10 Things You Learn Re-Watching The First Ever Episode Of Raw Is War
7. New Look
Aesthetics aren't everything, but the debut edition of Monday Night Raw put enormous emphasis on completely reinventing the traditional look of WWE's setup.
The introduction of the mammoth TitanTron re-shaped the entire layout, with a raised stage for an entrance way subsequently requiring a ramp for wrestlers to walk down instead of the traditional aisle.
This had the effect of making the performers look larger than life in a wholly new way, as their literal heightened profile shone in grander fashion than ever before.
There was a greater emphasis on lighting around the stage too, compared to the usual flashing motifs spotlighted in the ring associated with 'New Generation'-era pay-per-views that served little purpose to the television audience, let alone those in attendance.
It wasn't all perfect, of course. The decision to pair the steel stairs into one awkwardly wide staircase in the centre of the ring was quickly dropped, and it took a few more weeks to update the neon blue ring apron and mats to the red and black Raw colour scheme that was quickly established.
WWE later invested in machines to help clear pyro smoke that hung in the air, but truthfully, the fog leant itself well to the 'War Zone' theme.