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PWINSIDER Q&A: WRESTLING ON ESPN, TRUMP, AJ STYLES AND MORE

Answered on 3/7

Is it just me or do you think the Bubba Love Sponge Show is a "worked shoot"?

I think Bubba is just like a lot of other "shock jocks" or radio show hosts out there.  Some of what he says is the truth (or the truth as he sees it) and other things are just said to get a reaction.  Obviously when Hulk Hogan is on, everything should probably be taken with a grain (or mound) of salt. 

This goes back a little ways, but I'm hoping you can shed some light. I recently purchased TNA's Hard Justice 2005 DVD in which the main event was AJ Styles challenging Jeff Jarrett for the World Title with Tito Ortiz as guest referee. During the buildup for the match, Don West and Mike Tenay kept on saying how AJ is finally getting a fair shot at Jeff Jarrett and that it is his time and that he is the future of TNA. My questions are (1) Hadn't AJ beaten Jarrett for the World Title twice before and (2) If this was AJ's time to shine, as they were pushing it, why did they have him lose the belt the following month?

Yes, AJ Styles was a two-time former NWA World Champion going into that match, and had beaten Jarrett for both of his previous championship victories. Actually, a full calendar year hadn't even passed since AJ's last reign had ended when Hard Justice took place.  Still, the storyline for the match was that AJ hadn't gotten a fair shot (recently) and that he was the future of the company (which was viable, even if he was a two-time champion already).  I think the real crime of that match isn't that the build-up was a little suspect (and to be honest, when building up a match, stretching the truth is to be expected) but rather the outcome, where Tito Ortiz, not AJ Styles, really cost Jarrett the match and the title. 

Growing up there was a wrestling federation that aired in the early days of ESPN. I seem to remember two of the more prevalent wrestlers being Sting and The Patriot (Del Wilkes). Was this the AWA?

No, I believe the company you are thinking of is the Global Wrestling Federation, which featured The Patriot as their top babyface during their run on ESPN.  However, Sting was never part of the company. 

Do you have any idea how much Trump is being paid for his involvement at Wrestlemania? You have to figure a guy like him does not come cheap.

I haven't heard of any figures for a payoff for Trump for his WWE appearances.  I do know that people within NBC-Universal are hopeful that Trump's appearances help boost the sagging ratings of "The Apprentice" but I imagine there must be some financial compensation for Trump as well.  He's not the type to do anything for free. 

I've read that Deuce from the Deuce and Domino tag team is the son of Jimmy Snuka. Is that true?

He is the adopted son of Jimmy Snuka, and actually wrestled under the name Jimmy Snuka Jr. for a time. 

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