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WWE Raw Reax #2: "This was the aboslute best Raw I've seen in ages. Everything on the show clicked." Oct 23, 2007 - 12:02:17 AM
Brian Jaffe of Iowa City, Iowa (10.0): Best match: Opening Kennedy/Hardy/Orton/HBK segment. Worst match: Diva Search stuff. This was the aboslute best Raw I've seen in ages. Everything on the show clicked. The opening segment proved that everybody involved could main event, with Kennedy's intense promo, Hardy's more fan-based response, and the brawl that ensued. The six-man tag was phenomenal, with potential storyline buildup (Murdoch saves Mickie?) and Lance Cade busting out one of the most vicious lariats I've ever seen. What looked like it would be a comedy segment (Umaga vs. Hornswoggle) ended up being a very memorable pull-apart brawl done right, as it actually felt like Umaga and Triple H were trying to kill each other. Santino is very similar to Chris Jericho from WCW: Every week, he comes out and is absolutely hillarious. Candice vs. Phoenix was good, and Candice's faceplant into the mat was absolutely cringe-worthy. I don't know if it was supposed to happen that way, but it was one of those bumps that's going to be played over and over. The main event was a perfect way to build hype to Cyber Sunday, with Hardy getting the pin and HBK hitting the superkick. This was a Raw that made me feel very good to be a professional wrestling fan.
Russell Jaffe of Chicago, Ill. (9.5): Best Match: Main Event Tag. Worst Match: Candice vs. Beth (but not because it was a bad match) This night was what pro wrestling is all about, and it deserves praise and a high score. The storylines were good. The opening segment was hot as hell. The wrestling was really good. It was just a great pro wrestling show from top to bottom. Candice's bump was absolutly terrifying and sick and I give her huge respect points for even being able to sit up afterwards. I think WWE realizes that it needs big new stars and Hardy gets a superstar reaction anyway, so it's good that HBK is sort of giving him the rub. Can ANYONE sell like Orton? Can ANYONE take a lariat like Murdoch? What a tremendous show with a tremendous crowd. Jim Cornette once said, "People go to wrestling shows to watch wrestlers wrestle." Of course, in this day and age, storylines are needed for the sake of intrigue and difference. Tonight exemplified that. Bravo to whatever creative team was writing. It sure seemed different from the last few months of programming.
Bryan Cullers of Chicago, IIl. (7.0): Best Match: Main Event. Worst Match: Beth vs. Candice. First off, let me say that Candice Michelle has a much guts as anybody on Raw right now, male or female. I hope her injury isn't too severe. I thought this was a solid episode of Raw. The opening segment with Kennedy and Hardy was strong as long talking openers go. In fact, I thought all the promos from Santino to Triple H were very good tonight. Speaking of the McSon-in-Law, I loved his pull apart with Umaga and I thought their segment showed the intensity and fire that has been missing from Raw for the last few months. While Rhodes-Benjamin wasn't anything special, it did further the storyline of Cody and Hardcore Holly and their "old guy takes the young guy under his wing deal." I know Vince has this thing about intellectual property and owning people's names, but D.H. Smith? Come on, Creative, we can do better than that. The main event was a very good TV match and made Jeff Hardy look like a credible choice for Sunday. I'm not sure if I like the WWE Champion getting KO'd with the same move three weeks in a row, but after 13 months of watching the "Champ" overcome the odds every night, I'll take it.
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