“It was amazing to do that, being a wrestling fan my entire life, and then Randy and I fought through Madison Square Garden, which was crazy, because there’s so much history in that building, and I ended up putting him through the table. I think it’s a moment that a lot of people remember and definitely I do because it was MSG. That’s the pinnacle, the heart and soul of WWE. That’s where it all started. So that’s my favorite.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkYPiAzVjs

Kingston relayed his favorite Raw moments sans himself.

“There are so many. The first one that comes into my mind is Val Venis and the ‘choppy choppy pee pee’ with Kaientai and the Samurai sword. Mae Young giving birth to a hand. Just so many ridiculous antics on Raw.

“On the 1,000 Raw episode last year, DX reunited, and all these past superstars were there. It was great. Now they’re going to find a way to top that on Monday [Jan. 14], and I’m waiting to see how they’re going to do it.”

• In RAWe of its success

Raw evolved from day one, growing into a highly successful program, a leader in weekly cable TV ratings.

Raw is the company’s flagship program because of its prolific history, high ratings, weekly three-hour live format, and emphasis on pay-per-views.

Raw opened before hundreds filling the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center Studios to thousands and even 10s of thousands at arenas around the world.

Raw has been broadcast live from 197 different arenas in 165 cities and towns in nine different nations (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Afghanistan in 2005, Iraq in 2006 and 2007 for specials Tribute to the Troops, Germany in 1997, Japan in 2005, Italy in 2007, and Mexico in 2011).

Raw grew from one hour to two and now three live hours each Monday night.

Unlike other weekly TV programming, Raw does not broadcast re-runs. Raw is a new show every week (52 weeks a year). For any weekly episodic program, that is unheard of, past or present.

“When I was a sixth grader in middle school, I remember being really happy that there was another day of wrestling on TV [with the debut of Raw on Monday, Jan. 11, 1993],” Kingston said. “I always used to watch Superstars on Saturday mornings. I could never afford the pay-per-views. So the fact there was another day of quality wrestling on TV was awesome for me, because I’m sure there were a lot of people in my situation who loved to watch wrestling. I could watch wrestling seven days a week.

“It was great, but who knew it would be the start of something so long and amazing.”

•  Miz See TV

WWE superstar The Miz discusses Miz TV, catch phrases and Raw 20.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZSio2FqFI

•  1993: Good year leads to good things

Nine days after Raw debuted, Bill Clinton succeeded George Bush as U.S. President.

Jesse Ventura, a former Raw guest host and WWE Hall of Famer, later became Governor of Minnesota.

On Jan. 1, 1993, Florida State University football beat Nebraska to win the NCAA national title.

He was not part of that team, but Ron Simmons, a former Raw superstar who is an FSU and WWE Hall of Famer, is royalty in Tallahassee.

On Jan. 31, 1993, the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl, beating the Buffalo Bills.