By Wade Keller, Torch editor

Torch Subscriber Erin Harmon asks: This is something that has been baffling me for a couple years. Why does WWE not hold WrestleMania in larger stadiums? Since the tickets regularly sell out in 2-3 minutes, they could obviously sell more tickets and use a larger venue. A larger, stadium event would result in more money for the WWE, more tourism money for the city where the event takes place, and would make WrestleMania feel more like the BIG event it should be. WWE is obviously proud of the times in the past they have sold out huge arenas for WrestleMania, so please let me know why they don't try to keep up the grand tradition.

WK: WWE has drawn large gates in domes, but there are only so many domes they can run in. They can't really draw the WrestleMania buzz at the same dome time after time, and selling out domes hasn't always been easy for WWE in the past; only when they're product is reasonable hot. They don't want to risk running outdoors due to weather unpredictably that could ruin the PPV show. They also aren't able to charge the same ticket prices in domed stadiums as they are in smaller arenas because the seats so quickly become such a great distance from the ring at domes. They're able to charge exorbitant prices compared to house shows for a WM at a regular arena, thus they're able to make a ton of money either way.

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Dave of Mankato, Minn. asks: I know Eric Bischoff was "fired" from his GM position on Raw, but what is his overall status with WWE? Is he still with them in some capacity, or was the angle on Raw done to explain his absence? If he is still with WWE, what do they plan on doing with him? Will he return as a manager of a heel stable, kind of like he did with the NWO years ago? I personally think Bischoff, in the right role, is an asset to WWE, and would like to see him return to TV.

WK: As of last week, I heard that Eric Bischoff didn't even know his status. He was told he didn't do anything wrong and that the people who matter liked his work, but they were looking to go a new direction with the Raw G.M. post. Of course, as one wrestler joked, as soon as WWE tells you they have no problem with you and Steph and Vince are happy with your work, you better prepare for your next job. Bischoff, though, is still collecting his weekly salary while not having to do anything for WWE because WWE is "selling" his firing. They might bring him back or they might cancel his contract at the first available opportunity.

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Mike Vincent of St. Catharines, Ont. With Paul Heyman's contract expiring in the new year, I wanted to know how aware of Heyman's status and accomplishments TNA management (namely Dixie Carter) is. And subsequently, is there a realistic chance that they'll make him an offer?

WK: That's a tough question, and I haven't gotten a clear feeling from any TNA sources on whether Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett would welcome Paul Heyman. Neither has much direct involvement with him. Heyman has been offered a new WWE deal and may have already signed it according to word coming out of OVW and WWE, but I haven't heard reliable details at all other than it's said to be a multiyear deal. Dixie knows enough about the industry to know who Heyman is and know of his reputation. Whether she's enough of a student of the game to be able to balance his strengths and weaknesses as a booker and as a potential employee to make a fully informed choice, I don't know. I think Heyman would be an incredible asset to TNA as booker. If TNA made him a fair offer, say $200,000 a year to be booker, which would be competitive with WWE's offer, they would have the ultimate key to taking on WWE. I agree with Jason Powell's assessment in this week's new Torch Newsletter that Heyman would be the top priority for a new promotion. Heyman's track record with ECW, Smackdown, and OVW (and even Windy City Wrestling and Continental, his booking stints that predated ECW) shows that he has a magic touch for compelling, cutting-edge booking that most importantly highlights the strengths of his talent and camouflages their weaknesses. It wouldn't shock me if Heyman didn't send feelings to TNA management somehow since, while TNA doesn't have great job security, he would love the opportunity to have a national TV clearance, TNA's awesome talent roster, and ample funding - a combination he's never had. Whether Jarrett would be willing to endorse Heyman, which would mean giving up his booking power (and he's the main booking power right now) and perhaps his main event slot, is a big question.

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Dugan Henhawk, Las Vegas, Nev. asks: I'm a longtime wrestling fan, though only recently started watching again (got sick of all the "soap opera"-type stuff, too much talk, not enough action,etc) A serious (although maybe ignorant ) question: I seem to recall Juventud (that's how they refer to him now, or just as "Juvi") going by the Guerrero name in WCW; is he from the famous wrestling family, or was that just a gimmick to get him over?

WK: His full wrestling name in Mexico and later in the U.S. was Juventud Guererra, not Guerrero. It was never meant to imply he is related to the Guerrero family. WWE, as they often do, has shortened his name for simplicity sake since Juventud is descriptive enough.

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Background on Torch editor Wade Keller: Torch editor Wade Keller founded Pro Wrestling Torch in September 1987. He has been interviewed as a wrestling expert by dozens of TV and radio stations across the country; he has also been quoted in dozens of major newspapers and magazines across the world. Media entities that have featured Keller in stories covering wrestling include National Public Radio, Fox News Channel, ESPN Magazine, the New York Post, Entertainment Weekly, the All-News Channel, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He also hosted his own weekly two hour wrestling talk show on KFAN sport radio in the '90s. Over the past 17 years Keller has also interviewed, one-on-one, wrestling's top names for in-depth "Torch Talks" and feature articles including powerbrokers such as Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Jerry Jarrett, Bill Watts, Jim Cornette, Jim Crockett, Jim Herd, Paul Heyman, Ed Ferrara, Terry Taylor, Kevin Sullivan, Jim Ross, and Vince Russo; top wrestling stars such as The Rock, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Mick Foley, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Rick Steamboat, Jerry Lawler, Bill Goldberg, British Bulldog, Road Warrior Hawk, Jesse Ventura, and Hulk Hogan; and legends such as Lou Thesz, Gordon Solie, Bruno Sammartino, Roy Shires, Terry Funk, and Verne Gagne.

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