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John Dupont of Baton Rouge, La. (9.0): Best Match: Hardy/HBK vs. Orton/Kennedy; Worst Match: None. A great show that exemplified how well the WWE can fare with the right mix of entertainment, interviews, and wrestling - and each of those elements supporting the other. The "Santa's Helper" match was good for what it was worth, showcasing the divas and at the same time offering some holiday fun. The McMahon segment shows great promise of something leading to a memorable program, and Hardy and Triple H worked beautifully in that segment. The tag team title match was decent, but I'm even more enthusiastic about the Carlito/Marella tandem. That has the potential to be very entertaining at the same time it brings Santino to the next level. The Flair vs. Umaga match offered textbook psychology, putting the Samoan Bulldozer to the right use (something missing as of late) while leaving fans wondering if they'd be witnessing the end of the Nature Boy. The Triple H vs. Regal/Coach match appears to be a setup possibly for a Coach/Regal fallout. Jericho and JBL were masterful in their segment, bringing out the best in two great talkers. I nearly choked laughing at Jericho's comparison of JBL to Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. Classic. Speaking of the word "classic," the main event was just short of a masterpiece. Great spots, outstanding action and stellar camera work - and, of course, the proper ending - made this one of the in-ring highlights of the year. The shot of HBK flinching in pain against the turnbuckle was just brilliant camera work, a picture that told a great story. The ending, meanwhile, drew the kind of pop that proves Hardy is perhaps the hottest property in the business today. Seeing HBK give props to Hardy had the makings of a "passing of the torch" moment.

A.A Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (9.0) Best match: Kennedy & Orton vs. HBK & Hardy. Worst match: Cade & Murdoch vs. Holly & Rhodes. There really were no bad moments to the show, but I fail to see why a bland tag team like Cade & Murdoch continue to receive as much airtime as they do when more talented tag teams like London & Kendrick and now Santino & Carlito are on the show. Thank goodness they gave the titles to someone else with more appeal and promise in Holly & Rhodes. Cade & Murdoch had their chance, but all they did with it was get Cryme Tyme fired. I thoroughly enjoyed the Ric Flair postponing retirement showing and am curious to see what direction it will go when the next insurmountable opponent, Triple H, takes the ring. Here's hoping Triple H turns heel and Ric Flair turns even more face with a better shirt - might I suggest a Monty Python-esque "I'm not dead yet" caption? Give Jeff Hardy a chance to shine and he sure does. Mr. Kennedy also needs this chance, because there's untapped heel potential. Give both Hardy and Kennedy the microphone more. Perhaps Hardy can fly through the air to catch the mic while it's dropping before Kennedy can grab it? Y2J probably should stay at Smackdown, because as it is right now, Raw is starting to get crowded with talent and there needs to be more development in rivalries instead of PPV to PPV feuds. Kudos once again to Triple H and the McMahons for finally giving new guys chances to step up with the results of Armageddon and the minimal Vince talking on Raw.

SUPER-BONUS! - 12/14 SMACKDOWN REAX

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (6.0): Best: "As Palumbo-Noble Turn" Worst:  Undertaker vs. Henry/V Nothing stuck out as really good or bad, which usually is a good thing.  But for a go-home show, the sum total of all the parts was "blah." Everything was done well enough, and everything served its purpose, but I've either seen it before or it just didn't hold my attention. I'm still waiting for the new MNM (Miz & Morrison) to make good on their strategy to prematurely ring the bell to defuse Festus. For a Last Man Standing match, there wasn't much in the way of bells and whistles, though it was more likely due to Armageddon approaching. It almost looks like a double-turn is coming for the Palumbo-Noble story, which was a highlight. A definite lowlight was the big man main event. For all this fuss and fury about John Cena being the upstanding Superman against all odds going into PPVs, Edge is almost the clear opposite, getting the clearest visual advantage going into Armageddon by any means necessary. It all but dictates who's getting his in the end. The Rumble may be the official countdown start to Wrestlemania, but the 2007 that started like a lion is looking like it's going out liike a lamb.

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