RIC FLAIR IS STILL THE MAN - READER FEEDBACK TO RAW
By PWInsiderXtra Readers on 2/6/2007 10:40 AM
We've got the two main events for Wrestlemania, Ric Flair might be saving Carlito's career with this storyline, and Great Khali never appeared on my screen. All in all, a good step forward towards Wrestlemania.
Now, if we could just get rid of this Trump-Vince storyline....
Jim Davies
Tulsa, Oklahoma
**********
I felt this week's episode of Raw was fantastic and it entertained me from start to finish. We had guest appearances from wrestlers on other brands, we had the two Wrestlemania main events announced, we had seven matches on the show each resulting in seven clean finishes, and we had a superb promo by the Nature Boy Ric Flair. Anybody who found this week's episode of Raw disappointing should give up on wrestling. On to my thoughts...
The start of the show was brilliant with the top guys of the WWE all facing off. Personally I was hoping for Cena/Undertaker at WM23 but I felt this segment was well done nonetheless. The chokeslam on Batista should make for an interesting Smackdown on Friday.
The six-man tag match was a decent enough match. I was disappointed that Carlito lost but it made more sense later on in the show.
Umaga vs Balls was a squash but they might be going somewhere with this so I won't criticize it too much. The original ECW guys deserve to be featured so at least they are being utilized.
Nitro vs Super Crazy was fun but too short. Nitro seems to be developing along nicely and he showed some cool moves. I think Crazy deserves to be pushed so I liked seeing him get the win.
Mickie vs Melina was an OK match although Melina looked a bit rusty at times. I suppose she needs more matches. Mickie does a good job as a babyface champion.
The Cena/HBK bit backstage was enjoyable. We're used to the babyface welcoming the toughest challenge so I liked the fact that Cena said he preferred to face Edge since he knows he can beat him. I appreciate little things like that which make sense.
Jeff Hardy vs Ric Flair was a fun little match and I think the result was the right one. Flair can be utilized so much better and shouldn't be wrestling for the IC belt again.
I enjoyed the Lashley/Kenny match. It was an interesting clash of strength versus agility. I hate Lashley as the ECW champion but the guy can at least get it done in the ring. Kenny looked good too even though he lost. He sold well and made Lashley seem more monstrous.
The Carlito/Flair segment was superb. This promo by Flair was perhaps the best promo of the year so far. I hope they are going somewhere with this because they can do great things with this storyline. The old veteran fed up with what he has become versus the young charismatic guy failing to live up to his potential. It's a simple concept that can work really well.
The main event match felt very special and I liked how it turned out. The ending was great and I think HBK/Cena will be a real good match. Cena had a career performance at the Rumble and a match with HBK at Mania should do wonders for the guy. Not only did WWE build towards Wrestlemania but by the end they had also built towards No Way Out too. Very impressive indeed.
Overall I thought this was a brilliant show. This was an example of what Monday Night Raw should be all about. Plus, we didn't even have to sit through a Khali match! Now that is a treat! I rate this show a 5/5. More please Vince...
Gerry Doyle, Dublin, Ireland.
**********
Ric Flair had more passion in his two minute promo with Carlito than I have seen in a year of John Cena and Batista promos. It has been said before, but needs to be repeated. The young talent in this business MUST be forced to watch promos from guys like Flair and learn how to project their passion for wrestling on camera for the world to see. That is, if they have any passion at all.
Keith
