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WWE Raw Reax #4: "Where was the pro wrestling? Whacky segments took over completely." Dec 12, 2007 - 2:59:34 PM
Russell Jaffe of Chicago Ill. (2.0): Best Match: Main event. Worst Match: The past, the past, the past. This show was like watching a screwed up, offensive Bat Mitzva, filled with video tributes and mean stereotypes. The opening segement really DOES prove that "the more things change, the more they stay the same." It's been almost a decade of McMahon family shenanigans. And I don't care if the crowd cheers. Hornswoggle is really stupid. The thing is, tonight proves that their core audience (a) is primarily composed of young children and (b) that the fans don't have much of a gauge for the past. It continues to amaze me that the WWE is all about dumb storylines and silly twists when all they do is make fun of themselves on their anniversary special edition shows, which are too frequent now. Where was the pro wrestling on this show? The segments focusing on whacky stories took over completely. It made me long for the days, not even eight years ago, when WWE was interested in producing memorable pro wrestling moments and history, rather than soaking in the past. This show gets points for a decent ladder match and a wrestling-oriented main event. And for Repo Man ha-halarity.
Bob Malachowski of Whitesboro, N.Y.: (8.0): This was a really good show! I think that they managed to mix the nostalgia factor in successfully with hype for the pay-per-view and current stars. I don't have a pick for best match or worst match because I don't think tonight was intended to be a huge in-ring performance night. There were some sick bumps in the ladder match, though. When I heard Raw would be three hours, I feared the worst since they have had some really awful shows recently, but this was a pleasant surprise and I didn't find myself bored at all throughout the whole night. Good job WWE!
Rjordu Portominu of Winnipeg, Manitoba (8.0) Best Match: Tied, all three hours...Worst Match: RVD vs. Santino Marella, too short and a letdown for Van Dam's return. - Not much criticism concerning Raw XV, but the little things worked. Million Dollar Man, Skinner dusting off the duds before FCW duty. Shane McMahon bailing out during the McMahon family portrait Q1 was also a subtle bit that worked. The younger McMahon always gets over through the most minor of ways and the McMahon legacy is so over the top that each branch - Vince, Linda, Shane, Stephanie, and now son-in-law Triple H usually get away with stealing the show on their terms. Did anyone notice Hunter appeared in three different quarter hours. There's a vote for who the boss thinks is number one. Three hours sort of set up a turnoff rate because fans were inundated through 24/7 WWE.com information overkill, but this show remained as much a surprise despite the Internet reporting killing much of the reunion heat by publishing ad nauseum the guest alumni. It's a shame 24/7 can't expand its regular schedule by using more past superstars. The Evolution return was what it was - Orton has too much heel heet, both backstage and in the ring, that he rightly became the focus of the ''reunion'' segment and Umaga being crushed was a strong point in the show. Of course, everyone was waiting for the big names returning - Hogan is Hogan, and a pop for one more match, one more slam, and one more boa are usually the deals upon which Vince seems to get Hogan back in the ring. It was refreshing to see Hollywood and Austin applaud the real no. 1 Raw superstar, the fans.
We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "Raw Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on Raw, click here.
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