Top ten moments that shocked Monday Night Raw

With the 1000th episode of Monday Night Raw on the way, I want to take a look back at some of MNR’s most shocking moments (in my mind) that captivated the longest running televised show in history, ever since 1993. And once again, these ten moments are in no particular order, because I don’t want to play favorites whatsoever.

1. Invasion Of The Nexus

Possibly one of the biggest threats to the WWE since the Alliance Invasion of 2001, the introduction and invasion of the NXT Season 1 rookies, better known as “The Nexus”. Their first target was the legendary Bret Hart, and the brunt of their assaults, John Cena. For months, The Nexus terrorized everyone from legends, announcers, superstars, referees, etc, until Cena decided to fight back, though it took through December to finally rid the WWE of Nexus.

2. Live Sex, Camera, Action!

After Edge won the WWE Title in 2006 at the now defunct New Year’s Revolution pay-per-view, Edge decided to celebrate “his way” with a live sex celebration with Lita. It was the highest rated segment and still is, to this day. The rivalry between Edge and Cena heated up 2006, and ended in an ironic way, with Edge losing in his own match in his hometown of Toronto at Unforgiven. The segment took RAW to the extreme from what it did in the Attitude Era.

3. The Chain Gang Comes To Monday Nights

After winning the WWE title from JBL at WrestleMania 21, and then defeating him again in an I Quit match at Judgment Day in 2005, John Cena was drafted to RAW and quickly drew the ire of one Eric Bischoff, and quickly became a draw to MNR, and continued a 9 or 10-month reign as WWE Champion.

4. Austin 3:16 vs. McMahon 6:32

The Austin/McMahon rivalry was one of the single biggest things to hit Monday nights. Adding in characters like The Rock, Shane McMahon, Big Show, Kane/Undertaker, etc. put a lot of profit into this rivalry which fans knew from the start would take the WWE to epic heights. Everything from Austin being arrested to McMahon peeing his pants, the zamboni, and so on made this rivalry and every segment with Austin and/or McMahon watchable.

5. “I Am The Best WRESTLER In The World.”

On June 27, 2011, CM Punk delivered the most-epic shoot promo against the company he was leaving (or supposedly leaving). He said he was the “best WRESTLER [not sports entertainer] in the world.” That night, the WWE changed forever, especially after the Money In The Bank pay-per-view, when Punk “left the company” with the WWE title, and then a few weeks later, the prodigal WWE Champion returned as the Cult Of Personality.

6. Pillman’s Got A Gun

Brian Pillman (in my mind) was one of the most underrated talents in professional wrestling history, and one of the best there has ever been. His relationship with Stone Cold Steve Austin is one that stands alone. In the mid-late ’90s, Austin “invaded” Brian Pillman’s home while Pillman laid on his couch with a foot injury. With an unstable Pillman and his loving wife at his Cincinnati home, Austin invaded his home, beat up some of Pillman’s friends and threatened his very life, until the Austin 3:16 was met by “Pillman 9mm.” Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident.

7. One, Two, Three.

They say “anything can happen in the WWE.” Anything did happen in the WWE, when the underdog known as the “1-2-3 Kid” defeated Razor Ramon in a one-on-one contest one Monday night in 1993.

8. Degenrating The McMahon Family

2006 saw the return of the controversial faction known as D-Generation X, and saw chaos and hilarity ensue on Monday nights. Triple H & Shawn Michaels reunited to take down the tyrannical Vince McMahon. Everything from defacing Vince’s office, skimpy cheerleaders, rigging around the production truck, and everything else in between, DX made Vince & Shane’s lives a living nightmare, even when Vince & Shane brought in the likes of Umaga, the Spirit Squad, Big Show, and anyone else.

9. Home Invasion

In early 2009, Triple H was involved in a personal vendetta against the cold and icy Randy Orton. One Monday night, Triple H made his way to St. Louis to invade the home of the 2009 Royal Rumble winner, Randy Orton. He came in Rambo-style with a sledgehammer and chased Orton throughout his home, until the police arrived, arresting Triple H.

10. Rest In Peace Vince McMahon, Or Does He?

In 2007, Monday nights went a little bit loony, especially after Vince McMahon was shaved bald by Donald Trump and Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania 23, and also lost the ECW title at One Night Stand that year too. Vince said something bad would be happening to him. One Monday night, something did happen to him. He went crazy, stepped into a limo, and supposedly was blown up to death. Question on everyone’s mind was: Who did it? Well, it was no one as Vince faked his own death.