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PWINSIDER Q&A: RVD'S WWE STATUS, MARK COPANI, MELINA AN UNDESERVING WWE CHAMP?, TNA HOUSE SHOWS & MORE

Why was Melina given the title now and who the hell thought it was a "great" idea to have Melina vs Ashley? here's why I wonder if they were heavily medicated when they dropped the ball when giving Melina the belt: 1. I don't think Melina could carry Ashley to a good match and 2. Wouldn't it make sense for Mickie and Ashley to fight each other given their history...oh wait forgot WWE doesn't do that sort of thing. Also was Mickie given time off to take care of a few things or did she make one of the higher ups mad?

The title change was simple a creative decision partially made to give Ashley a heel foil to face at the biggest show of the year as they promote the Playboy Magazine spread.  Mickie James didn't do anything that I've been made aware of to necessitate the change and as far as Melina's in-ring ability, I think you are giving her no credit as she's one hell of a performer inside the ring, although WWE hasn't given her the chance to show that aspect of her character regularly.  She's been working for a number of years in the ring and unlike a lot of others, broke in the business to be a wrestler, not to be a "Diva" contest winner.

Here is a question that I have about upcoming TNA house shows.  Reports have indicated that the locker room morale is very high due to the starting of house shows and the possibility of a longer time slot on Spike.  Aren't a lot of the talent, however, signed to deals that pay them a set amount per year?  Secondly, isn't some of the allure of TNA for older, established (former WWE guys) workers the fact that TNA DOESN'T have a rigorous road schedule?  So doesn't the onset of house shows in fact lead to more work and more travel for the same amount of money?

Well, it's possible some of those talents won't be happy with doing more shows but it's not as if TNA is going to be going on a regular schedule where the talents are on the road 3-4 days a week and/or going overseas for long stretches.  While talents are contracted to make X dollars with Y dates, if TNA books more shows, eventually they will have to up the amount of dates and money.  As long as TNA doesn't stretch themselves too thin with their scheduling, which Eric Bischoff claims in his book was one of the undoings of WCW, I don't see it being a major issue, plus talents can be cycled with Kurt Angle working some dates, Sting working others, etc.

Whatever happened to Triple H appearing in the Conan movie sequel?

It's been discussed on and off for a number of years, but the timing was never right and there's been no indication it's ever going to happen at this point, especially with WWE wanting to plug their talents into films that they themselves produce.

Any word on Rob Van Dam's status with WWE?

Nothing official has been stated but most within the company are going on the assumption that Van Dam has either given notice, or has given the appearance he's leaving to get a nicer contract when they sit down for negotiations.  I believe he would be free by July if he doesn't ink a new deal.

Where's Mark Copani?  He never popped up again after leaving WWE.

The last I heard of Copani, he was living in Los Angeles and working as a personal trainer while attempting to break into acting.

 

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