1993:
- Mr. Perfect Vs Ric Flair – 25/01/1993 – 4* - This would be Flair’s last match in WWF and it was placed under the stipulation ‘Loser leaves WWF’ match. Mr Perfect who was aligned with Flair throughout 92 would get the rub of defeating Flair which should’ve skyrocketed him into the WWF Championship scene.. however it did not.
- Shawn Michaels Vs Marty Jannetty – 19/07/1993 – 4 ¾* - Whilst making this list this was one of the matches I had never seen before, and I actually watched it to see if it earned the rating it got – and let me tell you it absolutely does; it’s a very fun match and rightfully so their best match with each other.
1994:
1995:
1996:
- Mankind Vs The Undertaker – 09/12/1996 - Probably my favorite forgotten Raw match from the mid-90's, a No Holds Barred Hardcore Match between two great wrestlers.
1997:
- Stone Cold & Dude Love Vs British Bulldog & Owen Hart – 14/07/1997 - I believe this could be the debut of the Dude Love character in WWF television (could be wrong) and it was just such a random and strange thing to see him tag with Stone Cold to compete for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
- Cactus Jack Vs Triple H – 22/09/1997 – 4* - This was the debut of the Cactus Jack character on WWF Television and it is one of the best hardcore matches of all time. Very well known in terms of ‘Best Raw matches of all time’.
1998:
1999:
- Mankind Vs The Rock – 04/01/1999 - Probably one of the biggest highlights of the Monday Night Wars and a very proud moment for Mankind. I’d love to see Dave’s official rating for this match, because I believe all the emotion of Foley finally winning the big one was truly deserving for all his hard work. Plus the split roster of ‘The Corporation’ and the face wrestlers (including D-Generation X) surrounding the ring, on top of Stone Cold returning to help Foley win this match makes it so special. Rival company, WCW screwed themselves when they announced Foley winning the WWF Championship (because of a tape-delay) on their live programming of WCW Monday Night Nitro, because more than half the people watching on cable changed to WWF Monday Night Raw. Hm, ‘guess that’ll put a lot of butts in seats’.
- Stone Cold Vs Undertaker – 28/06/1999 - Technically this match is the highest viewed match in Raw history.
2000:
- The Rock, Cactus Jack, Too Cool & Rikishi vs. D-Generation X & The Radicalz – Raw 07/02/2000 – 4 ¼* - Twists and turns lead us to this match, but its fast, it’s impactful and honestly it has one of the best endings to a Raw ever. I wont spoil it; I’ll just let you watch it.
- Triple H Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 17/04/2000 - This is one of Jericho’s first ‘big matches’ against a main-eventer. Triple H and Jericho take each other to their limits, and it leaves the crowd with blue balls, as we are to believe Jericho wins the WWF Championship off Triple H, yet after a bit of convincing the result is reversed.
2001:
- Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho Vs Triple H & Stone Cold Steve Austin – 21/05/2001 – 4 ¾* - One of (if not) WWE's greatest 2 on 2 Tag Team match this match could’ve main evented any WWE PPV at that time. Austin and HHH were now working as a tag team and reaking havoc on all the wrestlers male or female at this time. This was also the way to have Benoit and Jericho gradually gain some credit as top-WWF stars.
2002:
- Eddie Guerrero Vs Rob Van Dam – 27/05/2002 – 4* - Eddie was released from WWF quietly in 2001, and when he returned in 2002 he had one thing in sight and that was the Intercontinental Championship. Him and Van Dam were involved in feud for a couple of months and this is their best match together in a Ladder Match. Also infamous for the spot of a fan in the audience coming into the ring and attempting to push Eddie off the ladder.
- The Rock Vs Eddie Guerrero – Raw 22/07/2002 - This match was actually really fun, to start the night they have a segment with each other and it sets up a match between the two later on in the night.
- Undertaker Vs Jeff Hardy – 01/07/2002 - Undertaker really saw a lot in Jeff Hardy, and from this match you can really tell. They put on a fantastic Ladder Match on this Raw and we even get Jim Ross' famous line Climb the ladder kid, make yourself famous." This match would result in Undertaker reverting back to a Face.
2003:
- Ric Flair Vs Triple H – Raw 19/05/2003 - This was a special night for Flair, as he was turning face for one night only to face his friend Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship just around the corner from his home. It brings out the best in both opponents and if you get the chance watch the Ric Flair appreciation after the match.
- Triple H Vs Kane – 23/06/2003 – This match was contested as a ‘Mask Vs Championship match’. It pulled great ratings for WWE who wanted to see what Kane’s face looked like.
- Shawn Michaels Vs Chris Jericho – 21/07/2003 – 3 ¾* - This was a rematch of their Wrestlemania XIX match and doesn’t get enough attention and recognition I believe; very good match.
- Triple H Vs Shawn Michaels - 29/12/2003 – 4 ¼* - 2003 Raw was quite a rough year with many superstars from different eras (and companies) coming and going; so thankfully when the last Raw of the year was left with Shawn Michaels and Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship we are left with absolute magic.
2004:
- Triple H Vs Shelton Benjamin – 29/03/2004 – 3 ¾* - This was Shelton Benjamin’s Debut Raw match, and he went OVER Triple H. But honestly it lead to nearly nothing, an Intercontinental Championship victory, then the gold-standard of the Money in the Bank, then nothing.
- Triple H Vs Chris Benoit – 26/07/2004 – 3 ½* - Triple H yet again has a 60-minute iron man match, this time against Chris Benoit, one of the best pure wrestlers of all time. This match really doesn’t get noticed much because of the whole ‘Benoit murder/suicide’, but if you get a free hour or so watch this on the WWE Network.
- Edge Vs Triple H Vs Chris Benoit – 29/11/2004 - One of the final Raws for 2004 saw these three men wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship. It’s a very well done triple threat match, with a fabulous laid out draw finish. I’ve always held this match in high regard it’s worth the watch. This match would lead into the Elimination Chamber at New Years Revolution.
2005:
- Shelton Benjamin Vs Shawn Michaels – 02/05/2005 – 4 ½* - Shelton Benjamin could’ve become one of WWE’s greatest wrestlers of all time if he stuck around in WWE and was given more opportunity. This was proclaimed as one of the best Raw matches in 2005. This match is pure excellence, nothing short of amazing. It also gives us one of the greatest spots of all time.
- Shawn Michaels Vs Kurt Angle – 03/10/2005 – 3 ¼* - This was the final match in these two’s trilogy of matches. Unfortunately we never got a decider, of who the winner in this feud was, but still at least their last one on one match with each other was in a 30-minute iron man match and it’s a great one at that.
2006:
- Edge Vs Rob Van Dam Vs John Cena – 03/07/2006 – In 2006, there was a bunch of backstage issues within WWE, when it was revealed that WWE Champion & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam got caught under the influence of Marijuana. So he was suspended for 30 days, resulting in losing both championships. This match was actually really well done, and the ultimate opportunist does what he does best.
- John Cena Vs The Undertaker – 09/10/2006 – This show was dubbed as ‘Raw Family Reunion’ and allowed all former members of the WWE/Raw roster to return for the night. So each general manager from their respective brands (Raw, Smackdown & ECW) made matches for their champions to face members of a different brand. Raw’s champion John Cena would face Smackdown competitor The Undertaker. It’s nothing special and ends in shenanigans, but I thought I’d include this match.
2007:
- John Cena Vs Shawn Michaels – 23/04/2007 – 4 ¼* - This is one of not only the best Raw matches of all time, but one of Cena’s best matches of all time. They go close to an hour back and forth with no end in sight – if this match was for the WWE Championship that crowd would’ve been absolutely electric.
- Edge Vs Randy Orton – 30/04/2007 – 4 ¼* - The night following Backlash, these two men faced off against each other in rescheduled match on Raw. Significant because it was one of the rare occasions a Heel faced off against another Heel, and really goes to show how much both men have improved over the last 2-3 years.
- Triple H Vs Ric Flair – 30/12/2007 – 3 ½* - In late 2007, Ric Flair returned to WWE Television, and Vince McMahon seemed annoyed at this because he made Ric Flair compete in ‘Career Threatening Matches’, basically meaning that the next time Flair would lose by pinfall or submission he would have to retire from WWE. Within the first month of this stipulation, Vince McMahon would make Triple H face his greatest mentor in the business.
2008:
- Chris Jericho Vs Jeff Hardy – 10/03/2008 – It’s a shame that these two couldn’t have a longer and more meaningful feud with each other, because these two put on absolutely great matches with each other. This was also the night that Jericho became a record-breaking Intercontinental Championship.
2009:
- CM Punk Vs Edge Vs Jeff Hardy – 15/06/2009 - The three top players of Smackdown at the time were on Raw to showcase their abilities in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship. On a personal note I would’ve loved a CM Punk vs Edge feud.
- Jeri-Show Vs D-Generation X Vs The Undertaker & John Cena – 16/11/2009 - Fun and fast match with the top WWE stars at the time all competing against each other in tag team competition. This is also one of 'Takers last matches on Raw because after this year he would slowly become semi retired and only make spontaneous experiences (usually at Wrestlemania's).
2010:
- John Cena Vs CM Punk – 07/06/2010 - This was a viewer’s choice, this isn’t 100% significant because of that match itself, and it’s more significant for what happens near the end of the match. It’s the debut of the Nexus, the rookies from NXT Season 1 all debuted on WWE Raw and attacked both CM Punk (with Luke Gallows) and John Cena and destroyed the Raw set, as well as everyone at ringside including Justin Roberts.
- The Miz Vs Daniel Bryan – 13/09/2010 - This is one of Bryan’s first Raw matches and it is very good and its against his Bryans ‘pro’ Miz, but standard heel Miz he works the crowd fantastically.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Daniel Bryan – 25/10/2010 - These two men had back-to-back matches, this match took place the following night after Bragging Rights. They also had a third match on the following Smackdown.
- The Miz Vs Jerry Lawler – 29/11/2010 - Most of The Miz' run as WWE Champion is forgotten besides his match with John Cena in the main event of Wrestlemania 27. But this is a real hidden gem, this match was in a TLC match and it's really worth the watch. It's quite significant because it's interesting to see The Miz, who was a former Tough Enough star & MTV reality TV star who no one believed would stick around for more than a year had won the WWE Championship.
2011:
- The Miz Vs John Morrison – 03/01/2011 – 4* - This was in the early stages of The Miz’s WWE Title reign, he would feud with his former long-time tag team partner in the first Raw of 2011 in a fantastic Falls Count Anywhere match – this would be one of Morrison’s last memorable matches in WWE.
- CM Punk Vs John Cena – 17/01/2011 - The match we should've got as the main-event of Wrestlemania 27 and we were relegated to seeing it as a pre-mania feud.
- The Miz Vs Rey Mysterio – 25/07/2011 - This was the end of the WWE Championship tournament to crown a new champion after CM Punk had left, it’s actually a really good match between the two – unfortunately The Miz would come up short.
- CM Punk, Daniel Bryan & Zack Ryder Vs The Miz, Alberto Del Rio & Dolph Ziggler – 19/12/2011 - The original ‘new era’ in WWE happened in 2011 when the champions and challeners were all relatively new to the company; this match is a fun, fast paced match following up from the night before TLC 2011.
2012:
- CM Punk Vs Daniel Bryan - 27/02/2012 – This is one of the first times these two would compete against each other in WWE, and the ending may be a bit convoluted I still really enjoy the match.
- CM Punk Vs John Cena - 23/07/2012 - The main event of Raw 1000; also Punk turns heel again.
- CM Punk Vs Mr. McMahon – 08/10/2012 – A 65 year old owner of a Wrestling company, who is limited in skill would compete against the WWE Champion, CM Punk in the main event of Raw which was contested in a No Holds Barred Match. This all came about because CM Punk felt disrespected by Vince McMahon.
2013:
- CM Punk Vs John Cena – 25/02/2013 – 4 ½* - In one of the best Raw matches of all time these two show why they should have been the main event of Wrestlemania 29.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Alberto Del Rio – 08/04/2013 - The night Ziggler’s career would change forever… or so we thought. Ziggler would finally cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on a weakened Alberto Del Rio in surprisingly fashion. It is one of the greatest cash-in’s of all time and the pop from the crowd really helps to make the moment.
- The Shield Vs Team Hell No & Undertaker - 23/04/2013 - The Shield were so over on WWE television that their entrance for this match/show was them arriving via Helicopter. It’s rare to get a match and appearance with Undertaker outside of Wrestlemania, but it’s also rare to be able to defeat Undertaker – but that’s what The Shield did, they would defeat The Undertaker & the rest of his team.
- Daniel Bryan Vs Jack Swagger, Cesaro & Ryback - 22/07/2013– 4* - These matches were contested in a Gauntlet Match with his first match being against Jack Swagger in an alright match, then what followed it was fantastic – a match against Cesaro which absolutely stole the show, the match following it against Ryback unfortunately couldn’t live up to potential.
- The Rhodes Brothers Vs The Shield - 14/10/2013 - The following night on Raw they would have a rematch although this time it was for the WWE Tag Team Championships and they put on an equally great match compared to Battleground.
- The Shield & The Wyatt Family Vs CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, Goldust & The Uso’s – Raw 18/11/2013 – 3 ¾* - Really fun 12 man match leading into Survivor Series 2013, highly recommend for a fun rewatch as well as it pre-shadows the future Wyatt/Shield matches.
2014:
- John Cena Vs Cesaro – 17/02/2014 – 4 ¼* - The week following Cesaro's Smackdown match with Orton, he would go onto face Cena in another great match that built up his credibility. One of my favourite matches from that year.
- The Shield Vs The Wyatt Family – Raw 03/03/2014 – 4 ½* - Just like the first match, this match held up to expectations and showed us the ‘first split’ of The Shield but also lead to the boys growing stronger together.. Even if it was for a few more months.
- Dean Ambrose Vs Seth Rollins – 18/08/2014 - 4 1/4* – This was their rematch to their match the night before at Summerslam, and arguably is one of their best matches with each other, it was contested in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
2015:
- Seth Rollins Vs Daniel Bryan – 02/02/2015 - This match was to see who would face Roman Reigns at Fastlane 2015 in a number one contenders match for Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 31. Nonetheless I wish these two could’ve had a decent feud before Bryan retired.
- Daniel Bryan Vs Dolph Ziggler - 31/03/2015 - This match was following the Wrestlemania 31 Ladder Match and it’s very good and gets a special moment from the crowd when they give a standing-ovation to both wrestlers. The ending of the match also has the return of WWE Superstar, Sheamus with a unique new look.
- John Cena Vs Cesaro – 29/06/2015 – 4 ¼* - With Tyson Kidd injured, Cesaro was seemingly left out of the shuffle of what to do mid-2015, so WWE allowed him to show off his talents with John Cena for the United States Championship. This match and their match the week after are easily both some of the best Raw matches from 2015, highly recommend, one with a interference finish and one with a normal finish, highly recommend.
- Seth Rollins Vs Neville - 03/08/2015 – 4* - One of the best Raw matches in 2015, an up and coming NXT Star recently debuted Neville would get the opportunity to face the WWE Champions Seth Rollins in the opening match of Raw; both men mesh well with each other and I hope these two feud in the future.
- Roman Reigns Vs Cesaro – 16/11/2015 – 4 ¼* - This may be one of my favourite Roman Reigns matches (please don’t downvote me for that) these two absolutely have great chemistry with each other, and if you don’t trust me watch this match between the two.
2016:
- The New Day Vs Y2-AJ – 07/03/2016 - This may be my favorite title defense by the New Day in their total 483 days as being WWE Tag Team Champions. The dynamic pairing of ‘Y2-AJ’ worked perfectly and it set up for one of more memorable matches from the Raw brand this year.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Triple H – 14/03/2016 - This was one of those matches that people had been waiting to see for a long time; Dolph Ziggler Vs Triple H or Dolph Ziggler Vs The Authority. The people that were ‘keeping Dolph down’. I personally wish this match was at PPV; but hey we got it on Raw and it really showed how good Dolph is when he gets the opportunity.
- AJ Styles Vs Chris Jericho Vs Kevin Owens Vs Sami Zayn – 04/04/2016 – 4* - The night after ‘Mania can be seen as a ‘reboot’ after a meh Wrestlemania. The main event featured four guys who wanted to become the number one contender for Roman Reigns newly won WWE Championship – however there would only be one phenomenal winner. However, another intriguing point of this match was that it was the return of Cesaro, who was injured and missed Wrestlemania the previous night.
- Sasha Banks Vs Charlotte – 25/07/2016 - This would be the start of their one-on-one rivalry which would go for the whole year – in shockingly fashion this match started the trend of Sasha winning the Raw Women’s Championship on Raw.
- Roman Reigns Vs Finn Balor – 25/07/2016 - Upon Finn Balors debut on Raw he was pushed very strongly, he would win a fatal-four way match to advance into a #1 Contenders match with Roman Reigns. He would then go onto defeat him clean in possibly one of the biggest shocks of the year.
- Roman Reigns Vs Seth Rollins Vs Kevin Owens Vs Big Cass – 29/08/2016 - Probably very important in the long run, Triple H (who was Seth Rollins father figure in the Authority) would turn on him. For what reasons? Completely unknown at this point – but is this the first step into a Seth Rollins face turn and potential great match with Triple H at Wrestlemania? We can only hope so.
2017:
No comments:
Post a Comment