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James Caldwell: This is Torch assistant editor James Caldwell joined by Torch specialist and Jacksonville Jaguars fan Greg Parks for a discussion of WWE Raw from last night and WWE Smackdown from Friday night leading to the Bragging Rights PPV on Sunday. Greg, what did you think of Raw last night and your Jags players appearing on-camera? How was their fake fighting? Good, average, poor, needs improvement?

Greg Parks: I actually didn't see a ton of fake fighting from them, just a lot of mugging for the camera. I actually prefer that to the fake fighting, which just makes you look desperate for attention.

JC: Your team is quite the sophisticated bunch.

GP: Some Sundays, it feels like the opposite.

JC: Yes, almost losing to a winless team will create that feeling. What did you think of Raw? I had it a strong thumbs up due to Hunter-Cena and the Orton-DiBiase development. Where do you come down on the show?

GP: Yeah, I had it at a thumbs up too...The Orton-DiBiase stuff was great, Snoop did a fine job as host, they had a solid match in Cena vs. Triple H, and of course, the return of Marty Jannetty, which always bumps the show up one full point for me.

JC: Oh, Marty. He looked to be in pretty rough condition in the ring and I don't think he did much to enhance Miz. Sure, he took a sick clothesline, but Marty should not be portrayed on the same level or even to Miz. No way.

GP: And you'd look rough too if WWE called you, probably the day before, and wanted you to wrestle when you've likely been in the ring for a while! He's a former tag team icon, sure he can be equal with the Miz!

JC: Good point on Marty looking rough in the ring on short notice. As for Cena vs. Hunter, were you surprised by the finish with Hunter winning clean or was that your expectation going in?

GP: No, it certainly surprised me. I thought they'd give Cena the win and have him get emotional after the match about it possibly being his last night on Raw. They certainly made Orton look better heading into the PPV, even though, curiously, there wasn't any direct interaction between the two opponents.

JC: For Cena-Hunter, I was expecting an Orton run-in to start beating on Cena before the PPV. You're right - no direct interaction between Cena and Orton. Hadn't thought about that. I thought the PPV build-up was really interesting. At some points, I felt like they gave away too much, at other points, I felt like they hit the right notes on selling the big matches. It seemed like a "here you go, Joe viewer, find something you like and order the PPV on Sunday" kind of build-up. What did you think about the PPV build?

GP: Well, like I said, no Orton-Cena interaction was odd. Interesting choice to create dissension in the Raw team as well. I hope they hype the women's match more on Smackdown than they did on Raw; I was hoping to see a one-on-one match between ladies from each brand rather than a six-person tag, but beggars can't be choosers I guess.

JC: The other surprising thing with the women's match is Mickie James's disappearing act. Now, I know Smackdown's trio are heels and Raw's are babyfaces, but you would think they could find a place for her on the card. She was discarded on Raw last week, though, and no mention to the TV audience last night that she was traded after Raw. Very interesting. I want to talk about the Raw Bragging Rights Team for a second. Everyone had a chance to do a little talking in that opening segment. Kofi dropped the accent. Swagger had talking time after HBK made one of the best jokes ever in the history of Raw TV about him being an All-American. Cody Rhodes was given specific, obvious focus and attention. Did you feel the younger guys had a chance to shine a little bit here?

GP: Sure, but then again, DX put them in their place a bit too, just like they did the younger guys on Smackdown. As for Mickie, being sent to Smackdown sure wasn't a thumbs-up from management for whatever reason (rumored to be her weight), plus, I'm predicting it right here, right now: Beth turns face on Michelle and Natalya during/after the match and feuds with one of them. Maybe they didn't want to get Mickie in the way of that?

JC: I thought DX hurt the younger guys on Smackdown just a little bit, but at least HBK was there to somewhat make a save for Drew McIntyre. Hunter would defend it that at least they got their names on TV. Whatevs on that. ... You think a Beth face turn is in the works? I like the boldness! I would be very surprised by that development. Why do you think they would have her turn face?

GP: Well, McCool is a heel and has the belt on Smackdown; they need a face to work with, and if they really are down on Mickie, I could see a Beth face turn; she did have a confrontation with McCool on Smackdown this past week as well.

JC: Good point. I like your logic there! I'm sold on the turn. I even wrote that in my Trade Analysis that Smackdown didn't have a viable babyface to feud against Michelle if Mickie is going to be pushed out of sight. ... One last topic on Raw. DiBiase and Orton. They're planting seeds for DiBiase turning babyface. They had a very strong "match" with Orton playing the awesome heel character and DiBiase showing fire. They had the crowd in their hands for The Shove from Ted. How do you see this developing - a quick, short turn or a drawn-out turn by Ted?

GP: Well, you figure it has to happen at least by the time the release of DiBiase's movie, which I believe is December, so they have about a month or so to play with yet. It should be a little drawn out and despite the crowd reactions last night, I think they made the smart move in holding off on it. Now you don't know what side Ted will be on as far as interference goes, which is legal, in the Orton vs. Cena match at the PPV.

JC: And they've teased Ted and Cody turning on Orton so many times that it has potential to lose its luster, but one way to really shake up Raw would be DiBiase showing up in the 50th minute with a 2-2 score and helping Cena score a decisive fall. I think the best way for DiBiase to become a huge star in time for that movie (short-term) and to become a long-term star would be him rubbing elbows with Cena after "seeing the light." I think this has tremendous potential to get some new blood in the main event scene. Plus, think about it, DiBiase is doing part 2 of Cena's The Marine movie.

GP: Eh, I don't know if I like DiBiase helping Cena win the final fall, though Cena looks strong on so many occasions, this certainly wouldn't make him look weak, and really would bolster DiBiase's face resume...But, I just don't like giving the fans 50 minutes of match only to have the final fall decided by outside interference. You've been watching too much TNA, James!

JC: Haha, that Mick Foley vs. Abyss ordeal scarred me. Ugh. All right, let's talk Smackdown. Big qualifying matches. A lot of young stars on Team Smackdown. Matt Hardy still taking losses. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio with a Batista heel turn teased. Undertaker with a message for Punk, who gets Taker on Friday in a Breaking Point re-match. What stood out to you the most from this show?

GP: For me, it was definitely the infusion of young talent into the Smackdown tag match. Escobar, Ziggler, McIntyre, Cryme Tyme....I mean, that's a pretty nice list of future stars who are getting their first real taste of the big-time main event picture here. Seeing these guys, new blood, in that main event at the PPV will certainly be refreshing.

JC: Let's break it down here. Who do you see as the C.M. Punks and who do you see as the Brian Kendricks of this mix? Kendrick was in a Smackdown World Title Scramble match around this time last year, then he turned into comedy heel fodder. Who are the pretenders and who are the contenders for future main events?

GP: Contender is most likely McIntyre, given his introduction by Vince and the backing of Triple H and Shawn behind the scene. It's really too early to say for Escobar. I mean, he didn't look great against Matt, but putting him in the main event so early must be a sign from WWE. Ziggler I'd learn toward being more of a Punk. I could see Cryme Tyme, because they're a tag team, being in the Kendrick category. I'll note this by saying it too all depends on how they act behind the scenes and if they stay clean, as apparently Kendrick struggled to do, with Snoop Dogg's favorite past-time at least.

JC: Good point on Kendrick losing his spot due to backstage issues. I haven't seen enough of Escobar to get a read on him. I think all of the other players have potential to be Punks if they continue to improve each week. Ironically, Punk was in this same situation about four years ago when he was on Team DX at Survivor Series when the crowd chanted for him instead of DX. ... Let's preview Punk vs. Taker on Friday that will be taped tonight. How do you see this playing out before the PPV?

GP: Because of Taker's injury, I don't see them going very long, not to mention because Armstrong and Long will be around as ref and at ringside too. Not to say there will be another screwjob, but perhaps Vince gets involved here too? Taker, from all accounts, is really banged up, so expecting him to do a full match on Tuesday, then another on Sunday is probably a bit fooolish, though with the Fatal Four-Way, he can avoid a lot of punishment in that one.

JC: I imagine there's a quick deal on Smackdown with a lot of smoke and mirrors from the outside participants. I imagine he's still champ going into Sunday, but there will probably be an early elimination to have the majority of the match be a triple threat. Taker sneaks back in the end to be involved, but I don't think Taker will be doing much work this week. Who is your champ after Sunday - Taker, Punk, Rey, Batista?

GP: Eh, I gotta go with Batista. I see Mysterio is someone they can always plug into the main event scene if need be, but not really championship material, especially with his outburst against WWE after the suspension, no matter how many say things are smoothed over now; Punk getting the title back I wouldn't mind, but I don't like him having all these short reigns. I think that means Batista will come out winning, since word was he'd be feuding with Taker once he got to Smackdown, but things may have changed with Taker probably needing time off.

JC: I'm undecided on who WWE should put the belt on at this point. I'm not in favor of another short Punk title reign and I don't think Rey needs the belt right now. I agree that I see Batista winning, then feuding with Rey after Rey scored the one-up on Smackdown this week. Batista turns heel, then they slowly bring in John Morrison, perhaps. But, that's months down the road. .. Some breaking news before we wrap up our chat. Nigel McGuinness is apparently going to TNA instead of WWE. What are your thoughts on what he can bring to the table?

GP: First, I'm quite shocked WWE didn't get these guys locked up when word first came out. That's on them, at least until more info comes out. I'm sure this will anger WWE and perhaps they'll look to poach more ROH (or TNA, for revenge) talent. It also tells me they were more interested in making the splash of getting guys away from ROH than actually using them. Now, onto your question...I hope they don't put him in the British Invasion. Really. I mean, I'm sure he'll have to earn his stripes and all that, but he doesn't need a ton of polish in the ring and could probably be vaulted pretty high on the card upon his debut. But with the way TNA works, you never know.

JC: My first instinct is Nigel joining British Invasion and World Elite. I don't know where else they would use him because that's the first thing viewers will think of when they see him on TV. I think he can be much more valuable than trying to elevate a stuck-in-the-mud group. I would love to see this youth movement in full force with a series of Nigel vs. Joe matches. But, it's TNA. You never know what's going to happen. You're right that this makes WWE look bad for losing an ROH guy to TNA after signing him in principle. TNA also has a feather in their hat they can promote, which won't make WWE happy. I can already hear Tenay and Taz cackling about it on commentary now.

GP: You've got the "cackling" part right.

JC: All righty, Greg. Any final thoughts on Raw, Smackdown, the PPV, or Nigel to TNA before we wrap up the chat? I'm actually looking forward to this "concept" PPV more than any of the previous ones. Has a lot of combustible elements and some fresh, new talent in main event situations. I think it's a step in the right direction.

GP: Yeah, it could be interesting. I'm not a fan of the concept PPVs, but we'll see if this one works out. Just wanted to say I'll be doing the double-dip next week, attending Raw in Buffalo on Monday and then Smackdown in Rochester on Tuesday, so be on the look-out for some of my reports for those in the next week.

JC: We will be looking forward to those live reports and chatting about the live Raw experience next Tuesday right here. Thanks for the talk, Greg. Good stuff as always!

GP: Absolutely, James.

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

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