10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 2003
AEW references on Raw in 2003?! WWE leaving money on the table. Raw is WCW!
'From Damien Demento to Katie Vick'.
That could be the title of some book chronicling Raw's march from Manhattan Center magic in 1993 to the drizzling sh*ts of shock tactic-led booking in 2002. Within nine short years, Vince McMahon had taken his flagship to untold heights and then ruined everyone's appetite for more by blending necrophilia with other depressing tripe like “HLA”.
Could he rescue things in 2003? That's what fans wondered heading into the year. McMahon's plan was to ditch the unwanted shockers of '02, double down on plundering WCW (competition he'd vanquished two years prior) then pin all of his hopes on Triple H and a non-wrestling Steve Austin.
Revisiting all 52 episodes from the calendar year in late-2022 is quite something. WWE left serious cash on the table by refusing to book some matches that might've padded McMahon bank accounts further, but going back to watch Raw from 2003 does reveal something else: Goldberg's run was nowhere near as bad as some folks claim.
Here's everything learned from chowing down on a rather eventful 12-month span for a show desperate to reclaim lofty ratings success.
10. There’s A Fun Chris Jericho AEW Easter Egg
The first episode of '03 has quite the curious gem.
Following an opening handicap thrashing for The Dudley Boyz, announcers Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross hype what's to come. At one point, Lawler refers to a tag-team headliner pitting Chris Jericho and Christian vs. RVD and Kane as "a dynamite main event".
That word is italicised for two reasons. Firstly, it really made this writer chuckle to hear AEW's flagship show be mentioned on WWE's banner broadcast a full 16 years before it existed. Secondly, Jerry emphasised the word himself like he was staring into some pro wrasslin' crystal ball.
Of course, Jericho, Christian Cage and Lawler's own commentary partner JR are all in AEW these days. Sadly, nobody said that Jericho would have to form his own appreciation society, or that Kane planned to go on a 'Rampage' during that evening's main.
Tony Khan didn't even show up in the crowd for extra-added weirdness. Spoilsports.