-- 3/26 WWE Raw Reax

Richard H. of Wilmington, Ohio: Ah, the annual pre-WM clip show. If you like back-story videos and re-hashed promos, then, Monday night, you were in heaven. If you were looking forward to dining on some great wrestling action, all you got were a couple of well gnawed bones. What little wrestling there was on the show advanced a few storylines... C.M. Punk came across as dangerous and ready to snap, Daniel Bryan continued to excel as a heel, Rhodes-Show actually came across as interesting, and the GM match was what it was... As for the 800-pound gorilla that is Rock-Cena, their ending promo was intense and did lend some heat to an otherwise unnecessary match. Just to add another bone to pick on about this exhibition, WWE needs to make up their collective minds. For an hour before Raw, viewers were shown how great these two guys were, in and out of the ring. Talented performers and wonderful human beings. Men you would be proud to call friends. Then, the show started and they tore each other down over and over, acting like jealous third graders who can't get enough attention. Which is it, WWE? Just pick a heel and a face and push it that way - it will cause less whiplash with WWE fans.

Jorge Lopez of Miami, Fla. (9.0): Best: 12-man tag build-up. Worst: Punk-Jericho build-up. I thought the 12-man build-up was good, and is going to allow some talent on the card: 12 wrestlers, four Divas, and Hornswoggle. Not bad, and it will set up a storyline throughout the summer. Overall, there were lots of mid-carders on this Raw, which could be good, as these talents need to take the ball and run with it... I have not been very impressed with the Punk-Jericho feud. It came out of the blue and seems too rushed. It will be a good match at WrestleMania, but has a weak storyline... It was good NOT to see the three-headed monster of HBK, Triple H, and Taker. We get it that you are the last of a dying breed. Now go out, have your match, and call it a day... I believe the Rock-Cena segment did not live up to hype. It seems to me that Miz being out of the picture may lead to an altercation at Mania. BAD IDEA.

Darren M. of Roseville, Calif.: (3/4 stars): I'm not sold on the Kane vs. Orton match and neither am I sold on the Bryan vs. Sheamus, but their feuds did make for a good tag match to open Raw... The Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny feud feels like a Bragging Rights tag match to me. Great Khali can barely walk let alone wrestle. If Team Johnny does not win the WrestleMania match, then all of the heels have no power... C.M. Punk showed great emotion against Christian, but I think he will still lose to Jericho, furthering the storyline of Punk "fighting substances." ... Funkasauras gets knocked off his feet by Hawkins? Moving on... Tag champs getting squashed by the Big Show? I guess the Tag Titles have no importance now... I'm glad the Cena vs. Rock match is almost here. It seems like they have been talking about the same things over and over again since Rock has been back. I hope Rock beats Cena because, since WrestleMania 23, Cena has headlined five out of the past six WrestleMania main events. Actually, I'm changing my rating. 2/4 stars.

***

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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