10 Things You Learn Re-Watching The First Ever Episode Of Raw Is War
1. Deadman Dives
Undertaker capped off a memorable first ever episode of Monday Night Raw with the first televised occurrence of his famous hands-free plancha, taking out Mankind and Vader to the shock and awe of the live crowd and Vince McMahon and Jim Ross on commentary.
After the tag main event between the three and WWE Champion Sycho Sid had broken down in a style that would eventually become familiar to Raw viewers, Undertaker chokeslammed his WrestleMania 13 rival as Paul Bearer's charges regrouped on the arena floor.
With Sid on the deck, Undertaker took an understated run at the ropes then soared over the top of the opposite side, wiping both heels clean out.
Undertaker had been refining various aspects of his persona since a Survivor Series 1996 rebirth, and alongside some unusually verbose promos, he'd substantially improved his in-ring work en route to his eventual title victory.
The spectacular dive was the latest addition to his more varied arsenal, and was particularly risky on this occasion given the need to clear the awkwardly-placed stairs and reach his two foes.