CONTACTABOUTFACEBOOKTWITTERPODCAST IPHONE APPANDROID APPAMAZON APPRSS
Pro Wrestling Torch
Pro Wrestling Torch Reaches The Most Wrestling Fans Every Week: #1 in iTunes • #1 on iPhone and iPad • #1 on Android • #1 on Kindle
GOT THE PWTORCH APP YET?
iPhone & iPad
Android
Amazon Kindle
Windows Phone
PWTorch Phone App
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL & PARKS WEEKLY CHAT 6/2: In-depth discussion of Raw, Kharma, Riley, Capitol Punishment "build-up," NXT cut, Smackdown title picture

Jun 2, 2011 - 3:44:48 PM
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY


Every Thursday or Friday, PWTorch staffers James Caldwell and Greg Parks have a Lounge-style chat reviewing the week in TV wrestling and looking ahead to what's next for key storylines, matches, and future events. Sometimes, there's an occasional "Seinfeld" or "The Office" reference related to pro wrestling mixed in for good measure.

Staff08Caldwell_120c_28.jpg
James Caldwell: This is PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell joined by PWTorch columnist Greg Parks for our weekly chat on all-things TV wrestling. Greg, let's start out with Monday's Raw. I'm curious to hear your overall evaluation of the show and, also, what stood out to you the most.

Greg Parks: I thought it was fine; I wasn't as down on it as you were. The production issues stood out, but R-Truth did a nice job even without the audio. Kharma's explanation was interesting and wasn't the worst choice they could've come up with to explain her breakdown. There were a couple decent matches and even the Divas (a) got nearly three minutes and (b) had good action. Oh, and WWE didn't drop the ball on week two of A-Ri's turn, which I was afraid they'd do.

Caldwell: A-Ri Week 2 and R-Truth's continued heel work were the two standouts for me. I think WWE has so many issues elsewhere on Raw. The commentary being dreadful in terms of failing to get over the stories and having the wrong people in the wrong positions, the overall presentation of the mid-card as filler, and the inefficient use of matches really weighed this show down for me. I'm tired of Mid-Card Wrestler A beats Mid-Card Wrestler B, then Mid-Card Wrestler B beats Mid-Card Wrestler A and neither wrestler benefits. It's so inefficient when WWE could take the time to establish the value a feud or a title or a champion (such as the case with Kofi Kingston), and then deliver A vs. B and have it mean something. That's what was so frustrating to me throughout Monday's show. But, I think Riley is ready to be a breakout star. I think he'll be money at some point for WWE.
Staff08Caldwell_120c_28.jpg

Parks: Yeah, but the mid-card has been like that forever, especially on Raw. I too think it's a problem, but it's not one that has suddenly cropped up over the past few weeks. As for Riley, he certainly seems like a star. Looks like his being drafted to Smackdown is being erased from WWE history, which is probably a good idea, though you wish WWE had the forethought to not draft him in the first place, as opposed to act like it never happened.

Caldwell: Right. I think the usual mid-card issues combined with the commentary issues - I think Michael Cole is worse now as a Mild Heel Cole than outright Heel Cole - intensified the issues with the mid-card. There's just no one guiding the direction of the ship on commentary or establishing right & wrong for the characters to pivot off. Josh Mathews is a terrible lead announcer because his character is spineless, but at least there was a "voice" trying to guide the ship. Now, it's a more frustrating version of Cole and Lawler with his going-through-the-motions approach and dated jokes. I was just put off by the whole show. Yeah, it looks like Riley-to-Smackdown was quickly erased. It captures WWE's lack of foresight and planning. Do you think WWE will go with Miz-Riley at this next PPV? I think they should hold off the first match to Summerslam, but I think that will be impossible for WWE. How do you think they'll handle it?

Parks: I think they'll try to strike while the iron is hot. Miz has nothing else going on right now, so Riley seems like a logical choice, especially for WWE, who are not known for their long-term planning and holding off big matches (Cena vs. Rock notwithstanding). As for the announcers, yeah, still bad. Mathews would be acceptable if he was playing off Lawler or even Booker, but when paired with a heel, he struggles. Again, removing Cole and reassigning him somewhere else (like as a manager...for Tyson Kidd maybe!) and allowing Mathews to lead would be the best bet for now.

Caldwell: Mathews just cowers down when he's paired with Cole, so I agree with removing Cole and pairing Mathews with someone else. Which do you think has a better chance of selling a PPV right now - the potential Cena-Truth match or a Miz-Riley match?

Parks: Cena vs. Truth, if only because Cena is a proven draw. Miz...I'm not so sure. Raw ratings haven't been great in the segments he has appeared in, and I think hardcore fans are getting more of a kick out of Miz-Riley than casual fans might. That said, the hardcore fans also like Truth and Cena vs. Truth feels like a fresh matchup (as does Miz vs. Riley). But Cena is positioned as "the guy" for good reason.

Caldwell: Despite two good crowd reactions for Riley the past two weeks, I don't think the audience is ready to part money to see Riley right now. And Miz has been cut down to size so many times that he's not positioned as a threat to anyone either. So, I agree with you on that. I think Miz-Riley would make for a good TV main event with strong hype or a nice undercard match - maybe top of the third hour of a PPV - but I don't think they could draw right now. The key for Truth is whether the casual audience sees him as a threat to Cena. I thought WWE missed that with Truth being positioned as scared to face Cena, but it was almost washed out by him "outsmarting" Cena via the count-out. What do you make of Truth as more than just a good heel promo guy, but a threat to Cena?

Parks: He's a different kind of heel than Cena has faced in the past, so he really does have that going for him. It's so hard to erase the mid-card stench that Truth still has on him after all these years, but give WWE credit for trying.

Caldwell: Yeah, it feels like a different Truth character - one that WWE hopes will erase those memories for the audience. I really think this is where WWE is inefficient with their matches - if Truth were bulldozing opponents to keep building his conspiracy theory program and get over his heel mannerisms in the process of winning matches, it would make him seem like more of a threat to Cena. But, as it is now, WWE hasn't taken enough time to make him a credible threat in terms of "Wow, I'm willing to pay money to see Cena overcome this guy or get revenge on this guy." There's nothing to overcome right now. Cena has just laughed him off as a weird-o. I don't see how anyone will pay money to see that... So, I think WWE would be best served making Truth into more of a threat these next two weeks having him actually do something dastardly or impactful on Cena to wipe that big grin off Cena's face like at the end of Raw when he was wiping the planted dad's face off with his wristband. ... Of course, WWE thinks Obama is going to sell this next PPV, so it's already a lost cause.

Parks: Yeah, and let's hope it has nothing to do with any kind of vehicular brutality, something WWE always seems to fall back on when they need a "big" moment. And I think they thought they built Truth up as a credible challenger when he beat Mysterio cleanly at the PPV. But he needs more than that. And yeah, I don't know why WWE is seeking so much attention from EVERYONE in Washington with this PPV. Kind of bizarre and it'll only make WWE look bad if only a few people accept their invitation.

Caldwell: Not more vehicular brutality! I think Big Show is still giving birth to Del Rio's Ferrari right now. I think WWE's marketing team sat down one day and tried to come up with a campaign based on the location for this PPV in order to justify keeping a job on the payroll. And now WWE keeps pushing this concept, hoping that someone - anyone - in D.C. will bite. It's so laughably bad. I can't wait for the imitation political figures to be trotted out. I guess the only way this could be saved is if Rock reprises his SNL role as Obama to keep building to WM28. Otherwise, it's impending disaster! Greg, we haven't talked in-depth about Kharma yet. I believe your sentiment is it was an acceptable way to write her off. Were you surprised at the promo and her speech?

Parks: I was. I didn't really think admitting she was pregnant would be the way to go. But she was able to save face a little bit with that, and still have a bit of that monster aura, even if her speaking kind of put that on the back-burner. If she comes back in a year or so, though, maybe few will even remember the time she cried. She saved face by threatening the Bellas, at least.

Caldwell: I thought the ending where she "returned to character" glaring back at the Bellas helped save that character for one year down the road. Like you said, I don't think WWE's audience - with their short-term memories - will remember this promo in one year. WWE can re-visit those intro vignettes and return her to monster form this time next year when she's reintroduced. I thought the promo was a classic example of WWE trying to incorporate "reality" into a worked show, but I was okay with it overall. It didn't bother me like the other stuff on this show. Now, Greg, where in the world does the Divas division go from here?

Parks: Good question...I even did a blog post on the subject last Friday, given the losses of Kharma and Layla. I think it's an opportunity for an AJ or Kaitlyn to get some TV exposure, as they were re-introduced on Smackdown. But yeah, clearly, WWE is going to be looking for someone to push now in lieu of those two, so it could almost be a flip of the coin the way they seem to choose which Divas to go with. I still think Eve could be someone WWE could really do an extended run on top with.

Caldwell: I think Eve is the most marketable Diva they have on the roster in terms of how she carries herself on and off TV. Kelly Kelly seems like their pick of the month to be featured, but that didn't lead anywhere when she was on Smackdown involved with Vickie Guerrero and Drew McIntyre. I think giving the NXT3 Rookies a chance to rise above is the best option right now. I would add Gail Kim, but WWE seems intent just keeping her on the roster doing nothing. Greg, anything else from Raw worth breaking down?

Parks: I think we covered the biggest bases.

Caldwell: Sounds good. NXT on Tuesday night - Byron Saxton was given the heave-ho, meaning having to tolerate Conor O'Brian a few more weeks or so. Were you surprised by the cut?

Parks: A little. Like you, I thought O'Brian would've been gone. I just didn't see the kind of higher ceiling in him that I saw in Saxton, and I didn't think the fans would vote to keep O'Brian around, either.

Caldwell: I think Saxton really come on strong the past few weeks, so I was surprised he was cut in that regard. Like you said, this is pretty much a popularity contest, so in that respect, I wasn't surprised to see Saxton go. I don't think I can take another Conor O'Brian match, though. And Lucky Cannon seems to have regressed in the ring. I was about to lose it during that Tag Team Turmoil bit.

Parks: I don't know how you do it every week, James.

Caldwell: NXT typically doesn't affect me one way or the other, as I'm emotionally detached in order to objectively review the show, but something about those two in the ring looking like the first day of FCW training was just too much. So, now down to the Final Four, who do you think is next to go?

Parks: O'Brian, hopefully. But Cannon could be a contender, too.

Caldwell: I think Cannon has dropped off considerably in terms of the spotlight being put on him, so I agree he could be in jeopardy for the next cut. I think Young could also be next to go based on the popularity contest aspect. It's pretty much Titus O'Neill's contest to win, wouldn't you say?

Parks: Yeah, probably. But again, I don't see any one standing out head and shoulders above the others, so that makes it tougher to crown someone this early.

Caldwell: Good point. And who knows how long this season is going to drag out. Greg, let's move along to your beat, Smackdown. Big World Title match this Friday on Smackdown with Orton vs. Sheamus. Christian's out of the title picture for now, but the teased tension with Orton (and ref Robinson) at the end of last week's show. What's your take on the current title picture?

Parks: I think Sheamus was the right way to go. Don't tease Christian for an extended time if you weren't going to go with him, so I was fine for getting him out of there for now. And of course no one wants to see Mark Henry there. Orton vs. Sheamus is the best they have right now.

Caldwell: Do you foresee a four-way match involving Orton, Sheamus, Christian, and Henry at the next PPV? I don't want to see another three-way or four-way or six-way match for a long time, but do you think they're going that route for Cap Punishment?

Parks: They could. I could easily see the other two factoring into the finish of the title match this Friday. And because there would be two faces and two heels, I could see Christian turning on Orton in that match, too. Only problem is, I don't see Orton losing the title in that match, either.

Caldwell: I don't see Orton losing the title anytime soon. I could see WWE finally going with a lengthy title run to then make it exceptionally meaningful when someone beats him. Do you think he could hold the title the rest of the year?

Parks: Not in WWE's current environment. But given the level of challengers on Smackdown, it wouldn't be the worst idea. Spend the year building up possible heel challengers and putting Orton at risk heading into Survivor Series and the Rumble, then pulling the big guns out for 'Mania

Caldwell: I think WWE could have a strong Orton vs. Rhodes match if they kept those two separate and kept building them up individually before clashing at Mania. There would be so much history and back-story to play up if Rhodes continues on his pace. What do you make of what looks like a budding feud between Rhodes and Daniel Bryan? I believe we even suggested this in a previous Chat.

Parks: Yeah, I'm all for it. But what happened to DiBiase this week?

Caldwell: Who? ... Naw, I think WWE just doesn't know what to do with him.

Parks: Well he was with Rhodes two weeks ago as if Rhodes "owned" him or something, yet he was nowhere to be found this past week.

Caldwell: Yep. It just seems like another example of WWE starting & stopping something with DiBiase. It's just the oddest thing. If WWE isn't going to use him in a long-term program, then it seems like he's only the roster because of his dad. He might just need a few months off TV before he's reintroduced doing something completely fresh.

Parks: I thought they were going to start rebuilding him by pairing him with the hot Rhodes, and he had the squash win over Barreta, but then nothing. Oh well.

Caldwell: Yeah, I guess we'll see. Greg, what about our friends Khali and Mahal? What's your impression of this new pairing?

Parks: I like it if Khali is more serious, though as long as he's not at the top of the card. Mahal has a good presence about him, and I'd like to see them as a tag team.

Caldwell: Agreed on those points. I'd rather not see Khali on TV because it's almost painful to watch him move around, but if he's going to be featured on TV, I prefer him as a more-serious character. Greg, anything else stand out on Smackdown last week?

Parks: I think we covered it pretty well this week.

Caldwell: Sounds good. TNA Impact Wrestling - they enter the home stretch for Slammiversary tonight. I think the only standout feud leading to a PPV match right now is Jarrett vs. Angle. I have no idea what they're doing with Sting and Anderson other than turning the TNA World Title into more of a joke situation along the lines of the TV Title. What's your impression of TNA's top programs right now?

Parks: They just don't interest me. I don't care about Anderson, RVD has been devalued, and Sting can't put on a good match. There's just nothing to get excited about.

Caldwell: I think that about captures TNA right now. The shows are being written for a very select audience: Dixie, Spike executives, and themselves. It's just not interesting to watch someone else's vanity project when they repeat the same mistakes and bad booking over and over again.

Parks: True. You mentioned Jarrett vs. Angle, which has more steam at this point in the feud than anyone had any right to expect. The X Division nonsense is supposed to build them up, but I've yet to see any glimpse of that. Maybe more "wrestling" this week?

Caldwell: Until wholesale changes are made in TNA, I'm just expecting the same ol' wrestling quotient of too-short matches, run-ins, referee incompetence, and interference. Or, are my expectations "misaligned?"

Parks: Well, if a concentration heavily on wrestling constitutes "misaligned expectations," I'm sure the ones you listed will too, at least, according to Bischoff.

Caldwell: Indeed. We'll certainly find out in a few hours tonight on IW. Greg, any other thoughts before we wrap up today?

Parks: I'll save those for the Livecast.

Caldwell: Very good. We'll talk again soon on today's Livecast. Until then, always a pleasure.

Parks: It sure is, James.


We suggest these recent related articles...
CALDWELL'S WWE "NXT: HOUSTON" LIVE RESULTS 9/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Balor, Joe, Bayley, more from debut show in Texas
CALDWELL'S LIVE REPORT - 7/12 Lone Star in Houston, Tex.: Alberto El Patron no-shows, Dreamer vs. Hoyt new main event; plus Duggan, Snitsky, Cabana vs. Mahal, Joey Ryan, Rowe vs. Hernandez, Ivellise, Catrina, Houston Carson, one title change, more
CALDWELL: A Top 10 for 10 Years - Hall of Fame, George, Sweet Tea, Studio B, Duke, Three-Pack, and you!
prowrestling.net
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE PW.NET HEADLINES


CLICK TO EMAIL THIS ARTICLE
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN LISTING

NEW! SIGN UP FOR FREE PWTORCH BREAKING NEWS EMAIL ALERTS
BECOME A PWTORCH VIP MEMBER
-FORMER MEMBERS LOGIN HERE TO RENEW
-NEW MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
SELECT BY ARTICLES CATEGORY
SEARCH PWTORCH.COM



CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF UPCOMING PRO WRESTLING EVENTS
MORE HEADLINES AT AFFILIATE SITES
MMATorch
LATEST HEADLINES - CLICK TO READ CLICK HERE FOR MORE MMATORCH HEADLINES


PWTORCH POLL - VOTE NOW!
RAW POLL 10/12: Vote on Monday's show
 
pollcode.com free polls


RAW POLL 10/12: What was the Best Match on Raw?
 
pollcode.com free polls
MCNEILL LIVECAST POLL: TNA will have a 32-person tournament to determine a new Hvt. champion - your thoughts?
 
pollcode.com free polls
CENA POLL: If John Cena takes a year-end break, who should win the U.S. Title from Cena?
 
pollcode.com free polls
VOTE IN OR SEE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS POLLS



LATEST HEADLINES - CLICK TO READ CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE INC HEADLINES

_
LATEST FREE AUDIO SHOWS - CLICK TO LISTEN VIEW MORE PWTORCH LIVECAST EPISODES
DOWNLOAD PWTORCH LIVECAST APP
SUBSCRIBE TO PWTORCH LIVECAST IN ITUNES


ABOUT US

THE TORCH REACHES MORE COMBAT ENTERTAINMENT FANS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

PWTorch editor Wade Keller has covered pro wrestling full time since 1987 starting with the Pro Wrestling Torch print newsletter. PWTorch.com launched in 1999 and the PWTorch Apps launched in 2008.

He has conducted "Torch Talk" insider interviews with Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff, Jesse Ventura, Lou Thesz, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Paul Heyman, Bruno Sammartino, Goldberg, more.

He has interviewed big-name players in person incluiding Vince McMahon (at WWE Headquarters), Dana White (in Las Vegas), Eric Bischoff (at the first Nitro at Mall of America), Brock Lesnar (after his first UFC win).

He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)


REACHING 1 MILLION+ UNIQUE USERS PER MONTH
500 MILLION CLICKS & LISTENS PER YEAR
MILLIONS OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTERS SOLD
PWTORCH STAFF

EDITORS:
Wade Keller, editor
(kellerwade@gmail.com)

James Caldwell, assistant editor
(pwtorch@gmail.com)

STAFF COLUMNISTS:
Bruce Mitchell (since 1990)
Pat McNeill (since 2001)
Greg Parks (since 2007)
Sean Radican (since 2003)

We also have a great team of
TV Reporters
and Specialists and Artists.

PWTORCH VIP MEMBERSHIP

PWTorch offers a VIP membership for $10 a month (or less with an annual sub). It includes nearly 25 years worth of archives from our coverage of pro wrestling dating back to PWTorch Newsletters from the late-'80s filled with insider secrets from every era that are available to VIPers in digital PDF format and Keller's radio show from the early 1990s.

Also, new exclusive top-shelf content every day including a new VIP-exclusive weekly 16 page digital magazine-style (PC and iPad compatible) PDF newsletter packed with exclusive articles and news.

The following features come with a VIP membership which tens of thousands of fans worldwide have enjoyed for many years...

-New Digital PWTorch Newsletter every week
-3 New Digital PDF Back Issues from 5, 10, 20 years ago
-Over 60 new VIP Audio Shows each week
-Ad-free access to all PWTorch.com free articles
-VIP Forum access with daily interaction with PWTorch staff and well-informed fellow wrestling fans
-Tons of archived audio and text articles
-Decades of Torch Talk insider interviews in transcript and audio formats with big name stars.


**SIGN UP FOR VIP ACCESS HERE**

CONTACTABOUTFACEBOOKTWITTERPODCASTIPHONE APPANDROID APPAMAZON APPRSS
VIP SIGN-UP
VIP LOGIN
THE TORCH: #1 IN COMBAT ENTERTAINMENT COVERAGE | © 1999-2013 TDH Communications Inc. • All rights reserved -- PRIVACY POLICY