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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I’ve been a VIP subscriber now for about six years and I really enjoy your VIP audio shows and your Daily Hotline. Here's my question: If Reigns had turned heel at WrestleMania or does soon and aligns with Paul Heyman, doesn't that make the undertaker loss last year pointless? If Lesnar losses the title, but Reigns doesn't win clean, then I feel like it takes a lot away from Taker essentially passing the torch to Reigns via Lesnar.

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: They already made Lesnar's win over Undertaker meaningless when they had John Cena no-sell the beating Lesnar put on him at SummerSlam and the subsequent match at Night of Champions where Cena clearly had Lesnar beat before the finish. If that win was going to mean something, Vince McMahon would have had to go all in on Lesnar and not be afraid of protecting Cena in the process.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: Let’s really imagine if Lesnar had lost to Undertaker last year. Would Lesnar have brought the same mystique into Summerslam’s main event against Cena or this year against Roman Reigns? I don’t think so. Was the effect maximized? No. But this wasn’t Reigns’s time, and Lesnar is sure a hot commodity anyway, so things seemed to work out. The real argument isn’t whether Lesnar benefited (I believe he did), but whether Undertaker’s match against Bray Wyatt was flat because The Streak wasn’t on the line. I don’t really have faith that WWE would have given a sense that the Streak was in jeopardy against Bray anyway, and at least this way there was some mystery and suspense over whether Taker would lose twice in a row. Although WWE didn’t even tell that story very well. But it worked out well enough as fans are just happy to see the legendary Undertaker these days, even if he’s not defending The Streak. I think the gamble that Reigns would progress more over the time between WM31 and WM32 was worth taking. It just didn’t work out.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I would tend to agree with this. However, since Lesnar beat Taker, many things have occurred that perhaps WWE didn't plan on at the time of Lesnar's win over Taker, including the lukewarm response by fans to Reigns and Lesnar re-upping with WWE for three years. Those happenings may have led to a change in booking that, in hindsight, could make the original plan of Reigns getting the "rub" from Lesnar after Brock's win over Taker, something that wasn’t in play anymore.

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PWTorch reader Cody B. asks: The crowds at Royal Rumble and WrestleMania seem to be dominated by a certain fan base. Do you think Roman Reigns will always get the same treatment by this fan type for the rest of his career or do you think he will break out eventually as a overall fan favorite?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: So much of that depends on WWE's booking. Despite presenting him as one, their booking hasn't really reflected the care that goes into making a major babyface, one that WWE is pinning its future on. As I discussed with James Caldwell on this Thursday's PWTorch Livecast, I think there are a percentage of fans booing Reigns because it's the "cool" thing to do, but there are many who resent his ascent to the top so quickly. If he can improve on promos, add more to his offensive repertoire, and if WWE can book him like a babyface rather than someone brooding all the time, then yeah, it can be done. But those are three major humps to get over that will take time.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: It’s up to Reigns. The fans booing him now can be won over. They’re booing him because of the bad timing and poor booking during his push and his own shortcomings. His match with Brock Lesnar was a step in the right direction, but he has a long way to go before he’s built a genuine rapport and connection with fans that overrides the vibe he gives off that he is deserving of this simply because of his family heritage, size, and good looks. A lot of guys have paid the dues he’s paid (and then some) and aren’t getting considered for the push that he is getting, and his aura of self-entitlement is the opposite of what tends to win over that tough-to-please ardent slice of WWE’s fanbase these days.

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PWTorch reader Holley asks: I personally believe that Corey Graves is developing as a commentator so far so fast that I think a main roster spot is happening sooner rather than later. My question is will Graves get a real chance or will his appearance hold him back? Even with stars like C.M. Punk and Paige making the "punk rock" look "okay” in WWE, it does still seem like they are pushed to the back sometimes.

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: I guess Corey Graves has been okay on commentary; the best thing I can say about his work at this point is I haven't put too much thought into it. He's just sort of there, for me anyway, which is still an improvement over the main roster announcers. I see him working in developmental on commentary for the future. Remember, NXT needs color commentators too, and I don't know who he'd replace on the main roster. JBL and Jerry Lawler seem firmly entrenched in their spots.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: I’m actually a big fan of Graves’s commentary on NXT. He and Albert especially are a refreshing change from Alex Riley, who is hit or miss and often falls too deep into some of the bad habits of WWE’s Orwellian language rules (as I noted in my VIP NXT Report when I ranted about his saying he was excited about his comeback to the ring because he was determined to “entertain the Universe” again rather than, you know, win his matches). But Graves has a good confidence to his commentary and tends to enhance the matches and the wrestlers while treating it as a competition that has meaning. Of course, this could get him in trouble with Vince McMahon, so maybe that will work against him. He’s got a distinctive look on camera and definitely reaches the threshold of being good enough looking to check that box on WWE’s list of wants in a commentator.

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PWTorch reader B. Parhar asks: How the hell did Cameron go from being the first one eliminated on Tough Enough to the only contestant to make it to WWE?

PWTorch columnist Greg Parks answers: Remember, this is the same Tough Enough in which Austin Aries didn't make the cut. Wrap your head around THAT.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: The criteria for Tough Enough, a reality TV show, is different than the actual criteria to make it on the main roster. A bad day and a bad attitude can cost you on Tough Enough, but can be overcome, especially if you have the look that they are currently looking for in the mix of women on the roster.

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