PWTorch.com - MONDAY’S ASK PWTORCH STAFF for 3/29: Would Reigns have been better off against Cena instead of Lesnar? Why does Stephanie get to talk down to everyone? What’s best use of Brock now? Should famous arenas go into the HOF?

Ask PWTorch
MONDAY’S ASK PWTORCH STAFF for 3/29: Would Reigns have been better off against Cena instead of Lesnar? Why does Stephanie get to talk down to everyone? What’s best use of Brock now? Should famous arenas go into the HOF?

Mar 30, 2015 - 5:53:17 PM

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Pro Wrestling Torch was established in 1987 by Wade Keller. One of the primary traits PWTorch has been credited with over the years is assembling the best and most diverse staff of columnists with broad knowledge, but also areas of specialty where they have a particularly strong grasp of history. Every day PWTorch.com presents that team of writers answering your questions, some of which are fact-based and others of which are opinion-based. Either way, we've got you covered with Bruce Mitchell, Pat McNeill, Sean Radican, Greg Parks, James Caldwell, and Wade Keller. Collectively they have over 80 years working for the Torch, writing about wrestling and studying industry history and trends.

If you have a question you'd like us to respond to, send your question to askpwtorch@gmail.com. I, along with the Torch staff, will address you questions in this feature and also the “Ask PWTorch: All-Star Panel” edition which is also published most days here at PWTorch.

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PWTorch reader Jeff Pollard of Leesville, La. asks: Why does Stephanie McMahon get to talk down to everyone in her promos but nobody ever gets to get to do the same to her. I know she's a heel and a great one, but wouldn't it be more believable if she got her's every once in a while?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: That's the advantage of having (a) the last name McMahon and (b) power behind the scenes. She's not the first who has taken advantage of that in wrestling, and she certainly won't be the last.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: When Eric Embry, of all people, was booking the USWA out of Dallas, Tex., he booked himself like Stephanie does now. Same with basically every booker or promoter who has been a TV character of some kind. The boss tends to keep himself or herself strong. Steph’s rationalization would be (a) she’s tremendous in her heel performances; (b) she’s never going away so it’s good to have her character carry some weight; and (c) she’s saving her selling for big moments when it really counts against mega-stars, such as last night with Rhonda Rousey. I think there’s a happy medium where she could stay strong for segments like Rousey last night, but not emasculate the every-day wrestlers they rely on to fill out time on TV and house shows 52 weeks a year.

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PWTorch reader Jeff from Michigan asks: What is the best use of Brock Lesnar moving forward? Should the WWE Title stay on someone else while he is near the main event?

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: I think they should keep using him as a box office attraction. I don't have a problem with him having the belt since it makes the title defenses seem special. The belt is used more as a prop anyway these days and WWE would probably do what they do creative-wise weather or not the belt was on someone else. I think it makes sense they put the belt on someone else, though, full time for business purposes, but like I said earlier, I feel Lesnar will be used as a main event feature attraction going forward.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: It makes sense to have the WWE Title around the waist of someone who is going to defend the title more often. Lesnar as a special attraction works without the belt, and it would get absurd if the belt was only defended once every six months. The best use of Lesnar is as a babyface who kicks the ass of top heels in special attraction matches to help get a surge of WWE Network subscribers.

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Steve from Pompano Beach, Fla. asks: My question has to do with WWE's Hall of Fame. Given that wrestlers, managers/valets, celebrities, and other assorted wrestling personalities are inducted each year, do you think that, sometime down the road, inductions will include famous venues (Madison Square Garden, Pontiac Silverdome) and/or individual events and matches throughout the histories of WWF/E and the other promotions it owns the rights to? (i.e: WCW, ECW, AWA, etc.) Thank you.

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: The key is that all the things inducted into the Hall of Fame are people who can give speeches that draw attention to the WWE Hall of Fame event. I don't think MSG, MITB 2011, or the first ECW PPV could give a very good induction speech.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: The arenas are an interesting option, but I don't know too many who would qualify outside of the two you listed. There are some old stadiums or arenas that are very famous from the territory days, but would it be worth inducting them to a generation of fans who probably don't really care about a stadium from back then? I don't think events and matches will be inducted, though. I'm hoping WWE cuts down on the number of inductees per year, to not only save some bigger names for later, but also to give those inducted more time to speak at the event before it’s well past many of their bed times.

PWTorch audio host Travis Bryant answers: No. Who shows up to induct and/or accept the award? The staircase?! I kid, but no.

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PWTorch reader Luis from Chile asks: Hey guys, love the site, especially at these stages of the year, through WM season. I have a question regarding the main event. We have seen through this year that Roman Reigns has been picked by Vince McMahon to be the new face of the company, but his feud with Brock Lesnar has been ill-fated (although I sincerely hope that their match blows the hypothetical roof off of Levi's Stadium), which I mainly attribute it to both Reigns still too green to be the top guy and the schedule of Lesnar, which prevented him from appearing on more Raws. Given that we are talking about passing the WWE torch, wouldn't it have been better for Reigns to face John Cena? I mean, they would have developed more properly their feud, and also it would have given a good dose of cheers for Roman, due to Cena being booed by the more hardcore fans, not even having to make either of them to turn heel. Thanks, and keep up your great work.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: It's certainly not too late to do Reigns vs. Cena at some point down the line. But remember, WWE's idea was to get Reigns over as the next Cena, as in, the next uber-babyface of the company. In theory, it's a lot easier to do that against a monster heel like Brock Lesnar than someone who still gets a major babyface reaction like Cena.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: I think when Reigns vs. Lesnar was first envisioned, the idea was Reigns would have more cheers and more fan support and frankly be further along on his promos and in-ring work, and that Lesnar would be more solidly in a heel role and have worked more big PPV matches in a heelish way to set up the idea of Reigns being the savior of sorts. Now, with the benefit of hindsight from last night’s match, Reigns has benefited greatly from two star-making performances against two top, but very different workers, the last two months: Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar. Reigns vs. Cena will happen, and at the right time under the right circumstances, it’ll be special and likely elevate Reigns further. The way things worked out last night, Reigns is in good shape right now. Going toe-to-toe with Lesnar like that in a brutally stiff match like that is the type of “dues paying” that can win Reigns some of those fans who have been rejecting him for seeming like a prima donna who hadn’t done enough to deserve the top spot and who was elevated just because of family and his overall appearance. A win or loss against Cena might not have come close to doing what the Bryan and Lesnar matches have done for him. I’m not sure Cena could carry Reigns in the way Bryan did, and having a heavy-hitting with Cena wouldn’t have the same effect as it did with Lesnar last night.

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