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 regular topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

With Rey Mysterio's WWE run coming to a close, in this edition we look at one of the big questions and hot topics from Rey's career...

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #77

- Question from Jesse in Queens, N.Y.: I want to ask you guys if Rey Mysterio would have been World Champion had Eddie Guerrero not passed away. His whole journey to the World Championship in 2006 was centered around Eddie's memory.

- "Instant Reaction" Ben Tucker (@BTuckerTorch) responds: Chances are that Mysterio would have eventually had a short run with the title someday, though not a long one. He did gain the World Title again in 2010, an event that didn't involve Guerrero's death at all. The lack of roster depth on the Smackdown brand back then guaranteed that he wouldn't have been forgotten either way.

- "KPCC Radio" (@MikeRoe) responds: Thanks for the question, Jesse. I highly doubt that Rey Mysterio would have been the World champion without Eddie Guerrero's death, particularly winning in the way he did. He wasn't booked strong even when he won the title, and he almost lost the title match he did get. He's obviously incredibly talented, but was never quite what WWE wanted beyond marketing to the Latino audience.

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: That is a hard question to answer. In my mind, Rey Mysterio won the World Championship the first time after winning the Royal Rumble only because of Eddie Guerrero's death. I don't believe Mysterio would have won the Royal Rumble that year and won the title at WrestleMania if Eddie had still been alive. Now, Mysterio was over with the fans. He sold merchandise. He helped draw ratings on Smackdown especially among the Latino demographic. I won't say that he would have never won the title eventually. He wouldn't have won it when he did, but he very might as well have won it down the line at some point.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: Ah, that's an interesting question, Jesse. I do think that eventually Rey would have gotten his title run. He is a massive merchandise seller, was a key babyface in the WWE for years, was a constant presence on TV, and seemed to be liked by the company due his massive following. And a Guerrero vs. Mysterio title program... oh, what could have been.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: Hi Jesse. That's hard to say, I would like to think so, as during that time he certainly deserved it, but he seemed to be poorly-booked as champion throughout, which makes me think maybe he would not have been.

It's hard to say looking back, though, as he and Eddie had very successful programs and who's to say he and Rey would not have fought over the title? I'll go with yes, he would have, but I wouldn't be shocked it that was never in the plans. Thanks for the question!

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: If you look at what they did before and after, it seems that they really never saw Mysterio as World Champion material. His title reigns were short and forgettable, at the Jack Swagger level. Even winning the WWE Title tournament post-C.M. Punk in 2011, he lost the belt to John Cena on the same night.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thanks for your question, Jesse. I believe that the absolutely horrible booking of Rey Mysterio's championship run was one of the worst "creative" directions in the last ten years. I understand why WWE built Rey's run for the World Championship around Eddie Guerrero's memory because the death was fresh in fans's minds and there was a strong connection between the two.

However, I believe that Rey should have been portrayed as unique attraction that would have won the Championship on his own, and he was not just a sympathy champion. Mysterio was arguably more popular than Eddie, and I believe he was a better, more exciting wrestler. There were countless opportunities, both in marketing and programming, to showcase Rey as the ultimate giant killer and a guy whose quickness and unparalleled skill allows him to overcome bigger opponents. They could have showcased him in dream feuds against Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, a young C.M. Punk, and Johnny Nitro (John Morrison), and many others. Rey was a huge star, but if WWE booked his reign smarter, I believe he could have been one of the most popular champions of all time.

***

[ 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, Mike Roe, and Mike Metzger. ]

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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