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WWE Raw Reax #3: "This is the first time, in a very long time, that a wrestling show has turned me into a shameless mark!" Nov 20, 2007 - 12:15:37 AM
Kyle Mark of Kitchener, Ontario (7.0): Best Match: Hardy vs. Umaga. Worst Match: Marella vs. Lawler. Y2J's long awaited return was a bit disappointing, but still enjoyed. What was with the sequin blouse? Hopefully his in-ring skills have stuck around like his mic skills seemed to. I'm glad to see Hardy getting a credible push. Although the women's match was terrible, Maria does seem to be improving a slight bit. Santino Marella once again made me laugh, but his match wasn't great. Am I the only one getting sick of all the homophobic jokes on Raw? I happen to be gay and a wrestling fan (odd combo, perhaps) and I usually can take a joke - but Triple H seems to have a new gay joke or wisecrack about drag queens every single week lately. Not only is it lame and sophomoric, but it's starting to get a bit offensive.
Tim Romines of Kingston, Tenn. (9.5): Best Match: Hardy vs. Umaga. Worst Match: Divas "Match" (Man, they scare me). Best Moment: Y2J! I don't care if I knew it was coming. I don't care if him showing up to interrupt Orton was predictable. This is the first time, in a very long time, that any moment on a wrestling show has turned me into a shameless mark! When that clock came on and that music hit, I found myself doing the signature Jericho pose right along with him. That, my friends, is how you should feel when Raw ends... electrified and feeling like you've witnessed something historic. I was very pleased with this show from top to bottom with only a few exceptions. The Divas' mess was just slightly worse than Holly-Rhodes because, at least, the guys were actual wrestlers. That said, their program is boring and flat and should end. Those two segments are really the only thing that kept me from giving this show a 10. I didn't mind the Carlito-Hornswoggle match as much as I probably should have since they seem to be going somewhere with it. Santino-Lawler was fine. Any Santino beats no Santino and Jerry, with the aid of nice commentary by J.R. to talk about Lawler's various titles, needs the opportunity to remind younger fans that he was actually a world class wrestler in his day. Kennedy-HBK was strong with fantastic mic work from both guys and if anyone can pull Ken up to the next level, it's Michaels. Triple H and Vince were well used this week. See, they don't have to be in every other segment to seem important. Could it be an actual push to the top for Jeff Hardy? We'll see. Orton looked like the dominant heel champion that he should've been this whole time and did a good job of getting his arrogance over, which only made his humiliation by Jericho seem that much more real and shattering. I'm completely geeked by what I've seen and feel encouraged for the first time in awhile. All this and Flair, in Charlotte, next week? I'm there!
Eric Cushing of Eagan, Minn. (3.0): Best segment: Jericho's return, Santino on the mic. Worst segment: All recap videos, Lawler's attempt to wrestle. This show got a 3 out of 10 simply for Jericho and Santino. Jericho's return was the best thing on Raw, but that doesn't mean it was done right. It would have been great if Jericho were to randomly appear in front of a crowd that didn't look like they had no idea who he was. Raw has gotten many reviews saying that they don't push guys, but before any of that needs to be addressed by WWE, they need to evaluate their production of Raw. Why would Shawn Michaels get another title shot? He got pinned cleanly by Orton at the PPV, what makes him eligible for another title shot? Jeff Hardy vs Umaga was a match, that's about all I can say about it, it was simply there. I haven't seen an Umaga match that made me say "wow." Then they have the baby/crowd killer Gene Snitsky come out for no reason other than to get the crowd to quiet down. So naturally Triple H has to save Hardy, because they have been close buddies since, uh, last night. Then, again naturally, he talks about transvestites. Cody Rhodes vs The Rookie Monster Sparky Plugg was really random, and seemed to be over before I could figure out why they were out there. Jericho's return was decent. WWE really ruined it by teasing it for months. Back during the Attitude Era, they used to have surprises. Things would happen that you wouldn't see coming and there would be good matches on their programs. But back then, more people watched wrestling. Is there a connection? According to Vince; no. So they have Jericho teaser videos for months, only agitating fans when Jericho doesn't show up. Finally he made his appearance, and the best thing they can come up with is have him clothesline a guy with a torch? They also did his return in a town that isn't a good wrestling town. Half the people didn't know who he was. If they did his return in Boston or New York, the reaction would have been crazy. Instead they do it in Ft. Lauderdale, and then they show the crowd and they are just standing there looking at Jericho. All in all, the show was good for the hype of Jericho returning, but the payoff was not what it should have been.
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