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 Iain from Edinburgh, Scotland asks: Hi guys. Many thanks for answering my last question. I hope you can answer this one, too. The poor commentary on WWE programming has been a long standing and much bemoaned issue. Without doubt the product is being damaged by the lack of passion shown by Michael Cole et al. Would there ever be a point where, say, Cole would express Gorilla Monsoon or Jim Ross levels of moral outrage over a heel cheating or Rusev & Lana running down the USA without being told to by his producer simply because he knows that's what's missing and what a particular angle needs? Or if he did that, would he get hooked at the next commercial break? I just think it's potentially such an important part of the stories that simply is not being utilized these days. Thanks for all your hard work over the years, guys, with hopefully many more to come.

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.) A lot of what you hear Michael Cole say comes from Vince. There is a certain way WWE announcers are trained. While Michael Cole does have some freedom, a lot of what he says and does isn't his choice. One of the reasons he has survived is because he is a good company man. There is nothing wrong with that.

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: I think he'll say what he's told to say. If he were to get all "worked" up about a "worked" match that wasn't in the script, they'd probably think he went crazy.

VETERAN WRESTLING ANNOUNCER Mick Karch (announcer for three decades including the AWA on ESPN, the NWA, and LPWA, former PWTorch Newsletter columnist in 1980s, President of the Nick Bockwinkel Fan Club in the 1970s) answers: Sad to say, I'm sure Cole is doing exactly as he is told in his headset and in the script in front of him. Can't blame him for lack of passion, especially when he has to sell a "match" between a guy in a bull costume and a midget in an alligator suit. I dare say if he went "rogue" and decided to do his own commentary and ignore the "bullet points," he would be, as you say, hooked at the next commercial break. As an old school announcer myself, it frosts me to see what crap is being put over while the in-ring action takes second place. I guess (aside from the money and the worldwide fame), that's what is good about working and booking for an independent promotion. I can call the matches and get over the heels/faces/angles as I see fit and give them the attention they deserve without constantly being reminded to talk about "what's trending on Twitter," "9.99," etc., etc. True, pro wrestling announcing - engaging the viewers in the storyline and having them suspend their disbelief for a couple hours - is a lost art.

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: The only way I could say this is Jim Ross. Jim Ross is the best commentator of all time. The WWE should give Jim Ross his job back. Anything else is a crime to professional wrestling on that level.

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PWTorch reader R. Jack asks: Is the Rock's return a one-time deal, or is he here to feud with Rusev?

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: I think one-time. Cena vs. Rusev is still my Mania pick.

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 believe it is a one-time deal. I do believe the Rock will be back one more time, but I do not think it'll be against Rusev at Wrestlemania 31.

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.) Given The Rock's movie schedule and injuries suffered at his last appearance, I'd say it's very unlikely. Rusev still has a ways to go before he will be seen by the fans as a challenge for The Rock.

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PWTorch reader Uzoma I. asks: Over the months, Chris Hero (the former Kassius Ohno) has shown considerable weight gain as he continues to compete in the independent circuit. Does this further put the kibosh on him ever returning to WWE?

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 don't know Chris Hero or his personal situation. In my opinion only, I would think it's reasonable to imagine that he is really depressed. I know I have gained weight during some emotional down time. It must be hard. He's relatively well known, but probably doesn't make a great deal of money. For whatever reason, things didn't work out in NXT. I read message boards where people make jokes about his weight. It's really insensitive. I say give him some time. He'll either get back on track or decide it's time to take his life in a new direction. Either way, I with him the best.

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: Maybe it's a fat suit and this whole this has been a work and he's showing up at and winning the Rumble?

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: It might. WWE wants a certain look. For me I don't mind it. I've gained weight myself recently. I think the business should have all shapes, sizes, and looks. As long as he can work it shouldn't matter.

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PWTorch reader Scott P. from Jamesburg, N.J. asks: How are you? Love my VIP Membership, especially the Ask the Editor segments on the daily Wade Keller Hotline. I have a question about large wrestling conventions. My town hosts a big one this weekend and I wondered how the wrestlers approach those weekends? Do they fly in and out the same day or fly in on a Friday and stay the whole weekend. Do indy promoters tag along with these events so the wrestlers can pick up and additional check by working a match? Also if I go to the bar hotel bar Friday or Saturday any chance I see some of the guys?

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: At large conventions, usually I come in the night before on the West Coast or morning of on the East Coast. If there is wrestling too, you try to double up on your pay. Probably more guys at the bar the night of the convention.

INDY PROMOTER & ANNOUNCER Brad Stutts (Follow @cwfmidatlantic and @stuttsy and listen to his podcast at www.WrestlingWithOptimism) answers: Short answer is yes to all of the above. It's all circumstantial. Some guys fly in and out that day, some stay for the whole weekend and hang around the bar. Indy promotions absolutely piggy back off the big conventions as much as they can. Personally I love the conventions. Hope you go and have a great time!

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 will be there on Saturday. The wrestlers usually come in Friday. Then we do the convention on Saturday and then maybe will also do the Pro-Wrestling syndicate show in Rollway New Jersey while others will be booked several other places in the Northeast. It is a great way for wrestlers to earn money and to help all the vendors and stuff keep afloat. These conventions have been a great success and I hope they continue. Especially the Legends of the Ring this weekend. [Editor's Note: The convention Justin and Scott speak of already happened; we just didn't publish this question as timely as we could have.]

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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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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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