-- 6/21 WWE Raw Reax

Justin Shook, student (9.0): Best: Jericho vs. Bourne. Worst: Divas. No guest host was a HUGE win for this show. I read that some viewers didn't like the NXT angle, especially the Rookies turning on Vince McMahon. I get why, but I don't think it changed anything about them. They are attacking everyone. Heels (C.M. Punk), faces (Cena), and management (VKM and Bret Hart). They got a mild pop for the attack on Vince, but next week, they could just as easily be booed for attacking Orton or Cena again. The new mystery GM is fun and already has me guessing. I'm going to go with HBK. Shawn came out months before HBK vs. Taker II and asked Vince to make the match. Vince refused, which lead to the stipulation that if Shawn lost, he would retire. Shawn was pissed at Vince, Bret, and the whole company. So now he's getting his revenge. It could be a lot of people, and WWE is doing a good job with letting us guess for a while. Also, Chris Jericho is still the best in the world at what he does. I'm actually excited about next Monday!

Richard H. of Wilmington, Ohio (4.5): Best: Chris Jericho vs. Evan Bourne. Worst: The abomination that was the mixed tag match. So this was the follow-up to the Fatal Four-Way PPV? Hart gets the blame and his walking papers? Cena gets beaten up and left in a pool of his PG-rated body fluids? A mystery GM (odds-on-favorite to be revealed as Triple H)? McMahon gets beaten up by his own newly-created monster, again? Maryse is now arm-candy for trust fund dandy Teddy DiBiase? It all seemed to be the same old thing, just from different angles. Cena gets another title shot that ends in disarray due to outside interference, tag teams are created so they can be used for a few weeks before disappearing, and McMahon screws over yet another employee - it's all the same as it has been for months. Even the best steak gets old if you serve it every day.

John of Cocoa Beach, Fla. (4.5): Best Match: Bourne vs. Jericho. I had hopes that last night's Raw would further the storyline that the NXT Rookies are dangerous rebel heels. But now they seem like the Spirit Squad on steroids! A few good things did happen last night. First, the benefit of no guest host distracting from the product. Second, the possibility of a great upper-card feud between Randy Orton and The Miz, which can also be expanded to include Edge. And third, the intrigue of a mystery GM, who I think will be revealed as the Black Scorpion, Midnight Rider, or Jim Ross. Do Wade Barrett and the CEO of BP share the same voice box? Barrett has clearly proved he was deservedly the winner of Season One. He has size and the ability to draw heat the second he hits the ring. I also see a lot of potential for the others - Skip Sheffield is a tank and Justin Gabriel, despite probably being a better fit for Smackdown. ... I like the pairing of Ted DiBiase and Maryse, but not if Maryse is kept out of the ring going forward. The Divas division needs her as the lead heel on Raw. I do see a ton of potential in Tamina. Her headbutt on Natalya during their match was, with apologies to Michael Cole, "vintage" Jimmy Snuka. ... Sheamus has the goods to be a champion with his size and arrogance. Most of all, a well-executed tease of a face turn only to revert to his heelish stance. I'm also curious as to what Edge meant by "the fun was just beginning" for Randy Orton. Hell in a Cell at Summerslam? All in all, some good spots, but at times, it just seemed like Raw last night was a mailed-in effort. It felt like half Raw and half Superstars. I mean, Primo was on last night with the Great Khali. Enough said.

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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