As we prepare to embark on a season of change, sometimes it is important to reflect on the moments that made Monday Night Raw such a great show. One of the things that helped Raw evolve into the flagship program for WWE, is all of the epic title defenses that have main-evented Monday nights. While the tag titles, the Intercontinental title, the United States title and the Women's title are defended quite often, the WWE Championship is rarely defended on Raw or Smackdown. However, when it is, it elevates the show to near pay-per-view status.
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Throughout the years, superstars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H and many more have defended the top prize in wrestling on Monday Night Raw. With that said, this article highlights those memorable nights, when the WWE Championship was defended on Raw.
Before we get into the top 5, let's take a brief look at the WWE Title bout that almost made the list. This is the honorable mention.
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HONORABLE MENTION
JOHN CENA vs. REY MYSTERIO: July 25, 2011
If this were a top 10 list, this match would have been number 6. John Cena and Rey Mysterio gave fans their money's worth and then some on this night. Mysterio had just won the title earlier in the night, only to have to defend it the very same night against Cena. It was a fantastic display of back and forth action, but in the end, John Cena walked away with the gold.
5. BRET HART vs. THE 1-2-3 KID
Bushkill, PA July 11, 1994
Just one year earlier, The 1-2-3 Kid made history when he shocked the world, defeating Razor Ramon on Raw. Now, he had gained the respect he deserved and found himself competing for the WWF Championship against The Hitman.
Jim Ross has stated publicly that this match was the best match he has ever called on Raw. Considering the history JR has witnessed, that's a bold statement.
Even though The Kid came up short, he still proved he belonged in the main event spotlight and that he was perfectly capable of competing with the top-tier talent.
4. STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN vs. KURT ANGLE
San Jose, CA January 8, 2001
Stone Cold may have gotten the win, but Angle remained champion, due to a disqualification when Triple H got involved. Regardless of the outcome, this was a pure war of two contrasting styles. Kurt Angle is a showman of technical wizardry. His amateur background has always kept him ahead of the curve in every contest. Meanwhile, Austin combats Angles precision with raw, brute force and intimidation.
These two have had some incredible battles, but this particular title match ranks as one of their very best. The antics going on outside the ring during the match helped make the story even better.
3. CM PUNK vs. DANIEL BRYAN
Portland, OR February 27, 2012
It was title vs. title as WWE Champion CM Punk faced off in a Wrestlemania caliber match against World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan. Unfortunately, John Laurinaitis and his minions got involved and wouldn't allow a true finish. Just as Punk had planted Daniel with the GTS and went for the pin, Laurinaitis flexed his authority and called the match off.
Nevertheless, no one could take away the chemistry that Punk and Bryan shared in the ring. It was an exhibition of greatness and the fans watching knew they were witnessing something special, despite the no-contest finish.
2. THE UNDERTAKER vs. JEFF HARDY
Manchester, NH July 1, 2002
What a battle. The Undertaker defended his Undisputed Championship against the up and coming younger Hardy brother in a ladder match. At the time, Taker was performing as The American Badass and was red hot. He was over with the fans like never before and nearly unbeatable.
With ladders in play, things would appear to be a little more in Jeff Hardys favor than before. However, Taker was entirely too much. Hardy never quit, but his body had no choice to give up as The Undertaker ended the suffering with a vicious chokeslam.
After the match, Taker helped a broken Hardy to his feet and raised his hand high in the air, signifying a level of respect, only a few select individuals will ever experience from The Deadman.
1. MANKIND vs. THE ROCK
Worcester, MA January 4, 1999
At last, we have reached the number one WWE Championship match in the history of Monday Night Raw. Some of Good Ole' JR's greatest quotes occurred during this very match.
It's the night in which many will say the Monday Night War was won. During this time, Raw was still pre-recorded and WCW ran Nitro live. One of WCW's favorite things to, was to give out the Raw spoilers at the beginning of Nitro.
Well, when Tony Shiovone reported that Mankind defeated The Rock and had become the WWE Champion, somewhere in the neighborhood of a half of a million viewers immediately changed the channel from Nitro, to Raw. That announcement turned out to be a critical error on behalf of WCW.
This was a match that Mankind wasn't supposed to win. Well, at least in the opinion of the majority at the time. But, when Mrs. Foleys baby boy became the champion, the perception of what a title holder supposed to be had instantaneously changed. Suddenly, Mankind was the REAL "People's Champion."
Not only was this the greatest WWE Title matche in the history of Raw, but it may indeed be the greatest match in general, to take place on Monday Night Raw.
