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SATURDAY'S ASK PWTORCH ALL-STAR PANEL: Do wrestlers call themselves by ring names or real names? Did Vince really decide to end The Streak? Was WWE trying to replicate end of Anderson Silva’s streak? Is Impact Wrestling really serious?

Apr 19, 2014 - 3:37:43 PM
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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 Cody B. from Iowa asks: The last few days for a WWE fan has been a roller coaster. The highs and lows of WM30 to the Raw after 'Mania to Warrior's passing. WWE obviously has its post-Mania momentum, but do you think that they can carry this into the next few months and through the summer to the next "boom" period?

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: New viewers have to come around before a “boom” period begins. New wrestlers and Bryan being pushed as the main face will be make or break in seeing if new viewers come around and stay around.

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 think they can. More people will see WWE ppvs now than before with the WWE network. Plus the recent after-Mania angles with Evolution vs Shield is really good. The WWE is also focusing on secondary titles like the IC belt & the tags. This could be a big year for WWE. Especially with Daniel Bryan as champ. I think he's going to work out great.

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PWTorch reader Brian S. asks: Love the site. The articles add insight into the business. This is my first time writing in and I have a few questions and thoughts about Wrestlemania XXX as I've been seeing some crazy theories and feel I'm in the minority here. So first off.

Are people serious about thinking that The Streak ending wasn't 100 percent the decision of the Undertaker? There is no way given his status and history that anyone, including Vince McMahon, would make that decision over him. Clearly he decided that it was time. Now I can understand why everyone is upset, but isn't that more because we, the fans, decided that The Streak could only end correctly if it was used to put someone - a rising star - over? To me the streak hit it's peak when Shawn Michaels put his career on the line against it and it would never mean more than it did at that point.

Now given the absolute shock of The Streak ending and how it completely took the air out of the building, shouldn't it speak volumes to Daniel Bryan, the "Yes! Movement," and how the company feels going forward? In my opinion, the company put the task of bringing a crowd, one that was just completely crushed and taken out of the event, back into the event, back into the story and drama, they put all of that on Daniel Bryan and the Yes! Movement. That's an amazing test to see if this is real. Bryan did it too, it's been well documented how the Triple H-Randy Orton main event floundered after the Taker-HBK match and how Triple H-Chris Jericho felt empty after Rock-Hogan. Yet, Daniel Bryan brought that crowd back, no pun intended, but brought the crowd back from the dead basically with the conclusion of his story and by winning the title in the main event. I'd say more than ever that we are heading into a new era in the WWE.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER 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.) People age. You reach a point where you can't go anymore. Vince McMahon reportedly felt, and Taker agreed, that Taker's era of good matches was over. Vince is still the boss. The decision was reportedly made recently. That happens sometimes. You just make the best of what you have to work with. To the credit of Daniel Bryan, Triple H, Stephanie, Batista, and Orton, the crowd came back to a degree. They made the best of the situation. A new era is needed. All the main eventers have been mixed and matched to the point of fan apathy.

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PWTorch reader Joey G. asks: I'm a huge fan of both MMATorch and PWTorch. I know WWE likes to take current events that happen in the world and apply it to their storylines. Do you think that the Anderson Silva streak and the hysteria that came with it when he lost to Chris Weidman influenced the storyline of Lesnar vs. Taker? Also I do believe that Taker NEEDED to lose at WM30. It was starting to overshadow the World Title, just like how Money in the Bank was overshadowing WrestleMania. Who knows maybe, the Andre The Giant Battle Royal will overshadow WrestleMania some day.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER 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.) From all accounts Vince McMahon doesn't follow UFC, so I would say no.

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: I would bet serious money that Vince has never seen or even heard the name Anderson Silva, so no.

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: No, I don’t. I feel that Taker felt that as long as he had The Streak that he would be the focal point of WrestleManias. If he does decide to retire, that's cool. If he decides to return, then the pressure of performing at that high level will have diminished a little. Either way, Taker just felt it was time, and we are all still talking about him. Maybe this was the WWE and Taker’s way to pull the trigger now to keep themselves in the mainstream.

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PWTorch reader Itay A. asks: Hey guys, I'm curious to know if in national wrestling companies, do the wrestlers call each other by their real name or by their ring name? I heard Austin Aries says in an interview that guys backstage call him Austin Aries, but it seems kinda odd to me to call a colleague Edge or Rhino.

AUTHOR & REPORTER & HISTORIAN Greg Oliver (co-author of "The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame," reporter for SLAM! Wrestling in Canada, editor of Canadian Wrestling Report Newsletter in late-'80s) answers: It's all over the place, as far as I know. Hulk is Hulk, and not Terry. It depends on how into the character someone is, too - and longevity. There's a ton of old-timers I've known over the years who go by their wrestling names in almost everything but signing a cheque. Tiger Jeet Singh is Tiger to everyone, Goldie Rogers was always Goldie, and never Dave. But Edge was Adam, Rhino is usually Terry, at least to those who know them.

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 call Terry Garin “Rhino.” For us, it's not a big deal. It's certainly weird, but I don't mind. Plus it's fun in non-wrestling settings.

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: Depends on the guy, most prefer being called by their work name.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER 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.) I believe it depends on your individual relationship with that person. If you are acquaintances, you probably use the character name. If you are close friends, you may use the real name. But there is always a danger of slipping up on the air. There are exceptions. It's my understanding that out of respect nobody calls The Undertaker by his birth name. Bully Ray is still called Bubba by his ECW and WWE friends.

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PWTorch reader Will S. asks: I decided to sit through an episode of TNA (or is it Impact Wrestling?) the other week, and I cringed at the whole thing. I didn't know who the top star was or who we should boo. I saw random interference in matches, stupid shaky camera promos, and terrible in ring promos. And worst of all, the crowd interaction is so poor. It really is Car Crash TV. In your opinions, do you think enough is enough with TNA and they should just close up shop to make way for a new promotion (Jeff Jarrett's?)? What is keeping them on TV still besides their TV contract?

REALITY TV STAR & EX-TNA MANAGER Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay was also former personal assistant to Roddy Piper and a frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: I think they should address their problems with creative. Yes, their TV contract keeps them on TV.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCASTER 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.) I don't know if they should close up shop, but I would like to see TNA do better. I don't ever see TNA doing anything, because of the Jabronis they have running it. I do hope they find their way. Pro Wrestling needs as many places for guys to work.

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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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Catch up on past Ask PWTorch articles...

-ASK PWTORCH - FREE WEBSITE.
-CLICKING HERE - ASK PWTORCH - VIP VERSION

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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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