?Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com

On Sunday, June 5, 2005 at 7:52 AM EST

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am very happy to be back at the helm of the Palace column after a very trying 10 plus days in the hospital with a nasty, NASTY infection in my leg. It's not 100%, but I am home, feeling better, and, after our illustrious fearless leader's "poke" towards the columnists prior to his departure for the summer, well, it's time to get back to business.

One last thing before we get to business, and after the past 11 days, I need to do this publicly...

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife. Thank you for standing by me when I was at my worst, and God knows I was not good this past few days.

Ok, enough personal stuff, back to what I got this space for!

I did not have the chance to watch Raw at all over the last two weeks because the hospital I was in did not carry Spike. I did watch Smackdown on both occasions, and I will comment accordingly. But, for the beginning, let's go right to the forthcoming ECW pay per view.

Why can't they leave well enough alone? I mean, really, why does WWE feel it necessary to stick their collective noses in something that probably was ready to be an instant classic from bell to bell? Now, you're going to have Raw invaders, Smackdown invaders, I mean, yes, the potential with these invaders is very intriguing, but, if this is truly supposed to be ONE night, then why force that angle down our throats? Let the talent do what they want to do, shine in their own way, and see what comes back.

I noticed matches have finally been signed. I have to say some of them do have me very interested. Dreamer teaming with Sandman against the returning Dudley Boyz is liable to be violence taken to a level not often seen on a WWE pay per view. Storm returning to the ring one last time for a match with Jericho, with Dawn Marie in his corner....also another match of interest, but maybe in a different sense, (Is Dawn actually really pregnant?)

Mysterio and Psychosis should put on a clinic from a luchadore perspective. I am not familiar with the "Sinister Minister" but Tajiri and Little Guido (Nunzio) have both got teh ECW blood flowing through their veins, that should also be a high impact contest.

I am a little disappointed about Eddie vs. Benoit. Not because of the fact that they're liable to bring the house down, because they probably will. Not because the fact that Eddie and Chris now with Eddie's heel turn have a whole new potential to a rivalry, whether it's Raw vs. Smackdown, ECW vs. ECW, or same brand vs. same brand. I just thought that maybe they would try and make more 'unique' matches with the amount of talent that is coming in for this show in particular. There is a TON of talent that I am certain the casual WWE fan has not seen, and maybe that could've spiced up Eddie vs. Benoit just a little. Yes, it will probably be the match of the night thus far, but, let's be honest, how many times have we seen it?

I was watching a DVD of mine while in the hospital. What about a possible Cactus Jack vs. Mikey Whipwreck contest one more time? There are so many possibilities here it's incredible. IF WWE lets the evil genius does his work, this thing should sell like a mad person. I guess the only thing left to do is to wait and see. I am planning on buying this pay per view, but truthfully, I am scared. I hope I am not disappointed.

Quickly before going to talk Smackdown, I'd like to do this. Click here to check out the site. My friends at New York Sports Works are holding a special autograph session on ECW morning at 10am on the 2nd floor of the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa in the former Old Navy site with a talent that is most difficult to gain an autograph, trust me, I know, I've been trying. Y2J Chris Jericho is coming to Long Island fror a signing prior to the big day in NYC. I hope you guys check it out. I wish I could, but I'm on the injured list.

Ok, back to Smackdown now. I am sick, sick, sick, sick, sick and tired of Sharmell Sullivan being involved in a storyline. Kurt Angle is quickly losing my respect as a heel competitor, because this storyline is about as stupid as Dawn Marie and Al Wilson, and about as offensive as Kane and Katie Vick. It's time to drop the wives from WWE storylines ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it never works, ever. Why do they constantly need to keep trying the same thing?

The draft begins. I expect the first two switches will be Christian going to Smackdown, and hell, I'll drop this bombshell, after what Teddy Long said to Booker T last week, I think Kurt is going to go to Raw. Why? Because Kurt being on Raw gives him a new start, and who knows how much he has left in the tank, and there is a guy in Texas who appears on Raw who is desperate for a shot at the Olympic Gold medalist. Booker goes nuts with Angle being drafted, and starts taking out his frustrations on everybody. Sounds promising, doesn't it? As far as with the creepy little bastard, he gets his 15 minutes against Cena, but Cena turns him in to hamburger pretty easily.

Quick Raw note: Batista vs. HHH III in Hell in a Cell. Yawn. Yawn. Yawn. Yawn.

It was kind of unique for me these past two weeks to watch Smackdown with out the premise of the spoilers. It kind of brought back a little refreshment to the program. I know that the die hard internet wrestling fan is going to check them out, one way or another, but maybe, just one week, try and watch either Raw or Smackdown without knowing what's going to happen when you do. It may make things seem more fresh.

I don't have much else, so for now, let me say good day. I will watch Raw and Smackdown this week from start to finish, this being ECW week, and then come back at the end of thw week with some thoughts on both shows, and predictions for whatever matches have been already announced, or will be announced for ECW One Night Stand.

Quick plug - Click here to check out my bulletin board.

Email - Click here to drop me an email.

Kimosabe, Sumo!?!?!?!?!?!?