Torch Feedback WWE Raw Reax #4: "Of all the talent they could have used, they select the most talentless individual in the company."
Jul 29, 2008 - 4:32:44 PM
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Jason Lapp of Stephens City, Va. (4.0): Best Match: C.M. Punk vs. William Regal. Worst Match: Kofi Kingston vs. Jamie Noble. A below average Raw that slowly diminished into nothingness. I was intrigued for the first three quarters of the show. Several angles were being used to fuel what few storylines the writing team has to work with. Chris Jericho was solid, just as he's been since his most recent heel turn. He can single-handedly carry a feud even when his opponent is nowhere to be seen. Every week, I'm more and more impressed by Jericho. The whole show was dominated by the surprise G.M. announcement, which wouldn't have been a bad thing had they not made the Mike Adamle decision. It was the first time since Triple H's post-quad surgery title run that I was thoroughly put off by the WWE. As they announced Mike Adamle as the new G.M., my jaw hit the floor, and WWE took a rather large dump in the mouth of this longtime fan. Of all the talent they could have used, they select the most talentless individual in the company. He referred to a standard body slam as a "maneuver" earlier in the night. That alone should have caused him to never appear on television again. If you can't call a body slam, you have no right involving yourself with the wrestling industry. Punk-Regal was a great match. Both are very talented technical wrestlers, and I would love to see a program involving the two. Kofi Kingston is shoved down our throats again. This time by squashing one of the most underrated superstars, Jamie Noble. The only saving grace for this show was Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix. Santino is gold, and with that being said, a title run would be an excellent decision for his character. Could we be seeing the next male Women's Champion? The main event was what it was. More of the same main-eventer nonsense that we've seen for weeks. I don't know about you, but I am sick and tired of the Batista-Cena feud already, and it's only really been a week. If they try to stretch it out until WrestleMania, the WWE will become a sinking ship.
Lee Beatty of St. Louis, Mo.: How do you score this? Santino and Glamazon get a best nod, as they both were dead on perfect in their roles. Santino is the most comical "wrestler" to come along in years and Beth's no-nonsense, too beautiful and deadly to touch approach make for a very satisfying few minutes. And the worst? Michael Cole in the ring. Why, does everyone ask? Can't you see? Mike Adamle, blasted by fans and wrestling pundits alike, obviously knew well in advance that he was the new G.M. That said, it's revenge time. Watch out for the smile and easy-going, friendly manner. Adamle has some tricks up his sleeve, a la Shane and Vince McMahon. As for the rest of the show, where exactly are they going with Mickie James? Far and away, Beth Phoenix was the best female wrestler to come along in years, but her push was too short. Where is Melina? Where is (my favorite) Victoria? Why is Kelly in the ring at all? What am I missing with the women? Oh, I know now. There was a day when female wrestlers weren't so cute and perky, but mean and skilled at "hurting" someone. They weren't sideshows , but actually a major part of the show. And now? Pillow fights, lingerie fights, pie fights. Moolah must be rolling in her grave. But, I digress. The rest of the show? A struggling champion, a certified maniac with a bag that loses every weak (right after being ECW champion, no less), two main eventers that everyone in the world is tired of seeing, JBL (who should have been the new G.M.) in virtually every scene, Shane McMahon back with that ridiculous dance, tag team champions that need more than "older wrestlers and announcers" to get them over, and, far and away the worst, the only two Black men on the show, represented week after week as paid thugs. Lovely. Why just a "5.0"? Because I watched the whole show. Other than that, let us all continue to pray for better writing and ideas. Thank you.
Alex Roberts of the U.K. (8.0): Best Match: The Main Event. Worst Match: Punk vs. Regal. Punk-Regal takes worst match honors purely because of the continued poor treatment of Punk as Champion. If they weren't going to throw support behind Punk as Champion, why give him the belt in the first place, especially when he was nowhere near ready to take the belt in the first place? That dark spot aside I really enjoyed Raw this week, more than I have any other recent editions of the show. Storyline progression was steady and simple and the majority of it made sense. And the matches, whilst short, all did what they needed to and were entertaining. Chris Jericho is finally shining again after months of hit and miss performances and him throwing his name into the title race again is fantastic. Beth/Santino was once again incredibly interesting this week; this is a fresh dynamic for WWE and I'm liking it a lot. But then we come to the major happening of this week, Mike Adamle as the new Raw G.M., I like it. In fact I love it. Adamle has huge potential as an on air character and his promotion to General Manager has just as much potential in terms storylines and angles and, more importantly than that, a completely inept G.M. is something the WWE has never done. This is a fresh angle and a fresh spin on the authority position, something people have been begging for, for months so why, oh why is everyone now bitching about it? The one minus point of that end segment was the announcement of Batista vs. Cena at Summerslam - and not because there was no heat to it (I think that was the point, the inept G.M. jumping the gun) but because that match should be happening at WrestleMania and nowhere else. I may be alone, but I'm eagerly awaiting Raw next week (for the first time in a long time) and waiting to see where they go with Adamle as G.M.
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.
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