PWTorch.com - ASK PWTORCH ALL-STAR PANEL 8/13: Do wrestlers still talk to each other using carney language? What would Lesnar winning title do to Rollin and MITB? Should WWE agents become authority figures for the mid-card?

Ask PWTorch
ASK PWTORCH ALL-STAR PANEL 8/13: Do wrestlers still talk to each other using carney language? What would Lesnar winning title do to Rollin and MITB? Should WWE agents become authority figures for the mid-card?

Aug 13, 2014 - 10:04:28 PM

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY

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.

===

PWTorch reader & VIP MEMBER Chris from La Quinta asks: Do wrestlers still speak in the carny language of kayfabe during matches or in the locker room?

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and cohost with Sean Waltman of weekly podcast at www.ProWrestling.net) answers: Only the ones I like!

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: I still hear the wrestlers using carny in the ring on occasion, but primarily that's when guys who have been around for a long time are working. Otherwise, the modern crop seem to call their spots in good old fashioned English, which is not necessarily a good thing. Especially when they call them so loud that they have a responsive reading with the spectators in the bleachers.
In the locker room, it's kind of the same thing. The vets (especially legends) who are brought in to work a show still speak carny on occasion. Along with everything else, carny is a lost "art."

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER Jim Valley (Long time wrestling fan, Torch subscriber, and currently PWTorch Livecast guest host. 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 out to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham.) I don't believe it's as prevalent as it once was. It's more of joke or a novelty now. Though it may come up in certain situations.

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: Rarely. I sometimes do it in a match to test the young kids and they're clueless. Kayfabe is unfortunately dead.

===

PWTorch reader Aaron P. asks: If the long term plan is for Brock to beat Cena at Summerslam and pass the torch to Reigns at WrestleMania, where does that leave the Seth Rollins cash in?

INDY PROMOTER & ANNOUNCER Brad Stutts (Follow @cwfmidatlantic and @stuttsy and listen to his podcast at www.WrestlingWithOptimism) answers: Night after Mania versus Roman Reigns, perhaps?

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and cohost with Sean Waltman of weekly podcast at www.ProWrestling.net) answers: The night after Mania!

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER Jim Valley (Long time wrestling fan, Torch subscriber, and currently PWTorch Livecast guest host. 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 out to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham.) Rollins has months after WrestleMania to cash in, if he hasn't done it, and failed, by this fall. Rollins could be the first challenger for Reigns after WM in a Shield vs Shield storyline.

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: Seth Rollins will be a mid-card guy. I don't see his big turn as being as impactful as the WWE brass would like. He has all the talent let's hope the WWE Creative team will do something with it.

===

DON'T MISS TODAY'S OTHER ASK PWTORCH ARTICLE! To read today's other new Ask PWTorch article, featuring PWTorch staff responses to some of these and some other questions, be sure to become a VIP member. VIP members have access to every version of Ask PWTorch on our website every day. We will rotate which version of Ask PWTorch is a VIP website exclusive, but signing up for a VIP membership assures you get access to every text and audio version of Ask PWTorch without exception on every platform. Don't miss out. Sign up here now! www.PWTorch.com/govip.

===

PWTorch reader Reg from London, England asks: With Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox gone from TV, I find it hard to believe that the Authority would concern themselves with mid-to-lower card issues involving wrestlers they have no direct affiliation with e.g. the angle with Bo Dallas, Miz, and Dolph Ziggler from a recent Smackdown which led to a match between Dallas and Dolph, which Cole noted on commentary was booked by the authority, this just days after Stephanie had been arrested, so surely there would have been more important things on her mind? That being said, would it be wise to have the agents/producers play occasional on-air characters with the power to book matches lower on the card, and soon all matches once the authority storyline runs it course? And then refer to them as "Senior Officials? Or something to that effect. But they are neutral characters rather than blatant heels or faces. I ask this because of the recent appearances from the likes of Joey Mercury, Jamie Noble, and Fit Finlay in segments on TV.

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 think it could be distracting to have those agents play on here characters. Even if it's occasionally, most wrestling fans will bring up the past of course in their names so it will just take away rather than add to the product.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER Jim Valley (Long time wrestling fan, Torch subscriber, and currently PWTorch Livecast guest host. 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 out to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham.) I think Kane plays that role. Right now I don't see WWE management giving those gentlemen larger speaking roles.

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and cohost with Sean Waltman of weekly podcast at www.ProWrestling.net) answers: I hate the current on-air authority figures. The last thing I want is mid-card authority figures. Kill me now.

===

PWTorch reader Paul R. asks: With TNA not being able to draw more than a few hundred people at the most, seemingly, would it behoove them to change to smaller venues? How much would it help or hurt the product if they did shows and tapings from places similar to the ALP (PWG), Fete Music (Beyond), or the Palmer Center (Chikara)? It may sound ridiculous, but wouldn't having an "intimate" venue make the most out of a hot crowd? Granted, TNA has a lot more problems, but could it be a step towards marking a new identity for themselves if they want one?

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and cohost with Sean Waltman of weekly podcast at www.ProWrestling.net) answers: I think they're biggest priority at this time is a television deal. That aside, a smaller current looking venue would be ideal. Anything that looks like a high school gym or armory would definitely be a channel turner in my opinion.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER Jim Valley (Long time wrestling fan, Torch subscriber, and currently PWTorch Livecast guest host. 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 out to Stamford to audition for WWE. He took second to Todd Grisham.) The era of "studio wrestling" died decades ago. Wrestling fans are accustomed to big venues. People want a major league look. An "intimate" setting doesn't cut it anymore.

===

===

(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.)

===

Catch up on past Ask PWTorch articles...

-ASK PWTORCH - FREE WEBSITE.
-CLICKING HERE - ASK PWTORCH - VIP VERSION

===

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.