PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

BEATING RUSEV, WHY CENA REMAINS ON TOP, THE NETWORK AND MORE

I read a lot that part of the reason the creative on WWE is mediocre and that some wrestlers are kept strong are due to merchandising and the need to push them. But wouldn't great storylines and trying to push all wrestlers as the hottest superstars ultimately eliminate the need to push merchandising sales so much since they would pretty much sell themselves if fans were that into the product? It seems to me that the problem is actually the solution.

I don't know that merchandising is the reason why talents are kept strong, because Zack Ryder's merchandise was doing great and we know the story there. In theory, WWE wants and needs their product to be as hot as possible to draw fans, Network subscriptions, merchandise, etc. The engine that runs the ship is creative to be sure, but I don't think they are keeping John Cena on top, for example, because he sells merchandise. He's on top because he's the best man for the job.

Several readers have sent in questions regarding who should be Rusev. The latest being that Kevin Owens beat him on his debut, which I liked. However, you have consistently shot down all scenarios of someone beating Rusev so my question is what scenario would you like Rusev to eventually lose his first match and to whom? He has to lose sometime.

Honestly, Rusev shouldn't lose until a major PPV during a feud with John Cena and not until he's already beaten Cena clean in a prior match.

Maybe this has been covered but I was just watching the recap of the Orton beat down by the authority and realized that after the stair curb stomp from Rollins, Orton was shown bleeding. Was that planned or was he opened hard way? And are you surprised they didn't black and white the clip in the recap? Is this a sign that maybe WWE might be ready to at least ease up a little on the PG rating?

The blood was accidental. I think the only reason they didn't use the black and white is because it was such a small trickle. Looking for signs of things is just going to make you crazy, so I wouldn't advise trying to analyze such things because WWE decision-making on that level is usually just at the jurisdiction of whoever the producer in charge of the video was at the time.

I remember thinking at the time WWE Network debuted that it was a huge mistake to put Wrestlemania on there for free. Now that we know the subscriber numbers have been a huge disappointment, isn't it obvious this was a colossal mistake? They cannibalized their PPV business and biggest event. No way they can go back now. What was Vince McMahon thinking?

Vince was thinking, and is still thinking, that he can get his audience to come over and make the Network the new hub of the entire WWE business model. They aren't there yet but come on, it hasn't even been in existence for a year. I have written all along that we were going to see changes and evolution to the Network, good and bad. We are still in that evolutionary process.

Justin Gabriel got a "you can't wrestle" chant? Really? I mean, he's not the next Shawn Michaels but the guy can go and he can sell. I actually think WWE has missed the boat not pushing him more. What are your thoughts on his abilities and do you ever see WWE getting behind Gabriel?

I think Gabriel is really good, that I'd like to see him utilized more and that those fans were just being yahoos.

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!

• Tweet