_aired3 = {{Start date|2005|10|3}} | |||
| last_aired3 = present | |||
| network4 = ] | |||
| first_aired4 = <!--Only insert start date after the first episode has aired. {{Start date|2025|01|06}} --> | |||
| last_aired4 = <!--Only insert start date after the first episode has aired. {{End date|upcoming}} --> | |||
| related = {{Plain list| | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']''}} | |||
}} | |||
'''''WWE Raw''''', also known as '''''Monday Night Raw''''' or simply '''''Raw''''', is an American ] television program produced by ]. It currently airs ] every Monday at 8 p.m. ] (ET) on ]. The show features characters from the ] ], to which WWE employees are assigned to work and perform. It debuted on January 11, 1993, and is considered to be one of WWE's two flagship programs, along with '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network|title=NXT moves to USA Network|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22|archive-date=August 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820225413/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-moves-to-usa-network|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In September 2000, ''Raw'' moved from USA Network to TNN,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2000/09-27-2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416032353/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2000/09-27-2000 |archive-date=April 16, 2020 |title=WWE Entertainment, Inc. Revises Full Year Revenue and EBITDA Estimates for Fiscal Year |work=] |date=September 27, 2000 |access-date= September 5, 2014}}</ref> which rebranded to ] in August 2003. On October 3, 2005, ''Raw'' returned to USA Network, where it will remain until January 6, 2025 when it moves to the ] streaming platform, which is scheduled to broadcast the program for a period of at least 10 years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/01/23/tko-ceo-ari-emanuel-netflix-deal-strengthens-the-wwe-brand-on-a-global-basis.html|title=TKO CEO Ari Emanuel: Netflix deal strengthens the WWE brand 'on a global basis'|publisher=CNBC|date=January 23, 2024|accessdate=January 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/wwe-set-for-move-on-netflix-in-january-2025|title=WWE set for move on Netflix in January 2025|publisher=BizAsia|date=November 28, 2024|accessdate=November 29, 2024}}</ref> The ] ceased operations in the United States on April 5, 2021, with all content being moved to ], which currently has most previous ''Raw'' episodes, excluding content that was censored or removed by Peacock's standards and practices department.<ref>{{cite web |author=Alfred Konuwa |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2021/03/29/wwe-network-content-continues-to-be-censored-ahead-of-move-to-peacock/ |title=WWE Network Content Continues To Be Censored Ahead Of Move To Peacock |work=Forbes.com |date=2021-03-29 |accessdate=2022-02-26 |archive-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424174934/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2021/03/29/wwe-network-content-continues-to-be-censored-ahead-of-move-to-peacock/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Recent episodes are still available for on-demand viewing 30 days after the original air date.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Welch |first1=Chris |title=WWE Network on Peacock: your questions answered |url=https://www.theverge.com/22319438/wwe-network-peacock-features-price-faq-deal |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=The Verge |date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183034/https://www.theverge.com/22319438/wwe-network-peacock-features-price-faq-deal |archive-date=8 March 2021 |quote=In-ring action with new weekly episodes of NXT the day after air, as well as the 2021 replays of RAW and SmackDown 30 days after air.}}</ref> | |||
'''''WWE RAW''''' is the Monday night ] show for ]. It currently airs live on ] every Monday night at 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). The program has a built-in "overrun", which typically pushes the actual end time to within 10 or 15 minutes past 11:00 PM. It also airs live in ] on ], and live in the ] on ] at 2:00 AM UTC. For the purposes of television ratings, the program is referred to as "WWE RAW Zone" after the beginning of the 10:00 PM EST hour. | |||
Since its first episode, ''Raw'' has been broadcast live from 209 different arenas, 172 cities and towns, and eleven different nations: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Afghanistan in ], Iraq in ] and ], South Africa,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=26310|title=Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database|author=Axel Saalbach|work=wrestlingdata.com|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327130336/https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=26310|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=26282|title=Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database|author=Axel Saalbach|work=wrestlingdata.com|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023090049/https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=26282|url-status=live}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050207.html|title=Online World of Wrestling|work=onlineworldofwrestling.com|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625091147/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050207.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Italy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2006/1176781825.shtml|title=April 16, 2008 RAW results, from Wrestleview.com|work=wrestleview.com|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510005938/http://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2006/1176781825.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Mexico,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-10-17/results|title=WWE Raw SuperShow results: Mexican standoff|work=WWE|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023034812/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-10-17/results|url-status=live}}</ref> and Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |date=2024-11-05 |title=WWE Raw Results - 11/4/24 (First Raw from Saudi Arabia, No. 1 Contenders Fatal 4-Way Match) |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/332719-live-wwe-raw-results-november-4-2024-riyadh/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
On ], ], ], the parent company of Spike TV, announced that they would not seek to extend their agreement to air RAW and other WWE programming on the network when their current deal expires in ], ]. On ], ], WWE announced a 3-year deal with ] to bring RAW back to its former home, the ], with two yearly specials on ] and a Spanish-language RAW on ]. | |||
== |
== History == | ||
{{main|History of WWE Raw}} | |||
=== Early years === | |||
WWE RAW has been known by many names, including: | |||
] | |||
* "WWF Monday Night RAW" (1993) | |||
] | |||
Beginning as WWF's ''Monday Night Raw,'' the program first aired on January 11, 1993, on the ] as a replacement for '']'', which aired on the network for eight years. The original ''Raw'' was sixty minutes in length and broke new ground in televised professional wrestling. Traditionally, wrestling shows were pre-taped on sound stages with small audiences or at large arena shows. The ''Raw'' formula was considerably different from the pre-taped weekend shows that aired at the time such as '']'' and '']''. Instead of matches taped weeks in advance with studio voice overs and taped discussion, ''Raw'' was a show shot and aired to a live audience, with angles and matches playing out as they happened. | |||
* "WWF War Zone" (1997) (Hour two) | |||
* "WWF RAW" (2001) | |||
* "WWE RAW" (2002) (Hour one current) | |||
* "WWE RAW Zone" (2002) (Hour two current) | |||
** ''It is currently also known as WWE Monday Night RAW'' (2003) | |||
''Raw'' originated from the ], a small ] theater, and aired live each week. The combination of an intimate venue and live action proved to be a successful improvement. However, the weekly live schedule proved to be a financial drain on the WWF. From spring 1993 until spring 1997, ''Raw'' would tape several week's worth of episodes after a live episode had aired. The WWF taped several weeks worth of ''Raw'' from the ] in ], ] in April 1993, and again in June and October. The first episode produced outside of New York was taped in ], ] in November 1993 and ''Raw'' left the Manhattan Center permanently as the show would be taken on the road throughout the United States and had in smaller venues. | |||
The name "WWF War Zone" ("WWE RAW Zone") was used for the second hour of "WWF Raw Is War" ("WWE RAW") as a way to split the show into two separate shows and charge a higher advertisement rate in the second hour. The title was simplified again in 2001 when ] dropped the words "Is War" in response to the ] and the resulting ]. The name was again changed in 2002 when WWE lost its court case with the ]. The initials "WWF" were no longer allowed to be used and were changed to ]. | |||
=== The Attitude Era and Spike TV === | |||
==Show history== | |||
On September 4, 1995, the WWF's chief competitor ] (WCW) began airing its new wrestling show, '']'', live each week on ], which marked the start of the ].<ref name="p53HistoryofWWE">{{cite book|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title=WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=53}}</ref> ''Raw'' and ''Nitro'' went head-to-head for the first time on September 11, 1995. At the start of the ratings war in 1995 through to mid-1996, ''Raw'' and ''Nitro'' exchanged victories over each other in a closely contested rivalry. Beginning in mid-1996, however, due to the ] ], ''Nitro'' started a ratings win-streak that lasted for 84 consecutive weeks, ending on April 13, 1998.<ref name="p53HistoryofWWE"/> On February 3, 1997, ''Raw'' went to a two-hour format,<ref name="p53HistoryofWWE"/> to compete with the extra hour on ''Nitro'' (which had been expanded to two hours in the spring of 1996), and by March 10, it was renamed to ''Raw Is War''. It was also during the time ''Raw'' would be aired live more often. After ] in March 1998, the WWF regained the lead in the Monday Night War with its new "]" brand. The April 13, 1998 episode of ''Raw Is War'', which was headlined by a match between ] and Vince McMahon, marked the first time that ''Nitro'' had lost the head-to-head Monday night ] battle in the 84 weeks since 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://panelsonpages.com/?p=6313|title=Holy Crap! Remember... The WWF Attitude Era!?|work=Panels on Pages|access-date=April 17, 2013|archive-date=October 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019051736/http://www.panelsonpages.com/?p=6313|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
On January 4, 1999, ], who had wrestled for WCW during the early 1990s as Cactus Jack, ] on ''Raw Is War''. On orders from ], ''Nitro'' announcer ] gave away this previously taped result on a live ''Nitro'' and then sarcastically added, "That's gonna put some butts in the seats", consequently resulting in over 600,000 viewers switching channels to ''Raw Is War'' to see the underdog capture the ]. This was also the night that ''Nitro'' aired a ] match in which ] laid down for ] after Hogan ]. | |||
RAW has previously been aired on the ]. The only networks to have aired RAW in the United States are the USA Network and TNN, which is now Spike TV. | |||
On June 28, 2000, ] won the landmark deal with the WWF to move all of its WWF programs stemming from the lawsuit action against WWF from USA Network.<ref name="Raw to TNN">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28309656_ITM|title=WWF Raw Is War to Premiere on TNN September 25|publisher=]|date=2000-09-20|access-date=2009-08-21|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902204559/https://www.nelsonbrain.com/shop|url-status=live}}</ref> The new television contract and the subsequent purchase of competitor WCW led to many changes in WWF's programming content. ''Raw Is War'' premiered on ] on September 25, 2000. | |||
There is also a sister show titled ] which airs on ] at 7:00 PM EST on Sundays. | |||
WCW's sharp decline in revenue and ratings led to ] selling selected assets such as the WCW name, tape library, and contracts to the WWF in March 2001 for $3 million.<ref name="WWFdeal">{{cite news|first=Don|last=Callis|title=Deal leaves wrestlers out in cold|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720005418/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2012|publisher=Slam! Sports|date=March 25, 2001}}</ref> The final episode of ''Nitro'', which aired on March 26, 2001, began with Vince McMahon making a short statement about his recent purchase of WCW and ended with a simulcast with ''Raw'' on TNN and ''Nitro'' on TNT including an appearance by Vince's son ].<ref name="wwe55">{{cite book|last1= Shields|first1= Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|title= WWE: History of WrestleMania|year=2009|page=55}}</ref> The younger McMahon interrupted his father's gloating over the WCW purchase to explain that Shane was the one who actually owned WCW, setting up what became the WWF's "]" storyline. Following the purchase of WCW and the ], the program was retitled as ''Raw'' on October 1, 2001, permanently retiring the ''Raw Is War'' moniker in prelude to the ]. | |||
The current RAW is the successor to "WWF Monday Night RAW", which first aired in ] on USA Network. The original RAW broke new ground in televised professional wrestling. Traditionally, wrestling shows were taped on sound stages with small audiences, or at large arena shows. RAW originated from a small ] theater, the Manhattan Center, and aired live each week. The combination of an intimate venue and live action proved highly successful. However, the weekly live schedule proved to be a financial drain on WWE, and taped shows began airing every other week. Eventually, RAW aired live shows only about once per month, with the other shows being taped. | |||
In March 2002, as a result of the overabundance of talent left over from the Invasion storyline, WWF instituted a process known as the "]", under which ''Raw'' and '']'' would be treated as two distinct divisions, each with their own rosters and championships.<ref name="BrandExtensionPressRelease">{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE to make Raw and SmackDown! distinct TV brands|publisher=]|date=March 27, 2002|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-date=April 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417115226/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the WWF was ] to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). | |||
], with the deep pockets of ] backing the promotion, then began ], which aired live each week. On several occasions, World Championship Wrestling head ], who was also an on-air personality, gave away the results of WWF's taped RAW shows on the live WCW show (a tactic that backfired when they announced ]'s first WWF title victory, causing millions of viewers to switch to RAW to see it). Under this pressure, the WWE started presenting ''RAW'' live every week, and has continued with live shows ever since, even after the demise of WCW. Although ''RAW'' 's sister show, ], has had a few live shows, it has never continually been aired live. WWE normally tapes a Tuesday night SmackDown! show for airing on Thursday night of the same week. | |||
=== |
=== Return to USA Network === | ||
{{multiple image | |||
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| image1 = WWE RAW Logo 2018.svg | |||
| alt1 = | |||
| image2 = WWE Raw Logo 2019.svg | |||
| alt2 = | |||
| footer = The ''Raw'' logo used since July 25, 2016. This logo would undergo multiple minor changes since 2019.<br>'''Top:''' Logo used from July 25, 2016 to September 23, 2019.<br>'''Bottom:''' Logo used from September 30, 2019 to December 30, 2024. | |||
}} | |||
On March 10, 2005, Viacom and WWE decided not to go on with the agreement with Spike TV (formerly TNN, now ]), effectively ending ''Raw'' and other ]' tenure on the network when their deal expired in September 2005. On April 4, 2005, WWE announced a three-year deal with ] to bring ''Raw'' back to its former home, USA Network, with two yearly specials on ] and a Spanish ''Raw'' on ].<ref name="Raw Returns">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2005_04_04a.jsp|title=WWE's RAW Returns to USA Network|publisher=]|date=2005-05-04|access-date=2009-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202050139/http://corporate.wwe.com./news/2005_04_04a.jsp|archive-date=December 2, 2008}}</ref> On the same week as ''Raw''{{'}}s return to USA Network, Spike TV scheduled ] (UFC)'s live ''Ultimate Fight Night'' in ''Raw''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s old timeslot in an attempt to go head-to-head with ''Raw''.<ref name="WWE vs UFC">{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=730&zoneid=1 |title=WWE VS UFC Showdown Heats Up |publisher=MMA Weekly |date=2005-09-25 |access-date=2009-08-21 |first=Ivan |last=Trembow }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | |||
Since the return to USA Network, ''Raw'' has been pre-empted during the ], which ], resulting in ''Raw'' to be moved to ], a sister channel to USA, for three years. Since 2016, the two-hour version of that week's ''Raw'' has aired on Syfy. In February 2022, Raw temporarily moved to Syfy for two episodes due to ] (as part of ]) of the ]. | |||
In early to mid-2002, the ] underwent a process they called the ''Brand Extension''. In a nutshell, this meant that the two WWE television shows (RAW and ]) would become competition for each other. This came about when the WWE (then known as WWF) purchased their two biggest competitors, ] and ]. | |||
On the August 29, 2011 episode of ''Raw'', it was announced that performers from ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' were no longer exclusive to their respective brand, thus effectively dissolving the brand extension.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Raw Results – 8/29/11|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|work=Wrestleview|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331032437/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 23, 2012, ''Raw'' aired its ], which also began its permanent three-hour format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/258735-tna-notes-chavos-wwe-success-wwe-drops-qsupershowq-name|title=TNA Notes Chavo's WWE Career, WWE Drops "Supershow" Name – Wrestlezone|author=Nick Paglino|date=30 July 2012|work=Wrestlezone|access-date=November 9, 2014|archive-date=November 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109063303/http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/258735-tna-notes-chavos-wwe-success-wwe-drops-qsupershowq-name|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charlie Sheen checks in live on Raw 1000|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/charlie-sheen-on-raw-1000|publisher=]|work=].com|access-date=October 24, 2015|date=23 July 2012|archive-date=January 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106131137/http://www.wwe.com/videos/playlists/charlie-sheen-on-raw-1000|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 14, 2013, ''Raw'' celebrated its 20th year on the air.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/hoffman/article/Houston-show-celebrates-20-wild-years-of-WWE-Raw-4180803.php|title=Houston show celebrates 20 wild years of 'WWE Raw'|publisher=]|date=2013-01-09|access-date=2018-01-31|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200950/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/hoffman/article/Houston-show-celebrates-20-wild-years-of-WWE-Raw-4180803.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 25, 2016, WWE reintroduced the ], and a new set with red ring ropes, a brand new stage, used at ]. Furthermore, the broadcast table was moved to the entrance ramp similar to how it was in 2002–2005.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} On January 22, 2018, WWE celebrated the 25th anniversary of Raw with a simulcast show at the ] in Brooklyn and the home of the first Monday Night Raw, the Manhattan Center.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/wwe/story/_/id/22188047/wwe-monday-night-raw-recap-raw-25-was-fun-bit-mess|title=Monday Night Raw Recap: Raw 25 was fun, but a bit of a mess|publisher=]|date=2013-01-23|access-date=2018-01-31|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131132831/http://www.espn.co.uk/wwe/story/_/id/22188047/wwe-monday-night-raw-recap-raw-25-was-fun-bit-mess|url-status=live}}</ref> On the February 19 episode of ''Raw'', six days before ], seven participants of the men's ] match, ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], were involved in a ] that began with Reigns and Rollins. Strowman won the Gauntlet match by pinning The Miz in what was the longest match in WWE history, lasting nearly two hours.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw Live TV Review: Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns vs. John Cena vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Elias vs. Seth Rollins in a gauntlet match, Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Mickie James vs. Alexa Bliss, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville, final push for WWE Elimination Chamber|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/02/19/wwe-raw-live-tv-review-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-vs-john-cena-vs-finn-balor-vs-miz-vs-elias-vs-seth-rollins-gauntlet-match-match-sasha-banks-bayley-mickie-james-vs-alexa-b/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220121106/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/02/19/wwe-raw-live-tv-review-braun-strowman-vs-roman-reigns-vs-john-cena-vs-finn-balor-vs-miz-vs-elias-vs-seth-rollins-gauntlet-match-match-sasha-banks-bayley-mickie-james-vs-alexa-b/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The Brand Extension would bring about a change like nothing the ] had seen before. Wrestlers would become show-exclusive, wrestling for their specific show only. This at the time excluded the '']'' and ''Women's Champion'', as originally, those ] titles would be defended on both shows. However, in later 2002, ], at that time the WWE Undisputed Champion, refused to defend the title on ''RAW'', causing the title to become exclusive to ]. (It has since been referred to as the ], dropping the word "Undisputed"). The following week on ''RAW'', General Manager ] awarded the ], in the form of the old ] belt, to ''RAW'''s designated #1 contender, ]. | |||
From March 12, 2020, to August 18, 2020, WWE announced that all of its live programs would air from the ] in ] ] until further notice beginning with the following day's episode of ''SmackDown'' due to the ] that resulted in the suspension of many professional sports leagues. On the May 25 episode of ''Raw,'' NXT trainees were added into live crowds at the Performance Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2880809-report-wwe-moves-raw-on-316-day-featuring-stone-cold-to-performance-center|title=Report: WWE Moves Raw on '3:16 Day,' Featuring Stone Cold, to Performance Center|last=Blanchette|first=Rob|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=March 13, 2020|work=]|archive-date=April 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410204702/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2880809-report-wwe-moves-raw-on-316-day-featuring-stone-cold-to-performance-center|url-status=live}}</ref> In August, all programming was moved to the new, state-of-the-art ] inside of the ] in Orlando. On May 21, 2021, WWE announced that they will return in front of live fans with a 25 city tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2021/21-05-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222162804/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2021/21-05-2021 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |title=WWE Returns To Live Events With 25-City Tour Beginning July 16 |work=] |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=February 22, 2023}}</ref> therefore the July 12, 2021 edition of Raw would be the final WWE ThunderDome show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/194602-wwe-raw-results-july-12-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104022251/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/194602-wwe-raw-results-july-12-2021/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |title=WWE Raw Results – 7/12/21 (Final WWE Raw from the ThunderDome, Money in the Bank build) |work=WrestleView |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |date=July 12, 2021 |access-date=February 22, 2023}}</ref> | |||
The ] is now generally accepted to be ''RAW''-exclusive, even though nothing happened to officially make it an exclusive title. | |||
=== Move to Netflix === | |||
The ] has made a huge impact on this show. By far they have drafted big-time ] superstars. They have drafted current ] ], ], ], who won the ] in his first appearance on RAW, The ], and ]. But they have lost ], ], ] (w/ ], in a package deal), ], and current World Heavyweight Champion ] to the draft. | |||
In September 2023, USA Network announced that ''SmackDown'' would return to the network in October 2024 after the expiration of its contract with ]; it was concurrently reported that the rights to ''Raw'' and ''NXT'' were on the market with heavy interest among linear networks and digital properties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2023-09-21 |title=WWE's 'Smackdown' to Move From Fox to USA Network in New Rights Deal |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/wwes-smackdown-usa-network-2024-1235730831/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |work=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2023-09-21 |title=WWE 'SmackDown' Leaving Fox for USA Next Year, as 'Raw' Hits the Market |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/wwe-smackdown-leaving-fox-usa-network-raw-1235595545/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> | |||
On January 23, 2024, ] announced that ] would acquire the rights to ''Raw'' beginning in January 2025, in what was reported to be a 10-year deal worth $500 million per-year (roughly double the value of WWE's current agreement with NBCUniversal). The agreement will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, with other territories to be added in the future. The agreement also gives Netflix rights to all WWE programming outside of the United States (replacing WWE Network), including weekly shows, archive content, and live events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2024-01-23 |title=Netflix Gets In The Ring, Locking Up WWE's 'Monday Night Raw' In 10-Year, $5B-Plus Deal For Longtime TV Staple |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/netflix-wwe-monday-night-raw-streaming-tv-1235801673/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sherman |first1=Alex |last2=Pramuk |first2=Jacob |date=2024-01-23 |title=Netflix to stream WWE's Raw starting next year in its biggest jump into live entertainment |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/23/netflix-to-stream-wwes-raw-starting-next-year.html |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2024-01-23 |title=Netflix, WWE Strike Deal to Move 'Monday Night Raw' to Streamer Beginning in 2025 for $500 Million per Year |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-wwe-monday-night-raw-deal-january-2025-1235882820/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=Variety}}</ref> While USA Network's contract for ''Raw'' was to expire in October 2024, WWE reached a short-term extension of its agreement with NBCUniversal to keep ''Raw'' on the network through the end of the year. From October 7 through December 30, ''Raw'' will be shortened from three to two hours; wrestling reporter ] stated that this was a request made by USA Network.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2024-05-08 |title=WWE ‘Monday Night Raw’ To Stay On USA Network Through Year-End Before Netflix Shift; Rights Extension With NBCU Valued At $25M |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/wwe-raw-nbcuniversal-extension-netflix-usa-network-1235909114/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=2024-09-10 |title=WWE Raw to be two hours starting October 7th through December 30th on USA Network |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/09/09/wwe-raw-to-be-two-hours-starting-october-7th-through-december-30th-on-usa-network/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |work=POST Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-10 |title=Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE Raw recap & shift to two hours, UFC Sphere debut, Kuniyaki Kobayashi passes away |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/podcasts/wrestling-observer-radio/wrestling-observer-radio-raw-ufc-at-the-globe-kobayashi-death-raw-to-two-hours-more/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=F4W/WON}}</ref> | |||
The current ''RAW'' championships are listed below. | |||
== Production == | |||
==Current RAW championships== | |||
{{more citations needed|section|date=April 2023}} | |||
] | |||
''Raw''{{'}}s original set featured red, white, and blue ring-ropes, a blue ring-apron, blue steps, and a small stage made of neon light tubes. In 1995, the entrance way was changed to feature "Raw" in giant letters. Beginning on March 10, 1997, broadcasts of ''Raw'' were split into two hour-long blocks, each given its own name for ]. The first hour was referred to as ''Raw Is War'', and the second became known as ''War Zone''. These changes were reflected in television listings and, beginning with the June 9, 1997 episode, by the show's on-screen graphics. ''War Zone'' initially opened with a repeat of the Raw intro, punctuated with the War Zone logo. On November 24, 1997, the hour received its own distinct opening video, a remixed version of the typical Raw opening. | |||
In 1997, the WWF changed the color of the ring-ropes to red and began printing ''Raw Is War'' along the ring in reference to their ] with ]. The stages was updated to feature a 70-foot tall large screen video wall known as the "]", which consisted of a ] with several ]es and a ]. The set also initially featured ] on each side with truss beams and lighting later bearing the "WWF Attitude" banner on the sides. By 1999, the WWF placed a "WWF.com: 'Download This!'" logo on the bottom of the TitanTron and added two vertical sides on the stage along with a USA Network logo on top of the TitanTron. | |||
{| border="1" cellpadding="1" | |||
|'''Championship notes:''' | |||
''Raw'' moved to ] from ] beginning with the September 25, 2000 episode. The TNN network logo was added atop the TitanTron on the December 11, 2000 episode. ] graphics were added to the bottom beginning with the July 2, 2001 episode. | |||
|'''Current champion(s)''' | |||
Beginning October 1, 2001, in direct response to the ], the first hour was referred to as ''Raw'' instead of ''Raw Is War'', and the second hour was rebranded from the ''War Zone'' to the ''Raw Zone'' within the show's on-screen graphics. The Monday Night War had ended months earlier with the WWF's purchase of the competing WCW brand. '']'', which had once gone head-to-head with ''Raw'', aired its final show in March. WWF announcers began generally referring to the entire two-hour block as ''Raw'' on-air. ''Raw'' updated to a new, industrial-inspired, ]-shaped TitanTron in 2002. Ring apron lettering that had once born ''Raw Is War'' slogan was replaced with an advertisement for the WWF website. Around this time, black ring-ropes were occasionally used. Like the previous set, the TNN logo was relocated to the bottom side of the TitanTron. It was subsequently replaced by the ] logo on August 11, 2003, upon network relaunch. During the July 25, 2005 broadcast of ''Raw'' in ], ], a special stage design was built for the ]-] Battle of the Bands concert. | |||
The 2002 set was designed by Production Designer Jason Robinson. It featured a larger TitanTron with dimensions of 55 feet wide by 25 feet tall. The expanded structure weighed about 4,000 pounds and requiring three 18,000-watt projector screens to power itself. According to ] on a 2003 episode of '']'', the show utilized 13 cameras at the time at a cost of $85,000. | |||
On October 3, 2005, as ''Raw'' returned to USA Network, the 2002 set was retained but the beams and lighting on the sides were modified. The Spike TV logo was removed from the bottom side of the TitanTron. On October 9, 2006, the show debuted a new logo and opening intro featuring "]" by ] as its theme song. This logo and intro were retained until November 9, 2009, a period that also saw the changeover to broadcasting ''Raw'' in ], which occurred on January 21, 2008. | |||
From November 16, 2009, to July 16, 2012, the theme song for the ''Raw'' brand was "]" by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/3242484/nickelbackrawtheme|access-date=2009-11-09|title=Nickelback and WWE team up for new Raw theme|publisher=WWE|archive-date=November 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112014658/http://www.wwe.com/subscriptions/wwetunes/3242484/nickelbackrawtheme|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to this, the theme song for ''Raw'' was "]" by ], which had been used since October 9, 2006 and "Across The Nation" by ] which was used from April 1, 2002, to October 2, 2006. The rap outro of "]" featuring ] of ] was the theme song from March 31, 1997, to March 25, 2002. | |||
On May 17, 2012, WWE and USA Network announced that ''Raw'' would switch to a permanent three-hour format beginning with the 1,000th episode on July 23, 2012.<ref name="3hoursperm">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/raw-expands-to-three-hours|publisher=]|title=Raw expands to three hours starting July 30|date=May 17, 2012|access-date=2012-05-17|archive-date=April 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420192249/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/raw-expands-to-three-hours|url-status=live}}</ref> Since then, all three hours of the broadcast have been known solely as ''Raw'', though they are still considered three separate programs for Nielsen ratings purposes (as indicated by the on-screen copyright notice shown near the end of each hour). In 2010, WWE retired the red ropes for ''Raw'' after thirteen years for an all white scheme, which in 2012 became standard for all WWE programming. In 2012, ''Raw'' updated their HD set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehd|title='Redefining' television with WWE HD|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=].com|publisher=]|first=Corey|last=Clayton|archive-date=May 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525140115/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wwehd|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Beginning in mid-2014, this set would also be featured in ]. From late September through the end of October 2012, the middle rope at all WWE programming was changed to pink due to WWE's alliance with the ] organization for ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ww5.komen.org/wwe/|title=BUSINESSES THAT ARE HELPING END BREAST CANCER FOREVER. WWE®|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=/ww5.komen.org|archive-date=July 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722173615/http://ww5.komen.org/wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> This was repeated in 2013, from late September to early November, and it was repeated in 2014 from September 29. WWE is one of many organizations who provide financial contributions to the organization in addition to raising awareness among its employees and consumers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.wwe.com/hope/news/wwe-goes-pink-susan-g-komen|title=WWE goes pink with Susan G. Komen|access-date=August 2, 2015|work=community.wwe.com|publisher=]|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915045416/https://community.wwe.com/hope/news/wwe-goes-pink-susan-g-komen|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On August 18, 2014, ''Raw'' switched to a full 16:9 letterbox widescreen presentation, with a down-scaled version of the native HD feed on a 4:3 SD feed. In conjunction with this, ''Raw'' updated its graphics package, with the new WWE logo (first used with the WWE Network's launch in February) now on the lower-right corner of the screen, right next to the word, "Live". At this time, the new WWE logo began appearing on the ring's turnbuckle covers, and USA Network logo moved to the lower-left hand corner of the screen. Additionally, ''Raw''{{'}}s theme song ("The Night") was modified. | |||
On March 23, 2015, WWE added a small ] board to the left side of the ring on ''Raw''. This LED board was also used at ]. The LED board has since been featured on a sporadic basis, appearing in some weeks and being absent in others. On the ], "The Night" by Kromestatik debuted as the theme for ''Raw''. "Energy" by ] served as the secondary theme-song until August 18, 2014, when it was replaced with "Denial" by ].<ref name="2012Theme">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wwe-night-monday-night-raw/id585683196|title=WWE: The Night (Monday Night Raw Official Theme Song) – Single|publisher=]|access-date=2012-12-10|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109110846/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wwe-night-monday-night-raw/id585683196|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On the September 14, 2015 season premiere of ''Raw'', the middle rope was colored gold. Throughout the month of October 2015, the program once again partnered with ] to promote ], with various stage elements being made pink.<ref name="October 2015">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/wwe-goes-pink-with-susan-g-komen|title=WWE GOES PINK WITH SUSAN G. KOMEN|access-date=October 12, 2015|work=].com|publisher=]|date=October 1, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011035741/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/wwe-goes-pink-with-susan-g-komen|archive-date=October 11, 2015}}</ref> On the November 16, 2015, episode of ''Raw'', WWE had a moment of silence for the victims of the ] in ], France, on November 13, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/642609-wwe-raw-results-111615|title=WWE RAW Results LIVE IN PROGRESS, JOIN THE DISCUSSION, USE #WRESTLEZONE|access-date=November 16, 2015|date=November 16, 2015|first=Lovell|last=Porter|work=Wrestle Zone|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013045/http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/642609-wwe-raw-results-111615|url-status=live}}</ref> Another moment of silence was held months later in June for the victims of the ]. | |||
On July 25, 2016, the ropes returned to red, the announce table moved back to the top of the stage for the first time since 2005, and a new HD set and graphics were debuted. The new set was almost identical to the set used for ] ] and ]. After some fans responded negatively to the redesign, the set was revamped four weeks later with a more elaborate and distinctive arrangement. The new set featured the absence of a traditional TitanTron, which had been part of the ''Raw'' staging since 1997. In its place was a curved LED banner with several rows of rectangle LED lights behind it. The new set also introduced LED floor panels on the entrance ramp along with LED ring posts. On the January 29, 2018 episode of Raw, new graphics and an updated logo were introduced, which lasted until September 23, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Giri|first1=Raj|title=WWE RAW Logo Revamped (Photos), New RAW Theme Song On Its Way? - WrestlingInc.com|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0129/636482/new-wwe-raw-logo-and-theme-song-debuting-tonight/|website=WrestlingInc.com|date=January 29, 2018 |language=en|access-date=February 3, 2018|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000103/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0129/636482/new-wwe-raw-logo-and-theme-song-debuting-tonight/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] on August 19, 2024]] | |||
In September 2021, the ring-ropes changed color from red to white, which was also reflected on ''SmackDown''. On November 22 of that year, an updated version of the 2019 logo was introduced, alongside new graphics. The theme song was changed to "Greatness" by Vo Williams, which remained its theme song until November 20, 2023, when it was changed to "Born to Be" by def rebel, the artist behind WWE's music input for its programming, which is performed by Supreme Madness. Bumper themes included "Survival", "Eye of an Warrior" and "Legacy". | |||
In February 2022, ''Raw'' and '']'' temporarily moved to ] in the United States due to USA Network broadcasting coverage of the ]. A similar arrangement occurred in August 2024 for the ]. | |||
=== Theme music === | |||
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%" | |||
|- | |- | ||
!Song title | |||
|] <sup>1</sup> | |||
!Written and/or performed by | |||
|]<sup></sup> | |||
!Dates used | |||
!Ref | |||
|- | |- | ||
|"Monday Night Raw" | |||
|] <sup>2</sup> | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|January 11, 1993 – March 3, 1997 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR">{{cite web|url=http://nerdsontherocks.com/wwfwwe-monday-night-raw-warzone-1000th-episode-celebration/|title=WWF/WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW IS WAR(ZONE) 1000TH EPISODE CELEBRATION|work=nerdsontherocks.com|last=Rufus|first=Earl|date=July 22, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=April 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412084052/http://nerdsontherocks.com/wwfwwe-monday-night-raw-warzone-1000th-episode-celebration/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/2|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518233044/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/2|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
|"Raw" | |||
|] <sup>3</sup> | |||
|Jim Johnston | |||
|] | |||
|1993–1995 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/3|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316030208/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/3|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |- | ||
|"]" | |||
|] <sup>4</sup> | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|March 10, 1997 – March 24, 1997 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref name="Dilbert">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/18|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317032313/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/18|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|WWE Superstars & Slam Jam | |||
|March 31, 1997 – March 25, 2002 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/6|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513025723/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ThornInYourEye|title=Thorn In Your Eye|work=archive.org|access-date=May 16, 2015}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"We're All Together Now" | |||
|WWE Superstars & Slam Jam | |||
|March 31, 1997 – March 25, 2002 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/7|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513000405/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/7|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|April 1, 2002 – October 2, 2006 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/8|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316030940/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/8|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|October 9, 2006 – November 9, 2009 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/9|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927022743/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x92xgm_monday-night-raw-papa-roach-to-be-l_sport|title=Monday Night RAW / papa Roach To be Loved|work=dailymotion.com|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924142847/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x92xgm_monday-night-raw-papa-roach-to-be-l_sport|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|November 16, 2009 – July 16, 2012 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/10|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=November 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129201936/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14e3eh_nickelback-burn-it-to-the-ground-theme-song-from-wwe-raw_music|title=Nickelback – Burn It To The Ground (Theme song from WWE-RAW)|work=dailymotion.com|date=September 8, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034107/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14e3eh_nickelback-burn-it-to-the-ground-theme-song-from-wwe-raw_music|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|July 23, 2012 (only used for '']'') | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/11|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926225858/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/11|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11jx7a_wwe-raw-theme-song-2013-tonight-is-the-night_music|title=wwe raw theme song 2013 Tonight is the Night|work=dailymotion.com|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013214/http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11jx7a_wwe-raw-theme-song-2013-tonight-is-the-night_music|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"The Night"{{ref|1|1}} | |||
|] (Kromestatik) | |||
|July 23, 2012 – July 18, 2016 | |||
|<ref name="NOTR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/12|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927045808/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/12|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Night">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/13|title=WWE Monday Night Raw: Ranking the Show's Theme Songs & Opening Montages|work=bleacherreport.com|last=Dilbert|first=Ryan|date=July 19, 2012|access-date=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527210709/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264513-wwe-monday-night-raw-ranking-the-shows-theme-songs-opening-montages/page/13|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|July 25, 2016 – January 22, 2018 | |||
|<ref name="Enemies">{{cite web|url=http://heavy.com/games/2016/07/wwe-monday-night-raw-new-theme-song-into-what-is-enemies-shinedown/|title=WATCH: WWE Debuts New 'Monday Night Raw' Theme Song|work=]|first=Brendan|last=Morrow|location=]|date=July 25, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=July 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727163917/http://heavy.com/games/2016/07/wwe-monday-night-raw-new-theme-song-into-what-is-enemies-shinedown/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|January 22, 2018 (only used for '']'') | |||
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/01/22/monday-night-raw-25-anniversary-opening-montage-wwe|title=WWE Releases Special Opening Montage That Will Open "Monday Night Raw's" 25th Anniversary Show|author=Jimmy Traina|website=]|date=2018-01-22|access-date=2024-06-22}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|Papa Roach | |||
|January 29, 2018 – September 23, 2019 | |||
|<ref>{{cite tweet|number=960630393580990464|user=WWE|title=The sound of #RAW is reborn. "Born For Greatness" by @paparoach is an #OfficialThemeSong for Monday Night #Raw!}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|September 30, 2019 – October 12, 2020 | |||
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-reveals-new-logos-graphics-and-theme-songs-for-raw-and-smackdown-shows/|title=WWE reveals new logos, graphics and theme songs for Raw and SmackDown shows|date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924033255/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-reveals-new-logos-graphics-and-theme-songs-for-raw-and-smackdown-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] | |||
|October 19, 2020 – November 15, 2021 | |||
|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Staff|first1=PWMania com|title=LIVE WWE RAW RESULTS COVERAGE IN PROGRESS|url=https://www.pwmania.com/wwe-raw-results-october-19-2020|website=PWMania|access-date=20 October 2020|date=20 October 2020|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020173607/https://www.pwmania.com/wwe-raw-results-october-19-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"Greatness" | |||
|Vo Williams | |||
|November 22, 2021 – November 13, 2023 | |||
|<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1463677513733787651|last=Williams|first=Vo|user=thisisvo|title=I'm proud to announce that 'Greatness' is now the Official Theme Song for @WWE Raw this season. #WWERaw #Greatness #MondayNightRaw}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|"]" | |||
|] & ] | |||
|January 23, 2023 (only used for '']'') | |||
|<ref name="I'm Good">{{cite tweet|author=]|user=WWE|number=1617681085717962752|title=Down for the ride? "I'm Good (Blue)" by @DavidGuetta & @BebeRexha is an official theme song of #RAWXXX!|date=January 23, 2023|access-date=January 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124035920/https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1617681085717962752|archive-date=January 24, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|'''"Born to Be"'''{{ref|2|2}} | |||
|] | |||
|November 20, 2023 – December 30, 2024 | |||
|<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1736823645417164892|user=WWEMusic|title=The moment of your life. Listen to the @WWE RAW theme "Born To Be" on your favorite music service: https://linktr.ee/wwemusic}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|]{{ref|3|3}} | |||
|] | |||
|''beginning January 6, 2025'' | |||
|<ref>https://thesource.com/2024/11/19/travis-scott-to-appear-on-wwes-monday-night-raw-netflix-debut/</ref> | |||
|} | |} | ||
# {{note|1}} A remixed version was released on August 18, 2014. | |||
# {{note|2}} Bold song titles are currently being used as the opening theme. | |||
# {{note|3}} Future theme song. | |||
== Name-related lawsuits == | |||
<sup>1</sup>: This is the original WWE (WWF) World Heavyweight Championship. It is currently on the RAW brand after current champion, John Cena, was ] from ] on ], ]<br> | |||
The name for ''Raw'' was disputed in June 2009 when Muscle Flex Inc., a ]-based fitness company, had taken legal action against the WWE after a court ruled that some of WWE's trademarks related to ''Raw'' were similar enough to the ''In the Raw'' trademark that they caused confusion among ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insidepulse.com/2009/06/29/wwe-may-be-sued-over-raw-trademark/|title=WWE May Be Sued Over Raw Trademark In Canada|work=Inside Pulse|date=June 29, 2009|first=Brad|last=Curren|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208191849/http://insidepulse.com/2009/06/29/wwe-may-be-sued-over-raw-trademark/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 18, 2008, the ] then issued a final decision that found certain wares listed in the trademark application from WWE (No. 1,153,018) were confusingly similar and thus lacked distinctiveness from the Muscle Flex trademark, which Muscle Flex is in the process of acquiring. The WWE appealed the CIPO's ruling to the ], but failed to file the required documents by the deadline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/muscle-flex-claims-victory-over-world-wrestling-entertainment-wwe-raw-trademark-dispute-1221525.htm|title=Muscle Flex Claims Victory Over the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) "RAW" Trademark Dispute in Canada|work=Marketwire|date=June 16, 2009|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208170816/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/muscle-flex-claims-victory-over-world-wrestling-entertainment-wwe-raw-trademark-dispute-1221525.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
<sup>2</sup>: This is the original WWE Tag-Team Championship. <br> | |||
<sup>3</sup>: This is the original WWE Women's Championship.<br> | |||
<sup>4</sup>: The original WWE Intercontinental Championship; was discontinued on ], 2002 until ], ], when it was reintroduced by ] at ] ].<br> | |||
In August 2009, the court ruled in favor of Muscle Flex, Inc. that it was successful in defending its ''In the Raw'' trademark against the WWE. In a press release date issued on July 20, 2009, Muscle Flex Inc. disclosed that it was in possession of WWE ''Raw''-labeled items that it believes directly infringe on its ''In the Raw'' trademark such as various CDs, ], and a number of apparel items. According to the WWE's most recent reported financial quarter in 2009, combined sales of WWE's consumer products and digital media business segments produced $40 million in global revenues. In previous quarters, these numbers were even higher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/Muscle-Flex-Inc-Completes-Acquisition-In-Raw-Trademark-After-Successfully-Defeating-1211239.htm|title=Muscle Flex Inc. Completes the Acquisition of the "In the Raw(R)" Trademark After Successfully Defeating the WWE's1,153,018 in Federal Appeals Court Ending a Multi-Year Dispute in Canada|work=Marketwire|date=August 17, 2009|access-date=December 7, 2015|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208231427/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/Muscle-Flex-Inc-Completes-Acquisition-In-Raw-Trademark-After-Successfully-Defeating-1211239.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Mini-Programs on RAW== | |||
*] (with Chris Jericho) | |||
*] (with Calito) | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] (with Rowdy Roddy Piper) (occasional) | |||
Similarly, in June 2017, the WWE issued a legal order to Raw Motors, an automobile repair company in ], UK, over a logo that it claims infringes on one of its logos for ''Raw'' that was used from 2006 to 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jarram |first1=Matt |title=Notts business owner prepared to rumble with WWE wrestler to settle legal dispute |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/notts-business-owner-prepared-to-rumble-with-wwe-wrestler-to-settle-legal-dispute/story-30394147-detail/story.html |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=] |publisher=] |date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619150832/https://www.nottinghampost.com/notts-business-owner-prepared-to-rumble-with-wwe-wrestler-to-settle-legal-dispute/story-30394147-detail/story.html |archive-date=19 June 2017 |location=], ]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jarram |first1=Matt |title=Let's sort this out in the ring! Midland business boss's response to a legal challenge by global wrestling brand over logo design |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/let's+sort+this+out+in+the+ring!+Midland+business+boss's+response+to...-a0496708624 |access-date=25 July 2021 |work=] |agency=] |publisher=] |date=25 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410215409/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/let's+sort+this+out+in+the+ring!+Midland+business+boss's+response+to...-a0496708624 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |location=], ] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==RAW roster== | |||
<!--NOTE: Please do not post roster changes if they have not yet aired on TV--> | |||
===Current RAW general manager(s)=== | |||
*] (], ] - ) | |||
== Special episodes == | |||
===Current RAW wrestlers=== | |||
{{Main|List of WWE Raw special episodes}} | |||
Throughout its broadcast history, the show has aired episodes that have different themes. Some of them are yearly events such as the ]s. Others include tributes to various professional wrestlers who have recently died or retired from actively performing, as well as episodes commemorating various show milestones or anniversaries such as ], which celebrated the 1000th broadcast. Raw also celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on RAW IS XXX on January 23, 2023. | |||
== |
==Roster== | ||
{{Main|List of WWE personnel}} | |||
<!---Please do not post roster changes until they air on TV.---> | |||
The wrestlers featured on WWE take part in scripted ] and ]. Wrestlers are portrayed as ], ], or ] in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match. | |||
{| border="0" | |||
| valign="top" | | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
<!---Lakes and anyone else, dont add Hogan's name. He didnt sign a contact and if he did tell me so I can confirm his contract signing---> | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
| valign="top" | | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
|} | |||
The primary commentators for ''Raw'' are ] and ]. Additional commentary has been provided by ], ], ], ], ] and others since its creation. | |||
==== Female ==== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== |
== Broadcast == | ||
In the United States, the show airs ] every Monday at 8 p.m. ] on USA Network. Occasionally, ''Raw'' is aired on same-day tape delay when WWE is on an overseas tour. ''Raw'' is also shown ] on ] in the ] and ],<ref>{{cite news |title=NXT and NXT UK join Raw and SmackDown on BT Sport, the new UK home of the WWE |url=https://sport.bt.com/wwe/nxt-and-nxt-uk-join-raw-and-smackdown-on-bt-sport-the-new-uk-home-of-the-wwe-S11364421557178 |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=] |date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103041702/https://sport.bt.com/wwe/nxt-and-nxt-uk-join-raw-and-smackdown-on-bt-sport-the-new-uk-home-of-the-wwe-S11364421557178 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |quote=NXT and NXT UK join Raw and SmackDown on BT Sport, the exclusive live broadcaster of the WWE's flagship programming in the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 1 January 2020.}}</ref> in a deal which began January 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=WWE and BT Sports announce new partnership |url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2019/06-20-2019 |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=] |date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416154314/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2019/06-20-2019 |archive-date=16 April 2020 |location=], England |quote=WWE® (NYSE: WWE) and BT Sport today announced a new multi-year exclusive pay TV agreement that will make WWE's weekly flagship programming available live in the U.K. and Ireland on BT Sport beginning January 2020.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=De Menezes |first1=Jack |title=BT Sport secure WWE rights from rivals Sky Sports |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-bt-sport-sky-sports-tv-coverage-broadcast-rights-raw-smackdown-live-box-office-how-much-does-it-cost-a8966836.html |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=] |date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108000449/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-bt-sport-sky-sports-tv-coverage-broadcast-rights-raw-smackdown-live-box-office-how-much-does-it-cost-a8966836.html |archive-date=8 November 2020 |quote=BT Sport have landed the exclusive rights to show the WWE in the United Kingdom and Ireland, meaning that every pay-per-view event will be shown on BT Sport Box Office from 1 January 2020 along with Raw and Smackdown Live.}}</ref> ''Raw'' airs live in India at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays on ] 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php?01-05-Powell-s-WWE-Raw-Live-Review-Dean-Ambrose-vs.-Bray-Wyatt-in-an-ambulance-match-The-Authority-back-in-power-Royal-Rumble-build-continues-first-Raw-of-2015-40364|title=01/05 Powell's WWE Raw Live Review: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt in an ambulance match, The Authority back in power, Royal Rumble build continues, first Raw of 2015|work=prowrestling.net|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106222537/http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php?01-05-Powell-s-WWE-Raw-Live-Review-Dean-Ambrose-vs.-Bray-Wyatt-in-an-ambulance-match-The-Authority-back-in-power-Royal-Rumble-build-continues-first-Raw-of-2015-40364|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/wwe-monday-night-raw-preview-5-january-2015|title=WWE Monday Night Raw Preview: 5 January, 2015|author=Renjith Ravindran|work=sportskeeda.com|date=January 4, 2015|access-date=January 6, 2015|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106232407/http://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/wwe-monday-night-raw-preview-5-january-2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SonyRebranding">{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-rebrands-sports-business-launches-2-new-hd-channels/articleshow/59651869.cms |title=Sony Pictures Sports Network rebrands TEN Sports channels |work=The Economic Times |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721172333/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/sony-rebrands-sports-business-launches-2-new-hd-channels/articleshow/59651869.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Since October 6, 2014, ''Raw'' has been airing live throughout ] on ].<ref name="Fox"/> Currently, Raw is broadcast live on ESPN 4 for Central America and on Fox Sports 2 in South America, in Mexico it is broadcast on Fox Sports, in Argentina on Fox Sports 3, in Chile on Fox Sports 1 and in Brazil on Fox Sports 2 and ESPN Extra, (also available on ] for Central and South America).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welschen |first=Dario |date=2022-08-19 |title=La WWE aterriza en STAR+ con sus eventos emblemáticos |url=https://espnpressroom.com/latinamerica/press-releases/2022/08/la-wwe-aterriza-en-star-con-sus-eventos-emblematicos/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=ESPN Press Room Latin America South |language=es}}</ref> The show also airs live on Supersport in South Africa on Tuesdays at 02:00 am CAT. ''Raw'' had aired in Australia on ] since 2003, usually on a 27-hour tape delay, but has started airing live as of February 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/01/wwe-raw-goes-live-on-fox8.html|title=WWE Raw goes Live on FOX8|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2014-01-23|access-date=2014-01-31|archive-date=January 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127162307/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/01/wwe-raw-goes-live-on-fox8.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] in the United States started airing a 2-hour replay of ''Raw'' on May 20, 2016. On June 26, 2018, WWE and USA Network announced a five-year contract extension for ''Raw''. The new agreement for the live, weekly three-hour block commenced in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/monday-night-raw-and-usa-network-extend-long-standing-partnership|title=Monday Night Raw and USA Network extend long-standing partnership|work=]|access-date=July 9, 2018|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041039/https://www.wwe.com/article/monday-night-raw-and-usa-network-extend-long-standing-partnership|url-status=live}}</ref> Clips from some WWE shows have also been shown on Fox Sports.com.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/tag/wwe|title=WWE|access-date=October 31, 2020|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102023828/https://www.foxsports.com/tag/wwe|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
=== Online streaming === | |||
* ] (sent to ] for seasoning) | |||
On September 24, 2012, ] signed a multi-year deal with WWE to stream all of the company's TV shows and some of its web series which includes ''Raw''. Episodes of ''Raw'' are available for viewing the following day as a condensed 90-minute version is available, not the full version as shown the previous night on USA Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/hulu-plus-pacts-with-wwe-1118059700/|title=Hulu Plus pacts with WWE|access-date=August 15, 2015|publisher=]|work=]|date=September 24, 2012|first=Marc|last=Graser|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040919/https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/hulu-plus-pacts-with-wwe-1118059700/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
* ] (injured; ruptured left patellar tendon) | |||
* ] (supposedly released in "]", but made on-air appearance as part of apparent ] angle with Edge and Lita.) | |||
* ] (sent to ] for seasoning) | |||
* ] (injured but still playing an on-air role in backstage segments) | |||
* ] (]: hurt by ]; actually has a ]) | |||
* ] (returning soon; still inactive) | |||
As of December 9, 2016, all episodes of ''Raw'' are available on demand on the WWE Network. Recent episodes are available for on-demand viewing 30 days after their original air date.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goldman|first=Eric|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/09/06/wwe-network-coming-in-2012|title=WWE Network coming in 2012|date=September 6, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2015|publisher=IGN|archive-date=March 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309223809/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/09/06/wwe-network-coming-in-2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/wwenetwork/wwe-network-outside-united-states-26533843|title=WWE Network available outside of the U.S. starting Aug. 12|date=July 31, 2014|access-date=August 15, 2015|work=].com|publisher=]|archive-date=July 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724210559/http://www.wwe.com/wwenetwork/wwe-network-outside-united-states-26533843|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Current RAW non-wrestlers/managers=== | |||
After ] in 2016, WWE began with airing the newest episodes of Raw and ] on ] for countries that do not air WWE programming on traditional TV for free in less than 24 hours after the original broadcast (The links are blocked in countries where the shows are traditionally available). The 90-minute Hulu version gets put on YouTube for international audiences. | |||
* ] ''(General Manager)'' | |||
* ] ''(Backstage Interviewer)'' | |||
* ] ''(Manager of ])'' | |||
Starting January 6, 2025, ''Raw'' will be exclusively be streamed on Netflix in most countries. | |||
===Referees=== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
=== |
=== Canada === | ||
From 1995 to 2006, ''Raw'' was shown on ] (TSN) until it moved to rival sports broadcaster The Score (now renamed ]) after it was announced that TSN would be carrying '']'' for the 2006 season. This meant that Canadian viewers would have to watch via tape-delay, as The Score did not broadcast ''Raw'' live at that time. Around that time, The Score aired ''Countdown to Raw'' until May 2013 when ''Raw'' is shown live to match the United States airtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thescore.ca/scoretv/programs.aspx?progID=114|title=WWE Raw on FOX8|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Canada |title=WWE Canada Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608172957/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Canada |archive-date=June 8, 2009 }}</ref> It was also shown on ] in Barrie and ] in Quebec until 2009. | |||
* ] ''(Spanish-language play-by-play commentator)'' | |||
* ] ''(Heat play-by-play commentator/wrestler)'' | |||
* ] ''(Ring announcer)'' | |||
* ] ''(Ring announcer)'' | |||
* ] ''(WWE Experience co-host, backstage interviewer)'' | |||
* ] ''(WWE Experience co-host/HEAT commentator)'' | |||
* ] ''(RAW color commentator/occasional wrestler)'' | |||
* ] ''(RAW play-by-play commentator)'' | |||
* ] ''(Spanish-language color commentator)'' | |||
During its run on TSN, which aired ], Raw occasionally had been censored live for extremely violent scenes, or when female wrestlers or ] were assaulted by male wrestlers (particularly one segment that featured the ] assaulting Kitana Baker). These actions are supposed to be in order to meet Canadian broadcast standards, with ] often more ]. This move had disappointed many wrestling fans over the years, and is unusual since the violence of wrestling scenes are not significantly different from other television programs aired on regular Canadian networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2004/040720A.php |title=CANADIAN BROADCAST STANDARDS COUNCIL NATIONAL SPECIALTY SERVICES PANEL TSN re an episode of WWE |work=cbsc.ca |publisher=] |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521224601/http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2004/040720A.php |archive-date=May 21, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2004/040720Aappendix.pdf |title=TSN re an episode of WWE (CBSC Decision 02/03-1656, May 11, 2004) |work=cbsc.ca |publisher=] |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711055113/http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2004/040720Aappendix.pdf |archive-date=July 11, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
===Previous general managers/"owners"=== | |||
* ] (], ]-], ]) | |||
* ] (co-general manager) | |||
* ] (co-general manager) | |||
* ] (], ]) | |||
* ] (], ]) | |||
* ] (], ]) | |||
* ] (], ]) | |||
* ] (], ]) | |||
Note: The last four had a one-time-only opportunity at General Manager when their team won at ] 2004, while full-time General Manager ] was on holiday. | |||
Due to Rogers holding the rights to the ], ''Raw'' also aired on its ] channel (now Bravo).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/wwe/article/how-to-watch-monday-night-raw-on-april-25-may-2-may-9/|title=How to watch Monday Night Raw on April 25, May 2 & May 9|work=].ca|date=April 24, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425091745/https://www.sportsnet.ca/wwe/article/how-to-watch-monday-night-raw-on-april-25-may-2-may-9/|url-status=live}}</ref> All archived broadcasts of ''Raw'' are available on the ]. ] secured the rights to Canadian WWE programming until 2024, after which in January 2025 the rights go to ]. | |||
===Former RAW Superstars=== | |||
=== The Middle East === | |||
{{see|List of previous RAW wrestlers}} | |||
''Raw'' airs live in the ] region on ] streaming platform Tuesday mornings, and later on the same day, a one-hour version airs on ] at 8 PM ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/03-23-2022|title=WWE® & MBC GROUP ANNOUNCE MAJOR BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP IN MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA|access-date=2022-03-23|publisher=]|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326000240/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2022/03-23-2022|url-status=live}}</ref> It also airs on FM1 in Iran and<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schedules.wwe.com/schedules/television/iran.html|title=Iran|access-date=May 16, 2010|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="Ten Sport Schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.tensports.com/tvschedule/|title=Sony TEN TV Schedule|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=March 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304065059/https://www.sonypicturessportsnetwork.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> on ] and ] in Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Israel|title=WWE Israel Scheduling|access-date=August 21, 2009|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616145639/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Israel|archive-date=June 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport1.co.il/?q=schedule|title=Sport 1 Schedule|access-date=August 21, 2009|publisher=]|language=he|archive-date=August 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818202443/http://www.sport1.co.il/?q=schedule|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Raw'' further began airing on S Sport and S Sport Plus in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/turkey |title=Show Listings – Turkey |work=] |access-date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521091603/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/turkey |archive-date=May 21, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
=== Europe === | |||
In Germany, ''Raw'' airs live and is on-demand on the Website of ], only for Bild+ Subscribers and with German commentary on ] every Wednesday at 10pm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/3_13_14.jsp|title=WWE and Prosiebensat.1 Announce Multi-Platform Partnership|publisher=]|access-date=April 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407082525/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/3_13_14.jsp|archive-date=April 7, 2014}}</ref> In Belgium, ''Raw'' airs on ] (in French) and on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Belgium|title=WWE Belgium Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612234025/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Belgium|archive-date=June 12, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ab3.be/guide-programmes/sport-Catch-RAW-285.aspx|title=''WWE Raw'' on AB3|access-date=October 9, 2009|publisher=]|language=nl, fr, de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922235125/http://www.ab3.be/guide-programmes/sport-Catch-RAW-285.aspx|archive-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> | |||
In Czech Republic, ''Raw'' airs on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Czech%20Republic|title=WWE Czech republic Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626063800/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Czech%20Republic|archive-date=June 26, 2009}}</ref> | |||
In France, ''Raw'' airs on ] every Wednesday with French commentary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/France |title=WWE France Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609064137/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/France |archive-date=June 9, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt1.tv/guide-programmes/sport-Catch-RAW-432.aspx|title=WWE Raw Official NT1 Website|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|language=fr|archive-date=August 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823005321/http://www.nt1.tv/guide-programmes/sport-Catch-RAW-432.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In Italy, ''Raw'' airs live on Discovery Plus and with the Italian commentary 7 days after on DMAX. | |||
In Lithuania, ''Raw'' airs on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.btv.lt/laida/132-amerikietiskos-imtynes/3242|title=Amerikietiskos-imtynes|access-date=May 20, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219004944/http://www.btv.lt/laida/132-amerikietiskos-imtynes/3242|archive-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> In Poland, ''Raw'' airs on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Poland|title=WWE Poland Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608211053/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Poland|archive-date=June 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.extremesportschannel.pl/OnTV.aspx|title=Extreme Sports Channel Television schedule|date=August 21, 2009|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207025638/http://www.extremesportschannel.pl/OnTv.aspx|archive-date=December 7, 2009}}</ref> | |||
In Portugal, ''Raw'' airs live on ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://espanol.wwe.com/worldwide/article/pt/wwe-sport-tv-announce-multi-year-agreement|title=WWE e SPORT TV anunciam acordo para transmitir Raw e SmackDown em Portugal|date=October 24, 2017|publisher=]|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025031530/http://espanol.wwe.com/worldwide/article/pt/wwe-sport-tv-announce-multi-year-agreement|url-status=live}}</ref> with Portuguese commentary. In Romania, ''Raw'' airs on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Romania|title=WWE Romania Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613001123/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Romania|archive-date=June 13, 2009}}</ref> | |||
In Russia, there is currently no broadcaster of the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwnews.net/news/2020-01-03-15050|title=WWE returns to Russian television and will be broadcast on the Match TV channel! Fighter|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104053907/https://pwnews.net/news/2020-01-03-15050|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Raw'' previously aired on ] with Russian commentary until 2022, when WWE ceased broadcasting their programs and Premium Live Events in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://matchtv.ru/edinoborstva/matchtvvideo_NI1134469_translation_WWE_Raw|title=WWE RAW on Матч! Боец|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104053939/https://matchtv.ru/edinoborstva/matchtvvideo_NI1134469_translation_WWE_Raw|url-status=live}}</ref> In Serbia, ''Raw'' was airs on ].,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Serbia|title=WWE Serbia Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007082852/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Serbia|archive-date=October 7, 2010}}</ref> like it was airs on ] in ] and on ] in Croatia. | |||
In Spain, ''Raw'' aired on ] every Saturday at 1pm with Spanish commentary.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nieto |first1=Cristina |title=Atresmedia emitirá la programación de 'WWE Raw' y 'SmackDown' en España |url=https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/atresmedia-emitira-programacion-programas-wwe-raw-smackdown-espana-90798/ |website=FormulaTV |access-date=31 October 2019 |language=es |date=29 March 2019 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229064223/https://www.formulatv.com/noticias/atresmedia-emitira-programacion-programas-wwe-raw-smackdown-espana-90798/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ''Raw'' airs live on ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sport.bt.com/news/bt-sport-and-wwe-announce-exclusive-new-tv-partnership-in-multi-year-deal-S11364370135846|title=BT Sport | the Heart of Sport | BT Sport|access-date=June 22, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620204621/https://sport.bt.com/news/bt-sport-and-wwe-announce-exclusive-new-tv-partnership-in-multi-year-deal-S11364370135846|url-status=live}}</ref> with a one-hour version airing on ] every Sunday at 10:30am.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=Channel5Sport |last=Sport |first=Channel 5 |date=January 26, 2020 |number=1221402405167861761 |title=See The #IIconics and more Superstars in the @WWE #RAW highlights, 10.30am starting Sunday 2nd February, on @channel5_tv! |accessdate=January 26, 2020}}</ref> ''Raw'' will move to ] in the United Kingdom beginning in January 2025; it is unknown who will broadcast ''Raw'' in Ireland after TNT Sports loses the rights. | |||
=== Asia and Pacific === | |||
''Raw'' airs live on ] 1 and Sony Ten 1 HD in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal.<ref name="Ten Sport Schedule"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bangladesh |title=WWE Bangladesh Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=October 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704112912/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bangladesh |archive-date=July 4, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Sri%20Lanka|title=WWE Sri Lanka Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=March 9, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202211755/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Sri%20Lanka|archive-date=February 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bhutan|title=WWE Bhutan Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704112917/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Bhutan|archive-date=July 4, 2009}}</ref> It airs on Ten Sport in Pakistan.<ref name="Ten Sport Schedule"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Pakistan |title=WWE Pakistan Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603212138/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Pakistan |archive-date=June 3, 2010 }}</ref> Raw airs on Mola TV On-Demand in Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-03-27 |title=Segera di Mola TV |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PH5A_ldYw |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/mola.sport/2274071041247925808 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In India Raw is aired Live and Replays are available via the ] Service in ] which also provides its own section of ] as a Separate Subscription. | |||
''Raw'' streams live in the Philippines on TAP GO app with a live and encore telecast on ] on the same day and ] in delayed telecast every Sunday nights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Philippines|title=WWE Philippines Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209042142/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Philippines|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs live on Starhub's Hub Sports 2 in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/singapore |title=WWE Singapore Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=December 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531220850/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/singapore |archive-date=May 31, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs on Astro's Sport Plus in Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Astro Content |url=https://content.astro.com.my/ |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=content.astro.com.my |language=en}}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs both live and delayed on ] and Thursday nights on ] as a one-hour version in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox8.tv/shows/raw|title=WWE Raw on Fox8's official Website|publisher=]|access-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525133840/http://www.fox8.tv/shows/raw|archive-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Australia |title=WWE Australia Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628175811/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Australia |archive-date=June 28, 2009 }}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs on ] in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TIMES編集部 |first=ABEMA |date=2023-09-28 |title=「ABEMA」、WWE『RAW』&『SMACKDOWN』を国内独占放送! 中邑真輔「ABEMAでWWE漬けに」 {{!}} 告知 {{!}} ABEMA TIMES {{!}} アベマタイムズ |url=https://times.abema.tv/articles/-/10097209 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=ABEMA TIMES |language=ja}}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs live on ] and Friday nights on ] as a one-hour version in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-sky-new-zealand-extend-partnership|title=WWE and SKY extend long-standing partnership in New Zealand|author=WWE|date=17 December 2018|access-date=28 December 2018|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035153/https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-sky-new-zealand-extend-partnership|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs in ] on various local networks within China<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/china|title=WWE China Scheduling|access-date=December 29, 2011|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110021301/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/china|archive-date=January 10, 2012}}</ref> and ] in Taiwan in both English and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truevisionstv.com/trueworld.aspx?key=WWE&date=0&w=0&chid=0&pk=0&mode=3|title=WWE program schedules in TrueVisions|publisher=]|access-date=June 6, 2010|language=en, th|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717104953/http://www.truevisionstv.com/trueworld.aspx?key=WWE&date=0&w=0&chid=0&pk=0&mode=3|archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> | |||
''Raw'' airs on ] in ], on ] in Pakistan, and on IB Sports in ]. | |||
=== Latin America === | |||
''Raw'' airs live on ] in Mexico<ref name="Fox"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esmas.com/canal5/|title=Canal 5 Website|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405093928/http://www2.esmas.com/canal5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |title=WWE Mexico Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209003431/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Mexico |archive-date=February 9, 2010 }}</ref> and across ] and ].<ref name="Fox">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/2014_9_17.jsp|title=WWE and Fox Sports Latin America Announce Partnership|publisher=]|access-date=October 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018013358/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2014/2014_9_17.jsp|archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espanol.wwe.com/shows/|title=WWE's Spanish Language website|publisher=]|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429042607/http://espanol.wwe.com/shows|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/WWECorporate-2011.02.23.jsp|title=WWE launches in Brazil|publisher=]|access-date=February 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319154140/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/WWECorporate-2011.02.23.jsp|archive-date=March 19, 2011}}</ref> It also airs on ] in Chile,<ref name="WWE's Chile Schedule">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/chile|title=WWE's Chile Schedule|publisher=]|access-date=March 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102154340/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/chile|archive-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lared.cl/programas/mas/wwe|title=La Red Schedule|access-date=March 18, 2013|publisher=]|archive-date=April 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429010135/http://www.lared.cl/programas/mas/wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Unitel in Bolivia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redpat.tv/web%20pat/programacion.php|title=Programacion|access-date=May 16, 2012|publisher=redpat.tv|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511222211/http://www.redpat.tv/web%20pat/programacion.php|archive-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref> ] in Colombia,<ref name="WWE's Chile Schedule"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170808006495/en/WWE%C2%AE-Canal-1-Announce-Agreement-Televise-Raw%C2%AE|title=WWE® and Canal 1 Announce Agreement to Televise Raw® and SmackDown® in Colombia|date=August 8, 2017|access-date=August 8, 2017|publisher=]|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808224559/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170808006495/en/WWE%C2%AE-Canal-1-Announce-Agreement-Televise-Raw%C2%AE|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://watchwrestling2k.com/watch-wwe-smackdown-live-92518/|title=WWE® and Canal 1 Announce Agreement to Televise Raw® and SmackDown LIVE® in Colombia|access-date=August 8, 2017|publisher=]|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928221623/http://watchwrestling2k.com/watch-wwe-smackdown-live-92518/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] in Ecuador,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/ecuador|title=WWE Ecuador Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112044833/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/ecuador|archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> ] in Peru,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Peru|title=WWE Peru Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621180912/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Peru|archive-date=June 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atv.com.pe/programacion/programacion_portada.asp|title=ATV Television guide|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822024153/http://www.atv.com.pe/programacion/programacion_portada.asp|archive-date=August 22, 2009}}</ref> ] in Costa Rica, Canal VTV in El Salvador,<ref name="Fox"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/El%20Salvador|title=WWE El Salvador Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724162838/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/El%20Salvador|archive-date=July 24, 2009}}</ref> ] in Honduras,<ref name="Fox"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Honduras|title=WWE Honduras Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728053749/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Honduras|archive-date=July 28, 2009}}</ref> RPC Canal 4 in Panama<ref name="Fox"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Panama|title=WWE Panama Scheduling|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810100017/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/Panama|archive-date=August 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpctv.com/programacion/|title=RPC Canal 4 Television guide|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707104158/http://www.rpctv.com/programacion/|archive-date=July 7, 2009}}</ref> and ] in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2018/06-01-2018|title=IMAGEN TELEVISIÓN TO TELEVISE RAW® AND SMACKDOWN® IN MEXICO|publisher=]|access-date=June 5, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605123457/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2018/06-01-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It is assumed that all of these channels will lose their rights in their respective countries in January 2025 as ] acquired the rights to ''Raw'' in Latin America. | |||
=== South Africa === | |||
Previously the rights to broadcast Raw, along with other WWE shows, were held by free-to-air broadcaster ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,6119,2-1225-1242_1294527,00.html|title=Get ready to rumble|date=2002-12-06|access-date=2006-05-28|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220056/http://www.news24.com/News24/Entertainment/Local/0,6119,2-1225-1242_1294527,00.html|archive-date=30 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Raw would play on Sundays in the evening, with a 7-day delay, edited to one hour and was the most watched program on the channel. However, in 2017 e.tv decided not to renew its broadcasting deal with WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvsa.co.za/default.aspx|title=TVSA – South Africa's TV Website {{!}} TVSA|website=www.tvsa.co.za|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=February 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222142510/https://www.tvsa.co.za/default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The rights were later resold to ] (the initial broadcasters of WWE programming).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |title=WWE South Africa Scheduling |publisher=] |access-date=August 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317143459/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/television/rw/country/South%20Africa |archive-date=March 17, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etv.co.za/extended/about/wwe_raw|title=About WWE Raw|publisher=]|access-date=August 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413014606/http://www.etv.co.za/extended/about/wwe_raw|archive-date=April 13, 2010}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2019|reason=Outdated, says e.tv instead of SuperSport.}} | |||
In 2019 SuperSport, along with its parent company ], signed a deal to broadcast the 24-hour WWE channel as a pop-up channel for five months on their ] platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slamforce-africa.com/2019/08/06/dstv-launches-wwe-pop-up-channel/|title=DSTV Launches WWE Pop-Up Channel – SLAMFORCE AFRICA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-20|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220071500/https://www.slamforce-africa.com/2019/08/06/dstv-launches-wwe-pop-up-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is now a permanent channel on DStv under the channel number 128 | |||
{{Portal|Television}} | |||
== Broadcast history == | |||
===United States=== | |||
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" | |||
|+ | |||
!Channel | |||
!Timeslot | |||
!Years | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2" |] | |||
|Monday 9–10 p.m. ]|| January 11, 1993 – February 3, 1997 | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3" | Monday 9–11 p.m. ]|| February 10, 1997 – September 18, 2000 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|| September 25, 2000 – September 26, 2005 | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="3" | ] | |||
|| October 3, 2005 – July 16, 2012 | |||
|- | |||
|Monday 8–11 p.m. ] | |||
|| July 23, 2012 – September 30, 2024 | |||
|- | |||
|Monday 8–10 p.m. ] | |||
|| October 7, 2024 – December 30, 2024 | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|Monday 8–11 p.m. ] | |||
|| January 6, 2025 – | |||
|} | |||
==Awards and nominations== | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- | |||
! Year | |||
! Award | |||
! Category | |||
! Nominee(s) | |||
! Result | |||
! class="unsortable" | Ref | |||
|- | |||
|2019 | |||
|] | |||
|TV show of 2019 | |||
|''WWE Raw'' | |||
|{{nom}} | |||
|<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Hilary|last2=Howard|first2=Annie|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-nominations-list-full-1236357|title=People's Choice Awards: 'Avengers: Endgame,' 'Game of Thrones,' BTS Among Nominees|date=September 4, 2019|access-date=November 25, 2019|website=]|archive-date=September 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904213113/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-peoples-choice-awards-nominations-list-full-1236357|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|} | |||
== |
== See also == | ||
* ] | |||
== Notes == | |||
* The current theme song of RAW is "Across the Nation" by ]. | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
== |
== References == | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
== External links == | |||
* | |||
{{Commons category|WWE Raw}} | |||
* | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
* | |||
* at | |||
* {{IMDb title|id=0185103|title=WWE Raw}} | |||
* {{TV Guide|205626}} | |||
{{WWE}} | |||
] | |||
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] | |||
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{{Professional wrestling in the United States}} | |||
{{USANetwork Shows}} | |||
{{NBC Sports}} | |||
{{Spike (TV network) programming}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 13:03, 26 December 2024
Professional wrestling television program For the WWE brand featured on the program, see Raw (WWE brand).
WWE Raw | |
---|---|
WWE Raw logo starting from January 6, 2025 | |
Also known as | Raw is War (1997–2001) Raw SuperShow (2011–2012) |
Genre | Professional wrestling |
Created by | Vince McMahon |
Written by |
|
Presented by |
|
Starring | Raw roster |
Opening theme | "Born to Be" by def rebel (until December 30, 2024) "TBD" by Travis Scott (from January 6, 2025) |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 32 |
No. of episodes | 1648 |
Production | |
Executive producers | Paul Levesque Lee Fitting |
Camera setup | Multi-camera setup |
Running time |
|
Production company | WWE |
Original release | |
Network | USA Network |
Release | January 11, 1993 (1993-01-11) – September 18, 2000 (2000-09-18) |
Network | TNN/The New TNN/Spike TV |
Release | September 25, 2000 (2000-09-25) – September 26, 2005 (2005-09-26) |
Network | USA Network |
Release | October 3, 2005 (2005-10-03) – present |
Network | Netflix |
Related | |
WWE Raw, also known as Monday Night Raw or simply Raw, is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE. It currently airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on USA Network. The show features characters from the Raw brand, to which WWE employees are assigned to work and perform. It debuted on January 11, 1993, and is considered to be one of WWE's two flagship programs, along with Friday Night SmackDown.
In September 2000, Raw moved from USA Network to TNN, which rebranded to Spike TV in August 2003. On October 3, 2005, Raw returned to USA Network, where it will remain until January 6, 2025 when it moves to the Netflix streaming platform, which is scheduled to broadcast the program for a period of at least 10 years. The WWE Network ceased operations in the United States on April 5, 2021, with all content being moved to Peacock, which currently has most previous Raw episodes, excluding content that was censored or removed by Peacock's standards and practices department. Recent episodes are still available for on-demand viewing 30 days after the original air date.
Since its first episode, Raw has been broadcast live from 209 different arenas, 172 cities and towns, and eleven different nations: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Afghanistan in 2005, Iraq in 2006 and 2007, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.
History
Main article: History of WWE RawEarly years
Beginning as WWF's Monday Night Raw, the program first aired on January 11, 1993, on the USA Network as a replacement for Prime Time Wrestling, which aired on the network for eight years. The original Raw was sixty minutes in length and broke new ground in televised professional wrestling. Traditionally, wrestling shows were pre-taped on sound stages with small audiences or at large arena shows. The Raw formula was considerably different from the pre-taped weekend shows that aired at the time such as Superstars and Wrestling Challenge. Instead of matches taped weeks in advance with studio voice overs and taped discussion, Raw was a show shot and aired to a live audience, with angles and matches playing out as they happened.
Raw originated from the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, a small New York City theater, and aired live each week. The combination of an intimate venue and live action proved to be a successful improvement. However, the weekly live schedule proved to be a financial drain on the WWF. From spring 1993 until spring 1997, Raw would tape several week's worth of episodes after a live episode had aired. The WWF taped several weeks worth of Raw from the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York in April 1993, and again in June and October. The first episode produced outside of New York was taped in Bushkill, Pennsylvania in November 1993 and Raw left the Manhattan Center permanently as the show would be taken on the road throughout the United States and had in smaller venues.
The Attitude Era and Spike TV
On September 4, 1995, the WWF's chief competitor World Championship Wrestling (WCW) began airing its new wrestling show, Monday Nitro, live each week on TNT, which marked the start of the Monday Night War. Raw and Nitro went head-to-head for the first time on September 11, 1995. At the start of the ratings war in 1995 through to mid-1996, Raw and Nitro exchanged victories over each other in a closely contested rivalry. Beginning in mid-1996, however, due to the nWo angle, Nitro started a ratings win-streak that lasted for 84 consecutive weeks, ending on April 13, 1998. On February 3, 1997, Raw went to a two-hour format, to compete with the extra hour on Nitro (which had been expanded to two hours in the spring of 1996), and by March 10, it was renamed to Raw Is War. It was also during the time Raw would be aired live more often. After WrestleMania XIV in March 1998, the WWF regained the lead in the Monday Night War with its new "WWF Attitude" brand. The April 13, 1998 episode of Raw Is War, which was headlined by a match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, marked the first time that Nitro had lost the head-to-head Monday night ratings battle in the 84 weeks since 1996.
On January 4, 1999, Mick Foley, who had wrestled for WCW during the early 1990s as Cactus Jack, won the WWF Championship as Mankind on Raw Is War. On orders from Eric Bischoff, Nitro announcer Tony Schiavone gave away this previously taped result on a live Nitro and then sarcastically added, "That's gonna put some butts in the seats", consequently resulting in over 600,000 viewers switching channels to Raw Is War to see the underdog capture the WWF Championship. This was also the night that Nitro aired a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match in which Kevin Nash laid down for Hollywood Hogan after Hogan poked him in the chest.
On June 28, 2000, Viacom won the landmark deal with the WWF to move all of its WWF programs stemming from the lawsuit action against WWF from USA Network. The new television contract and the subsequent purchase of competitor WCW led to many changes in WWF's programming content. Raw Is War premiered on TNN on September 25, 2000.
WCW's sharp decline in revenue and ratings led to AOL Time Warner selling selected assets such as the WCW name, tape library, and contracts to the WWF in March 2001 for $3 million. The final episode of Nitro, which aired on March 26, 2001, began with Vince McMahon making a short statement about his recent purchase of WCW and ended with a simulcast with Raw on TNN and Nitro on TNT including an appearance by Vince's son Shane. The younger McMahon interrupted his father's gloating over the WCW purchase to explain that Shane was the one who actually owned WCW, setting up what became the WWF's "Invasion" storyline. Following the purchase of WCW and the September 11 attacks, the program was retitled as Raw on October 1, 2001, permanently retiring the Raw Is War moniker in prelude to the upcoming United States invasion of Afghanistan.
In March 2002, as a result of the overabundance of talent left over from the Invasion storyline, WWF instituted a process known as the "brand extension", under which Raw and SmackDown! would be treated as two distinct divisions, each with their own rosters and championships. Shortly thereafter, the WWF was legally required to change the name of the company to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Return to USA Network
The Raw logo used since July 25, 2016. This logo would undergo multiple minor changes since 2019.Top: Logo used from July 25, 2016 to September 23, 2019.
Bottom: Logo used from September 30, 2019 to December 30, 2024.
On March 10, 2005, Viacom and WWE decided not to go on with the agreement with Spike TV (formerly TNN, now Paramount Network), effectively ending Raw and other WWE programs' tenure on the network when their deal expired in September 2005. On April 4, 2005, WWE announced a three-year deal with NBCUniversal to bring Raw back to its former home, USA Network, with two yearly specials on NBC and a Spanish Raw on Telemundo. On the same week as Raw's return to USA Network, Spike TV scheduled Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)'s live Ultimate Fight Night in Raw's old timeslot in an attempt to go head-to-head with Raw.
Since the return to USA Network, Raw has been pre-empted during the U.S. Open, which aired on USA, resulting in Raw to be moved to SciFi, a sister channel to USA, for three years. Since 2016, the two-hour version of that week's Raw has aired on Syfy. In February 2022, Raw temporarily moved to Syfy for two episodes due to USA's coverage (as part of NBC Sports) of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
On the August 29, 2011 episode of Raw, it was announced that performers from Raw and SmackDown were no longer exclusive to their respective brand, thus effectively dissolving the brand extension. On July 23, 2012, Raw aired its 1,000th episode, which also began its permanent three-hour format. On January 14, 2013, Raw celebrated its 20th year on the air. On May 25, 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split, and a new set with red ring ropes, a brand new stage, used at SummerSlam. Furthermore, the broadcast table was moved to the entrance ramp similar to how it was in 2002–2005. On January 22, 2018, WWE celebrated the 25th anniversary of Raw with a simulcast show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the home of the first Monday Night Raw, the Manhattan Center. On the February 19 episode of Raw, six days before Elimination Chamber, seven participants of the men's Elimination Chamber match, Braun Strowman, Elias, Finn Bálor, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and The Miz, were involved in a Gauntlet match that began with Reigns and Rollins. Strowman won the Gauntlet match by pinning The Miz in what was the longest match in WWE history, lasting nearly two hours.
From March 12, 2020, to August 18, 2020, WWE announced that all of its live programs would air from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida without an audience until further notice beginning with the following day's episode of SmackDown due to the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in the suspension of many professional sports leagues. On the May 25 episode of Raw, NXT trainees were added into live crowds at the Performance Center. In August, all programming was moved to the new, state-of-the-art WWE ThunderDome inside of the Amway Center in Orlando. On May 21, 2021, WWE announced that they will return in front of live fans with a 25 city tour, therefore the July 12, 2021 edition of Raw would be the final WWE ThunderDome show.
Move to Netflix
In September 2023, USA Network announced that SmackDown would return to the network in October 2024 after the expiration of its contract with Fox; it was concurrently reported that the rights to Raw and NXT were on the market with heavy interest among linear networks and digital properties.
On January 23, 2024, TKO Group announced that Netflix would acquire the rights to Raw beginning in January 2025, in what was reported to be a 10-year deal worth $500 million per-year (roughly double the value of WWE's current agreement with NBCUniversal). The agreement will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, with other territories to be added in the future. The agreement also gives Netflix rights to all WWE programming outside of the United States (replacing WWE Network), including weekly shows, archive content, and live events. While USA Network's contract for Raw was to expire in October 2024, WWE reached a short-term extension of its agreement with NBCUniversal to keep Raw on the network through the end of the year. From October 7 through December 30, Raw will be shortened from three to two hours; wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer stated that this was a request made by USA Network.
Production
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Raw's original set featured red, white, and blue ring-ropes, a blue ring-apron, blue steps, and a small stage made of neon light tubes. In 1995, the entrance way was changed to feature "Raw" in giant letters. Beginning on March 10, 1997, broadcasts of Raw were split into two hour-long blocks, each given its own name for television ratings purposes. The first hour was referred to as Raw Is War, and the second became known as War Zone. These changes were reflected in television listings and, beginning with the June 9, 1997 episode, by the show's on-screen graphics. War Zone initially opened with a repeat of the Raw intro, punctuated with the War Zone logo. On November 24, 1997, the hour received its own distinct opening video, a remixed version of the typical Raw opening.
In 1997, the WWF changed the color of the ring-ropes to red and began printing Raw Is War along the ring in reference to their rivalry with WCW. The stages was updated to feature a 70-foot tall large screen video wall known as the "TitanTron", which consisted of a projection screen with several metal stage trusses and a video projector. The set also initially featured curtains on each side with truss beams and lighting later bearing the "WWF Attitude" banner on the sides. By 1999, the WWF placed a "WWF.com: 'Download This!'" logo on the bottom of the TitanTron and added two vertical sides on the stage along with a USA Network logo on top of the TitanTron.
Raw moved to TNN from USA beginning with the September 25, 2000 episode. The TNN network logo was added atop the TitanTron on the December 11, 2000 episode. Chyron graphics were added to the bottom beginning with the July 2, 2001 episode.
Beginning October 1, 2001, in direct response to the September 11 attacks, the first hour was referred to as Raw instead of Raw Is War, and the second hour was rebranded from the War Zone to the Raw Zone within the show's on-screen graphics. The Monday Night War had ended months earlier with the WWF's purchase of the competing WCW brand. Monday Nitro, which had once gone head-to-head with Raw, aired its final show in March. WWF announcers began generally referring to the entire two-hour block as Raw on-air. Raw updated to a new, industrial-inspired, parallelogram-shaped TitanTron in 2002. Ring apron lettering that had once born Raw Is War slogan was replaced with an advertisement for the WWF website. Around this time, black ring-ropes were occasionally used. Like the previous set, the TNN logo was relocated to the bottom side of the TitanTron. It was subsequently replaced by the Spike TV logo on August 11, 2003, upon network relaunch. During the July 25, 2005 broadcast of Raw in Cleveland, Ohio, a special stage design was built for the John Cena-Chris Jericho Battle of the Bands concert.
The 2002 set was designed by Production Designer Jason Robinson. It featured a larger TitanTron with dimensions of 55 feet wide by 25 feet tall. The expanded structure weighed about 4,000 pounds and requiring three 18,000-watt projector screens to power itself. According to Eric Bischoff on a 2003 episode of WWE Confidential, the show utilized 13 cameras at the time at a cost of $85,000.
On October 3, 2005, as Raw returned to USA Network, the 2002 set was retained but the beams and lighting on the sides were modified. The Spike TV logo was removed from the bottom side of the TitanTron. On October 9, 2006, the show debuted a new logo and opening intro featuring "...To Be Loved" by Papa Roach as its theme song. This logo and intro were retained until November 9, 2009, a period that also saw the changeover to broadcasting Raw in high-definition, which occurred on January 21, 2008.
From November 16, 2009, to July 16, 2012, the theme song for the Raw brand was "Burn It to the Ground" by Nickelback. Prior to this, the theme song for Raw was "...To Be Loved" by Papa Roach, which had been used since October 9, 2006 and "Across The Nation" by The Union Underground which was used from April 1, 2002, to October 2, 2006. The rap outro of "Thorn In Your Eye" featuring Scott Ian of Anthrax was the theme song from March 31, 1997, to March 25, 2002.
On May 17, 2012, WWE and USA Network announced that Raw would switch to a permanent three-hour format beginning with the 1,000th episode on July 23, 2012. Since then, all three hours of the broadcast have been known solely as Raw, though they are still considered three separate programs for Nielsen ratings purposes (as indicated by the on-screen copyright notice shown near the end of each hour). In 2010, WWE retired the red ropes for Raw after thirteen years for an all white scheme, which in 2012 became standard for all WWE programming. In 2012, Raw updated their HD set.
Beginning in mid-2014, this set would also be featured in pay-per-views. From late September through the end of October 2012, the middle rope at all WWE programming was changed to pink due to WWE's alliance with the Susan G. Komen organization for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This was repeated in 2013, from late September to early November, and it was repeated in 2014 from September 29. WWE is one of many organizations who provide financial contributions to the organization in addition to raising awareness among its employees and consumers.
On August 18, 2014, Raw switched to a full 16:9 letterbox widescreen presentation, with a down-scaled version of the native HD feed on a 4:3 SD feed. In conjunction with this, Raw updated its graphics package, with the new WWE logo (first used with the WWE Network's launch in February) now on the lower-right corner of the screen, right next to the word, "Live". At this time, the new WWE logo began appearing on the ring's turnbuckle covers, and USA Network logo moved to the lower-left hand corner of the screen. Additionally, Raw's theme song ("The Night") was modified.
On March 23, 2015, WWE added a small LED board to the left side of the ring on Raw. This LED board was also used at WrestleMania 31. The LED board has since been featured on a sporadic basis, appearing in some weeks and being absent in others. On the 1,000th episode of Raw, "The Night" by Kromestatik debuted as the theme for Raw. "Energy" by Shinedown served as the secondary theme-song until August 18, 2014, when it was replaced with "Denial" by We Are Harlot.
On the September 14, 2015 season premiere of Raw, the middle rope was colored gold. Throughout the month of October 2015, the program once again partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with various stage elements being made pink. On the November 16, 2015, episode of Raw, WWE had a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attack in Paris, France, on November 13, 2015. Another moment of silence was held months later in June for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
On July 25, 2016, the ropes returned to red, the announce table moved back to the top of the stage for the first time since 2005, and a new HD set and graphics were debuted. The new set was almost identical to the set used for SummerSlam 2012 and 2013. After some fans responded negatively to the redesign, the set was revamped four weeks later with a more elaborate and distinctive arrangement. The new set featured the absence of a traditional TitanTron, which had been part of the Raw staging since 1997. In its place was a curved LED banner with several rows of rectangle LED lights behind it. The new set also introduced LED floor panels on the entrance ramp along with LED ring posts. On the January 29, 2018 episode of Raw, new graphics and an updated logo were introduced, which lasted until September 23, 2019.
In September 2021, the ring-ropes changed color from red to white, which was also reflected on SmackDown. On November 22 of that year, an updated version of the 2019 logo was introduced, alongside new graphics. The theme song was changed to "Greatness" by Vo Williams, which remained its theme song until November 20, 2023, when it was changed to "Born to Be" by def rebel, the artist behind WWE's music input for its programming, which is performed by Supreme Madness. Bumper themes included "Survival", "Eye of an Warrior" and "Legacy".
In February 2022, Raw and NXT temporarily moved to Syfy in the United States due to USA Network broadcasting coverage of the 2022 Winter Olympics. A similar arrangement occurred in August 2024 for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Theme music
Song title | Written and/or performed by | Dates used | Ref |
---|---|---|---|
"Monday Night Raw" | Jim Johnston | January 11, 1993 – March 3, 1997 | |
"Raw" | Jim Johnston | 1993–1995 | |
"The Beautiful People" | Marilyn Manson | March 10, 1997 – March 24, 1997 | |
"Thorn in Your Eye" | WWE Superstars & Slam Jam | March 31, 1997 – March 25, 2002 | |
"We're All Together Now" | WWE Superstars & Slam Jam | March 31, 1997 – March 25, 2002 | |
"Across the Nation" | The Union Underground | April 1, 2002 – October 2, 2006 | |
"...To Be Loved" | Papa Roach | October 9, 2006 – November 9, 2009 | |
"Burn It to the Ground" | Nickelback | November 16, 2009 – July 16, 2012 | |
"Tonight Is the Night" | Outasight | July 23, 2012 (only used for Raw 1000) | |
"The Night" | CFO$ (Kromestatik) | July 23, 2012 – July 18, 2016 | |
"Enemies" | Shinedown | July 25, 2016 – January 22, 2018 | |
"My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" | Fall Out Boy | January 22, 2018 (only used for Raw 25 Years) | |
"Born for Greatness" | Papa Roach | January 29, 2018 – September 23, 2019 | |
"Legendary" | Skillet | September 30, 2019 – October 12, 2020 | |
"The Search" | NF | October 19, 2020 – November 15, 2021 | |
"Greatness" | Vo Williams | November 22, 2021 – November 13, 2023 | |
"I'm Good (Blue)" | David Guetta & Bebe Rexha | January 23, 2023 (only used for Raw is XXX) | |
"Born to Be" | def rebel | November 20, 2023 – December 30, 2024 | |
"TBD" | Travis Scott | beginning January 6, 2025 |
- A remixed version was released on August 18, 2014.
- Bold song titles are currently being used as the opening theme.
- Future theme song.
Name-related lawsuits
The name for Raw was disputed in June 2009 when Muscle Flex Inc., a Los Angeles-based fitness company, had taken legal action against the WWE after a court ruled that some of WWE's trademarks related to Raw were similar enough to the In the Raw trademark that they caused confusion among Canadians. On June 18, 2008, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office then issued a final decision that found certain wares listed in the trademark application from WWE (No. 1,153,018) were confusingly similar and thus lacked distinctiveness from the Muscle Flex trademark, which Muscle Flex is in the process of acquiring. The WWE appealed the CIPO's ruling to the Federal Court of Canada, but failed to file the required documents by the deadline.
In August 2009, the court ruled in favor of Muscle Flex, Inc. that it was successful in defending its In the Raw trademark against the WWE. In a press release date issued on July 20, 2009, Muscle Flex Inc. disclosed that it was in possession of WWE Raw-labeled items that it believes directly infringe on its In the Raw trademark such as various CDs, VHS tapes, and a number of apparel items. According to the WWE's most recent reported financial quarter in 2009, combined sales of WWE's consumer products and digital media business segments produced $40 million in global revenues. In previous quarters, these numbers were even higher.
Similarly, in June 2017, the WWE issued a legal order to Raw Motors, an automobile repair company in Colwick, UK, over a logo that it claims infringes on one of its logos for Raw that was used from 2006 to 2012.
Special episodes
Main article: List of WWE Raw special episodesThroughout its broadcast history, the show has aired episodes that have different themes. Some of them are yearly events such as the Slammy Awards. Others include tributes to various professional wrestlers who have recently died or retired from actively performing, as well as episodes commemorating various show milestones or anniversaries such as Raw 1000, which celebrated the 1000th broadcast. Raw also celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on RAW IS XXX on January 23, 2023.
Roster
Main article: List of WWE personnelThe wrestlers featured on WWE take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.
The primary commentators for Raw are Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. Additional commentary has been provided by Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Joey Styles, Tom Phillips, Kevin Patrick and others since its creation.
Broadcast
In the United States, the show airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network. Occasionally, Raw is aired on same-day tape delay when WWE is on an overseas tour. Raw is also shown live on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland, in a deal which began January 2020. Raw airs live in India at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays on Sony Ten 1. Since October 6, 2014, Raw has been airing live throughout Latin America on Fox Sports. Currently, Raw is broadcast live on ESPN 4 for Central America and on Fox Sports 2 in South America, in Mexico it is broadcast on Fox Sports, in Argentina on Fox Sports 3, in Chile on Fox Sports 1 and in Brazil on Fox Sports 2 and ESPN Extra, (also available on Star+ for Central and South America). The show also airs live on Supersport in South Africa on Tuesdays at 02:00 am CAT. Raw had aired in Australia on Fox8 since 2003, usually on a 27-hour tape delay, but has started airing live as of February 4, 2014. Syfy in the United States started airing a 2-hour replay of Raw on May 20, 2016. On June 26, 2018, WWE and USA Network announced a five-year contract extension for Raw. The new agreement for the live, weekly three-hour block commenced in October 2019. Clips from some WWE shows have also been shown on Fox Sports.com.
Online streaming
On September 24, 2012, Hulu signed a multi-year deal with WWE to stream all of the company's TV shows and some of its web series which includes Raw. Episodes of Raw are available for viewing the following day as a condensed 90-minute version is available, not the full version as shown the previous night on USA Network.
As of December 9, 2016, all episodes of Raw are available on demand on the WWE Network. Recent episodes are available for on-demand viewing 30 days after their original air date.
After WrestleMania 32 in 2016, WWE began with airing the newest episodes of Raw and SmackDown on YouTube for countries that do not air WWE programming on traditional TV for free in less than 24 hours after the original broadcast (The links are blocked in countries where the shows are traditionally available). The 90-minute Hulu version gets put on YouTube for international audiences.
Starting January 6, 2025, Raw will be exclusively be streamed on Netflix in most countries.
Canada
From 1995 to 2006, Raw was shown on The Sports Network (TSN) until it moved to rival sports broadcaster The Score (now renamed Sportsnet 360) after it was announced that TSN would be carrying Monday Night Football for the 2006 season. This meant that Canadian viewers would have to watch via tape-delay, as The Score did not broadcast Raw live at that time. Around that time, The Score aired Countdown to Raw until May 2013 when Raw is shown live to match the United States airtime. It was also shown on CKVR-TV in Barrie and CKMI-TV in Quebec until 2009.
During its run on TSN, which aired live, Raw occasionally had been censored live for extremely violent scenes, or when female wrestlers or characters were assaulted by male wrestlers (particularly one segment that featured the 3-Minute Warning assaulting Kitana Baker). These actions are supposed to be in order to meet Canadian broadcast standards, with repeat broadcasts often more heavily edited. This move had disappointed many wrestling fans over the years, and is unusual since the violence of wrestling scenes are not significantly different from other television programs aired on regular Canadian networks.
Due to Rogers holding the rights to the National Hockey League broadcasts, Raw also aired on its OLN channel (now Bravo). All archived broadcasts of Raw are available on the WWE Network. Rogers Media secured the rights to Canadian WWE programming until 2024, after which in January 2025 the rights go to Netflix.
The Middle East
Raw airs live in the MENA region on Shahid streaming platform Tuesday mornings, and later on the same day, a one-hour version airs on MBC Action at 8 PM Egypt Standard Time. It also airs on FM1 in Iran and on Sport 1 and Sport 1 HD in Israel. Raw further began airing on S Sport and S Sport Plus in Turkey.
Europe
In Germany, Raw airs live and is on-demand on the Website of Bild, only for Bild+ Subscribers and with German commentary on ProSieben MAXX every Wednesday at 10pm. In Belgium, Raw airs on ABXplore (in French) and on Play6.
In Czech Republic, Raw airs on Nova Sport.
In France, Raw airs on AB1 every Wednesday with French commentary.
In Italy, Raw airs live on Discovery Plus and with the Italian commentary 7 days after on DMAX.
In Lithuania, Raw airs on BTV. In Poland, Raw airs on Extreme Sports Channel.
In Portugal, Raw airs live on Sport TV with Portuguese commentary. In Romania, Raw airs on Telekom Sport.
In Russia, there is currently no broadcaster of the programme. Raw previously aired on Match! Fighter with Russian commentary until 2022, when WWE ceased broadcasting their programs and Premium Live Events in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In Serbia, Raw was airs on Prva Srpska Televizija., like it was airs on OBN in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on RTL 2 in Croatia.
In Spain, Raw aired on Mega every Saturday at 1pm with Spanish commentary.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Raw airs live on TNT Sports, with a one-hour version airing on Channel 5 every Sunday at 10:30am. Raw will move to Netflix in the United Kingdom beginning in January 2025; it is unknown who will broadcast Raw in Ireland after TNT Sports loses the rights.
Asia and Pacific
Raw airs live on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 1 HD in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. It airs on Ten Sport in Pakistan. Raw airs on Mola TV On-Demand in Indonesia. In India Raw is aired Live and Replays are available via the Over-The-Top Service in SonyLiv which also provides its own section of WWE Network as a Separate Subscription.
Raw streams live in the Philippines on TAP GO app with a live and encore telecast on TAP Sports on the same day and 5 in delayed telecast every Sunday nights.
Raw airs live on Starhub's Hub Sports 2 in Singapore.
Raw airs on Astro's Sport Plus in Malaysia.
Raw airs both live and delayed on Fox8 and Thursday nights on 9Go! as a one-hour version in Australia.
Raw airs on Abema in Japan.
Raw airs live on Sky 5 and Friday nights on Sky Open as a one-hour version in New Zealand.
Raw airs in China on various local networks within China and Videoland Television Network in Taiwan in both English and Thai.
Raw airs on ViuTVsix in Hong Kong, on Ten Sports in Pakistan, and on IB Sports in South Korea.
Latin America
Raw airs live on Fox Sports in Mexico and across Central and South America. It also airs on La Red in Chile, Unitel in Bolivia, Canal Uno in Colombia, Teleamazonas in Ecuador, Andina de Televisión in Peru, Repretel: Canal 11 in Costa Rica, Canal VTV in El Salvador, Canal 5 in Honduras, RPC Canal 4 in Panama and Imagen Televisión in Mexico. It is assumed that all of these channels will lose their rights in their respective countries in January 2025 as Netflix acquired the rights to Raw in Latin America.
South Africa
Previously the rights to broadcast Raw, along with other WWE shows, were held by free-to-air broadcaster e.tv. Raw would play on Sundays in the evening, with a 7-day delay, edited to one hour and was the most watched program on the channel. However, in 2017 e.tv decided not to renew its broadcasting deal with WWE. The rights were later resold to SuperSport (the initial broadcasters of WWE programming).
In 2019 SuperSport, along with its parent company MultiChoice, signed a deal to broadcast the 24-hour WWE channel as a pop-up channel for five months on their DStv platform. It is now a permanent channel on DStv under the channel number 128
Broadcast history
United States
Channel | Timeslot | Years |
---|---|---|
USA | Monday 9–10 p.m. ET | January 11, 1993 – February 3, 1997 |
Monday 9–11 p.m. ET | February 10, 1997 – September 18, 2000 | |
TNN/Spike TV | September 25, 2000 – September 26, 2005 | |
USA | October 3, 2005 – July 16, 2012 | |
Monday 8–11 p.m. ET | July 23, 2012 – September 30, 2024 | |
Monday 8–10 p.m. ET | October 7, 2024 – December 30, 2024 | |
Netflix | Monday 8–11 p.m. ET | January 6, 2025 – |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 45th People's Choice Awards | TV show of 2019 | WWE Raw | Nominated |
See also
Notes
References
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