The PWTorch All-Star Panel features an array of contributors answering your questions who have worked in various facets of the pro wrestling industry, plus PWTorch contributors join in. You get an unmatched mix of perspectives including first-hand insights from people who have worked in the ring and behind the curtain.

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PWTorch reader Rob W. asks: I read your answers to the question about reinstating the Cruiserweight Division. While I agree that adding the cruiserweights to the established shows would quickly lead to them being used as jobbers, I do think that a Cruiserweight-specific show might be a draw on the WWE Network. I’m envisioning a weekly, one-hour show with largely its own cast, an emphasis on the high-flying cruiserweight style, and its own championship belt. Perhaps the belt could be defended on PPVs from time-to-time, especially as a showcase for the Network-only show. They could probably tape a month’s worth of shows in one night to save costs and release the episodes once a week on the Network. This, to me, would be a far more interesting show than the current Main Event and Superstars shows, which are basically the same WWE product – only with B-level talent and no storylines. Any chance WWE could produce something like this for the Network?

EX-WWE CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER John Piermarini (ex-WWE Creative Team member 2009-2010, frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: Isn't 1/2 of the current WWE roster cruiserweights? You're watching the show already! Really though, I don't see that show happening. If they weren't big on the division as a segment during a two hour show, I don't see them dedicating an entire show to it. Plus, when would they tape it?

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PWTorch reader Will S. asks: Is it finally time to turn John Cena heel?

VETERAN WRESTLING ANNOUNCER Mick Karch (announcer for three decades including the AWA on ESPN, the NWA, and LPWA, former PWTorch Newsletter columnist in 1980s, President of the Nick Bockwinkel Fan Club in the 1970s) answers: You know, that has been talked about for so long, and it hasn't happened. My take is this: Cena is still the WWE's cash cow. He still does killer sales in merchandise. Plus, unless he is all done doing his Make-a-Wish (which I can't imagine), my guess is that they will continue along the same path they have. Cena will continue to get booed by at least half the crowd, but nothing will change. Oh, they might tease a turn, but I just can't imagine it would be anything long term.

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PWTorch reader Aaron P. asks: What is the most shocking thing you've ever seen in the context of a pro wrestling show? The Undertaker's WrestleMania loss has to be near the top of the list. I read where the crowd reaction was comparable to Ivan Koloff beating Bruno Sammartino. I think Undertaker's loss was way more shocking than Foley getting thrown off the cage. I guess none of them compare with Owen Hart's death though.

EX-WWE CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER John Piermarini (ex-WWE Creative Team member 2009-2010, frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: Undertaker losing was surprising but, for me, it wasn't shocking. We didn't guess the end of the match, but I think there's a difference between surprising and shocking. The shocking moments for me were Hulk Hogan turning heel and Vince McMahon screwing Bret Hart. Those were moments you never thought could happen. I guess Taker losing qualifies for some, but I always assumed the streak would end eventually.

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PWTorch reader Derek C. asks: Why/How/When did the "Get Everyone on the Show" Era begin for WrestleMania? Wouldn't it be more important to create 2-3 more compelling matchups that might be used for potential breakout stars or is this part of Vince's nonchalant approach to undercards.

INDY PROMOTER & ANNOUNCER Brad Stutts (Follow @cwfmidatlantic and @stuttsy and listen to his podcast at www.WrestlingWithOptimism) answers: It's always been a thing - 2 and 4 had battle royals, 3 had 12 matches, 5, 6 and 7 had 14 or 15 matches on the card. Personally I like getting everyone on the show; it’s a feel-good thing for the guys, I'm sure.

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PWTorch reader Jordan J. asks: Hey guys. I have a couple questions. One, does the WWE suffer from no longer having the brand extension? And I mean the real brand extension where SD wrestlers rarely showed up on Raw and vice versa. When Raw and SD were separate, it forced WWE to feature current stars more often and also caused them to create new stars.

Two, even if the brand extension is never brought back, do you think the WHC should be? It was a great way to use talents such as Alerto Del Rio, Christian, Sheamus, etc. It gave new main event talent an opportunity to main event before they actually main evented. The WHC also added some unpredictability to PPVs like the Rumble and EC.

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: I liked the brand split for the reasons listed. But if there if they aren't strictly enforcing the split like in the end, there's no point in having it. I also think it helped with creating opportunities with Rumble and Elimination Chamber, which they found out this year being handcuffed to Batista.

EX-ECW CHAMPION AND LONGTIME WWE WRESTLER Justin Credible (also current IWE Champion, visit www.TheJustinCredible.com and on YouTube here including his ongoing Wrestling 101 Series) answers: The brand extension should have been WWE Raw on Monday. WCW Smackdown on Thursday and ECW on Tuesdays. All separate entities. No crossovers. The only time they are on the same card should be at ppvs. Then have the champs wrestle at Mania. The WWE confused everyone with the split. It was a waste. Plus Vince just always buries what he doesn't create.

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PWTorch reader Giuseppe B. of Chandler, Ariz. asks: So this may have been asked in the past, but I have not seen an answer. It pertains to the WWE H.O.F. Why don't referees get inducted? I know there aren’t many of note, but Hebner should be.

EX-ECW CHAMPION AND LONGTIME WWE WRESTLER Justin Credible (also current IWE Champion, visit www.TheJustinCredible.com and on YouTube here including his ongoing Wrestling 101 Series) answers: I agree. There were many great refs from the 80s that should be inducted. Certainly Earl Hebner, and also Tommy Young from the NWA/WCW. If announcers can make the HOF, so should refs.

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: The Hall of Fame is a vehicle to sell tickets to a live event, get viewers, and sell DVDs. There's no ref selling either of those, in my opinion. That said, I am a fan of Tommy Young, Lil' Naitchm, and Earl Hebner.

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(Send questions for a future Ask PWTorch to: askpwtorch@gmail.com. If you have a particular person on the All-Star Panel you'd in particular like to direct your question to, include that in the subject line, but multiple panelists may also answer.)

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In case you are new to this feature, let me introduce you to our All-Star Panel…

EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION: By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

Thanks to Pat McNeill and Anthony Jeselnik for the name of this feature. Just as "CSI" spawned "CSI: Miami," "Ask PWTorch" spawned "Ask PWTorch: All-Star Panel." Only without David Caruso. In any case, we are excited to present to you a new cast for the Ask PWTorch spinoff, which is available exclusively on the PWTorch App (or, for VIP members, on the VIP website too). You are reading this, so you are either a VIP member or have already downloaded the free PWTorch App on your phone or tablet. If you aren't a VIP member, why not? With VIP membership, you gain full access to both Ask PWTorch features on all devices you use to visit PWTorch - our App and our Website.

The "Ask PWTorch All-Star Panel" edition is scheduled to be published first thing in the morning (although not necessarily every single day, like the afternoon website-based Ask PWTorch is; we'll see about that as we move forward). It will feature an entirely different panel of experts and analysts than the afternoon Ask PWTorch does. We have assembled a wide range of contributors, which may expand or change over time, with the goal being to give PWTorch readers new perspectives from people who have particular areas of expertise. Along with our All-Stars from outside of PWTorch, several of our PWTorch contributors (but not the main staff who contribute to the website-based original Ask PWTorch!… you will be quizzed on all of this, so take notes) will also be regularly contributing, especially to current-events-related questions.

Let me introduce you to our panel…

Justin Credible: Current pro wrestler and former ECW Champion and longtime WWE wrestler in the 1990s and 2000s, Justin Credible (P.J. Polaco) currently is the IWE Champion. He travels as indy champion from Maine to Mexico with the title. He posts new Wrestling 101 YouTube videos at www.TheJustinCredible.com or on YouTube at his YouTube Channel.

John Piermarini: Ex-WWE Creative Team member who will provide a behind-the-scenes perspective from his years working for WWE including alongside Vince McMahon, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and John Cena. He has been a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest and was the subject of a comprehensive five-hour Torch Talk interview several years ago about his experience with WWE for most of 2009-2010.

Greg Oliver: SLAM! Wrestling reporter and wrestling book author (and hockey book author), Greg will provide a Canadian perspective on many wrestling topics. If you are a fan from Canada or have Canadian-related wrestling questions, Greg can help you. He is a wrestling historian who published a wrestling newsletter during the boom period of insider wrestling newsletters starting in the late 1980s. We were pen pals in the early 1990s and first met at a 1989 wrestling convention in Chicago run by Jon Gallagher of the Wrestling Forum (the first insider wrestling newsletter I ever received in the mail in early 1987).

George Schire: Author of "Minnesota's Golden Age of Wrestling," former Pro Wrestling Focus radio cohost with me in the early 1990s on KFAN, former contributor of history pieces to the PWTorch Newsletter, and multi-time guest on PWTorch Livecast "Interview Friday," he will be providing a historical perspective to Ask PWTorch.

Johnny Fairplay: Reality Star and Wrestling Manager, perhaps best known as Pat McNeill's Regis Philbin. He was an old neighbor of PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell who watched PPVs at his house long before he became a contestant on Survivor twice. He has been on many reality TV shows, the PWTorch Livecast numerous times, and follows wrestling very closely. You can read more about him on Wikipedia.

Brian Fritz: Host of the long-running "Between the Ropes" podcast, and now working for Yahoo! Sports radio, he also has been a guest on the PWTorch Livecast (and I've been a guest on his podcast), he brings years of reporting on wrestling including on-site interviews with wrestlers at major press events over the years. He follows today's wrestling and will provide his perspective and take on your questions.

Mick Karch: An early PWTorch Newsletter columnist over 20 years ago, Mick has been an announcer for virtually every national wrestling promotion other than the WWF, WCW, and TNA in the last 25 years. He currently works as an announcer on Minnesota indy wrestling shows. He got his start in wrestling running the Nick Bockwinkel Fan Club in the 1970s and is known for his sense of humor, strong opinions, and tremendous insight into wrestling's past dating back many decades, but he also watches today's wrestling regularly and can provide valuable perspective as a result of that span of time following and participating in the industry.

Brad Stutts: He has worked behind the scenes in wrestling in many roles, including taking jackets to the back, setting up and tearing down rings, running websites for indy promoters, running lights and music at live events, and performing as a manager, announcer, wrestler, and promoter. He currently is the lead announcer for CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in North Carolina.

Jim Valley: Long time wrestling fan and Torch subscriber. He won a National Edward R. Murrow Award and several regional awards during his 20 year broadcast career. He has done TV announcing for several independent wrestling promotions, hosted his own wrestling radio show, interviewed many top stars and was flown our to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham.

Current PWTorch Contributors: A mix of current PWTorch contributors will provide their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, and Mike Roe.

You can send your questions for the All-Star Panel to the same address as always: askpwtorch@gmail.com. We will make sure they are directed to the appropriate panelist for potential inclusion in a published Ask PWTorch feature here on the PWTorch App or VIP Website. You may see your question asked in both versions of Ask PWTorch (the Afternoon original website-exclusive version and app-exclusive All-Stars version) so check both versions. Different groups of panelists may tackle your question on different days, so keep checking back. Because they all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences as both fans and working in some capacity in the business or covering it for the Torch, you're going to get some strong specific points of view from them.

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