In the month of October, we're flipping the version of Ask PWTorch that is on the www.PWTorch.com Website and the PWTorch App. During this month, "Ask PWTorch: All-Star Panel" will be a website exclusive, and "Ask PWTorch Staff" will be an App exclusive.

As always, VIP MEMBERS (www.PWTorch.com/govip) have daily access to both versions of Ask PWTorch on BOTH the App and the Website.

So if you aren't a VIP member, and you want to continue reading the PWTorch Staff's version of "Ask PWTorch," be sure to visit our PWTorch App every day (it's a free download in every smart phone app store - Apple, Android, Windows Phone, Amazon Kindle, Samsung Smart Devices).

If you aren't familiar with the All-Star Panel version of "Ask PWTorch," it features a panel of people who have been active in the pro wrestling industry in a wide range of roles, supplemented by PWTorch contributors and PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell. For a full list of All-Stars, including an ex-WWE Creative Team member, authors, historians, a former World Champion wrestler, a mainstream media reporter/podcaster, an indy promoter, and more, scroll down after today's featured questions and answers for mini-bios on the full panel and contributor list.

But first, gather around the All-Star Panel because the panel is about to panel until you've had all the panel you can handle...

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PWTorch reader Robb Sackett asks: I know every wrestler goes through training, but how often are wrestlers picked up then trained (excluding celebrities)? At what age should person stop thinking they have what it takes to be a wrestler if they have never ever trained before? How old is too old to wrestle? How does a wrestler get taken seriously after doing comedy bits in professional wrestling (eg. Santino, The Great Khali)?

Justin Credible (current IWE Champion, former ECW World Champion, former WWF wrestler in the 1990s & 2000s, www.TheJustinCredible.com and on YouTube here including his ongoing Wrestling 101 Series) answers: Jim Ross was trying to work with NFL players association to get players who didn't make the cut into the Performance Center. It doesn't happen often. You have to be special to really be picked up like that, but if you're a celebrity and you want to be a pro wrestler, they would act on it.

Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay - Reality TV contestant including "Survivor," former TNA on-air performer, frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: Supposedly with the addition of the new WWE Performance Center, WWE will be actively recruiting NFL athletes that don't make the final roster cut. Those wrestlers will start with no previous training. It's never too late to learn to wrestle, ask DDP! Sometimes there is no repairing a comedic wrestler. But there's always masks.

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PWTorch reader Dylan from Albany, N.Y. asks: Hey guys... I love this feature! Been a member for over two years and the site gets better all the time. After listening to a ton of audio shows, and even some documentaries WWE puts out, it's hard to tell whether the AWA or NWA was the bigger promotion back in the late-'70's/early-'80s. I would assume due to being on a national cable channel that the NWA would be #2 behind the WWF, but the late-'70s and early-'80s seemed like a very popular time for the AWA. Unfortunately I wasn't alive at that time to have a true opinion, so hopefully you guys can give me some in sight!

George Schire (Historian, Author, Podcast Host, Ex-Radio Show Co-Host) answers: To answer your first question, what it really comes down to is what promotions wanted fans to believe and fans excepted as fact. But to be serious, in the '60s and '70s, it really went down like this. The WWWF got the most media coverage because they were located in the Northeast, where the wrestling magazines of the day were mostly located. Thus, from a fans perspective, it appeared that the WWWF was the biggest promotion. However, truth be told, the NWA was the biggest (and perhaps most respected) organization, covering the most territory as well. The AWA was often considered one of the best territories to work for because of the easier travel and schedule. So generally speaking it was (1) NWA, (2) AWA, and (3) WWWF. Being fair though, any wrestler of any merit back in the day was happy whenever they were aligned with any of the three.

(Listen to George Schire, co-host of "Rasslin' Memories" heard weekly at www.RadioNorthland.com. Buy his book "Minnesota's Golden Age of Wrestling" at your online or brick-and-mortar bookseller of choice.)

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: I always felt the NWA was the no. 2 promotion, and AWA no. 3, but if you factor in the size of their territories, the AWA had the biggest of them all, from its Minneapolis roots all the way out to San Francisco (and even an attempt to promote Hawaii), and south to Denver. These were BIG cities too, but the AWA also was in smaller places, like Idaho and Iowa. The NWA was concentrated in the Carolinas, Georgia, and, when the Florida and Kansas City offices were acquired, there too. Plus, the AWA had the ESPN deal, which always seemed to give it a little more national recognition.

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PWTorch reader Julius from Indianapolis asks: An always satisfied VIPer here. I'm not sure if this has happened or not, but with WWEs belief that iron man matches don't draw or hold the fans' attention, could we see a modified version one day? Something like a Three Stages of Hell, where there is a new stipulation for each 20 minute period. Maybe start with standard rules, then go to submission match rules, then cap of off with extreme ruled. I think that progression would allow for more justifiable "lay down time" in the late stretches of the match. I feel like this match set up would really work for a Daniel Bryan vs. C.M. Punk match (and even either of those guys against John Cena). Could we see something like this one day? Do you think its even feasible? And do you guys have any creative match types/stipulations that you'd like to see? Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

Brad Stutts (indy wrestling promoter, announcer, manager, show runner) answers: Julius, I could see something like the three stages match you proposed but without a time limit just because I don't think WWE wants to advertise a time length unless they really did do an iron man match. And by the way, I think if you did an iron man match on TV maybe once a year it could work in the right feud if it was built up to that point that would justify the match.

The three stages of hell match could easily work on PPV if you've got the right people, are well into the feud and need something for either the final match or maybe the penultimate match in the feud.

(Follow Brad's indy promotion on Twitter at @cwfmidatlantic and him @stuttsy. Listen to his podcast at www.WrestlingWithOptimism)

Justin Credible (current IWE Champion, former ECW World Champion, former WWF wrestler in the 1990s & 2000s, www.TheJustinCredible.com and on YouTube here including his ongoing Wrestling 101 Series) answers: The WWE ultimately dictates to the fans. I think it would work. Today's fans just have to be educated like fans of yesterday. Those types of matches could, and would draw. If that was the intended goal, WWE would make it work.


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PWTorch reader K.D. asks: The Battleground buyrate is likely to fall well short of normal expectations. We're being offered another chapter in the C.M. Punk vs. Paul Heyman feud that is unlikely to be the last, Alerto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam again, and Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton again. The rest of the PPV is looking to be last minute filler. That pretty much means Bryan vs. Orton is going to have to sell the show.

The problem with Bryan-Orton is, of course, the storyline behind the match; in particular the NOC reversal on Raw. It seems to me that Triple H has crossed a line. There have been heel authority figures before, but they honored match results. "Dusty finishes" are, of course, nothing new. But, at least when used by Dusty, they weren't used as part of an agenda by the authority figure. By combining the two, Triple H has set up a situation where it simply isn't plausible that Bryan will be allowed to keep the title even if he wins it.

I have two questions. First, am I being too pessimistic? Can any of you think of a plausible scenario within the current storyline where Bryan wins the belt and is allowed to continue as champion?

Second, assuming that I'm right about the buyrate, is this likely to hurt Bryan's future chances as a main eventer? Will the buyrate be used as evidence he can't draw?

PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell replies: Good topic. I think the mixed signals WWE is sending with the Triple H and Stephanie McMahon heel authority figures is hurting the audience's overall reception to the product. I.E. WWE is not setting up Daniel Bryan for this big, massive victory because there's not much heat to be transferred from these nasty heels to a big Bryan victory since Hunter and Steph are doing dastardly things to faces in one segment, then setting up heels for comeuppance in the next segment. So, that combined with the rug pulled out from under Bryan's fans twice in the last two PPVs is setting up for a weak Battleground buyrate.

(1) I still think there is a scenario where Bryan wins the title and continues as champion. It would certainly hurt Randy Orton after being re-branded as a killer heel again, but I could see a situation where Bryan wins, then Hunter & Stephanie line up monster heels to try to take down Bryan over a period of months. Matt Morgan is sitting there as a free agent, Sheamus could be brought back as a heel down the line, and Ryback is in a second-from-the-top program with C.M. Punk right now (and I keep waiting for WWE to connect the Hunter/Stephanie regime with the Paul Heyman Guys). So, the possibility is there for Bryan to win, then get chased by monsters.

(2) There is enough evidence that supports the idea of WWE "lining up reasons to use against Bryan" if these series of PPVs with Bryan on top do not draw. WWE has to look at themselves, though, for any drop in business during this time: (a) WWE pulled the rug out from under Bryan's fans at Summerslam after presenting Bryan as almost unworthy of the title shot to begin with, (b) WWE pulled the rug out from under Bryan's fans at Night of Champions, and (c) WWE drew attention to unmarketable characteristics when Bryan was placed in the slot this summer. It wasn't in the spirit of presenting Bryan as a feisty, worthy underdog against Cena, then against Orton. Rather, WWE sent signals that they felt Bryan was unworthy of the position but reluctantly put him in the position because of the "Yes!" and "No!" business. How is that going to excite someone to spend money to see a wrestler presented almost at the level of a fan who won a contest to get a title match?

I don't think a drop in business will hurt Bryan's future chances as a main-eventer, though. When Cena returns, he will obviously re-assume the top spot, but I still think Bryan will be positioned strongly coming out of this program. Depending on who his opponent is during a given month.

Jonny Fairplay (@jonnyfairplay - Reality TV contestant including "Survivor," former TNA on-air performer, frequent PWTorch Livecast guest) answers: WWE has given us no reason to believe that Bryan will actually keep the title if he wins at Battleground. So why should anyone be expected to order it? I think Triple H should be blamed more for the buyrate than Bryan, but don't expect that to happen.

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PWTorch reader Vinnie S. asks: First time ever writing in for something like this. What do you think about WWE using old WCW events for special editions of Raw and smackdown? For example if Raw is going to be around Holloween why not do a Halloween Havoc edition. Also, Great American Bash around the 4th of July. Then Bash at the Beach maybe in June or other events. They already have Night of Champions, so why not Clash? I guess that would require them to actually develop the mid-card.

PWTorch contributor Jimmy Eaton answers: I think that's actually a good idea. The issue is that WWE does not care about a company they were competing against years ago. If it wasn't made by Vince, it's not going to be glorified. That's the unfortunate fact. Would I embrace it and other fans a la a Raw version of King of the Ring? Sure, but unfortunately I don't see it ever happening. Developing the mid-card should take place regardless but when they have a big angle going like they do now with the McMahon's, that's the only focus. But I say bring it on!

PWTorch contributor Jon Mezzera answers: I say no to this for a number of reasons. When Raw was still only two hours (the good old days), then you could have a special three hour Raw with some theme, which they did. An argument could have been made for reusing an old WCW concept for those shows at that time, although I still would have argued against doing it. Now, with all the PPVs, you don't need gimmick Raws and Smackdowns. Even if you did, WCW sucked for a long time at the end. And they've been gone now for a dozen years? There are a lot of WWE fans who never saw WCW and more that only would have seen it in those last few crappy years. I started watching wrestling when I was eight. Any fan who started watching at that age would have to be in their 20s to have ever seen WCW. Think about that. Why bring anything from WCW back? I mean was Halloween Havoc so great that doing a Halloween Havoc Raw at the end of October would really draw? No. I'm sorry, but it is just a bad idea.

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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.)

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.

Current PWTorch Contributors: A mix of current PWTorch contributors will provide their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Michael Cupach, Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Jon Mezzera, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, and Mike Roe.

Plus, PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell will help coordinate and publish this feature regularly, while also contributing exclusively to this version of Ask PWTorch.

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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