?Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com

On Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 1:49 AM EST

I got a lot to say about a bunch of stuff. So....if you want to take the ride, grab hold.....

Well, the format for the draft lottery has been announced. Can someone explain to me how much of an impact one person being drafted per week for three weeks is going to do? Unless you intend on taking out someone major, i.e., a champion, it really isn't going to do much, if anything at all, in my opinion. I think it's a desperate attempt from WWE to keep interest in the product over the summer, where ratings for most all television programs become scattered, at best.

I had kind of hoped that there would be some sort of involvement in the draft from a possible ECW contingent. From what I saw last week, there is going to be some assemblance of a storyline leading up to the ECW pay per view, at least on Raw, and I had hoped that perhaps we would see the seedlings of a possible re-invasion of a pure ECW faction on to what is becoming a stale WWE brand, or brands, as the case may be.

I mean, really, some of the talent coming in for the one time only pay per view could be harnessed in to a brand of its own, could be harnessed in to a force so chaotic, that you would not have the slightest clue what would happen next from one second to another on both Raw or Smackdown. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the direction WWE has taken with regard to its new champions, but, we do need something major to happen to the product, and soon, before it gets to be so tiresome that nobody wants to watch. Who really wants to see Ric Flair vs. Tyson Tomko again? I mean, come on, its insulting.

There is still the distinct possibility of the brand extension going in the preverbial crapper when the contracts run out. I believe UPN will re-up with WWE for Smackdown eventually, (they need to, its one of their only successful shows), but if the chance does come to pass that they don't, what would transpire with the brands merging again? Could we see four champions? Could we see two tag team champions? Could we see that invasion I had mentioned? I mean, let's be honest about this, the brand extension has really not done what it was expected to do, and that is give more time to the stars of the future. Where are they?

Is it Chris Masters? Please, spare me. He has gotten TOO much time on the air lately with this ridiculous masterlock challenge.

Is it MNM? Well, perhaps. I have to say that the brand extension is a gem in disguise for Mercury, Melina, and Nitro, as they probably would not be in the position that they are in, had WWE been one 'brand' as a whole from the beginning.

Is it Matt Morgan? Again, someone who ought to pray to God that the brand extension does not go away, but let's get rid of the stammering garbage. It's insulting.

Anyway, I digress. What could be the result if the brands combine?

Batista vs. Cena? Orton, when he comes back, vs. Undertaker again. HBK vs. Angle again. Don't tell me that you don't want to see those matches again, they intrigued the hell out of me at Wrestlemania. Shelton vs. Charlie, yeah, put the World's Greatest Tag Team to the test in singles matches. Shelton's had the push of a lifetime while Haas has been in limbo. Bring the brands together, and let's see how Haas fares in a feud with his former partner. It would be interesting as all hell to witness.

It's definitely something to ponder, don't you think?

Nice work, Jeff Hardy. Are you purposely trying to get yourself fired before a reunion of absolute tremendous proportions takes place in July for the neophytes from Orlando? I mean, I realize going up against Raven in a match of Raven's sick and twisted dementia is not my idea of a fun day on the job, but let's be honest, a pay per view is a pay per view. Missed multiple flights? Yeah, ok. And monkeys will, oh, nevermind.

I've been trying to come up with some possible contenders for the United States and Intercontinental championships, and I am having significant trouble in doing so. It's been forever since Orlando put up the stars and stripes, and Shelton has gone through literally almost all of the possible contenders that Raw has to offer. It wouldn't surprise me in the absolute least to see either one of these guys get parlayed through the draft lottery in order to spice things up on the opposite show, but, I would lean more toward Orlando getting drafted for two reasons. 1. To screw with JBL, and 2. Shelton has already been moved, and I would tend to believe WWE would not want to move talent that has already jumped shows.

Anyway, let's bring up a couple of names:

CHRIS BENOIT - Obviously, the prime candidate for any title, in my opinion. It seems like Edge is next in line for a major push at the World title, so Benoit once again gets shafted. It would be nice, and damn near overdue for Benoit to hold more gold in WWE, and he has been a staple like Shelton is currently as IC champ. But, what would occur, Benoit did move "on his own" last year at the Royal Rumble (04), so what would occur if Benoit were to jump the shark to Smackdown?

I'd tell you, he'd kill Orlando Jordan. Kill him. Dead.

Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?

BOOKER T or KURT ANGLE - In this person's opinion, the winner of Angle vs. Booker at Judgment Day will get a shot at a championship. If Angle wins, he'll probably be next in line to challenge John Cena. If Booker wins, I think he would get another run as United States Champion, because I don't believe that WWE will set up a face vs. face confrontation between Cena & Booker, although it would be fun as hell to see.

One side note, can we stop with the wives on WWE programming? It didn't work with Linda McMahon, it didn't work with Sara Callaway, and it doesn't work with Sharmell Huffmann. Yeah, Sharmell's got previous experience, I grant you, but come on, it's just not where you want to go, is it? And Kurt, being the so called golden boy American Hero, going in this direction he's been headed with this feud with Booker, it's bordering on repulsive.

CHRISTIAN - I personally think Captain Charisma has talked his way off of Raw. Which is fine, I think according to him, because when he does go to Smackdown, he's liable to be put in immediate contention to take the US title from whomever has it. Orlando is talented, but Christian makes Orlando look like a golden boy when it comes to being sneaky and underhanded.

BIG SHOW - If Big Show takes too much time beating the high holy crap out of Carlito, I doubt he'll get a shot at a title on either show, but if he does take care of the little pipsqueak with frayed hair, he could be back in title contention very quickly. I know me saying this would tick my wife off something fierce, but let's call it as we see it, Big Show has not held a title since Wrestlemania 20. Unfortunately, he's overdue.

REY MYSTERIO or EDDIE GUERRERO - I think Eddie will also end up getting sent to Raw, but either one of these men deserve and should get a push to a singles title. I think Rey will see US gold before Eddie sees gold again, but these two men have put together some of the finest product WWE has seen in a long time, and let's call it as we see it. Eddie as a heel, man, he's vicious.

SHAWN MICHAELS - As I am sitting here writing this, memory brings me back to the classic, and I mean, classic, from the Gold Rush tournament between Shelton Benjamin and Shawn Michaels. Now, if HBK is legitimately injured, and all things lead up to the fact that he is, then this theory is kind of moot, but, we could see Shawn vs. Shelton for Intercontinental gold some time in the near future. If they could put on a show like that once, imagine what they could do with a little experience together.

I also think the tag team divisions of both brands, or WWE as a whole, is liable to get a shot of new blood in the near future. Marty Jannetty has to be close to coming in to WWE, with his independent obligations nearly complete, and this new 'relationship' between Benjamin and Chris Jericho could lead to something special in the not too distant future, I would predict.

Ok. Now, to more topics...

Kudos to Hunter Golden for a very comprehensive recap of Raw. And, of course, Vinnie Mac goes against the grain and teams up the two "harlots" as now an on-air pairing. Who the hell thinks Edge & Lita deserve to get any sort of push after the bull they've caused in private, or in public? It's ridiculous. Here is a man who, used to be the consummate company soldier, now embroiled in controversy, whether real or imagined, and he's practically knocking on the door step of being world heavyweight champion. It's pathetic. I know Vince is trying to garner heel heat for Edge, but isn't this just taking things a little over the top?

We see some more buildup to ECW with the Benoit/Tajiri confrontation, and the subsequent temper tantrum thrown by Eric Bischoff. It does provide some very intriguing possibilities for the show come June 12th, and hopefully, down the road. I have to admit, I am very excited by the possibilities.

Stevie Richards has a feud! I am STUPIFIED! But, not surprised. We all knew when he came back he would go straight after the guy that deformed his face, and I am thrilled to see it. I hope Richards goes ECW on that punk Masters' ass.

Could we be possibly seeing an alliance between Ric Flair and Batista AGAINST Triple H? Hehehehehehe. Something about that just makes me want to say, "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

No sign of Shawn Michaels at the show. Was the injury in Evansville truly legitimate? Appears so.

Randy Orton is back. And he does the inevitable and get in Vince McMahon's face. Haven't the Ortons realized that getting in the face of the boss is liable to be nothing but trouble for you? We all know Orton is en route to Smackdown sometime during the lottery for the sole purpose of feeding meat for the beast, the Undertaker. Oh, and one more thing, Kudos and congratulations, a little early, for the 'Taker's upcoming addition, Mini-Taker. (Ok, it's corny, but come on, it works, doesn't it?)

One thing I have to disagree with, Hunter, is this. The divas. Yeah, it can be a little ridiculous at times, but hell, man, if you saw these ladies in person like I did, you'd realize why you would want to see them week in week out. Hubba hubba. (Did I really just say that?)

Ok, if I am saying hubba hubba, it's time to end the column. See ya down the road, ladies and gentlemen.

Plug time:

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Kimosabe, SUMO!?!?!?!