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F Dask of Toronto, Ont. (5.0): Best Match: nothing really stuck out. Worst Match: Santino losing to Beth Phoenix. Way to ruin a decent show with an attempted murder ending. So we are supposed to believe that a respected financial analyst, who appears on a financial talk show, and is a VP for a Securities Firm did something like run someone over? I guess this means we have the honor of having Shane and Steph back according to what they said. Santino continues to be great on the mic despite NEVER winning a match, and Matt Striker needs to get some mic time because it seems hes been spending all his time tanning. Kane, Snitksy, Braden Walker, JBL need to realize that a treadmill is NOT against the Wellness Policy as they clearly have a membership to the same gym.

Leonard Tripodi, Kenilworth, N.J. (5.5): Best: Main Event, Jericho-Michaels. Worst. Post-main event nonsense. I was switching back and forth to the Home Run Derby, and the Derby definitely had more drama than tonight's episode, but I still gave wrestling the overall nod. Anyway, Raw seems to be slowly returning to the pre-Draft rut they were in with too much meaningless stuff on the show for me to care. Santino jobbing to Beth in under two minutes (WTF?). I mean, we don't take him seriously as a wrestler anyway, but as a performer he's solid and most of us enjoy his comedy act and mic work. But they shouldn't job him in this manner. Beth would still serve better in a three-way for the Women's Title, but they seem intent on giving Katie the challengers spot. Then we have our newest hottie, Kelly Kelly, get sent packing by the dynamic young tandem of Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes, which was fine, but Hacksaw Duggan has to come out and get ridiculed for being over the hill and pathetic? Why bother, except for the fact they may be on to something. Duggan should only be used in nostalgic purposes and in battle royals where he doesn't get exposed, but I'm sure Vince just loves bringing back the old, washed up '80s stars to relive past glory for absolutely no reason. Speaking of which, how many more of these pre-taped promos from Steph and Shane before they actually do something or Vince makes his triumphant return? The Jericho-Michaels feud continues to be the most intriguing aspect of the show each week with Michaels showing more intensity and Jericho playing the antagonist perfectly. He was always meant to be a heel and is much more effective in that role. Punk-Kane was pretty decent in that it kept Kane looking like a potential monster again, but it will only work if they continue building him seriously. The non-title match did well in advancing the Batista-Punk storyline. Batista's playful slap on Punk made him look overly arrogant, like a big bully who can actually back it up, but still tries to demean his opponent. But I liked how Punk shoved Batista in defiance, and even though Batista destroyed him with a spinebuster, Punk showed a more edgier, aggressive side to his character. As far as the main event, it was easily the best match on this show, but the post-match stuff completely ruined what little momentum it built. The six-man tag actually did more to ignite a new feud between the top two teams, but it was supposed to push the NYC street fight at the PPV and it failed miserably. Instead, it left most of us with yet another big show ending angle with someone getting devastated for apparently nothing more than shock value. And John Cena had a much better night going than last week. I hope all of this is leading somewhere, so I will patiently hang in the balance. By the way, the Pepsi machine got a huge push tonight..

Shane Bennett of Frankfort, Ky. (6.5) Best Match: Six-Man Tag Main Event Worst Match: Car Wreck. It seems fitting that a show full of bizarre bookings would end with a car wreck. As stated on this site, John Cena's promo wasn't bad (a little long) but seemed totally out of place. The only way for that character to really enthuse me anymore would be a heel turn. They might have waited too long though. Kane's storyline is progressing okay, but there are too many details that are left out that would make this story truly entertaining. Kane at one time was a monster, and since his unmasking, he has become a step away from a random jobber. Nothing is exciting about him anymore. Pyro isn't enough. He needs to be indestructible. He needs to be menacing. He should come out more than once a show. In the "glory days" when Steve Austin was pissed about something he would interrupt matches all night if he had to. I don't think Kane needs that, but he does need some unpredictability. I am not scared of him, and if I was a wrestler, I damn sure wouldn't be. C.M. Punk is not being booked effectively. No World Champion should have to wrestle during the first hour. That puts no emphasis on him as a top star. He feels like a mid-carder. He can work the mic, he can wrestle, he is exciting. He has potential that is being squashed, seemingly on purpose. His Batista feud doesn't feel big enough. They push one another and Batista (an already credible champion) gets to squash the guy that carries the belt. Wouldn't it have been more shocking and ultimately wiser if Punk got the advantage, instead of count out and interference victories? Every match he has been in thus far has had an asterisks beside it. I smell a Rey Mysterio title run all over again with Punk. A shame... The biggest part of the night for me was the return of the tag champs. They are phenomenal at their roles and they look the part as well. I like the potential of adding JBL in the mix, although I worry he might overshadow them. I was glad they got to actually wrestle in the main event to showcase their skills against main eventer's. It makes them feel more credible. The only problem I always have is Cena's hot tag. He can't wrestle. His moves look terrible, especially when compared to actual wrestling moves performed by the tag champs. Good to see some new guys at least share the air with Cena. The HBK-Jericho feud has been built wonderfully. I hope it continues after the Bash as it provides solid textbook mic and ring work. Overall, not a bad night of Raw but it certainly didn't compel me to run out and buy the Great American Bash. They still have a few bugs to work out before they get my money again... BUT HEY, AT LEAST THERE WAS NO POOPY TONIGHT!

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