-- 11/23 WWE Raw Reax

John of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Writer (7.0): Best match: Cena vs. Punk. Worst: Divas tag. For a show that was supposed to feature all three brands, Raw got by far the biggest push. The Breakthrough Battle Royal was innovative, but what I would have liked is whichever star won, he would have to challenge for a title not on his respective show. Thankfully it wasn't Randy Orton exploiting Jesse Ventura's breaking the rules to get a title shot, but Sheamus? Wasn't he that pasty-skinned guy on ECW's mid-card feuding with Goldust? This is too rushed. If this was 1989, Hulk and Macho Man would have formed the Megapowers in one week, then the following week turned on each other, and Hulk Hogan would have defended the championship successfully the third and final week and that would have ended the storyline. If any young guy deserves a big push, why not Zack Ryder, who has better mic skills and ring presence? Dolph Ziggler is a young Mr. Perfect and Jack Swagger should demand a trade back to ECW. The John Cena vs. C.M. Punk match was awesome, however the writers must have amnesia. Of course this was the first time they met because Punk was a face. Great story told by both wrestlers. I'm loving Punk right now. His Smackdown promo from last week and last night's promo reminded me of Kurt Angle as his three "I's" character. Holiday season thought, does this mean Punk avoids credit cards? Chris Jericho's promo was right on the money! I'm tired of the Caucasian Harold & Kumar show. Triple H's explanation of Big Show's "personal day" was funny. Did Undertaker also take a "personal day" since Kane confronted Batista? I like how Kane didn't come out to defend Rey Mysterio, but he stood up to the new heel bully, Batista, for calling out his brother. ... Does Tatanka get a royalty since the Indian Divas used his old entrance music? Maryse can crash my Thanksgiving party every year as the Gooker! I really enjoyed the clips of Vince and Jesse on the old shows and, of course, a shot at Hulk Hogan was edited in. The only thing missing in their commentary was Vince's old mad scientist laugh. I was a little disappointed Jesse didn't mention the late Gorilla Monsoon. They had great chemistry on the old Wrestling Challenge shows before Gorilla and Bobby the Brain Heenan did Prime Time Wrestling. Santino Marella forgot that rule that when WWE does a Thanksgiving show, someone will be wearing gravy or pie. Too bad it wasn't Vickie Guerrero in mashed potatoes. Eve can hit me with pumpkin pie anytime.

Bill Sartori of Windsor Locks, Conn. (4.2): I didn't see the whole show but saw enough of it to be generally unimpressed. The Breakthrough concept was interesting but uneven, Orton's entry not withstanding. Sheamus gets a huge push, but Evan Bourne continues to be treated as a jobber. Even Swagger would have been more logical against Cena. But to push a guy that basically hid in a corner watching the whole battle royal, that just two months ago was on ECW feuding with Goldust is ridiculous. Unless the idea is to kill the buyrates for the TLC PPV next month, Sheamus as the #1 contender is moronic. Jesse Ventura's ring attitude hasn't changed since 1989, which I suppose is apropos for last night's re debut of him and Vince. However, Ventura's cockiness, smugness, vindictiveness, and arrogance made Vince look good by comparison. I know it's all an act, but this one was better left buried in 1990. Speaking of 1990, the Gobbledygooker got the same response last night that it got the night he debuted at the 1990 Survivor Series in Hartford: Booed out of the building, Maryse not withstanding. Memo to Vince: NO more Gobbledygookers. Ever! I did love the DX skit when the Hornswoggle-sized lawyer came in and slapped them with a lawsuit for The "Little People's Court." As a great fan of TV Court shows, I'm just wondering who they're going to get to play "Little Judge Marilyn Milian." DX gets a tag title shot at Jeri-Slow at the PPV. Normally, most fans don't want DX anywhere near a title, but Jericho's whining act seems to be getting long. WWE having them lose the titles would be worth watching to see Jericho whine about "conspiracies" against him and Slow...er Show.

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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