James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (3.5)

Whoa, this show fell off the train tracks. IED? Shane McMahon > entire Raw Roster and Randy Orton, the former mega-heel? This show came across like it was drawn up on a dirty napkin at Denny's at 3:00 in the morning. Of all the ways to capitalize on Randy Orton's super-star making effort on Raw the previous week and Royal Rumble victory the night before, the last - very, very last - thing that ever would have crossed my mind on how to capitalize would have been a show-opening promo that made Orton look like a coward for trying to hide behind his words and punt on Vince.

WWE didn't stop there. Apparently taking a page from brother-in-law Triple H, Shane McMahon went SuperHero on Orton and looked ridiculously terrible in the process. This is why office doesn't get in the ring more than once-in-a-blue-moon. Not only was Randy Orton double-hit as a major coward on this show - eliminating the edge he had last week when he did the unthinkable by punting Vince - but the Raw roster was castrated by simply standing there on stage watching the proceedings in the ring before Shane punched out Kofi and Rey. I'm not sure what world this show was created on to create Superhero Shane, but it didn't translate to the real world.

Cena vs. Michaels was the highlight of the night, but the rest of the show lacked any sense of importance. The qualifying matches were way too short, and I never got a real sense of purpose or direction on how the Chamber matches lead into the significance of WrestleMania. I know what the progression is, but WWE didn't establish what's at stake for Cena at No Way Out, how WM title matches are affected, or how Randy Orton fits into the Chamber mix. Seemed like a very strange episode where the writing team didn't have a clear direction from McMahon on where to take Raw on the Road to Mania. Someone was asleep at the wheel, the GPS was turned off by mischievous Hornswoggle, and Stephanie and Shane were busy arguing in the backseat over the last bag of chips in the cooler.

Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (4.0)

I can understand WWE wanting to perhaps build to a Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton match at No Way Out, but that final segment is NOT how you do it. Even if Shane looked like a million bucks in there with Orton, it still would've been the wrong move putting him over the entire Legacy so strongly. And what's with the entire roster standing on the stage watching their boss Shane get held back? Nobody thought to help him? Just a terrible ending to a below-average show.

The matches were all fine, but as is the story with Raw, most were too short. But for the length they did go, they were entertaining. Michaels vs. Cena was another match-of-the-night and even the women's tag match was tolerable. The opening segment wasn't great, but I liked Orton being the dirty heel and trying to come up with every excuse in the book why he shouldn't get fired; I'm not sure we're supposed to believe that he REALLY has IED, or if it's just Orton trying to, again, come up with every excuse he can to get out of punishment.

There were more Wrestlemania and "Orton kicking McMahon" video packages than I'd prefer. But at least we got Santino on commentary and a true upset, Kofi beating Kane to make it into the Elimination Chamber. It was not a thumbs-up show, but there were a few things to like.

Lee Stevens, PWTorch.com Contributor (2.0)

Although the final segment of Raw will likely be what most people remember this week, there were positives in the show. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels provided credible in-ring action for a televised match and Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston were surprise entrants into the Elimination Chamber match. Plus, they didn't poke me in the eye with a sharp stick. Other than that, this was not one for the archives.

It may have been Royal Rumble Recovery, but Chris Jericho and CM Punk were not crisp in the ring and most of the other matches were too short to leave a positive impression. As for the obvious negative, I didn't enjoy the start or the finish of the show. The opening segment was simply too long. Most wrestling fans do not tune in to listen to therapist notes and legal briefs. I understand why the men in suits were there, but this was as enjoyable as actually taking a deposition.

As for the finish, I have no problem with Shane McMahon coming to the defense of his family. He should have walked down the ramp and interrupted. He should have confronted Randy Orton. He should have punched him and then he should have been beaten down like the 39 year old front office executive that he is. If you're keeping score at home, the Excecutive Vice President in charge of Global Relations intimidated your top heel, the former Tag Team Champions and virtually the entire Raw roster. I didn't see Lillian Garcia, so I'm not sure if she was scared or not.

We suggest these recent related articles...

PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Thursday show, including Roman Reigns & Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt & Braun Strowman

METZGER'S ROH TV REPORT 10/4 & 10/7: IWGP World champ Okada vs. Roderick Strong main event, plus Briscoes vs. Time Splitters, more from "Field of Honor," Overall Reax

MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/7: TNA Title Series kicks off, Bound for Glory fall-out, more; Overall Reax