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WWE Raw Reax #1: "I tuned in this week because of the Mayweather hype. And I liked it." Feb 19, 2008 - 12:17:25 AM
Sean James of New York, N.Y. (7.0): I don't really want to try to pick a best match, as the WWE style of wrestling is so slow and basic that it's barely watchable at this point. I tuned in this week because of the Mayweather hype. And I liked it. Floyd's got a ton of charisma, and the fact that he came out to a theme that is different from all the WWE's lame themes (Sorry, Wade, but I think Jeff Hardy's new theme is just brutally bad) really made him seem special. Floyd seems like he "gets it." When Show started to run him down on the mic, he didn't even turn around. He tilted his head back, building drama. As for the rest of the show, I wish Beth Phoenix was over, but she's not, despite her mega-push. I think she's great, but obviously something needs to be tweaked. Candice coming back could have been a great moment, but it was so sudden and she looked so different that there wasn't much reaction at all. I liked the booking of the segment, but for whatever reason the crowd didn't bite. Maybe it's just a case of another quiet California crowd. As for this triple threat business... we've been watching these three guys fight each other for years now, and I just don't care. I do like how they're handling the Burchill angle, which could have been supreme wrestlecrap but instead is pretty interesting..And I also like that Jeff has a good shot of winning the MITB match at WrestleMania. But until we get a good half hour every week of stuff like Mayweather-Show, I'll go back to watching clips on the internet of the one thing on Raw that sounded good instead of tuning in weekly to Raw.
Michael S. of Holloman AFB, NM (8.0): Best Match: Orton vs. Cena. Worst Match: Kennedy vs. Val Venis. Raw came off strong following a good PPV. JBL and Vince are officially the two biggest asses in the history of the WWE. Kudos to them for living and breathing the heel gimmick, because they certainly pulled it off tonight. My jaw was hanging as poor Horny got tossed around like a rag doll. I was surprised at no Y2J, though. I predict Hardy to win the MITB, and it would be a great surprise if he used it after the main event at WrestleMania to capture the belt, but knowing WWE, one surprise a month is a stretch. It's nice to be the son-in-law of the owner isn't it Trips? Go chase that 12th title while deserving people are left out of the main event, but hey that's just my opinion. The triple threat main event was predictable, given the ending from No Way Out's WWE title match. I also would like to see HBK take on Ric Flair in his final match, and I hoped they planted the seeds for that tonight with HBK announcing Flair's induction into the HOF. One final note, who is the heel in the Big Show-Mayweather showdown, as it seemed Floyd had a lot of boos and Big Show got the better reaction. Just another celeb to spice up WrestleMania I suppose, like every year. My money is still on Flair-Michaels and Jeff Hardy winning the MITB, though. Here's hoping it happens.
MEGA-BONUS 2/15 SMACKDOWN REAX
Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0) Best: Batista vs. MVP Worst: Eight-man tag (though it wasn't bad). Like Raw, the focus was solid toward No Way Out, but it felt like it was missing something that could send it all the way over. The best match of the bunch was the first match of the night, which was allowed plenty of time to tell its story (including Batista exucting a mighty fine figure four as payback to MVP about Flair). The rest were way too short to mean much if anything (the eight-man got the worst vote as the match didn't give much of a chance for everyone to get involved). They finally gave something to Festus as the bell was given another ring to set him off. It also makes the statement that while he is docile, Festus is aware of his surroundings, which wasn't experimented with before. The corner move might have been botched in the Michelle-Victoria judging by how it was narrated at ringside. But Chuck's ruckus was well done; he's messing with Michelle without physically assaulting her. The idea that maybe his motive could be unrequited feelings for Michelle makes sense to include; to know for sure there needs to be a followup promo. Punk's win on Friday seems to mean Punk's loss on Sunday. The best story being told right now is Noble-Palumbo-McCool, but the end segment was nicely done. For being such a heel, Edge showed some vulnerability. And he held up the belt to show he was champion, but his general demeanor was much different. As couples go, compared to how Edge-Lita was played out (rough and raunchy), Edge-Vickie has much softer edges. The big picky: why does Vickie need the wheelchair when she was quite able to stand? When Cowboy Orton had a cast on his arm for much longer than a broken arm would normally have, the story for hos being able to have it was told much better than Vickie wearing high heels and needing a wheelchair she obviously no-sells the need for. An E for effort, but thank goodness Edge's day job isn't as a singer. The brawl finish did provide a way out if Rey is too injured for the PPV: his EdgeHeads asked Edge if they wanted them at his side and Edge took a pass. Vickie ending on the business end of the senton meant for Edge would give Edge the vengeance reason he needs to have REy injured. Don't know if a backup plan is in play, but maybe Kane could give Edge some trouble (they were to have a title feud when Edge was injured). Just a thought there...
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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