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Torch Flashbacks
WWE Raw Reax #2: "The best part of Raw was Mike Adamle. People who criticize this guy need to..."
Aug 5, 2008 - 10:43:49 AM


Frederich Stubbs of Los Angeles, Calif. - Occupation: Dancer (4.0): Best: Triple Threat, Main Event. Worst: Championship Story Development. This episode was a prototypical example of how bad Raw has gotten. The wrestling in the triple threat match was very good, but the finish was formulaic and non-sensical because why would Punk resist the Walls of Jericho? To get a Triple Threat at SummerSlam? Huh? We are supposed to believe he wants that? As for the IC Title, I love Kofi and his ability in the ring, but where is his mic time? Fans dig him because he is exciting, but he has no personality to speak of. Fans will bore of this quickly and that's a shame because he is a damn good performer. And as for the main event, I HATE the fact that creative forever uses the tag titles as a secondary storyline. I long for the days of classic Survivor Series when the tag titles were on the line and every superstar jumped to get into the action for a shot at them. Now they are an afterthought used to further the storyline for Batista and Cena? A sidedish to sub-par meal. A large fries to go with a Big Mac, if you will? Haven't we seen this with John Cena and HBK not that long ago? The rating I gave here was for the actual wrestling on this show (Rhodes and DiBiase looked good, as well as the matches I already mentioned) and for another stellar performance on the mic from Santino and Beth Phoenix.

Adam Riemer of New York, N.Y. (8.0): Best: Mike Adamle actually impressing me. Worst: The Clean IC Title Win. Let's start with the worst, since overall I actually really enjoyed this show. I understand that Santino is now in the IC Title hunt, but it seems abrupt to end both Katie Lee's and Paul Burchill's title hunts in one quick night. However I really like Santino and Beth together on TV, and if the WWE is smart they will make them the new "Power Couple" on Raw holding both the IC Title and Women's Title. The best part of Raw was Mike Adamle. People who criticize this guy need to have an open mind in wrestling. Vince McMahon was one of the worst announcers in WWE history, but he was one of the best characters as well. Same with Eric Bischoff, terrible announcer, great performer on the mic. Mike did a very good job here tonight. He seemed annoyed at first with the crowd reaction, then he got arrogant... which is good. His "Adamle Original" lines might get old if they use it EVERY week, but for now it is great in establishing something different for the Raw GM and not constantly trying to re-hash the Eric Bischoff type GM. His matches made sense, they were entertaining, his promos were good (love the Regan comparison actually) and finally we get some closure to the Kane "what's in the bag? (his mask)" angle. Kane got pushed as a main event heel for all of 2.5 seconds, it's time to progress this stupid "is he dead?" angle. The tag title match was great, I love Rhodes and DiBiase. I really liked that they showed a lot of promise in actually carrying a match with two main eventers that can't really "wrestle." I also liked how Cena got Batista fired up with the slap. Overall, a pretty good show. I would suggest that the WWE should stop showing clips from the far superior year of 1997 and how much more truly interesting and fun wrestling was back then, but good for them for trying to move Raw along solidly.

Colin Johnson of Kalamazoo, Mich. (8.0): Best Match: C.M. Punk vs. JBL & Jericho. Worst Match: Kane vs. Matt Striker. This was just an overall very good Raw. Adamle did well on his first full day on the job, C.M. Punk regained some credablity in his handicap match, and the Batista-Cena feud took a step in the right direction while still making Rhodes & DiBiase look strong. Santino and Beth are getting more entertaining every week, and I like the idea of the "winner takes all" tag match at Summerslam against Kofi and Mickie. The only part of Raw I didn't enjoy was Kane's segment. I was really into the storyline when it first came out, but now I just don't care, and Adamle saying "we're going to find out what's in his bag next week" doesn't excite me, seeing as everyone know's it's his mask. Punk NEEDS a clean win over JBL at Summerslam, and he NEEDS to start being used in the second hour. I think Punk's match should've traded spots with the main event. Speaking of the main event, it was a good match, but I hope they have Rhodes and DiBiase immediately envoke their rematch clause next week, so they can regain the tag titles after Batista and/or Cena finally snap and cost themselves the titles. We'll see what happens.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "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.


Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.

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MORE "Torch Flashbacks" ARTICLES
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-14-04): Benoit & Orton & Jericho vs. Evolution & Edge, JBL vs. Booker T, Team Angle vs. Cena Dream Team
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
KELLER'S WWF SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 15 YRS. AGO (11-23-94): Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund, Undertaker vs. Yokozuna, Team Hall & Waltman vs. Team Michaels & Nash
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-11-04): Survivor Series build-up - Kurt Angle vs. Big Show, RVD & Eddie vs. Jindrak & Luther "Torch Talk" Reigns
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about Eric Bischoff, the demise of WCW
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Ric Flair
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Vince Russo
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his on-again, off-again relationship with Vince McMahon
TNA News: Hulk Hogan to TNA - The most-detailed timeline you will read of the behind-the-scenes insider news on Hulk Hogan's first tease of working for TNA
KELLER FLASHBACK: Review of Hulk Hogan's first autobiography - Hogan's political maneuvers evident in who he protects and buries
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about disagreements with Vince McMahon
KELLER'S WWE TABOO TUESDAY PPV REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (10-19-04): Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton vs. Ric Flair, Shelton Benjamin IC Title victory vs. Chris Jericho
CALDWELL'S WWE CYBER SUNDAY PPV REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-26-08): Chris Jericho vs. Batista, Santino vs. Honky, Remember the Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne ECW Title match?
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (10-28-04): The Miz on Tough Enough, Kurt Angle vs. Rey Mysterio, Your main event of Booker T vs. Orlando Jordan
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-24-08): Triple H vs. The Undertaker, Final build for Cyber Sunday, Cult Favorite Bam Neely!
TNA IMPACT 5 YRS. AGO: Keller's report on show featuring Jeff Hardy, R-Truth, Styles, Sabin, Jarrett, Daniels
KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-23-08): One-year anniversary of the Main Event Mafia formed in Las Vegas, Kevin Nash & Sting vs. A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe main event
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Edge & Benoit & Michaels vs. Flair & Triple H & Batista, Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, Jericho, Orton, Rhyno, Snitsky
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Triple H vs. Jericho, Michaels vs. Christian, Stacy Keibler vs. Molly Holly, Benoit vs. Batista, Lita's Pregnancy

(c) 1999-2009 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.

Current Top Ten Staff Picks
Staff Picks
11/21 Hulkamania Tour in Melbourne: Very detailed report on Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair's first matches back, Hogan and Flair bleed heavily, Undercard matches re-create Attitude Era
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WWE News: WWE announces guest hosts for the next four weeks of Raw, including two new names
Hogan News: Watch VIDEO of the Hulkamania Press Conference breaking down into a staged fight (w/VIDEO)
TNA News: SPOILERS - first two matches announced for TNA's December PPV
MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 11/16: Stream of Piper In The Back, Hornswoggle Stabbed in the Back, An MSG Look Back, Mr. McMahon Backs Out, Kofi Kingston Backs Randy Orton Up
CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 11/16: Complete coverage of Roddy Piper hosting, DX vs. Cena & Taker vs. Jericho & Show


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Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
WWE RAW 11/16: Place Your Bets on tonight's Raw - Week 12 featuring Roddy Piper
WWE RAW 11/2: "Place your Bets" Scoreboard after Week 11 - Review the previous scores before tonight's Raw PYB contest
TORCH MONTHLY AWARDS: List of the 2009 Torch Monthly Award winners through October
WWE News
TORCH TALK DAILY with Eric Bischoff: Bischoff talks Standards & Practices in WCW before Vince Russo came along
WWE News: What's on Smackdown tonight - Taker & Kane vs. Big Show & Jericho
WWE News: Jim Ross comments on possible WrestleMania 26 return, current WWE contract status
TNA News
TNA News: Spike TV pre-empting episode of Impact in December
TNA News: TNA Impact ratings break down - Inside the numbers on TNA's recent ratings trends
TNA News: Impact rating is in - how did post Turning Point episode fare?
ROH News
ROH News: ROH Title match signed for Final Battle; Air dates for McGuinness and Danielson's Farewell speeches
ROH News: Ring of Honor announces details on Austin Aries's next ROH Title defense
ROH News: Tonight is Bryan Danielson's final ROH match - details on tonight's special ROH TV episode (w/VIDEO)
Other News
Other News: "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson records PSA for NASA as new spokesman (w/VIDEO)
PWG News: Results from Battle of Los Angeles first round matches; final matches scheduled for tonight
PWG News: First round matches for tonight's Battle of Los Angeles tournament - Aries vs. Kendrick; Cabana, Shelley, Strong in action
PPV Reports
CALDWELL'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT 11/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels
RADICAN'S DGUSA "Untouchable" PPV review - Doi vs. Danielson, Shingo vs. Richards
10/25 WWE Bragging Rights Results: KELLER'S detailed match-by-match PPV report - Cena vs. Orton Iron Man match
TV Reports
PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 11/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Jericho & Show vs. Undertaker & Kane
CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS TV REPORT 11/19: Complete coverage of Henry vs. Rhodes on WGN
PARKS' TNA IMPACT REPORT 11/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the post-Turning Point show
Arena Reports
11/21 Hulkamania Tour in Melbourne: Very detailed report on Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair's first matches back, Hogan and Flair bleed heavily, Undercard matches re-create Attitude Era
11/14 TNA in Scranton, Pa.: Second Report - Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels, Chris Sabin vs. Suicide, Amazing Red vs. Homicide
11/14 WWE in Dublin: The Undertaker very limited in the ring vs. C.M. Punk, Rey vs. Dolph, Very interesting John Morrison vs. Matt Hardy match, No Jericho
MMA / UFC Coverage
MMA News: Update on Brock Lesnar's health - how long Lesnar had been dealing with health problems, expected return to UFC
MMA News: Brock Lesnar health update - UFC president much more optimistic than this weekend
MMA News: Brock Lesnar released from the hospital tonight; Lesnar's UFC future in doubt
KELLER'S TAKE
KELLER BLOG: WrestleMania goes up to $55, all other PPVs $45 - let the pirate feed frenzy begin
KELLER BLOG: Dixie Carter asks wrestlers to step it up, but what does that mean? Shouldn't their goal to be winning matches and nothing else?
KELLER FLASHBACK: Review of Hulk Hogan's first autobiography - Hogan's political maneuvers evident in who he protects and buries
MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL FLASHBACK (Dec. 1994): C.M. Punk's character is the latest Vince McMahon creation responding to criticism of his WWE product
MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 11/16: Stream of Piper In The Back, Hornswoggle Stabbed in the Back, An MSG Look Back, Mr. McMahon Backs Out, Kofi Kingston Backs Randy Orton Up
MOJO MITCHELL'S RAW 11/2: Stream of My Fourth Grade Hero and The Mid-Card Kicks Main Event Ass
MCNEILL'S TAKE
Get Thru This: McNEILL Previews WWE Survivor Series 2009!
The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down: McNEILL previews TNA Turning Point 2009!
McNEILL BLOG: The Big Questions About Hulk Hogan in TNA
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
CALDWELL'S TUESDAY CHAT w/GREG PARKS: Raw, Smackdown, TNA PPV discussion - MSG crowd, Survivor Series hype, Kofi breaks out, CSI:Miami vs. 30 Rock
CALDWELL'S BLOG: Hitting the hot topics - Raw tonight, Turning Point vs. Survivor Series, Jesse Ventura, Brock Lesnar, Shane McMahon
RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: A list of things wresters and TNA fans can support for Dixie Carter
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
RADICAN: Daddy's little girl V 2.0 debuts on Impact
The Specialists
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - TNA Impact: CLICK ON THIS LINK TNA, If You Dress Like Hulk Hogan People Will Give You Money, I Use Amazing Red To Floss My Teeth
11/19 WWE Superstars Hits & Misses: Rosa Mendes, Eric Escobar, Lackluster Show
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - TNA Impact 11/19: Forgotten history between A.J. and Angle, TNA's new cameras, Pope gets referee assist, Numbers - The Rock a horrible tag champ
Guest Editorials
GUEST EDITORIAL: Disgruntled TNA fan says he's done with the promotion after today's Impact taping (Contains SPOILERS)
GUEST EDITORIAL: The ultimate irony - Hulk Hogan appears on TNA Impact and pre-taped TV sitcom promoting WWE on the same night
GUEST BOOK REVIEW: Hulk Hogan provides strong defense of his public image in new autobiography
Torch Feedback
ECW TV Reax #1: "C.M. Punk scoring the pin in the main event made Smackdown seem more important than ECW"
WWE Raw Reax #3: "While WWE delivered an above-quality show, they still haven't given viewers a reason to order Survivor Series"
WWE Raw Reax #2: "This was NOT one of the best Raws of 2009, but one of the worst..."
Ask the Editor
Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not?
ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"?
ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"?
DVDs - VGames - Books
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
RADICAN'S ROH DVD REVIEW SERIES: Death Before Dishonor VII: N2 - Storm-Hero, Ryan-Cabana
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
Torch Flashbacks
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-14-04): Benoit & Orton & Jericho vs. Evolution & Edge, JBL vs. Booker T, Team Angle vs. Cena Dream Team
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
VIP Exclusive Features
11/20 Wade Keller Hotline - Guest Bruce Mitchell: Survivor Series Match by Match Preview & Predictions (20 min.)
11/20 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show: Listener Questions - How Vince McMahon was perceived before he took over, Outlaw Promotions stories, Sting Flips off Bruce, Albano Craziness (45 min.)
PWTorch Newsletter #1117/1118 (31 pages!): Raw at MSG, TNA Victory Road PPV Roundtable, Mitchell on Russo-Hogan, Keller on Dixie Speech, more
Torch Trivia
TORCH TRIVIA 2/28: Which wrestler backed out of a WWA PPV in February 2002?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/27: Who said this quote about Hulk Hogan's athleticism 11 years ago?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/25: What said this quote about WWE's mid-1990s drug testing policy?
Torch Instant Polls
SMACKDOWN POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/20 Smackdown if you saw the show?
TNA IMPACT POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/19 Impact if you saw the show?
ECW MVP POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/17 ECW TV if you saw the show?
PWTorch Free Podcast
11/4 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Format change to the show, new guest host, upcoming shows
FREE FOR ALL: 10/27 Bruce Mitchell Audio Special: Hogan-Bischoff-TNA story from all angles including Monday Night War II possibilities (32 min.)
6/23 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Former WCW rapmaster PN News joins Brian Hoops to preview upcoming Midwest shows (10 min.)
Annual Obituaries
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade...
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart