-- WWE Raw Reax 2/27

J. Myers of Harrisburg, Pa. (3.5): Best Match: C.M. Punk vs. Daniel Bryan. Worst Match: Every Promo. What was accomplished during this show? The devaluation of a champion vs. champion match, which has now occurred three times over the past three weeks? Rock's promo was a tad entertaining, but after 30 minutes of airtime what was progressed that hasn't already been said? They could have a great story with Cena vs. The Rock and the fans, but they keep going to "well, Rock's not here all the time, and this will be a cool match." Take a look at the Big Four feuds heading into WrestleMania. On paper, they all look like good to great matches/spectacles. But, how they got there doesn't make sense. The build for all these feuds should have flowed along so well and I'm sitting here looking at all these match-ups and it feels like something's missing. This Raw left me clamoring for great storytelling, but it feels like Raw has unnecessary twists and turns. Why? So we don't know what's coming? Sometimes the best story and best route is the obvious one, not the backroads that no one cares about it.

Matt of Westbrook, Maine, auto detailer (7.0): For a promo-heavy Raw, I came away very satisfied. I thought everyone was good on the mic and it helped every storyline going forward. The Jericho-Punk promo was a good start to the show. I thought Punk did a better job than Jericho of selling the match-up as possibly being one of the greatest "wrestling" matches in Mania history... Punk vs. Bryan was another example of the great wrestling that these two exhibit together. Imagine them as a tag team... The GM battle heated up with a good exchange at end of the Punk-Bryan match. And, Jericho cheap-shotting Punk was great... Cena keeps looking strong. But, good effort by Miz. I liked how he mentioned he doesn't have a Mania match yet and how he feels over-looked... I thought the triple threat tag match was awesome. It had me glued to the TV. Great tag work all the way around and the teams do make sense. It also now gives Primo and Epico some more credibility as champs. I hope they use Ziggler more, though. He needs to win MITB if they bring it back. And, Kane cleaning house at the end was a surprise... Good promo from Eve and her new character direction breathes some life Into the Divas division. Eve vs. Kelly Kelly at Mania? ... Big Show/Sheamus vs. Rhodes/Henry didn't accomplish much other than making Cody and Show officially a feud. And, I don't like how Henry is being used... The Rock brings the energy level way up on Raw. And, he still has more power on the mic than anyone in WWE. Rock and Cena's rivalry has reached a point now where they have to start getting physical. With over a month until Mania, everything is coming together nicely. Next week in Boston should be exciting.

Jorge Lopez of Miami, Fla. (8.0): Best: first 15 minutes of Rock. Worst: Sheamus/Show vs. Rhodes/Henry. The Road to WrestleMania is upon us and it seems to me that Vince McMahon is internally fighting whether to bring back the Attitude Era. Ryder's launch off the stage was the first shot and Monday was a full on assault: lady parts, missing parts, bitches, and penis all made the broadcast. So, Vince sees the Q4 performance and is deciding between PG advertising money or TV14 arena, PPV, and merchandising revenue... Punk-Jericho felt very staged and not natural at all. I felt like I was looking at two kids saying, "I know you are, but what am I?" to each other. Bad choice for WWE to use the two top champs to kick off a mid-card feud that culminates at WM28... Eve's character is getting interesting, but predictable. The best place for her at the end will be with Del Rio (both MMA backgrounds and getting lots of heat)... The rest of the show was okay, I thought. Rock is good for business and with five weeks left, somehow a heel turn is coming at WM28 to set up WM29 main event. So a preliminary card is in order: Big Four matches are set. IC Title: Rhodes vs. Show. Tag team Turmoil: Epico/Primo vs. Ziggler/Swagger vs. Truth/Kofi vs. Uso. GM Match: Team Teddy (Orton/Santino/Khali/Ryder) vs. Team Ace (Del Rio/Christian/Henry/Otunga). Divas Match: Beth vs. Trish, Kharma, or Natalya.

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 Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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