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PWINSIDER Q&A: WHY WWE IS ADVERTISING HHH VS. BOOKER NOW, BEST TAG TEAM EVER, WWE CONTRACTS AND MORE

Answered: 8/9

Why am I seeing commercials on TV for Triple H vs. King Booker at Summerslam when they haven't even done the angle for it yet?  WWE is spoiling their own show?

The original plan for the commercials and marketing campaign for Summerslam was to base everything on the "Jackass" people appearing at the show.  When they pulled out of the event, WWE decided to make the focus Triple H vs. King Booker, so that's why you're seeing commercials pushing the match despite WWE not doing an angle for it yet.  I suppose they could have pushed Khali vs. Batista or Cena vs. Orton instead, but let's be honest, Triple H vs. Booker will probably draw more buys at this point. 

Quick question. Who do you think is the BEST tag team in wrestling history? I personally feel it's the Road Warriors hands down, followed by the Steiners. The reason I ask is, I'm sick and tired of Team 3D claiming that they've held every title in the business and that they are the best team ever. Frankly, I LOVED Scott Steiner's promo a few weeks ago on Team 3D's "accomplishments". Your thoughts?

Depends on what criteria you use to decide who the "best" is.  The Road Warriors are probably, overall, the most popular tag team of all time.  I would say The Midnight Express or The British Bulldogs or The Fantastics would battle it out for best in-ring performers.  The Rock N' Roll Express revolutionized the "selling babyface/hot tag" formula that teams still use in matches.  The Steiners were an absolutely incredible duo in their prime, as were Terry Gordy and Steve Williams.  Personally, I was a big fan of the Eliminators.  Team 3D, in my opinion, is a great tag team, however, they have often been in positions where there weren't other good teams for them to work with.  They probably would have been better off if they were around in the 80's, when tag team wrestling was a lot more important in the major promotions. I think they will always be underrated.  So, who was the best tag team ever? The Conquistadors.

Do you think WWE will ever say that TNA is the place where WWE hasbeens and hand-me-downs can go to be champion , and don't you think TNA should put more effort into there own talent as champions ?

Unless TNA starts doing monster ratings and becomes more of a threat to WWE, I don't see WWE ever publicly acknowledging TNA, even to rip on them.  The only time WWE has ever even mentioned them (and never by name) is when someone has asked a question about them at a stockholder meeting.  As for TNA putting more effort into their own talent, I couldn't agree more.  I think it is utterly ridiculous when a former WWE undercard performer like Test comes into the company and two weeks later is in the PPV main event, while guys who have come up with TNA through the years are left languishing in the midcard.

Is there a backstory to an arm injury of Iron Mike Sharpe, who worked many years with a cast or was it just a work?

From what I understand, he did suffer a wrist injury, but for the majority of his career, the leather brace was just part of his look.

I would like to know if there are any differences between a WWE Developmental contract and a WWE main roster contract. When Harry Smith signed with WWE last year, he said he would be debuting on RAW in June of 2006. I know he did some house shows, but he never debuted on TV. I then heard he was sent down to OVW. Is WWE allowed to do this? Does he still get paid the same or is he getting paid less because he's not getting WWE house show bonuses? Did they promise him a spot on RAW and creative just changed their minds? Does WWE just sign everybody to the same kind of contract and tell the wrestlers whether or not they are going to the main roster or the developmental system? Thanks for your help.

Generally, a developmental contract is for a lot less money than a regular WWE contract.  However, developmental talent also has their travel expenses taken care of, something that is not the case for regular WWE stars.  So, when you see developmental talent on the house show swings, they are having their hotel and rental car taken care of, while a regular WWE performer takes care of their own travel expenses (other than flights, which WWE does pay for).  As for where the talent goes, yes, that is entirely up to WWE.  If they want to send someone under a regular deal (like Mark Henry) to OVW, they can.  If they want to put developmental talent on Raw, they can.  As long as WWE abides by their part of the contract, they can do whatever they want with the talent.  As mentioned in the past, WWE pays a downside guarantee to their performers, then bonuses are paid out for working house shows, PPV events and selling merchandise.  As for Harry Smith, there was a plan to bring him in, then it was scratched.  Then there was a plan for him to do an angle with Brooke Hogan, and that was scratched.  Now, it looks like WWE may bring the new Hart Foundation up, but nothing is definite.

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