-- 8/6 WWE Raw Reax

Sam Weiss of San Diego, Calif. (7.0, as long as one allowed oneself to take breaks in the duration). Best Match: Bryan-Cena. Worst Match: women's (sadly). Imagine - someone else besides C.M. Punk is able to make a Cena match interesting. Kudos to Daniel Bryan. Currently, only he and Punk can make the all-too-often formulaic Cena matches worth watching. And, Punk's show-closing promo impressed me as being the best, to the point, promo in a while on Raw (but the televised show ought to have ended at that point and not with the following knock-outs). By comparison, the HBK-Triple H-Lesner interaction seemed awkward and forced. Too much good work tonight got lost in the length of show, but I appreciate what Jericho is doing for Ziggler in making the latter more than one-dimensional, but I think Ziggler needs to start acting more naturally and be more authentic in his emotions. Oh, and I'm still enjoying A.J.

Dave Harlequin of Charlotte, N.C. (3.0): Best Match: Bryan-Cena. Worst Match: Kelly-Eve. Another week, another lackluster Raw. I understand that you're supposed to order PPVs to see good wrestling matches and things that actually matter, but would it kill WWE to fit something truly worthwhile on the free weekly TV show? I really feel like the added third hour is just there to shove Tout/Twitter down my throat along with a ton of recap videos. It honestly seems like they've just chopped up AM Raw & stuck it into the Monday mix. There's always a good showing out of Punk, Ziggler, Jericho, and Bryan, but that's about everything positive I can say about any of this. As for Summerslam, I just don't care. Nothing on this card makes me want to order it. I don't want to see Del Rio-Sheamus again, I don't want to see Cena or Big Show at all, much less in a triple threat, and I don't care to see WWE ruin Lesnar even more. WWE may not have an off-season, but I'm seriously considering taking one as a viewer every summer and only watching during WrestleMania season.

Steve in Pompano Beach, Fla. (5.5): Best: Bryan vs. Cena. Worst: Divas match, Sheamus-Del Rio non-sense. A third hour doesn't help Raw when the entire show is primarily made up of potentially PPV-worthy matches that seemed slapped together at the last minute. Orton-Show was a waste, especially when you consider that after a pointless match with a non-finish, Orton laid out one of the three WWE Title participants for Summerslam. Miz returns at MITB, wins the IC Title at Raw 1K, then gets steamrolled by Kane? How does that help Miz or the IC title? It makes me laugh to see that instead of trying to use this extra hour of air time to re-build the secondary titles. Instead, it's used on garbage like Sheamus stealing Del Rio's car (which is okay, kids, as long as you're a good guy. #B.A.Star) or recycled Ry-berg matches... Now, Shawn Michaels is going to be in Triple H's corner against Lesnar? I smell an out for Trips in the works...something like Brock mauling Hunter so bad that Shawn has the match stopped when Trips refuses to quit... Ziggler vs. Riley was good simply for advancing Jericho-Ziggler... Bryan vs. Cena was a nice way to cap off the evening. Mind you, it would've been better if Super Cena actually sold D-Bry's offense, but I digress. Of course, Punk's deterioration from dynamic, edgy face into whiney, insignificant heel was fun, too (not really). At this point, he really needs a segment where he vents his frustrations with Cena, Rock, the WWE Title's seeming lack of importance, etc. instead of this "slow turn" redonkulousness with him basically ending in the background whenever he's sharing the ring with Cena and Cena's enemy du jour. Granted, it's a long way 'til the Rumble, but give fans something that makes them focus more on the anticipation for Punk vs. Rock and less on the length of time before they're able to see it.

***

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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