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WWE Raw Reax #1: "Hardy is the hottest thing the WWE right now. The fans love him and he is..." Jan 21, 2008 - 11:47:46 PM
Kaalyn of Edmonton, Alberta (9.0): Best Match: Kennedy vs. HBK. Worst Match: Hornswoggle/Finlay vs. The Highlanders. Great show for the first HD program. Couldn't believe how much better the picture quality was. Everything looked so good that it wasn't hard for WWE to make this Raw feel fresh. Despite the fact that there was only one real good match, I was really happy with the build job they've done going into the Rumble. Especially the main-event. I don't think I've ever been as amped for a match featuring either Randy Orton or Jeff Hardy in my life. As for Triple H's stuff, I know some people will have a problem with it. I didn't. William Regal waving off the last man (Big Show?) to finish Hunter himself furthers Regal's story while potentially establishing a feud (for Hunter) with the man behind the curtain.
Adam Adkins of Dayton, Ohio (7.0): Best Match: Michaels vs. Kennedy. Worst match: Nothing noticeably bad. First off, I like the new set. I didn't dig all of the awkward close-ups, though. The new videos are cool, and I was saddened that they didn't show more of Trips' new video, but smeh, life goes on. Speaking of The Game, I am now more certain than ever that Vince vs. Triple H is happening at Mania 24. I look for either Lashley, HBK, or Kennedy to win the Rumble. I'm not sure WWE expected the Orton-Hardy feud to get this hot (or good), but Orton's upcoming clean victory at RR is no longer so certain. I know you don't want Hardy with the belt come Mania, but do you really want to kill his momentum? I say Orton cheats his way out of the match and heads into the Elim Chamber with Hardy hot on his tracks. The women's division in WWE is all Playboy fodder. Then again, TNA isn't much either, aside from Kong-Kim, and that's over. Jericho's promo was fantastic. The guy who runs the Raw feuds article is off; sure, the feud's foundation is shaky, but these two are so damn good on the microphone it won't even matter. JBL is no doubt gold and it appears Y2J is getting there, too. The ending segment of Raw was good. Hardy is the new Cena, only he has more than three offensive moves. Hardy's improving on the microphone each time he speaks. I was calling an RKO to end the show, but no, Hardy dropped Orton with the Twist of Fate. Maybe I'm the only one, but I just can't see Hardy winning this Sunday.
Adam Riemer, Brooklyn, NY (7.8) Best Match: The Orton-Hardy Hype-Confrontation. Worst Match: Triple H's gauntlet. Yes, there was little wrestling on this show, but it was very entertaining. HBK vs. Kennedy was a very good opener, and the filler matches were good, but forgettable. This was a show that was about hype, and they did it well. Jericho was a totally different Jericho, which is nice. It would seem strange if he always was this young rocker type, so his new serious persona seems good against the arrogant JBL. The worst part of the night was Triple H and his gauntlet. How many of us thought that Big Show was coming out at the third participant? But this is the WWE, and they don't do fun surprises anymore. But all in all it's just a way to get Hunter in the Rumble, and please god say he does not win. I cannot take another Triple H title run right now. The highlight of the night was definitely Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton. Orton takes a finisher like no other, and is a legit heel champion. Hardy is the hottest thing the WWE right now. The fans love him and he is really starting to come into his own with confidence in the ring and on the mic. It is inevitable that Orton will win on Sunday, so let's just say that I hope that Hardy wins in the Elimination Chamber at No Way Out and gets the title finally at WrestleMania.
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