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WWE Raw Reax #2: "Somebody needs to sit Cena down and tell him that while he may be a charming guy, he has a terrible sense of humor." Jul 8, 2008 - 10:40:53 AM
John Dupont of Baton Rouge, La. (3.0): Best Match: Main Event (by default). Worst Match: John Cena/Cryme Tyme. Amazing the difference a week makes. Last week, everything made sense and seemed fresh. One week later, it seems as stale as ever. The main event was passable, but I have a sick feeling C.M. Punk is doomed to be a "tweener" champion because he doesn't fit the WWE image of a world champ. We got much of the same lame banter between John Cena and Mickie James, and easily one of the worst segments in years in the car thrashing. For starters, I live in Louisiana and these laws are non-existent. Secondly, logical booking would have the heel deface property. It may work with Steve Austin or Mick Foley, but not with Cena. My biggest problem with that angle is that it comes after they suspended Michael Hayes for his alleged racist behavior. By using two African-American men as thugs only makes the Hayes suspension seem like a desperate attempt to save face. All in all, a lousy show.
Tom B. of Columbus, Ohio (2.0): Best Match: Santino Marella vs. Rey Mysterio. Worst Match: Pick 'em. Maybe my expectations were high, but Raw was a huge anti-climax. I loved Vickie Guerrero's line about the difference between C.M. Punk and Edge's opportunist "Money in the Bank" title shots was that when Edge did it, he wasn't doing it to opponents who were getting married. Awesome! She's desperate enough to do and say anything to save the nuptials. I also liked that Batista sold Punk's title opportunity as being legitimately earned. "You went through hell and earned it." Somebody had to say it, and Batista showed some class putting Punk over. Rey Mysterio's finishing move was a thing of beauty, poetry in motion. But that's about all I found encouraging from last nights episode. The audience sign about "Nick Hogan You Can't See Me" was distasteful. It's time for fans to bring back their "We've Cena Nuff" and "John Cena: For 5-12 Year Olds," signs. Somebody needs to sit Cena down and tell him that while he may be a charming guy, he has a terrible sense of humor and bad comic timing. Comedy is hard, and Cena isn't up to performing it live. Either he stays on Raw and ditches the sad attempts, or he goes to Smackdown where post-production can try to rescue him through heavy edits and save the rest of us. Last night he was the walking, talking dictionary definition of an "assclown."
A.A. Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (8.0) Best: CTC vs. JBL's limo; Worst: Non-wrestling vs. Wrestling time on Raw. I know that storylines once took a backseat to in-ring action and I was one of the ones complaining. I have absolutely no complaints about having short matches. My wrestling attention span isn't very long anyways, so short matches keep the action level high and the crowd into it. However, if they're going to have short matches, they should at least give more wrestlers a chance to perform and compete. The live report said there was a solid tag team dark match after the show. Why, exactly, couldn't there be a short tag team match on the actual broadcast? Why haven't we seen Lance Cade and Y2J in action, instead of just in character talking? Okay, enough on that, because the show was very entertaining. I know Cena will never have any street cred, but at least he and Cryme Tyme look like they're having fun. I never will get sick of Santino jobbing, nor will Rey ever lose his style, both good things. The best thing going for Raw right now is the newer talent being promoted by the established stars. About time, WWE. Now, if only WWE emphasized the "W" as much as the "E."
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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