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WWE Raw Reax #2: "If they wanted to have a new take on the G.M. storyline, they should have thrown several million bucks at Brett Favre." Jul 28, 2008 - 10:42:02 PM
Nick Haynes of Windsor, Mo. (Pre-announcement: 6.5/Post-announcement: 0.0): My post-announcement score is a reflection on the entire show; that is exactly how horrible this announcement is. Adamle is worse than Todd Grisham, a complete waste of money, and to put him as a centerpiece in the middle of the flagship program? What, was Giant Gonzales or Kevin Kelly unavailable? (Actually, that's unfair to Kelly and I take that back-Rock making fun of Kelly at least got over with the crowd). Before that, I thought the dynamic with Santino and Beth Phoenix was interesting, and the main event tag was good. The potential of Cena-Batista is off the charts, meaning that Cena's character might get some meaningful direction and a desperately-needed heel turn. But after seeing Shane come out and basically drop a turd in the middle of the ring, tonight's Raw gets no point, and may God have mercy on the writers' souls.
Ryan Russell of Erie, Pa. (4.5): Best Match: Santino vs. Knoble. Worst Match: The "Main Event." So the entire "Main Event" was a giant set-up for Mike F@**%**-Adamele to be named the new Raw GM. Thats great. In a totally related story, I went to the bathroom twice after 10 p.m. If it wasn't for the Jericho vs. Michaels storyline continuing, I would have changed the channel after my bathroom break. Can they think of an original storyline for Raw? I understand Adamle becoming the G.M. is a "fresh" story ine, but I don't get why they are trying to alienate what few hardcore fans they have left. If they wanted to have a new take on the G.M. storyline, they should have thrown several million bucks at Brett Favre so people would care about the upcoming weeks of Raw. Oh, and P.S. - that was a TOTAL waste of William Regal's return. I've been watching since before the "Monday Night Wars" and this was the biggest waste of a night I can remember.
Chris Svitavsky of Puyallup Wash. (6.5): Best Match: Punk-Regal; Worst Match: None. Another low wrestling Raw, but I didn't particularly mind on this case, and even the short matches were pleasing, although I wish almost all of them could have gone at least a couple minutes longer. The established storylines were brought along another step (something that really shouldn't have to be praised but has been infrequent enough to be noteworthy), Punk wins a serious match, there were no attempted homicides, and nothing overtly embarrassing. My wife and I were throwing back and forth before Raw who we thought the new G.M. would be, and Mike Adamle came up. We both laughed, but then it made some sense then, and some now. Ever since he's been in the company, he's basically been promoted at breakneck speed (as an announcer, where do all those Todd Grisham/Sean Mooney types end up?) while showing absolutely no reason to do so whatsoever. I have no idea if it'll draw money in any way, but it seems as if they are positioning him as "that guy who gets promotions over you and absolutely doesn't deserve them in any way," which the core audience will either completely ignore (in which case nothing really changes outside of him no longer announcing (one can hope)) or absolutely hate.
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 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.
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1039 (17 PAGES)
This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller who attended Brock Lesnar's first UFC victory on Saturday night in the semi-main event in front of a record-setting crowd in his hometown. Keller's BBL looks at Lesnar's place in MMA and in what ways he seems more comfortable than ever... Bruce Mitchell's Memo examines the dilemma of Chris Benoit and the Hall of Fame... Sean Radican reviews the two latest TNA DVD releases... In-depth coverage of the TNA Hard Justice PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more....
