Jump to content

The Best Episode of Wrestling Television Ever


A Screen Up

Recommended Posts

I've already got two threads ongoing at the moment and just had one locked, so I promise this will be the last. It's inspired by a question I asked in the Questions Thread which Slapnut suggested was thread worthy.

 

I asked what is regarded as the best (non-PPV) episode of wrestling television ever.

 

Slapnut said the post-Wrestlemania 14 Raw.

 

Dr.PeterVenkman suggested the Raw where ECW joined the Invasion.

 

Hopefully this will spark enough discussion to save me from getting shat on for thread-starting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 41
  • Created
  • Last Reply

The ep of Raw in 2001 when ECW debuted, eventually siding with WCW.

 

Just read the original post again, my bad.

 

For me the next night after mania the last few years has always had a really loose, fun feel to it. I guess as they're partying after the show the night before, everyone just wants an easier show. Plus the last few years, we've had someone retiring, as well as a newly crowned money in the bank winner to add a new dynamic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A May 1997 episode of Raw which was featured heavily on Best Of Raw 5 is for my money the greatest episode of a wrestling show ever. It featured a massive angle between Bret Hart and Steve Austin and culminated in Austin assaulting the Hitman in the back of an ambulance. It's more than worth checking out, it's absolutely essential viewing for a wrestling fan.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just reading the comments above, and it got me thinking about post-Mania Raw's. By chance, Ive just watched parts of the post (1 week after) WM2000 Raw. Post Mania Raw's always used to be great for story development and big rematches.

 

Anyway, the post WM2000 Raw (well, 1 week after) had some super good stuff on it. HERE is the recap. It had the whole Jericho winning the WWF Title from Triple H in the opening segment (with the crowd going apeshit). The aftermath with Hebner. Linda McMahon announcing Stone Cold was coming back, and a red hot exchnage with Steph/Shane/HHH. A 2000 Hardy Boys in the ring with Eddie. A Triple Threat hardcore match with Taz wearing the ECW Belt. A very fun segment with the Dudleys and Trish. Comedy with Kurt Angle. Malenko vs Scotty 2 Hotty. And a fun main event, still riding the wave from Jericho's earlier antics.

 

Certainly a great, all-round show, and sums up this era of WWF TV very well.

 

 

Also, cant remember everything that happens on the show, but the one with the Radicalz turning heel on Foley, then having that belter of a 10-man tag probably should be up there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Paid Members
A May 1997 episode of Raw which was featured heavily on Best Of Raw 5 is for my money the greatest episode of a wrestling show ever. It featured a massive angle between Bret Hart and Steve Austin and culminated in Austin assaulting the Hitman in the back of an ambulance. It's more than worth checking out, it's absolutely essential viewing for a wrestling fan.

Thats definitely one of mine as well. Pillman returned at the end, attacking Austin. I just remember buzzing watching that. I couldnt wait until the next week. Raw had finally found a direction and the characters were brilliant.

 

I also remember the Steel Cage main event with Bret Hart vs Sid. It was so unique, because Austin (Bret's opponent going into WrestleMania six days later) wanted Bret to win the belt and Undertaker wanted Sid (his opponent at Mania) to keep the belt. So you had hated rivals helping each other. The sight of Austin and Bret (who was still technically a face) beating on Sid on the top of the cage still brings a smile to my face. It was just mental. Then it was followed by that Bret and Vince confrontation, Austin and Bret brawled, Undertaker and Sid brawled and Shawn Michaels (who had retired a few weeks before) came strolling out to end it. The whole show was great as well. It was the first ever two hour Raw is War, with the giant Titan Tron and arena set up. Me and my Dad watched it and we kept saying "looks like Sky arent going to show that cage match" when it got to 10 o'clock, because the paper said Raw was only on an hour. Raw kept on going and going that night. Such a great memory for me personally. I dont think I ever enjoyed a Raw as much before that. I havent seen the full Raw since then, even though its easy to download. I've saw the cage match. I almost dont want to see it again. Leave the memories alone and all that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A May 1997 episode of Raw which was featured heavily on Best Of Raw 5 is for my money the greatest episode of a wrestling show ever. It featured a massive angle between Bret Hart and Steve Austin and culminated in Austin assaulting the Hitman in the back of an ambulance. It's more than worth checking out, it's absolutely essential viewing for a wrestling fan.

Thats definitely one of mine as well. Pillman returned at the end, attacking Austin. I just remember buzzing watching that. I couldnt wait until the next week. Raw had finally found a direction and the characters were brilliant.

 

I also remember the Steel Cage main event with Bret Hart vs Sid. It was so unique, because Austin (Bret's opponent going into WrestleMania six days later) wanted Bret to win the belt and Undertaker wanted Sid (his opponent at Mania) to keep the belt. So you had hated rivals helping each other. The sight of Austin and Bret (who was still technically a face) beating on Sid on the top of the cage still brings a smile to my face. It was just mental. Then it was followed by that Bret and Vince confrontation, Austin and Bret brawled, Undertaker and Sid brawled and Shawn Michaels (who had retired a few weeks before) came strolling out to end it. The whole show was great as well. It was the first ever two hour Raw is War, with the giant Titan Tron and arena set up. Me and my Dad watched it and we kept saying "looks like Sky arent going to show that cage match" when it got to 10 o'clock, because the paper said Raw was only on an hour. Raw kept on going and going that night. Such a great memory for me personally. I dont think I ever enjoyed a Raw as much before that. I havent seen the full Raw since then, even though its easy to download. I've saw the cage match. I almost dont want to see it again. Leave the memories alone and all that.

 

 

For me personally it's well worth re-watching the entire year of 97, I did a couple of years ago and it still stood up as being brilliant tv. I think a lot of people forget how over Sid was in the first few months of 97 too, the fist bumping was brilliant. Put in the rapid rise of Austin, the brilliant Hart Foundation and the absolute arsehole Shawn Michaels, you've got a brilliant roster and lots going on. Gang Warz!!!!!!!!1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A more recent example for me was that RAW where Punk first won the World Title from Edge, cashing in the Money in the Bank at the start. It built up all night from there, with Cena challenging him only for JBL to have his security escort him out, challenge for the title himself and then the brawl at the end with Cena, Cryme Tyme, JBL, his security and Punk all involved. Top stuff.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm gonna pull something out of the bag from more recent times, that Raw from Madison Sqaure Garden in November 2009 sticks out for me. Because Raw it's self was having such a shit year and then randomly out of no where they pulled out that glorious show. The big Undertaker/Cena Vs. DX Vs. Jeri-show main event, was not only a brilliant match with such a huge feel to it, but it set up two (at that time) possible main event dream matches for Wrestlemania 26. The big rematch with Shawn which was teased, and the tombstone at the end to Cena which set up a match which I would still do anything to see next year at WM 29. There was also Kofi Kingston breaking out of the mid card for a bit and doing the big leg drop to Orton through the table which was great. There was also some good stuff with Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper, as well as that smashing MSG Tribute video to Alicia Keys' "New York", as well as the small entrance set up and the debut of the current Raw theme which was a breath of fresh air after 3 dreadful years of Papa Roach. I'm not saying it was the best episode of all time, but it certainly felt big and special at the time and has to be a shout at being one of the best episodes of TV in the current era at least.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Paid Members
For me personally it's well worth re-watching the entire year of 97, I did a couple of years ago and it still stood up as being brilliant tv. I think a lot of people forget how over Sid was in the first few months of 97 too, the fist bumping was brilliant. Put in the rapid rise of Austin, the brilliant Hart Foundation and the absolute arsehole Shawn Michaels, you've got a brilliant roster and lots going on. Gang Warz!!!!!!!!1

 

Bang on. I did the same a few months ago, going to start on 1998 soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
For me personally it's well worth re-watching the entire year of 97, I did a couple of years ago and it still stood up as being brilliant tv. I think a lot of people forget how over Sid was in the first few months of 97 too, the fist bumping was brilliant. Put in the rapid rise of Austin, the brilliant Hart Foundation and the absolute arsehole Shawn Michaels, you've got a brilliant roster and lots going on. Gang Warz!!!!!!!!1

 

You'll never believe how happy I am that there's someone else other than me who didn't think Gang Warz was total shit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...