On a weekly basis, PWTorch staffers James Caldwell and Greg Parks have a casual, yet insightful, Lounge-style chat reviewing the week in TV wrestling and looking ahead to what's next for key storylines, matches, and future events. An occasional "Seinfeld" or "The Office" reference is also mixed in for good measure.

James Caldwell: This is PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell joined by PWTorch columnist Greg Parks for our weekly TV wrestling Chat. Greg, let's go ahead and start with last night's TNA Impact leading into Slammiversary. What did you think of the overall show and the final hype for the PPV?

Greg Parks: I thought the show was fine, but I really don't like Sting making Bobby Roode tap for the second time in the last few weeks. I get wanting to make Sting seem like a credible contender to Roode's title, but that seems like overkill. The rest of the show was decent, save Dixie Carter and Brooke Hogan's acting. I can only imagine how good the show would be if they weren't involved. And, really, TNA has done almost a 180 from what the show used to be like when everything was going 100 mph and nothing was sticking. They're slowly but surely finding their footing.

Caldwell: I thought there were two highlights of the show - Bobby Roode's heel promo interrupting Hulk Hogan and a replay of Joey Ryan in Al Snow's face after last week's Gut Check segment. I just don't care for this product right now, mainly because I feel like it's the TNA Friends & Family hour that you have to be part of a club to enjoy. I also do not care for the items like Dixie going into the production truck to cuss out David Sahadi for playing Daniels and Kaz's video last week. It opens up a can of worms - similar to WWE having eight different authority figures - because five minutes after TNA rolled that clip of Dixie after last week's show, Daniels's music interrupted her. So, why didn't she storm backstage and threaten to fire whoever allowed Daniels to play his music or played Daniels's music for him? I know they don't want people thinking about it, but I think doing those things is more trouble than it's worth. I also feel bad for Dixie in this role. It's unintentional comedy and it's unfortunate TNA Creative puts her out there. So, I continue to be turned off by the product because then it renders the actual wrestling content secondary or skippable or not as meaningful. I haven't even got to the Roode-Sting aspect, Greg! But, your reaction to my opening thoughts?

Parks: I definitely see the complaints, and I share the same as far as the over-use of Brooke and Dixie; it's a joke right now. But, I'm more tolerant of that because at least Brooke has not taking up a lot of TV time (yet) and I think there is something other good stuff going on. As you said, Roode's promo was well done as was Joey Ryan's segment; The TV title means something save for the wacky finish; Aries vs. Joe is an intriguing feud; we're getting further along with Joseph Park vs. Bully Ray, and including Abyss last night was the logical next step; and while I don't like Dixie being involved as much as she is in that storyline, Daniels, Kaz, and A.J. are doing some good work there.

Caldwell: Daniels is certainly a top-notch heel right now. I think it gets into one of the problems I have with the product, which is that Daniels & Kaz are defending the Tag Titles against Styles & Angle at the PPV on Sunday and it just feels like such an afterthought. The average Impact viewer probably has no idea that match is occurring (or that Daniels and Kaz are the tag champs). So, I think it would be a better business move to find a way to enhance Daniels's heel character in a wrestling context, but pro wrestling writers seem to fancy themselves as soap-opera writers that it's an almost unfathomable request. On Roode-Sting, Greg, I feel like Roode tapping out to Sting for the second week in a row took away some of the credibility he built in recent months with clean wins. I especially feel that way because Sting looks like dad pretending to be a wrestler while his kids cover their heads in shame. I don't know if it's the over-sized t-shirt, the crazy face paint playing wrestler, or the giant bald spot, but in a cosmetic business, he doesn't look like a guy who should be in a PPV main event. Are you as down on the final PPV main event hype as I am, or do you see some bright spots in what they're doing?

Parks: I don't think I'm as down on it as you, but I see your points. I think Sting has built up enough goodwill with the TNA fanbase to where they don't really see him in that negative light because he has been on top so consistently. It's not like he's a scrub they pulled off the street and decided to make a main-eventer; he's got the name-value to where he's still worth something, and in the ring, he's passable for a main event guy. That doesn't mean he should be able to coast into main events for the next few years, as I do think it's probably time to start phasing him out soon.

Caldwell: That reminds me of TNA (via Crimson) inserting a Goldberg reference in the show last night. I feel that made TNA seem dated because Goldberg hasn't been on national TV in eight years and that era when his rocket was shot to the moon has passed. It's not like Goldberg left WWE, became a big box-office star in UFC, and came back to wrestling like Brock Lesnar. I feel the same way about Sting being labeled the "#1 guy, brother" by Hulk Hogan on last week's Impact. Maybe 15 years ago, but that really makes TNA seem dated, in my mind. I think Sting could be good in a one-off situation, like WWE was considering for Undertaker, but to make him the centerpiece of the promotion - I'm shaking my head. I know it sounds like I have a problem with all aspects of TNA's product, but I do! I just feel like they're going backwards - one step forward with Roode, then he submits to Sting again. One step forward with Austin Aries, then he's stuck in a match with Crimson. It would be one thing if business was showing improvement, but they were going backward in the ratings before they changed timeslots. So, I'm just not in favor of what they're doing. Greg, give me something to look forward to going into Slammiversary and next week's Impact.

Parks: RE: Goldberg and Crimson, I didn't have a problem with the reference because obviously Goldberg is still on people's minds (the chants during Ryback matches for one) and Goldberg was the last guy to really get a strong undefeated push like Crimson. I don't think the Slammiversary PPV has a lot of stuff that jumps out at me other than Ray vs. Park, which as I said, has been built really well. Perhaps you can look forward to an appearance by Christian, who I guess is scheduled to be with TNA this weekend. James, any word on what that entails and/or what to expect from Christian and TNA this weekend?

Caldwell: That one is really interesting. My understanding is it's part of a Ric Flair/WWE Hall of Fame exchange hinted at by TNA last month. I don't think it means Christian will be the first TNA HOF inductee (perhaps, perhaps not), but I imagine they will show him during the PPV broadcast. It will be interesting to see if the shoot an angle while they have him, say with Bobby Roode. It would certainly be worthwhile, but WWE may have some restrictions on how Christian could be used. So, we'll see how that plays out. Greg, do you anticipate any title changes on the PPV with a TNA Title, Tag Title, and Knockouts Title match on the card? Or, any surprises beyond Christian?

Parks: No surprises beyond Christian, which is a surprise in itself, because it was reported that TNA just asked for Christian to do a talking head on a DVD release. How it got to this point I'm not sure, but it could turn out to be a much bigger deal than Christian on a DVD. The tag titles just changed, so I don't know if they'd change again; I don't see Roode losing. So, I guess that leaves the Knockouts Title. I don't see them switching that here either, but there's a better chance that one changes hands than the others. James, any opinions on TNA title possibilities or anything else from Impact/Slammiversary to discuss?

Caldwell: I don't see any of the titles changing hands, either, so I'll be curious to see what they do to create a "feel-good moment" on their 10-year PPV, as opposed to recent PPVs where the shows have ended on a flat note with Roode. One final thing on TNA - who do you see winning the #1 contender match to presumably set up Roode vs. a top babyface on next week's Impact?

Parks: I guess it's gotta be Jeff Hardy, right? They just cycled through RVD. It's been a while since Anderson has had a shot, but I don't really see that lighting the world on fire.

Caldwell: I predict Hardy, too. All three seem like they've been done before (but I don't think they've done Roode vs. Anderson; it just seems like Anderson's character is stale, which makes the potential match seem stale). Finally, Greg, Yes or No on this one - will Jeff Jarrett return to TV at Slammiversary?

Parks: I'd say "yes" at this point. It's just too coincidental for me that there's been a Jarrett Twitter deal with Dixie Carter as TNA is coming up on their 10th anniversary, a show wihch Jarrett should be at. Love him or hate him, he's meant a great deal to TNA throughout their history.

Caldwell: It would be too strange for him not to be on the show, so I predict yes, as well. We shall see Sunday night. All right, Greg, let's tackle WWE topics. Monday's Raw felt like a combination replay of last Friday's Smackdown, Raw two weeks ago (Cena's opening promo), Brock Lesnar's push (Big Show's sit-down interview), and the Heel Michael Cole era. Was this just a throwaway show until the bigger stuff with McMahon next week, or did you find some items of note and/or good stuff on the show?

Parks: It really did feel like a throw-away show for all the reasons you mentioned. Whenever there's a PPV coming up and one of the main-eventers of said PPV isn't on the show, it always feels like the show doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. But, even though the matches were repeats, there were a few good ones. And of course, the illustrious Stan Stansky appearance. James, aside from Cena vs. Cole, was there anything that really stands out to you four days later?

Caldwell: Should we change our names to James Jameswell and Greg Gregory in honor of Ryback's opposition this week? On another note, I thought C.M. Punk vs. Kane was above-expectations and everyone really played their parts well, including A.J. and Daniel Bryan. That was probably the highlight of the show. Worth discussing more than this week's show is what's to come on Monday's Raw and with Triple H's return at No Way Out. What are you expecting from Vince McMahon starting Raw next week (and presumably being sprinkled throughout the three-hour show) and then Hunter discussing Brock Lesnar, lawsuits, etc. at the PPV?

Parks: I could definitely see Hunter showing up on the show next week, not only to help fill the three hours, but to conflab with Vince about the status of John Laurinaitis, since he and Hunter still have existing heat over the Brock Lesnar deal. You'd think Hunter and Vince would be on the same side in wanting to get rid of Laurinaitis, but I think he stays. What do you think the fall-out will be from Vince's appearance on Raw this coming week as it pertains to Laurinaitis. Does he get a stern warning? A vote of confidence? Ousted?

Caldwell: I foresee a slap on the wrist a/k/a stern warning. I think WWE wants people to tune in thinking Laurinaitis will get canned Monday night, but I don't see it happening. The only change of significance I could see happening is Teddy Long re-instated as Smackdown GM, which would then set in motion a Draft for the non-existent brand split. Otherwise, I think status quo - for the most part - will be the result. Do you think McMahon will address other individuals, such as Michael Cole, or keep it strictly between McMahon and Johnny?

Parks: Good question: I could see it going both ways. I don't think Cole can just return to the booth as usual after Monday, but we've said that before and he's still there, stinking up the joint every week. So, maybe Vince pulls rank and brings JR back or something (keeping the heat on Laurinaitis, since it wouldn't be Johnny bringing him back). I wouldn't be surprised if maybe they keep Cole off TV for a week and have him return in grand fashion at No Way Out or the next night's Raw. Of course, not having read Smackdown spoilers, he could be back on the show tonight, too. James, you mentioned enjoying Kane's involvement in the Bryan vs. Punk situation. A.J. seemed to tease having the hots (pun intended) for Kane. Is she showing interest in Kane and Punk just for manipulation purposes, or do you think she really could end up with one of them?

Caldwell: Last week in the Chat, I was leaning toward A.J. revealing some sort of grand plot with D-Bryan to get back a top title, but now I'm leaning more toward A.J.'s character is just crazy and she's bouncing from wrestler to wrestler in the WWE Title picture before she reveals who she will help at No Way Out. (Or, who she may try to help before screwing things up, which has been part of her story, too.) I could very well see A.J. winding up with Kane, which may refresh a stale and weird Kane character.

Parks: I made the comparison on Raw that A.J. could be Kane's "fire girl," similar to Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games. I just don't think it would fit with Kane's character at this point to have a woman with him - he did just recently (well, before Mania) make a big deal about how he had become soft. Then again, Kane's character has never been accused of being consistent. I'm really waiting for A.J. to finally intervene and show her true colors at some point. I'm wondering how much longer they can drag it out! Speaking of dragging things out...Tensai. He finally lost, and it was to John Cena. Have we seen the last of the Tensai character, or do you think WWE will continue to attempt to get the gimmick over?

Caldwell: I agree they've reached the point where it's time for A.J. to show her true colors, so I'm predicting some sort of involvement in the WWE Title match, even though she has not been involved in Bryan's previous two World Title PPV matches. We'll see if that changes. As for Tensai, I don't know what to make of that situation. I could see him off TV for a few weeks before being re-packaged or continue to be thrown out there tag or handicap matches (similar to the house show tours recently) so that he's not the focal point of any given television time. The character has to go. Speaking of big men, Brodus Clay was off TV this week selling injuries from Big Show, as we predicted and said was the right move. Do you think he returns on this Monday's three-hour show or is saved for after the PPV?

Parks: I could see him returning at the three-hour Raw, like Triple H, to kind of pad the show. What I'm more interested in is seeing if Show's attack changes him any. I don't think they'd go about repackaging both Clay and Tensai so close together, but I wonder if they can really send Clay out there and continue to do his dance routines too, basically ignoring the attack. I guess he could get involved in Show vs. Cena at the PPV leading to Show vs. Clay and Cena moving on to something else, but that would be a mild surprise. Who needs to be repackaged more: Clay or Tensai?

Caldwell: Definitely Tensai. I think Clay can tone down the dancing & happy-go-lucky persona to have more of a killer instinct post-wake-up-call from Big Show, but still have some fun in the ring for the kids. I'll be very interested to see how they handle his TV return. Greg, anything else from the Red Brand before we look big-picture at the Blue Brand before tonight's show?

Parks: Let's go to Smackdown. We know that Randy Orton is out for almost two months going forward, so the big question is: who steps up in his absence? With the brand split all but gone, we shouldn't limit the options to just the Smackdown brand. It looks like C.M. Punk might be getting more time on Smackdown in the coming weeks, which makes sense given the guys he's feuding against. Plus, you've got World Champion Sheamus and IC Champion Christian as the other top babyfaces on the brand. How do you think Orton's absence will shake up Smackdown?

Caldwell: I'm going to steal what you said on the Livecast VIP Aftershow yesterday that it could really benefit Sheamus and potentially turn him into a big star for WWE because he won't be fighting for the main event spotlight with Orton and he won't be in Orton's shadow when Orton seemed like a bigger star. So, now it's all on Sheamus to take advantage. I think Christian is just Christian right now, but I want to see your thoughts in your Smackdown review on his night tonight. I don't see Sin Cara ready to move up, so I think the potential big change is Rey Mysterio - whenever he returns, and presumably on Smackdown. He would add something to the mix and potentially alter Smackdown below the World Title level. Then, there's always Mark Henry when he's set to return, and Del Rio is slotted in the next World Title match. It seems like there are a lot of moving parts below Sheamus, World Hvt. champion.

Parks: There sure are. You mentioned Del Rio, who is challenging for the World Title at No Way Out. Do you see him as a challenger to Sheamus where he gets a title shot at the next few PPVs, or is this a short-term thing where Sheamus moves on after No Way Out to another opponent?

Caldwell: Ah, you jumped to where I was thinking! I was going to throw out a hypothetical on what you see as the Summerslam World Title match. Right now, I see Del Rio as a one-off, but WWE sure likes to repeat those World Title matches over and over. I like the sound of Sheamus vs. Mark Henry III at Summerslam, especially after their "barricade collapse match" at Summerslam last year. Henry could come back bigger, stronger, faster to face Sheamus and give him a new obstacle, but when they might happen is the question. I'm going to predict Sheamus vs. Del Rio re-match at Money in the Bank next month, then Sheamus moves on to Henry at Summerslam. How do you feel about the next two PPVs after No Way Out?

Parks: I would be really happy if that's what they did, as far as Del Rio then Henry. I'm worried about Henry coming back though and whether WWE will put him right back in the title hunt. Remember, he had been cooled off a bit before he needed surgery. If it's not Del Rio, maybe someone new? Cody Rhodes? Dolph Ziggler? Or if Big Show is done with Cena, maybe he could feud with Sheamus? That'd be an interesting in-ring dynamic.

Caldwell: If it's not Henry, I could see Big Show sliding into that Smackdown title picture opposite Sheamus to pose a similar threat to Sheamus. They could also re-insert Orton before Summerslam, but I feel like that won't be happening. Rhodes needs to be re-built, I believe, and Dolph Ziggler just needs some direction. It brings up an interesting question in my mind, Greg, which is who do you think will be first to drop his respective major title - Punk or Sheamus?

Parks: I'm going to guess Punk, only because his challenger in Bryan seems to be a better choice as champion than Sheamus's current challenger, Del Rio. I could see Sheamus and Punk both holding the title for some time though - actually, Punk already has, so that's another reason I could see him dropping it first.

Caldwell: It does feel like both men will hold their titles for a lengthy amount of time. Like you said, Punk's reign has been longer than Sheamus's, so it would seem to indicate he would be first to lose his title. But, I could also see Punk hold the title for a year and perhaps Sheamus loses the title at Summerslam or sometime this fall. But, both men could finally deliver long title reigns we've been calling for! Greg, any other big picture items on Raw or Smackdown worth discussing this week?

Parks: I'll pass on that James and instead plug this week's Gonzo & The Greg: The top five moments that made us angriest as fans. You brought up Lex Luger not being able to win the title over Yokozuna yesterday on the Livecast...any others come to mind?

Caldwell: Since we chatted last night, I've been so focused on replaying Summerslam '93 in my head that I have not come up with any others! But, I could go back to that era for when WWE revealed that Tatanka was the one taking the bribe money from Ted DiBiase, not Lex Luger. I was also upset at that time when Tatanka lost his Streak to Ludvig Borga on a Sunday morning WWF show. Early 1990s WWF was not kind to me.

Parks: Apparently not! We'll see if it was the same way for us on the show tomorrow.

Caldwell: Sounds great! We may or may not have a post-Slammiversary Livecast Sunday night, but we will let everyone know when that decision is made. Greg, until then or next Thursday on the Livecast, have a great weekend!

Parks: You too, James!

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