WWE Raw Homecoming was a televised special episode of the professional wrestling program Monday Night Raw that aired live on October 3, 2005, on the USA Network. The broadcast marked the return of Raw to the USA Network after a five‑year run on the Spike TV (formerly TNN) cable channel, making the event a “homecoming” to the program’s original network.
The show was staged at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, before a reported attendance of 14,837 spectators. It featured a total of seven matches—including one dark match taped for the secondary program Heat—along with several segments that highlighted returning legends and former WWE superstars.
Key matches and outcomes
- Dark match – Shelton Benjamin defeated Tyson Tomko.
- 30‑minute Iron Man match – Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels ended in a 2‑2 draw.
- Loser‑Leaves‑Raw Money‑in‑the‑Bank ladder match – Edge (accompanied by Lita) defeated Matt Hardy to retain the Money‑in‑the‑Bank briefcase, after Hardy was forced to exit the arena.
- Tag team match – Triple H and Ric Flair defeated Carlito and Chris Masters. The bout concluded with Triple H striking Flair with a sledgehammer, effectively ending the Evolution stable.
- Bra and Panties match – Trish Stratus and Ashley defeated Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson, and Victoria.
- Six‑man tag team match (no contest) – A scheduled match between the SmackDown! representatives (Batista, Chris Benoit, and Rey Mysterio) and the Raw team (Christian, Eddie Guerrero, and John “Bradshaw” Layfield) was cancelled on‑air by Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff, resulting in a no‑contest.
- Main event – WWE Championship – John Cena retained the WWE Championship by defeating Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff.
The episode averaged approximately 4.4 million viewers in the United States. In addition to the in‑ring action, the broadcast featured numerous cameo appearances by former WWE personalities, underscoring the “homecoming” theme.
Background
Monday Night Raw debuted on January 11, 1993, and quickly became the longest‑running weekly episodic television program in U.S. history without reruns. In June 2000, a contract dispute transferred Raw’s broadcast rights from the USA Network to TNN/Spike TV. After five years on Spike, WWE announced in April 2005 a three‑year agreement with NBCUniversal to return Raw to the USA Network, with the October 3, 2005 episode serving as the official launch of the new partnership.
Legacy
Raw Homecoming is frequently cited by wrestling historians and fans as a pivotal moment in WWE’s television history, symbolizing the network’s renewed commitment to the flagship program and featuring several memorable matches and storyline developments that influenced subsequent WWE programming.