- Sections
- ! TODAY'S EXTRAS
- News
- Sports
- Entertainment
- Business
- Tropical Life
- Opinion
- Visitor's Guide
- ElNuevoHerald.com
- Online Features
- Calendar of Events
- Contests
- Message Boards
- Special Publications
- Today's Front Page
- Traffic Reports
- Web Cams
- Podcasts
Jim Varsallone is the youth sports coordinator and pro wrestling editor for the Miami Herald. Jim has been with the Herald for 13 years and has also written for Wrestling Digest, Total Wrestling, and WOW magazines.
Submitted by mike from boca
Q: jim not to contradict you but i recently hear an ahmed johnson shoot interview where he admitted that he worked really stiff with ron simmons with hte intention of injuring him, during wrestlemania 13. can you refute this story?
Answered 05/06/08 19:14:52 by Jim Varsallone
A: Did he actually injure him? No, he did not. Plus, Ahmed Johnson always worked stiff. Even so, actions speak louder than words. I realize that. I'm sure just like any business, people feel a certain way toward someone they work with (good, bad or indifferent), but they still have to work with him or her, or they work somewhere else. (Flair/Foley; Hogan/Iron Sheik; Ultimate Warrior/Many). The employee does what the boss says. Of course there are times wrestlers don't want to make someone else look good, or they don't like someone, or they want to really punch him, but they don't. They do what they are told because that's the business. I've been told by wrestlers and former promoters and read books that back in the days of territories a promoter would tell a wrestler to hurt someone on purpose, but that was in the days of territories. If it occurred in WWE, believe you me, especially with the Internet, we would know about it. You really believe if Ahmed Johnson injured Ron Simmons on purpose, nothing would have happened to Johnson? The point is if you intentionally try to hurt someone in WWE (on your own) or go away from the script and do your own thing, you will be suspended or even fired. That's why you don't read, hear or see that occuring in WWE. Execptions to the rule. Sure, it can happen, but you did not hear, read or see stories about WWE workers trying to injure someone on purpose or not follow the script on purpose. Now if you try that on the indie cirucit, the penalties are less because it's the indie circuit, but you will still garner a bad reputation. Nothing is 100 percent. You, of all people, should know that.Submitted by sayheykid from oakland,ca
Q: Hey Jim what was your thought of cheeleader melissa? and everyone saying she seed but I don't see any of moves from lockdown to last week too diff people. like their saying curry man and the falling angel are the same person but I don't see it. Seed has blond hair her top of her mask was falling off and she had blond hair so that rules out melissa. melissa has black hair.maybe it a diva from the past????? what your thoughts????
Answered 05/06/08 16:46:19 by Jim Varsallone
A: No secret. Curry Man and Christopher Daniels are one in the same. I have no thoughts on cheerleader Melissa. That match on TV was ok. It was one match. Hard to pass judgement on one match. I'll leave that to the wrestlers and agents at this point. I think Gail Kim and Awesome Kong are the top of the women's division.Submitted by mike from boca fl
Q: jim why are you misleading hte readers, the public enemy was legitimately beat up years ago by bradshaw and simmons, it wasn't scripted. it happens shooting takes place in wwe from time to time.
Answered 05/06/08 16:45:12 by Jim Varsallone
A: If I recall correctly with that incident, they were supposed to do that to the Public Enemey. The agents knew and Mr. McMahon knew. It was to work stiff (hard) against the Public Enemy because WWE wanted Public Enemy to tone down their moves, and that was its lesson. Being in ECW, Public Enemy, RVD, others worked stiff. ECW was hardcore. WWE was not. The only time I can recall someone going off script on purpose, per se, in WWE during Mr. McMahon's reign is Bradshaw on Blue Meanie. I guess you can debate the Bret Hart/HBK match, but still that was Mr. McMahon going off script. It's his script so that really does not count. In WWE, if you do not do what you're told, you can very easily get fired. C'mon. You know that.Submitted by Chris M from Mesa, AZ
Q: Hey Jim, I heard that TNA is developing their own version of the Dome Cage match that is used in Mexico. They are to debut it at Slammiversary. Do you think it will be much different than theirs and who do you see competing?
Answered 05/06/08 16:36:58 by Jim Varsallone
A: I don't know. I recall the three-tier cage DDP and Kanyon helped develop for WCW. To be honest, I don't think I've seen Mexico's Dome Cage. So I can not really comment on it. If anyone else has, go for it.Submitted by Ernesto from Miami Beach
Q: Hi Jim. What's the connection between TNA and Lucha Libre, if any? Saw recent Lucha broadcast with Super Pump Steiner and past broadcasts with Ron Killings, both of whom are or have been on TNA. Any connection?
Answered 05/06/08 16:35:05 by Jim Varsallone
A: TNA wrestlers are allowed to work elsewhere, except WWE, as long as it does not interfere with TNA commitments.Submitted by Steve from Boston from Boston, MA
Q: Per PW Torch: The drawing power of Donald Trump vs the drawing power of Floyd Mayweather and Ric Flair's retirement match. WrestleMania 23 generated 1.2 million PPV buys and $24.6 million in PPV revenue, compared to this year's WM 24 figures of 1.06 million buys and $23.8 million in revenue. WWE increased the PPV price $5 and $10 for HDTV (1st time WM on HD), which accounts for the revenue figure being close to last year's, but not enough to surpass it. Steve: As noted previously, 12+ PPVs at increased prices are beginning to hit WWE in the bottom line. With 1Q08 results just released, WWE stock dipped 4.5 percent to the mid-$17 per share range. Some analysts last month had predicted WWE stock would jump to $20 in the first-half of the year. I would expect Backlash & the upcoming Judgement Day PPV to have rough buy rates, especially as most fans have just received their WM buys on their last cable bill. Anyone else have any thoughts on this besides Jim, are PPVs becoming a bit too pricey and are you not ordering as many or now none at all? I'd be curious of other peoples views.
Answered 05/06/08 16:33:56 by Jim Varsallone
A: Wait now. I don't know where you acquired your info, but as for the quarter, WWE did very well, beating last year's quarter. Please have the facts if you are going to make an educated opinion. I have no problem with your WrestleMania comparison as Mr. Mayweather did not boost the PPV buys like WWE hoped. I still feel WWE paid him a lump sum and then more via how many PPV buys and merchandising. I never really believed the $20-million price tag for Mr. Mayweather. Though, with incentives, it could have reached a hefty sum. Again, how can you say WWE is slipping or is in trouble when for the quarter it did better than last year. Look, even if WWE did dip in this past quarter (which it did not), the question to be asked is did the company make money? It did in last year's quarter, and it did this year's quarter. I respect the fact you admit that you purchased WrestleMania, but I take your opinion on WWE's PPV price increase with a grain of salt. If you did not buy the PPV, I would say have at it. The board is yours. Instead, you complained about the price, prior, but still purchased the PPV. As for WWE's stock, it is still doing very well, and the company just paid a cash dividend, increased rate to stock holders. You don't pay a dividend, especially an increased dividend, per se, if you are not making money. The stock is still a recommended buy not a bear in the financial world. That is not my opinion. Those are facts. If you want to discuss the entire WWE financial scope with the real numbers that's one of my areas. Let's have at it factually. I'd be the first one to say if WWE or TNA or any group is slipping when crunching the numbers. This is just not the case right now in WWE, and we need to make sure people know the truth. Do you realize how much money WWE made on international touring last quarter and this quarter? It is amazing. As for the PPV price increase, if you don't like the PPV price increase, don't buy it. That will make a mark. Simple as that. If you do pay, don't complain.Submitted by john from Glasgow,Scotland(UK)
Q: Hi Jim just a few questions -1 where is Drew McIntyre and Eugene ive not seen them on Raw,Smackdown,Heat or even on ECW. -2 looking at some of your previous answers you say that when Undertaker does that submission move "the blood comes from a capsule like in the movies" so do they fight the whole match with it in there mouth ? I have had the capsules before and they burst very easy.
Answered 05/06/08 16:05:37 by Jim Varsallone
A: Eugene was released. As for the blood packet, I'm guessing it's in their tights or wrist tape. Nowadays, technology in Hollywood offers better products.Submitted by Anonymous from Hialeah,Fl.
Q: You don't always answer all of the multiple ?'s?!. Who IS Cherry & who is Jillian?. T.Y.
Answered 05/05/08 18:08:36 by Jim Varsallone
A: Need to give everyone a chance. Cherry was on the developmental roster in Ohio Valley Wrestling in Louisville, Ky., when it was part of WWE's developmental territories.Submitted by YoYo
Q: How do opponents of the undertaker's submission move cough out blood? They dont seem to blade themselves.
Answered 05/05/08 17:44:27 by Jim Varsallone
A: Blood capsules like is used in the movies.Submitted by sayheykid from oakland,ca
Q: Hey:Jim what about a return to the booth for Vince McMahon. he could shock the world with his return to the table On Raw then move Jim Ross to ECW what you thoughts on that? Alabama had alot of good football from that collage football did any wrestlers play for Alabama?
Answered 05/05/08 17:43:38 by Jim Varsallone
A: Interesting with Mr. McMahon, but he has enough to do. You know he is in charge of everything. J.R., your best play-by-play man, is staying on the top show. You don't demote him to the No.3 show. Mick Foley on SmackDown. Let's see how that works. You just keep trying people in the role of announcer Joey Styles until one works for WWE's ECW.Submitted by frank from hollywood, fl
Q: You have probably answered this before, but I have only been a fan for a short time. Are Kane and Undertaker real brothers?
Answered 05/05/08 17:41:13 by Jim Varsallone
A: No.Submitted by Marc from Phoenix,AZ
Q: Hey Jim,I saw in the Arizona Republic Ron "Farooq" Simmons elected 2 College FB Hall of Fame!Thoughts?What years was he there?Also,Troy Aikman,Lou Holtz & Thurman Thomas are in.Where's Eugene?
Answered 05/05/08 01:24:41 by Jim Varsallone
A: I think I answered this one. Ron Simmons is not only one of the greatest football players in FSU history but also college football history. A defensive great, he helped start the rise of Florida State football under legendary coach Bobby Bowden. Simmons is a legend in Tallahassee. I recall former WWE star D'Lo Brown telling me how he and Simmons traveled together with WWE, and WWE had a show in Tallahassee. He said once they stepped off the place, people were pointing at Ron Simmons. Brown said it was like being with royalty the way folks treated him. This was years after his FSU career. They ate for free no matter where they went. Damn!Submitted by Marc from Phoenix,AZ
Q: Oh yeah,was Taker supposed 2 release the hold after Edge tapped,or was that real?U saw him say "I'm gonna hurt u."Did he really mean that?
Answered 05/05/08 01:20:14 by Jim Varsallone
A: It's part of the script. In WWE, you really can not try to hurt someone. If you do in WWE, it could be career suicide. On the indie scene, it could happen, but if you get a reputation for not following orders/script, and try to purposely hurt someone or if a promoter tells you to hurt somebody, you can still make it very difficult to get work in other places. Those indie promoters can find difficulty in hiring talent. It happens on a smaller level but not in WWE and not in TNA. Well, JBL did punch Blue Meanie in WWE, but it became an angle instead of a lawsuit. If it turned to a lawsuit, things would have been different for JBL and even WWE.Submitted by John from Glasgow,Scotland(UK)
Q: Hi Jim I was on WWE.com and I was reading industry news and it was saying Bret hart was in talks with wwe developmental talents to see about what type of matches they have planed for him does this mean he's coming back to thee wwe again or is it all small talk ???
Answered 05/05/08 01:10:08 by Jim Varsallone
A: Please read it again. Bret Hart was spending time in Florida and went to FCW to talk to up-n-coming talent, watch their matches and give them advice. Bret Hart, who had a stroke and other physical ailments, is not training to wrestle. Even if he could or tried, why? He is a lot older now and physically can not do what he did. I'd rather see new stars with new angles. Nostalgia is one thing, sure, but c'mon.Submitted by sayheykid from oakland,ca
Q: what did you think of Mick Foley? I think his voice is awesome it doesn't give you a migraine I watch some of smackdown but I was watching the boston game too. let see what happen in Ecw see if no one will talk in the match I like it let the wrestling speak for it self.
Answered 05/05/08 01:08:03 by Jim Varsallone
A: Mick Foley is good. He had an easy act to follow. No offense to Coach who is always in the right place at the right time. He works hard. Good for him. Wrestling on television without commentators? I just don't see it or hear it, yet. It would be like a house show. I like house shows, but I also like the talk on TV by the commentators when they are good. JBL left some big shoes to fill.Submitted by Jimmy L from Naples, FL
Q: Hey, Jim. Who is ODB in the TNA Knockouts? Also who is Cherry on WWE Smackdown?
Answered 05/05/08 01:05:46 by Jim Varsallone
A: ODB grew up in the midwest with an ice hockey background. She wrestled on indie shows including competing against guys. She tried out for WWE Tough Enough. She competed in OVW, once a feeder group to WWE. She wrestled briefly in TNA as Poison a few years ago.Submitted by Kamran
Q: I think undertaker doesn't want to do the champion's schedule anymore so they decided to save face and make the fans despise edge and vickie more by doing what they did. Your thoughts? Also, I looked up that angle is actually a 10-time world champ but he says he's 12. Why is he lying?
Answered 05/05/08 00:59:18 by Jim Varsallone
A: Taker took off time in the past to be with family. I think this time he will hold the belt longer. It's pro wrestling, a scripted world with several groups in various countries. Didn't Angle win a world title in Japan? It could be 10. Maybe it's 11 or 12.Submitted by Kamran
Q: Another thing, I think CM Punk will use his mitb title shot right now for the smackdown world title. What do you think?
Answered 05/05/08 00:56:03 by Jim Varsallone
A: I think CM Punk will wait.Submitted by metal star from Uniondale, New York
Q: But did he really get stripped of the title?
Answered 05/03/08 00:00:16 by Jim Varsallone
A: He did tonight, but that will probably change.Submitted by metal star from Uniondale, New York
Q: Whats the big idea with Undertaker no longer being champion?
Answered 05/02/08 22:19:29 by Jim Varsallone
A: To make fans really despise Vicky Guerrero and Edge. An interesting week of TV for WWE. Raw goes to black during the main event. The WWECW announcers walk off the set before the main event, and Taker is stripped of the title on SmackDown. Expect the unexpected in WWE.
