Chris Evans of New Canaan, Conn. (7.0). Best Match: Main Event. Worst Match: Inter-gender six-person tag. Hats off to Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels. They did everything right last night and their performances were spot on. I was surprised when Flair talked about essentially "losing" to Vince McMahon had it not been for Shawn Michaels - surprised in a good way. It was logical. It was excellent writing. Flair's reaction to Shawn's "Old Yeller" comment was so intense and dramatic and real - reminds me why Flair is "The Man" when it comes to ring psychology. The way he smacked Shawn - like Shawn was his son and had disrespected his father, Flair. Just an amazing segment. The main event was well-booked. It made total sense. I really like that they are making Big Show out to be a no-nonsense "wrestler." He comes out and does his job. He is not really a face or a heel and for once, this ambiguity is really helping his character. Triple H and Randy Orton gave very strong promos, and poor John Cena has to rely on homphobic middle school jokes to get over. Whoever is writing this nonsense needs to be reminded that what works for someone (The Rock) does not work for everyone. The Rock's comments were always made as fun little jokes, but Cena delivers his insults as if he legitimitely is bothered by gays. The inter-gender match was a mess and it just feels like booking leftovers at this point. It's a shame, considering how TNA books their Knockout Division. Imagine how someone like Melina, Mickie James, Victoria, or Maria would be booked there...oh, well. Lastly, what the hell was Khali doing on Raw? Why is Holly being jobbed? Isn't he a tag champ? Wasn't there a 30-day clause with title holders that they had to defend within 30 days or they were stripped? Hasn't it been about three months? I say do a complete overhaul with the tag division - make certain wrestlers HAVE to wrestle tag matches - that way it would create some crazy tension between teams, acutally (gasp) create some personalities. Good luck to all at WrestleMania.
Terry Thacker of Reynoldsburg, Ohio (7.0): Best Match: Flair/Michaels Promo. Worst Match: Holly vs. Khali. I'm ordering WrestleMania this weekend basically to see Flair and Michaels. Great job by both of them in the ring tonight. Brought back fond memories of Flair's promo's when he was the NWA Champion. I am, however, still puzzled by some of the other matches though. A women's match at WrestleMania should not be yet another ridiculous gimmick match. It should feature the three women on the roster that can actually wrestle. Mickie James vs. Victoria vs. Beth Phoenix. If it HAS to be a tag match, then work in Melina somehow. The match they have chosen is going to be a train wreck. I know we are supposed to suspend belief, but I am really having a hard time taking in the Big Show vs. Mayweather match. I would love to see Show just grab him and fall on him. 1-2-3.. new record. SD Jones's could now sleep at night. If you are building up for WrestleMania, why do you have a Holly vs. Kahli match? I really am surprised both of them are still with WWE as I don't think anyone really pays all that much attention to either of them. Outside of MITB which is always reserved for WrestleMania, the other matches don't really feel like there is a whole lot of intrigue. Nothing seems really "special" for WrestleMania. Finley vs JBL is just a streetfight. The Triple Threat could be done at any PPV and the Brand vs. Brand matches are done weekly. Heck, half the time you don't know what brand the wrestlers are on anymore as they appear on any show. Hopefully Flair vs. Michaels will be worth 50 bucks…or 60 in HD.
Adam Riemer, New York, N.Y. (5.8) Best: Randy Orton selling like no other. Worst: An average final show before the biggest event of the year. First let me just say that beside Shane McMahon selling the stunner, Randy Orton sells moves like no other. His struggle to get out of the figure-four was fantastic. For the first time in a long time if not ever it looked like it was a devastating move. You would think that if someone put a move like that on you, that you would go nuts trying to get out, and Randy did it. Just like he sells Sweet Chin Music, Randy sold the figure-four as being a legit and damaging finisher. Off of Randy, the rest of the show was just okay at best. The opening was good, and the interactions between Hunter and John Cena continue to be great. It is nice that the WWE is not forgetting the past here (FOR ONCE!) with Hunter talking to Cena about injuries and going separate ways. But what about the show? Chris Jericho would have been better giving the heel "shrug" and walking away not really caring that he hit C.M. Punk on accident. In less than seven days, Punk is his opponent, so why should Jericho care? I am sick of the good guy Y2J; we need cocky arrogant heel Y2J that we got a week ago on the Highlight Reel. Anyone that thinks Mr. Kennedy has a shot at the MITB match is crazy, that match has Y2J written all over it. Why does J.R. call the Big Show the largest athlete in the world? Khali is bigger. Now what about HBK vs. Flair? The segment was good, not great. I still think HBK should have laid out Flair with Sweet Chin Music at the end of the segment to really sell the fact that Flair is getting the real HBK, the Showstopper. The problem with this is that Flair is really starting to look old, and there is so much of the word "final" and "last" being thrown around that it is hard to imagine HBK not winning. The main event was fun, though not good at all in the sense of wrestling, but it was fun. Orton is amazing. I love the guy. He portrays the smart heel so well. Him not wanting to wrestle and just let Big Show destroy everyone was great. Triple H always pulled off the bad ass, you can't beat me heel so well, JBL did the undeserving heel champ so well, and Orton plays the "I will do what I have to" intelligent champ to perfection. The surprise appearances worked fine, and Flair winning was fitting. Too bad the rest of the show was Floyd Mayweather hype.
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