-- 5/31 WWE Raw Reax

Adrian Arciuli of Sydney, Australia, student (8.5): Best Match: Cena & Bourne vs. Edge & Sheamus. Worst Match: Mixed Tag match. Wow, did I just see Evan Bourne in main event? It's about time WWE delivering something fresh in the main event picture. It was great to see them put over Bourne and let him hit "Air Bourne." Hopefully he sticks around for a while and they give him some mic time. Yes, Bourne is a great in-ring performer, but they need to show more of his character if he is going to be a legit main-eventer. Finally, I feel that Raw has some flow to it for the first time since the at-times-stupid GM guest host concept started. Bret Hart as the Raw GM brings some form of understanding to why matches are booked. I hate nothing more than when there is just no explanation or purpose to matches. The last two shows featured matches that served a purpose and moved angles forward. For example, if the Usos debuted under the old guest host gimmick, it just wouldn't have made sense. Seriously, WWE would want the audience to believe someone who can't even spell "wrestling," like Jon Lovitz, would sign them? ... I am really enjoying the current direction of Raw with dedicated time to the mid-card and putting effort into developing characters. For example, I support the way Zack Ryder is being used lately; he was all over the show this week. If WWE invests time in a character, it usually pays off. I just hope WWE continue to do this because the depth of the main-event roster is starting to be tested.

A.A. Norman of Tulsa, Okla. (9.0) Best: Air Bourne and Uso Bros with Tamina. Worst: Zach Ryder. The absolute highlight of the night was seeing Evan Bourne get the chance to be in the main event (finally!) and work with the top stars in the company. I am not sure what made WWE do that, but whatever it is, they need to do it more often. Also, the Uso Brothers and Tamina pulled off a killer promo. One of them looks like The Rock with his Scorpion King hair. The total buzzkill of the night was the angle involving Zach Ryder and, to some degree, this guest host experiment continuing. No offense to Ashton Kutcher and his Nikon camera, but guest hosts just don't seem to fit the show anymore.

Keith H., Torch reader (5.0): I gave this week's episode of Raw a thumbs in the middle only because I didn't really know what to make of it. I haven't watched Raw in quite a while and decided to check it out. I didn't feel like any of the young guys stood out in the ring or in interviews. In fact, I didn't care for anyone's mic work all night. During the confrontation between Bret Hart and Vince McMahon, it seemed like they were being fed lines and had to stop to hear what they were supposed to say next. I was mildly interested in what happened to the Rattlesnake...oops, "Viper" Randy Orton and Edge, but even knowing that Orton really has a shoulder injury, I had a hard time believing that a door being slammed on the shoulder would cause Orton to miss the main event. I've seen episodes where a guy is supposedly severely injured early in a match, then not only makes it back, but actually wins the match. Overall, the matches weren't bad on the show, but there wasn't anything that really pulled me back into Raw and made me want to keep watching. I have been watching TNA and even though the shows have been a mess at times, something about each episode has made me want to tune in the next week. Raw hasn't done that!

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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