-- 3/8 WWE Raw Reax

Joe of Enid, Okla. (7.0): Best Segment: HBK-Taker. Worst Segment: Criss Angel by default. As I mentioned in my TNA reax, WWE knows how to do something TNA doesn't, and that's pace their shows heading into their PPVs. Many segments progressed the show toward WrestleMania 26: the MITB qualifying match, Sheamus-Triple H showdown, ShoMiz-Truth & Wisdom, and the McMahon-Cena gauntlet match all felt like solid progressions toward matches at WrestleMania. None of these segments felt rushed, none were overdone, all served a purpose. That is what put Raw a half-point above TNA tonight for me. I didn't mention HBK-Taker in the list above because that segment stands out by itself. Just watching Michaels's facial expressions and hearing the intensity in Taker's voice - that was compelling TV and a great way to start the show. Of course, the new stipulations to the match give Michaels and Taker a possible out with a tie. Finally, the last segment was well done in building more sympathy for John Cena heading into WrestleMania. I'm sure it made some fans want to jump into the TV and punch the living daylights out of Batista. Take note, TNA, that is how you make someone invest emotionally in a PPV match.

Will Wellek of Latrobe, Pa. (TNA 7.5 & Raw 4.0): I saw both shows by 4:30 a.m. and I can honestly say that TNA had WWE like Apollo Creed had Rocky in the second movie. TNA had them beat and then TNA went for the knockout blow with...Brooke Hogan. I switched back to Raw. The main events were both entertaining, but I can't imagine how many people that TNA had converted by the time Brooke showed up on TV and then lost them back to Raw again. My only other criticism was how they used RVD, but that can be fixed with time...I hope.

-- 3/8 TNA Impact Reax

Kliq4Life, Torch VIP member: I'm never home from work until the end of Raw and now TNA on Mondays. TNA had one shot to show me why to keep them on my DVR on Monday nights instead of "24" and they succeeded this week. The show was much more logical and was not as scatter-brained as most of their episodes have been. Some segments were rushed or were duds, but overall it was a very good show. A solid B grade.

Luke Fleeman of Tulare, Calif. (1.0): Best Match: Kazarian vs. Daniels vs. Doug Williams. Worst Match: Ridiculous Nepotism. This show exemplified all that was right and wrong about TNA. On the one hand, they did well with some good wrestling action from the X Division, a Knockouts match that wasn't great but had a backstory and an angle, showcased both old guys and young guys, and had a frenetic, hectic pace that made the show seem action packed. Unfortunately, it was packed with awful, ridiculous things that will hold TNA back. A main event stipulation that was misused? Check. Despite being no DQ, neither tag partner would interfere to save their geriatric mentors. Five million angles, all going in different directions? Check. Most of them were bad though. Chair shots to the head? Check. Tons of run-ins and interference? Check. Too much Hogan? Check. Hogan's friends and family getting top billing? Absolutely. Brooke Hogan and Bubba the Love Sponge were on more of the show than Samoa Joe. Think about that. If I wanted to watch Brooke, I would turn on her insipid reality show. The surprise appearances were fine, but they can't do it every week. What they can do every week is stupid, idiotic things like having Jeff Jarrett lose a handicap match only because of cheating. And having Beer Money turn heel, for some reason. What they can also do is have bad timing, missed spots, and weak breaks in promos because they don't know how to do live TV.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on these shows for a "TV 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 and Impact, click here.

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