The "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #57

- Question from PWTorch reader Chad: Do you think it's hypocritical that people are okay with Undertaker wrestling again, but have a problem with Kurt Angle wrestling one match against Rusev? Undertaker has had a laundry list of injuries in his career like Kurt Angle, not a neck injury that I'm aware of, but nonetheless still a ton of injuries, he is also older than Kurt Angle, and I would argue that Undertaker wrestling one more match is just as wreckless and irresponsible as letting Kurt Angle wrestling again.

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: After his match against Brock Lesnar, I don't think Undertaker should wrestle again, so I can certainly see your point about hypocrisy when people want to see Taker wrestler again, but not Kurt Angle. I don't want to see either of them wrestle again. However, I can see that while Undertaker does have the mileage and injuries, he has hardly wrestled at all over the past few years and nagging hip injuries aren't the same as nagging neck injuries. Also, we know that Kurt Angle has had a pain pill addiction. He may be clean and sober for over a year, but that addiction never goes away. So, I do see enough of a difference that I can understand why a fan would be able to justify Undertaker wrestling again, but not Angle.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: I think that this one boils down to Kurt having more "personal issues" that the company weighs as factors in a comeback. Undertaker isn't likely to wrestle much longer, and I think that he always has a say in it in terms of whether or not he feels healthy enough to go, so I don't think that 'Taker is at a level where people feel they are protecting him from himself, as it seems to be the case with Angle.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: I would tend to agree with you. People at times have a blind spot for The Undertaker. One of the best ever? Yes, but he is just as much at risk as the next aging Superstar. I would love to see Angle back, but the difference is the amount of work done on his neck, plus his history of substance abuse. In that case, this is where people will tend to be okay with Undertaker over Angle. It's a shame either way, but I can't blame WWE for not wanting to put these guys in certain situations, hence the reason they're taking their time with Daniel Bryan. Thanks for the question!

- "Instant Reaction" Ben Tucker (@BTuckerTorch) responds: By all accounts, Undertaker is physically more able to wrestle than Kurt Angle, at least in terms of what each man wants to do. Taker is fine working one or two matches a year, whereas Angle seems to be more comfortable working a full-time schedule. Angle also works a very taxing wrestling style when compared to Taker, and his injuries have been more severe than the Dead Man's. In the end, I don't think it's hypocritical to be okay with Taker wrestling and not Angle.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: There are huge differences between Kurt Angle and Undertaker. As you mention, the lack of a neck injury is a big one. The other one is their personal histories with regards to drugs and other personal problems. Kurt Angle is on record as a drug addict and alcoholic in recent years, while Undertaker is clean as a whistle as far as anyone knows. Kurt Angle has acknowledged that the wrestling lifestyle and the in-ring damage has been a big factor in his drug and emotional issues.

If Angle's neck was 100 percent, I would still feel that putting him in a WWE ring would be potentially harmful to himself and WWE until he can put together a decent period of quality sobriety and emotional wellness. That said, even at WrestleMania 29, I felt sad watching Undertaker in the ring. I don't know how much is a work vs. real, but he looked really beat up even before he stepped in the ring. WrestleMania 30 was even worse. I don't know if it is a smart move putting him into the ring either anymore, especially with a guy like Lesnar who is known to be rather stiff.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thank you for your question. I would say it is a little hypocritical for people to say they want to see Undertaker wrestle again, but they have an issue with Kurt Angle getting in the ring with Rusev. The biggest difference is that Angle has a long history of substance issues, and that was a reason he was let go in the first place. He has a documented history of serious injuries that could lead to permanent damage. I am not saying Undertaker is not banged up, but I do not believe that he has been known to have the same substance issues.

Angle is an incredible performer, but I think it was irresponsible of TNA to allow him to compete. WWE is not exactly the most responsible company when it comes to preventing wrestlers from entering the ring when they are hurt so you know somebody has to be in really bad condition to be let go. On top of it, TNA ratings did not increase at all in the last eight years. If you are going to take a risk, hopefully it is at least financially profitable.

Undertaker looked to be in really bad shape against Brock Lesnar, but he also had a concussion. I think people are okay with him wrestling again because he only shows up once a year and allows his body to heal. He is also ingrained in the mystique of WrestleMania so it is hard to imagine him not being there. However, the bottom line is if somebody cannot safely perform in the WWE ring, they should not be in there.

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[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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