NOTE: This version of Ask PWTorch today is an APP EXCLUSIVE and not available at our free www.PWTorch.com website (although it is also available at our VIP website, where members enjoy full access to every article on every one of our platforms). Thanks for your support of our App and keep spreading the word about PWTorch to your friends who are wrestling fans!

Pro Wrestling Torch was established in 1987 by Wade Keller. One of the primary traits PWTorch has been credited with over the years is assembling the best and most diverse staff of columnists with broad knowledge, but also areas of specialty where they have a particularly strong grasp of history. Every day PWTorch.com presents that team of writers answering your questions, some of which are fact-based and others of which are opinion-based. Either way, we've got you covered with Bruce Mitchell, Pat McNeill, Sean Radican, Greg Parks, James Caldwell, and Wade Keller. Collectively they have over 80 years working for the Torch, writing about wrestling and studying industry history and trends.

If you have a question you'd like us to respond to, send your question to askpwtorch@gmail.com. I, along with the Torch staff, will address you questions in this feature and also the “Ask PWTorch: All-Star Panel” edition which is also published most days here at PWTorch.

===

PWTorch reader Chris Davidson of Lynchburg, Va. asks: A lot is being made about KENTA, Prince Devitt, and Kevin Steen signing with WWE. What are the odds any of them make it to the main roster with anything close to their current gimmick or style of wrestling? Bonus question: What generic developmental name would you give each of them?

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: As far as I know, there's a good chance all three make the main roster, but of the three, I would say Steen has the best chance to be the one that comes to the main roster as a brawler with KENTA and Devitt having to adjust to the WWE style more than Steen.

I see Steen bringing his character to the table with the WWE twist and I wouldn't be surprised if he's allowed to be a brawler in a similar manner to the way Dean Ambrose is now, although this isn't a perfect analogy because he will have his own style and likely incorporate some of his know moves from the independent scene once be gets to the main roster.

I'm hoping they all get to keep their names given that they've been publicized under their known names when WWE has announced their respective signings recently. My favorite NXT name for Steen that I've seen floating around on social media is Steven Keen.

===

PWTorch reader Luis from Chile asks: I found out about your website just two weeks ago, and since then I've been clicking on it every day. I especially enjoy this feature, and I would like to ask you about the possibilities of WWE recording shows for North American TV held outside their comfort zone (the U.S., Canada, and more recently the UK). I'm really sure that, if for example, Survivor Series, other minor PPVs (I don't know if that name is proper anymore), or even editions of Raw/Smackdown are held at South America, they could fill 60,000-seat stadiums very easily. Hope you read this, waiting for your answer.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: First, glad that you found us here at PWTorch.com. Hope you check out becoming a member at (www.PWTorch.com/govip). As to your question, I think the big barrier to entry for WWE is the cost it would take to even run a live-to-tape show from South America, let alone one that is live. They'd probably also do similar to what they do when running in England, that being run Smackdown there as well, in addition to the Raw and/or PPV. With WWE trying to cut costs because of the drop in the stock price and disappointing new TV deal and Network sub levels, I don't think this is the right time for WWE to be thinking about something like this.

===

PWTorch reader Adam from Newcastle, England asks: Hey guys. Thank you for an awesome site. Going VIP is a brilliant way to enjoy pro wrestling for the thing that made me a fan - getting lost in the moment then finding out why it was so great. I love how you guys hit the balance right: Insiders who remember why you have loved wrestling so long. Anyway, my question… I'm a Newcastle England lad so am obviously interested in Adrian Neville. Where do you see him fitting into the WWE roster?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: At this point, I see Neville as a mid-card, Kofi Kingston-like character who provides some athleticism in the mid-card but doesn't have the size or skills on the mic to rise above that point.

===

PWTorch reader Jeff W. asks: Do you think Paul Heyman was at all devalued from teaming with Ryback and Curtis Axel?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: Not really. That seems so long ago at this point, especially when he's paling around with Brock Lesnar again. Heyman can get his heat back via the mic anyway.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: If Heyman wasn’t so good on the mic, and if Lesnar wasn’t such a dominating force, I would say that Heyman was hurt by failing to spark the careers of two wrestlers he managed. However, Heyman is so good and Lesnar is such a force, I just don’t think much considering is given by fans that he managed two guys who are now a TV filler tag team.

===

PWTorch reader Richard Gray of Winchburgh, Scotland asks: Is the Royal Rumble at the wrong time of year? I know it can't be changed now, but I was thinking that the prize is a title shot at WrestleMania and that effectively makes it more predictable. You basically know that they will not miraculously let Zack Ryder fluke a victory, whereas if the prize was just a title shot you could be have the chance there would be a fluke winner or some complete newbie with a massive push. Right now, to me, I am sure the likes of Wade Barrett will not win, because he will be lucky to appear in a WrestleMania match let alone get a title shot. What do you think?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I think it's fine the way it is. You don't want to go to the "fluke" well too often, as it devalues the entire concept. The Rumble should be where the best of the best win, and for the most part, we've had that. I get that the odds say the underdog should win once or twice in the 20-some year history of the event, and there's always a way WWE could get out of giving that person a Wrestlemania title shot (with two titles, they could've had the fluke win and make that title match the opener, like they did with Alberto Del Rio), but I like the way it's set up now.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: I get what you’re saying for sure. The lack of realistically possible winners does take a lot of the drama out of the Rumble. That said, the Rumble-to-Mania tradition is one of WWE’s most successful traditions and they shouldn’t mess with it. What they should do, instead, is try to create a sense that at least a dozen wrestlers out of 30 have a legit chance to be WrestleMania main eventers each year to the average fan. That would simply be a byproduct of pushing the IC Title and US Title level contenders better and protecting five or six extra wrestlers than they do right now.

===

Catch up on past Ask PWTorch articles...

-ASK PWTORCH - FREE WEBSITE.
-CLICKING HERE - ASK PWTORCH - VIP VERSION

********

(Send your question for PWTorch editor Wade Keller and the PWTorch staff exclusively to pwtorch@gmail.com for consideration! You can hear expanded conversation on the above topics from Wade Keller by becoming a VIP member and gaining access to the daily Wade Keller Hotline, posted every day for VIP members for over 1,000 days straight. Sign up at www.PWTorch.com/govip)

We suggest these recent related articles...

ASK THE SPECIALISTS ROUNDTABLE: Who will be WWE's Next Top Star?

SATURDAY’S ASK PWTORCH STAFF for 4/11: How should WWE cater to Texas at WM32? Does WWE using Sting and Hogan add to chances more TNA wrestlers are hired? Do NXT gimmick wrestlers have a chance? Is El Generico really Sami Zayn?

THURSDAY’S ASK PWTORCH ALL-STARS 4/9: Are El Generico & Sami Zayn the same person? Next MITB cash-in for IC or U.S. belt? What match do you show non-fans so they get it? Why don’t heel teams cheat?