Arena Showcase - WWF/WWE Monday Night Raw (1993-2017)

In this episode of Arena Showcase we take a look at the most iconic weekly wrestling show in history, Monday Night Raw. Throughout the years we've seen many changes to the ring, stage, graphics package, and everything in between. So join me, as we take a look at the many faces of Monday Night Raw.

[@chrisjoy1321]

Its literally just the story of Vince slowly becoming obsessed with LED screens.

[@RDR8933]

Fuck the LED set

[@TFitz1]

I know right lol I'll pass on the LED set

[@rightlibertarian8355]

@@RDR8933 even ring apron and posts are LED. Cringey.

[@rakhibisht9324]

@@rightlibertarian8355 The barriers are also LED Now 😂

[@R323838]

the Raw set from 1999-2002 is my top favorite

[@NikateeN]

Christopher Henderson definitely a classic!

[@cmrodican]

I agree. I was lightly annoyed with the 2002 overhaul, but everything after that made me wish they would have stayed simpler. Way too many LEDs, sometimes it's better to save that stuff for Wrestlemania. Raw from 99 to 02 was perfect. Other great sets were Armegeddon 99, and Royal Rumble 2000. Too many LEDs just take away from the show in my opinion.

[@UrbanPhoenix247]

This was the best arena imo. It's never featured in WWE 2K games, kinda why I refuse to buy them

[@haroonwaarsi6059]

Yas

[@smoothst9303]

Mine is 2002-2008

[@NEXUS2040]

Give them 2 years, and I bet that entire ring will be nothing but leds.

[@NEXUS2040]

...And then a year later the floor mats, the announcer table and the barricades will all be covered in led screens.

[@johndonisi8526]

NEXUS2040 and the wrestlers will be less.

[@johndonisi8526]

*led

[@fartysmell6940]

just wait til all the titles are all LED

[@foooo]

Michael Cole's pants will eventually be LED...

[@johndonisi8526]

My favorite stage design is the 2002-2007 because I grew up with it. Great video.

[@NikateeN]

John Donisi thanks a lot!

[@johndonisi8526]

Charlieboy Saldivar I grew up with the ruthless aggression era, but the attitude era stage is my 2nd favorite stage design.

[@jyatsko89]

Charlieboy Saldivar Same man. I grew up in the Legendary Attitude Era, and it's by far my favorite time in wrestling...WWF (I still call it that, screw WWE) just sucks now. I'm legit embarrassed to tell people who don't watch it that I'm a fan of wrestling nowadays it's so bad.

[@Bbknuckles]

John Donisi I was a kid in the early 90's but loved the Attitude era. Maybe because I was in high school and it was more edgy.

[@Lakersfan08._.24]

John Donisi Same especially smackdown vs raw

[@naraicks]

the 2001 set will always be my favorite. i used to draw it all the time in my school books

[@NikateeN]

naraicks haha I did as well!!

[@UrbanPhoenix247]

That arena is never shown in WWE games as of late, unfortunately.

[@beaubowss6813]

yeah its the best one. I like early 2002 RAW.

[@cba.literallycant.]

UrbanPhoenix247 I feel like wwe tries to almost ignore the invasion/pre draft era (mid 01- early 02

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@cba.literallycant. Given how badly it was mishandled/botched, you would too!

[@thebipolarbear1]

The 2002 era is probably my favorite. Growing up during the attitude era I always liked the 1998 raw is war style too. The original smackdown set other the silver ovals and blue lighting was sweet too. That's why I love WWE 13 , I can play all my favorite entrances.

[@BillyM82094]

2005 was also the year that Raw returned to USA after 6 years on TNN/Spike TV

[@drewcavanaugh5595]

Everything you guys are saying are completely true.We don't need a wall of LED screens we just need a titantron and some pretty cool set designs.

[@LIFEWITHTHEJONESES1]

I miss the attitude era stage 98-02 they were my favorite. Plus that's when I started watching

[@SSJ491]

The 2003 Raw is when I started watching Raw on television, but I started watching WWF/E back in August 26, 1999 with Smackdown made its television series debut.

[@_The_Worst_]

The neon was my jam...🤘🏼💯✔️

[@EmeraldZion]

Man, gotta love that 1999-2000 design!

[@darkchocolate3390]

The attention to detail required to make this video is insane. Bravo.

[@TheDreMacShow]

I always loved the Raw is War arena myself

[@TBrizzle01]

2:10 That is so awesome to see this featured!!! I'm a YSU grad! Granted I was born a little after this episode of Raw but still awesome!

[@jcarmedia8114]

Hardly ever comment on videos but these videos really hit a sweet spot for me. Really entertaining and informative! Hope you carry on doing these for a long time.

[@NikateeN]

JCAR MEDIA hey, thanks a lot! Glad you guys enjoy this kind of stuff as much as I do. At first I thought nobody would watch these! Lol

[@jcarmedia8114]

Nah, you definitely hit a niche with these, mate.

[@pamcamden]

NikateeN do the smackdown arena showcase now

[@alijamehadzic843]

@@NikateeN SURVIVOR SERIES ARENA SHOWCASE POR FAVOR

[@Xaixiu]

I really miss the square LED lights they had in 08. They were so cool to me.

[@freewillygoss]

Love this series. You point out every detail and explain them all perfectly

[@LochNessHamster]

I really love the look of the whole arena from latter 1999 to 2002. It's an often overlooked stage design compared to the ones preceding and following it. I think it has a really great balance between the metallic grit of the Attitude Era and the sleeker, higher production values that would come to define WWE. It was especially a good complement against the neon scifi look of Smackdown at the time. I really wish they kept it longer than the two and a half years that they did. I think the Ruthless Aggression and PG era designs are a lot blander in comparison.

[@MikeFlamingo]

I would love showcases on various ppv arenas! Summerslam, Backlash, and Royal Rumble come to mind aside from wrestlemania.

[@MistyDusker]

Now thinking about it I thought I'd dislike the newer designs but it actually looks nice as hell. Like the ramp and video being seen on the floor is freaking awesome at the end and also great job, Nik. Interesting stuff and people barely mention designs in visuals from what I see on here.

[@WizBlew]

Awesome vid, appreciate the hard work and effort to makes this kinda stuff.

[@NikateeN]

FrOz3nFrI3Z thanks a lot!

[@gamerdude612]

My Favorite Raw stages are 1998-2002 and 2002-2008 great looks for Raw.Will you do a similar video on SmackDown! over the years as well? I'M really enjoying these Arena Showcase videos. I don't think anyone else even does videos on stage design in wrestling.I love the content NikateeN please don't stop doing vids anytime soon 🙂

[@NikateeN]

gamer dude thanks a lot!! As long as people keep enjoying what I do, I'll keep doing it!

[@gamerdude612]

NikateeN Thanks for loving my comment you're awesome dude as long as continue to do videos I will stay subscribed to this channel👍🙂.

[@UrbanPhoenix247]

The 1999-2002 version of the arena is never showcased in WWE games, as of recently.

[@user-jk4dp1nj2r]

For RAW the stage from 2008 to 2011 was my favourite. The massive header screen made it look fantastic aswell. Hopefully that stage with those stage parts are available on WWE 2K20 for create an arena mode as that would be sooo DOPE!🔥. For smackdown the Smackdown Fist stage was my favourite. And my favourite smackdown logo was the smackdown logo from 2010. The one with all the glass👌.

[@DanMorose]

How long until the superstars are made entirely of LEDs? 🤔

[@smoothst9303]

😂😂😂😂

[@mrs6968]

Seriously this content is good fun because one of the things in the wwe universe that don't get enough attention yet is literally the biggest part of the program is the stages be it iconic or lack luster

[@grammysworld5449]

As always, you never fail to put up a great vid.. keep grinding bro

[@NikateeN]

Grammys World thanks a lot man!

[@grammysworld5449]

NikateeN anytime man.. keep pushing these vids.. most unbiased wrestling channel on KZbin (Razor Ramon is a gawd he doesn't count lol)

[@phenomenal_jorge235]

best arena showcase episode, really awesome, keep up the great work

[@NikateeN]

TheLegendLizard appreciate it!!

[@phenomenal_jorge235]

***** do smackdown next

[@zlinedavid]

Gotta give you credit. You're detail oriented and know the right details to look for. Not everyone would notice details like initial case vs all cap type. As an occasional designer, I love, love, love this series and the effort you put into it.

[@Cage820]

great video man! Really enjoyed this trip down memory lane

[@ToeTag9899]

I'm such a nerd for this stuff I love it!! My favorite arena is the late 99 set with no incremental changes which had it's first change when they added the mini tron on July 2, 2001 and got rid of the physical WWF logo. I always will associate WWE being it's best before the Alliance angle went into full gear and on top of that I prefer the look of the old physical WWF logo with the lights behind it. It had more style compared to just another screen.

[@realm23x73]

Well done..it's a breath of fresh air to see competent niche videos like this..

[@Peenpapiii]

Really enjoyed this!

[@tonydreads622]

This was great! Brought me back to my childhood

[@britneyspearsvillarosa]

I love the Raw Arenas from 1993-2011

[@josevidz]

This is a well put together video. Just the history and all that.

[@huntermormo261]

2002-2008 was my favorite stage design

[@jerrickthomas3180]

I've been waiting for this video, nice!!!

[@NikateeN]

Jaytrex Gaming 😀

[@PrettyboyAshtun]

my favorite is that ruthless aggression era stage hands down

[@BluePalmetto]

This video just took me through a bit if my childhood.

[@tomtom1373ify]

Good stuff man. Thanks for your hard work!

[@acewillingham]

my favorite one will always be the Attitude Era one that's the one I grew up with

[@Escape5150]

thank you so much for the dedication to make videos like this, I love your channel

[@jonathanscrutchensYT]

Time to relive them (2018-present)

[@j.h3404]

I think it would be awesome if they went to the Manhatten Center once a year

[@NikateeN]

Herschel Norman I agree! Whatever happened to Raw "old school?"

[@ian-wy5fw]

Absolutely love this vid, great wurk

[@Redrobyn9]

Love this series keep up the good work

[@NikateeN]

Robert Hardy thanks!

[@DannyBoy0619]

Dude the arena showcase stuff is top notch. Especially the WWE ones as I've always thought they had the cooler stages. Keep it ip

[@WrestlingFace]

Will you do an update video on the RAW arenas, say 2017 to 2023?

[@NikateeN]

It’s a good possibility.

[@andrebyrdjr2617]

​@NikateeN can you make it for 2024-2025

[@juliusharrell8166]

I love the March 10,1997-March 25th 2002 Raw set

[@ryankirk7642]

man I love seeing the RAW stage from the Ruthless Aggression era brings back the time when RAW came to Memphis in early 04 back then WWE barley came there now they're having NXT house shows near my place lol but I can remember the stage and everything from that night the Sunday night Heat bouts they had before RAW to the very end where Stone Cold showed up and stunnered​ Teddy Long

[@mrs6968]

My favorite is the slanted raw stage the one b4 announcers were ramp side altho I admit when in person it was cool to see Jr and the king so close at ramp side

[@RedWolf316sega]

My favorite is the stage from 1999 to 2001.

[@arbabcreations]

Thank you for such an awesome video!!! I hope to see one for smackdown too...

[@tasteewheat393]

I hope they bring back the raw is war arena The left and right curtains can be the led lights but Just those two Keep the rest a dark curtains with some few lights

[@thelunaist2014]

Now I know what to use a as a guide whenever I want to create an arena in a video game.

[@DannyBoy0619]

Summerslam, No Mercy and Backlash had awesome arenas. Looking forward to you covering them

[@FDC42585]

My favorite Raw arena is 1999-2001

[@BillyM82094]

I was born in 1994 when Raw brought the pyro to the show for the 1st time

[@xtremehardy388]

LOVE these videos!!

[@Ultimatezball]

New Subscriber, love the content you post out. Keep it up, maaaaan.

[@NikateeN]

Paras Dhaliwal thanks a lot, and welcome!

[@2greedy420]

you videos are dope man keep it up very detailed

[@smoothst9303]

Here’s is my ranking for each of the stages 1. The Trapezoid Stage (02-08) 2. WWF Light Up Stage (93-93) 3. Nee-On Stage (93-95) 4. The Raw Logo Stage (95-97) 5. Raw Is War Stage (97-02) 6. The HD Stage (08-12) 7. Raw 2016 1st Stage (16-16) 8. The 1000 Stage (12-16) 9. Raw 2016 2nd Stage (16-19) 10. The Half Pipe Stage (19-20) 11. The Performance Center (20-20) 12. The Thunderdome (20-Present)

[@Oldy87]

Parallelogram, not a trapezoid.

[@jerrymorganjr]

These videos are great!

[@SJB2000]

loved the heck outta this video! before you do smackdown do WCW nitro!

[@NikateeN]

shawn 242 Nitro will definitely happen! It didn't see as much change as Raw so it won't be quite as long, but stay tuned for it!

[@SJB2000]

NikateeN great stuff, you'd be surprised to know how long I have been waiting on a video like this! thanks

[@simonmarshall19]

The last Monday Night Raw we had in Vancouver BC Canada was May 2004 at Pacific Coliseum

[@NikateeN]

simon marshall damn that's too long... Raw is coming to the Golden 1 center here in Sac in May! Tickets go on sale this Saturday.

[@lb2.0.45]

you should do a smackdown arena showcase next keep up the work man love your vids.

[@garrettrutkowski9430]

The ruthless aggressions era set was the best, it was like a Pokémon evolution of the attitude era set

[@TheOGNoName]

The stage set that was shown at 12:16 was actually only used for one night. It was in July 2016 on the first night of the new brand split and would be changed to the current set the next week.

[@NUKE_DUKEM777]

1999 set, 2002-2007 set, and the current set are my favorites.

[@caitorosario2367]

WWF RAW SNES & SEGA Genesis vibe Anyone! I have that Game for the SNES version and Royal Rumble

[@chrisamadeus510]

Great vid. Personally, I think I've gone overboard with LED's now.

[@MrChitownfreak]

God the LED screens have become such an overkill nowadays. I loooong for the days of just a simple titantron and mini-tron/logo underneath it. That's literally all you need.

[@mrs6968]

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one to feel this way yet i really miss the tnn scratch logo on the raw set

[@BillyM82094]

I definitely wanna see arena showcases for WWF/WWE SmackDown (1999-2017) and WCW Thunder (1998-2001)

[@angelirigoyen8283]

You forgot to mention how they basically got rid of all the crazy lights they had on the stage in 1997, which I'll never understand because they made the stage look much better

[@MarcantonioStanga]

Before the WWF went with full red ropes they did a red/black/red combo for a week or two.

[@MN_-]

another awesome video I liked the snatcher music in the background lol I miss the steel barricades I get it looks cheaper but it makes the crowd so much closer.especially on 97 raw

[@KegOfMeat]

I was always under the assumption that the things on the side of the. 02-06 stage were supposed to be shards of broken glass.

[@ITM95]

Awesome video man!

[@beaubowss6813]

EARLY 2002 "RAW" was the best. Ruthless Aggression era stars debuting in the World Wrestling Federation.

[@EmmettXIV]

6:43 My favorite sets are 1999-2002 and 2002 to 2005. In 2005 when they added the screens instead of the set designs, I didn't like it as much. The product was also going downhill. Overall, the designs and presentation throughout the years has been consistently good.

[@zealousjay1993]

the minute it hit HD ... I stopped caring

[@lakitudude7577]

I guess i'll be the odd one out and say i don't mind the led invasion lol. I especially like the current set with the giant ass screen

[@retrokid562]

Nowadays stages has to have so much light and LED this and that to reflect with time and to tune in with 4K TV that eventually will be in almost everyone household in the coming years...I like the simpler design without all the fancy, schmancy stuff.

[@Greedyselfish97]

Thanks for making this video, man! I was hoping you would do a showcase for RAW. Will we see one for Smackdown soon?

[@NikateeN]

Greedyselfish97 thanks a lot! SmackDown isn't next but it's definitely coming soon!

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@NikateeN It's been 3 years since you said that. Where is it?

[@xRCGxRockStar]

you forgot to mention the changing of wwf to wwe logo. besides that really great vid man

[@RhinoXpress]

Raw sets have become soo ridiculously big that they block out an eitre section of the arena now.

[@SmellTheCanvis]

God, man. You go into so much detail with these vids. Great flashbacks to my younger days visiting some of these great RAW arenas. What one was your favourite?

[@sarnobat2000]

It took me decades to accept the Titan Tron. The 1997 tron was so ugly, and Sid carefully walking down the ramp to avoid falling over just ruined run-ins.

[@sarnobat2000]

One interesting thing you didn't mention was the HD era addition of LED screens around the entire arena bowl.

[@TheEpicMario]

RAW’s late 2016 stage reminds me of SummerSlam 2013

[@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442]

It sucks that they do a complete facelift every 1,5 or 2 years today ... Can't they just stick with one layout for at least 5 years???

[@thetruecish]

I hope you do a video for the SmackDown arenas as well. I love this stuff.

[@DKrueger1994]

If you never heard "NOW GET THE GUNS, THE DRUGS, FROM MY GENERATION" during the 2002 - 2006 run of Monday Night RAW , you missed out

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

"Move to the Music! Yeah!"

[@RNC200711]

Great video mate, could you do the changing of Superstars/Wrestling Challenge? That would be a great one to see

[@yourboyken7871]

This may sound like a challenge but anyway you can do NJPW Tokyo Dome shows? Great vid!

[@haniltrivedi741]

Hi Nikateen , please make one for SmackDown, eagerly waiting for that. It had one of the most nostalgic stages of attitude era.

[@hritikghatge]

Awesome video. ..

[@Lakersfan08._.24]

2002-2006 is my childhood

[@d3athr0ck3r]

You and me are both very similar with me I get very exicited and pay huge attention to wrestling stage sets

[@alexeosmith9993]

DarcMetal02 me 2 sadly wwe uses the same shitty LED set for everything now it’s shit. I absolutely hate the LED ring apron and post covers it looks shit in my opinion