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PWINSIDER Q&A: WWE HALL OF FAME, COLT CABANA, AUSTIN VS. HOGAN AND MORE

Answered: 4/17

Summer Slam. Austin v. Mankind v. Triple H. I'm puzzled to why Austin could not just job to Triple H if he was going to win the WWE title the very next night on RAW from Mankind anyway. What was behind that decision for Austin to lose to Mankind and then Mankind to Triple H the next night?

As I recall, the title switch was done so WWE would have the "photo op" of Jesse Ventura (the referee) raising the hand of new babyface champion Mankind at the show.  The idea was to have a "good guy" win the belt for the photo op, and having Steve Austin in that position would make no sense given his character.  The finish also, in theory, kept the idea of a Triple H vs. Steve Austin match fresh.  I believe there may have also been some backstage politicking going on, but as I recall, the main thrust was to have that photo op and capitalize on the press Ventura brought to the event. 

I always see people sending in questions in regards to who should be in the WWE Hall of Fame. I made a small credible list of who I think should be in and was wondering who you think as well should be in. Here is my list. Thanks.
1. Dory Funk Jr.
2. Terry Funk
3. Ted Dibiase
4. King Kong Bundy
5. Hillbilly Jim
6. Rock 'N' Roll Express
7. Road Warriors
8. Kerry Von Erich
9. Jim Cornette
10. Mr. T

I think your list is fine, and certainly Mr. T belongs in there every bit as much, if not more, than William Perry and Pete Rose.  I would also say the whole Von Erich family (or at least Fritz, David, Kerry and Kevin) belong in there, not just Kerry.  As I've said during audios in the past, until they put Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund and Randy Savage in there, I have a hard time accepting the Hall Of Fame as anything more than people Vince McMahon gets along with at the time of their induction. 

Do you think WWE will bring up Colt Cabana anytime soon? I'm a huge fan and think he has just what WWE needs. He's a great worker and has a lot of charisma unlike a lot of the roster (eg Randy Orton). What are your thoughts?

I'm stunned Cabana hasn't gotten a shot yet.  While his look may be on the pudgy side (certainly no more than JBL), he certainly has the in-ring skills, and is absolutely hilarious. He could probably give Santino Marella a run for his money in the comedy department.  I've always felt his Matt Classic gimmick in WSX was one of the highlights of that promotion's brief run.  

Since next year's Wrestlemania (which I'll be attending since I live in Texas) in Houston, it would be the perfect time for the WWE to do what they can to make Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan happen since Austin is from Texas, which would add a lot to an already huge match. I know the match is highly unlikely to happen at next year's show or any other show for that matter, but, at this point, what will it take to make the match happen? How much money would they have to throw at each guy not only to make the match happen, but to convince one to lay down for the other? Something tells me it would cost a lot more to have Austin lay down for Hogan than it would vice versa. What do you guys think?

Honestly, while you can never say never, I think Steve Austin has made it very clear that he has no interest in a match with Hulk Hogan.  Austin is of the belief that the match, at this point in their respective careers, couldn't possibly be good, and would be a blemish on his legacy.  I imagine there is a dollar figure that can make it happen, but it probably would be an amount that, from a business perspective, wouldn't be worth it for WWE.

With WWE so severely lacking in the area of backstage announcers, why not try to groom Adamle to do that, and put more emphasis on backstage interviews? He could even do Smackdown and/or ECW in addition to Raw if WWE is so worried about the money they're paying him going to waste. He at least has an air of professionalism around him...something that Grisham doesn't.

I don't think WWE really puts that much emphasis on backstage interviewers anymore.  Honestly, they want the interviewers to fit into one of two molds.  Either a hot babe holding the mic, or a small, meek looking man that can be made fun of and pushed around.  WWE really doesn't seem to have any desire to have a "serious" backstage interviewer, or one audiences would see as being "legitimate". 

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