Torch Feedback WWE Raw Reax #1: "I hope I'm not the only one who thought Khali's Kiss Cam was funny."
Oct 7, 2008 - 12:50:06 AM
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY
Dan Strauss of Goodhue, Minn. (7.5): Best: Main Event. Worst: DiBiase-Kingston, just because it was a short match. Opening segment was good. Normally I don't like seeing wrestlers get cheap heat by bringing up local sports teams, but since every subject Santino touches turns to comedy gold, I liked it. I meant to say this last week, but since he interviewed HBK tonight, I'll say it a week late: Todd Grisham, you're great at what you do and we fans support you and are glad to see you back. The HBK-Cade match was pretty good. When I read the reader reactions tomorrow, I hope I'm not the only one who thought Khali's Kiss Cam was funny. The verbal confrontation between Cryme Tyme and Miz/Morrison had them talking all over each other, but they had some hilarious moments. The main event had the potential to flop with tons of interference, but in my opinion it delivered. The addition of all the heels at ringside was great, and I like seeing Regal thrown in with the top heels. Batista's double-spear was abso-friggin-lutely awesome. The match got pretty exciting toward the end and had a nice finish. The overall show was decent. However, I never get excited about Cyber Sunday. WWE already does too many PPVs and this one should be on the cutting block. It's highly predictable, especially since we know Steve Austin will be voted in for his annual Cyber Sunday guest referee appearance. Fans have to be crazy to think that their text messages will actually take precedence over storylines that have been weeks or months in the making (Okay, I might be giving Vince McMahon too much booking credit on that one). The only people coming out of Cyber Sunday winners are our local mobile phone providers via text message billing.
Marquis M. of Shreveport, La. (1.5). Best Match: N/A; Worst Match: Kelly vs. Jillian (for the ringside antics, not the match itself. Aside from the opening segment (which was still average by Jericho standards), there really wasn't anything all that good about Raw tonight. Jericho was supposed to be GM, but there really wasn't ANYTHING that signified the top heel running the show. To make matters worse, no angles were really pushed forward that much, if at all. Santino's segment was great as usual, but there was an angle started at No Mercy that needed to be followed upon, and it wasn't... at all. In fact, Beth was all smiles with no explanation. Simply Priceless was Simply Shafted. Meanwhile, Kane-Mysterio and a feud from ECW gets an extended match. Doesn't make much sense. And nice to see WWE looking out for its younger talent by having an injured Michaels hand his ass to him in less than three minutes. The treatment of the women's match was just insulting. If I were Jillian Hall (aside from undoing the unnecessary plastic surgery), I'd be putting in my two-weeks notice tonight. We were already bored to tears by the main event match on PPV. What made them think we'd wanna see some more of it?! All in all, Raw sucked. I probably watched an half hour total, and I really want that bit of my life back. I don't think I'll be making the same mistake come next Monday. P.S., I don't think WWE has been more pathetic as they've been since the start of these Did You Know facts.
Adam Riemer of New York, N.Y. (2.5): Best: The Miz & Morrison/Cryme Tyme interaction. Worst: Oh I will get to that. Let's say you're WWE, you put on a great PPV last night. Literally, a PPV that was far above any and all expectations for a second tier PPV. You have to be saying to yourselves; "Raw needs to be just as good." Then you go out and you put on... this crap. Seriously, what was the WWE thinking tonight? This was one of the worst Raw's I have seen in a long time. "Team Priceless" is now stale and their push is almost scaled back ten fold. Manu just does not fit in with them. He looks like a mix between Umaga and Rikishi and it does not go well with the cocky blue blood look and attitude of the other two. Hennig or Smith would have made more sense in this stable than Manu. It looks like even Orton might be getting out of this angle. Raw GM isn't here tonight? Really? Would any company in their right ming pull their GM on the night of their show for a meeting? I mean, I don't remember the last time the N.Y. Yankees pulled Joe Girardi into a meeting on the night of a game leaving Derek Jeter to run the team. It just doesn't make sense. Kane vs. Rey Mysterio is probably the worst angle in pro wrestling right now. Even TNA is booked better than these two. No one cares about this angle over the age of ten, and the WWE classics preview reminded me about the times when Kane was awesome and unique... something he hasn't been in years. HBK killed Cade, well that means we don't need them to feud now right? Cyber Sunday is coming up, no one cares since nothing ever good happens at it, and title changes are as rare as JBL having a good match these days. Santino vs. Piper, Goldust or Honky Tonk Man?? Well that sold me to buy that festering piece of crap PPV. Also, this year you have to text to vote, buy a $40 PPV, and pay about $15 to text as well. Good plan, WWE. The main event was terrible. The only good thing was that Orton didn't get involved like he said. I like that. It keeps up with his current character of just not caring about anything but himself. The best part of tonight is the Miz & Morrison's arguments with Cryme Tyme. It was perfect, they did it in a match that no one cared about, and it is a perfect build up. Miz and Morrison are quickly becoming two of the best superstars in the company. Oh, and John Cena is apparently a god in the WWE. Can't wait until he gets back to continue to crowd the Raw main event.
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.
THE TORCH REACHES MORE COMBAT ENTERTAINMENT FANS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
PWTorch editor Wade Keller has covered pro wrestling full time since 1987 starting with the Pro Wrestling Torch print newsletter. PWTorch.com launched in 1999 and the PWTorch Apps launched in 2008.
He has conducted "Torch Talk" insider interviews with Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff, Jesse Ventura, Lou Thesz, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Paul Heyman, Bruno Sammartino, Goldberg, more.
He has interviewed big-name players in person incluiding Vince McMahon (at WWE Headquarters), Dana White (in Las Vegas), Eric Bischoff (at the first Nitro at Mall of America), Brock Lesnar (after his first UFC win).
He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)
REACHING 1 MILLION+ UNIQUE USERS PER MONTH
500 MILLION CLICKS & LISTENS PER YEAR
MILLIONS OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTERS SOLD
PWTorch offers a VIP membership for $10 a month (or less with an annual sub). It includes nearly 25 years worth of archives from our coverage of pro wrestling dating back to PWTorch Newsletters from the late-'80s filled with insider secrets from every era that are available to VIPers in digital PDF format and Keller's radio show from the early 1990s.
Also, new exclusive top-shelf content every day including a new VIP-exclusive weekly 16 page digital magazine-style (PC and iPad compatible) PDF newsletter packed with exclusive articles and news.
The following features come with a VIP membership which tens of thousands of fans worldwide have enjoyed for many years...
-New Digital PWTorch Newsletter every week
-3 New Digital PDF Back Issues from 5, 10, 20 years ago
-Over 60 new VIP Audio Shows each week
-Ad-free access to all PWTorch.com free articles
-VIP Forum access with daily interaction with PWTorch staff and well-informed fellow wrestling fans
-Tons of archived audio and text articles
-Decades of Torch Talk insider interviews in transcript and audio formats with big name stars. **SIGN UP FOR VIP ACCESS HERE**