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PWINSIDER Q&A: WEBSITES, WOMEN'S MATCHES, EUGENE AND MORE

Answered on 9/15

Are the WWE wrestlers permitted to run their own websites while their under contract?

Wrestlers are permitted to have their own websites, however, it is in the best interest of the wrestler to make sure their website doesn't tick off anyone in WWE management.  Many wrestlers, including Rob Van Dam, have had their own website for years.  

Have I been seeing things, or has there recently been some WOMEN's matches on WWE television that didn't totally suck? I about choked on my hamburger last night when I actually saw submission holds being applied in a women's match, by Candice Michelle no less. This is freaky.

Yes, every once in a while, we still get a decent women's match on WWE TV.  However, it seems that after a few weeks, it goes back to being a rare sighting.  With Trish Stratus about to retire, I have to wonder if we'll be seeing less and less of them. 

I was wondering what your opinion is of Michael Landsberg of TSN's "Off The Record"? He had some pretty big scoops in the late 90's (both Bret Hart and Vince McMahon shortly after the "screw job"), and has had numerous wrestling personalities on since. As a follow-up to that, Landsberg was the first person I saw/heard/read doing the "word association" game that many interviewers do with wrestlers now - did he popularize this (in wrestling interviews), or did I miss someone doing it before him?

I think Michael Landsberg does a fantastic job of taking wrestling seriously and asking the questions that diehard fans (like the ones reading this site) want to hear answered.  I have heard some criticism from those that feel he shows bias (favoring Vince McMahon over Eric Bischoff during the Monday Night Wars, favoring Bret Hart over WWE, etc.) but everyone has their favorites and I don't think that has ever hindered him in his work.  As for inventing the word association game, I've seen that in interviews long before it was used in wrestling, so I think it is just something he adapted as a regular feature of his work. 

Eugene question...Do you think maybe the best thing for the character would have been the following: Back when he was first introduced as Bischoff's nephew, that Eugene only acted "special" because that's what "Uncle Eric" thought he was and once he got his contract he became "normal"? This would have gone over as getting one over the heel GM Bischoff plus it would have gotten Nick Dinsmore and fairly good storyline as "Uncle Eric" would then try and get back at Eugene for putting one over on him, don't you think? Also, what do you think it would take now for Dinsmore to be repackaged? Obviously, they would have to give him a complete make-over or he'd just be Eugene acting like someone else.

Honestly, that idea could have worked (I don't think work well, but it would have worked), however it has been months since "Uncle Eric" was fired, yet he is still the same old Eugene.  At this point, I think he has become (as Mike Johnson said on a recent Elite Audio), a mascot for WWE, someone the bring out for a laugh or match every now and then.  Eugene seems to have a secure spot, which I guess is a good thing, but unfortunately it means we will probably never get to see what he really has to offer. I'd love to see him completely repackaged, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards.

Which five current wrestlers do you envision working behind the scenes as promoters, bookers, or road agents in the future?

Triple H (I know, cheap answer), Fit Finlay (I know, another cheap answer), Tommy Dreamer, Ric Flair and Chavo Guerrero.  Triple H is obvious, and Finlay was an agent before his recent comeback. Dreamer has had an office position in WWE before, and once his in-ring time comes to an end, I could see him returning to one.  Once Ric Flair decides to retire, it was be a shame not to pick his brain for ideas as an agent or booker again.  Chavo Guerrero is probably my most unique pick, and I just base it on the grasp he has on what makes a good match, something he could help instill in younger wrestlers. 

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