WWE Raw

Guide Note

WWE Raw is the Monday night professional wrestling television show for World Wrestling Entertainment.

Fast Facts

1. Current Network: USA Network
2. Time slot: 9PM to 11PM (plus overrun)
3. Run time: 1 hour 35 minutes (w/o commercials)
4. Premiered: January 11, 1993
5. Created by Vince McMahon
6. Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler

WWE Raw is considered to be the "flagship" program for the WWE. Since 1993, the program has aired over 770 original episodes, making it the longest running entertainment show, without a hiatus, in television history.

Originally broadcast from a small ballroom in Manhattan, the show now emanates from large sports arenas all the world over, following the growing fan base the WWE enjoyed through the late 1990s. Practically every major WWE wrestler from 1993 on has appeared on the program.

To date, Raw continues to broadcast new and continuing storylines with its roster of WWE "superstars."

WWE Raw's major competition through the wrestling boom of the late 90s was rival organization's WCW Monday Nitro show, which dominated the ratings war until 1998.

The WWE would eventually win the "Monday Night Wars" thanks, in large part, to the Stone Cold Steve Austin-Vince McMahon storyline, which pit the rebellious Austin against the power-hungry WWE Chairman on a weekly basis.

On March 26, 2001, Nitro's drastic decline in ratings led to the WWE's purchase of WCW, ending the Monday Night Wars altogether.