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Pro wrestling changed forever when the police sirens blared on January 11, 1993, and Monday Night Raw made its debut. Iconic names like Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and Yokozuna competed on that very first episode.
Fast forward 1286 episodes later and we are at Raw 25 on the Monday evening before the 31st Royal Rumble pay-per-view. A lot has changed over these 25 years in professional wrestling; while some things stay the same, at least in WWE.
Raw 25 just took place at the Manhattan Center and Barclays Center in New York City, and with the Kickoff Show, it provided us with a lot of memorable moments. The show may not have provided everything those in the WWE Universe wanted, but it did deliver some great memories, and some even weren't just tied to nostalgia.
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This article will take a look at six moments at Raw 25 that will be a topic of discussion around the water cooler later this week and beyond. Let's start with a major return...
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#6 The Undertaker makes his first appearance since WrestleMania 33
After a video package aired going over The Undertaker's illustrious career, "the Deadman" appeared at the Manhattan Center to a great ovation. Even better was the legendary WWF ring announcer Howard Finkel introducing him.
It was odd that the lights stayed on for Undertaker's entire entrance, but maybe it was a metaphor. More on that later.
Undertaker stated that the carnage began on this sacred ground 25 years ago, and he's taken many legends off of their pedestals. He mentioned how 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and even his own flesh and blood Kane have met the reaper, and now they can finally those fallen can rest in peace.
Many suspected that tonight was going to be the kickstart of a feud between John Cena and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 34, but instead, we were left to wonder if this was truly it for "the Deadman".
Maybe Undertaker coming out to a lighted entrance was a metaphor that his career was heading towards the light and coming to an end?
#5 Elias makes The List Of Jericho, lays out John Cena
Of the current WWE Superstars, Elias shined the best on Raw 25. He was walking backstage with his guitar when he ran into none other than Chris Jericho. Once Jericho was shown on the screen, the Barclays Center let out one of the biggest pops of the night.
Jericho told Elias he wrote a song for him and asked if he could use his guitar. Elias declined, but that's okay, Jericho brought one with him! It all ended with Elias making The List Of Jericho to the WWE Universe's delight.
Then right after the commercial break, Elias was in the ring and sang a song to trash Brooklyn when John Cena came out. Cena came out to tell Elias that both he and Brooklyn have balls, but Elias told him to shut his mouth.
Things then got physical, but the result was completely unexpected. Elias laid out Cena with a punch to the groin, then took his guitar and busted it over the 16-time world champion. Elias would end the segment with his Drift Away finisher to look strong going into the Royal Rumble.
#4 Miz defeating Roman Reigns the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the 8th time
The marquee match that was promoted ahead of time for Raw 25 was Roman Reigns defending his WWE Intercontinental Championship against The Miz, and on this big stage, neither man disappointed.
In this 14-minute match, the Brooklyn crowd was firmly behind The Miz, and thanks to a clever finish, gave a huge pop when the title changed hands.
The Miz is now an eight-time WWE Intercontinental Champion; which still ranks him second all-time but puts him only one behind from tying Chris Jericho for the most reigns in the title's prestigious history.
#3 The APA poker game
Many suspected the APA would come to Raw 25 to beat down The Revival, but instead, a classic staple of the Acolyte Protection Agency returned. The poker game!
Behind the closed doors of the APA headquarters, a poker game started with Ron Simmons, Bradshaw, Heath Slater, and Rhyno. After one of the first hands, someone would show up and drop a LOT of money on the table. None other than "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase!
Later on Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), Jeff Hardy (welcome back!), The Usos, Nattie, The New Day, and Titus Worldwide would join in the game.
Of course, DiBiase took all the money, but we all won with those great segments throughout the night.
#2 A DX/Kliq reunion doing the ultimate TOO SWEET with the Balor Club
Though some at the Manhattan Center were getting restless at the lack of action, Triple H and Shawn Michaels came out in the middle of hour three to energize the WWE Universe in attendance.
After the original two members of DX (and a great tribute to Chyna by Triple H) spoke, The New Age Outlaws made their way out to the ring, followed by X-Pac. The WWE Universe gave X-Pac a great 1, 2, 3 chant in reference to his upset win over Razor Ramon in 1993.
Speaking of "The Bad Guy," X-Pac stated that it wouldn't be a reunion without a member of The Kliq, and then Razor Ramon came out.
After coming back from commercial, Ramon would give the crowd his trademark "hey yo" line when the Balor Club came out. Instead of DX vs. Balor Club, we got the ultimate TOO SWEET.
The Revival came out to ruin the party and after a short match against Gallows and Anderson, everyone from DX got their finishers in and Balor his Coup de Grace.
#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin doing what he does best, stunning McMahon's
The first one occurred on September 22, 1997, and the final one may have occurred on January 22, 2018. In between, there were possibly hundreds of Stone Cold Stunners that Steve Austin delivered to Vince McMahon in what was the best feud of all-time in the WWE.
Raw 25 started with Shane and Stephanie McMahon welcoming us to Raw 25, followed by a great video package. They would then introduce their father Vince to a great ovation from the crowd at the Barclays Center.
Just when we thought the segment with the McMahon's was over, Shane and Stephanie said they had something to present to Vince. It was a plaque that was paid for by a "Go Fund Me" campaign.
This would bring out the old Mr McMahon who would call the gesture cheap, and then the sound of glass shattering caused the arena to erupt.
Austin didn't say any words, he just stunned Shane (twice) and Vince (for the last time possibly), and drank a lot of Miller Lite's in a great open to Raw 25.
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