Monday Night Raw’s 25th Anniversary Show opens in the Manhattan Centre, the building where Raw had its first show, and it looks just like it did. Jerry Lawler, in classic King garb, along with Jim Ross and they talk about tonight’s momentous show. They send us over to the other arena in New York.
We go live to the Barclays Centre and both Shane and Stephanie McMahon are in the ring. Stephanie welcomes us to the show and the fans cheer loud. Shane says 25 years is a huge landmark but they wouldn’t be here without the wrestlers, past and present, who’ve given everything over the two decades. He then thanks the crew members that make the show happen but we never see. And finally, it’s all thanks to the fans, those who’ve been there since day one and those who’ve just recently started watching. “Thank you.” Before going any further, Shane points us to the Titantron, for a long video full of amazing highlights from Raw over the last two-and-a-half decades. The video package chronicles absolutely every great moment, including the sad ones, and is well worth a watch.
The fans are cheering and applauding when we return. Stephanie again thanks the fans and says we’re just getting started. There’s one last, truly special person to thank for all of this. One person who had the brains to make Raw special, the man with the fortitude who is the reason we’re all here. Stephanie introduces the Chairman, the creator of Monday Night Raw, their father, Vincent Kennedy McMahon!
Vince makes his entrances to an absolutely thunderous reaction. The fans sing along to Vince’s music and he eggs them on. Vince, Shane and Stephanie hug in the ring. Vince says 25 years is truly amazing and the fans chant “thank you Vince”. He says he’s normally not someone who pats himself on the back or smells the roses too often, but tonight he’s going to smell them. He mimics smelling the air and says it smells damn good. He thanks everyone and turns to leave but Shane and Stephanie stop him. Stephanie brings in a commemorative plaque to celebrate 25 years on Monday Night Raw, thanks to a GoFundMe. Vince takes a look at it but says it looks and feels cheap, “but then again, we are here in Brooklyn”. Vince lambasts the people of Brooklyn for cheaping out on the plaque. Vince says the fans have plaque on their teeth, it’s also what’s in their arteries. He says that’s all he gets for 25 years, he says they’re out here thanking everyone but there’s only one person he needs to thank and that’s himself. The fans boo and chant “A$shole”. Vince says there’s not one person in the world who helped him build this, and then…
The Texas Rattlesnake poses on the four corners and Brooklyn nearly implodes. Austin and Vince stand toe-to-toe and Vince says he knows that look in Steve’s eyes. He says the years have clearly been good to Austin but not to him. Vince lists off his health issues, trying to stop Steve from attacking him, while the fans chant “WHAT?” Vince says he is a senior citizen but Shane, “Shane’s in his prime, look at him!” Shane looks terrified but Austin shakes his hand and holds his hand in the air. Shane and Austin do a turn of the ring and Austin then Stuns Shane! Vince grabs two beers and says Shane had it coming. He gives Austin the beer and says for old times sake. The fans chant “one more time” and Vince says he doesn’t think Shane could take it. Austin and Vince crack open the beers and slowly take a drink while looking at each other. Vince then hugs Steve and they pose for the crowd. They drink some more and hug again, then Vince turns to leave but Austin’s music stops. Vince turns around and Austin motions for him to drink again, so they do, then Austin flips him off and delivers one final Stone Cold Stunner! Austin’s music returns and he celebrates with more beer. Shane slowly gets to his feet, so Austin hands him a beer. Shane takes a swig, then gets Stunned again and the beer shoots out of his mouth.
Austin celebrates as we return to the announce table and they rundown the card. Brock Lesnar, Kane and Braun Strowman, will all be here live, The Undertaker returns, and there will be an eight-woman tag match, up next!
*Commercial Break*
We return and Absolution are already in the ring, Paige isn’t wrestling though, as Nia Jax is in her place. Sasha Banks and her teammates make their entrances next. Before the match can begin officially, Nia attacks Asuka as she made her entrance. Both teams have a brawl before the referee finally separates them and rings the bell.
Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James & Asuka Vs. Absolution, Alicia Fox & Nia Jax
Asuka takes control right off the bat, as she attacks Sonya Deville with some big kicks. Deville is against the ropes and Asuka kicks her in the chest until she falls through the ropes to the outside. Absolution take a minute to regroup as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Asuka kicking away at Mandy Rose. Rose reverses a whip, but Asuka knocks off half the heel team. Asuka takes Rose down and hits a low dropkick. Sasha Banks tags in, and they hit a double-team suplex. Rose quickly rolls to her corner and tags in Nia Jax. Jax gets a big ovation coming into the match. Jax shoves her off, but Banks kicks her and dropkicks her in the knee before hitting a running knee for a one count.
Jax quickly gets to her feet and viciously slams her down. Jax saunters around the ring before covering for a near fall. Rose tags back in, and she stomps Banks down before tagging Deville in. Deville punches away at Banks before tagging in Alicia Fox. Fox hits a northern lights suplex for a near fall. Fox applies a chin lock and cinches it in for a bit. Banks fights up, but Fox slams her down for a one count. Fox then goes back to the chin lock. Banks gets out and hits an arm drag, but Fox is quickly up and connects with a big boot for a near fall. Banks backs her to the corner, but Fox pulls her down by the hair. Foxy shouts at Banks and the commentators say how impressive she is as we head to the break.
*Commercial Break*
We come back from the break to see Fox still dominating Banks. Banks kicks her away and goes to the second rope, but Deville knocks her off. A huge brawl breaks out at ringside. Banks sidesteps a big boot from Fox and applies the Bank Statement for the win.
Winners: Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, & Asuka
Asuka knocks Mickie James over the top rope before backhanding Bayley and dumping her over the top rope. Banks attacks Asuka, but Asuka superkicks her and throws her out of the ring! Asuka could very well be the winner of the Royal Rumble. She celebrates in the ring, and the crowd loves it.
Kurt Angle is talking with a referee backstage. Tonight is about celebration and not chaos. Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar, and Kane will be in the ring at the same time, and they can’t afford an incident. Jonathan Coachman comes in and hugs Angle. The Coach says Angle is doing a great job. It’s awesome to see so many people he hasn’t seen in a while. Harvey Whippleman and Brooklyn Brawler come in. Teddy Long then jumps in and dances to a thunderous ovation. Brother Love then comes in and talks about how excited he is before saying he loves them. Another knock at the door… and it’s The Boogeyman! Boogeyman laughs and has worms coming out of his mouth. Boogeyman takes worms out of his mouth and puts them in The Coach’s hand before simply leaving. The best thing about that segment was the incredible reception the fans gave every man that walked in.
After the break, The Undertaker will be here!
*Commercial Break*
We return to Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross in the Manhattan Centre, The King is clearly loving donning his old persona. Ross talks about The Undertaker and how he was on the very first episode of Raw in that very building. We then get an awesome video package of The Deadman’s career.
The Undertaker’s music hits and he makes a rather low-key entrance in the Manhattan Centre. Howard Finkel is on hand to introduce the man himself and the fans give him an incredible reception. The fans chant his name as he stands in the centre of the ring, what a weird image to see in 2018.
“The carnage began on this sacred ground of evil, 25 years ago.” Undertaker says that for 25 years he’s been digging holes and anybody who dares step foot into the dark side, got buried. He took legends off of their pedestals and threw them in graves. Stone Cold, Mick Foley, Kane, all had to answer to the reaper. They all tried and they all failed. “And now, on this sacred ground, for all of those who have fallen, it is truly time you rest in peace.” With that The Deadman’s music hits and he poses in the ring. JR asks if that was a warning. Honestly, kind of a weird segment that didn’t set anything up or definitively end his career.
The Miz Vs. Roman Reigns for the Intercontinental Championship will happen next!
*Commercial Break*
We return and see the APA’s iconic wooden door. Beyond the door we see Bradshaw and Ron Simmons playing poker and drinking beer with Heath Slater and Rhyno. Heath loses a hand and Ron starts raking in the chips, Slater cries out “I got kids!” and Ron replies, “yeah, and their daddy’s broke!” A fat wad of cash lands on the table and they all look around to see The Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase standing with his title. He wants in on the action and they’re happy to accommodate.
