-- 2/22 WWE Raw Reax

Aaron of Keizer, Ore. (8.5): Best: Jericho-Edge segment, Batista's character development. Worst: Bullriding segment. This was the best Raw I've seen since I started watching wrestling again a year ago. The Jericho-Edge segment was predictable, but still great. With their mic skills and in-ring ability, that's going to be a fun feud to watch develop over the next month. I'm curious though, where's Undertaker's re-match? I guess fighting Michaels is more important. I'm not a fan of the Taker-Michaels re-match itself, but the build-up has been very well done. They've finally pulled the trigger on the Legacy split and who would have predicted two months ago that Orton would end up being the one going face. Another intriguing feud that should help vault either Rhodes or DiBiase to main event status, if not both. It also appears that they've noticed how over Bourne is with the young fans. I really like the potential of a Tatsu/Bourne tag team. Speaking of tag teams, I'm really starting to like the team of Miz and Show. They're developing some great chemistry together. It's too bad WWE doesn't put any effort into the tag division, though. The guest hosts and Divas segments were forgettable as always and really the only reason I dropped the score of the show below a 9. The Cena-McMahon segment was good - I can't get enough of Mr. McMahon - but I wish Cena wasn't fighting Bret Hart's battle. From WWE's standpoint, though, I can see why they would go that route. Batista's character development as a heel is some of the best television I've seen in a long time. The cocky, smug, badass he's portraying has just been awesome TV. Hopefully WWE keeps it up.

Henry Jenkins of Seattle, Wash. (7.5): Best: Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. Worst: Overbearing NXT ads. Solid Raw. Less fat, more pork. Shawn Michaels's career vs. The Streak is a hot ticket. That is how Wrestlemania is supposed to be done. Ironically, it actually makes the big match less suspenseful, since I can well imagine that Shawn may take this moment to retire. But there's no way anyone is going to want to miss it. They're doing a good job of making Batista legitimately unpredictable. I never liked Batista in his entire career until this latest heel turn, but he's nail it. I'm glad Money in the Bank is back, but Christian-Carlito was forgettable. In fact, most of the actual matches tonight were a bit low key. But MITB will still add intrigue for weeks while people qualify. Wendi Richter is the latest Hall of Famer? I like it. Great video. I wish Lauper was inducting her, though. It was great seeing Jewel host. They haven't had enough women. By the mere fact of her being there, this wasn't business as usual. Overall, this was a really nice build-up episode, and I can't wait to see Bret next week.

Efren Bojorquez of Phoenix, Ariz. Well, I just spent $750 for fourth row tickets at WrestleMania after this show. Amazing focus to this show, some great matches have been booked (although I am not on the Michaels-Taker bandwagon) and television should be GREAT the next few weeks. I got back into wrestling right after "Night of Champions," so it took me a while to get caught up, but I have some juicy questions that need answering: Did I see Evan Bourne pin someone for the win last night on Raw? Here's hoping WrestleMania is his coming-out party. How great would it be to have him in MITB? Is anyone else getting a tad amped up for Hart-McMahon as they slowly dangle tidbits in front of you every week? Does Matt Striker have go to Metaphor School the day before a PPV? (By the way, I am a Michael Cole fan, lay off him. It's tough being 'the guy' who has to follow "the man." Think Charlie Steiner taking over for Vin Scully when he retires. You already have a strike against you.) Is Christian finally about to get the push he deserves? A little program with Edge perhaps down the road? And the #1 question I have: like I said, I have been away from wrestling for a while but I have been to seven WrestleManias...is this starting to feel like this could be the best WrestleMania ever? I just get that vibe.

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.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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