Welcome to a new website-exclusive PWTorch feature! I am PWTorch founder and editor, Wade Keller. I've been covering pro wrestling since 1987 when I started the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter while still in high school. Over 25 years later, PWTorch reaches more wrestling fans every week than any other independent brand. When we launched PWTorch.com in 1999, one of the features I enjoyed doing the most was "Ask PWTorch," a feature we had previously run in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter in the previous dozen years. I haven't done it recently on the website, but did revive it in recent years in an audio format for PWTorch VIP members on my Keller Hotline a couple times a week. We reintroduced it to the website audience last month. We have posted it every mid-day since the beginning of May.

If you have a question you'd like me to respond to, send your question to askpwtorch@gmail.com. I, along with the Torch staff, will address you questions.

PWTorch reader Chad asks: I was wondering why WWE has not given any type of character development, feud or sustained push to Kofi Kingston in the last 5 years. He has consistently been one of the best in ring talents and when given time on the mic he has been solid. Is he not well liked backstage or is it just a case of bad luck?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: At times, WWE has been on the verge of giving the ball to Kingston, but they've always pulled back for some reason. He's a guy who's always going to have a spot in WWE because he's kid-friendly, he does a lot of charity and PR work, and he's solid in the ring. I just think he doesn't have a real main event gimmick, and even though we saw some potential in his feud with Randy Orton several years ago, that just hasn't been enough for WWE to fully get behind him.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: Kofi Kingston fills a need for WWE and also a role where he can provide cool moves and flying action in the middle of the show. He really doesn't show main event gravitas. The one time he did, against Randy Orton in Madison Square Garden some years ago, WWE Creative shut it down pretty quickly. He's seen now as a profession who does a good job at what they want him to do, and seeing as he hasn't shown that spark since I'm not sure they're wrong.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller adds: I've had ex-WWE Creative Team members on the show who have said that top management just doesn't see Kofi showing the range of character, or as Bruce said "main event gravitas," nor the initiative to come up with something new. I think with him he's got a solid roster spot, and when WWE is in need - and they're not right now - for someone to fill an important higher slot, they'll give him a fresh look. I think he should be working at improving his range on promos most of all.


Ozz from Michigan asks: Seth Rollins has been beaten twice in televised singles matches, and he was the one who submitted to Daniel Bryan in The Shield's 6-man streak-ending loss. Should we read anything into that? Is it too early to think that his losses could be used as a way of moving him out of The Shield (he gets kicked out for being their "weakest link" and replaced by another NXT wrestler) and into a babyface role?

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: I wouldn't read anything into it. Rollins sells really well and is the right guy to use to spotlight an opponent going over a member of the Shield. He has looked good in losing every time in my opinion, so right now I don't think they're looking to replace him or phase him out into a singles role. If the losing confines for him, it's worth keeping an eye on.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I think he could be pegged for a babyface role down the line, but not in the immediate future (at least I hope). I see Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose as more heels, so Rollins would work as a face who turns/gets kicked out. I do think WWE has bigger plans down the line for Reigns and Ambrose and are protecting them for that, leaving Rollins to take the fall. Still, as long as Rollins is in The Shield, he'll have credibility, so there's really no worries there.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller adds: I think it's as simple as Ambrose has been chosen to be the singles wrestler in the group, and as U.S. Champ they're protecting him more, and Reigns has been pegged as a potential future top tier player (above Rollins and Ambrose). So that leaves Rollins to be the chosen one to do most of the jobs. They feel he's good enough to recover from any hit he takes for losing, so in a way it's a compliment to his skills. But I do think it's safe to say at the moment WWE does value Ambrose and Reigns a little more, but that's more a tribute to Ambrose and Reigns than a dig at Rollins. I have heard Rollins was seen as someone with some attitude issues in WWE Developmental, as he was a little slow to give in on changing some of his indy tendencies that he believed in when it came his match style, so there may some residual from that where his being told to job is an attitude check, also.


PWTorch reader Frank L. asks: I knows it's too early to tell but Bray Wyatt's debut seems to be much anticipated and watching his promos on You Tube I could see him having great feuds with Ambrose or even going after Taker. I feel WWE maybe on to something. I love your site!

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I don't see The Shield being involved with The Wyatt Family early on. Both groups are heels, and if I were WWE, I'd concentrate on Wyatt as a singles star and let the other two guys stay in the background at first. That's very unlike the Shield, where each man is presented as somewhat of an equal. I see Wyatt as a Taker kind of opponent, but with Taker's appearances and number of matches dwindling, I don't know that WWE would use one of the matches he has left on someone like Wyatt. But yes, WWE seems to have something with Wyatt, but remember: Sean O'Haire also had great vignettes. How it translates to live events is the key.


(I'll now be adding a segment exclusively for VIP members to this article as a bonus for VIP members. I will select questions sent by VIP members to my VIP Ask the Editor email box that I usually answer on my VIP Keller Hotline during the week and writing a text answer. Today's question follows. To go VIP and get all PWTorch VIP content on our app and our website and our Audio RSS feed, www.PWTorch.com/govip)

PWTorch VIP member Bob M. of Whitesboro, N.Y. asks: I have always been a fan of The Undertaker, so if the guy can keep going for several more years, more power to him. That's great. However, having said that, is The Streak really all that special at this point? I mean, if you wrestle one match a year, shouldn't you be able to win it? Seriously, even in a storyline context, I'm waiting for the heel opponent to say "if I only showed up at Wrestlemania, I'd have a winning streak too." Or should we not be thinking of it like that? Thanks from a subscriber for as long as I can remember.

PWTorch columnist Bruce Mitchell and Greg Parks answer: This is part of the VIP-exclusive portion of Ask PWTorch. am now adding a segment exclusively for VIP members to this article as a bonus for VIP members. I will select questions sent by VIP members to my VIP Ask the Editor email box that I usually answer on my VIP Keller Hotline during the week and writing a text answer. To go VIP and get all PWTorch VIP content on our app and our website and our Audio RSS feed, www.PWTorch.com/govip.

SPECIAL NOTE We have launched a new FREE PWTorch Email Alert service where you can receive BREAKING NEWS ALERTS on occasion plus daily TOP FIVE STORIES reports. To sign up (you can easily unsubscribe anytime), click here.)


READ PREVIOUS "ASK PWTORCH" FEATURES BY CLICKING HERE.

(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)VIP - TUESDAY'S ASK PWTORCH: Should Bray Wyatt feud with The Shield? Why doesn't Kofi Kingston get a push? Should Seth Rollins fans be worried he's always jobbing? Is Undertaker's streak overrated because of Taker's advantage?

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