James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (4.0)

Thumbs down show for me despite some positives with the TLC PPV build-up. This show started off rough with the Jericho/Big Show promo, then DX's interaction re-hashing "today's interpretation of history." After that, there was little wrestling, 1990s jokes with the guest host, Mark Henry inexplicably being scripted to dance and rap because he's "boring," and a whole lot of filler before the main event, which was good and fine to put the heels in jeopardy. Apparently WWE is going after the "laugh and point" buyer to order the PPV to see DX re-give JeriShow their comeuppance.

Breaking down two of the top angles on the show, I don't know what was up with John Cena speeding into the garage, but let's not re-visit that. His promo of "going to war" seemed a bit forced and over the top, but effectively set up a bit for Carlito to return and stack the deck of the entire locker room against Cena. Even if Carlito's character was fibbing about the entire locker room hating on Cena, it sets up Cena to run through the gauntlet of EVERYONE in the locker room for the next ten years. Carlito, come on down. Swagger? Come get some. The Miz? The champ is here. Sheamus, you can't see me. It'll work for Cena to pull a Hogan running through the entire locker room of heels one program at a time.

The other top angle was the advancement of Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton. Good stuff from Orton back to his ways as a top-flight heel with a strong mean streak. I'm still not a fan of giving away the match-up under any circumstances, even if Kofi was obviously at a disadvantage with multiple sneak attacks. You can't get that first match-up back, but apparently WWE believes they can re-visit this with a "first time ever legit match-up" at the PPV or on a future episode of Raw with an even playing field. Bottom line is Orton looked strong to set up Kofi for a comeback.

Shane McKinley, PWTorch.com Contributor (4.5)

Raw was just not a groovy scene, baby. The only good part about Mini Me Verne Troyer as guest host is that he made me want to check out those old Austin Powers flicks. I think Troyer and
Mark Henry had a contest to see which one of them could have the more terrible segment. It did made me feel queasy seeing WWE pump up Henry as a "cool dude" with him rapping and dancing with the Divas. Advice for Mark Henry? Dress up in a star outfit. That's how you get over.

Wrestling on this show, cats? Not happening. The "wrestling" I remember from this match: Sheamus kills Santino, Randy Orton got back his cred in another "Randy Orton emotion match" and Big Show claimed that he's gonna make the Heartbreak Kid eat some wood. That's about it. The DX-JeriShow and Cena-Sheamus feuds got a kick in the pants with shaggadelic bits and stood out to me, and thus I feel that the show wasn't a complete dud.

Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (5.0)

Let's start with the good, because there was some: Verne Troyer seemed to enjoy himself and didn't do a terrible job. They cut out the court segment, which I thank God I didn't have to sit through. Show and Jericho getting the last word on DX in the opening segment was a breath of fresh air. Kofi vs. Orton added another chapter to their feud. Carlito interrupting Cena was awesome, as was his promo. I'd like for them to follow up on the whole "the locker room hates Cena" thing, but I doubt they will. The main event was fine, too.

There was little wrestling, so not much to talk about there. Gail Kim was head-and-shoulders above the other three Divas in the match, and that was shown in only about three minutes. Mark Henry vs. The Miz was uneventful, and I have no idea what they're trying to do with Mark, but I hope they stop. I'm not sure why the heels are in the handicap match next week. Hopefully, WWE is a little more inspired next week, because Mark Cuban could be a really good guest host.

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