-- 7/26 WWE Raw Reax

Shane McKinley, PWTorch Absurdity specialist (8.0): Best Part: Dissension angle, Nexus looking strong. Worst Part: Michael Cole. The theme of the night was dissension, but another theme that I saw was the idea that if you're patient and willing, the work you put into making new stars will come to fruition. Example #1: Randy Orton. Years ago, he was just another meathead. Now he's Randy "Motherf'n" Orton (check out many times Orton cusses when he loses it) and he's the coolest, slickest, and most interesting babyface in wrestling right now. Example #2: The Miz. Years ago, he was just another slightly-chubby mid-carder wearing Capri pants. Now, he's involved in a golden angle, has a great look, and has a better-than-average chance of becoming World champion one day. Example #3: Nexus. At the start of the year, the N-Men were just some FCW scrubs. Now, Nexus is involved in the top angle in the company. I believe this well-executed angle is bringing viewers back into the fold. Individually, Sheffield is a beast and Wade Barrett convinces viewers that the N-Men are a force to be reckoned with. Finally, I'm starting to develop a real dislike for Michael Cole. What was with the Jim Ross shot? Was that line fed to him?

Sam Weiss of San Diego, Calif. (5.0): Best: Orton's work (match, post-match, interview). Worst: the GM email gimmick. The stupidity of the GM email gimmick is evidenced best by Cole's reading of the "message" off a piece of paper instead of reading the "message" off the screen. At least Cole could act like he was reading the screen! Best work of the night was from Orton, who plays his part quite well and has the ability to turn on the emotions with aplomb. As for the Nexus - the last time I sent a Reax was when the NXT group first made their surprise appearance and attack. While that appealed as a hot angle to many, I mentioned how disappointed I was with it, and now I am even more so. Over the past couple of weeks, the Nexus storyline began to look like just another way to spotlight Cena as the savior, and based on tonight's show, this Nexus story is just another Cena-as-Superman angle. The elimination stipulation for the Summerslam match is very much in keeping with past Cena "superhero stories." I hope that in the Summerslam match, Cena will not be the last man standing of the "WWE Seven," but that would be hoping in vain.

Bill Sartori of Windsor Locks, Conn. (-3.0): Let me get this straight. The current tag team champs, a former ECW champion, a former IC champion, and a Hall of Fame wrestler and a legend in the "business" are a part of a team that gets squashed in 15 minutes by a team of Rookies that have been in existence for less than two months by a score of 7-0. What a joke! I am totally surprised that after Cole virtually gave away the formula of the main event by squawking about Sheamus and Miz not getting along, Jericho turned on Cena...not! Gee, I wonder who is winning the big tag match at Summerslam? (Hint: It's not Nexus!)

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.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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