Changes

When Raw premiered in 1993, it retained the family-friendly image that WWE was known for at the time.  However, in September 1995, WCW launched Nitro, which would compete with Raw for ratings supremacy.  As WCW's product changed with the introduction of the nWo, and Hulk Hogan subsequently turning heel, Nitro would go on an 84-week winning streak against Raw.  In response, WWE would begin to change their product from being family-friendly, to being more adult-oriented, similar to the Jerry Springer show, which had become very popular at the time.  A controversial segment aired on the November 4, 1996 edition of Raw would be a foreshadowing of sorts of things to come.  In the segment, Stone Cold Steve Austin broke into Brian Pillman's house, and threatened him with a gun.  Pillman was also heard using the f-word during the segment.  In response, the USA Network forced WWE and Pillman to apologize for the incident.

When Raw premiered in 1993, it retained the family-friendly image that WWE was known for at the time.  However, in September 1995, WCW launched Nitro, which would compete with Raw for ratings supremacy.  As WCW's product changed with the introduction of the nWo, and Hulk Hogan subsequently turning heel, Nitro would go on an 84-week winning streak against Raw.  In response, WWE would begin to change their product from being family-friendly, to being more adult-oriented, similar to the Jerry Springer show, which had become very popular at the time.  A controversial segment aired on the November 4, 1996 edition of Raw would be a foreshadowing of sorts of things to come.  In the segment, Stone Cold Steve Austin broke into Brian Pillman's house, and threatened him with a gun.  Pillman was also heard using the f-word during the segment.  In response, the USA Network forced WWE and Pillman to apologize for the incident.

The rebranding of WWE would become more apparent during 1997.  During which time ECW invaded Raw.  On February 3, 1997, Raw switched to a two-hour format.  On March 10, 1997, Raw was renamed ''Raw is War'', and used [[Marilyn Manson]]'s The Beautiful People for it's theme song.  A week later, Bret Hart went on a profanity-laden tirade when Vince McMahon attempted to interview him.  Much of the segment went uncensored.

The rebranding of WWE would become more apparent during 1997.  During which time ECW invaded Raw.  On February 3, 1997, Raw switched to a two-hour format.  On March 10, 1997, Raw was renamed ''Raw is War'', and used [[Marilyn Manson]]'s ''The Beautiful People'' for it's theme song.  A week later, Bret Hart went on a profanity-laden tirade when Vince McMahon attempted to interview him.  Much of the segment went uncensored.