Dot Net TV reporters Rich Twilling and Chris Shore meet up at the water cooler to discuss the hot topics in professional wrestling.

Today’s Topics: WWE Draft and the fallout, Vince McMahon’s collapse.

Rich: Raw was a very good show. The draft provided a lot of surprising moments that should result in some desperately needed changes in the top two shows. If it turns out that someone set up Vince McMahon, I will be very curious to see where they go with that.

Chris: Well I certainly am happy with the draft. As a Smackdown reporter, it was great to get Triple H, Jeff Hardy, and Jim Ross. Mr. Kennedy could be nice if he gets his crap together. The losses also weren’t that great either. Batista is a big name, but as Jason Powell said, he had done all he could do on Smackdown, so it’s a good move. Matt Hardy should hurt, but they’ve buried him so much since he won the title, I almost forgot about him. As far as Vince, I have to admit, it was a great hook for new viewers and a nice way to end the money giveaway without just stopping cold.

Rich: I cannot believe the ratings went from a 3.0 to a 3.7 in two shorts weeks. I hope now they can keep the new viewers they hooked by turning out a newer, higher quality product. As for Vince, if it turns out to simply be an accident, I will not be a huge fan of the angle. However, if it is revealed that someone set him up, I would love that.

Chris: And the last hour drew a 4.0. Amazing. I knew the money giveaway would work, but wow. Now the question is whether those fans will stay for the product. Raw was well done this week. They presented a good product on the night it mattered most, so we will see. Oh, and there is no way the Vince angle will turn out to be an accident. There is the recent TNA tragedy, not to mention it serves no purpose other than to end the money. Surely they won’t waste the angle on just that. By the way, Maria was drafted to Smackdown on the supplemental draft…there is a God.

Rich: Well, you have to give them credit for capitalizing on an act of desperation, but anyone will rush to a popular scene. Getting the majority of those people to stick around will only be done if they, like JR says, provide more steak than sizzle. Speaking of JR, I guess he is staying on Smackdown for awhile. Maria going to Smackdown is a worthless move. Since there is wrestling on both brands, it really doesn’t matter where Maria participates in bikini contests.

Chris: I didn’t say Maria’s move was an important wrestling move, just an important move for me! At any rate, I think JR moving to Smackdown can’t hurt, but I don’t know how it can help. Michael Cole is good (but I always like Tony Schiavone so what do I know?) and the viewers are used to hearing Cole on Smackdown and JR on Raw. The announcers won’t affect new viewers staying or going so it seems pointless. OK, now that the draft and supplemental draft are done, what feuds are you looking forward to seeing?

Rich: I disagree about JR. He is regarded as the best wrestling announcer of all time and he brings an overwhelming sense of class and professionalism to the show. His presence will upgrade the quality of the show and the word will get out. Tony Schiavone? In his honor, I am dubbing this the greatest Water Cooler column in the history of our great sport.

As for feuds, I am looking forward to Jeff Hardy vs. Edge and Batista vs. John Cena (eventually). MVP vs. Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston, Triple H vs. Edge, Kofi Kingston vs. Paul London, and C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho are all feuds I would like to see. What about you?

Chris: I’m in for all of those except Kingston. Don’t get me wrong, he has talent and appears to have the charisma that Shelton Benjamin was/is severely lacking, but I’m not sold…yet. Time will tell on him. I want to see Triple H vs. MVP, Jeff Hardy vs. Edge, Batista vs. Jericho, and Punk vs. Cena besides the ones you named.

I never thought I would say this, but I hope Undertaker returns in a few weeks to occupy Edge so MVP can get the push to Hunter. We both know there is no way he goes to Smackdown and drops the belt in the same week. Batista wins and moves into a feud with Cena—Vince won’t be able to sit on that till WM 25 even though he should—and Hunter retains and moves into a feud with Edge that gets interrupted by the return of the Deadman. At least that’s what I see happening.

Rich: I agree about Kofi and Shelton, in fact, I made that exact comparison in my ECW report last night. I actually prefer for Undertaker to go to Raw at this point. I am sure people will want to see Taker vs. Triple H at WrestleMania, but Triple H jobbed to Taker in Houston at Wrestlemania X-Seven and he will not do it again. As for Kofi Kingston, he had a very good match with JBL on Raw, which at this point is a minor miracle. He has awesome charisma, a unique in ring style, and he is a fresh face the fans are solidly behind.

Chris: No arguments on Kofi, I just need more before I’m convinced. I threw my weight behind Shelton Benjamin and look where it got me. I’m a little gun shy, that’s all. Ironically, I could care less about Taker and Hunter getting it on. Like you said, that’s old game and takes us back eight years, not forward. I am looking forward to next week’s shows. I don’t expect too much this week—storyline wise—with the PPV on Sunday.

Rich: The PPV should set up a lot of interesting programs. I am curious to see which championship comes over to Raw. I am also looking forward to reviewing the first Smackdown broadcast for Jim Ross on Friday. I have to run; see you back here soon.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: