Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 3:28 PM EST

Sometimes you just have the feeling like you're compelled to give out some content for the masses, and this is one of those times. Here we go. Welcome to the Palace Potpourri!

How corny can I be? Sheesh. Ok, here we go.

WWE Thoughts
I am interested to see how the title picture comes in to focus with Triple H allegedly out of the Royal Rumble and guys like Mick Foley and Hornswoggle in the Rumble. They're almost making it predictable that somewhere before Wrestlemania 24 there will be another match to get a title contender in, because there's too much external conditions surrounding the Rumble match, and not enough focus on the title picture, at the moment.

Which brings to the rumoured Elimination Chamber at No Way Out. Who knows how they're going to do it, but I would suspect Triple H to be a certain entrant in that one, as he has been in virtually all the previous chamber matches. One thing is certain, it's more difficult to predict how the title picture will fall in to place this time around, and that, if for nothing else, has an aura of positive energy for WWE from where I sit.

I'll get a rare chance to watch Raw live tomorrow night, so I'll come back with some more thoughts on Raw and the state of that show afterwards. Speaking of Raw, I am glad to see Ashley back, because if for no other reason, Ashley is tough enough to possibly be able to hang with Beth Phoenix for the women's title. Maria being fed to Beth like an appetizer is just plain scary. Also, one thing. I know Raw Roulette has the potential to be insane, and it obviously worked with HHH vs. Regal and the Kennedy/HBK thing, but why the hell would you put up the Carlito/Holly match with such a dumb stipulation. Yeah, I know, it's embarassing, humiliating, and all that, but it looked stupid. Simple as that, it just appeared to be stupid to me, from where I sit. I saw the replay on the spanish station today, and fortunately for me, ugh, I popped in at that match.

One other thing is noteworthy, it's rumoured Big Show is set to return to WWE. If that does occur, does this show the world how freakin' valuable John Cena was or is? Who else has left WWE or been injured seriously in the past 3 months? I know Helms is still hurt, but he wasn't replaced by half as many individuals, and his prize title has been phased out of the company. Cena goes by the wasteside to injury, they influence Michaels to come back, Jericho finally makes his entrance, JBL comes out of retirement, and now possibly Big Show. You can't tell me that's just a coincidence, because I'll never believe it.

I guess I need to put my kudos out to Vince McMahon. I said a hundred years ago when CM Punk won the ECW title that if he dropped it back to Morrison when Morrison returned from suspension, that it would be a travesty. Well, obviously, that hasn't happened, and I have to give Vince and creative a kudo for being smart and keeping that belt with the only guy left on the brand that can hold the title and run with it. I am waiting to see the program begin between Shelton and Punk for the title, which, as I said in my initial podcast, I think that will be the ECW title match at Wrestlemania.

I don't think Jeff Hardy has a chance at the Rumble to win the WWE title, but it would be nice to see them actually give him a good showing, and keep his run going as a title contender. I don't think that WWE is gutsy enough to put the title on someone who hasn't fully achieved main event level status, but at least, if they're smart, they can keep this push going, and hopefully, the resounding positive energy may lead to something further down the road.

Who else is prepared to face Edge for the title, once he beats Mysterio? We all know that is going to go down. Someone needs to tell me who is ready to face the title holder on Smackdown. Don't tell me Batista, because it's time for him to do the hunting, instead of being the hunter. Smackdown has the clearest path to Wrestlemania. It's Edge/Taker. No doubt. Write it down.

TNA Thoughts
TNA continues to bother me because it's so Angle driven. It's almost more sickening than when Jarrett had the title monopoly back in the day. Seeing Nash with more grey hair try to compete is just pitiful, and I really don't have a single thing positive to say about this company. I am still REALLY pissed at their price structure for their house show coming up in February here during the same weekend ROH is running on Long Island and Manhattan. I am always willing to try, and this is TNA's first venture to my hometown, and I would try, even with the amount of negative vibes I have toward the company, but damnit, I'm not paying close to $40 to sit in the back of the North Fork Theatre. Not a chance.

And I am still livid at what they're doing to talents like AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels and Homicide. But, we've been down that road to death, and I'm not going to re-visit it.

ROH Thoughts
First, following ROH through their message board is difficult because the overall vibe there is one of someone who has too much knowledge, or attempted knowledge of the product, and if you're not in the board's line of thinking, you're just not cool. With that being said, I took the board's advice back a couple of weeks ago, and picked up a DVD of a PPV that ROH did a while back from Chicago, because the ladder match they had there was aboslutely sick.

The show is called Man Up. The match involves Mr. Wrestling Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. the then ROH World Tag Team Champions Jay & Mark Briscoe. I watched this match ten times at least. The intensity from that match is off the page. It could possibly be the most intense ladder match I have ever witnessed, tape, or DVD. Also, with that PPV is Matt Sydal's final match in ROH before coming to OVW, and hopefully, to save WWE's crusierweight division, as well as the beginning of the Project 161 faction, which is almost too disturbing to try and describe.

I know people have said numerous times that they don't know ROH from a hole in the wall, and I keep shilling about it. Well, I'm going one step further. I'm going to shill a show. Man Up is possibly the best show I have ever seen ROH do, if only for the one match. I wish I was there live, I really do. I recommend anyone with the means to go to ROH's site and pick that DVD up. I believe you will be impressed.

I'm kind of bummed that the ROH World title's next defense is scheduled for the current NOAH tour, but I guess I have to accept that. The last defense of NOAH's top prize was in New York City, and I was there for that.

Daniel Puder in ROH bothers me. I won't deny saying that. It does. But, if there is anyone with the creative mind to make this guy look good, it's Larry Sweeney. The man appears to possess a mind that is constantly working, and that could be Puder's best asset in this attempt to return to pro wrestling. Only time will tell.

DVD Thoughts
I am going to begin searching for the Raw XV DVD. I hope I find it soon. Anyone who has it should send me a review so I can post it at the blog. I am interested to know what's on it.

I need to do the WSX DVD. I have it, but haven't gone through it from pillar to post. I hope to do so soon. It looks OK, but I am getting the idea why MTV pulled the plug. It's a little too over the top.

I am checking out the Pro Wrestling NOAH Double Budokan Edition 1, featuring a lot of ROH guys.. it's definitely an interesting look.

I picked up Survivor Series 2007 to check out the Jericho return. I should've passed on this, but hey, I'm dumb, what can I tell you.

I'd be curious to hear what DVDs my readers have picked up. I can start up a thread at the message board on that, which I will do so shortly.

Palace Project
The Project is the blog, the message board, and possibly, the beginning of some podcasts. What I mean is simple. I am trying to get something together that I can play brief commentaries on some place. Problem is, The one place that worked, the quality was bad because the speed wasn't right. So for the time being, I have one podcast ready to go for download at a location that I have linked to my blog. If people show an interest, which has begun, I'll make more. Hopefully, I'll find a spot where I can have them played without being downloaded. No, the quality is not good, but it's something, and from me, whose working on zero budget, and even less audio engineering knowledge, all I can say is, I'm trying, ok?

Actually, I am just now as I write this, deciding to change the name of the blog and message boards to the "Palace Project". Because bluntly, it's become one. As I know and can accomplish more, I'll update either there, or here with a column.

Ok, that's it for now, ladies and gentlemen. My email replies have been low, and I am kind of discouraged by that, but hopefully, you can take the time to check out the blog, and message board at the Palace Project. You can get there by clicking here.

Since my emails have been low, let me provide that as well by allowing you to click here to drop me an email.

Thank you for reading.

Note: The views of this column do not reflect those of the administration of this website.

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