10 Best Non-Attitude Era WWE RAW Moments

7. The Proto-Revolution

Ziggler Jericho
WWE Network

Much of Wrestling Twitter has balked at the notion of 2019 Jim Ross assuming All Elite Wrestling’s commentary booth. He is culturally at odds with AEW’s progressive vision, and, on the evidence of his apathetic-at-best NJPW stint, he is past it.

But his work here was incredible.

Imagine Stephanie McMahon’s relentless drive to put (her “invention” of) women’s wrestling over, only with authenticity, passion and gravitas. This wasn’t about Good Ol’ JR, though; this was Trish Stratus and Lita creating real, substantive history by crafting a TV classic in its own right. As infamous as it is famous, Lita, with a recklessness that created the most anxious strain of drama, overshot a dive and crumpled into a sickening, inverted crescent moon on the outside. Bracing ourselves for the worst, she recovered to deliver the best women’s match in WWE history to that point.

Competition in that regard wasn’t particularly fierce, but this competition was. Lita and Trish here weren’t just two attractive women with an aptitude for the business; they incorporated Lita’s stinger into the narrative with a heart-wrenching top-rope hangman spot.This is where the faint praise ended; it wasn’t the “best women’s match”, nor just “the first women’s match to headline RAW”.

A great match in execution and improvisation, this was veteran, master stuff.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!