Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO MIKE FOR THE PWINSIDER Q&A BY CLICKING HERE.
Kind of an odd question, but whenever there’s a big and lengthy PPV, what do commentators and the ringside crew do when they need a bathroom break? Some of the big shows like Wrestlemania, All In and the Rumble go on for five-plus hours, so I couldn’t imagine what they go through if they can’t break away to the lavatory.
They have a few choices. They can run during a video package, keep a big bottle under the table (or the ring) or wear Depends. Announcers are in a far worse scenario vs. ringside staff as viewers will notice immediately if someone is missing. AEW cycling announcers on big shows probably makes it a lot easier than you can imagine in that regard.
Was there a specific reason why Vader was utilized so poorly in WWF, compared to his monster runs in WCW and Japan?
Vince McMahon didn't like that version of Vader or didn't see it in him. With the exception of that one Four Way PPV match, the Vader of old never showed up in WWF, sadly. We have to remember that WWF at that time wasn't exactly doing a style that was conducive to what we would expect out of Vader in New Japan, UWFi, WCW Cactus Jack matches, etc. It was a much different style and time.
What did you think of this year’s Anarchy in the Arena? To me it was the kind of chaotic, freewheeling stuff that makes wrestling so much fun. Throwing in Drowning Pool didn’t hurt, either.
I talked a lot about this on Elite audio, but I thought it was awesome. It was an R-rated sports-entertainment spectacle that had a lot of moving parts that thankfully all came together for big stunts, drama and craziness. I thought it was the best version ever of that match and if I was AEW, I'd put that concept away for 18 months or 2 years in order to wait for the right storyline opportunity to come about. I thought it was absolutely great and everyone got to have their moments and in some cases, the best match of their AEW run. It was absolutely fun in the right way. I am sure you could go through it and nitpick certain things, but to me, it was like a fun Sabu match - the sheer lunacy of it was fun and brilliant live in the moment. As I said on the site, I thought Double or Nothing was one of AEW's best efforts of the year, and possibly the last few years. Loved it.
What was the first piece of wrestling memorabilia you owned?
I am guessing it was WWF LJN action figure or a George Steele t-shirt when I was a kid.
I know you have to had built relationships having been around wrestling, so what happens when someone you like gets in trouble or arrested or is responsible for their own heat in the locker room. How do you handle?
I've actually lost relationships with a few people I liked and respected by reporting on arrests in the past. There's nothing you can do about that. No matter how much I may like (or even dislike) someone on a personal basis, my first and only loyalty has to be to the readership and to finding out the truth of a story to the best of my ability and I have to do my best to be unbiased when it comes to stories like arrests, lawsuits, etc. I've experienced talents who have said to me "Just do your job" even when I've written something that wasn't flattering to them and I've had people cut me off because they didn't like that I wouldn't parrot their version. It's part of the job, so I never take it personally - and if they do, well, I have to accept that they have every right to do so.
When WWE sells signed items, are they real?
Yes, 100%. The photos sold at live events are usually signed that afternoon. The other items are signed for Fanatics by talents and then sold via their website.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO MIKE FOR THE PWINSIDER Q&A BY CLICKING HERE.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
