Powell Editorials WWE Raw Hitlist: Vince McMahon vs. Randy Orton, 10-man tag featuring Ricky Steamboat, Batista returns, Santina Marella vs. Beth Phoenix, Primo and Carlito vs. John Morrison and The Miz, Backlash six-man tag for the title By Jason Powell Apr 7, 2009 - 12:19 PM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Dot Net Members are listening to the post-Raw audio report that was posted on the site last night. You can gain access to all Dot Net Audio, including the post-WrestleMania audio review with former WWE creative team member Seth Mates for only $5 per month by visiting the Dot Net Members' Signup Page. WWE Raw Hits 10-man tag featuring Ricky Steamboat: This was a really fun Raw moment that stole the show. The live crowd loved Steamboat and sent him off in grand style. The rest of the match was also entertaining and it was great that they were given 15 minutes for the match. This was a treat to watch and no one seemed to be having more fun than Steamboat. I especially enjoyed watching his teammates clap from the entrance ramp, only to have an excited Steamboat jump into their arms after he was finished taking his well deserved bows in the ring. Batista returns: Thank goodness WWE had this ace stashed in their sleeve because the live crowd couldn't have cared less about the big brawl involving Legacy, Hunter, and the McMahons. Sure, the fans popped for the various run-ins, but you could have heard a pin drop when the six men were slugging it out. The dynamic changed quickly when Batista's music hit. Nevertheless, WWE should be concerned by the lack of interest and even the boos that Triple H is starting to receive. Primo and Carlito vs. John Morrison and The Miz: A fun tag match. The lumberjacks enhanced the action and helped the wrestlers perform some cool spots such as Carlito and Miz both falling off the ropes and into the arms of the lumberjacks. Better yet, Morrison got some major air when he hit that awesome shooting star press off the top and onto the lumberjacks at ringside. Was this a last hurrah for Morrison and Miz? Will they be split up via the draft next week? I guess we'll find out six days from now. Santina Marella: A cute comedy routine that the live crowd seemed to enjoy. This will get old in a hurry, but I don't think WWE will drag it on forever. Enjoy it while it lasts. Michael Cole: No, I'm not praising him for his performance, which I pretty much just blocked out mentally. Rather, I'm giving the possibility that this was Cole's final Raw broadcast a "Hit." The experiment with Cole taking over Raw has failed. The time has come to bring Jim Ross back to Raw, and I don't even care who his partner is. I'd actually prefer a Ross and Matt Striker team over J.R. and The King. Ship Cole back to the pre-taped Smackdown on Tuesday nights, give him the right partner, and maybe he'll rediscover the passion for his job that has been missing. Overall show: A better than average edition of Raw. This wasn't the launching pad for the next year show that we've seen the night after previous WrestleMania shows. However, with the draft coming up next week and Backlash right around the corner, WWE has a lot more going on the day after the big show than they have in past years. So while it was somewhat uneventful for the Raw after WrestleMania, it was still an entertaining show. WWE Raw Misses Six-man tag for the title at Backlash: I hated this idea when TNA did it and I hate it just as much with WWE doing it a few months later. A few readers have pointed out that WWE used the same gimmick for a six-man tag match during the King of the Ring pay-per-view back in 2000 when The Rock, Kane, and Taker defeated Triple H, Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon. The difference was that Rock, Kane, or Taker could capture the title in that match. This time around, only Orton can win the title if he or one of his minions pins Hunter, Batista, or Shane McMahon. I guess the only difference between the WWE and TNA versions of the match is that at least Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase are Orton's minions, whereas A.J. Styles was teaming with wrestlers who also coveted the tile. Even so, I'm not a fan of the stipulation. 10-Diva tag match: First off, does anyone really care about a Raw vs. Smackdown match when the draft is taking place next week? Second, why do they cram so many divas into one match lately? WWE should slow down and focus on one or two divas at a time. I'd much rather watch a good singles match involving two of the better workers in the division. The action was solid when Mickie James and Natalya were in the ring, and it would be nice if WWE would do something to shine the spotlight on Gail Kim, whose return has been uninspiring to say the least. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) (or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store) FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!) FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!) CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell Editorials Latest Twelve Articles Powell's TNA Impact Hitlist: Dixie Carter's speech to the talent crew, hype for Hulk Hogan, the build for A.J. Styles vs. Daniels vs. Samoa Joe, Team 3D vs. Matt Morgan and Hernandez, Tara vs. Hamada WWE Raw Hitlist: Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne host Raw, Chris Jericho vs. John Cena vs. Big Show, Sheamus destroys Jamie Noble, The Miz vs. Evan Bourne, vintage Michael Cole Powell's TNA Impact Hitlist: Hulk Hogan footage, Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe has a brain, Eric Young renames the toy belt, Matt Morgan vs. Rhino, World Elite get new warmup gear, Team 3D vs. Motor City Machine Guns WWE Raw Hitlist: John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels announced for Survivor Series, Kofi Kingston shines, John Cena makes Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes look like losers, Hornswoggle can't read WWE Bragging Rights Hitlist: John Cena vs. Randy Orton in an Iron Man match, Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Batista vs. C.M. Punk four-way, Raw vs. Smackdown tag match, The Miz vs. John Morrison Powell's TNA Bound For Glory Hitlist: A.J. Styles vs. Sting for the TNA Title, Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan, Ultimate X match, Mick Foley vs. Abyss, Bobby Lashley vs. Samoa Joe, ODB vs. Tara vs. Awesome Kong