Tony Donofrio, PWTorch.com Contributor (7.0)

Another solid build-up show for WrestleMania. Raw did lack some in-ring action again but I get the feeling that we're going to see more than enough of that pay off at WM. Starting off the show with what should be the "final main event" of WM was a smart move to counter TNA's permanent debut on Monday nights. The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels continue to help build this match and make it seem bigger and more important than last year's encounter. In recent months, Taker hasn't exactly been tearing down the house with his promos but Shawn Michaels seems to bring out the best in him (apparently in the ring and on the mic). Again, a great build up for these two got better with the announcement that their match is now no DQ/count out. God forbid should WWE mess this match up with a run-in/screwball finish!

As for the Legacy break up, I'm perplexed yet still interested. What is in store for all 3 guys at WM? There's currently 7 matches on the card w/ the potential for 1-3 more. Personally, I'd love to see around 9. I know some of my colleagues believe that 7 is enough. However, I direct you to around the time of WM 19 or so, when WWE used to give us 8-11 matches. I thought it was great and would love to see that much action again in one night. Back to Legacy, I'm guessing that a match for that is booked next week making it 8 for the show, at that point.

I know that MizShow vs. John Morrison and R-Truth was only given about 30 seconds of match time, but the post-match build was strong. I was not a fan of the match to start with because it seemed so thrown together all at once, but now I am looking forward to it and think it can be a strong match at WM. Keeping with the mid-card theme, I don't see how Christian is not this years Money in the Bank Ladder Match winner. I like the guys that are in this match but it might be the weakest (in terms of star power) since the inception of the idea. With that said, it still could steal the show at WM as this type of match always does have that potential.

Moving back towards the main event, it was nice to see Triple H and Sheamus finalized. This is another match that seems like it could have been built up a little bit earlier but there are still a few weeks to give a nice final push. That leads me to the Bret Hart/Vince McMahon/John Cena/Batista intermingling that has been ongoing for the past month or two. I'm sure that we'll get more from Bret and Vince next week to put the final touches on their match. As for Cena and Batista, this edition of Raw helped build the story towards WM. I liked Cena actually admitting that he has never beaten Batista and that it is something in the back of his mind. However, I was really hoping to see Batista (and Jericho, for that matter) retain at WM. As I've said before, I doubt that both will and right now I'm leaning more towards Jericho retaining than Batista.

There were a few negatives on the show, of course. The most glaring negative was the lack of in-ring action. Raw has been very TNA-ish the past few weeks with it's lack of wrestling. But again, I think this will pay off come time for WM. The Divas match was very forgettable. I loved also how only 2 of the 6 divas in the ring are "classically trained wrestlers," while the other 4 are either former models/diva search contestants. I know that can be said with most WWE Diva matches, but on this edition, it just kind of stuck out for me. Finally, Criss Angel couldn't be perceived as a negative for the show but he didn't bring much to it either. He was good in his role and I actually applaud the limited activity for guests that don't really know much about the product. Again, he did nothing to drag the show down (which is more than I can say for probably one-third of the hosts) or build it up, but he was entertaining in his role.

Shane McKinley, PWTorch.com Contributor (6.0)

The HBK-Undertaker promo was really the only card WWE had to combat Impact, as the rest of the show was a by-the-numbers approach. Filler Divas match ending in a submission was amusing. Randy Orton's triple threat match with Ted Dibase and Cody Rhodes was serviceable. "Mo' Truth" vs. MizShow should be a nice little ditty (but really, does WWE even have another tag team they could go with other than Morrison-Truth?).

Criss Angel was near worthless in hisrole. Kiddie magic tricks make for some painful TV. Cena's Gaunlet was really a whole lot of nothing with stars thrown in there, but I got a weird thrill out of watching Vince's Goon #3 Jack Swagger run like a toddler towards the ring.

Greg Parks, Torch Columnist (6.5)

I wonder how many people who are calling this Raw "bland" and "blah" would be saying the same thing if Impact didn't air opposite it. Shawn Michaels and Undertaker had another nice show-down, and Triple H and Sheamus finally hashed out their issue (even if Trips did take quite a bit of creative license in his promo). Evan Bourne getting into the MITB match has got to be seen as a positive as well. Speaking of positives, Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes beating Randy Orton, albeit two-on-one, should give a little more punch to that feud.

Criss Angel was fine as guest host. I've only seen him on TV as being completely low-key, so it was odd to see him so hyped up before the main event. Speaking of the main event, I wasn't a big fan. The rules weren't explained well, as in, how come the wrestler had to leave after tagging in McMahon? Sure, Cena again took a licking but kept on ticking, but he was given enough breaks to not completely look like he was no-selling stuff. There wasn't a whole lot of in-ring action again, but in leading up to WM, WWE is trying to get their ducks in a row with feuds and angles to lead up to the big matches at 'Mania, so I understand why they're doing it.

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