Best period for Raw since the original draft

[ChitownKnight]

What would you say was the best year or time period for Raw post 2002 draft? Everyone talks about how Smackdown 2002-2003 and 2016 were the best years for that brand but nobody really talks about Raw. I would say 2006 when Cena and Edge feuded, and 2008 were Raws best years. And I’m only talking draft periods so 2012-mid 2016 doesn’t really count

[Rican]

I really liked 04 after Wrestlemania 20. There were a really good few months there.

[chronocross]

I liked Raw 2002(before HHHs reign of terror) and I liked 2005 and 2008 a lot also.

[spagett]

The Raws leading up to Wrestlemania 30, when it was clear the WWE had given in and were finally going to push Daniel Bryan as the top guy I remember being very strong.

Having the lead babyface actually getting universally cheered was very refreshing and they did some good, simple booking.

[nickcave]

The 2013 Raws leading up to Summerslam was a really good period.

[chazraps]

Summer 2011 from R-Truth's heel turn up-until the Triple H vs CM Punk Night of Champions match was can't miss television.

[thegame415]

Armageddon 03-Summerslam 04

Orton as legend killer
Evolution being awesome
The surprise of Eugene being great
Jericho/Christian/Trish
Shelton Benjamin
Benoit as world champ
Shawn Michaels being Shawn

Also, NYR 06 through the Edge/RVD/Cena Triple threat

[ChitownKnight]

Guys, I said 2012-mid 2016 doesn’t count since they weren’t brand split years lol. 2011 I guess barely counts though

[thecrusherwi]

I know it's in the Reign of Terror, but I always liked 2003 after Wrestlemania through Survivor Series. HBK and Flair still as every week roster members, Jericho on fire, Orton developing, Austin and Bischoff as good compliments to each other trying to ruin each other's plans, Goldberg was full time, Kane remade himself, Christian, Booker T and RVD in the midcard, Shane McMahon when he was still kind of cool - I enjoyed 2003 Raw. There was enough good stuff that it didn't bother me that Biker Shorts Triple H was champ.

[crowley1986]

i enjoyed 2003, From November 2007 to May 09 was interesting as well

[Bang Bang Bart]

Fall 2013 - June 2014 Raw was good stuff. You had the Shield excelling with near-weekly tag matches, the Authority angle in its infancy (before it became insufferable) and a white-hot babyface Daniel Bryan defy booking decisions to win over fans.

[chazraps]

Feb 2, 2018 17:01:19 GMT -5 ChitownKnight said:

Guys, I said 2012-mid 2016 doesn’t count since they weren’t brand split years lol. 2011 I guess barely counts though

Right on a Technicality: the Chaz Kangas Story

[fw91]

Summer of Punk. Every week was " what will he say next"

[Deleted]

I didn't watch that much of it, but 2005 seemed to have a bunch of big moments/feuds/characters (HHH/Batista, Hogan/Michaels, Hassan, Cena going to Raw, Christian's hottest period before he went to TNA, etc).

[Deleted]

Reign of terror, 06-08 or Miz on top.

[ThankGodForSidJustice]

04-05 pretty much WM 20-WM 21-Triple H actually putting people over and it not hurting him at all, Shelton Benjmain's push, rise of Batista with extremely well done face turn, Eugene before it jumped the shark, Baby Killer Gene Snitsky-most so bad it's good thing in wrestling ever, Benoit and Jericho as reliable upper midcard faces putting on good matches every week, Christian always being entertaining despite admittedly being very misused during this period
Summer 2011-Rise of Punk, Crazy heel R-Truth, super over babyface Alex Riley with awesome music, really strong midcard depth (Mysterio, Del Rio, Ziggler, Swagger, Miz, Kofi, Bourne)

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

2005 was very solid.

Batista turning on HHH, entertaining heel runs from Y2J and HBK, ECW revival when it was actually cool, Raw Homecoming etc.

[clifford]

The very first Raw after the 2016 brand split was excellent.

That's all I got.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

I LOVED 2006. The Cena/Edge feud was a lot of fun, and I think I'm one of the few people who unironically enjoyed the McMahons vs. DX.

The fact that the Observer voted WWE "worst promotion" that year is just flat out WRONG.

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2018 6:14:07 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

I LOVED 2006. The Cena/Edge feud was a lot of fun, and I think I'm one of the few people who unironically enjoyed the McMahons vs. DX.

The fact that the Observer voted WWE "worst promotion" that year is just flat out WRONG.

DX/McMahons did have moments that were awful (the bbq for example) but was so worth it for the Vince/Shane impersonation.

The build to the reunion was epic though.

You have Hunter being the total heel toady for Vince and Shane, oddly subservient, and Shawn the never say die babyface in his feud with Vince.

The teases between Hunter and Shawn who were enemies in storyline for so long.

Hunter missing the sledgehammer shot and hitting Shane, then the following week after Vince demanded an apology, he had two words for them...."I'm sorry".

Shawn confronts him and says despite everything he always respected Hunter until that moment.

Shawn is taken out by the Spirit Squad.

Hunter is going to be forced to join the kiss my ass club via drugging, but he switches drinks so Shane passes out. Vince eats the pedigree.

Spirit Squad vs Hunter, 4 of them about to "break his damn neck" as per Vince's instruction. "Mitch get out here".

Shawn makes the save, and we get a face off, high 5 and crotch chop. Epic epic epic.