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WWE Raw Reax #4: " This episode was unusual, to say the least. It was turned into some kind of bizarre wrestling-game show." Jun 12, 2008 - 1:28:25 PM
Erin O'Brien: This episode was unusual, to say the least. It was turned into some kind of bizarre wrestling-game show. No offense to Vince, because his ideas are usually pretty good, but he should leave the giving one million dollars away to shows like Password. And let's be honest, it was kind of like watching a repeat. John Cena-JBL, Mickie James-Beth Phoenix, Melina attacking Beth, Triple H-Jeff Hardy, Shawn Michaels as a guest on The Highlight Reel, Shawn Michaels getting pointlessly beat up, we've already seen this. The creative department must have been affected by Stephanie McMahon's pregnancy because the storylines have sucked lately. Triple H vs. John Cena is an old one, as is Jericho-Michaels feuding and Beth-Mickie for the title.
Wayne Maye of Richmond, Va. - PSR 2 for Wachovia Bank. (7.5): Best Match: Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy. Worst Match: Cryme Tyme vs. Carlito & Santino. We begin with the unannouned match between Kennedy and Burchill, in what was an okay match, but now that Kennedy got the clean win, that would dictate that the feud is over in a way. Either way, I know it'll continue. Congrats to the winner of the $200,000. Mickie vs. Phoenix was fine for what it was. Melina's post-match attack was another intense one if not as intense as last week's. I'm looking forward to a three-way match between those three at Night Of Champions. Congrats to the winner of the $75,000. Speaking of which, Charlie Haas looked like a total jobber out there next to McMahon. I don't expect to see him pushed anytime soon. Congrats to the winner of the $100,000. JBL vs. Cena was decent, but nothing special. Man, JBL has bee n on a losing streak lately. The post match with Cena and Triple H was silly to say the least. And what can I say about the Highlight Reel with Jericho and HBK. HBK is my favorite performer, currently and of all time, but this was an awesome segment. HBK, even after his lost to Batista at ONS, he still is over and doesn't miss a beat when he comes back. A heel Y2J should make for great TV. Things were a little shaky when Jericho came back, but since winning the Intercontinental title, he's been tremendous, world's better than what he was in 2004. Some team that Snitsky and Umaga (with the Royal Rumble red on, I remember!) makes. I hope that's not permanent. Either way, the tag match was passable, with Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly on the losing end. Looked like Umaga was over little towards the end of the match. Another great promo by Ted DiBiase. I look forward to seeing him in the ring. Congrats to the winner of the $2. I don't know what to say about that one. And congrats to the winner of the $200,000. Let's skip the Cryme Tyme vs. Carlito & Santino match. Carlito continues to be wasted and Santino loses credibility with each passing week. Oh boy. Congrats to the winner of the $51,998. And in the main event, Triple H vs. Hardy was great, but not better than the match Hardy had with Cena last week. Congrats to the winner of the $250,000. Overall, this was a decent Raw, kind of a step down from last week. I'm still not anticipating Night Of Champions, but knowing me, I'll still be ordering the show. Also, Vince was quite funny in acting like this night was his first time using the phone. All in all, an okay show, but nothing that'll be remembered.
Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (5.0): Best: The Barber Shop - uh, Highlight Reel Worst: Santino/Carlito vs. Cryme Tyme; Vince's Millions. I'm feeling generous with the 5.0 as I figured I could write off the McMillions segments to focus on the rest of the show. Just couldn't do that when the majority of the time was given the to million. None of the matches and promos were given enough time to do anything worth its existence as as soon as they were done it went right to the McMillions segments. The only things allowed the time were Cena-JBL, Triple H-Hardy, and the Highlight Reel. The two matches weren't very good but at least given some time to tell some amount of story. Even The Highlight Reel suffered as the Jeritron was set too high to be hit properly. And while it is a prop for protective purposes, the screen did shatter... but no blood? And it was as if they stayed with the segment too long as Shawn had to sell the moment with mics too close to hear him whimpering, cameras too close to let him blade, and try hard not to notice the cameras still on him. They should have waited at least one more week to add one more thing to show that Shawn gets a pass while Chris can't catch a break before having this Highlight Reel where Jericho comes unhinged. Speaking of coming unhinged, will someone also please tell WWE that it was them who chose Shawn Michaels to be The Man? His storylines have suffered greatly since WrestleMania, which has also taken Chris Jericho and Batista with them. Think Batista is thanking his lucky stars that he's getting out of Dodge and moving on to Edge. And having J.R. say that Triple H is The Man comes across as such an insult, and I sometimes get the feeling that even J.R. doesn't want to say it. Come on, Ross, time for some independent thinking.
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