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PWINSIDER Q&A: NWO, AWA, GREATEST WRESTLER OF ALL TIME AND MORE

Who were the members of nWo Japan through its entire run, and who also was part of Team 2000 in New Japan? Also, what exactly was the storyline behind Masahiro Chono breaking away from the nWo to form Team 2000 and feuding with Muto and the nWo?

The members of NWO Japan were Masahiro Chono, Great Muta, Hiro Saito, Akira, Tatsutoshi Goto, Michiyoshi Ohara, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Big Titan and often included U.S. members Scott Norton, VK Wallstreet, NWO Sting and Brian Adams.  When Chono went down to a neck injury, Muta took over the group and made them more of a babyface faction.  When Chono came back, he formed Team 2000 to feud with Muta and the remaining NWO.  Team 2000 was Chono, Kojima, Tenzan, and future WWE performers Giant Singh (Khali) and Giant Silva. 

I was a huge fan of the AWA during the ESPN years.  Between the years 1985-1990 did they ever have a lineup that could have produced a successful (at least critically) pay per view on their own without using another organizations talents?  What 8-10 match card could you come up with that might have stirred some interest?  I'm not counting Wrestlerock and the Super Clashes in this equation, although I would love to find dvds of any of these.  Any idea of where I can find them?  The two vhs copies of Wrestlrock that I did buy off of ebay were in horrible condition and unwatchable.

I think the talent collected for Wrestlerock could have been a great PPV.  Stan Hansen, Jimmy Snuka, Brusier Brody, Nick Bockwinkel, Rick Martel, Sgt. Slaughter, etc. could have done good, but at that point, only WWF was doing PPV events.  Really, the Wrestlerock card was pretty loaded, and it was minimal outside workers on that event.  As for getting copies of Wrestlerock and Superclash, you might be able to find decent copies out there, but since the footage is now owned by WWF, bootleg copies are harder to come by. 

Most people say Kurt Angle, Bret Hart, HBK and Ric Flair but who do you rate as the greatest wrestler of all time?

I always feel Terry Funk is the greatest wrestler of all time, based on his body or work and ability to make so many lesser opponents look good.  I won't argue with those that name Flair, Hart, Michaels or Angle as the best though.  

I just read a story from a couple of years back about Atlas and Punk in OVW, what is the true story behind this as I've heard two stories, who caused the argument? Also I presumed Punk was a cool guy as he seems it in interviews, is he well liked in the locker room?

The story, as I heard it, was that Atlas was lecturing a group of developmental wrestlers, and didn't realize that Punk, who was present, was NOT a developmental wrestler, but was in fact the ECW Champion and on TV every week at the time.  At one point, Atlas made several comments directed at Punk about how he would "never make it on television", which was ridiculous, and exposed that Atlas had not been watching the product.  It was a pretty embarrassing moment.  As for Punk, I haven't heard that much either way about him.  He has his supporters, and his detractors, just like anyone else. 

What is the general feeling among the WWE Divas toward Maryse? Do they like her? Does she get along with the other Divas? What is she like in person and backstage? 

I have heard of a few fans who have had encounters with Maryse and found her to be a very friendly person.  I do know some Divas don't have an issue with her per se, but with the fact that she was being pushed ahead of other deserving wrestlers, and feel it was being done because fellow French-Canadian Pat Patterson was behind her being pushed. 

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