-- WWE Raw Reax 1/9

Joey B. in N.J. (4.0): What the funk was that?! WWE got a gift in the size and look of a perfect monster heel named Brodus Clay who could've been this generation's One Man Gang - instead they went for Akeem. That was brutal... I don't know where they are going with the Kane-Cena/Ryder angle, but that is what is making it a little intriguing. However, there was way too much intrigue on this show with Kane, Ryder, Miz, R-Truth, and so on. Even Jericho felt flat since everyone is onto him now... I'm glad they're not going with the Paul Roma version of the Four Horsemen... The good wrestling was Punk vs. Swagger, and Bryan vs. Kingston was good, but very short... All in all, a very peculiar episode of Raw.

Frank in Anaheim, Calif. (2.5/5.0): This edition of Raw was so random and full of unanswered questions, it felt like they were rushing when they have plenty of time until the Rumble. The C.M. Punk-Dolph Ziggler build-up was okay given that John Laurinaitis guarantees to call the match fair. The Cena-Kane feud now involving Zack Ryder has gone up another level. I'm pretty sure that there may be turmoil between Cena and Ryder now. Also, Jericho once again delaying the inevitable selling emotion and crying didn't fool me a bit.

Sam Weiss of San Diego, Calif. (6.0): Best Match: C.M. Punk vs. Swagger. Worst: most of the non-ring skits. Oh dear, where to begin? Brodus Clay - it got a laugh out of me, but this is definitely a flashback to previous decades's gimmicks. It's almost as if the new Funk Brodus gimmick is as mocking as Jericho's play on babyface returns. The word that keeps coming to mind (especially in regards to Jericho) is "bathos." I'm getting the same vibe out of the new Brodus as from Jericho's return and Daniel Bryan's over-the-top win celebrations - Vince McMahon is mocking his own product and history... The rest of the show felt like one long re-run, from monster Kane, broken cars in the back lot, chickens--- heel Miz running away, Alberto's ring valet as a punching bag, botched refereeing as a key storyline element, John Cena at both ends of the show, and even to the pimping of Ric Flair as part of the Hall of Fame ceremony - all re-runs. I understand that new ideas are hard to come by and basic storytelling doesn't really change, but to throw out one played-out story after another, back to back, becomes real tiresome really quickly. And, Kofi Kingston deserved better than what he got tonight; the sad thing is Kingston and Bryan probably could have a great match if given the opportunity.

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 or email us at pwtorch@gmail.com.

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

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