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. A lot to cover here on a Friday night, so let's jump right into it with the Smackdown show you just covered. What did you think of the show, overall, and the set-up for a three-way WWE Title match at the next PPV?

Greg Parks: I liked the show for the most part, and I thought they did a nice job hyping both title matches for the next PPV. I'm not really keen on Kane joining the fray - I'd much rather have Bryan vs. Punk in a straight-up re-match, but the way they've gone about involving Kane has been well-done for the most part, if not a little bare-bones. Alberto Del Rio vs. Sheamus was also set up nicely at the outset of the show. James, which match are you more looking forward to at the next PPV, taking into account likely match quality and hype for the matches thus far?

Caldwell: Hmm. Neither one really excites me - I still think Del Rio is a stale character and the match-up with Sheamus doesn't capture my imagination. I'm not sure what to make of Kane in the middle of a three-way with Bryan and Punk. I don't sense that Kane's character really *needs* the WWE Title, so he seems more like a distraction at this point. WWE has worn out the Punk-Bryan match, though, so I get the change of pace to try to freshen up their matches. It's just...Kane. Right now, I'm leaning toward the three-way WWE Title match as more interesting, but it could also depend on whether a stip is added to one or both matches. Which are you leaning toward, Greg?

Parks: Yeah, I think it's a wash for me as well. The three-way has more possibilities...it's probably too much to ask for them to knock Kane out seconds into the match and not have him reappear until, oh, about 20 minutes later. Del Rio vs. Sheamus isn't a sexy match-up, but I could see them having a decent match. That's one that could benefit from being in a steel cage if they decide to go that way - even though it doesn't necessarily fit the storyline at this point, it would make the match more intriguing and exciting.

Caldwell: Then, there's what will assuredly be the PPV main event of Big Show vs. John Cena in a steel cage. What did you think of Show's latest rampage on Smackdown - taking out both Ryder and Santino?

Parks: It made Smackdown feel newsworthy for once, if not a bit of a repeat after what he did on Raw. But it just gets Show more over as a monster heel in taking out all the faces in his way. It sets him up as a credible challenger for Cena after spending time in an IC Title feud recently. Do you see them continuing to book Show to run over babyfaces leading up to his match with Cena, or is this just a one-week thing?

Caldwell: It feels very Mark Henry 2011-esque, so I imagine it will become a regular, weekly event. Now, John Cena will probably provide an interruption on Raw when he returns, but I picture Show running roughshod on Raw until Cena makes the save - unless they have Cena come out and do one of his long speeches before Show interrupts. I prefer Show destroys more folks, then Cena returns to "save the day." On another level, do you think WWE is giving this storyline to Big Show as a replacement for Brock Lesnar or do you see it as an independent, much-needed refresher for Show to give Cena someone new to feud with?

Parks: I don't see him as a "replacement" necessarily for Lesnar, in that I don't think they had Lesnar pegged for this role and had to replace him with Show. If anything, I think this was Tensai's spot. It makes sense that Laurinaitis would recruit a monster to try to eradicate Cena (as he did with Lesnar in April), but it would make more sense if he did it after Cena beat him rather than Laurinaitis beating Cena, then still trying to get someone to take him out.

Caldwell: I think you nailed it that Tensai not clicking really threw off their spring/summer plans and they've had to regroup. As for the Laurinaitis aspect, he wasn't all over Smackdown tonight like he has been on Raw, but what is your overall reaction to Laurinaitis right now? Do you think WWE needs to give viewers a glimmer of hope that Laurinaitis's job is still in jeopardy so it doesn't seem like there's no hope for a replacement, or is WWE okay where they are with him as authority figure?

Parks: They need to use him about 50% less than they have been, but it just feels like WWE is smitten with that character. Just like at the way he's been built as a heel compared to most of the other heels on the roster; they've worked harder to get HIM over than most other wrestlers, so that's disheartening. It was nice to get a reprieve from him being all over the show this week. There were a lot of shorter matches on Smackdown this evening...anything from any of those that stood out to you James?

Caldwell: Ryback feels like basic reinforcement until he steps up in competition a la Brodus Clay on Raw, Damien Sandow is a few steps behind Ryback, and Sin Cara needed a nice, quick return to get over his moves and look and flashy-ness again. Then, there's Cody Rhodes vs. Tyson Kidd. It just felt so inefficient, especially for what should be a second-tier title program (actually third-tier this week behind the WWE Title and World Title). It shows what they think of Kidd - big fish in the small Superstars pond, but only an enhancement guy on a main TV show - and I don't think they spent enough quality time on Christian-Rhodes. It seemed like they were a victim of circumstance with the WWE Title feud added to the mix this week, but it just felt inefficient. What did you make of the short matches?

Parks: Sin Cara wrestled a Sin Cara match, so he's back on track. As I stated in my report, they could really use an upper card face to help replace Randy Orton, who is on suspension. I agree about Tyson Kidd, but he's guilty of being a good seller, which, unfortunately, combining that with his smaller size, often earns him this spot where he jobs quickly because he can make others look good. He's somebody who is definitely underutilized and would work well to be put in a tag team, since WWE has done a little better job with tag teams as of late.

Caldwell: I almost forgot to bring up the Orton suspension. As you mentioned during the Livecast yesterday, Orton wasn't exactly positioned in a long-term feud that would have to be dropped due to his suspension, so it's not a big loss, but he is a Top 3 star, so they need to replace him in the star power department. You mentioned Sin Cara potentially stepping up to replace him or at least fill his slot. Who are some other options either on Raw or Smackdown that you see?

Parks: Christian is the other guy who is obvious because of his recent return as a babyface. I really think if WWE is judicious about it, they only really need to replace his star power on Smackdown, that way you can elevate another babyface on Raw to take the spot he has occupied - sort of a two for the price of one. Anything else about tongiht's Smackdown to hit on?

Caldwell: Worth discussion is the women's division situation. A.J.'s infatuation with C.M. Punk continued, but it seems like that's the only women's division story right now, as there was no women's match on either Raw or Smackdown this week. There also was not a Knockouts match on Impact, so it would be interesting to find out when the last time there was not a single women's match on the Big Three shows over the course of one week. Greg, what do you make of A.J.'s involvement with Bryan and Punk, and the overall state of WWE's women's division?

Parks: WWE doesn't seem motivated to really get behind Layla as champion. That much is obvious, so things really won't pick up until Kharma returns. I'm not really sure where this A.J. thing goes; is she secretly going to help Bryan, or is Bryan really done with her? Either way, it's a little sad we haven't had a lot of insight into their relationship thus far, dating back to when they first started dating and Big Show knocked A.J. over; it was assumed to be an accident but they kept hinting that Bryan put her up to it, yet that was never paid off. There's still time, but like the Raw GM, I'm getting less and less confident they'll address it as time goes by.

Caldwell: Right. You really can't depend on WWE to follow through, so maybe they follow through and explain a long story arc that A.J was working with Bryan all along, or, like you said, they just move on and eventually ignore it. Hard to tell until there's an actual pay-off or if the storyline just disappears. All right, Greg, let's look at Raw before we tackle Live Impact. Monday's Raw was all about Big Show. What did you think of his involvement throughout, his show-opening promo further trying to explain the holes in the Show-Cena feud, and the teased Show vs. Brodus Clay main event?

Parks: I pretty much like everything Big Show did, and it's been a while since I could say that. He did well in his opening promo and, like you said, they close up some loose ends they had hanging out there, which was a nice touch. Perhaps they were more conscious of it after the big error by Laurinaitis the previous week. Then his destruction at the end really put him over, though I couldn't help think (and tweet) that it would've been so nice to see Mark Henry in that role - Lord knows he's earned the right to feud on top with Cena after his work over the last 8-10 months, but alas, the injury bug caught him again. James, are you buying Big Show as a credible main-event PPV opponent for Cena?

Caldwell: I think Show *could* be viewed as a serious PPV main event opponent for Cena if they take another step. It would have to something along the lines of putting Cena's career in jeopardy (yes, they've certainly gone that route many times before), but in the sense of Show having a chance to take out Cena once and for all inside the cage to fulfill Laurinaitis's plan to rid WWE of Cena. Right now, it just feels like a fun Sunday night inside the steel cage with Cena and Show; Show is destroying folks, but it doesn't feel like Cena is in jeopardy yet. So, they need to take the next step to try to get those Cena Fans to order the PPV to see if Cena can conquer the big, bad monster. Greg, one thing I didn't like about Show's opening promo was WWE drawing more attention to Cena's awful "loooooser" promo two weeks ago. I understand they needed it for the story of why Show felt betrayed by his babyface colleagues, but I thought it made Cena look even worse as a babyface after he looked terrible at Over the Limit not beating Laurinaitis and getting it over with. What's your view on the State of Cena's Character right now, especially taking a week off from TV, and what do you expect from him on Raw Monday?

Parks: I was okay with it because it was used as ammunition by Show to say, "Hey, Cena didn't care about me and my job - look at how much fun he was having and how much he was joking around!" Of course, Cena didn't NEED to be concerned about Show's job either. I see that more as Show being selfish than anything else, so to me, it doesn't do that much damage to Cena's character; certainly not as much as toying with Laurinaitis at Over the Limit when he could've pinned him and ridded the company of his nemesis once and for all. One man who was felled by Big Show's attack was Brodus Clay. Whenever Clay returns to TV, whether it's this coming week or the week after (to sell the injuries), do you see Clay changing characters? Do you see him returning to his dancing ways with no change? Or something in-between?

Caldwell: I'd like to see Clay take a week off to sell the injuries, let Cena step in, and then the week before the PPV, I'd like to see Clay return and Cena step back a bit (to keep the Cena-Show issue fresh for the PPV). Now, I'm kind of torn on how Clay should come back. I think he needs to be serious and try to stand up to Show, but should they let him get in some offense (whether in a match or a brawl) or just have Show beat him down again to keep Show strong before the PPV? I'm not sure on that one. Maybe have Clay return after the PPV to avoid that situation? I think the key is Clay has to come back with some fire and not go right back into dancing and happy-fun-time. How do you see it playing out, Greg?

Parks: I could see them doing Clay vs. Show on the go-home show, with Clay still in his gimmick but more serious. Show should obviously win (if they do a finish, or maybe have Show get DQ'ed or something - we'd certainly be able to tell how highly WWE really thinks of Clay depending on which route they go). But then after that, I'm stuck on what to do with him. I just don't think there's a lot more mileage to get out of this character. We saw seeds planted for Dolph Ziggler breaking away from Vickie Guerrero and Jack Swagger on Monday, and that continued tonight on Smackdown. When does the break become official (if at all) and how far up the card will it vault Ziggler?

Caldwell: I think it has to happen this Monday, especially following Orton's suspension. But, who would Ziggler feud against? Where would he go? WWE seems to be short on top faces for Ziggler to feud with, so I don't know what would happen next if he broke out on his own. Cena is occupied, Punk is occupied, Kofi and R-Truth have the Tag Titles, and Christian is feuding with Rhodes. Perhaps Santino for the U.S. Title? I just don't see him having a lot of options that would vault him to a second-tier or top-tier spot. What do you think?

Parks: That's the thing many fans dont' think about when they want so-and-so to be moved up the card: Invariably, someone would have to get moved down, but who? And once you figure that out, who does your guy feud with? It's a lot more difficult than just picking someone and giving them a push. But if anyone qualifies for that, it's Ziggler. He has earned it. I'd actually prefer they give Cody some time off, which he has hinted at on Twitter, to rehab his character after a poor few months, and have Christian feud with Ziggler over the IC Title. But that's just one suggestion. You could always say, well, let him go up and feud with Cena once the Big Show thing has run its course, but then, do you really want someone as vulnerable as Ziggler, who has done his share of losing lately, to continue that against Cena, even if it is in the main events? So, a lot to slog through as it pertains to Ziggler and a lot of possibilities. Also on Raw, we had the WWE 13 unveiling, but with no mention to the Revolution WWE had been plugging elsewhere. What did you make of that segment, James?

Caldwell: I like the Christian-Ziggler idea, for sure. I think the credibility factor would be a big deterrent to WWE considering a Cena-Ziggler feud. Ziggler isn't a threat to Cena at this point, so they would need to rehab him as a singles star before he's ready for Cena. He just doesn't have that built-in size advantage to become an instant threat by flipping a switch like they did with Big Show. As for the WWE '13 segment, I thought it was pretty corny. It didn't help that Laurinaitis was involved. I also thought it was another distraction from Punk's attempt to rehab the WWE Title as a seven-month champ. It seems like the Revolution thing was just for online since it was never brought up on television before Monday, so I didn't see it as a big deal; just something to try to create a little online buzz. What did you make of it?

Parks: Meh. Just some cross-over to get the game out there to the fans. I could take it or leave it. Anything else from Raw before we move to Impact?

Caldwell: A few minor things I think worth discussing. Sheamus squashed David Otunga after Otunga tried to put on a brave face for Laurinaitis - do you see that going anywhere with Otunga obviously over-matched by top faces? Also, Punk said on Twitter he hated his match against Bryan - how did you feel about it? And, WWE was really stuck with joke U.S. champ Santino vs. Del Rio. They couldn't have Del Rio, the #1 contender to the World Title, sell for Santino, but then it made the U.S. Title look like a joke for the champ losing in two minutes. Nowhere to go with that one. What did you make of those three items?

Parks: Otunga has been getting squashed by faces for a while now, so I don't see that going anywhere. I certainly didn't hate Punk's match with Bryan, but then again, he likely has higher standards for his matches than I do. Also not a surprise to see Santino treated that way, regardless of whether or not he's US Champ. I bet that fact didn't even come into play when deciding who to job to ADR.

Caldwell: Good points all around. All right, Greg, let's tackle the first live summer TNA Impact Thursday night. Before I offer my overall thoughts, Greg, I'll give you the floor. Thumbs up/down/middle, and your main takeaway?

Parks: I know a lot of people didn't like it, but I'd give it a slight thumbs up. I must be feeling very positive this week, as I think I liked both Raw and Impact more than most. But I thought there was enough good wrestling on Impact, plus some big stuff with Sting being put in against Roode at Slammiversary, plus the phone conversation reveal by Daniels and the Bully Ray-Park stuff to make it worthwhile. You also had Sting pinning Roode cleanly, the Gut Check stuff and Brooke Hogan's segment, so it certainly wasn't all good. But, there was enough for me to like where I won't be completely negative on it.

Caldwell: I hear you on that. Looking at the overall show and looking segment by segment, I thought TNA really dropped the ball, and I thought the show was a mess. I thought it was made worse when I took a step back today and thought about TNA booking Roode-Sting for the next PPV and them not following up on what that really means. I went back to three months ago when they had a PPV main event which concluded with the intense Roode-Sting-Dixie Carter segment. They went away from that for Lockdown, and now they're back to Roode-Sting, but there was no follow-up after the opening match to drive home the point on this recent blood feud coming to a head on a big PPV next Sunday. Part of that, I think, is Dixie off TV for a bit, then being brought up again with the Styles blackmail angle, then Dixie introducing Brooke Hogan, then Dixie freaking out at the end of Impact. She was in the middle of Roode-Sting, and now she's in the middle of another angle, but TNA is back to Roode-Sting. So, I think they have a lot to sort out with Sting-Roode before Slammiversary, and I don't think it can happen in one show next Thursday.

Parks: To me, I didn't think Dixie was such an intregal part of the original Roode-Sting story that it needed to be addressed here. Yes, she was involved in that angle you mentioned, but I didn't think that was the main focus of the storyline. It seemed to me rather just a cheap way to get Roode some heat. So having Sting come back without getting Dixie involved I didn't think was a big deal, and I'd much rather have her be involved in an upper mid-card feud like Daniels vs. Styles than in the main event, title feud with Sting and Roode.

Caldwell: That's a fair point. I think it could add something to trying to sell PPVs for Sting-Roode by bringing back the aspects of Roode spitting on Dixie, etc., and making it seem like Roode will finally get what's been coming to him, and Sting will be the one to deliver the comeuppance. TNA having Sting submit Roode made it look like he's an in-ring threat to Roode and the title, so that was okay, but I still think Sting doesn't look credible in the ring at 52-years-old wrestling in a t-shirt. Then, Hogan calling Sting TNA's #1 guy was pretty tough to stomach. Greg, the Gut Check segments were a hot topic of discussion coming out of this show. For me, the highlight of the show was the Joey Ryan-Taz confrontation (after removing the other aspects of Gut Check that I disagreed with philosophically). What did you make of the overall, total picture of the Gut Check Deliberations featuring Mr. Ryan?

Parks: Yeah, I certainly don't condone Sting submitting Roode (especially since they seemed to finally get behind Roode as a credible champ) but I understand they needed to do something to have Sting earn that title shot at Slammiversary. Gut Check, again, was not up my alley. I think it's a sound concept, but they really need to sort out the real-life stuff surrounding it. I mean, getting after Joey Ryan because he didn't drop the gimmick? Why would you want a guy to drop his gimmick in the context of a wrestling show? So much of it doesn't make sense when you're watching it in the middle of Impact. On a different show, it might have its place. But if you're going to do Gut Check, you need to stay consistent in your story-telling throughout the show. It was one of the things Vince Russo was most guilty of, asking you to accept something as being "real" and by default, making everything else on the show seem that much more "fake" or "scripted." So while I think the concept is one that can be utilized successfully, it would have to be done by analyzing wrestlers and their wins and losses and title possibilities rather than whether they can move ratings or what kind of gimmick they have.

Caldwell: My sentiments exactly. I thought it was compounded by Taz discussing Joey's "character" and "promo" on commentary in the very next segment when A.J. Styles and Daniels were having a match that TNA was presenting as a real contest. (Also, Taz telling Hogan that this is the "real Taz" talking just made anything he does on commentary seem completely fake now.) I just don't see how the two approaches can co-exist in the same show. It's like a lot of things in TNA - their heart is in the right place and they have some good ideas, but the execution is not there. Greg, there was also a TV Title match decided by fan vote. What did you make of how they incorporated that into the show, and then booking the No Contest finish for Devon vs. Hardy?

Parks: I think if fans felt ripped off by it, they should get used to it, because I'd expect more of the same type of thing when WWE begins their three-hour tour with one hour being interactive. There's nothing wrong with it per se, but it can leave fans with an unsatisfying feeling, which could lead them to not vote the next time around.

Caldwell: I agree, especially when they make a big deal out of it throughout the show and the pay-off is a four-minute No Contest. Definitely something that needs to be addressed going forward and promising to be the "most interactive show in wrestling history." There was also an X Division Title match between Aries and Sabin, plus, apparently Aries spraying Samoa Joe with mist before his match was enough to set up a match at the PPV. What did you make of the X Title match and "set-up" for the Aries-Joe PPV match?

Parks: The set-up was a little odd, but I'll reserve judgment 'til after the go home show coming up. The title match was disappointingly short, but good while it lasted. Sabin could be an X Division title contender, especially with how shallow the division is, so I was surprised that he was somewhat brushed off here.

Caldwell: Especially for his first match officially as a singles wrestler following Alex Shelley's departure. I was disappointed with the lack of focus on this. Greg, we've avoided it, but we have to discuss it - Brooke Hogan's official TV debut and first promo. Your thoughts?

Parks: About what I expected: She showed nothing that indicated she deserves the spot she was given, and it makes Dixie Carter look even more like a joke for trying to defend the move in press releases. I don't think she'll add anything whatsoever to the show.

Caldwell: But, Madison Rayne thinks they'll get along swimmingly! No more hints on Madison's secret crush, by the way, but anything new to read into that this week?

Parks: Not at all. Still picking Garett for now.

Caldwell: Speaking of Garett, do you think TNA will rotate Garett and Brooke on the show each week so Impact doesn't look completely like the TNA family & friends hour?

Parks: It's pretty clear they're oblivious to that anyway, so I doubt they go the extra mile to try to hide that fact.

Caldwell: Indeed. We'll see as the summer shows roll on. Greg, anything else from Impact to cover?

Parks: I think we're good for this week. And for Gonzo & The Greg: Same as I stated in this space last week, since we didn't get to record our scheduled show due to our producer Kurt coming down with Strep Throat, but we're on schedule for a recording tomorrow afternoon where we'll chronicle our top five mark-out moments.

Caldwell: Very good! Good to hear Kurt is doing better, so VIP members can check out the latest G&TG this weekend. Greg, we will talk again this Thursday on the Livecast, so until then, have a great weekend!

Parks: I'll do my best. Take care!

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