CALDWELL'S TAKE THE CORNER CUBE: On Sid Vicious, the Turkey Bowl, and Flair on Raw Nov 26, 2007 - 6:15:22 PM

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Updated throughout the day, Torch columnist James Caldwell's new weekday blog focuses on hot topic current events and issues from around wrestling. Caldwell writes from his corner cubicle after a sudden department re-location to the other side of the office. It's law firm office politics.

Updated Monday, November 26 (last update: 6:15 p.m.)

Rumors of a return by Sid Vicious (Sid Eudy) have been swirling for seemingly years following his return to the independent scene after the infamous snapped leg in WCW in 2001. (Viewer beware on watching the video if you've never seen it before.)

Vicious appeared on Live Audio Wrestling last night and said he's been in talks with WWE for a possible return. If Vicious is healthy, in good shape, and Wellness-compliant, I think the time is right for him to get a look on the roster. He's never been the greatest worker, but the gimmick of the big beady eyes, intense stare, and that music has always been his calling card.

Frankly, I'm tired of watching Kane vs. Big Daddy V every time I turn on the TV. With Kane being the only legit big man babyface they have on the roster until they figure out what to do with Festus long-term, a babyface return for Vicious to feud with Big Daddy could add some intrigue to the ECW brand. There's always a feud with Khali on Smackdown or Umaga and Snitsky on Raw that could bring some life to the Monster Division.

I'd like to see if Vicious has anything left in the tank after several start-and-stop main event pushes in WWF and WCW over the past 15 years. Right now, his legacy is that snapped ankle on live WCW PPV. I think he deserves another chance to re-write his story on national TV.

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I've withheld comment on the Impact Turkey Bowl from Thanksgiving night because the show was almost too mind-numbing to produce clear thought. I will say that after turning off the DVR 30 minutes into the show because I couldn't take any more of the juvenile writing, I was mildly entertained when I watched the final 90 minutes.

Granted, entertained doesn't translate into "I'm excited for PPV." (I can't believe TNA has a PPV in six days, as it seems like they were in week 2 of a six-week build up.) The show featured a round of slapstick comedy that got a laugh, but made me care absolutely zero about any PPV match.

Rellik and Black Reign are supposedly two monster heels in a thumbtack match, but everyone was so scared of their presence at the Angle family household that no one paid any attention to them. And Eric Young ended up with Reign's wig. Shouldn't Young have ended up in a vice? Then, Awesome Kong was turned into this creepy freak eating plastic food, rather than having her character reinforced as a killer heel set on ripping Gail Kim's head off.

In an effort to establish personalities for this Bad News Bears cast of zeroes, TNA turned everyone into shells of their wrestling characters. The wrestlers should be gearing up for a round of hard-hitting fights on PPV next week, yet the only thing fans will remember about Rellik and Reign is the silly mouse causing a stir all throughout the house and Kurt Angle having a serious case of indigestion.

I was upset Kaz was not on the show to follow-up on his near-title victory against Kurt Angle last week. And then I thought about it. It's probably a good thing he wasn't on this show to be associated with this silliness when they're trying to build him up as a serious main eventer.

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Ric Flair returns to Raw tonight in Charlotte. It's been an interesting journey back for Flair, who gave his notice about five months ago when frustrated with his lack of push after being drafted to Smackdown. You might recall the last we saw of Flair on TV was Khali's hands wrapped around Flair's head.

Now, with another five months on the road to WrestleMania, is tonight the start of the Flair Legacy Retirement tour or another one of those moments where the babyface gets pounded, humiliated, beat up, or ribbed in his hometown?

WWE would be best-served avoiding the babyface humiliation, as Flair can still contribute in a significant way based on his star-power and legacy. If Flair is built up as a major star, the Raw brand will have arguably its best line-up in months.

The roster has been depleted throughout the year with injuries and suspensions to Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Bobby Lashley, Mr. Kennedy, Umaga, and Jeff Hardy. Now, they have a top five of Chris Jericho, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy, and possibly Flair. That's potential for five important matches on PPV from Raw each month if WWE builds up individual feuds for their big five.

It's been an interesting five months between Flair and WWE, but now it's time to make right on what Flair can contribute in possibly his final stretch in the wrestling business.

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