PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

 
 

MOST UNDERRATED AUTOBIOGRAPHY, SIMILAR WRESTLING STORYLINES, FREEBIRDS IN THE WWE HALL

By Mike Johnson on 2012-11-30 10:00:20
I'm not sure if this has been asked, but doesn't it just seem like WWE and TNA are running similar storylines right now? CM Punk and Austin Aries turned heel because of respect and then now the Brooke Hogan/Bully Ray storyline is very similar to John Cena/AJ. Do they take these storylines from each other or what?

I don't know whether they consciously took the storylines from each other but you can certainly draw a comparison!

I saw where Stevie Richards hypothesized that Hurricane Sandy was a government-created storm done technologically to sway the election. Since then, Dave more or less called him a crackpot, without naming him. Then Mike plugs Richards' Fox & Friends appearance and calls him a "massive technology expert". So which is it? Or is he both?

Richards is a huge technology expert as anyone who has ever seen his T-4 show could attest. Dave's comments on Richards were his personal opinion after Richards made a pretty outlandish claim.

Have you guys heard any logical reason why The Freebirds have not been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, particularly WM 27 in Atlanta?

No, except it was believed that when Michael Hayes was suspended as a writer several years back, that put the hold on any plans for the Freebirds going in the Hall of Fame. Sadly, with the death of Buddy Roberts, he won't get the chance to enjoy the moment when it does happen.

Is TNA actually turning a profit for Panda Energy, or is it just kinda tolerated by the family as Dixie's eccentric little toy? I ask this because it seems like they've been positioned to move to the next level for several years now, with a prime time slot on a major network and a decent presence in the toy aisles. They just haven't had the necessary financial commitment from the parent company to increase production values, run bigger venues, and maybe try signing away current stars from WWE (a la Bischoff convincing the Turner execs to open the vaults back in the day). I know it's easy for me to play with other people's money, but everyone knows you have to take risks and be willing to accept initial losses, if you want to realize long-term gains.

The company has always had to make specific goals for Panda Energy to continue funding it and has always made those goals. I don't believe it's seen as a toy but as a business they are trying to grow. It's hard to trace the history of the company and not believe it has grown since it's debut in 2002.

What do you think are the most underrated wrestling autobiographies?

I really feel the William Regal book is one that a lot more people should have gotten their hands on and read. It really was an excellent book, both for the personal story Regal told as well as the story of his career. I wish it had made a bigger splash in the United States. I also think the books by and on Bill Dundee, Lita, Stu Hart, Gary Hart and The Road Warriors are greatly underrated.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!