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WWE Raw Reax #5: "As a Canadian, I have always been amazed at the circus act known as the U.S. Presidential Campaign." Apr 23, 2008 - 2:08:06 PM
Mark Smallman of London, England (7.5): Best Match: Regal vs. Punk. Worst Match: That whole "Clinton/Obama" fiasco. Maybe I'm biased, but tonight was the first time in many months of trying that WWE got me to jump off my couch at the result of a match. If William Regal winning the King of the Ring is the start of a sustained heel push then this viewer can forgive a LOT of past mistakes the WWE has made. The guy looks to be in tremendous shape and I'd love to see how he does as a top-teir, intelligent heel (something Raw is lacking these days). The rest of the show was distinctly average, though I thought they did a good job of plugging the main event throughout the show as being a big deal, which it is when you've got that many current and former champions in a ring, I still don't buy Edge's Spear as a finish, though. As for the presidential candidates, seeing them try to be "down with the kids" was just awkward, but the farce that was the "fight" between Obama and Clinton was worse. Umaga will end up a face if he keeps doing the viewers favours like that one. The show was probably worth a 4, but it gets the extra 3.5 simply for giving me something to cheer (and be surprised) about.
C. Martin of Toronto, Ont. (2.0): Best Match: Jericho vs. MVP. Worst Match: Too many to choose from. As a Canadian, I have always been amazed at the circus act known as the U.S. Presidential Campaign. You would think that combining that with the circus that is WWE would be great, but last night we all learned differently. I found the candidates remarks to be pandering and badly delivered. If Obama could have turned into a real person after delivering the "If you smell..." line and said "I've wanted to do that for years." He would have stood out. As it was, as a wrestling fan, I was insulted by their condescension. As someone who is going to be affected by your choice (the rest of the world can't vote on your elections, but it does affect us) I am dismayed by what I saw last night. If I were an American and I based my choice on what I saw last night, I would vote for Umaga. Just a question, can a Samoan run for president?
John R. of Cocoa Beach, Fla.: Best Match: Eight-man tag. Worst Match: King of the Ring Finals. To me there are some questions that still have to be answered from Raw on Monday: Is Umaga a Republican? Were the selections of entrance music used by "Hillary" and "Obama" used as shots at Hulk Hogan and the Rock? Didn't you expect to see "John McCain" come down as "Stone Cold?" Wasn't it obvious William Regal was going to be the King of the Ring after the finals pitting him against Mr. Money in the Bank, C.M. Punk? There was no need for a match; Regal could have spiked Punk's Pepsi with some of JBL's Mamajuana energy drink! Can't wait for the returning and turning face after Backlash Mr. Kennedy! Kennedy! Is Batista heel or not? Seems like he's like the road team villian on Raw, but the home team face on Smackdown, after all, last week against Undertaker he did help Taker when the Familia interfered. Either keep Batista as a face on Smackdown, or have him be a full fledged heel. You can at some point bring Triple H into the picture where the Game would have to choose between DX, (Michaels) and Evolution (Batista and Flair). A true babyface turned heel involves a turn on the fans, so far Batista has not done that; his issue is with HBK about retiring Ric Flair.
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 age (if you choose) and 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.
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