The Best Years of Monday Night Raw | Wrestling With Wregret

Monday Night Raw may not be the show it once was, but there are plenty of great years to look back on with fondness! Brian Zane counts down his picks for the best years in Raw's history! Give us your picks in the comments!
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[@andrewhagel55]

99 should’ve been on the list. It had Jericho’s unforgettable debut, Mankind FINALLY winning a world title (I know it happened on 12/29/98, but it aired 1/4/99), The beer bath, the eulogy for Austin, HHH winning his first world title and so much more

[@lmaouh1698]

True but it also Had the distinction of being the most Vince Russo-y year in the company lol, for better and for *worse* Pepper the Dog anyone? XD

[@lbn8177]

I'm guessing that the impact associated with the death of Owen Hart, along with Stone Cold Steve Austin getting run over at Survivor Series, stopped him from putting 1999 on that list.

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

Right ? How in the ever loving dog shit is 2008 above 1999 lol. Also, the ministry

[@zm9996]

I love ‘99 up to Over The Edge, then everything just turns to shit. Owen died, Austin lost the belt and they hot potatoed it to Mankind/HHH/Show/McMahon, the stables all disbanded, Taker left in the fall, Billy Gunn got buried, The McMahon’s got too convoluted. Literally the only good to come from ‘99 is the first half of the year, and Jericho’s debut. The summer and fall of ‘99 are horrible.

[@TheNewMeme_]

@@Xxrocknrollgod 2000 is 100 times better than 1999, rewatch that year

[@dc8rdecoded]

When I saw the thumbnail, my mind instantly said “2000”. I see this as being the creme dela creme of the Attitude era hitting its peak and delivering on a constant basis. That said, your choice of 1997 is a solid one as without that pivotal year, we wouldn’t have 2000.

[@ajk]

One thing Brian didn't mention too is, that this is when Raw expanded to 2 hours, and became Raw is War. That in itself was a pivotal change, that set the stage for the 4 years that followed. 97 is really underrated at times by some I believe, between the storylines and the importance of it in company history both.

[@KoolKeithProductions]

The choice is still 2000. WWF became a phenomenon that year. While today you would get beaten up at school if you said you watched RAW, in 2000 you would get beaten up if you said you DIDNT, and im talking about by the TEACHERS, not the students. lol

[@GorditoCrunch343]

@@KoolKeithProductions Nah, that phenomenon was 1999 for sure, which is still their peak in the ratings. By mid 2000 I know a lot of people who just stopped watching.

[@springtick3897]

1997 is my favorite year in wrestling ever, with WWF, WCW, and ECW just all having a banger year

[@tinotica]

1999 should’ve switched out 2005

[@TheInfamousGS]

As someone who grew up during the Ruthless Aggression era, 08 & 05 have some of my fondest memories watching as a fan.

[@claytonrios1]

Remember Across the Nation? That was my favorite Raw opening theme.

[@fc775]

No kid it overrated

[@BBoy4040]

MOVE TO THE MUSIC YEAHHH THAT FUCKIN MUSIC

[@reloadpsi]

@@fc775 Okay boomer.

[@ryankeefe6222]

Smackdown vs Raw 2006 intro is always what I think of when I hear that song

[@JungleBunkRootsMusic2022]

@@fc775 You Call him a "kid" just because you dont agree with his opinion. Stuff like this is why nobody likes wrestling fans 🙄🤦‍♂️

[@thebaker525]

I’m glad 2008 is featured here. Across all three shows, 2008 was a pretty solid year! Along with Raw as you stated: Smackdown had one of Undertaker’s final title runs with the rise of Jeff Hardy as a main eventer, and ECW had Morrison and Miz with rising talent like Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne.

[@theone9207]

2008 felt fantastic from top-to-bottom. Shows were good before and after the draft. I’d honestly say 2002 and 2016 were similar.

[@blacktytrix]

Not to mention one of the best mania shows of all time according to many (as well as me, its my personal favorite mania). 08 was great all around honestly.

[@shutup2751]

@@theone9207 agree, 2009 also wasn't all that bad, the first year or so of the pg era wasn't that bad, towards end of 2009 it went downhill fast

[@JEFFMAN90]

2008 was the downfall of WWE in my opinion. I stopped watching it that year

[@JEFFMAN90]

@@blacktytrix Wrestlemania 24 was pretty good but it went downhill afterwards when WWE went PG

[@JessicaChastainFan]

1997 from the start to the final Raw before Survivor Series 97 was the absolute best time in wrestling history.

[@starbreaker269]

1997 wcw was nearly perfect

[@Adyman182]

Was the WWF midcard actually good in '97? IMO it wasn't until the summer of '99 when you had Jericho, Hardys, Edge & Christian, Bubba & D-Von, later Benoit and Guerrero (along with the main event rises of Kurt Angle, Kane, Triple H, Big Show etc.) that you really have most of the big players in WWE. '97 had the Harts, DX, Foley, Austin, Taker and Rocky, but past those the roster kinda falls flat compared to the '99-'03 era. I can get '97 being the best year overall, but mostly still because of WCW. Too bad Sting didn't wrestle though.

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

97 was just okay. 99 was the best. Then 2000, 1998, 2001, then 97.

[@MarioCordale]

97-00 we're the Golden Years of WWE/F for everyone in their thirties. They took over like Cash Money Records.

[@grammysworld5449]

@Awesome Sauce he said for ppl in their 30s

[@clarencesimmons8580]

The early 2000s "McMahon-Helmsley Era" Between TRIPLE H & Stephanie.🤵🏻👰🏻💍💖 Formation of "Team Xtreme" the Hardys and Lita.👨🏻👱🏻‍♂️👩🏻‍🦰 When she defeated Stephanie for the Women's Title on "Raw"

[@Bbknuckles]

I’m 35 and my “golden years” of wrestling was the New Generation. The Attitude era was the best era because I was an edgy teen at that point but nothing beats the late 80’s - early 90’s.

[@grammysworld5449]

@@Bbknuckles he never said THE golden era.. and this comment is useless seeing you literally played into it just a comment above

[@Bbknuckles]

@@grammysworld5449 read my comment again smart guy. Get some reading comprehension skills while you’re at it. I stand by what I said.

[@CGaboL]

Now, I wanna see the top 8 worst/best years for SmackDown.

[@monosaturated]

1997 and 1998 are probably the best years, with late 96 getting an honorable mention for setting up the Attitude Era, and 99 for the Ministry of Darkness

[@fc775]

Don't forget about 2000

[@vapeymcvape5000]

I found the one person that liked the Ministry of Darkness

[@m00rtin4]

agree that late 96 and onwards were great

[@jrcarter9175]

@@vapeymcvape5000 The Ministry of Darkness was fine. It was when it became the Corporate Ministry that things went off the rails.

[@starbreaker269]

Hot take: I think 1998 raw is meh outside of 2 major feuds the show was a chore to get through Just an opinion though

[@jonathanpeck6112]

After you take care the Best & Worst years of RAW. I’m hoping we’re getting the Best & Worst Years of SMACKDOWN.

[@theone9207]

Some contenders… Best: - 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016 Worst: - 1999, 2004, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 (post Mania 35 was garbage)

[@ManiaxOnYTZeus]

@@theone9207 Where would 2001, 2007, and 2010 fit in?

[@SteRDLK]

2007 featured Great Khali winning the world title so it's obviously dead last

[@stingrey1571]

2002 wins hands down. Smackdown six in the fall completely shat all over raw.

[@jaybarbieri8619]

@@theone9207 2018 was decent for SD

[@Merricat_likesu]

A TV monitor? I believe you meant the incredibly expensive Jeri-tron 5000.

[@SteRDLK]

Was it the Jeri-Tron 6000?

[@christopherbenoit5585]

Was it the Jeri-tron 7000?

[@cacomeat7385]

We're really lucky that the best years of wrestling are also highly rewatchable

[@joshzumstien6289]

1997 is absolutely the best year of Raw ever, no question. There was so much good stuff that year that you neglected to mention Hart's portrayal as an American Heel but Worldwide Babyface, which I still think was one of the best things WWE ever did. There was so much creativity that year and all the Fed's top talent was at their peak level. Couldn't agree with this list more 👏.

[@spacegodfight]

97-98 was the high water mark for pro wrestling to date.

[@badbooking3221]

That whole double-turn in 1997 with Austin and Hart was masterful and set the stage for the company up until the Montreal Screwjob.

[@nujeru99]

ABSOLUTELY! Not only was the Double Turn done PERFECTLY at Mania 13, the fallout with Bret being a heel in America but Babyface worldwide...was just spot-on BRILLIANT. That kind of layered character development hasn't been seen in WWE since 2000

[@marreon88]

2000 the most, that’s when I started watching wrestling

[@phreakout93]

As a kid living a city over from norfolk we came home late to have our aunt who didn't watch wrestling explained to us she saw on the local news wwf had a tank to wcw...we looked at her like she was crazy!

[@vincenator25]

I like that he added Bret Harts theme from WWF Royal Rumble on the SNES at the end lol

[@zm9996]

1998 will always be my favorite year in WWF, the mid card was stacked, the main event pool was literally the greatest ever, and seemingly every week had an iconic moment.

[@SuperNitroZ64]

You should do the Top 8 Best Years of SmackDown

[@heyyoitsmebrian]

yessss!

[@SteRDLK]

He should do the top 8 years of Velocity

[@TheTsunaru]

​@@SteRDLK 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2005 again, 2003 once more and finally 2005 one last time.

[@jamesbounds]

Back when Raw was cant miss TV. These days its so skippable.

[@SteRDLK]

2014 was can't miss TV?

[@HabsMike25]

Can't remember the last time I watched Raw cause it is so bad. WCW from 1999-2001 is better than Raw now

[@jamesbounds]

@@HabsMike25 True

[@jamesbounds]

@@SteRDLK Better then today at least.

[@RyanDMoore]

MEGARAN. Black Materia. Listen to it if you've played FF7.

[@AsherTrasher2023]

I've been sick for the past 4 days. Today I woke up feeling much better, and to see a W³ video made me feel even better. Thank you Brian. I love you and your hilarious yet informative content.

[@Curton6693]

I agree with this list! I think the best creative run ever in wrestling history was 98 post summerslam- Wrestlemania 15. You had the rise of Rock, back to back legendary segments with Austin, undertaker and Kane, story twists and turns, it was just a crazy time

[@WrestlingFace]

1997 2000 2001 and 2002 my fav years. I started watching regularly in February 2001 and my first RAW was the contract signing between HHH and Stone Cold. Good times.

[@juegofuego6715]

Crazy how we both got into wrestling the same exact way. Not only was WCW vs NWO my true introduction to wrestling but it was my first video game for the N64. Before that I was a fan but only by having action figures of the road warriors and Bret Hart. Btw my favorite years are 97 and 2000

[@benestrada5589]

The Butt Fumble is timeless, don't ever feel bad for referencing it.

[@MrHunt916]

I go back to the Prime Time Wrestling on USA days with Brain & Monsoon. Good shit man

[@mattsharkey8437]

97' had an edge that hasn't been duplicated. The feuds were blurring the lines on a weekly bases. God bless!

[@lb2.0.45]

1997, 1998, 2000 and 2002 were my favorite years with 97 and 02 kinda being the more underrated years in my opinion.

[@chriskessaris8985]

Surprised 99 was left off tbh. It was a bit silly but a lot of memorable moments

[@jamalvargas6146]

I Remember The First Time I Watched Raw spring of 2004 alongside Smackdown what a time to be alive and this after I've gotten into Family Guy and Futurama

[@StrawmanYouTube]

2021 for sure. 1.8 ratings and rematches every week are 🔥

[@mychaeljones7526]

@Zach MJF vs Jericho again!

[@JaganKing97]

2013 should be on here considering this was during the rise of Daniel Bryan, Cm Punk vs Brock Lesnar/Paul Heyman Guys Feud, The Shield and Rhodes family storyline.

[@alvarotorres5925]

The Shield carried that show the whole year, plus the Punk/Rock program at the beginning of the year and a series of PPVs leading to Summerslam being absolute fire.

[@pallyboy6005]

@@alvarotorres5925 Dude, you're right. It *was* Punk-Rock. How the hell did they never tag-team and get that team name!? Oh, to hear Michael Cole say, "Now *this* is Punk-Rock!" In that terrible terrible way of his xD

[@RichSmithson]

Personally I got into wrestling in 1996 watching WCW Saturday Night with my dad. An Ultimo Dragon match was what got me really interested. But I was still a casual fan. Then 1997 came, Nitro and Raw came to free TV and I became a hardcore fan from then till 2001. I got to see the best stuff, but at the same time wish I’d watched a bit longer, maybe up until 2004.

[@your2latenow]

2016 post draft split raw is underrated as hell

[@claymathewselevator8121]

2016 Smackdown post draft was awesome too

[@bajula4444]

Holy shit that is so wrong. 2016 post-draft Raw almost made me want a lobotomy. Smackdown had to work twice as hard to make up for Raw.

[@XZeroX81]

@@bajula4444 2016 was tumultuous, but overall had some great things happening...cruiserweight classic, AJ and Dean holding gold, battleground was rad, but I agree...RAW was a dumpster fire

[@xWilcoXx]

Nailed it - 97 was the best year in wrestling ever for both wcw and wwf

[@dillonwhite634]

No 1999 in your top 8 Brian?? Shocked! Defo up there for me, top 4 IMO!

[@g-man8031]

You hit it right on the head. 1997 was the best year of Raw. 1998-2000 may get all the glory in the ratings and popularity, but something about 1997 was just special.

[@freeparking301]

First words outta my mouth when I seen this video in my feed was “Summer of 98.” I was 12 years old when my friend invited me over to watch the previous night’s King of the Ring he taped. I sat there like “yeah that fake stuff, no way I’ll get into this.” After the first few minutes of seeing Mankind vs. Taker Hell in a Cell I was hooked! I was like “no faking that fall…holy shit this is amazing!!!” Went home that night and watched Raw and was hooked until the end of Wrestlemania X7 which was a great PPV but young me wasn’t a fan of the direction it was going and slowly stopped watching. Now I catch up on the old school stuff watching this channel and a few others on KZbin.

[@violentbryan21]

Late 90s to early 2000 will always be the golden years of wrestling.

[@SAM-ru4vx]

I've been going over some DVDs and notice how different tv was than as compared to today. I'll say stone cold Steve Austin had a good run 1996-2000. Y2J had a good run and his feud vs hbk probably should of been a bigger deal. Rated r superstar edge was a great champion and his ppv matches should he was more than just a tag wrestler. Cm punk showed he was one of the best promos of all times be it in that very ring or commentary. Also Shawn Michaels come back 2002-2009? Had some decent matches putting over new talent like Cody Rhodes.

[@michaelkkrasting]

Oof, loving that Butt Fumble reference, many may not get it but sure as frick do, and it’s greatly appreciated!

[@claymathewselevator8121]

The Sanchise

[@yeaitsme1750]

97 was easily the best year of raw. So much depth

[@RolfWrenWalsh]

I had watched this years ago when you first posted it, but I forgot about how you started as a "WCW Guy". I love it. 1998 for you was 1996 for me. Monday, January 1, 1996. I watched Nitro for the first time. I didn't even know it was wrestling (I had never even heard of WCW), but after a couple weeks I was hooked, and been a wrestling fan to thia day (though fairly casual since 2010). I was (and still this day) a loyal, die hard WCW fan, and will support them until the day I die. WCW For Life!!

[@Nabz_57]

I'm glad 1997 was at #1 as it was the year that transitioned raw into the best wrestling show

[@noellegendary3120]

1997,1998,1999,2000,2002,2006,2008 and 2014 are my favorite years of Monday Night Raw.

[@nujeru99]

1997 has always been my pick for favorite year of RAW and of the Attitude Era. The storylines were layered and drew you in, as did the characters. The hotshot booking hadn't yet taken over (as it would by early '99), so title changes still MEANT SOMETHING. Along with the points Brian made, '97 was also the year Rocky Maivia found his footing and transformed into "The Rock". He and Austin's epic rivalry began that year for the IC title

[@artzx2]

Great video man...now I want to see one for Smackdown next!!!

[@chubbycatfish4573]

I got to say I like 96 just because it's when I started watching. A new friend talked me into watching and the very first thing I saw was Steve Austin debuting the stunner against Savio Vega. It was about the best possible time to start watching.

[@rogueprince1341]

Watching Jake's cobra bite Macho Man was the moment I became a life long wrestling fan.

[@paulwatson1808]

Great vid it's awesome to look back how good raw use to be just love the attitude era

[@evanhanley6437]

2000 is probably my favourite year.

[@jamminmusicman]

Awesome video Brian 💯 ... 1997 was the best year in wrestling history the landscape changed so much during that time it will definitely be a year we will talking about for decades ... 1995 was a personal favorite year for me I know that many consider it one of the worst but I think it had some good moments like Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart were having some amazing matches , British Bulldogs heel turn , Hakushi , Goldust's debut ...

[@alexa5675]

Great to see you again. Nothing against J Biggs, just you were missed. Nostalgia is REAL! Thanks W3! And thank you DJ Ran... This is me acknowledging the "new branding era". 🤣

[@shawnyganggang6581]

I respectfully don't think that 1997 was Raw's best year, but it was arguably it's most important year. This is when Vince let the wrestler's be an extension of their real life selves, created fresh content with more adult oriented themes and allowed fans to get a little peek as to what maybe goes on behind the scenes. Now nothing feels fresh. Most of the content feels like it's created for kids who have an average IQ of 45 and the only time they use adult themed anything is whenever someone calls someone a "bitch" in their scripted promo atleast once a week or once every other week. And you can find multiple shows or documentaries either on Peacock or KZbin or WWE.com about every little wrestling secret and even find notes on the internet that wrestlers/producers were given before a show because kayfabe is dead and everyone loves to talk about their matches on podcasts and break down every little magic trick since nothing is sacred anymore. To me, 2000 was the absolute best year for Raw. I had just become a Freshman in high school, wrestling was still HOT, Triple H/The Rock were each in their respected primes and had the hottest feud in wrestling, the tag division had never been better, Kurt Angle became a star, Y2J/Benoit were tearing it up in the mid-cards, Latino Heat was huge, the Hardcore Championship provided many hilarious and entertaining segments and matches, Trish Stratus and Lita showed why they were the future of the Women's division et cetera et cetera...

[@KHayes666]

97 was a damn good year but it wasn't must see TV like it would become a year later.

[@I_Am_The_Social_Reject]

2000 was good for wrestling but Triple H focus only brought it down. The top guy should never be a heel long term. Only if there isn't a Babyface ready and there was. The Rock. But wasn't as bad as 2003 Triple H. Despite that, I would probably rate even 2003 over 1997. 97 just wasn't that great.

[@RA1218]

Great video as usual. Love the intro btw

[@Aragorn7884]

How the mighty have fallen. Raw used to be gold.

[@mychaeljones7526]

I liked the comments in here because of sarcasm.

[@pataker7875]

Summer of 1998. I was 15. Best summer of my life.

[@lmhproductions8256]

I would love to see a smackdown version of both lists

[@starr_shine3060]

97 or 98 was the year I started watching wrestling. I was fascinated by Kane and Austin.

[@tyratooOP]

2017. I mean the whole year wasn't spectacular but on the heels of a great 2016 from Smackdown, RAW was pretty exciting in 2017 with the rise of Samoa Joe, the IC title scene, the Universal title scene, Braun vs Roman, also had Triple H vs Rollins at the beginning of the year, Festival of Friendship was also that year and is still one of the greatest WWE segments ever imo. By the end of the year it sputtered out as they got cold feet about what they even wanted to do but I feel for the amount of moments and excitement RAW gave in 2017 it deserves to be on the list. Tbh I really miss WWE 2015 to like 2018. Roster was varied and didn't feel overbloated as multiple people were shining. I mean in hindsight we know how many would end up but WWE felt way more exciting than now. Like to me after so many years of watching wrestling I am just reading/watching recaps of shows. I didn't even watch the Rumble or Mania it's that bad.

[@PeterWDawson]

Was Ministry of Darkness 1999? While I know the reveal at the end sucked, I loved the Austin rescue of Stephanie that one episode of Raw. I realize how silly it all is now as an adult of course but man, when Austin finally comes out, chef's kiss.

[@jwhyte2042]

First of all, big shout out to Brian for his great You Tube channel…👍🏽👊🏽 brought me back to a lot of nostalgia buddy! Raw was awesome in 2000! But generally WWE/F had certain periods that were my favs…88-91 and 98-2000 😊 I’m 36, started watching WWE/F ppv videos when I was about 7, loved it until Summerslam 93, then lost interest, came back to the Attitude Era when I was in High School January 00 after a friend told me how Wrestling had changed. I didn’t believe him, and then I saw Heat just before Royal Rumble 2000 and then the ppv…I couldn’t believe how much it changed and I was hooked!!! I had to go back a couple years then and started watching ppv videos from 98-99 and then all the pre taped Raw’s. Great memories and happy to have experienced that time. I lost interest again after Backlash 2001, but since then checked it out over the years and caught up some of the good ones/moments from 2002-2006.

[@WrestlingBibleLTS]

As soon i saw 1998 as part of the top 3 i originally thought 2000 was taking the #1 spot but i was wrong when it was #2 but 1997 was the best choice and it was the first year i officially started watching RAW

[@pablowoods1848]

That intro is hella sweet. I would bump that in the car if it got airplay.

[@TheNaturalPatHarris]

Pro Wrestling has been a part of me for as long As I can remember, since 92, When I was 4

[@Mrderful]

97 was no doubt the best year not just for raw but all 3 promotions. The product was CANT MISS and entertaining af. Tuesdays were lit in late elementary/early middle school

[@JK-hu4lu]

2000 year was my favourite ever year. Cactus Jack kicked it off, Rock then took wrestling to new heights. Rock will always be my favourite of all time.

[@ajk]

Then Austin returned at the end too to boot.

[@JK-hu4lu]

@@BishopWalters12 I liked Austin, but I think Rock made it better. 2000 was my favourite year because of Rock. When Austin came back, Rock was bigger, that's why he wanted to turn heel as he wasn't getting the same response as pre injury.

[@JK-hu4lu]

@@BishopWalters12 All about opinions, and I preferred Rock, but 2000 and early 2001 was all about Rock, even in Texas at Wrestlemania Rock was getting good reactions against Austin. Rock carried 2000 and every single time he made an appearance the crowd went nuts

[@GorditoCrunch343]

@@JK-hu4lu Early 2001 was all Austin, let’s be real. He wins one of the best Royal Rumbles in years, has the Match of the Year with HHH at No Way Out, then wins the title from Rock in his own home state. Even when he turned heel, he was still the top guy for the rest of 2001 and carried the shows through all of the awful Invasion stuff until Rock beat him at Survivor Series and was officially the top guy from then on.

[@JK-hu4lu]

@@GorditoCrunch343 you preferred Austin, I get that. But Rock Angle was a brilliant match where he won the title, Rock was just as part of the main event at wrestlemania as Austin. Two greats in one era, but go back and watch that time, you'll see how ridiculously popular Rock was. Then Hollywood Rock was a better heel than any Austin heel.

[@Sockcucker96]

Still rockin' to the theme, you got a good one!

[@thomaslippiatt7107]

Starting watching in. January 97 before the rumble (that was a great year) and been watching ever since. (For my sins) 2000 is my favourite year of raw. Great video Brian as always

[@andrewcozzini8259]

As a total "Ruthless Aggression"-era mark, I wholeheartedly agree with and appreciate your inclusion of both 2005 and 2008! However, two other years from this period that I would argue stand out for RAW are 2004 and 2006. While sitting somewhat uncomfortably in the middle of the so-called "reign of terror," 2004 had to be the most stacked single roster of any WWE brand...EVER! (sort of to the detriment of SD, but I digress) During this year, the locker room was a veritable who's who of nearly every already made star in the company, as well as many of the up-and-comers of SmackDown in years prior (i.e. Edge, Benoit, and Benjamin). In addition to the roster, this year held the very best of Evolution and really marks the point at which they became a cool (😎) sort of bad guys that fans loved to hate, rather than just lackeys to prop up HHH. It was also the real coming out party for Chris Benoit and Randy Orton, even if the latter's babyface run wasn't to everyone's liking. Also, this year contained many unforgettable, classic moments, such as: Shelton's shock win over HHH, Evolution turning on Orton (👎). Even for being often associated with the r.o.t. (

[@MilkWasABadChoice17]

I basically agree with this list, outside of 2008. This is when the undercard of Raw began to turn sour and it's when I tuned out until years later. HBK/Jericho was great but there were a bunch of other booking issues.

[@jackryan8736]

Great list Brian :) Keep up the great work!

[@pal-of-pals]

I always said that 1997 was one of the best years in terms of wrestling

[@miracle_ftw]

Spot on with those being the best years Brian Zane 👍🏾

[@Joegoldn]

This is great stuff Brian

[@TheCanadianBroski]

2006 & 2007 were great years from that hour long match between Cena & Michaels to a great tag team division featuring the likes of the Hardyz & Cade & Murdoch (an underrated team IMO) & especially a phenomenal mid-card with the likes of Jeff Hardy, Johnny Nitro, Randy Orton, Carlito, Chris Masters, Super Crazy & many more.

[@zeuslagawd3379]

1997 is my favorite year of WWE period it was an amazing mixture of the new generation eras wrestling style and the excitement of the attitude era.

[@soar123]

1997 for me. The amount of raw heat that year was through the roof

[@jammyc3336]

LOL, You referenced the butt fumble!! 🤣 Gotta love 05 !

[@mrhygiene]

I love this theme song, and what a great theme for an episode.

[@m.d.1395]

I was wondering when you would do the companion list to the worst years. Good job, as always!

[@oceonmon1392]

Apparently eventually means July 8 2021, anyways I really liked the beginning preamble, it just seemed like you were shooting the shit and talking extensively about your history with the topic and I liked that

[@jrwizz]

i started watchin in august of 1997 my first ppv i ever rented was starrcade 97 and the i was able to get wm14 it was a great time to be a new fan

[@MovieEggman]

2008 wasn’t just a good year for Raw but it was also a good year for SmackDown, minus a few hiccups like the Vladimir Kozlov Championship Push, but we did get Jeff Hardy’s best year as a Singles Wrestlers and Edge at the peak of his career as a heel.

[@matthewlane518]

Ok that intro was FIRE!

[@Sammmmmmmm617]

I love the Ruthless Aggresion Era. It's honestly a chore to watch RAW now. Wish I could force myself to watch, but I just can't do it anymore.

[@danielsmith411]

yeah its ridiculous that 99 wasn't on the list, this was 1 of the peak years of WWF television and had contained a huge number of famous and iconic moments, storylines & factions.

[@peterjohnjoseph]

My introduction to wrestling was also the Undertaker. It was Superstars with Todd Pettengill recapping the Royal Rumble casket mask with Yokozuna. My literal first sight was Taker in the casket with that reverse exposure effect and then rising to the heavens. Was hooked forever.

[@wakkasoblitzed7970]

Awwww that Mark Sanchez reference. That one hurt as a Jet fan lol

[@KidCthulhu82]

1998 was my favourite. It had three of my favourite feuds of all time all running alongside each other (Austin v McMahon. Taker v Kane. DX v The Nation). That said it was also the first year I started watching so sentimentality is also probably a factor.

[@orinanime]

Hey Brian Zane, great video. Just wanted to say that hopefully I'll be sending you some fan mail in the next day or so.

[@PhatLayCes7825]

The new intro is amazing, Mr Zane!

[@monkeyman5866]

Here we go: now we need it for SmackDown and Nxt

[@sonicheroxd5767]

Solomonster said it at best when talking about the WWF in '97. Everyone was so bitter at everything and it was all revolved around one thing. The WWF Championship. Sid. Taker. Vader. Austin. Bret. So many guys tearing each other's throats just hold that belt. Bret turned heel because he was fed up of being screwed out of the belt on multiple occasions. He was dead set on taking the belt by any means necessary.

[@chaospoet]

I was there at the beginning in 93. I remember being really excited to see a new WW(F)E show and what they'd do with it. I was not disappointed. Going from Superstars to Raw was a night and day difference. Also Holy Shit! Starting out with that moment when Undertaker came out of the ring as your first introduction makes me jealous. I think my introduction was Hillbilly Jim in a squash match against a nobody. But I was just a kid so that helped. But that match you saw I'll never forget when Austin climbed the cage to get Kane and that massive pop that almost drowned out J.R. and The King.

[@TheCheat420]

For a second I was excited that this whole episode was going to be hosted by 98 Brian but then I noticed it wasn't in 4:3

[@xaviergutierrez4382]

Damn, what a great episode, that jets reference killed me 🤣🤣🤣

[@theluckiesteh9058]

My Top 5 years in RAW History: 5. 2005 4. 1999 3. 1997 2. 1998 1. 2000

[@aaronlishus897]

OMG! I saw this and instantly thought 2000. I loved seeing how they were using everyone and everyone felt like they had some use or value to them, even the non-wrestlers.

[@trappedintime_]

It is crazy that the same Raw was the one that got me into WWF or I think it was. I just remember it was Austin, Taker, Kane, Mankind and a hell in a cell was present. This older kid from school was over and flipped it to Nitro actually. I flipped the channels after he left and ended up on Raw and stopped once I saw the Cell. Kane really stuck out to me due to his attire. I was probably in 4th or 5th grade at the time.