-- 12/7 WWE Raw Reax

Paul Lucas of Tallassee, Ala. (8.0): Best Match: Orton vs. Kingston. Worst Match: Mixed tag. I am blown away by the negativity surrounding this week's Raw and am beginning to wonder if wrestling fans will ever be satisfied. Over the last three weeks, Raw has placed a clear emphasis on building a PPV event and on pushing new stars. Yes, there are questionable moments, but overall I commend the long overdue redirection of the product. The negatives last night are comparatively short - anything involving Hornswoggle, plus the U.S. Title and divas matches were not given anywhere near enough time. However, let's focus on the positives for a change. First, Mark Cuban was an outstanding host. He seemed educated on the product, composed himself well, and most importantly wasn't there to shill a new DVD. The show-closing angle with Cena-Sheamus was outstanding. It built up the PPV and Sheamus brilliantly. Huge kudos to Cuban for being willing to take that bump through the table. I don't like the fact that so much of Kofi-Orton has been given away on free TV, but I do like the continued focus on Kingston. Their PPV match is another reason why I am buying an event for the first time since July's Night of Champions. Maryse is gold. If there's ever been a diva with better stage presence and mannerisms, I don't remember her and I've been a fan for 23 years. No, she's not the best in the ring, but her charisma makes up for those shortcomings. I like the fact that WWE seems to be building challengers for her by keeping Gail Kim strong in their match and creating a post-match angle with Kelly Kelly, which will surely come into play when Maryse inevitably reclaims the Divas title. Legacy got a strong win and I don't subscribe to the theory that Evan Bourne is being buried. He lost a tag match with a part-time partner for goodness sake. Not everyone can be pushed at once. Speaking of which, where is Jack Swagger? Finally, DX are my only after-thought - I no longer care about them or anything they do. However, I am willing to put up with one brief tag title reign if this is to truly be their last run together. I predict a heel turn for Hunter and a WrestleMania match between the two. Add to that a resounding win for The Miz and no rapping from Mark Henry and I have to say, "brilliant job, WWE." I'm excited about Raw again.

J. Ingres, Torch reader (5.0): Worst: Chavo-Horny tag match. I am so bored with DX! Now, I just change the channel, and as a result, I missed Kofi-Orton. I also don't get the Carlito-Cena thing. I hope it goes somewhere or WWE is just hurting whatever value Carlito has. I'm pretty bored with Cena, too. Good to see Legacy get a win, but at the cost of another Evan Bourne loss? I like the Diva matches, except when you throw in Chavo and Horny. I'm bored with that, too. Miz is seizing his chance quite well, and even though Mark Henry is not a great wrestler, he's a great "attraction." Booking a match like DX in a two-on-one against Jericho is just poor booking and asking too much of my willingness to suspend disbelief. Mark Cuban was good, a bit much at times, but better than some of the other guest hosts. I don't think he should've knocked Sheamus on his butt, though. A shove or a slap would've been much better. I dig Sheamus, but I wish they brought him along slower before putting him in the belt mix with Cena. Again, that's just me pining away for the logic and patience of the old days. WWE has this tendency to get into something and saturate fans with it until they're sick of that wrestler. (Eugene, for example.) I hope they don't blow it with Sheamus.

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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