Many of you are aware that this coming Monday, December 10, 2007 at 7pm (CT) on USA, will be the 3-hour 15th Anniversary of MONDAY NIGHT RAW. To settle some suspicions, I was contacted by WWE officials last week requesting that I be a part of the broadcast. As much as I would like to do so, my current schedule completely prohibits it. :-(I don't have any idea how many episodes of the program I appeared on. I just know that I was very blessed to be a part of the great organization.
WWF Monday Night RAW, first aired on January 11, 1993 on the USA Network for one hour. The original RAW broke new ground in televised professional wrestling. Traditionally, wrestling shows were taped on sound stages with small audiences or at large arena shows. The RAW formula was very different than that of its predecessor, Prime Time Wrestling. Instead of taped matches, with studio voice overs and taped chat, RAW was a show shot to a live audience, with angles as they happened.
The first episode featured Yokozuna defeating Koko B. Ware, The Steiner Brothers defeating The Executioners, WWF Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels defeating Max Moon and The Undertaker defeating Damien Demento. The show also featured an interview with Razor Ramon.
RAW originated from the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios, a small New York City theater and aired live each week. The combination of an intimate venue and live action proved highly successful. However, the weekly live schedule proved to be a financial drain on the WWF, and taped shows began airing every other week. From early 1994 to September 1999, RAW was shown live on one Monday and then the next day (Tuesday) next Monday's RAW was taped. This meant that RAW was live one week and taped the next.
RAW is returning to my hometown of Mobile on January 14th in the new year. As always I am looking forward to being there with my extended family.
I congratulate the McMahon Family, and the entire staff of WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT. I sincerely wish you 150 more years of RAW success!
A few weeks ago I wrote of the upcoming 17th Annual GULF COAST WRESTLERS REUNION. I am on the board of directors of the organization, and responsible for getting the word out to independent talent, especially those who have never attended. I promise you, that if you come one time, you will be back. The gathering this year will be on March 7th and 8th.It is open ONLY to those currently active or retired from our industry. It IS NOT a fanfest, and everyone will be screened at the door. You DO NOT have to live in the Gulf Coast area to attend. We have legends that come in every year from all over the country. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me with them at:
I have been doing my best to pass out applications, but it is impossible to reach everyone. Especially those away from the Gulf Coast area. You can easily download one right here, but you must have ADOBE ACROBAT to receive it. That is easy enough, just click on the link and follow the yellow brick road.
CLICK HERE FOR ADOBE ACROBAT
Then click on the link below to get your application. Fill it out, mail it in along with the cash, and we will see you there!
2008 GULF COAST REUNION APPLICATION
Be Blessed.
~Percy
