3/2 WWE Raw Reax

A.A. Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (7.0) Best Match: Cena vs. Edge. Worst Match: Jericho vs. Superfly. I just wrote in to say that the beating Chris Jericho gave Superfly was the worst possible way to open the show ever. Aren't there any legends backstage that could rescue him, like Dragon? Or how about the one sitting ringside (Jerry Lawler) who told us afterward how awful it was for Jericho to do that to Snuka? Doesn't Snuka's own son work for WWE? I was highly tempted to change the channel after that travesty of a showing, but glad I stayed around. Someone tell Triple H we don't need to see his interview segment recapped several times to remember it. Same does for the backstage chase. Complaints aside, there were some good promos by Orton and Edge (although I wished he brought up losing the title in a TLC match in Toronto to Cena since we're obviously receiving lots of WWE history lessons today with Snuka and the Evolution reminder to Orton) and good matches. Even the divas had a good match.

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.0): Best: Orton-Hunter exchange. Worst: Divas tag. 30-some days until The Granddaddy of Them All and tonight there was some clear movement toward a card being set. Orton-Hunter is set, and soon we'll see where everything leads. The exchange between Triple H and Orton was well done, but the "you can't touch me" thing has been done enough already. Is it just me or does Snuka look ill; more sick than even Piper was? I'm seeing Lawler getting involved - quite possibly for the WrestleMania match he's never had (maybe a lumberjack match involving other legends). In place of the annual Playboy match, we're seeing a possible Divas champion vs. Women's champion match. Maryse and Melina could do well with it, so why all this Glamarella/Rosa build if that's going nowhere? I'm hoping that WrestleMania will lead to time off for Edge. Cena caught his left leg for the STF(U) near the end, which Edge both sold and felt pain for. Then before the STF(U), Edge clamped on a sharpshooter he couldn't sit right for. ... Michaels-Taker at WrestleMania. I'm in the same torn place I was last year with the Michaels-Flair match. I don't doubt the match quality, but unlike Michaels-Flair, there are still too many blank pages to this story this late in the game. Last year, Flair was in a long storyline where his career was on the line. The Streak is an annual event storyline, but as easy as it is to plug a name into the mix, the motives for the one challenging Undertaker are usually clear outside of ending The Streak. It seems more apropos for Michaels-Taker to have taken place in 2007 when a title shot was part of the deal. Should Undertaker win now, Shawn is essentially just another opponent. Shawn wins, and The Streak is over... What else does he gain? Name alone can't be enough of a draw here, but what else besides old history is there to make Michaels-Taker at WrestleMania special and epic?

Joseph Lawson of Las Vegas, Nev. (8.5): Best Segment: Triple H-Orton. Worst Match: Divas tag. Definitely a better Raw from last week. We see Chris Jericho pay homage to Piper's Pit and bring out Superfly where Jericho did all the work to further the storyline of Jericho knocking the legends back to reality. Still no Hulk or Austin! The MITB qualifier was good to watch. But I was disappointed to see Kane win. He doesn't fit the bill for a high-flying MITB match. Hope Rey gets in somehow. The divas match was overall garbage. Orton and Triple H's encounter was incredible! It started slow but the way Triple H antagonized Orton was great. It was a rare time when both stars got over at the same time. Orton finally got his defiance back. Only thing that gets me is Triple H standing up for Vince and Shane. Wasn't it Triple H who shattered a sledge on the Vince's head and almost crushed Shane's neck only two years ago? As far as Kozlov is concerned, it truly showed HBK's skill in saving a match. Barely. Kozlov is horrible. Michaels made it watchable. Great spot with Undertaker signaling Michaels's fate at Mania. The main event was good yet predictable. I don't like the idea of Big Show main-eventing. Surely Cena will get in on some fluke or qualifier match, but the damage is done. Overall a great Raw!

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE 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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