The WWE knows how to use the powerful of nostalgia to its advantage. Naturally, the WWE used it to excellent effect with Raw XXX. D-Generation X, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, and even Hulk Hogan, all attended the 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw, which helped the flagship show's highest domestic gate in history as well as the sixth-highest non-PPV attendance figures for the WWE in three years.
WWE celebrate the feat in an official announcement, saying:
Raw XXX was a defining night for the red brand and delivered the highest domestic gate in the history of Monday Night Raw.
A sell-out crowd at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia witnessed Sami Zayn's Tribal Court, an iconic moment shared between Bray Wyatt and The Undertaker, a joining of DX and Kurt Angle, the return of The Beast Brock Lesnar and much more.
Thank you WWE Universe for an unforgettable Raw XXX!
WWE Raw 25 Years proved that nostalgia isn't always a good thing. After seemingly learning its lesson (it also helps Triple H is at the helm now), Raw is XXX blended the past and the future perfectly. Instead of working purely on Hall of Fame talent, the WWE let the legends work off the current talent, much to the delight of fans.
Undertaker had a passing-of-the-torch kind of moment with Bray Wyatt. It was a treat to see the Dead Man appear as his American Badass persona for the first time in years, complete with his chopper and all, to hand over LA Knight to the New Face of Fear from the WWE's best supernatural performer since Taker himself.
D-Generation X got some of the spotlight as well, but the Imperium, The Street Profits, and Seth "Freakin" Rollins got most of the love.
Finally, the opening hour was one of the WWE's finest yet, which included the trial of Sami Zayn segment that got a ton of praise from wrestling fans around the globe.
As a bonus, we got to see Brock Lesnar reignite his ongoing feud with Bobby Lashley, which sets up a seismic brawl for the upcoming Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 28.
Speaking of WWE legends, a Stone Cold vs Roman Reigns matchup at WrestleMania 39 is reportedly being discussed after The Rock couldn't confirm his availability for Los Angeles in April. Also, a potential future WWE Hall of Famer, Cody Rhodes, will make his in-ring return at this year's Royal Rumble.
