James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (7.5)

A vast improvement over last week's show and a nice lead-in to the Extreme Rules PPV next month. Ric Flair was hyped up on something during Raw, which scared me but also created some exciting TV and delivered much-needed star power to the show. Especially considering WWE has no intentions of ever building up the mid-card wrestlers as credible acts (e.g. Kendrick, Colons), WWE needs all the star power it can get.

The main event was terrific, as it delivered that old-school Raw TV main event feel of star power, action, a hot crowd, and a compelling ending to the show. Cena and Batista worked well together and it was unbelievably beneficial to Ted & Cody to have Jim Ross on commentary building them up as only Ross can do.

The Miz had another stand-out night at the office with his promo on John Cena and avoding the squash from Big Show. Miz is carrying himself like a main eventer despite acting like a mid-card heel being smarmy and trying to call out main eventers to no avail. It's all in how the wrestler carries himself and whether he believes in what he's doing. Miz is great right now.

Perhaps WWE finally ended the Santina charade so Santino can begin this babyface push that was fun and entertaining last night. ... Women's division continues to just be there. ... No surprise to hear the multiple shots at the Denver Nuggets during the broadcast.

Brian Hoops, PWTorch.com Contributor (4.0)

Raw needed a boost, a fresh spark to improve a string of shows that were for the most part terrible and showed a steady, weekly decline in ratings. WWE contacted the one man able to turn both show quality and ratings around, Ric Flair, and Flair delivered. Flair's opening segment with Randy Orton was awesome, but it was down hill from there until the next Flair segment. Things didn't get much better until the main event.

The main event tag match was fine, but I always hate handicap matches. The top heel group in the company shouldn't need an extra man to defeat (or in this case lose to) two babyfaces. WWE might have something special in the Miz, who showed breakout star potential, although his delivery was not the best during his Cena poem. With the proper follow up to Miz and Cena could actually be a fresh, anticipated PPV match. Flair added at least a point to an otherwise worthless show.

Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (6.0)

I thought this was a thumbs-up show. The opening segment was fine, but I did like how they used the Steel Cage stip how it SHOULD be used and not just thrown out there for no reason. I didn't get Cena being 100% after going into the previous night's match not in great health then taking a beating from Big Show. The Divas Battle Royal was fine and I liked the advancement of Maryse not wanting to face Mickie (not sure why Mickie isn't in line for a title shot after pinning Maryse twice).

Santino's comedy match against Chavo was OK, and even though Santina lost her Miss Wrestlemania title, I feel like we haven't seen the last of her. MVP vs. Matt Hardy was a decent match that unfortunately didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. I like the angle of The Brian Kendrick trying out a new partner every week until he finds one he likes. At least it gives him something to do.

The Miz continuing to bury John Cena was fun, even if his rhymes were a bit juvenile. I don't know why the booked Lawler to take a beating though. The main event was a good match, and no wonder Cena liked Vickie booking the match even though he was at a disadvantage- it was only against Legacy, who have shown that they can't hold the fort even in a handicap match.

Shawn Valentino, PWTorch.com Contributor (4.0)

Thankfully, a hot main event gave viewers some reason to not be upset about the nonsense that led up to it. Cena and Batista versus Legacy was an entertaining match with solid action throughout. I am tired of handicap matches, but this was okay. The rest of the show was awful on every level. I actually sat and watched the show with a former casual fan and he was just amazed at "how bad things have gotten." He mentioned how generic the characters are and how lame the skits are, and I did not have much of a defense. Cena's interview had him come off as dorky as ever, and it is easily understandable why adult casual fans are not coming back with him as the top guy.

I can't think of the last time the WWE had so many miscast characters. Santino has gotten lame as a babyface and his making fun of Vickie is just bad comedy. MVP just does not fit as a face, so his match with Hardy did not do much for me. The Miz was a highlight again, though not as good as he has been in his recent appearances. Lawler, as terrible as his commentary is, was actually decent here, and I liked how he pointed how ridiculous Miz's proclamations were. It was also great to see him get beat down by The Big Show. Hopefully, this means he will be gone for a long time, and a commentator that actually knows and cares about what is going on takes his place.

The low point of the show for me was watching Flair return again. He was fine in his role and looked to be in good shape, but the thought of him coming back to the ring is not appealing at all. We know Raw needs star power, but this is a perfect opportunity to elevate the young guys, not let a washed up star who does not know how to quit ruin his spectacular send-off by returning to the ring for more mediocrity.

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