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 Aaron P. asks: I was originally a huge fan of Mistico as Sin Cara but quickly realized they weren't letting him do the stuff that had made him such a huge star in Mexico. Didn't they have him bypass developmental, too? I read an interview from an old wrestler from the 1960s-1970s (I forget who it was) who said that when he wrestled it was the veterans' job to adapt to the newer wrestler's styles and get them over. WWE seems to have the opposite attitude nowadays. Was the failure of Mistico in WWE more his fault or WWE's? I know he seemed to quit on his last Raw match vs. Alberto Del Rio, but it seems like they had long given up on him by that point anyway. They didn't let him use his style, but then didn't seem to do enough to teach him WWE style or do much to make him succeed. Am I wrong?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I think both parties deserve a significant amount of blame for the failure of Mistico as Sin Cara. Mistico's attitude rubbed people the wrong way backstage, and he wasn't willing to learn English as WWE had requested. And yes, he quit on that Del Rio match, which is a no-no. But WWE, as you noted, didn't allow him free reign to get over the way he did in Mexico, and therefore didn't play to his strengths. It's one of the frustrating aspects of WWE style, that no matter where you came from or what made you a star outside of WWE, you have to adapt to their style and their way of wrestling.

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PWTorch reader Marcus C. asks: I have an observation I'd like to run by you. Do you think WWE sets up talent to fail? I read a criticism on a Raw review that the three hour Raw that basically said the new format has exposed WWE's thin and weak mid-card. That got me to thinking. Does WWE have a thin roster because the talent isn't that good or because WWE doesn't do a good job of developing talent? Just from my observation it seems that WWE goes in with a mind set that any particular wrestler is going to be a main eventer or not and it doesn't matter what that wrestler does. If they've been labeled a "top guy,” then they're given every opportunity to succeed while every draw back (lack of crowd reaction, ppv buys, etc.) is ignored and just the opposite is true for people labeled as bad... they are always shot down and belittled no matter how popular or talented they may be.

If WWE doesn't believe certain people will be major players, then why do they bother to sign them, train, develop, and promote them? I can't think of any other sports team, company, or franchise that would do this. Would the New York Yankees bother to draft a hot college pitcher only to decide he isn't good with no coaching and bench him? Would UFC sign a fighter they don't believe could make them money? Yes, I know there comes a point where a talent has to step up and overcome and earn their spot, but it's different if a talent can't go versus someone who never got the chance.

A recent example of this could be people like Paige and Adam Rose. Both signed by WWE, both trained and developed in NXT, both have wrestling backgrounds prior to WWE, both called up to the main roster. Both got thrown to the wolves. Creative never really gave us a chance to get to know them, they performed inconsistently (not on every show every week) then WWE acted puzzled why no one reacted to them. Yet when the going gets tough they go back to well and make people like John Cena and Randy Orton Champion... like they have for the better part of a decade.

Why is WWE so hesitant to push new people? Yeah, not all of them will succeed but not all of them will fail, either. You would think if they would take the extra time it would make things less complicated for them and make their jobs easier and not leave them scrambling when a top guy gets hurt they could fill the spot with someone else and not miss a beat. The current WWE product reminds me of high school. There's the table all the "cool" kids get to sit at and they won't allow anyone they determine to be beneath them at it.

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: I think a big problem with the three hour format is that it exposes WWE's inability to connect their undercard to their audience. The undercard is weak because so many talents that have appeared on the undercard have been fed to the wolves and it's clear to WWE's audience that they aren't at the level of the top guys in the company.

I think part of the problem is Creative and part of the problem is the talent. Creative has done a lot of the undercard talent no favors, but at the same time, when a talent doesn't catch on Vince McMahon can sour on them quickly.

Another part of the problem is that Creative is stretched too far so that when a new talent like Adam Rose or Paige is introduced, they don't get a lot of attention because Creative is pouring all of their energy into the top acts in the company.

I think WWE signs talent based on look alone in some cases and in other cases they see a potential in talent and it just doesn't pan out. The same thing happens in major sports and many talents don't pan out and get put out to pasture.

PWTorch columnist Pat McNeill answers:

(a) Sometimes, yes.

(b) Neither. It's more about the way WWE books its newly arrived talent (in my opinion.)

(c) To make a point.

(d) I could see the previous owner doing that.

(e) Yes. That's actually happened.

(f) Because if WWE's creative team goes all-out pushing a new wrestler, and the wrestler doesn't get over, it makes the creative team look bad.

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PWTorch reader David of Adelaide, Australia asks: Great feature! It is a must read every day. My question is in relation to both Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff. How did they both run their main shows during the “Monday Night War” when they were both performing commentary? Was there a nominated leader backstage to act on their behalf or were they able to give out commands whilst sitting at ringside? Thank you for your time reading my question!

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: Both Bischoff and McMahon delegated other show duties while they worked on commentary. In the end, though, both left the announcing booth to return backstage - McMahon to micro-manage the announcers, something he does to this day.

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PWTorch reader Josh S. of Bloomington, Minn. asks:
Are these dark times for wrestling as a viable business? TNA seems to be on its last legs while conventional media is feasting on the loss of wealth Vince McMahon has had to deal with in recent times. And then ROH and other promotions simply don't have the public exposure one would expect for a viable product. Is it possible that the wrestling universe as we know it is about to change, and not for the better? Thank you for all you do.

PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell answers: There are fewer wrestling fans now than in any time in my lifetime. The Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter and its online VIP content (sign up here: www.PWTorch.com/govip) cover this issue in depth on a daily and weekly basis.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: Sometimes things have to get bad before promoters open up to new ideas and the industry improves. That happened before the Monday Night War - WCW and the WWF hit a low point and it took a frightened set of old-school promoters and bookers and wrestlers to open up to newer ideas. This is covered in the over 100 episodes of my Pro Wrestling Focus radio show that aired on KFAN in the early-1990s, all of which are available for VIP members to listen to in our massive audio show library. So if you’re interested in hearing about the last down time (early-‘90s) and all of the soul-searching the industry was going through and the new voices that began to emerge, that’s a fascinating wrestling lesson waiting for you. It may give you clues to what might be next to cycle into the industry’s future.

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