WWE Heat
You must add a |reason=
parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|February 2006|reason=<Fill reason here>}}
, or remove the Cleanup template.
WWE Heat | |
---|---|
File:Heat.PNG | |
Created by | Vince McMahon |
Starring | RAW Brand |
Country of origin | United States |
Production | |
Running time | 46 minutes per episode |
Original release | |
Network | USA Network (1998-2000) MTV (2000-2003) TNN/Spike TV (2003-2005) Webcast (2005-Present) |
Release | August 1, 1998 – Present |
WWE HEAT, also known as HEAT, is a professional wrestling show for World Wrestling Entertainment. It has been previously aired on USA network, MTV, and Spike TV. It is currently being streamed on WWE.com on Friday afternoons. It is the counterpart of WWE Velocity, and showcases talent from the Monday Night RAW roster.
History
The show was originally introduced as WWF Sunday Night HeAT (or simply Sunday Night HeAT) on the USA network in 1998. It served as the second most important show to the RAW program and storylines would be advanced during the show, but with the advent of SmackDown!, Heat has significantly decreased in importance. Near the peak of WWE's popularity and as part of WWE's television deal with Viacom, the show was moved to MTV. In the UK, HeAT was the last WWE (then WWF) programming to be run on terrestrial television, via Channel 4.
WWE has also aired two special editions of Halftime HEAT which aired during halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII on USA Network. These specials ended following the movement of HEAT to MTV.
Now WWE tends to use this program to showcase the talent that they do not use frequently on RAW. Fans often refer to this show as the minor leagues, a B-Show, for the wrestlers on the show are usually at the beginning or the end of their careers in WWE. Occasionally, main eventers and champions will appear on the show, and usually win. HEAT is also used to review the main events that happened on the previous edition of RAW.
Steven Richards, was at one time the most regular competitor on Sunday Night HEAT, dubbed himself "General Manager of HEAT" (though he carried out no GM duties) and began calling the show Stevie Night HEAT.
The future of this show in the United States is not yet known as the show currently was not picked up by USA Network when WWE moved its Spike TV programming over to that network. In the meantime, WWE is going to stream the show for their website, as each edition will be placed on their website every Friday afternoon. However, HEAT will still be shown overseas to fulfil international programming commitments.
Commentators and hosts
There have been many commentators in the history of HEAT. Industry veterans and RAW broadcasters Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler have done commentary on the show. The show was also the launchpad for Shane McMahon's on-camera career in WWE, originally placed in the role of a commentator for the program. In October 2000, the show was hosted by All My Children star Rebecca Budig.
During PPVs often outside stadium hosts introduce segments of the show, recently the hosts of WWE Experience (Ivory and Todd Grisham) perform these duties. If a SmackDown! Brand PPV takes place, Michael Cole and Tazz commentate inside the arena on a special SmackDown! edition of Heat.
Often wrestlers would take the role of color comentators on the show with Al Snow, Tommy Dreamer and D-lo Brown all holding this position mostly as a replacement for an announce who was unavaliable. During the show's run on MTV, WWE Diva Lita also served as a commentator following her major neck injury.
Before the WWE-produced, Extreme Championship Wrestling reunion PPV, One Night Stand 2005 took place, a special Extreme HEAT episode was broadcast and hosted by Jonathan Coachman and Michael Cole.
During one episode when Jonathan Coachman was unavalible, former ECW announcer (and then-lead RAW announcer) Joey Styles took part in the show. However, Coachman's announce partner Grisham would take Coachman's color comentator role to allow Styles to do play-by-play but Styles would also become unavaliable meaning Grisham would run the show alone.
Year(s) | Commentators: |
1998-2000 | Michael Cole, Kevin Kelly, Shane McMahon |
2000-2001 | Michael Cole, Tazz |
2001 | Michael Cole, Al Snow |
2001-2002 | Jonathan Coachman, Raven |
2002 | Jonathan Coachman, D-Lo Brown |
2002 | Jonathan Coachman, Lita |
2003 | Jonathan Coachman and D'Lo Brown |
2003 | Jonathan Coachman and Lita |
2003 | Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow |
2003, International | Jonathan Coachman and Al Snow |
2004 | Johnathan Coachman and Todd Grisham |
2004, International | Al Snow and Todd Grisham |
2005 | Johnathan Coachman and Todd Grisham |
2005 Extreme Heat | Johnathan Coachman and Michael Cole |
2006, International | Tommy Dreamer and Todd Grisham |
2006, International | Johnathan Coachman and Todd Grisham |
2006 | Johnathan Coachman and Todd Grisham |
2006 | Tommy Dreamer and Todd Grisham |
2006 | Joey Styles and Todd Grisham |
2006 | Todd Grisham |
TV sets
HEAT started out using the original RAW IS WAR TV set when HEAT was styled as HeAT. The debut of SmackDown! led to HeAT moving over from RAW, in 2000 the current logo and theme tune was adopted. Since the brand extension HEAT has been broadcast using the RAW set, except on pre-PPV shows (which use the set built for that PPV).