WWE Raw - Presentation

Presentation

The original set of Raw featured a standard 20' x 20' WWF style ring with the ropes colored red/white/navy blue. The ring posts, skirt, and steps were light blue. The mats on the floor, originally black, changed to light blue when Raw moved out of the Manhattan Center. A simple portal with a neon-lighted WWF logo served as the entrance-way. In late 1993, the ring skirt was changed to feature three WWF logos in red, white, and blue respectively on the hard camera side (and the side opposite), with the two sides on the left and right featuring a white skirt with "World Wrestling Federation" written beside the main logo. In 1995, the entrance-way was changed to feature large red letters that spelled "RAW", with the "A" featuring a video-wall in the center. After the program was rebranded as Raw is War in 1997, the "RAW" letters were replaced by a large projection-style screen, named the "TitanTron" with steel scaffolding supporting and surrounding the screen, and a long steel ramp leading down to the ring.

By April 1997, the ring posts were changed from blue to black, as were the turnbuckle covers, mats outside the ring, and ring steps. The ropes were originally colored red/black/red, but were quickly changed to all red. The ring skirt was also changed to a black design with "RAW IS WAR" in red and white on all four sides. By 1998, the TitanTron entrance-way adopted the new "WWF Attitude" logo at the portal as did the turnbuckle covers inside the ring. The metal security barriers surrounding ringside were replaced by black-padded walls. By 1999, a new TitanTron was designed with two additional vertical projection screens on either side, the USA Network logo at the top of the TitanTron (changed to the TNN logo after the network switch in September 2000) and a WWF.com logo at the bottom. By 2001, the logo at the portal was changed from a static prop to a small projection screen. After September 11, 2001, the Raw is War logos and nomenclature were retired and the ring skirts were redesigned to read simply "RAW." After the brand extension of 2002, the Raw set was drastically altered with a new parallelogram shaped TitanTron, new logos on the ring skirts featuring the new "RAW" logo on the front and back skirt (from the view of the hard camera), and a WWE.com logo on the left and right skirt. Also in 2002, the broadcast booth was moved from ringside to near the entrance. In 2005, the desk was moved back to ringside. In 2006, the Raw logo was changed again and was reflected on the ring skirts.

On January 7, 2008, WWE announced that all programming would be broadcast in HD, starting with Raw on January 21. WWE invested an estimated $20 million on new recording and broadcasting equipment to prepare for the move, as well as a new set featuring an HD Titantron, advanced pyrotechnics, and LED lighting. The move made this new HD set the universal set for all weekly programming. As part of Raw 1000 on July 23, 2012, a new modified HD set was introduced, which has also become universal for all weekly programming.

Also in 2008, the black ring posts and steps were retired in favor of a silver color with the Raw logo adhered to the posts. The security walls outside the ring bore a WWE logo at the four corners, later changed to a WWE HD logo. In 2010, the red ring-ropes were retired after thirteen years and replaced by an all white scheme, which was also applied to the ring posts. In 2012, new ring skirts were introduced, showcasing the new Raw logo (facing the hard camera and opposite side) and a new WWE.com logo (left and right side).

From September 17–October 29, 2012, WWE worked in conjunction with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise awareness for breast cancer. As part of this initiative, the Raw set (including the ramp, hard camera side ring skirt, and announcers table) was adorned with pink ribbons and the ring featured a pink middle rope. On the October 29 episode, the joint campaign culminated with WWE making a $1 Million donation to the charity, with John Cena presenting the check to Susan G. Komen representatives in an in-ring ceremony.