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 Sal H. asks: Love the feature and the site in general is a daily read for me. My question is what match or matches do you show people to try to get them into wrestling? I usually go with Hell in a Cell from King of the Ring ’98 between Undertaker and Mankind or Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 25.

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: I pretty much know the lay of the land when it comes to which of my friends like wrestling. Some of my friends don't get to watch wrestling too often, so when they're able to watch some wrestling I've shown them some of my favorite matches from recent years.

Recent matches I would show my friends include Ricochet vs. KUSHIDA from NJPW BOSJ Finals, Johnny Gargano vs. Ricochet from Open The Ultimate Gate 2014, The Young Bucks & Kevin Steen vs. Ricochet & A.R. Fox & Rich Swann from PWG ASW X: Night 1, and Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Batista from WM XXX. If I were introducing a new friend to wrestling, I would show them the two matches you mentioned and Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi from ROH's Joe vs. Kobashi. If they were still interested, then I would show them some of the more recent matches from above.

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PWTorch reader Aaron P. asks: Whatever happened to Curtis Axel as the newest Paul Heyman guy? They seemed to have dropped it without anybody noticing or caring. I had forgotten all about it until watching an old show on the Network.

PWTorch columnist Pat McNeill answers: Axel did not get over as well as WWE hoped he would. So, when Brock Lesnar made his return earlier this, there was no need for Paul Heyman to manage Axel or Ryback. As you noted, Axel's push disappeared and nobody cared.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: Curtis Axl demonstrated in the last year that he wasn't good enough in the ring, on the mic, or in star quality, to be a Paul Heyman Guy or even a guy that WWE should push as an important act.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: He, uh, didn't exactly work out in that role and was thus dropped.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: He was miscast from the start as the second-coming of Mr. Perfect. “Better than Perfect” was lazy and one-dimensional, with no evidence to convince anyone of it and not attempt to put heat on him for boasting about something he wasn’t. He is his own person, not his dad Curt and not his grandfather Larry the Axe. Unfortunately and surprisingly, WWE didn’t put him in a role better suited for his personality and he paled in comparison to his father and fans saw that and didn’t really react to him. It’s too bad although he’s fine now as a tag team role player, and it’s probably about the right role for him at this point.

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PWTorch reader & VIP MEMBER Booker G asks: Given that most wrestling websites have openly reported for some time that Roman Reigns is being groomed to become "the next top star" (in spite of him not yet having truly reached main-event status), is there a risk that Reigns himself might catch wind of these reports and perhaps adjust his backstage behavior accordingly? (Not necessarily a big head, but perhaps “false humility,” so as to keep his standing with management in check.) It was hardly a secret that “Stone Cold” was destined to become the next top star either, but I don't remember it being reported so heavily back then.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I think Reigns is smart enough to know he's being groomed to be the next big thing simply based on how he's been booked (or maybe he's even been outright told by WWE management) that he doesn't have to "catch wind" of online reports confirming this. There are likely a lot of people in his ear telling him how he needs to carry himself both behind the scenes and on-camera as he rises up the ranks. WWE does not want him to fail, so they'll probably hold his hand while his push increases and the transition eventually occurs.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: The reason Reigns has been chosen to be groomed as the next top star is in great part because management ascertained over the last few years he has a great attitude and isn’t likely to end up being a head-case. He’s got a disposition that gives management confidence they can push him and he will stay humble and hard-working. As for Steve Austin, he wasn’t really groomed to be a top guy. He actually was recognized as a future top star by a lot of people in his days before working for WWE (including many, many such predictions in the pages of the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter back then). That said, the promoters never picked Austin to be the top guy like has happened with Reigns. Reigns has been picked before becoming the top guy, whereas Austin was picked by the fans despite years of being overlooked (due to not being a Hulk Hogan crony in WCW and not seen by Vince McMahon as a top guy when he first hired him). It was only after the fans picked Austin and Vince McMahon was looking to go against his usual instincts to due the insurgent WCW competition that he McMahon went with the obvious.

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PWTorch reader Chad G. asks: I loved the MITB match and thought all of the wrestlers did a great job, but I couldn't help but feel frustrated at end of the match. Frustrated at the fact that Kofi Kingston gets two opportunities to be highlighted and show off his talent and always delivers, yet he never gets the opportunity to have a feud or any promo time. I'm even more frustrated that guys like Alberto Del Rio or Sheamus get chance after chance to get over, yet guys like Kofi and even Dolph Ziggler have been continuously held down. So, to wrap this up, how would you ideally book Kofi Kingston?

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: If I were WWE, I'd book Kofi Kingston exactly like WWE does now. Fairly or unfairly, he's been in the mid-card for far too many years to be elevated now. That window is closing on Dolph Ziggler too. Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus still have whatever chance they have.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: Kofi could be moved up incrementally if WWE was really committed to doing so. They’re not for the same reasons as they weren’t motivated last year and two years ago and three years ago; Vince and Hunter don’t see him that way. I think he could be matched with a good tag team partner and have a very good run in the tag division, or he could - with some deliberate planning and execution - move him into a serious IC Title contender role. But they utilize him as a handy mid-card utility guy who has some energy and personality and can help put other guys over in good matches. It’s not a bad gig. There’s all but a few dozen active wrestlers in the country who would love his gig.

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