Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.0): Best: WWE Title match segments; Triple H promo Worst: Santino vs. Simmmons (though it's wasn't terrible) It wasn't the best Raw going into the PPV, but it kept on point and the hot crowd helped it along. The six-person tag match was fun and entertaining, though judging by the finish, the "oops" impression came across well. The Rhodes-Holly storyline got a nice bump by way of working with Shelton and Charlie. The promo before the match was nicely done by all (and the snapping by Charlie was a nice touch), and the match did what it was supposed to do. I spied an expression of progression last week that Cody Rhodes was getting through to Hardcore Holly; this week the confirmation came. I was left scratching my head by the William Regal-Coach interaction. I thought Regal did book the Hornswoggle-Umaga match, yet Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler said he didn't. But it did lead very well into Triple H's return from hiatus to brawl with Umaga. His follow-up promo is one I haven't seen in a while, the intense promo (the promo he uses when in the title hunt). Harry--D.H.--Smith did all right in his first match. Lawler tried to ask what D.H. stood for, but it was never answered. Goofy thing to be curious about, but I am. Candice Michelle vs. Beth Phoenix was on its way to being a decent match until that horribly botched finish. I don't think that was the planned finish and it looked very scary. Everything regarding the WWE Title situation was done strong. Contrary to what I've been reading, I see things as less a push up for Shawn Michaels than a push down for Kennedy. I'm voting for Shawn out of simple long-time fanship. I've been reading rave reviews of Orton-Hardy on the road, so I see the vote being close. What becomes of the two who don't get the vote? Past tradition gives the two the consolation tag match, but there seems to be no inclination to go there. An IC Title match is a possibility, though, if Jeff doesn't get it.

Jon Jandavs of Winnipeg, Mantoba (8.5): Best Match: Six-person tag. Worst: Cody Rhodes vs. Shelton Benjamin. I must admit I am quite shocked right now. Since when was Raw this good? From debuts to promos to an excellent women's match with a sick and unfortunate ending, this Raw had it all. Great build for Cyber Sunday. I'm still not ordering it just because its Cyber Sunday, but I mean I certainly would if I wanted to waste my hard-earned cash. Santino Marella is the best reason to watch Raw. D.H. Smith? Excuse me, he was on the website all week as Harry Smith and they name him D.H.? Let me guess: Davey Harry Smith? Like, can Vince not just let someone be their own person? Man, he's huge, though. Holy crap. Good worker, too, Carlito is being buried because he speaks his mind backstage. It's simple. Just thought I'd say. Great Raw. Really, that's all that can be said. Great Raw, and that's something I don't say every week or month or for the past nine months probably. Great Raw. The future looks bright in WWE. Cena who? Oh yeah, one more thing. Is it just me or does the reaction Triple H get seem to be getting quieter and quieter each week? His promo was awful. I think I closed my eyes and I thought I could swear that was Ultimate Warrior.

Leonard Tripodi of Kenilworth, N.J. (7.5): Best: Main Event. Worst: Rhodes vs. Benjamin. This was definitely one of the better PPV hype shows in quite some time. Raw had a solid opening segment to kickoff the show and the energy and crowd reaction generated from it continued throughout the night. With Vince McMahon absent from the show and limited involvement from Hornswoggle, they were able to focus primarily on the wrestling while also delivering solid promos from various wrestlers who are normally void of charisma or bland on the mic (Benjamin, Rhodes, and Hardy to a lesser degree) Candice took a pretty nasty looking bump, which was more of an awkward fall than a botched high risk move, but hopefully she will recover and be okay. She has worked really hard over the last several months on her wrestling skills and has gained a lot of confidence in the ring. Meanwhile, Beth is becoming a dominating force while being methodically pushed like the next coming of Chyna. Rhodes-Benjamin was just too short to amount to much, but the post-match angle with Holly has some potential. The Smith-Carlito match was a solid five minute encounter, but it will only mean something if they work some sort of program with them. The same goes for the connection between Mickie and Murdock, which could be interesting if they follow up on it next week. I liked how they hyped Triple H-Umaga without hurting the credibility of either man by doing the old tried and true pull apart brawl. It keeps the intensity at a high level while not allowing Triple H to just roll over him like he's done to others in the past. The main event was supercharged and solid all around. The crowd was on the edge of their seats for the anti-climatic hot tag for Hardy, which was mainly due to HBK's ability to sell a beat down and then make a heralded comeback before the tag. Michaels just adds that special intangible of experience combined with his great ring presence and psychology when competing with the younger talent and everyone seemed to be elevated from his involvement. Even though Kennedy took a clean loss to Hardy, it was in a main event tag, which doesn't hurt him all that much. But Randy Orton getting nailed with Sweet Chin Music for a third straight week and in the main event doesn't bode too well for him unless he retains against Michaels on Sunday.

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