RAW X press release, Lawler and Hennig interviews, more Submitted by Sudeep Popat on Monday, January 13, 2003 at 1:09 PM EST
WWE has sent out the following press release, which has gone out across the Canada Newswire:
More Than 1.3 Million WWE(TM) Fans Vote for Greatest Moments in Raw(R) History for TOMORROW'S Live Television Special
'Raw 10th Anniversary Spectacular' Live on The New TNN January 14, 2003
TORONTO, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - After 10 unforgettable years of Raw, World Wrestling Entertainment(TM) is excited to celebrate its success with the Raw 10th Anniversary Spectacular tomorrow (the New TNN/9:00pm ET). WWE will present the award-style show live from The World(R), WWE's entertainment complex in New York City's Time Square.
As part of the program, WWE will announce the 10 greatest moments in Raw history as voted on by WWE fans. To date, more than 1.3 million visitors to WWE.com have already voted. In addition, WWE will have awards in different categories to honor WWE Superstars.
"Our ability to produce original programming 52 weeks a year, every year, is an extremely difficult task, but we never get tired of thrilling audiences. No matter how much our superstars give the fans, they always strive to give more," said Vince McMahon, Chairman of WWE. "We've had a lot of spectacular moments and superstars through the first 10 years of Raw and I know that the next 10 years will be even better."
To help refresh and re-introduce some of these moments to the fans, each week on WWE programming, the top 25 highlights are featured in the "Raw Retro" flashback. In addition, WWE Confidential(TM) (TNN/Saturday Nights, 11:00pm ET) has launched a 10 week series that tells the behind the scenes story of those classic moments.
WWE is supporting the anniversary with Raw 10th Anniversary Commemorative merchandise at www.wweshopzone.com. Exclusive merchandise includes hats, t-shirts and four collectible covers of Raw Magazine. Additional Raw 10th Anniversary products will be available in stores and online in March/April 2003.
"Uncut, uncooked, and uncensored" was how it was marketed to fans when Raw debuted on January 11, 1993 live from The Manhattan Center in New York City on USA Network. While WWE often performed at Madison Square Garden in front of 15,000 fans, the intimacy of the Manhattan Center, which seated approximately 1,000, looked great on camera and also provided those in attendance with an up close view of all of the action. Within months, WWE took Raw on the road and the legacy of the brand was created. Now, 10 years and 500 episodes later, Raw has become the third longest running episodic series in television history behind Gunsmoke and Lassie.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. It owns and operates The World, an entertainment complex in Times Square, New York City. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.
Devin Cutting sent in the following:
This week, Jerry Lawler joined the No Holds Barred radio show and here are the highlights.
He opened by putting over his book and said it debuted at #33 on the best seller list.
He loves his job on Raw but wishes he could wrestle more. He is booked to wrestle on Raw tonight.
His favorite Raw moment was being able to throw Paul Heyman out of the building and resume his announce duties to a huge ovation. He also enjoyed his tag match with Jim Ross and put over their friendship. He talked about how Vince McMahon likes to surprise guys on TV when they are in their hometown.
He is looking forward to the 10th anniversary Raw show but said even he doesn't know who will be attending.
He said he doesn't watch Smackdown and he misses Kurt Angle, who is his favorite performer.
He closed by saying even he doesn't know the status of his son for a future WWE return.
This week, Curt Hennig joined the No Holds Barred radio show and here are the highlights.
Curt is celebrating 22 years in the business.
He mentioned his match with David Flair on NWA-TNA and how it wasn't even worth getting in wrestling trunks.
When asked about the plane ride from hell, Curt was in rare form. He said he took Brock Lesnar down and it was helped by Brock having three cocktails and that is past his limit. He said he helped Brock break into the business and they still keep in contact. He called himself the Pete Rose of wrestling and talked about how he absorbed all the heat from the plane ride by all the agents on board.
He mentioned he spoke to Jim Ross and hinted he may be at the 10th anniversary Raw special.
Curt said he was the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time and called the decision to get rid of that belt a bad deal.
He credited Bobby Heenan for some of his success and said working with Heenan and Ric Flair was the most fun he has had in the business.
He mentioned Brock Lesnar said no one is having fun these days.
Curt said he talks to the young talent and gets heat because he is open about what salaries should be and what accommodations wrestlers should have. He feels the kids in Tough Enough should see how hard it really is and has no problem with the Bob Holly incident.
He is currently working on some projects on his own and hopes to have them completed soon.
