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 your questions in this feature and also the “Ask PWTorch: All-Star Panel” edition which is also published most days here at PWTorch.

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PWTorch reader Jack M. asks: Last week John Cena seemed to be cornier than usual with the Usos in the promo and lately he seems lost against The Wyatts, like fes up with the crowd etc. Are they possibly trying to make him so hated that a heel turn would be a huge deal, that "Bash At The Beach moment" that turns the tide of the current product and provides a boost to the overall ratings?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: No, Cena is not turning heel, and I think it's a stretch to read that into his promo last week.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: Cena's heel turn is anything but inevitable. His character, whose effectiveness as a revenue producer has been damaged lately in part by some of what you described, drives more money to the company than any other still, Damaging that ability, and hurting the children he does charity work for thereby damaging the image of the company, in exchange for what?

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: Until there exists an obvious and proven lead babyface whom WWE’s top management obviously believes in to replace John Cena, Cena will not turn heel.

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PWTorch reader Jeff from Michigan asks: Did WWE do wrong by Daniel Bryan by having him wrestle so often (gauntlet matches) and not toning down his style by adding more submission holds? Or is it just a case of WWE perceiving that he has weak mic skills so he needs to wrestle?

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: If anything, Bryan has done less than he's capable of in the ring during his WWE tenure, which he has mentioned in interviews in the past. I believe Bryan does wrestle the style that he does to get over with the fans. He goes 100 mph a lot of the time, but if you took those aspects away from him, he wouldn't be as over as he is.

I don't think WWE did wrong by Bryan to have him wrestle like he does. I think they should have strongly urged or forbid him to do the diving headbutt. The move isn't safe to give and from what I've been told it's not a fun move to take, either. It's a move that leads to a high amount of wear and tear on the neck, so I feel that's where WWE has done Bryan wrong. If you take that move away from him, he's still a dynamic performer with all of the tools he needs and the risk of wear and tear on his neck isn't as high.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: WWE talent would benefit and last longer from everyone doing that. Daniel Bryan's neck problem were accumulated from wrestling that style over the course of many years, both in and out of WWE.

PWTorch audio host Travis Bryant answers: They didn't do him wrong. That is what got him over. Yes, they should have told him NOT to do the CBMHB (Chris Benoit Memorial Headbutt) and maybe limit his dives to the outside to PPVs, but he doesn't have a reckless style like we have seen from some workers. The guy is barely 5-9 and under 200 pounds, so he is going to take a beating no matter how many submissions he incorporates or how little he leaves his feet for offense.

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PWTorch reader Brian R. asks: What are the short- and long-term ramifications for WWE's Black-eyed Friday? Layoffs? Change in direction? Network shutdown? Thanks.

PWTorch audio host Travis Bryant answers: I don't know what that is, but the Network isn't going anywhere.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: Layoffs? Probably. Change in direction? Depends on what part of business you're talking about there. Network shutdown? Highly unlikely. There are ways WWE can increase subscriber numbers, but the big question is: “Can they get to 1 million by the end of the year?" That's going to be the key going forward, and every decision made associated with the network will have that in mind. I think the Network has left some money on the table not emphasizing the archived content available, instead focusing on current shows. But maybe their plan in the initial roll-out was to hook current fans first, then ramp up marketing to catch lapsed fans. That remains to be seen.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: Wade Keller and I talked about the implications of all this in great depth on an extra-long edition of the Bruce Mitchell Audio Show for VIP members that weekend. It's definitely worth a listen.

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PWTorch reader Adam A. asks: Okay, with the mess we’re being given with TNA, I want to know if I'm alone on this: Rockstar Spud is the best performer in Impact Wrestling right now. He's a goofy character that isn't that strong or skilled, but is being used to his current potential. He's not like Garrett Bischoff where he's not that good but being put in the ring with bigger and better stars and winning for some reason. How do you guys feel about Spud? Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's the best thing to happen to wrestling, but I just feel his storyline is the only thing TNA is doing right and he's playing his roll well. Thoughts?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: Spud is entertaining, sure, but when you're talking about a comedy wrestler/assistant as the most fun part of the show, that right there should tell you there are some major issues with the company.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: I agree Rock Star Spud is good at what he does. That said, Rock Star Spud being good at what he does is as relevant to TNA’s success as whether placemats at a fast food restaurant have funny jokes written on them to amuse people between bites. It’s the quality of the food itself and the larger branding and aesthetic of the restaurant that matters. The product TNA needs to sell is a series of main event fights fans want to see because they’re invested in who wins and loses and they believe the fights matter. Just about everything else TNA is doing undercuts the core of what makes the pro wrestling genre work.

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