Chicago Sun-Times: SmackDown scores with Hassan

In Week 3 of the draft lottery, Teddy Long and the SmackDown crew once again got the better of the two picks. Obviously, WWE is high on Carlito, and he has paid dividends by winning the Intercontinental title in his first match on Raw. But Muhammad Hassan is one of the top pure wrestlers in the game and is becoming one of the best heels in the history of the business.

WWE is missing the boat on Carlito. His attitude and charisma make the fans want to like him, but the situations he has been placed in won't let that happen. He never will get to top-heel status being unintentionally likeable, so WWE should accelerate plans to push him toward the fans.

In Hassan, SmackDown gets a star on the verge of main-event status. Carlito could have some interesting matches with other WWE mid-carders, but Hassan is poised for main-event feuds with Booker T, Rey Mysterio and possibly RVD when he returns.

AROUND THE RING: Sounds as if Vince McMahon is close to pulling the trigger on an ECW tour in the fall. Most of the ECW talent is under contract, and we hear Joey Styles has been signed to a contract after a strong performance on One Night Stand." ... Talks between TNA and WGN have broken off. The TNA show seems likely to move to Spike TV in the late summer, with a Saturday late-night slot, perhaps at midnight. ... Matt Hardy has signed with TNA and will be in its July pay-per-view. Still no word on a Hardy Boys reunion.