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ASK PWTORCH ALL-STARS 10/14: Will Lesnar be stripped after 30 days? If WWE was reluctant to push Bryan why did Triple H job clean to him? Won’t WWE Network success spoil main roster debuts for NXT graduates? Should Big 4 even be on Network?

Oct 14, 2014 - 2:50:14 PM
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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 Richard from Winchburgh, Scotland asks: Given Brock's finite number of dates, will he still be at each PPV? I say this is as otherwise it ruins the continuity of the 30 day rule. I know he's expensive for somebody to have a throwaway match with, but what if unresolved issues like Randy Orton's rematch clause or a Kane-Randy Orton triple threat were put forth as the next match up to reward them for loyalty. Maybe even a battle royal with Brock squashing the winner.

HISTORIAN & AUTHOR George Schire (Historian, Author of “Minnesota’s Golden Age of Wrestling,” Host of Rasslin Memories heard each Saturday on Pioneer 90.1 FM radio from 11am to Noon CT in Minnesota, former cohost of Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN with Wade Keller in the early ‘90s) answers: Thank you for your question. With regard to continuity of the 30 day rule, it only applies if the WWE wishes it to apply. Ironically, it has always been that way in pro wrestling. Rules set forth by any promotion are adhered to as the promotion sees fit to include them in storylines. You may remember aniel Bryan was relieved the WWE Title because he would be unable to defend the title, but now the WWE chooses to ignore the same rule with Lesnar.

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.) Rules? What rules? It's wrestling. Rules are made for bending or breaking to suit WWE Creative's needs. WWE kept the title on Daniel Bryan when he was initially injured, so there is precedence. I think the 30 day rule has gone the way of tag ropes, time limits, and being disqualified for using a chair outside of the ring.

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PWTorch reader Laurence from London, England asks: Hi, I’m interested in the business side of WWE and whilst I think NXT is amazing to watch, does WWE’s business model not risk eating itself up? I mean, if everyone has the Network and watches NXT because it’s so good, when talent is called up to the main roster these acts like Adrian Neville and Sami Zayn are not new to the WWE Universe and the exciting matches/feuds they have would just be reruns of what the WWE Universe has already seen. Yes, they can feud with the Zigglers and the Romans, but eventually, if all new talent comes from WWE’s feeding system, then all future match-ups would have been seen on the Network in NXT if WWE succeeds in their business model where people buy the Network.

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: Not everyone one who watches Raw has the WWE Network. Not everyone who has the Network watches NXT. Despite WWE’s aspirations and wishes, that’s not going to change and even come close.

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 hear what you're saying and you have a point, but the NBA and Major League Baseball also have farm teams that we are allowed to see future stars come up. WWE has no choice, really, in the matter of making an NXT their only developmental system. The business has changed dramatically to where there are no other relevant places to get talent from.

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.) If I see a young Chris Rock at The Comedy Store, do I not want to see him in movies or on Saturday Night Live? I saw Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. Why do I want to see his movies or stream “Funny or Die?” A fan can become invested in an individual talent and watch them grow, improve, and see how far they will go.

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PWTorch reader Blaine S. asks: Love the site! Why doesn't WWE offer cable and satellite companies the big four PPVs exclusively, maybe even Money in the Bank, and offer the others on the Network? It just seems to me that both WWE and satellite companies are throwing money away with the current situation.

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING MEDIA REPORTER Brian Fritz (host of Between the Ropes podcast and reporter for Sporting News, former AOL Fanhouse and Yahoo Sports reporter) answers: Blaine, I think the biggest reason is because it's a huge perk from the WWE to encourage fans to get the WWE Network. If people are only interested in those four shows, they could spent less money and get the Network and every PPV for the entire year. If they're doing the Network, they want to go all out for it and give people every reason possible to get it, and that means having every PPV on it.

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PWTorch reader Joseph B. asks: Looking back at WrestleMania 30, if pushing Daniel Bryan was so controversial within the company and something they only did reluctantly because of C.M. Punk leaving and Batista flopping, why did Hunter put him over CLEAN, 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring in the opening match? They could have given Bryan that win in so many other ways that would have either protected Hunter or sent a stronger message that they didn't REALLY want to give Bryan the win and/or rub. For example, early in the match, Hunter was trying to get the win by countout, which I actually thought was foreshadowing a count-out win for Bryan over Hunter - which would have been less meaningful for Bryan overall, and a convenient excuse for anyone in the company that wanted to whine about Bryan getting pushed. I was actually surprised when Bryan got the win because, to me, it didn't quite feel like he had properly “beaten” him yet. I expected more of a fight with more false finishes and close calls, and to me it made Hunter look weak. I don't see any reason why Hunter HAD to put him over like that, and in fact I feel he wouldn't have done that unless he REALLY wanted to, meaning that the company was fully behind him and not hedging.

MAINSTREAM WRESTLING MEDIA REPORTER Brian Fritz (host of Between the Ropes podcast and reporter for Sporting News, former AOL Fanhouse and Yahoo Sports reporter) answers:
The company really is behind Daniel Bryan. The thought that they are not is one of the biggest misconceptions floating around the Internet. Of course they are very much behind him, especially Triple H. Otherwise, they would not have given him two big wins on a WrestleMania and have him win the championship in that fashion. Trust me, the company is very much behind Bryan.

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 WWE got on the YES Express by the time they finalized the WrestleMania lien-up. But the fact that Daniel Bryan's original opponent was Sheamus shows that management wasn't planning on Bryan being in the main event.

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 rumor is that Triple H is actually a fan of Bryan and feels that he is deserving of the push. It was actually Vince that was reluctant. So Triple H did what was “best for business."

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: Triple H and WWE understand that it was the right thing for business. Putting Daniel Bryan over clean was the only way to make him a star at that moment. WWE knows how to make stars and so does Triple H.

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(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.)

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Catch up on past Ask PWTorch articles...

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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.


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