The new "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #18

- Question from PWTorch reader Jeff in Michigan: Does Cesaro really need Paul Heyman to be elevated? Would Heyman be better off with someone else?

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: Jeff, I was pretty baffled by the pairing myself. Sure, Cesaro isn’t Shawn Michaels on the mic, but he isn’t Mason Ryan either. He’s been able to carry some excellent feuds on NXT not just in the ring, but out of the ring as well. I do not see what Cesaro, who had a great start to a babyface turn at WrestleMania, gets from this. Heyman is strong enough to not be on TV every week to remind us of who he is. The only advantage to this match-up, is if it is short-term and leads to Cesaro dumping Heyman to go full-on babyface.

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: After the failed attempts with very poorly written storylines to turn The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, and Dolph Ziggler, WWE actually had a well-written babyface turn for Cesaro. But, the next night they went back on it. Cesaro was over huge at WrestleMania, so he clearly doesn't need Paul Heyman to be elevated. He could have been the #3 babyface in the company if they had kept him away from Heyman.

You have to be careful with picking the right Heyman Guy. WWE was smart with selecting someone like Cesaro in terms of skill level and the fact that he was already over with the fans. It is easy to believe that Heyman would want to recruit Cesaro. You never had that feeling with Curtis Axel. So, while part of me says that Heyman could be used to elevate someone who needs it more than Cesaro, I hedge a little on the idea of Heyman elevating someone from too far down the card.

WWE had the right idea in taking someone from the mid-card who was on his way up to elevate even further with an association with Heyman. They got it wrong last year in taking someone from the bottom and having Heyman try to elevate him up the card. So, I don't think I would put a new comer with him. However, no one on the current roster really comes to mind as being better than Cesaro.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: I think that any wrestler lucky enough to have Heyman added to the mix is instantly going to have more credibility with the fans, as well as gain arguably the best talker in the company today. I definitely think it elevates Caesaro, as while he is clearly an excellent wrestler, his promos (at least until now) have been somewhat limited.

The addition of Heyman was a nice way to delay what I think will be an inevitable Caesaro babyface turn (you don't get a move like the big swing and stay a heel for very long) and when the time is right, I have a feeling Paul will be taking a ride. Enjoy it while it lasts.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: Good question, Jeff. I don't think Heyman is the best fit for a guy who gets a good babyface reaction such as Cesaro. However, I'm still curious to see where things go from here as he's done a superb job of putting him over as a huge deal on the same level as a Brock Lesnar. I do hope he gets behind another heel soon because he's always the best when being the mouthpiece for a young upcoming villain.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thank you for your question, Jeff. I was in the arena when Cesaro declared that he was a "Paul Heyman guy," and I questioned whether it was a good idea. Cesaro's powerful wrestling style is that of a babyface, but his persona seems to fit better as a heel. Unfortunately, he still does not have very much character depth or discernible promo skills so WWE probably felt that pairing him with Heyman would help strengthen his overall character before he inevitably turns into a hero that fans can get behind.

I do not think that Cesaro really needs Heyman to be elevated, but I think he can accentuate his strengths while masking his weaknesses. He can get over some nicknames better than Cesaro could do himself, such as King of Swing or King of Extreme. Heyman's golden touch is in question because Curtis Axel did not rise up the card, but I think that these two are a good fit. I see this relationship lasting for until either Survivor Series or Royal Rumble and by then hopefully Cesaro will have a stronger overall character. His superhuman strength and the crowd's response to his impressive moves dictate that he will be a very good face, but it depends on much he improves and evolves into becoming a more well-rounded character. The relationship with Heyman should hopefully help this transition, and even if it does not take place, Heyman can be his mouthpiece as he stays a solid heel.

- "Instant Reaction" Ben Tucker (@BTuckerTorch) responds: Now that Cesaro is being portrayed as a full-on heel, his pairing with Heyman makes a lot more sense. I don't see anyone on the roster due for a push who could use Heyman more than Cesaro. Cesaro isn't the strongest on the mic. Why not pair him up with one of the greatest managers of all time?

- "Mr. Europe" Brian Leahy (@CobyHectic) responds: In their current roles, I think they both need each other. Why they're in that spot is a different question entirely, but now that they are where they are, they're more than a help than a hindrance to one another's stature. It seemed after Mania that Cesaro was lined for a solid face run after emulating Hulk Hogan in the battle royal. I can't help but feel like WWE had an aimless, meandering face run planned, and Heyman was at a loose end with just Brock 'Part Time' Lesner on his books, so they decided to pair the two.

Cesaro is a really good wrestler, and works a good heel game in the ring. He's the kind of wrestler that fans respect but not 'cool' enough such that they'll cheer him if he's working in full heel mode. His one obvious weakness is on the mic; English isn't his mother tongue, and as a result he's sometimes awkward on delivery as his tone, rhythm, and inflection don't quite match up to his words.

Heyman, on the other hand, needs a blue chipper to latch onto after the ill-fated pairing with Curtis Axel, and if they want to heap the heat on Cesaro, then Heyman is the man to achieve that. Cesaro could be a good upper-tier face some day, and the inevitable feud with Heyman on the far end of this partnership (think Heyman vs. Punk re-hashed) would set Cesaro on his way.

***

[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

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