One of the most shocking ideas of 2001 would never happen, but it was considered. When the WWF acquired the rights to WCW trademarks, there were serious discussions over the possibility of turning Monday Night Raw into Monday Nitro. Nowadays, WWE make a big deal over Raw being their flagship show, so it's stunning to think this was even talked about. As time has progressed, this is something WWE have distanced themselves from. However, reading online reports and magazine articles from around that time reveal that the transition was considered. Matches such as Buff Bagwell vs. Booker T on July 9th, 2001 would put the idea to bed, or at least that was used as an excuse. In reality, the then-WWF got cold feet. It's amazing to think that Smackdown would have remained as the WWF show. Meanwhile, Raw - the promotion's main broadcast since 1993 - would have been changed to a WCW program. The big idea was to run both brands separately, joining them for big Pay-Per-Views throughout each year. WWE must be glad they never made the switch, because Monday Night Raw is the most important show they have.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
