It’s always a big deal for me when WWE comes to town, since it only makes a few stops in Baltimore per year. But when a live performance by Ozzy Osbourne is added to the mix, that truly is an event.

Ozzy, 58, stole the show at Tuesday’s Smackdown/ECW taping at 1st Mariner Arena. He performed his new single – and the theme song for Sunday’s Judgment Day pay-per-view – “I Don’t Wanna Stop,” which will air tonight on Friday Night Smackdown. Then, just for the live crowd, he tore the house down with everyone’s favorite Ozzy song, “Crazy Train.”

Of course, this was not the first time that Ozzy teamed up with WWE. Longtime wrestling fans might remember Ozzy appearing in the corner of The British Bulldogs at WrestleMania 2.

As for the rest of the show Tuesday, the best match of the night was between MVP and Matt Hardy (I won’t give away any spoilers because not everyone wants to know what happens before tonight’s broadcast airs). It took awhile for MVP to win me over, but I am really starting to see something in him. He has elevated his in-ring performances since working with Chris Benoit, he has a good gimmick, and he can cut a decent promo.

The only thing that is holding him back – and I am not the first person to say this – is his ring attire. It’s hard to take him seriously when he’s dressed like a Teletubbie. I believe he will beat Benoit for the U.S. title either at Judgment Day or at some point, and when he does, that’s when he should change his look.

Since he’s playing the part of a rich, spoiled athlete, why not have him dress like one? Wear flashy suits ala Deion Sanders or Michael Ervin and gaudy jewelry when he’s cutting promos, and then have him wrestle in colorful – but more conventional – tights. Dressing like a champion and looking the part will help convince fans that he really is championship material.

What more can you say about Hardy? The guy has always been over with the fans, and I still believe he is one good story line away from becoming a main event player.

The other highlight Tuesday was a promo by new world heavyweight champion Edge, who drew a lot of heat from the crowd. There is no question that he is the top heel in the business. I’m looking forward to his program with Batista, mainly because it’s something we haven’t seen before. The crowd has been starting to turn on Batista, but Edge is so good at being bad that I think that will stop, just as it did for John Cena when he worked with Edge.

The biggest surprise of the night was the reaction Chuck Palumbo (remember him?) got in the opening dark match against Daivari. The crowd popped for Palumbo like he was a star.

I realize crowds are often hot for the first match regardless of who is in it because they are pumped for the show to start, but I think it was more than that. Palumbo, formerly part of the infamous Billy and Chuck tag team and later a member of one of the many versions of the FBI, rode to the ring on a motorcycle and was in great shape. His work in the ring was solid, too.

I thought Palumbo had a bright future when I first saw him in WCW, and he has the size and look that WWE likes. With so many guys on the injured list, now is the time to get Palumbo on television and give him a push.

Finally, the biggest disappointment Tuesday was that neither Vince nor Shane McMahon appeared before the live crowd, which shocked me since it was the final show before Judgment Day and they are in one of the top matches.