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 Robbin N. asks: My question is about the WWE Network. I got it a few days ago when it became available here in Sweden and I love it, but why do they put commercial breaks (promoting the upcoming PPV or Total Divas) during matches on Main Event and NXT? It's not like I'm going to change the channel if they put the commercial before/after the match. Shouldn't we get every second of every match when we paid the $9.99 for it?

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: That's a good question. I don't know for certain, but I would suspect that they put some commercial breaks in to drive people to check out other programming on The Network and make them aware of it. It's not a huge deal to me to have matches cut, as it always happens during Raw or Smackdown with commercials inserted.

I'm not a fan of the commercials during their PPVs, but I can live with it. They used to air commercials during PPVs when nearly all of the fans watching them were paying around 60 dollars or more to watch them, but that stings a little less with the $9.99 price point. I think you should write the WWE Network customer support team and politely voice your opinion if you haven't already. I agree that if they are going to air commercials during Main Event and NXT, they should air outside of in-ring content.

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PWTorch reader Vince B. asks: I've got a strange series of questions. (1) Did you ever watch the TV Show Nikki? (2) How do you feel it portrayed professional wrestling? (3) Do you think WWE should (not would, because the answer is no) get Nikki's rights and show it on the Network?

Also, should WWE be working on their own Network sitcom starring maybe Zack Ryder, Santino, or Mean Gene time traveling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLwQefFxFVY&list=UUJ5v_MCY6GNUBTO8-D3XoAg#t=315 ?

Finally, do you think the WWE Studios films will end up on The Network and if not, why?

Thanks for all the amazing work you do.

PWTorch columnist Pat McNeill answers: (1a) Not even once. (1b) See previous answer. (1c) Would that involve spending actual money? If it does, no they should not. 2) Sure, if WWE brought in actual sitcom writers. 3) See the answer to Question 1c.

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PWTorch reader Jeff from Michigan asks: Will Daniel Bryan be the biggest star in WWE once he returns?

PWTorch columnist Pat McNeill answers: Not if John Cena or Brock Lesnar are still on the active roster.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: It depends on what you mean by “biggest star.” Bryan might end up the most popular, but that depends on what they say about him and his character in the weeks or months before his possible return, and where Lesnar and Cena stand at that point. I think Bryan has an undeniable Teflon strong bond with the fans that isn’t going to go away easily, and combined with “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” I could see Bryan’s return making a huge impact. Of course, WWE could put up resistance and interference out of politics or incompetence that would hurt that. I think Bryan will be more popular than Roman Reigns no matter what when Bryan returns.

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PWTorch reader Jason F. asks: Just wanted to get your opinion on an idea I had for a different presentation for TNA. What if they change their presentation to a more sports/MMA-inspired presentation. The do away with the big stage entrance and ramp and all of that. They follow the wrestlers from the entrance tunnel like they do in the UFC. They show a more serious and realistic side of presentation. Have wrestlers fight in a "title class" for a title like they do in MMA for a weight class. Matches can stay the same, no need for timed rounds, but maybe incorporate an MMA
style into the matches. This way, they can cut down the extra production costs of a stage and ramp and they set themselves up and something different than the WWE.

PWTorch columnist Sean Radican answers: I would be all for your idea for TNA to have bare-bones production in terms of getting rid of the stage and the big screen. Showing the wrestlers come out backstage as UFC does would be a nice touch as well. I'm all for incorporating MMA style offense into pro wrestling, but I believe the bigger overall change that TNA needs is to build stars and feuds that fans find compelling and present their talent and feuds differently than WWE does.

I would advocate that TNA try to incorporate a more realistic style into their matches where their talent sells intensity in the ring and gives the fans the impression there's a real fight going on in the ring instead of a simulated match. I definitely wouldn't mind their being different classes in TNA with each class having a top tier title. I would advocate for there only to be an X-division class, a tag team class, and a Hvt. class. You could also add in the Knockouts division as well.

If TNA could effectively build stars and feuds within those four classes, I believe it would benefit them tremendously because it would give a variety of talent in TNA a chance to shine. TNA has tried for too long to imitate WWE and ECW. If they took the time to slowly introduce new changes into the product in production and different divisions with wrestlers feuding over the top titles in those divisions, I believe they could find success. It's obvious to me that the way they're doing things now isn't working and hasn't worked for a long time.

PWTorch editor Wade Keller answers: Several years ago I wrote a similar proposal in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter. I think it’s an idea that deserves consideration, for sure, for a company trying to establish its own identity and avoid looking like WWE-lite.

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