On a weekly basis, 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. 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, didn't we just talk about Night of Champions? It sure feels like it, but there's another PPV in one day. Did you feel WWE did what they needed to do on Raw to entice viewers to order Hell in a Cell?

Greg Parks: I suppose they did their best; they've booked themselves into a corner introducing PPVs in this manner, so while we can sit back and say, "well it's really not fair to judge because they haven't had ample time to build up the matches," they're also to blame for putting the PPVs so close together. Of course, it's two separate departments of WWE who deal with those items and I'm sure if you asked those in creative, they'd rather not have PPVs this close together because it does hamper their storytelling, as we've seen recently.

Caldwell: I felt like on Raw they tried to pack a few weeks worth of PPV hype into that one show knowing they had a two-week turnaround, but, at the same time, I feel like they didn't create any new interest in their headline WWE Title match. I still don't get a sense C.M. Punk's character has any interest in the WWE Title and I don't sense anyone will be changed by the outcome of the match. There should have been a sense of someone's career is going to change based on the outcome of Sunday's main event. Cena seems like he's above the title, Punk is in-between Conspiracy and Title storylines, and Del Rio is just Del Rio. I just never got a sense watching Raw that the title was really that important.

Parks: I think they did a better job this week on Smackdown in prepping for the PPV and hyping the issues going in. You're right, the WWE Title match has the least heat going in of any in recent memory, which is very hard to believe given where we were a month-and-a-half ago with the hot Cena vs. Punk feud. Do you attribute that more to the concentration on the COO storyline taking heat away from the title, or that WWE has done a poor job of building up ADR as a challenger since he arrived on Raw?

Caldwell: I think it's a combination of several things including those two examples you cited, which are probably at the top of the list. I think it really goes back to McMahon creating that tournament the night after Punk won the title at MITB. I think we're seeing the long-term damage that created because I think it stripped away something from Punk and accelerated the Cena-Del Rio feud before it was ready. Like you said, the COO storyline has really taken the spotlight away from the title picture and the timing is all out of whack. I mean, Punk should not be in the title picture right now unless they really have a purpose for him. But, because Nash is out of the picture right now and they just did Punk-Hunter and they're moving Hunter away from Punk so Hunter is clearly a face, Punk is kind of left with nothing to do. So, all of the puzzle pieces are on the floor and they really don't fit together well right now. Also, as you said, Del Rio is an issue. Do you think he takes the title at Hell in a Cell and, if so, do you think they give him a stronger push this time around?

Parks: I'm still leaning toward Cena retaining, but I'm 60/40 on that. The "40" would go to Del Rio winning, as I don't think Punk has a chance at this point. There are compelling reasons for Cena to retain the title and for Del Rio to win it, but as you said, Punk doesn't really fit in this picture, and it feels like he's booked in the match to give him something to do rather than him being there because he's going to win the title. And to answer the second part of your question, I do think Del Rio gets a stronger push if he wins, if only because his push while he had the title the first time was so weak, it'd be difficult to be booked worse the second time around.

Caldwell: If this were TNA, I could see the title going back to Punk because "no one would see it coming!" but I think there's no way unless they really have something in mind that will blow our socks off after HIAC. Let's go with your lean toward Cena retaining. In that case, do you think WWE isolates Cena-Del Rio and tries to find something else for Punk or where do you think they would go from here with Cena as champ leading into Vengeance and then Survivor Series? At the same time, I'm almost more concerned for Punk post-HIAC unless WWE is going to start revealing some items on this COO storyline that will incorporate Punk.

Parks: I'm surprised they've had him drift away from the COO storyline. Shouldn't he be leading heels and faces alike in wanting to take down Triple H? It's almost like the writers have ADD when it comes to Punk: First he wanted the title, then he wanted to take down Hunter, now he's back to wanting the title. Let's get some consistency here.

Caldwell: I agree! And I think it's damaging his character in the process. I'm waiting for WWE to finally resolve this, have that big "ah-hah!" moment where they can claim they had this planned all along, and we can move on, but I think even if that were to happen, damage has been done to Punk. I think damage has been done to Cena, too, because there was that time when pro-Cena fans had to check their allegiance as WWE "poked holes" in his character. Now, it's like they're back to pre-MITB conditions, but with damage to top stars. I'm really interested to see if WWE can restore this... As for Hunter, it felt like WWE went light on the conspiracy items on Raw (unless you count who lowered the cage?!) and shifted the focus a bit to David Otunga as the latest heel to conspire against The Machine. What's your take on that aspect of Monday's show?

Parks: It's an interesting new twist, and they've found a way to make David Otunga (a) authentic and (b) entertaining. On Smackdown tonight, they advanced that story a little by promising something big on Raw Monday as it relates to Otunga, Cody, Ziggler, and Swagger. Plus, you've got Johnny Ace acting all weird (or maybe normal for him) around Hunter, so I like the newest twist in the story. Any prediction for what the group has in store for Hunter on Monday?

Caldwell: I'm thinking it has to be a way to re-incorporate Miz and R-Truth after WWE shockingly kept them off TV for one week. Perhaps they form a union and draw up evidence against Hunter, who is forced to "re-hire" Miz and Truth. But, then you get into the issue of why would Otunga, et al want to help Miz and Truth? They have no allegiance to them and removing them from the picture removes two former challengers to the WWE Title. And, if the WWE Title is the ultimate goal, then wouldn't you want to remove all obstacles to that? But, of course, WWE doesn't book that way or present stories that way, so perhaps WWE would ignore that and simply create a story where the Otunga Union helps get Miz and Truth re-hired. Because, ultimately, WWE has to find a way to get Miz and Truth back on the show and it's an easy way to accomplish that. Do you think it's a possibility or what's your theory?

Parks: I just like to watch, James. And I'll be interested to see what they do on Monday and if they advance things any further this Sunday.

Caldwell: That's why I have to talk this out so much! This product has been so frustrating to follow the past few months because I have 8,000 different ideas in my head on where they're going, but because WWE's writing is so inconsistent and subject to Manic McMahon, we don't know what's valuable information to consider, what's simply coincidence or excess, or what will never be revisited again (e.g. Truth pulling Punk off the pin on Hunter at Night of Champions). Are you expecting anything to develop at the PPV with follow-through on Raw or do you expect just a clean PPV show and anything storyline-related will happen on Raw as if the PPV never happened?

Parks: There's really not a lot at the PPV that I can see having a long-term effect, at least on the Raw side. I mean, maybe Beth beats Kelly and goes on to dominate that division for months. But with Vengeance, and more importantly, Survivor Series coming up, WWE is going to have to shift focus quickly to those as well.

Caldwell: Which is not healthy for WWE's creative situation. Greg, on the Smackdown side for Hell in a Cell, after covering Smackdown tonight, what's your final prediction for the Henry-Orton title match at the PPV?

Parks: I'm more convinced Henry wins after tonight. I thought it was curious WWE gave away Orton RKO'ing Henry - I thought they'd save that for the PPV match - but in doing so, it really made me think Henry would win at the PPV, giving Orton the one-up on TV heading into the show and making Henry look vulnerable for the first time in a while.

Caldwell: And I know that's traditional WWE booking, especially when trying to make a babyface look strong on TV before he's inevitably going to lose (or not win the title) on the PPV, but they've done such a great job with Henry that I think they needed to protect him at all costs. But, I know their dilemma is they want to protect Orton since he's one of the top stars in the company. I think WWE finally caught fire with Henry and I would lean toward protecting him more than Orton at this point just to see how far they can take this Henry run. I agree Henry retains at the PPV. We probably need to see how that match comes across on PPV, but where do you think they go with the title picture after HIAC assuming Henry retains?

Parks: Orton could always get another chance; after all, Christian got how many chances during the Summer? Other than Orton, Sheamus is really the only other top-level face I could see transitioning into the title picture after Orton. There's really a dearth of top faces on the Smackdown side.

Caldwell: That's definitely an issue for WWE to address going forward. Also on the Smackdown side, there's now a Sin Cara vs. Sin Cara match on the PPV. They revealed a new darker Sin Cara on Smackdown. What's your take on that match happening on two-day notice and where they're going with this feud?

Parks: I thought it was most interesting that they acknowledged the "Mistico" name by having Hunico say the real Cara stole that moniker from him in Mexico. And I like the wardrobe swtich - they had to do that. If they had more time in between PPVs to build this up, they could've had the alternate Cara come out in his new outfit to get the fans' used to it - most will be seeing it for the first time on Sunday, so the crowd reaction should be something to watch, to see how the fans react to both men.

Caldwell: And I think WWE is going to keep this thing going for a little while. Like you said, they just introduced the darker character, so I don't see a write-off anytime soon, even if Real Sin Cara takes the win on Sunday. I think they'll take this to Mexico and house shows and keep it going on TV and maybe get another PPV match out of the feud. I think it gives the "Sin Cara" character something to do for a few months. What else jumped out at you from Smackdown tonight?

Parks: Nothing really; they had the Divas of Doom stretch Kelly, which makes me think she could be winning Sunday; they had another great Henry interview segment; and Christian-Sheamus advanced their issues as well. A nice, workman-like episode to build to the PPV.

Caldwell: If that huge-for-Smackdown audience from last week's show carries over to this week's, then perhaps WWE will actually sell some PPVs by focusing on the Smackdown side of the equation. Jumping back to Raw to look at some non-PPV items, what did you make of the latest with Vickie/Dolph/Swagger and the current Dolph vs. Ryder title feud being extended beyond Hugh Jackman's appearance last week?

Parks: That was another thing: Ryder got a win on Smackdown this week too, so they seem to actually be doing something with him. I think Dolph vs. Ryder could be a good feud, but I'm afraid the Dolph-Swagger issue will take the forefront, leaving Ryder in the background.

Caldwell: It certainly does seems like Ryder will be left in the background. But, we did think his feud with Ziggler was a one-shot deal last week, so perhaps they actually have something more in mind for him. It's interesting following WWE's hot/cold treatment of Ryder the last few months. Looking at Swagger and Ziggler, what did you make of Swagger now "helping" Ziggler after they were at odds with each other? Do you think it's just "Swagger is officially part of Vickie's stable, so now he has to look out for fellow stablemates?"

Parks: Could be; I'd like for them to work together for a while, perhaps get a PPV or two against Air Boom, and then have the team start to unravel. Perhaps even have Vickie add a third member, and have Ziggler and Swagger become reluctant partners to take that person out, figuring they'd rather keep the stable at two rather than three so they can get more attention, and worry about feuding amongst themselves later.

Caldwell: I like that booking. I think we could come up with some good candidates as that third wheel, but my mind is being pulled toward the inevitable question on everyone's minds: buy or sell turncoat Mason Ryan's TV return and as a face?

Parks: I'll buy it for now; I gotta hear the "why" though, as far as why he joined Vickie only to turn on them. And knowing Ryan's mic skills, I'm not holding my breath on that one. But at least he actually turned; that's more than can be said for some guys who go from heel to face in WWE lately.

Caldwell: Do you think he has sticking power in this storyline or was this just a one-time thing when WWE only needed someone in that role this week as a means to frustrate Vickie's character? I'm interested to see if it becomes another Alex Riley situation where he doesn't have a purpose as a face and aimlessly drifts from feud to feud.

Parks: I don't see him sticking because Swagger and Ziggler seem to have something going with Bourne and Kingston, as well as Ziggler and Ryder; I don't know where Ryan would fit in there, unless they did a Ryan/Ryder tag team.

Caldwell: Ah, the Broski Bunch. Interesting thinking. Perhaps WWE tries to give Ryan a personality rub by working with Ryder or just having someone speak for him until he's comfortable. Any other thoughts on the Raw mid-card, Greg?

Parks: Not really. Anything you want to talk about from NXT this week? I mean, I know there's nothing you REALLY want to talk about - you can't fool me, James - but is there anything you think we need to discuss?

Caldwell: Hornswoggle! What was with his sudden departure from NXT and traveling the high seas to the isle of Smackdown where A.J. already resides?

Parks: Haha, that was my favorite part - Hornswoggle had to break up with AJ because he was going to Smackdown...a show which she is also on and has appeared in as recently as last week. Oh, NXT...will you ever end?

Caldwell: It's one of those things where I don't know if we're supposed to read into it - Hornswoggle is mistaken and will be pleasantly surprised when A.J. shows up on Smackdown - or if it's just NXT being NXT. And, I'm convinced NXT will never end. Not until every lower-carder gets a turn on this show. On a separate note, are you buying this Usos feud with JTG & Darren Young and has NXT suddenly turned into the Mid-Card Tag Team Hour with Hawkins & Reks making a cameo?

Parks: Sure, why not? Tag teams and undercard guys getting valuable ring time? Why not?

Caldwell: NXT isn't even about the Rookies anymore (no Bateman this week), so I say why not, too! I feel like we've spent more time talking about NXT than WWE put thought into the show, but we can't move on until we discuss Yoshi vs. Mahal. What did you make of that and the current booking of Yoshi?

Parks: I'm not sure; Mahal did need a win after getting squashed by Khali on Smackdown and seemingly ending that pairing. He could've ended up in mid-card purgatory, but maybe the NXT writers have something for him to do. I don't have any other explanation for why he'd be booked to go over Tatsu there.

Caldwell: I'm not anticipating a long feud here a la Kidd vs. Yoshi, but that booking seemed to indicate there shall be another Yoshi-Mahal encounter. They just need to change Yoshi's music if this Dark Yoshi storyline is going to continue. He can't bounce out to the happy-fun-time music while portraying a brooding face. Doesn't work. All right, Greg, anything else WWE-related before we touch on TNA?

Parks: Nope. We saw the big Hogan announcement on Impact this week. He acted more babyface-ish than I expected, with only Sting backstage to convince us Hogan was faking. What did you think of Hogan's speech and Sting's reaction to it?

Caldwell: As a viewer, it got me less interested in their match at Bound for Glory. It takes remarkable skill to create less interest three weeks before a match they've been building to for six months. Sting isn't likable, Hogan is phony, and they've seemingly gotten away from the entire purpose of this. Then again, was the purpose to have Hogan bring back the red & yellow and be a Good Hulk Hogan or was the purpose for Sting to get control of the company so Dixie Carter could run the show again? They seem to have lost sight of the second item when Sting lost the TNA Title, which was supposed to contain the "power to control the company," then ignored that he lost the title.

Parks: Hogan should've taken a page out of R-Truth's book and said he was going to be a "Good Hulk Hogan" from now on. I thought Jeff Hardy was conspicuous by his absence, unless I missed it. What do you make of that?

Caldwell: As I was typing that, I thought the exact same thing about R-Truth. I think TNA wants to slowly reintroduce Hardy and they really don't have anything for him at Bound for Glory, so it seems like they want to limit his exposure on TV, then do something bigger coming out of BFG in his first return feud. Perhaps he's re-inserted into the title picture. Speaking of which, who's your early pick to win between Roode and Angle at the PPV?

Parks: Gotta go all the way with Roode. I like him to win here, perhaps with a nice celebration. Thing is, we know the title equals power, so if Roode does win the title, does he continue Sting's crusade to bring back Dixie Carter if he's champion? Or does anyone care?

Caldwell: Gosh, I would have said yes a few weeks ago (on Roode picking up Sting's crusade), but it seems like they've moved completely away from that. But, perhaps they revisit that after the PPV? I think they're better of forgetting it ever happened and moving on to wrestlers feuding against wrestlers and letting the non-wrestlers stay in the background. The key will be what happens after Roode wins the title. Follow-up is so vital to Roode being accepted as champion. If they return to non-wrestlers in the spotlight, then nothing will change and Roode will be a secondary player holding the top title.

Parks: Based on how they've pushed Roode the last few weeks, I actually feel confident that they'll treat him like a big deal in the weeks after his win.

Caldwell: I hope you're right and it's not just for the PPV hype. Greg, anything else Impact-related worth breaking down?

Parks: Considering it's 2:45 in the morning and I'm talking TNA Impact, I think I'd lose a lot of respect for myself if I didn't take the out you're giving me and tried to continue this discussion.

Caldwell: I hear ya. But, to be fair, I think TNA still has some things to sort out before Bound for Glory on the next two episodes from Knoxville before the PPV, so that will give us more discussion points to start the new month! Greg, give the readers a preview of Gonzo and the Greg, which will be posted around the time our Chat is posted.

Parks: Top five things we like about WWE right now, spurred on by last week's downer of an episode where we didn't have many nice things to say about WWE when analyzing Night of Champions.

Caldwell: As I said on the Livecast, Mark Henry tops my list right now. I'm looking forward to the discussion! All right, Greg, that'll do it for us this week. Thanks for the Chat and Go Badgers, right?

Parks: I just read their starting DE got hurt in practice and will be out 6-8 weeks. Could there be a more terrible time for that to happen? He was going to be key in keeping Taylor Martinez and the Husker running game in check. Still...Go Badgers!

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