10 Things You Learn Rewatching The First Ever WWE Raw Episode

4. Rob Bartlett’s Mike Tyson Gag Was Horrible

Randy Savage Rob Bartlett Vince McMahon
WWE Network

If you think the three-man announce team dynamic WWE push on core programming is tough now, then try on the barmy trio of Vince McMahon, Randy Savage and Rob Bartlett from Raw's first episode. Oh yes, Rob Bartlett, a short-lived experiment to inject Raw with some shock-jock enthusiasm. Thank God it didn't last.

Annoying throughout the entire broadcast, the comedian, radio host and impressionist topped earlier gags about "Yokozuma's" weight and The Steiner's colourful outfits by acting out a skit as Mike Tyson. The same Mike Tyson who was, y'know, in prison after being convicted for rape the year prior. How classy.

As if this wasn't tasteless enough, the Tyson gag completely ruined a match between Shawn Michaels and Max Moon. McMahon and Savage seemed to tire of Bartlett's nasally whine halfway through the sketch and tried to ignore it, but good old Rob was a determined soul.

Five years later, Tyson would help turn the tide for the WWF in the Monday Night War. Clearly, he hadn't seen this.

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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.