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. First, a "thank you" to Greg for hosting Thursday's Livecast and doing an excellent job with the Gonzo & The Greg crew. Hopefully this nasty cold will pass by Sunday for our post-Elimination Chamber Livecast! Speaking of the Chamber, Greg, I feel like Sunday's PPV was far down the list of things stressed on Monday's Raw, but let's start there. Your thoughts on the final sales pitch on Raw, including The Debate, and who do you see winning Raw's Chamber match?

Greg Parks: My pleasure, James - we had fun on the Livecast yesterday. I agree that when I think of Raw, I think of the Kane-Cena-Ryder angle, Hunter and HBK's war of words in the ring, and even Orton vs. Big Show (thanks mostly to the botched RKO) before I think about the Chamber hype. A debate? That's the best they could do on a go-home show? If that was supposed to be some kind of comment on the state of political discourse in the Republican debates, it failed miserably. Those debates are often more entertaining than the one we saw on Monday. Part of the poor Chamber hype I think has to do with how so few of the participants in the matches actually have a legitimate chance to win.

Caldwell: Which WWE went on to reinforce in the Chamber preview matches! They made Ziggler and Miz look weak and the rest of them look like after-thoughts. Actually, I think Kofi Kingston - by virtue of actually speaking and holding his own with Jericho - was elevated the most on Raw. I understand the key WWE Title issue going forward will be Punk-Jericho, so they wanted to put the focus there, but, like you said, there isn't a sense of "oh my, Miz might actually have a chance to win, and so might Truth!" which would put Punk in even greater jeopardy. They missed out on so many elements there. I've been of the belief that Punk will retain or Jericho will win to set up their WM28 encounter, but could WWE try the "surprise" card and have someone else win, then have Punk-Jericho not for a title at Mania?

Parks: I guess there's a chance. You've got Alberto del Rio on the sidelines, so he could jump back in and challenge for the title at 'Mania if there's a surprise title change in the Chamber. But I think in order to cement the "Best in the World" debate, Punk vs. Jericho should definitely be for the title. Who holds it heading into 'Mania, though, is anyone's guess.

Caldwell: Looking at Punk and Jericho, I'm torn on who should be champ going into Mania - Punk holding the title an extra month would really help re-affirm the value of what became a hot potato in 2011, but Punk chasing Jericho for the next month-and-a-half would make for compelling TV. So, WWE has an interesting decision on their hands. Sticking with the Chamber, but flipping to Smackdown, you and the crew discussed potential "run-in thieves" who could take the Orton-now-Santino spot at the PPV. Do you think that will happen or will WWE actually go through with Santino in a World Title match on PPV?

Parks: That's my thinking too; Punk should be chasing, but I don't want them to have Jericho win then flip it back to Punk at 'Mania, especially since Jericho hasn't exactly set the world on fire the last few weeks, so that short title reign could hurt him. I don't think Santino will end up in the Chamber. It just doesn't make sense on so many levels, unless Johnny Ace used this as a way to get Long ousted as Smackdown GM (putting someone so clearly unworthy in a PPV title match) and have himself take over that too, as Otunga hinted to him on Raw this past week. Otherwise, a guy like Christian (if he's healthy) would be better served in that match. How they get there at the PPV should be interesting - does Christian attack Santino? Does he show up and declare himself healthy, leading to Long taking Santino out of the match? Lots of ways they could go with that on Sunday.

Caldwell: Laurinaitis did not have many segments on Raw, but the one you mentioned about taking over as Smackdown GM was very interesting. Perhaps it does play into the Chamber, possibly with Laurinaitis "over-ruling" Santino as the sixth entrant, but wouldn't Laurinaitis have to put Otunga in the match? Or, perhaps he would show "good judgment and fairness" by not favoring Otunga and inserting Christian, Del Rio, etc., someone like that. I'll be paying very close attention to your Smackdown report to see what you think of how it plays out on tonight's show. I'm jumping around a bit, but I want to go back to Jericho. You mentioned Jericho hasn't set the world on fire, and it makes me wonder if it's part of a plan to cool his character down before he heats up or if WWE/Jericho have already lost Jericho's 1-2-12 return momentum and they can't get it back. What do you think?

Parks: It's tough, because Punk vs. Jericho is going to play third fiddle to Taker vs. Hunter and Cena vs. Rock on Raw leading to WM. That means they're probably not going to get those extended interview segments like Hunter and HBK got this week, or even a long segment to get over an angle like we saw with Cena this week. The most frustrating part about that isn't that the WWE title match isn't going to get its due leading up to 'Mania; it's that if given those long segments, these guys could truly blow the roof off. I'm not saying they have to have 20 minute talking segments every week because people would even get tired of these two doing that. But the potential is there for something big, crescendoing at 'Mania, and I just don't know if they're going to get that opportunity unfortunately.

Caldwell: Right on. I'm trying not to put too much stock into their exchange during the "debate" because there were seven people involved in the segment, but I wasn't impressed with their exchange, especially Punk doing the "what? were you talking?" routine mixed with a DWTS reference. Did you have a problem with their latest "beginning stages" promo exchange or did you chalk it up to them being in the wrong setting?

Parks: Yeah, I wasn't thrilled by it, but like you, didn't put a ton of stock into it. The one worry I do have is Punk referencing things like Dancing with the Stars and trying to be the smartest guy in the room rather than building up the match with Jericho, but we'll see how that plays out after the Chamber.

Caldwell: Very good. On to the Big Story from Raw - Shawn Michaels's return and confrontation with Triple H, followed by Taker's latest Criminal Minds video indicating a haircut is in order. What did you make of the HBK-Hunter exchange and what's the next chapter on Monday's Raw with Taker advertised for an in-person appearance?

Parks: I loved the in-ring tete-a-tete between those two. There were enough money lines to make use in video packages from here 'til 'Mania. The one complaint was Triple H's burying of the rest of the roster, but coming from a guy who's not a big Triple H fan, I didn't have a huge problem with it. I get what he was trying to say, I think he just worded it poorly. Or he did it on purpose, which with him, you can't completely rule out. But it doesn't even make the top five list of worst on-camera burials he's done.

Caldwell: I thought the exact same thing on everything you said when watching it live. When I stepped back from it later on, I asked myself, instead of Hunter simply doing a "worked shoot" burial of the rest of the roster, were they actually doing an angle based on Hunter being the on-air WWE authority figure/COO? WWE has been so inconsistent with Hunter's authority figure role, but when Hunter talked about Taker being a "brand," etc., could the promo have worked on a level that plays into his authority figure role? Last year, that type of promo was strictly "worked shoot," but with everything Hunter's character has gone through since WM27, the authority figure element seems to be in-play. Or, do you think that aspect is completely removed from the equation and they're just going to focus on a Taker-Hunter re-match?

Parks: It seemed pretty clear that Triple H referenced "all this will be mine" and right now, there is no difference between Hunter the wrestler and Hunter the suit/authority figure. He's in full authority figure mode and that's what comes first to his character right now, where in year's past, he wouldn't have worried about that stuff, and would've been happy to take out Undertaker and be done with him.

Caldwell: When he referenced "all this will be mine," do you think they wanted viewers to think he was doing a "worked shoot" about that day in the future when he actually takes over WWE (get the oohs and aahs), or do you think they wanted viewers thinking about his on-air authority figure role and how he's been battling Laurinaitis and the Board of Directors, and booted McMahon from Raw in the storylines last year?

Parks: I think this is an example of the blending of both situations. He's an on-air authority figure BECAUSE he really is transitioning into that role, just like the Mr. McMahon character is the owner of WWE and Vince McMahon is the same. It's smart, because when Hunter retires from in-ring action, they're already setting up the explanation for where he will be - and I'm sure he won't be leaving on-camera when he does retire.

Caldwell: Good points. It does sort of leave it up to the viewer to decide how to interpret what Hunter is saying; I think the key is whether they can strike that balance and eventually set up one of the headline Mania matches for their biggest business day of the year. There was a hint of Hunter potentially turning heel. I don't see him turning full-blown heel here, but do you think he'll get a little more boastful and make more of those "this is all mine!" claims or will they even him out a little during the Mania build-up?

Parks: I think if either of them shows heel tendencies, it'll be Triple H. HBK is certainly a babyface and Hunter, while showing some human and relatable qualities and feelings Monday night, will be pushed more as the heel as the weeks go along.

Caldwell: Especially if they enter into the territory of Hunter being accused of "depriving the fans of what they want to see" - a match between Hunter and Taker. As for Taker's comments in the video, what did you make of his words about seeking immortality? What does it all mean, Greg?!?!

Parks: I chalk it up to Undertaker speaking empty cryptic cliches. Until he cuts a full promo and stops dancing around the subject, just giving hints like he's doing in the videos, I think it's just speculation on what he means. Right now, Hunter is carrying the mic work and that's fine, but Taker's going to have to speak up eventually.

Caldwell: I thought the empty cryptic cliches were reserved for Jericho! Oh, nevermind. This Monday's Raw should provide answers to talk about next week. All right, Greg, time for the other Big Story from Raw - Cena-Kane-Eve-Ryder melodrama. No set-up or question from me here, just give me your thoughts on the latest developments.

Parks: I liked it. Call me crazy, but it was an improvement from what they've been doing. They went for it all here, and it wasn't a home run, but they certainly got over everybody's feelings/motivations and provided enough plot twists to make it worth the TV time invested in the angle. It got off to a rough start with Eve backing into the ambulance for seemingly no reason, but it certainly picked up after that. I understand that this kind of thing is not for everyone and I get the arguments of why it wasn't a good segment. But all things considered, I thought it was fine.

Caldwell: Answer me this - could it turn out that Eve was working with Kane all along to screw with Cena's head, drive a wedge between Cena and Ryder, and play into Ryder's "easily-offended" character traits to use against Cena? Or, is that something WWE would never explore?

Parks: I think that's a stretch. Kane wants to get at Cena, and clearly he's used Ryder to do that. But to use Eve to use Ryder to get to Cena...that feels like a few too many unnecessary steps. Then again, Kane is an evil villain and if Austin Powers taught me anything about evil movie villains, they often have needlessly complicated plots to get to the hero.

Caldwell: Exactly! Kane's character is nuts, after all. I want to see more of where this issue is going, but I simply don't buy Eve suddenly kissing Cena - even in the "heat of the moment" - and then deciding it was a good time to tell Ryder she just wants to be friend. Obviously, she was supposed to be distraught and not thinking right and trying to pour water on the situation, but I was a little hesitant to buy into it all. As for Ryder, Greg, he's at a delicate stage of turning into a pathetic figure, which you blogged about yesterday, especially with the routine injury angles, but could WWE also be setting him up for a main event run with Cena following Mania? To me, they're either pushing him down to Santino's level or about to elevate him in a big-time program, especially with Rock (Cena's WM28 opponent) tweeting support for Ryder today.

Parks: Yeah, it does sorta feel like there won't be room for any middle ground for Ryder after this one - WWE either will capitalize on it or use the beat-downs to send him back down the card. I've seen people suggest Ryder vs. Kane for 'Mania to really put Ryder over, but as much as this seems to set up Ryder vs. Cena at some point, I just don't see him getting involved in a main event angle. As I said in my blog, I don't think the intent here is to bury him either, but unless he has a drastic change in character, I don't see him as a main event guy right now. I wouldn't complain if he was, mind you, but I just don't see it happening.

Caldwell: I don't see Ryder vs. Kane at Mania, but that's an intriguing possibility, especially if's a way to "hand off" Kane's feud with Cena to Ryder without having to completely end what started off as a temporary feud pre-Rock, but has turned into a full-blown feud. I see Kane ending up in the Money in the Bank match, but that's to be determined. Greg, any other thoughts on the Big Items from Raw or other items from Raw?

Parks: I think we hit on the big ones, James. How about splitting up the WWE talk with some Impact? Last night's episode was the first of the post-Russo era, and we got two long matches to (sorta) bookend the show. Coincidence?

Caldwell: That's a good question. Part of me thinks it was simply circumstances - TNA likes to give away PPV main events (or match-ups featuring the PPV main-eventers) on free TV the show after a PPV - and part of me does think the absence of Russo, who was notorious for scripting short TV matches, was a factor. I think the biggest issue TNA is facing right now with their main event scene is that everything seems like it's been done before; it seems like every wrestler has wrestled every other wrestler and they can't create interest because it feels like a repeat. What do you think of the Russo factor and main event scene?

Parks: Yeah, that's certainly a problem. It feels like there's been some combination of Storm-Hardy-Roode-Ray in the main events of Impact AND PPVs now for too long. I hate to say TNA needs fresh blood in there because Storm, Roode and Ray are relatively fresh, but it goes to show just how much TNA has beaten matches with that combination into the ground in the last few months.

Caldwell: Throw in Sting wrestling on TV in recent weeks, too, and TNA acting like it's the first time Roode has "crossed the line" when he's "crossed the line" about five times as champion, and it feels very repetitive. This new Creative team has a lot of work to do, especially when TNA is going with Roode vs. Storm as their Lockdown main event, despite them mixing it up a bunch of times and even teasing an ol' Beer Money get-together during the PPV on Sunday. I had a problem with that - why would Storm ever, ever, ever want to do anything to work together with Roode - even for a split-second - after all that Roode did to him when they broke up? It goes back to TNA rushing through things so quickly that they forgot about what should have been a major break-up angle from just a few months ago.

Parks: That's what I wrote in my post-PPV Roundtable that appeared in this week's Torch newsletter. It was just a tease to pop the crowd, to me, nothing more, but that doesn't make it okay. You're right, I think it damaged Storm's character a little, and at best, simply made him look stupid. That said, at this point, Storm vs. Roode seems, to me, the best option for a title match at Lockdown.

Caldwell: You're a better man, Greg, as I forgot to include that in my Roundtable. Kudos to you, sir! I think you're right, though, that Storm vs. Roode is probably TNA's best option out of the current title contenders. At least they have two months of lead-in time to make the feud seem fresh again and try to establish a reason for people to spend money on the PPV. We'll see. What else jumped out at you from the post-PPV Impact?

Parks: Certainly the opening Hardy vs. Roode match, as well as the involvement of Brandon Jacobs. Dave Lagana Tweeted something to the effect of "#SCTop10" after his portion of Impact aired, which I think goes to the problem with segments like that, when it seems the first goal is to get on SportsCenter or get recognized by a mainstream media outlet, while a distant second is telling a story/entertaining wrestling fans/making them want to spend money on the product, which are all core ideas needed for a company to survive. I get that a company like TNA probably needs as much mainstream recognition they can get, since to most people, WWE (or WWF) is wrestling, but, ideally, you're not going to just use celebrities because you can get some press out of it, THEN decide how they fit in.

Caldwell: I think it's become an epidemic in wrestling with writers focusing on how they can make waves or get attention rather than what's good for business and what can draw money. And, it's a perfect segue into our now-weekly Impact Rating Is In During The Chat moment. Greg, the "mainstream awareness" for TNA via B. Jacobs generated zero audience increase, as the rating was a 1.06, the same as last week. Your thoughts?

Parks: Well, that's TNA for you. That's my thought.

Caldwell: Yep. I think TNA is just stuck right now and somewhat in a transition phase. They're not depending on the '90s stars for main event feuds, which the audience became accustomed to for 5-6 years, so now the audience has to adjust to a new wave of main event stars, but, at the same time, TNA hasn't done enough to make those guys stand out. One reason is what we talked about earlier with TNA giving away so many matches featuring their new main-eventers that it's not special seeing them in the ring. Greg, as for the Knockouts, which typically help draw ratings, what did you make of the battle royal and latest Madison-Gail developments?

Parks: We talked about this on the Livecast last night about how it seems Gail and Madison were being led into a feud; who took on what role was (and is) TBD, but that plan got accelerated last night with Madison running in and winning the Battle Royal. Without having to aid Karen Jarrett anymore, she has no real reason to suck up to Gail and stay on her good side, so this made sense (aside from her apparently being in the match, despite the refs not forcing her to be in the ring to start - and if they didn't know she was in the match, it just makes them look stupid). I'll count this as a win though, as I'm in a generous mood.

Caldwell: I hope it leads to Gail turning face, as I think that's the role best-suited for her and Madison plays such a great heel. I think that scenario would help the division. Elsewhere, the X Division was spotlighted in a tag match. What did you think of how they played up the budding issues there, and how they handled the update on Jesse Sorensen's health?

Parks: I like that they addressed Jesse's situation, but with the video package and everything, I wonder how many people truly think it's an angle? The match was too short to amount to anything, though I did think Ion winning was surprising. I wonder if Aries goes over him at the next PPV, clearing the way for Aries to rematch with Shelley at Lockdown.

Caldwell: That was my concern, as well, that some viewers may have seen it as a just another wrestling injury angle. I like your booking there of Aries beating Ion, then re-matching with Shelley at Lockdown. That would make the most sense. Anything else jump out at you from Impact, Greg?

Parks: I'll pass on that and move on to Smackdown. I'll look forward to how Santino gets put in the Chamber match in place of Randy Orton, as well as the continuing development of Daniel Bryan's heel persona. Smackdown has to get over the Elimination Chamber participants, as well, and hopefully they do a little better with that than Raw did this week.

Caldwell: It seems like weeks ago, but you blogged about the confusing mess that is Michael Cole's response to the Bryan/A.J.-Big Show angle. What did you make of how they played into that on Raw, with Cole seemingly going back and forth and Jerry Lawler calling him out? Plus, how Bryan continues to be booked as a heel outsmarting the faces?

Parks: Still not making enough sense as to who Cole cheers for and when, but I've given up hope of that ever making sense. At this point, I just try to concentrate on what Bryan says and tune Cole out. It's so very difficult.

Caldwell: As for Bryan as World champ, now that Orton is out of the Chamber, is there any other candidate to win the Chamber match besides Bryan? And, would anyone else make sense going into Mania (e.g. a returning wrestler stealing Santino's spot)?

Parks: Not really. Orton and Bryan were the only two I thought had a legit chance, and with Orton out, Bryan seems the most likely candidate. It's hard for me to see both champions retaining, but I think there's a better chance that the WWE Title changes hands as opposed to the World Title. I see some big names on the sidelines (Rey, ADR, Christian), but none of them scream "Titleholder at 'Mania" to me.

Caldwell: Right. Christian is the only candidate I could see there, considering Christian and Rumble winner Sheamus were feuding prior to Christian's injury. But, is that something to re-visit this close to Mania? Probably not. Maybe if it were July or something. But, I think the most sense is stick with Bryan as champ, keep Show involved on TV, and build toward Bryan-Sheamus. What else jumped out at you from last week's Smackdown?

Parks: Ugh, Cole's interview segment with AJ, but I feel like I've talked about that enough. A conversation about it will just lead to frustration. I thought the finish of the main event, with Bryan goading a guest commentator into hitting him for a DQ, was just done with him and Mark Henry. Other than that, no big complaints about the show.

Caldwell: Are you accusing the Smackdown writers of repeating material...within the same program? Shocking. I did feel like there were some developments with Teddy Long and Aksana. Perhaps this leads into the Laurinaitis aspect where Ace uses the appearance of a frowned-upon relationship to oust Teddy?

Parks: I'm still not sure what to make of Otunga's comment to Ace on Raw. It didn't make sense to me at the time, but it may be something that comes into play down the road, or it may have just been a throwaway comment meant to feed Ace's ego.

Caldwell: With WWE, you just never know, right? All righty, Greg, I'm tapped out on trying to figure out WWE until after the Chamber and Monday's Raw perhaps provides some answers. Any other thoughts or how about a plug for Gonzo & The Greg post-Livecast this weekend?

Parks: We taped this week's G&TG (to be posted tomorrow afternoon, as usual) after our Livecast yesterday, so we were running on fumes, but it's the top five worst celebrity moments in wrestling, after profiling the five best two weeks ago.

Caldwell: Does Robocop count as a celebrity?

Parks: As you will hear on the show, yes, he does.

Caldwell: Nice! I figure that would be worth five minutes debating whether Robocop actually achieved celebrity status. I suppose he did. Very good, Greg. Well, health-permitting, we will be back on the Livecast this Sunday after Elimination Chamber to see what the final PPV before Mania has in store. I'll look forward to it then!

Parks: Definitely, James!

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