WWF RAW Results: January 18, 1993

The second-ever episode of WWF Monday Night RAW aired on January 18, 1993, from the Manhattan Center in New York City. This groundbreaking show continued to set the stage for what would become one of the most influential wrestling programs in history. Let’s dive into the exciting matches and memorable moments from this early RAW episode.

Opening Segment

The show kicked off with a controversial moment as Rob Bartlett, one of the commentators, tore up a photo of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan while declaring “fight the real enemy”. This unexpected start set the tone for an evening full of surprises and intense wrestling action.

Match 1: Mr. Perfect vs. Terry Taylor

The first bout of the night featured the technically gifted Mr. Perfect taking on “Terrific” Terry Taylor. Both men were known for their in-ring prowess, promising a showcase of wrestling skill.Result: Mr. Perfect emerged victorious, pinning Terry Taylor and starting the night with an impressive win.

Match 2: Marty Jannetty vs. Glen Ruth

Next up, former tag team specialist Marty Jannetty faced off against Glen Ruth. Jannetty, recently split from his partnership with Shawn Michaels, was looking to establish himself as a singles competitor.Result: Marty Jannetty secured the win over Glen Ruth, continuing to build momentum in his solo career.

Main Event: Ric Flair vs. El Matador

The main event of the evening saw the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair square off against El Matador, formerly known as Tito Santana. This match promised to be a clash between Flair’s cunning and El Matador’s fiery spirit.Result: In an unexpected turn of events, the match ended in a No Contest. The exact circumstances of this conclusion were not detailed in the available results, leaving fans to speculate about what transpired.

Behind the Scenes

While not explicitly mentioned in the match results, it’s worth noting that this early period of RAW was a time of transition for the WWF (now WWE). The company was moving away from the larger-than-life characters of the 1980s and early 1990s towards a grittier, more realistic product that would eventually become the Attitude Era.

Impact and Legacy

This episode of RAW, only the second in the show’s history, continued to establish the program’s format and style. The mix of established stars like Ric Flair and Mr. Perfect with up-and-coming talents like Marty Jannetty showcased the WWF’s commitment to both honoring its past and building for the future.The controversial opening segment with Rob Bartlett tearing up Bobby Heenan’s photo demonstrated RAW’s willingness to push boundaries and create memorable moments beyond just in-ring action. This approach would become a hallmark of the show in years to come.

Looking Ahead

As RAW continued to evolve, episodes like this one laid the groundwork for what would become wrestling’s flagship weekly program. The combination of top-tier matches, unexpected moments, and the live format created an unpredictable and exciting atmosphere that kept fans tuning in week after week.