-- 6/22 WWE Raw Reax

Jim Valley, Torch reader (2.0): How bad is the show when the MVP is a bucket of chicken? I think the Trump swerve came across very badly. It was too quick and done to easily. The crowd didn't buy it for a second. The finish to the Orton-Triple H match was a let down. Who wants to buy a PPV main event between two guys who are being portrayed as if they can barely walk? 2.0 for the KFC references.

Alex Roberts in the U.K. (3.5): Best Match: Last Man Standing. Worst Match: Cena vs. Big Show. It's become redundant to describe Raw as terrible and while that is a fitting description for this week's show, the optimist in me is starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Sure this week's show was still plagued by bad announcing, uninspiring booking, and a general sense of apathy and lifelessness, but mixed in with all of that the positives are starting to grow. The confrontation between John Cena and The Miz at the top of the show was fantastic and potentially sets The Miz up for a huge rub at The Bash assuming the WWE lets him hang with Cena, which I think (or maybe hope) they will. In the space of about five minutes, WWE did more for John Cena's face persona than they've done in at least a year and that section about him not getting rattled is the best material they've given Cena in far too long. The Miz highlights kept coming throughout the show as well, with some progression of his growing relationship with Maryse, which if the WWE pulls the trigger on should be gold and then he finishes the night standing over the fallen Cena. If WWE drops the ball with him at The Bash, then I'm throwing in the towel and just giving up. Elsewhere on Raw, the Undisputed Tag Champs got actual mic time to develop an actual feud with their Pay-Per-View opponents. Sure this is all being thrown together very quickly but the fact the WWE is even trying is progress. Away from Triple H and the rest of the McMahon clan, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase actually looked competent this week. The Last Man Standing match was enjoyable despite it being more Orton-Triple H and despite a horrible finish that just hammers home how Triple H is in a higher league than Orton. Seriously Orton threw how much punishment at Triple H and he kept getting up, even during the finishing count itself but Orton can't answer the count after a Pedigree? And Orton then has to be helped to the back and is still in pain at the end of the night but Triple H isn't for their horrible show closing segment? In a "light at the end of the tunnel" moment, the 3 Stages of Hell match must surely mean the end of this angle now, right? I live in hope. On the subject of the Last Man Standing match, I may have enjoyed it more had Michael Cole's call of Triple H's injury not been so horrifically bad. He called Triple H being injured the second he hit the ground, which just made the whole thing stand out as horribly scripted and forced. Smackdown got a nice showcase again this week as well and I'm glad Dolph Ziggler got a spot in the match even if it was to take the fall because he's become my new guilty pleasure act in the WWE. Also let us rejoice for the Santina angle has seemingly ended for that I will forever be thankful to Donald Trump. Unfortunately it wasn't all silver lining. The show was for the most part lifeless and dull and that McMahon-Trump segment was painfully bad and made no real sense. How exactly was Trump costing McMahon money when the whole idea being sold was that Trump was funding all of these freebies? More to the point though what the hell was the point in this God awful angle now it only lasted one week? What benefit has anyone gotten from this? Although judging by how it ended, Trump vs. McMahon II is coming sooner or later, which is something of a downer and doesn't make me feel any better about the complete pointlessness that was this angle. On the plus side, at least we're spared weekly 'Celebrity Guest Hosts.' Also, no sign of MVP this week and he's back in U.S. Title contention on Superstars, which means his push is dead. It was fun for the two weeks it lasted. I must also make it clear how incredibly bored I am of John Cena vs. The Big Show. WWE needs to go back to the drawing bored with Show again for what may very well be the hundredth time. In conclusion, yes, it's another week and another bad Raw, but signs of progress are starting to emerge. If WWE handles The Bash right, I must just leave the Pay-Per-View on Sunday feeling a little bit energized and excited about Raw for once.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "WWE 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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