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 chat on TV wrestling. Greg, let's start off with the show you just covered - Smackdown leading into the PPV. Did the show do anything to help sell the Vengeance PPV on Sunday or is that already a lost cause? And, your overall thoughts on the show itself?

Greg Parks: They seemed to keep Show and Henry away from each other most of the show, which was an odd choice, but Show did get the upper hand at the end. I thought Orton and Rhodes had a very nice exchange as they have a lot of history to draw on, and did so tonight. Cara vs. Cara, because they were in Mexico, got a lot of the hype for this show and their match got almost 15 minutes, but neither man is on the Vengeance card. Overall, the show wasn't bad, and if this were a show that was taking place two or three weeks away from a PPV, it would be a pretty solid place-holder show with some angle advancement. But with Vengeance on Sunday, I didn't think they did enough to entice viewers.

Caldwell: WWE seems to be content taking whatever buys they get for this month's PPVs (Hell in a Cell & Vengeance) while trying to advance the weekly storylines. As you said, it seemed like Smackdown was merely an "in-between PPVs" show advancing some items, but not creating a sense of urgency to buy the PPV on Sunday. You mentioned Orton and Rhodes having a nice exchange on the show - do you feel that match-up has the most juice behind it from the Smackdown side going into the PPV or has WWE done enough with Henry-Show with the World Title at-stake?

Parks: I think Henry vs. Show had a nice start, but it ran out of steam a little this week. Rhodes vs. Orton has been consistently pretty good. There seems to be this fear in some people that Orton is just going to big-foot over Rhodes and move on, but I think WWE is high enough on Rhodes that he'll lose, but look good in the match, and maybe get his heat back after the match. Sheamus vs. Christian is in the paint-by-numbers rematch situation this month and there doesn't seem to be a lot of oomph behind that one despite the feud being with two main-eventers; almost feels like WWE just wants to give them something to do so they're putting them in a feud as a sort of holding pattern until something opens up in the title scene.

Caldwell: My concern with the Orton-Rhodes and Sheamus-Christian matches is the results won't matter after the PPV is over and WWE will act like the matches didn't happen. But, assuming WWE will put thought into the best match results, I see Sheamus getting another decisive PPV win since WWE is clearly high on Sheamus and Christian can easily get his heat back on the mic. Like you said, it's a paint-by-numbers affair just to get them on PPV. I think with Orton-Rhodes, either Rhodes wins with a surprise, non-clean victory to have bragging rights, or Orton wins in a tight match-up and Rhodes inflicts a post-match beat down to be in a strong position coming out of the match. I don't see Orton just walking right over Rhodes because WWE is high on Rhodes right now. Following Smackdown and looking ahead to what's next, do you see any scenario where Big Show takes the title from Henry at the PPV?

Parks: I actually think Christian takes the win on Sunday. He's due - he can't keep losing and have WWE expect him to keep his heat, even if he can regain it on the mic, as you pointed out. I really don't see Show winning against Mark Henry at the PPV. The ratings are up, Show doesn't need the title...there are millions of reasons he shouldn't win. Perhaps the one reason, then, that he could win is that no one would see it coming. If he did, I can't imagine him holding it for long; I'd see Henry get the belt back in short order.

Caldwell: I'll take those million-to-one chances on Henry retaining! I like what you said on the Livecast Thursday of Kane possibly being next in line to challenge Henry, but I'd like to see a Henry-Sheamus match at Survivor Series. I think WWE has been slowly building to that third match in the...wait for it...series and it would be a good match-up if both men are coming in hot. We'll see after Sunday if that's where they start going. Anything else jump out from Smackdown, Greg?

Parks: I guess we need to mention Cara vs. Cara in a mask vs. mask match. I noted in my report that I was surprised that they got over 13 minutes after their PPV match bombed, but it showed how much a good crowd could make a match better. James, do you think the feud is over and the unmasked Hunico goes back to FCW, does the feud continue, or does he stay on the main roster and move on from Sin Cara?

Caldwell: It is WWE, so Sin Cara Negro could show up next week with the mask back on and the stipulation won't matter, but I think he stays on the main roster for a bit to get the most out of that new character before returning to developmental. Like you said, being in front of an appreciative crowd definitely worked in their favor, so perhaps WWE can find a way to squeeze out another match after the U.S. audience saw a hot crowd invested in the two characters. I give Hunico until the end of the year on the main roster. What do you think, Greg?

Parks: Really, any of the three outcomes would not surprise me. The way WWE has treated the whole Cara fiasco, and they way they've dealt with Hunico and Mistico throughout this whole ordeal, is tough to follow as far as WWE's line of thinking goes. I'll guess that the feud could continue, at least for a few more weeks.

Caldwell: I get the sense WWE is still holding on just in case something else comes up with Mistico behind the scenes. All right, Greg, let's take a look at Raw on Monday. I've given up on WWE's ability to handle their top storyline with the COO/GM switcheroo for Triple H, but what did you think of this week's follow-up to one of the worst Raws in memory?

Parks: This Raw was certainly better, but nothing to write home about. Miz and Truth already feel like "just guys" after being reinstated last week. They spent WAY too much time on JR vs. Cole, even mixing it in to the main event for some reason. Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel to help hype Cena vs. ADR. Were they so afraid Cena would get booed out of the building that they put uber-face JR with him? What other explanation is there for the screen time Cole and JR received?

Caldwell: I think WWE was definitely nervous about Cena being booed out of the building in Mexico City when they were trying to hype Cena challenging for the title on Sunday. And, looking at the Smackdown theme of it seeming like an in-between PPVs type show, it felt like WWE was about three weeks away from getting to the hard sell for Cena-Del Rio until the very end of the show. But, even then, there was no sense of Cena wanting the title, there was no promo establishing the importance of the title, and WWE seems to be bored with a Cena-Del Rio feud that could have been a huge deal if WWE protected it this summer. I really don't understand WWE's treatment of their top title the past two months. I think this rapid-fire pace of PPVs has caught up to the booking and Creative is just trying to keep their heads above water. Greg, do you think Cena take the title on Sunday or will WWE give Del Rio more than a few weeks with the title this time?

Parks: It was funny seeing Del Rio and Henry standing together at the outset of Smackdown this week: A tremendous difference in how WWE has booked their champions and the build-up to their wins. I think Del Rio's gotta retain, and, as I mentioned on the Livecast, it gives him a chance to win the match without Cena having to get pinned or submit, to results WWE is loathe to go with in Cena losses.

Caldwell: Right. I think WWE added the stipulation to give Cena an out for losing. I could see a scenario where someone interferes against Cena to give him the loss, and that person captains the heel Survivor Series team against Cena and Rock next month. I don't know if WWE ties that in with the conspiracy theory storyline or Miz & Truth simply move on from Hunter to Cena so they can be part of the heel team at Survivor Series. Right now, it's a near-impossible task to predict WWE's movements with the top storyline, so we might get some answers on Sunday or WWE will do what they've done lately - "find out what this all means on Raw!" Greg, at the end of the day, I can't think of the last time there was a week where there was so little interest in WWE's product than this week. TNA having their "WrestleMania Week" could also be a factor, but I get a sense WWE has lost people until they do something significant or to restore faith in the product. But, I don't see it happening at Vengeance. What do you think?

Parks: I would agree. That horrible Raw came at the worst time, because WWE is wanting people to shell out so much money for PPVs in this three-month period. After that Raw, and the hanging threads in the conspiracy storyline, it may have turned off even some of the hardcore fans, the ones who buy the PPVs every month. Vengeance and HIAC buyrates could be really ugly, but I think that's the expectation for a lot of people inside WWE and on the outside looking in.

Caldwell: That could be why it feels like WWE is sacrificing Vengeance to put more items in motion for the bigger Survivor Series event. We know just putting Rock on the marquee will help business, but it feels like WWE needs something to happen on Sunday that will at least generate buzz for Monday's Raw starting the official Survivor Series hype. It's impossible to sustain business over a 52-week period depending on buzz and unpredictability and chaos, etc., but WWE needs something - anything - going into November. As for what could have been the main event a few weeks ago and now feels like a mid-PPV match, what are your expectations for Hunter and Punk teaming together against Truth and Miz? It really feels like a "strange bedfellows/common enemies" TV main event in-between PPVs at this point.

Parks: Yeah, this turn for Punk's character has been less-than-thrilling. They're trying their best to make Punk still feel somewhat edgy, but I'm just not buying it. Teaming with Hunter just feels so wrong. Now that Hunter is out as Raw GM, do Miz and Truth even still have an issue with him, other than he fired them? And is Hunter now an active wrestler on the roster, despite still being COO? Ugh, I have a headache just trying to wrap my mind around this feud at this point.

Caldwell: And that's where I gave up on Monday night - wouldn't Hunter need clearance from the Board to wrestle again, like at Night of Champions? And, Miz and Truth's characters lost a ton of credibility - thanks to WWE Creative - when they switched from targeting Hunter's removal as Raw GM instead of removal as COO. It's a mess. And, if Miz and Truth win, then what does it mean? And, if Hunter and Punk win, that does that mean? The result seems like it will be secondary, which I think we agree could lead to a fifth wheel being interjected into the match. Or, John Laurinaitis will just walk out and stop the match. How about that being a conclusion to a PPV if this were slotted in the main event?! Wow. Raw's top-line is unbelievably frustrating right now. Greg, about the mid-card, there's Ziggler all over the place and Mason Ryan getting the big push, but he's not part of the PPV since Ryder is getting the U.S. Title shot. What's your take on the mid-card?

Parks: It's almost like the Raw writers are trying to push Mason Ryan as Ziggler's opposition, but the Smackdown writers are going with Ryder. It seems Ryder won out this month, as he's got a US Title match with Ziggler at Vengeance. Let's talk about that. How far as Ryder come the past few months, from on the verge of being cut and barely making Superstars to being in a US Title match thanks in large part to all his hard work with his Internet show.

Caldwell: Or, it could be a case of WWE realizing Ryan is not ready for a long-form, singles PPV title match and Ryder could have a good match with Ziggler in the same spot. You're right that Ryder has worked hard to get to this spot, so it should be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight and whether WWE actually gives this match some time to tell a good story. With eight matches on this PPV and Ziggler pulling double-duty, I'm not sure what to expect time-wise. You noted in your Smackdown report that WWE could be setting up Ziggler to take the Tag Titles to go with retaining the U.S. Title on Sunday. I think that would be a very good move for Ziggler, who had a great promo on Raw and has done some solid work as of late. So, are you going all the way with the pick of a Tag Title switch?

Parks: Yeah, I'm gonna stick with my prediction from the Livecast that the title changes hands, and include a Ziggler win over Ryder on top of it. This doesn't necessarily have to vault Ziggler to the top of the card immediately, but it's a nice building block and something he can hand his hat on for when he gets to the top.

Caldwell: Agreed. Rounding out the line-up, there's the Divas Title match pitting Beth Phoenix vs. Eve, breaking up the series of Beth vs. Kelly title matches. Again, there's the issue of which matches get PPV time, but could this be a stand-out match for the division?

Parks: Eve is certainly better than Kelly, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it a "stand-out" possibility. It could be above-average maybe as Eve has improved a lot, but we'll see what kind of time they give it and how the match is set up.

Caldwell: If Kelly freaks out again, perhaps it'll bring it up a quarter-star. Or not. Any other thoughts on the PPV line-up as it stands now?

Parks: Eh, not thrilling and the least, and combined with the fact that it's in this two-month period where the PPVs are aplenty, I can't imagine even a decent buyrate. I just don't know how long WWE can continue this pattern.

Caldwell: It's a broken system that needs to be fixed. All right, let's tackle this week from TNA. Where to start? TNA switches plans for the next World champ from Roode to Storm, Dixie returns, Sting is a Real American Icon, Eric Bischoff's son is now a central figure in the ultimate vanity storyline, and Gail Kim returns. What do you make of all this?

Parks: It was an episode that I thought was necessary, given the change in direction and head of creative, you almost needed a show like that to get things sorted out. However, I'm loathe to endorse any show with a nearly 40 minute opening talking segment and only seven minutes of wrestling. It doesn't have to be a 50/50 balance between wrestling and whatever else, but it's gotta be more even than that. There was certainly a lot to digest, as you noted, and I the only thing I thought was actively awful was the agent argument while breaking up Hardy and Jarrett. It seemed like TNA heard the chants for D-Lo at the PPV and thought based on that, they should make him the focus of a segment/angle/storyline or whatever. It was kinda ridiculous that agents were in the spotlight when you had Jarrett and Hardy out there too.

Caldwell: That was classic TNA - instead of creating more reasons to actually invest in the Hardy-Jarrett feud on Impact after seeing that the BFG audience was more interested in the agents rather than the storyline, TNA just played right into the BFG reaction. It's also one of those things where the follow-up and pretty much the entire show was aimed at an Audience of One (Dixie) and everyone backstage with the agents doing their old bits rather than trying to tell a story toward the home viewer. I agree there doesn't have to be a straight 50/50 split of wrestling, but on the show right after TNA's biggest PPV of the year and with a big audience, it's a chance to tell viewers which wrestlers are important. On this show, the only regular male wrestlers given an actual spotlight were Storm and Roode (hot/cold Abyss and freak-out Gunner don't count). The X Division and half of the roster was missing, which reinforced to the home viewer that those guys aren't important if they're not part of a huge Impact right after the PPV. That was a mistake, I thought.

Parks: Yeah, but again, they felt they needed to flesh out the top character show they'll be going forward with on top, so I can understand needing to do longer talking segments in a situation like this, but it was a bit of overkill.

Caldwell: Right. I think the "reflect and reset" sessions could have been better balanced with some solid wrestling & athleticism to at least give someone like Austin Aries, who won his PPV match, a chance to be featured in front of a big audience for TNA. What did you think of how they transitioned from Roode to Storm as the central babyface in the title picture?

Parks: It certainly was interesting given how quickly Storm beat Angle, whereas Roode couldn't beat Angle in 15 minutes. I'm sure it was more a byproduct of Angle's injury, but still, that means something to the viewers at home. They could've milked the storyline a little longer and waited 'til Angle was healthier so that he could drop the title to Storm at that point. I think they have the makings of a solid storyline here, but my fear is that it's going to be rushed through way too quickly.

Caldwell: I think TNA should have played up Angle's injury since it would have made it more reasonable for Storm to beat Angle in two minutes, with the added kayfabe verbiage that Roode "softened up Angle" at the PPV. That would have kept Roode in a strong position more than just the "I got screwed!" argument. As for the impending Beer Money conflict, when TNA only has a few fresh match-ups at their disposal, it is concerning that it appears they're rushing into a Storm-Roode feud/title situation. That's something that could be held off on for an entire year, or at least until Lockdown, and really make some money. But, even before Bound for Glory, we were talking about being concerned TNA would have Storm turn heel on Roode and they would go right into a feud. Now, it could be the other way around!

Parks: It would appear that way. I don't see how Storm turns heel at this point, unless he starts getting cocky as champion and won't allow Roode to have a shot at it or something like that, but there's the risk of Roode coming off as desperate (and similar to Christian in WWE) if you go that route. I think Roode was better set up as the face and Storm as the heel, but I think they could work well with Storm as the face and Roode as the heel, too.

Caldwell: I think Storm has that Stone Cold BA quality to him that would make for a strong, central figure babyface going forward. I also think Roode had that quality as more of a silent assassin "I just win matches" type babyface, but apparently Hogan didn't see it. I think you're right about TNA possibly going the route of Roode getting desperate like Christian and turning heel that way. I would prefer to see Storm feud with Ray, then perhaps Joe while TNA is building up a third opponent in the background, finish the third feud, and then visit the Roode issue once Roode gets tired of being in the background while Storm is holding "his" title. During all of this, Roode would be fending off Immortal and building a case for being championship-worthy. I'll be very curious to see how this plays out. Greg, the only other things on Impact seemed to be EY-Robbie setting up Ronnie's debut in two weeks and the Knockouts segments. What was your take on those two items?

Parks: I just could not care less, James. Karen Jarrett has taken out whatever steam the Knockouts had. Even Velvet Sky's win on Sunday didn't feel like a big deal because of Karen and Traci's involvement. Then Gail Kim returned (miscast as a heel, I'd say, but at first blush, playing a similar character to Beth Phoenix and Natalya in WWE) and I can't even get excited about that because the aura of Karen just brings the whole division down.

Caldwell: I think Karen is a good performer in limited doses, but it's another aspect of this vanity promotion where Karen is shoehorned into a Knockouts feud after TNA drew up an authority figure position. I'm waiting for an authority figure of the X Division, but, then again, TNA doesn't seem to care that much about it. I was definitely surprised to see Gail return as a heel. Her best work in TNA was as a scrappy babyface against the imposing Awesome Kong, but the problem is TNA is missing Kong or someone at her level. I'm just waiting for that "worked shoot" heel promo on WWE since TNA's fictional universe is forever tied to WWE until TNA decides to cut the cord. I think Gail could get a decent match out of Velvet, and perhaps that's why they introduced Gail as a heel fresh off Velvet's title win, but it feels a bit forced at this point. TNA has a lot to sort out after this reflect/reset show, so we'll see where they go from here after re-introducing the rest of the roster. Greg, any other thoughts on TNA's PPV fall-out?

Parks: Not really James; just watched it this afternoon and it was a lot to digest certainly.

Caldwell: Indeed. All right, Greg, let's go ahead and wrap up here. Let the readers know what's on tap for Gonzo & The Greg this weekend!

Parks: This week we've got a top five list that deals with the top five wrestlers in history who had the most unfulfilled potential. Guys who you thought were going to be big stars and who were maybe even fast-tracked by a promotion, but for whatever reason, never met the success they seemed destined for.

Caldwell: Another solid topic to be tackled by the crew, so I'm looking forward to that this weekend. Greg, no post-Vengeance Livecast for us on Sunday, but we'll talk again on the Livecast next week. Until then, thanks for the Chat!

Parks: A pleasure, as always!

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