Five years ago, one of pro wrestling top insider reporters and analysts, Jason Powell, wrote a column for Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter titled "Page 2 Buzz." He covered insider news, and PWTorch VIP members can read his weekly columns from 2008 in our weekly "Five Years Ago Back Issue" series in both text and PDF format. Here's a snippet of one of his items in his column five years ago...

It’s been well established that Undertaker is one of the most respected wrestlers in the industry. Now that Ric Flair is gone, I can’t think of another wrestler who commands as much respect from his peers in the WWE locker room. Shawn Michaels and Triple H have power and are also respected, but there are a number of wrestlers who resent their political standing—more so Hunter than Michaels.

It’s rare that wrestlers have anything negative to say about Undertaker’s political influence. However, sources with behind the scenes knowledge say Taker is just as politically influential as Hunter and Michaels. The big difference is that he’s just not as overt in the way he conducts his business.

A well–placed source says Taker has a noticeable history of killing the momentum of hot acts. For instance, he lobbied to score a clean pinfall over John Cena for no apparent reason during the peak of Cena’s heel rapper gimmick. Obviously, it worked out okay for Cena, but at the time there was plenty of head–scratching going on over the decision to have the company’s hottest act lose clean for no apparent reason.

Taker also makes the repeated mistake of mowing through quality opponents quickly and then panics when he runs out of fresh opponents to work with. One observer says he then latches onto unskilled monsters (see John Heidenreich) and claims he’s trying to make them when it’s really an act of desperation on his part.

It’s also worth noting that there are several people in the industry who feel his character is so strong that he doesn’t need the World Hvt. Title. I agree with this assessment. He’s portrayed as such a dominant force and he’s such an icon that he would have just as much drawing power with or without the title. I’m fine with giving him a short run with the strap, but it does take away the title from a wrestler who might not be a drew without it.

Go VIP and read the rest of this "Page 2 Buzz" column including details of the rift between Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett and more backstage items and top analysis. PWTorch VIP Membership Info

You can also read Jason Powell every day at his website, www.ProWrestling.NET.

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