Select Next Article by Category

WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999
|
Torch Feedback
WWE Raw Reax #4: "Isn't giving away money what desperate reality shows do to meet their ratings quotas?"
May 28, 2008 - 12:30:26 AM |
|
A.A. Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (9.0): Best Match: HBK vs. Y2J. Worst Match: Anything JBL touches turns to boring. Is WWE programming really in such a desperate situation that they need to give away $1 million to get viewers to tune in? Really, that's my only thought after Raw. Should I be worried, as a fan, that my program's going under? Isn't giving away money what desperate reality shows do to meet their ratings quotas?
Shane McKinley of Danville, Calif. (6.5): Best Match: Y2J vs. HBK. Worst Match: Vince's "Money" Proposal. Awesome interaction between Orton and Triple H. That is a sort of thing that you rewind it and watch again because it's impressive. Great execution and great thought plugged into it. This along with the video package sold me on their match. I have problems with people on a run that we have never heard of (London-Kendrick, Carlito). If there's no visual proof, then you might as well be lying. Ted "Mastercard" DiBase Jr. teaming up with D.H. Smith? London/Kendrick sure get no love. Amusing stuff with Piper. Nice touch with the lucador masks with DX. Maybe they fought El Gato and Super Porky from AAA? Solid tag match with John Cena. At least no more Paul Burchill squashes. Can't you picture Kennedy in the ring with the biggest American flag you have ever seen talking about how "if you don't love this country, you're a piece of garbage"? There's nothing wrong with xenophobia in wrestling (it is something that works), but one cannot deny that it is sort of a cheap way to ellicit emotion for a particular feud. Y2J vs. HBK was another fine match with a bad ending. The last thing fans want out of Batistia vs. HBK on their PPV is seeing Y2J stick his nose in there. Their match might be the show-stealer or it could be the biggest downer of the night. All in all a good night, but the last 15 minutes of the show sure weren't good signs. The biggest failure of the show: buying people off. I was exicited that the WWE draft is coming back. But then Vince makes this "Money" proposal, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this is wrong. Somehow honoring those who have served our country and then ending the show saying that "we appreciate our fans so much we're going to give away money" just stinks. No thanks, Vince. I already have money. WWE should do a smarter thing and contribute such money to charities like Make-A-Wish or to the families of dead wrestlers, instead of Average Joe. You know what you could do to show appreciation for the fans? Stop lumping us altogether and treating us like trained monkeys, willing to foam at the mouth to receive money to blow it all on wweshop.com. Perhaps WWE is sweating a possible Celtics vs. Lakers, but there's a reason why I don't watch some shows, because some shows are shameless in the way they try to get ratings. Around this time last year the "dead chairman" angle was beginning, which was one of the most moronic angles. I won't disagree that this is somewhat interesting, but you could take one look at the audience and know that this wasn't right. The feeling from this isn't "oh boy I might win some money", it's "this is sleasy, reeks of desperation, and is insulting." But that's why they call it wrestling. Oops, I mean sports-entertainment.
Leonard Tripodi of Kenilworth, N.J. (5.5): Best: Jericho-Michaels. Worst: Vince’s show ending promo. This Memorial Day edition of Raw was just so-so for me. WWE is sort of teetering on the brink lately; the show is either very entertaining with a couple of solid matches or completely forgettable with four minute matches. The inconsistency and direction of the company is what’s bothering me. I am a loyal fan and forgiving to a certain degree, but there are times when I have to question what is keeping me interested and still watching this stuff. Yeah, Vince’s early build up to what turned out to be a letdown of an announcement shouldn’t have anybody fooled. He’s been doing this kind of overhype for years, only to keep us in suspense throughout the show and then he fails to deliver. Since Vince mentioned a million dollars every week, my guess is either Shane McMahon, which would be cool for about two weeks, or Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase, which would be okay in a legends tribute, but not for a long period of time. I really don’t want to see either of them as G.M. or better yet, at all. Shane was great during the Attitude Era, though. In any case, the announcement was a letdown and failed to keep me intrigued. And why in the hell did he waste a typically strong overrun slot for that disappointing promo? Melina-Beth has a some potential, but I’m sure it will fall short of expectations. As much as I want to like Melina, she just doesn’t have the “it” factor like so many other wrestlers and divas to put her over. The constant insinuation that Mickie is hooking up with Cena is a storyline with worlds of potential, but they will probably forget about it altogether. Jericho-Michaels can headline Raw and PPV’s for a year, but how does another good match between those two build towards a Michaels-Batista match at ONS? The Triple H-Orton promo was solid, but went a little too long. I like all of the past references to Evolution and such, but they need to move beyond that now and stick with the current history between them. I really don’t care much about Cena-JBL, simply because I have no reason to. JBL is not the best opponent for Cena, since his character has always been about an arrogant heel who does more trash talking and doesn’t back it up with great wrestling. I will not be ordering ONS for the obvious reasons which everyone has already stated, including myself. They have been hitting us with too many PPVs in such a short time while rehashing too many of the same feuds and matches. Also, after WWE took over ECW and most of its established stars, ONS was the brainstorm of Paul Heyman and initially used as an ECW heavy show. It included many of the old ECW legends and every match was contested under extreme rules. Real Extreme Rules! But now it’s just Vince’s watered down version and doesn’t set itself apart from any other monthly PPV. Not for me!
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.
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
For UFC AND MMA NEWS & BLOGS
visit our affiliate: MMATORCH.COM - now featuring Jamie Penick's MMATorch Daily Audio Updates!
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
| MORE "Torch Feedback" ARTICLES
|
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
ARE YOU VIP? SIGN UP NOW FOR $7.50 A MONTH FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO AD-FREE, BENEFIT-PACKED VIP VERSION OF PWTORCH.COM (see screen capture)

INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO AD-FREE VIP SITE
INCREDIBLE BENEFITS!
Over 50 full-length audio updates per month (iPod compatible)... New weekly award-winning Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter (text and printable pdf versions) with latest exclusive insider news, new Torch Talks, great columns, Keller's cover story, much more... Hundreds of full-length back issues of PWTorch Newsletter from late-'80s to today... Ad-free access to PWTorch.com's Main Listing... VIP Forum with interaction with other subscribers and Torch staff... Torch Talk Library with text and audio of hundreds of interview installments from last 20 years... Great layout... Deepest archives on pro wrestling history anywhere... Keller's PWTorch Today PDF Bulletins with email alerts... VIP Email reports on major PPVs and TV shows... Staff Roundtable Reviews (text and audio) followiing major events... The best staff of writers and world class reporting since 1987... We'd love for you to join us and experience the most entertaining, authoritative, experienced staff of professional reporters and commentators in the business... SIGN ME UP NOW!
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| TORCH STORE: Buy Two, Get One Free November Special on Back Issue Sets, Keller DVD |
| TORCH TODAY: PWTorch invading WWE Universe - join the official PWTorch.com reader group |
| THE DAILY WORD 11/17: Caldwell looks at Raw tonight, Triple H up for major movie role, NWA tapings in Hollywood, Where's Orlando Jordan? |
 |
| WWE News |
| WWE News: WWE stock price takes an absolute beating on Wednesday |
| WWE News: WWE video game accessible on your Mobile phone; Video preview included |
| WWE News: WWE trying to re-energize fanbase through social networking to challenge Myspace, Facebook |
 |
| TNA News |
| TNA News: Kurt Angle positioning himself as future leader of TNA; why TNA started Main Event Mafia angle |
| TNA News: Results and News from Monday's event in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans (w/VIDEO) |
| TNA News: TNA challenging WWE for market share in key region after WWE finishes European tour (w/VIDEO) |
 |
| ROH News |
| ROH News: New video wire with promos for Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs |
| ROH News: Nigel McGuinness says whether he enjoys being a wrestler; comments on C.M. Punk and Colt Cabana |
| ROH News: Replay times for Ring of Honor's "Driven" PPV featuring Steen & Generico, Nigel, Briscoes, Danielson, Jerry Lynn |
 |
| Other News |
| Other News: Where is he now? "The Model" Rick Martel missing the wrestling travel schedule (w/VIDEO) |
| Hogan News: Did RVD help boost viewership for Week 5 of Hulk Hogan's CCW? Complete series ratings analysis |
| Other News: Bret Hart discusses whether his wrestling career is over; describes second book project |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| RADICAN'S ROH DRIVEN PPV REPORT: Strong-McGuinness, Steen & Generico vs. Black & Jacobs |
| KELLER'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV 11/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Sting vs. Styles, Nash vs. Samoa Joe, Main Event Mafia |
| CALDWELL'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT 11/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
 |
| TV Reports |
| 11/18 ECW on Sci-Fi Report: Mayer's "alt perspective" report including Team Hardy vs. Team Henry, dancing debut, Dreamer vs. Swagger |
| CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 11/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show featuring Matt Hardy, Finlay, Miz & Morrison |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 11/17: Ongoing coverage of live show including Santino raps for Akon, Orton-Punk |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 11/12 WWE in Newcastle, U.K.: Batista & Mysterio vs. Jericho & Orton, Shawn Michaels vs. JBL, Haas Hogan in the house |
| WWE News: Complete Smackdown tapings report for next two weeks - Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Koslov set up Survivor Series |
| WWE News: Second detailed report from England with full results of tonight's Raw telecast |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| MMATorch Briefing: Fedor wants to fight Lesnar, Filho out of WEC, Heavyweight rankings, Big announcement |
| MMA Update: New Top Ten Heavyweight Rankings by MMATorch Staff Just Released |
| UFC 91 AUDIO ROUNDTABLE (free): Pennick, Ennis, Pelkey, Bent (67 min.) |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| KELLER: A look back at Mike Adamle's infamously disastrous and embarrassing debut as ECW announcer |
| KELLER: WWE addressed a lot of problems with Raw last night - a march through the eight in our reader poll |
| KELLER SHORT: What was missing from last night's celebration of 800 episodes of WWE Raw... |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL SHORT: WWE Raw Wrestlers Have No Guts Part 2 |
| MITCHELL: Scott Steiner and The Main Event Mafia: The Comeback Promo |
| MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 11/10: Stream of Stephanie McMahon Gets Creative And Ends All The Bad Storylines (Okay, One of Them) |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| McNEILL's Mailbag: On Lauren Thompson and 70's Style Booking |
| Indestructible: McNEILL previews TNA Turning Point 2008! |
| McNEILL's Mailbag: Should Michaels face 'Taker at WrestleMania? |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CALDWELL'S MEDIA CLUB: Eddie Guerrero DVD review Day 6 - Eddie vs. Rey Mysterio... 'Nuff Said |
| CALDWELL'S MEDIA CLUB: Eddie Guerrero DVD review Day 5 - Eddie vs. Chris Jericho; the day no one cared |
| CALDWELL'S MEDIA CLUB: Eddie Guerrero DVD review Day 4 - Eddie vs. Ric Flair; the importance of the U.S. Title |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 11/18: Too small to be big and too big to be small: ROH's fight to get the buzz back (pt. 1) |
| RADICAN: Last Call with Raven & Sandman dissapoints despite fantastic production and high expectations |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 11/13: Why should you buy ROH's "Driven" PPV when it debuts tomorrow? (spoilers) |
 |
| The Specialists |
| 11/18 WWE ECW Hits & Misses: Miz & Morrison, All American Challenge, 6 Man Tag |
| PARKS: The Mike Adamle Experiment - How much blame for his failure is on his shoulders? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 11/17 Raw: Clearance sale for Released Wrestlers merch, Relationship Building with Punk & Kofi, Batista vs. Ref |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: Career vs. Career - The Undertaker vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 25 |
| EDITORIAL: A plan for a dramatic make-over of WWE through massive downscaling of TV, PPVs, roster size, titles |
| EDITORIAL: Vetter examines problems with ROH product |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| ECW on Sci-Fi Reax #1: "I was waiting for someone to take a shot at Swagger's lisp, but Ricky Ortiz?" |
| WWE Raw Reax #4: "Manu came away from his match with Batista stronger than when he walked in." |
| WWE Raw Reax #3: "...Easily the coolest moment on the show besides Santino's rap." |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| RADICAN: Last Call with Raven & Sandman dissapoints despite fantastic production and high expectations |
| RADICAN: Hey! The Claudio Castagnoli delivers one of the best independent releases of the year |
| DVD REVIEW by Brian Hoops: Magnum T.A. and Nikita Koloff reflections |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| WWE News Flashback: Mike Adamle the new G.M. of Raw: Controversial announcer shifted off of ECW announcing duties |
| RADICAN'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-13-03): Benoit & John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar & Big Show, Vince McMahon rubs his temples, Kurt Angle |
| KELLER'S NWA-TNA PPV REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-12-03): Sting & A.J. Styles together vs. Lex Luger & Jeff Jarrett, Raven & The Sandman team, X Division Gauntlet |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 11/19 Daily Keller Hotline: A specific proposal to overhaul the look and feel of WWE utilizing current talent in a new way (16 min.) |
| ECW ON SCI-FI ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 11/18: Mayer, Mezzera, Parks rate and review |
| PWTorch Newsletter #1054 (19 Pages!): Your weekly megadose of news, analysis, columns, TV reports, more |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Curt Hennig? - Part Two |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Curt Hennig? - Part One |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| Who was the MVP of the Nov. 17 Raw if you saw the show? |
| Rate the 11/17 WWE Raw on a 0-10 scale if you saw the event |
| POLL: What's your prediction for the Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture fight? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 11/19 East Coast Audio: ECW - Miz & Morrison continue to shine, A guy debuted, Swagger punished (8 min. clip) |
| 11/17 WWE Raw post-game Show: Caldwell and Parks discuss final hype for Survivor Series, John Cena's lack of presence, beards-a-plenty (7 min. clip) |
| 11/17 VIP East Coast Audio: Smackdown - Matt Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin, Intense debate on Jeff Hardy's character change (7 min. clip) |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|