Torch Feedback WWE Raw Reax #3: Rock a bully?, Punk a bad actor?, Ziggler the best bump-taker in wrestling?, What were Taker & HBK talking about?
Mar 14, 2012 - 3:51:49 PM
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-- WWE Raw Reax 3/12
Joey B., artist: If he hasn't already, The Rock has jumped the shark. I thought the show-ending song was sophomoric and the Cleveland reference in each chorus reeked of desperation. Cena's throwback wear was fun, but I wonder how parents felt about the content of his rap? Either he was legit mad when he came out or his acting has really improved. Their feud is like the Republican primary - both on the same side, and both tearing each other apart so badly that the winner ends up diminished... Why does Dolph Ziggler always seem to lose? Is it because he takes such great bumps? He is so ready to move up, but all this losing could have a negative cumulative effect with regards to fans getting behind him... The Brodus-Jinder squash match is another example of why jobbers need to be used again... I thought the Taker-Michaels exchange was convoluted. I believe Taker was trying to say that he didn't say a lot of those things, that Triple H did, and that Hunter was screwing with Shawn's head. Right??? ... The Jericho angle is too Vince Russo-ish for my taste... Boy, who did Miz tick off in the front office or Creative?... The wrestling was pretty good for most of the show, but it took a back seat to all the talking.
Andre of Toronto, Ont. (7.5): Best Match: Ziggler vs. Sheamus. Worst Match: Funkasaurus squash. The Rock Concert looked like a blast live. Cena looked like an idiot in his old-school gear, although I like “Thuganomics” better than his current theme. It would be a better feud if Cena would actually show something other than inane smirking and a “nothing ever bothers me” no-selling attitude. Once, he said he needs to win, but why? He keeps saying nothing The Rock does gets to him. At least with Rock, he's progressed from having fun, to getting seriously annoyed, and now getting more and more personal. Of course, Rock can’t destroy Cena’s character for business reasons, but if Cena does another “Rise Above the Hate” bit, then what was the point of this feud? Isn’t it another Kane-Cena? ... Here’s how good Ziggler is. I completely forgot he was Spirit Squad Nicky. He does a great job with any opponent... I wish they would put Mark Henry back in the main event scene. He’s so wasted in this GM feud... I didn’t like the addition of the alcoholic element to Punk-Jericho. Mainly because it’s too late in the game and also because C.M. Punk’s acting looked terrible when they were doing reaction shots. All in all, I’m still curious about WrestleMania, but not sold on it.
Richard H. of Wilmington, Ohio (8.0 for first-half, 4.0 for second-half): Great opening with old-school Dr. of Thug-o-nomics. Short concise and intense! Then, a great - okay, it was only great by Raw standards - match between Sheamus and WWE's new premium enhancement talent, Ziggy. Easily best of the night. Then, some good matches and a long, but intense, bit between the Dead Man and Mr. WrestleMania, which led to more questions and doubts about the Streak. But, it went off the rails for me when Jericho attacked Punk's family and Punk had such a bad reaction to it. Maybe Phil should whip out some of the low-lights from Jericho's autobiography to even the field. As for the king of cheap pops, Dwayne Johnson, he had the sheep in the arena eating out of his hands. I was reaching for the remote. It was long. It was re-cycled. It was offensive. It was unnecessary. It was as unnecessary as the continuing romantic adventures of Eve and Lil Zak, the toy boy. The worst of show for me was Rocks monologue in which he continues to come off as an arrogant, insecure bully.
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