We are on the eve of the most promoted Monday Night RAW show that WWE has done in a long time, RAW 1000. RAW has been filled with good moments (Canada vs USA in 1997) and some horrible moments (Katie Vick) over the years but, despite it all, lasting 1000 episodes is a milestone that WWE should absolutely be commended for reaching. I have seen all over the Internet a variety of people’s favorite WWE RAW memories, so I’m not going to dog-pile on those articles. What I would like to do is give some superstars from the past that I would like to see return at RAW 1000. Some will be possible while others will admittedly be a pipe dream. So with that said, here is who I would LIKE to see at RAW 1000.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Austin is not advertised to appear on the show which, hopefully, means that he is being saved as a surprise. Steve Austin is the most important superstar in RAW history according to Vince McMahon and I actually agree with Vince as Hulk Hogan went to WCW shortly after RAW’s debut. Even if it as simple as a Stone Cold Stunner to Heath Slater followed by an extended beer bath, Steve Austin needs to appear on this show, in my opinion. Austin was involved in RAW’s best moments with Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, and The Rock and he needs to be celebrated on RAW 1000.
Degeneration X
Yes I know that they have been advertised to open the show but what I want to see, and really expect to see, is the 1998 DX with The New Age Outlaws, Xpac, and HHH. Hell, I’d even like to see Chyna brought out there assuming she could stay awake and not fall over. Chyna was a silent gimmick in DX anyway so it’s not like she has to talk, just be trotted out for show. I’m not saying that I don’t want Shawn Michaels out there, because I do, but I don’t just want to see the two 2006 DX members as that was the worst version of the group, in my opinion, that was successfully designed as a cash-grab. I would book all the members of DX, complete with a Titantron picture of Rick Rude up the whole time. Brock could come out and destroy Xpac and the Outlaws, leading up to getting his hands on Shawn Michaels in a few weeks to build the match with HHH at Summerslam.
A Tribute to Those Who Can’t Be With Us
This may fall into the category of my pipe dream as WWE has been very hesitant to point out how many of their former superstars have passed away but, hey, this column is for my WISHES! I had mentioned Rick Rude earlier with DX but there are plenty of big name stars that could fill a music video. This is one of the only things that WWE’s Bucky Beaver (Kevin Dunn) and his team are good at and I would take advantage of that fact. Owen Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Randy Savage, Test, British Bulldog, Brian Pillman, Mr Perfect, Bam Bam Bigelow, Yokozuna, Big Boss Man, and Earthquake are just a hand full of big name superstars (I know I have left A LOT out) that could comprise the video. I would use Bret Hart to introduce the video, not only because of the Hart family connection but due to the fact that Bret has always been a man that has a tremendous respect for the history of wrestling.
Bobby Heenan
Bobby Heenan is my favorite wrestling personality of all time. Sadly, Heenan has not been in the best of health, so much so that I don’t know that it would even be possible to have him appear on RAW 1000. Again, being a wish column, I would have Heenan appear. I realize that he was only on the show for the opening year until Gorilla Monsoon “kicked him out” of the WWF but, quite frankly, I don’t care!! Bobby Heenan on RAW 1000 would be reminiscent to me of, ironically, Gorilla Monsoon’s appearance at Wrestlemania 15 as a Brawl for All judge. Seeing Monsoon after a long absence and in less than 100% health really made me appreciate the good times that he provided me with the hours of entertainment. I certainly do not condone exploiting Heenan and I would only wish to see him if he was healthy enough to appear. I just pray that he is, for Bobby and his family’s sake.
The Ultimate Warrior
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Warrior has been away from WWE since 1996. He is another guy that doesn’t have to say anything, just run to the ring, shake the ropes, and hit a few closelines followed by a press slam on David Otunga. Personally, I would love to see a backstage skit after Warrior’s run-in where he is walking in the hall and runs into Triple H. They would just stare at each other and Hunter would then ask Warrior what his finisher is so he can kick out of it. I realize only 2% of the viewers would get the joke but it would be funny to me, dammit!
Ric Flair
TNA lawsuit be damned, I want to see the Nature Boy and RAW 1000 is a good a time as any for Slick Ric to make his WWE return. Going forward I would like to see Flair as a manager for someone, like Cody Rhodes, in a similar way that Harley Race managed Vader and others in WCW. As for his RAW 1000 appearance, I just make it a quick and light segment with Zack Ryder with the general idea of the interaction being that Woo Woo Woo meets Wooooooo! RAW 1000 should celebrate the past and kick start some new angles so after the Woo segment I would have Ryder vs Rhodes with Ric in Ryder’s corner only to turn on him and manage Cody.
So there you have it, my wish list for RAW 1000. Will it all happen? Probably not but a guy can dream, and that is part of what makes professional wrestling so great!
Agree? Disagree? Did I miss something? I’d love to hear from you at addie@wetalkwrestling.com
