Original subtitles

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Monday Night Raw.

We are live.

Monday Night Raw, the longest-running weekly

episodic television show in history.

The champ is here.

Perhaps no decade defines Raw's unpredictability

and spectacle quite like the 2000s,

from blistering confrontations-

"Just bring it."

Bring what?

A vomit bag?

to mesmerizing matches.

Oh, my God in heaven.

The first decade of the millennium brought

nothing but incredible action.

Today, we take a look back at the best Raw

moments of the 2000s.

This is WWE's Greatest Moments.

If you smell--

Oh, my God, what the hell are you doing?

Absolutely unbelievable.

Hulkamania is here.

Welcome, everyone,

to WWE's Greatest Moments.

I'm Michael Cole, and on this edition, we're looking back at

some of the best Monday Night Raw moments of the 2000s.

Raw has always served

as WWE's flagship program,

ever since its original broadcast back in 1993.

And over time, the show has evolved into a mainstay

in pop culture.

Speaking of Evolution, one aptly named group once stood tall

as a force to be reckoned with on the red brand.

What you see in this ring before you is the greatest

example of Evolution you will ever see.

Led by the World Heavyweight Champion,

Triple H, Evolution featured the past, present,

and future of Sports Entertainment.

The Animal known as Batista emerging

as a surefire superstar.

His status was solidified when Batista won

the 2005 Royal Rumble,

but The Animal was faced with a mighty decision.

Go after JBL's WWE Championship on SmackDown

or face his mentor, Triple H.

Sometimes Dave is not smart enough

to know what's good for him.

Tonight, Batista will decide if he will

go to WrestleMania representing Raw

or representing SmackDown.

Dave was just growing so fast that I could see him

being this main event caliber, larger-than-life guy.

It was Batista's breakout moment.

Ric and Hunter are just trying to like, "Okay, obviously,

you're going to pick the SmackDown guy, right, because

you can't go after your mentor."

I've known what I was going to do for a long time.

There was rumblings, but you could tell that they were just

waiting for this to just pop off.

It felt right.

Yes.

The thumbs-up-thumbs-down moment

was for Dave Batista.

That was the moment of, "All right, kid,

we're going to go with you."

What is he doing?

Look out.

If you do this, there's no turning back.

No.

Oh, God Almighty.

It really started to become real like,

"I just can't believe what's happening.

My career is, I mean, it's taking off."

It was something special.

At WrestleMania, I'm taking the World Championship from you.

I think it was one of the things that really helped

just put the stamp on Dave of like,

"Yes, forgive the era that came before me.

I'm the guy."

In the 2000s, the seeds of the women's revolution

were being planted, led by two Hall of Famers looking to prove

that the women can perform to the same caliber

of their male counterparts.

WWE Women's Champion, Trish Stratus,

and her top rival, Lita.

If you think you're going to get my title,

keep dreaming.

I've been dreaming for the past seven months

about the day I get my hands on you.

On the December 6th, 2004, episode of Raw,

for the first time in WWE history,

two women would main event Monday Night Raw.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we have been waiting a long time for this opportunity.

We walked into the building, and we were told

that we would be main eventing Monday Night Raw.

Wow.

It's all about the title, but I think it's about a

whole lot more.

We had some really strong personalities,

but it wasn't like a women's wrestling division

where they could truly show off their athleticism.

50% was like,

"Oh, my God, I can't believe this is happening."

Look out.

Oh, look at this.

Oh, my gosh.

The other 50% was,

"You're damn right this is happening."

Lita's got no business up here.

It's all or nothing.

No.

All or nothing with the moonsault.

By God,

Lita did it.

Lita did it, King.

Seeing history being made, 2004,

in the main event of Raw, inspired an entire generation.

I can't believe the effort,

the heart both women displayed.

There's nothing quite like a bit of good

old-fashioned smack talk, and there's no superstar who has

mastered the art of the diss better than The Rock.

Hola.

Cacao.

Hello.

Hey, it's nothing.

He says he knows you.

You're nothing.

On February 24th 2003's episode of Monday Night

Raw, live from Toronto, Canada, The Rock would let our neighbors

to the north know exactly

what he thinks about their great city.

What a mixed reaction

as it relates to The Rock here.

Finally, The Rock has come back to run his mouth

on all your candy asses.

It was a recipe for phenomenal success,

and success just in terms of fans loving to hate me.

The Rock said he wanted to go live Monday Night on Raw.

More importantly than that, The Rock said he wanted to come

right here to Toronto, Canada.

Oh, wait a minute.

Are you kidding The Rock?

What?

Is this the first time you've ever heard someone

mention your city?

Is that it?

Oh, yay.

Hooray.

He said Toronto.

He said my city.

Yay.

Whoopee.

Oh, yay.

That's where we live.

We live in Toronto.

Yay.

Shut up.

As a Torontonian,

we did want to cheer The Rock, and he did not let us.

It doesn't matter what you people think.

When he really leaned into not trying to get

cheered is when he was at his absolute best,

because it's something new and it's really entertaining.

The Rock is stronger than a bear, faster than a buck,

the biggest thing to hit Canada, because the Maple Leafs suck.

Kane is one of

the WWE's most dramatic and strange stories.

Hell's Favorite Demon wore a mask

to hide what many thought

to be a disfigured appearance, but others believed it kept him

emotionally stable and protected.

Kane's face wear also caught the attention of World Heavyweight

Champion, Triple H, as he wanted to see who or what

was under the mask.

Kane, I promised you that before this night was over,

your life would never be the same.

The Game and The Big Red Machine would clash for

the World Title with one unique stipulation added to the match.

If Kane loses, he must unmask.

Kane must become the World's Heavyweight Champion

or he must unmask.

Uh-oh.

Here we go.

The reason I needed a mask,

Kane had been burnt in a fire,

and had been a Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, silent entity,

and you have Triple H, who is Cerebral Assassin.

Oh.

Oh, the low blow.

And the Pedigree.

We're going to see that face.

No, kick out, kick out.

Yes.

And oh.

The Kane character had gone as far as the mask

would allow.

I mean, I don't know if we want to see that.

Yes, yes, I do want to see it.

Him taking off his mask for the first time,

it was like, "Oh, my gosh,"

like, everyone wanted to see that.

Here it comes.

What the hell is this?

Oh, my God.

What the hell?

When Kane lost the mask, it was a brand-new character.

And you wanted to be watching Monday Night Raw

because you wanted to see what was going to happen.

What the hell is that?

Get a shot of that face.

Is that a human?

In the mid-to-late 1990s,

the Monday Night War was in full effect.

The WWE and rival promotion, WCW, battled it out in the world

of television ratings, fueled by their staple Monday night

programs, Raw and Nitro.

In case you're tempted to check out the

competition, don't bother.

However, that war came to an end in March 2001,

as WWE Chairman, Mr. McMahon, purchased his competition.

Here I am on WCW television.

How can that happen?

On the March 26th episode of Raw, our first of its

kind simulcast of the two Monday night shows hit the airwaves in

a moment that would alter the landscape of professional

wrestling forever.

This broadcast is not only being seen

here on TNN-

but it's also being

seen across Turner Network Television.

The last Nitro was-was surreal,

and you kind of felt like, "What's next?"

WCW is buried.

For any of us that were in WCW at the time,

didn't have much insight on backstage gossip.

I just knew that the rumor was that that night the company was

gonna close down.

I own WCW, I own the WWE,

and you will treat me with respect.

I'll walk out of this arena--

Shane McMahon is on Nitro.

What in the hell is he doing?

I was down in Panama City, and no one knew,

really, what was going on with WCW.

Surprise, dad.

The name on the contract does say McMahon.

However, the contract reads, "Shane McMahon."

I knew how historic that night

was going to be.

I now own WCW.

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle

built his legendary career on the back of his incredible

in-ring ability and technical wizardry, but the Olympic gold

medalist's most underrated aspect

was arguably his comedic chops.

I got Olympic gold.

I got Olympic gold.

Kurt.

But on the August 20th, 2001, episode of Raw,

the wrestling machine looked to embarrass

the members of The Alliance.

Tonight is "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

Appreciation Night.

Thank you.

When I was beating the living hell out of Kurt Angle last

night, I wanted--

It's a damn milk truck.

The Olympic hero driving a milk truck into the

arena and spraying down "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

with a bunch of milk.

It was a lot of fun.

Woo.

Oh, my God.

That's milk.

Milkomania is running wild.

Kurt, he just wanted to entertain the crowd.

And if that meant spraying milk on everybody,

he was just all about entertaining.

It's milkman madness.

My God.

I personally will never, ever forget being

sprayed by that milk truck.

The million-dollar princess has become

the Dairy Queen.

There was a real great chemistry between

the Stone Cold character and Kurt Angle.

As much as I enjoyed the matches with him, I enjoyed the gaga

part of it just as much.

That crowd that night absolutely loved it.

It was a great moment in pro wrestling.

When WWE purchased WCW in 2001,

the potential for crossover between the two companies'

top stars was nothing short of thrilling,

but the absence of one superstar was obvious.

The powerhouse known as Goldberg.

On the Raw after WrestleMania 19, The Rock would relish in his

victory over rival "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

in the middle of the ring.

Stone Cold, if you're going to get beat,

who better than to get beat by than the absolute greatest

the wrestling industry has ever seen?

But while The Great One bathed in his triumph,

a new challenger waited in the wings for his time to strike.

I went to Hollywood, I came back,

and then I came back and I get booed.

At that time, I-I was making the transition from WWE

to making movies full-time.

The Rock has now beaten Austin, beaten Hogan, Triple H,

The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, everyone.

Now, there's nothing left for The Rock.

It was the truth.

There really was no one else for Rock to beat.

What is there left to do?

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, hey.

Don't think you're cool just 'cause you know The Rock's

accountant, Ira Goldberg, okay?

Well, that is his accountant, Ira Goldberg,

so that was fortuitous that it worked out that way.

Oh, yeah.

The most electrifying man entertaining all of you.

It's over.

You don't appreciate The Rock,

you can all kiss the People's ass.

What?

Goldberg is here.

It is him.

And Goldberg is coming to the ring.

Oh, no.

Coming from WCW to WWE, and making that splash,

it had to be with the right person.

You're next.

What?

Oh, God.

Oh, is that so?

Look-Look out.

Goldberg taking down The Rock.

Oh, my God.

Rock, he was instrumental in my success

immediately in the WWE.

I can't believe what I'm seeing.

Goldberg on Raw.

In 2001, "The Game" Triple H

was on top of the world.

Look out.

Oh, the Pedigree.

Reigning as Intercontinental Champion and

one half of the Tag Team Champions.

And there's Triple H from behind.

However, a devastating quadriceps injury

put Triple H on the shelf for nearly eight months.

Triple H sustained a very serious injury.

Yes, he did.

He tore a quadricep muscle.

And on Raw's first episode of 2002,

the anticipation was higher than ever for the return of The Game.

The time has come.

The return of 'Triple H.

I remember standing in the curtain and my music hit.

And just getting a rush like, "Holy."

He's back.

Triple H is back.

It has been eight long months

of rehabilitation thinking about this very night.

My return from my quad injury was really special.

To go from the reality that-that I might never wrestle again.

I am The Game.

And you can bet your ass I'm back.

To be injured for nine months and come back,

it was a great, great WWE moment.

Everything about it, fairytale.

ng ringsider

nearly 30 years watching some of the greatest athletes in WWE

history perform at the highest caliber,

but one superstar stood out as a true daredevil.

I'm talking about none other than Jeff Hardy.

I don't fear anybody.

And I'm going to do whatever it takes to get to that next level,

no matter what, man.

Hardy's fearless ways were never more prominent

than his feat on the January 14th, 2008, episode of Raw.

Referee has called for the bell,

and here we go.

Oh, whoa.

Was that a low blow?

Wrestling Randy Orton, he's a villain,

so he takes advantage of that opportunity.

Orton thinking RKO.

Jeff Hardy thinking retribution.

That feud between Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy,

I thought it was an amazing feud.

I felt it really elevated both performers.

Randy Orton measuring Jeff Hardy.

Oh.

Good Lord.

Jeff Hardy was that daredevil.

He wasn't afraid of anything.

Oh, my God.

What is he doing?

Oh, wait, wait, no.

Jeff, think this through.

Jeff's goin' higher.

I remember laying there.

It's the kind of fall where if you land wrong, like,

that could be it.

Jeff's been doing that his whole career.

Oh.

Oh, God.

Oh.

It was such an adrenaline rush

to actually pull that off.

Unbelievable.

He really thinks like an artist.

To him, I will Swanton from the-the-the top of the set is

much like a-a work of art.

I can't believe what I've seen.

We've now reached our number one moment,

and it's a clash of titans that was years in the making.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hulk Hogan was WWE's hottest

superstar and the most popular professional wrestler

on the planet.

The greatest professional athlete

in the world today.

But when the Hulkster departed for WCW

in 1994, the throne of WWE was left vacant.

Enter The Rock, the most electrifying man

in Sports Entertainment.

The Rock says know your role and shut your mouth.

But when Hogan made his return to WWE in 2002,

the Brahma Bull called out the Immortal One

in what became a showdown for the ages.

Who'd have thought they would have ever seen

Hulk Hogan and The Rock in the same ring?

That was one of the most incredible

nights I've ever had in my career.

Icon versus icon.

They've got a name for guys like you.

It's called flavor of the month.

Is that what you think?

That's exactly--

It doesn't matter what you think.

With him, it was just so easy to sit back and

let him tell the story.

How do you feel about headlining one more

WrestleMania with The Rock?

Oh, my God.

That iconic moment of Hogan looking at Rock for

what seems like forever because it was forever.

It's as if time has stood still.

Yes.

Oh, my God.

There it is.

There it is.

Oh.

That's the answer we were looking for.

Good luck, 'cause you're going to need it.

I went to shake his hand.

He wouldn't let go of my hand, you know?

He pulled me in.

Not as much as you, brother.

Oh.

Wait a minute.

Oh.

Oh, brother.

Oh.

Rock Bottom.

Everything about that night was so exciting.

A truly unforgettable confrontation

between two icons of the industry.

Well, that'll do it for this episode

of WWE's Greatest Moments.

We hope you enjoyed this look back at the most iconic and

memorable moments of Monday Night Raw in the 2000s.