Monday, December 22 – 11:55 A.M. (CT)

-Today's poll question is simple. If it were your call to make, would you make John Cena or Jeff Hardy the face of the company? My guess is that Hardy would run away with this poll if it wasn't for the two strikes against him in the Wellness Policy, but I'm curious to know how many people would take a chance on him despite the risk involved.

WWE has clearly chosen Cena as their poster boy, and Triple H has been positioned as the true face of Smackdown. I still believe Hardy is in for a short title run and I don't believe Vince McMahon sees him as the long-term top star of the brand, but I want to know what you would do if it were your call to make.

-Tonight's Raw should be a fun show. I'm a big fan of the idea of having eight former World Champions compete in four singles matches with the winners meeting next week in a four-way to determine the No. 1 contender for the World Hvt. Championship at the Royal Rumble.

It will be interesting to see whether Batista appears on the show after taking the punt kick. Jim Ross speculated that Batista would miss the show as a result of the kick from last week. If Batista sells the injury this week, does that mean Randy Orton will automatically advance to the four-way match next week or will they bring in a surprise replacement for Batista?

A few readers have also pointed out that with Shawn Michaels and JBL in the singles matches tonight, they could forward their storyline by having Michaels give up his spot in next week's four-way to JBL or have him help JBL win the four-way if he beats Rey Mysterio tonight.

No matter what storyline direction they choose, I really like the concept they came up with to determine Cena's challenger at the Rumble. It's good episodic television in that it should hook viewers this week and get them to come back next week for the four-way final. Nice move by WWE to keep viewers watching during the holiday weeks.

-For those who continue to ask via email, my hunch remains that Christian Cage returns to WWE. Nothing is official, but all sources are under the impression that he's leaving TNA.

-I am excited to see which WWE castoffs end up signing with TNA. The top two wrestlers on my TNA wish list are Paul London and Elijah Burke. London could give the X Division the spark that it desperately needs, and Burke could be a real player in TNA if they push him properly.

I'm also big on Armando Estrada as a manager. Then again, I'm also a big fan of Jim Mitchell's work and TNA creative apparently ran out of ideas for him. Vince McMahon thinks wrestling managers are too old school, so featuring performers like Estrada, Mitchell, and Larry Sweeney would be one way for TNA to stand out from WWE.

-I had to be talked off the ledge last night, but I'm feeling better about the Minnesota Vikings' latest choke job loss this morning. I must say that I dig the young Falcons and I'm happy they made the playoffs even though it came at the expense of my favorite team.

Honestly, that was the most fun I've had watching a Vikings game since Randy Moss was traded. Yes, the fumbles were frustrating and the loss was devastating, but it was nice to see the squad stick with it and get back in the game after blowing so many chances early.

I've been especially impressed by the play of Tarvaris Jackson over the last few weeks, and Visanthe Shiancoe is really on a roll. I'm still holding out hope for an NFC North title, but I'm more excited about the future of this young team. Of course, I reserve the right to throw a fit if they fail to make the playoffs. I never thought I'd type these words, but Go Pack Go!

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