Ask WNW

[Bob-O]

Richard Grey runs Wrestling News World, and he's got some connections. He usually knows the answers to a lot of the questions we ask all the time. I thought it might be fun to discuss a few of his Q&A's. I didn't really think they were "News", so I put a few of them here. If they need moved, by all means, put them where they go.
Bob-O

Article 1-12-12

I know WWE usually only inducts one headliner into the Hall of Fame per year and this is year Edge is that headliner, however, what about Randy Savage? Don’t you think he should be inducted given his tragic passing last year?

Randy Savage getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame is a complicated issue and while he certainly deserves the honor, Hall of Fame inductions are ultimately decided by Vince McMahon. It’s very well-known that Randy’s name was off-limits in WWE for years because of an order directly from Vince. Many people, including former WWE creative writers, felt WWE was very hypocritical with their tribute packages for Savage at the time of his passing given McMahon’s strong “Savage ban” while he was living. While I was glad to see whatever issues there were pushed aside to honor Savage’s career, I don’t know where Vince stands in inducting him into his Hall of Fame. There are other deserving names that have been blocked inductions because of personal issues with McMahon but it will be interesting if Randy’s death changes Vince’s stance.

Who all is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame under the Four Horsemen faction?

WWE issued a press release yesterday confirming the following names as inductees as the Four Horsemen – Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and manager J.J. Dillon. In other words, bad news for all the Steve “Mongo” McMichael fans.

Why is Eddie Guerrero’s name not mentioned on WWE television any more? Don’t you think WWE should at least mention him on the anniversary of his death?

Not only did Eddie Guerrero receive a “first ballot” WWE Hall of Fame induction but Chavo (his nephew) had a job in WWE until last year and Vickie (his wife) and Shaul (his daughter) are still employed. I’m not sure what else you expect but not only has Eddie been honored by his former employer but McMahon has been very gracious to the entire Guerrero family.

Why has Mark Henry been booked so weak lately after being billed as an unstoppable force?

Mark Henry is currently injured which is why he’s been booked like he has over the past month. The injury, to his groin, isn’t significant enough to write him off television, however, it was significant enough where Vince McMahon made the decision to take the title off him. The good news for Henry fans is that he’s still working in the main event. I also heard Henry felt like he could work through it and didn’t want to drop the title but McMahon made the decision to book a change at last month’s TLC pay-per-view

Article 1-11-12

Obviously the Chris Jericho storyline is still developing…But is there going to be a woman involved somehow? Should we stop reading into anything else that was in the cryptic videos, especially with the girl that was in them?

I haven’t heard of a female being involved in Chris Jericho’s return gimmick in WWE. As far as I know the cryptic videos are over and done with and are now falling victim to too much analysis. The fact of the matter is WWE did a poor job in concealing the return of Jericho and had it not been for Jericho’s emphatic denials on Twitter, we would have been able to provide 100% confirmation before it happened. While we were never able to provide that confirmation, we continuously reported the plan was to re-debut Jericho behind the videos.

Article 1-10-12

Is the WWE really going to go ahead and induct the Four Horsemen into the Hall of Fame while Ric Flair is still with TNA? Although they obviously deserve it, is there anything behind this?

If anything it goes to show how little Vince McMahon thinks of TNA Impact Wrestling and doesn’t view them as legitimate competition. I’ve been told multiple times by people close to McMahon that he feels if TNA can’t compete with names like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, they simply cannot compete. Flair still has a good relationship with several of the higher-ups in WWE including Triple H and I think Hunter more or less feels that Flair is working in TNA because he has too. I don’t know if he’ll be able to appear at the Hall of Fame ceremony but we’ll find out soon enough.

Will the WWE Network be on basic cable?

No one knows where the WWE Network will be available – not even close sources within WWE. There is a lot of panic in WWE about clearance for the WWE Network which has resulted in rumors the launch of the network will be delayed from the projected April launch date. Vince McMahon has wanted to launch his own network for years but has always had a very difficult time paving the way for clearance. I was surprised the company began advertising the launch of the network without clearances in place. It turns out they were trying to generate public interest in hopes of forcing cable and satellite providers to carry the channel.

Article 1-6-12

What the change in this year’s 30-man Royal Rumble match after last year’s 40-man match?

While the 40-man Royal Rumble offered a new promotional opportunity as the “biggest Royal Rumble ever,” not everyone was a fan. The most vocal critic was the original architect of the match, Pat Patterson. Patterson felt the extra ten men in the match watered it down and WWE tinkering with “his baby” was a huge slap in the face. I don’t know if Patterson’s feelings got the match back to its roots but I know he was very disappointed with the move last year.

Why is WWE continuing with WWE NXT?

WWE is continuing with both WWE NXT and WWE Superstars to fulfill international television commitments. Honestly, no one cares about the programming and they are in contracts that cannot be broken. Vince McMahon recently described the way they are treating the secondary programming as “sitting on them.”

Article 1-5-12

With both Bobby Lashley and Chyna expressing interest in returning to WWE. Do you see either one coming back?

Bobby Lashley has a better chance of returning to WWE than Chyna. I don’t know how much interest there is in Lashley but there is zero interest in Chyna.

[cero2k]

Who all is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame under the Four Horsemen faction?

WWE issued a press release yesterday confirming the following names as inductees as the Four Horsemen – Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and manager J.J. Dillon. In other words, bad news for all the Steve “Mongo” McMichael fans.

my only question, if Flair does indeed make it free to the HoF Ceremony, is he getting another ring??