Submitted by Lefty from Upper Midwest

Q: Lou Albano was one of the best managers of all time. While most managers such as the Grand Wizard, classy Freddie Blasse, and Bobby Davis appeared at ringside dressed in superb clothes, Captain Lou appeared in blue collar duds. His rubber bands in the face were unique as well. I could go on forever about him! Tell me something: why don't we have great managers like that today in pro wrestling??

Answered 10/19/09 15:29:30 by Jim Varsallone

A: Good memories. Again, I put it into business terms because so much of the business is driven by money, or there is no business. If you have a manager, that means when the wrestlers travel, you have to take into account another person for expenses. As much as WWE travels, it adds up. Why not just use the manager on TV? Well, if you have a house show (no TV) coming to your town, and Wrestler X is advertised, and he appears without his manager, you feel a little upset because you wanted to see, cheer or yell at the vocal manager. Also, talent is trying to make it without a mouthpiece because that means more opportunities and more money for them. In my thought process, those are just a few reasons (business reasons) why we don't have the managers like we once did. That's why we went through a period of not pushing tag teams like the past. It costs more to send a tag team than a singles' wrestler on the road. Also, if you are in a tag team, you have to split the merchandising and PPV money. It all ads up. It's easy to say I want to see this and that, and you can like it or don't like it, but when big money (any money) is involved, the company and talent are doing it for the pay. That's their job, and if the company and talent lose money, then you have no business. Look what happened to ECW and on a bigger scale WCW. I think WWE is doing a better job with tag teams, unifying the titles helps in the business sense. Without managers and with a lesser push on tag teams, WWE is still successful and still making money.

Submitted by Mr. Wooooooooo from Miami, FL

Q: Ask and ye shall receive... Captain Lou Albano was a tremendous talent. A real natural on the mic and a "real" fictional character that many of today's wrestlers just dont get. (For example, the Paul Bearer, Brother Love, Mr Fuji, Undertaker, Cena, old school Shawn Michaels, Cena, Warrior, etc.) I would also venture to say that WWE wouldnt be as mainstream right now if not for Capt. Lou breakin in the music industry. Your thoughts, Jimbo?

Answered 10/19/09 15:15:09 by Jim Varsallone

A: I read where Bruno Sammartino suggested Captain Lou became a manager/spokes person. Smart man.

Submitted by Bill from Long Island, NY

Q: Regarding input on Captain Lou, about 25 years ago I was working as an auditor near Carmel, NY - the Captain's hometown. I was talking to the executive of the business being audited and she told me one of her best clients was Captain Lou. She said what a nice person he was and that he had a nice family. She also mentioned that the Captain's daughters could not get any dates because all the neighborhood guys were afraid to date the Captain's daughters. They all thought that the Captain would pulverize them if they made his daughter unhappy. Obviously, they now found someone with "testicular fortitude".

Answered 10/19/09 15:11:35 by Jim Varsallone

A: Great story. I would be intimidated by the good Captain. He was a big guy.

Submitted by metal star from Uniondale, New York

Q: I don't like the ppv names being changed to gimmick matches because it's not very creative to change ppv names after matches. No Mercy, No Way Out, Unforgiven, One Night Stand, Armaggedon were cool names, don't know why they were changed to be named after matches.

Answered 10/19/09 00:16:59 by Jim Varsallone

A: It probably has to do with marketing. Usually does. Any comments on the legendary Captain Lou Albano?

Submitted by Mark from Seminole,Florida

Q: Jim, With Bragging Rights and Survivor Series around the bend, would that be time to have an increase in cross brand feuds? Examples: Cena-Batista, UT-Orton, Mysterio-Kingston. I only say this because it can only boost the ratings of all three shows, which are slipping now. If not that idea, what other ways can they boost the ratings?

Answered 10/16/09 23:01:56 by Jim Varsallone

A: I hear what you're saying. I think it will be some time before that happens again. It would be interesting if Cena lost and went to SmackDown, but if he loses, I expect he has some movie gig or other TV venture in the works. We shall see. The ratings are not bad. You are not going to get the ratings of the 1980s or the Monday Night wars. There is too much competition with more channels on cable, digital, satellite TV these days. Technology gives you more ways to watch. That's why WWE's ECW can score a 1.0 rating, and ScyFy network is happy. In saying that, I would like to see Monday Night Raw go from 8-10 p.m. to combat Monday Night Football's 8:30 p.m. start, but I still don't think it would make a significant difference in the numbers.

Submitted by Bill from Long Island, NY

Q: Any clue what was behind Shane McMahon's resignation? Do you think he got tired of the travel and time committment; or do you think it is part of a future storyline. Thanks again.

Answered 10/16/09 14:53:10 by Jim Varsallone

A: Good question. He could help his mom's campaign. He can go into another sporting venture - mixed martial arts - or movie making. He has a college degree in Communication and the money so his options are endless. This leads me to believe Stephanie is the one wo will take over the family business, when that time comes, but that does not mean Shane will not be involved, return at some point. I believe I read Shane has ADD. I hope I am not writing that out of turn. If that is the case, he has been able to overcome it, but a person with ADD needs new challenges, new focus. He is a human being. Maybe he just got tired of the job and just wanted a change.

Submitted by Marc from Phoenix,AZ

Q: What's going on with Jeff Hardy?I thought Kurt Angle left WWE to spend more time with his family but they ended up seperating ANYWAY?Was Wrestlemania was the VERY 1st PPV of any wrestling companies?

Answered 10/15/09 17:14:40 by Jim Varsallone

A: The next court date for Jeff Hardy is Nov. 4. We will learn the specific charges and if it will go to a grand jury. Kurt Angle was going through a difficult period of his life, mentally and physically, when he was released from WWE. I guess things did not work out between he and his wife Karen. There's much we don't know, and that's their privacy. I believe NWA's Starrcade was the first PPV.

Submitted by Double D from Ocean City,NJ

Q: Jim,just read that Capt. Lou passed away today,which got me to thinking... who of todays wrestlers do you see as future legends/Hall of Famers?Skipping the obvious like Taker etc.Also,living in NJ now I find it ironic that they move the U and Dolphins to"Joe Robbie" and then move the Marlins to where the site of the Orange Bowl.Sounds like Jersey politians. RIP CAPT LOU

Answered 10/14/09 21:08:06 by Jim Varsallone

A: It will always be Joe Robbie Stadium and the Orange Bowl to me. That's politics for ya. I think Fit Finlay and William Regal for the Hall of Fame. Neither won the world title, but each has had a tremendous, long career.

Submitted by matt from glenolden pa

Q: When is Edge's return? If soon could he and christian defeat big show jerico for the titles, since jerico and edge are feuding?

Answered 10/12/09 21:53:52 by Jim Varsallone

A: That would be a way to elevate Christian from WWE's ECW, but an achilles injury takes a long time to recover, and hopefully, he will be OK to continue the WWE schedule if he heals fully, properly. I would say if things work out, maybe by WrestleMania. That's a guess.

Submitted by Kamran

Q: Ok recently I've read in a magazine that somebody called in on a radio show and reported the Karen Angle (and her kids) are living with Jeff Jarrett. It caused Dixie Carter to be upset about the situation and sent Jeff home for an unknown amount of time. Now I don't know really the whole story about it (whether it's true or if Kurt knew about this or how long this has been happening, etc.) but I wanted to ask you if you know anything about the situation. Also I heard that call-in and people are trying to figure out who it is. They're saying it might be BG James. If anybody can figure it out respond then. here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2ppLuBZq80

Answered 10/12/09 15:20:56 by Jim Varsallone

A: No one really knows the entire truth about the situation. We can get or read 'insider' information and gossip, but we're not there to witness it firsthand. What we do know. Karen and Kurt Angle did split up. Karen is taking care of the children. Jeff Jarrett lost his wife. Jeff takes care of his kids. Sometimes similar living situations can also bring people together. I say that knowing Kurt Angle is still happily involved in his children's lives. A little while after the radio incident, changes were made in TNA behind the scenes. BG James and Dutch Mantell no longer work for the company. Jeff Jarrett has not been on TV. He did some overseas work for the company.

Submitted by Michele Mitchell from Phoenixville, PA

Q: Hey Jim, Any updates on Jeff Hardy? I read that his next scheduled hearing was for Sept. 30th.

Answered 10/12/09 15:08:25 by Jim Varsallone

A: He will return to court on Nov. 4 to determine if he committed a crime and if it needs to go to a grand jury. I am not a legal expert, but I would think he could have an opportunity to plea bargain. I don't recall anything else on his record. Not to make light of the allegations, but I think this is even bigger than what crime Jeff Hardy did or did not commit. With Jeff's off-behavior history at times and knowing something about depression and bi-polar, I really wonder if Jeff is manic or has some mental health issue. That is nothing to be ashamed of, if that's the case. If that is the case, there are people who can help. I don't know him personally and am just going by what I've read, been told. Maybe Jeff Hardy is fine mentally, and it's just his way. Again, innocent until proven guilty, but there has to be something else. I really do hope things work out for him.

Submitted by Chris from St. Pete

Q: Q: "Whatever happened to Maven?" Maven does occasional work for the Home Shopping Network as a guest host. Answered 10/08/09 23:21:01 by Jim Varsallone A: WWE released him. That was it. Jim, the part in quotations was a previous question, the part about HSN was to inform of what Maven is currently doing, he is a guest host for HSN

Answered 10/12/09 00:43:38 by Jim Varsallone

A: True. I saw him on the HSN about a year ago modeling and discussing NFL team jackets. Thank you for the HSN update. In wrestling terms, he was released by WWE. Outside of the wrestling world, Maven is also doing commercials and looking to do other TV and movie work.

Submitted by metal star from Uniondale, New York

Q: Hey Jim, what do you think of WWE changing some of the ppv names to gimmick matches? I don't like it.

Answered 10/12/09 00:39:33 by Jim Varsallone

A: I don't mind one way or the other. I remember when Survivor Series was mainly just teams competing for survival. Tell me why you don't like it and what you do like?

Submitted by Marc from Phoenix,AZ

Q: Hey Jim,thanx for ALL the work you do to keep us in tune with all the happenings!WM 26 tix go on sale at 10 a.m on Nov. 7th!I wonder how many nights I'll have to "CAMP" out if I wanna go?(haha)!That would be a MEMORABLE H.S. graduation gift,agree?My 2 oldest,step-son & daughter,are 12th graders.This could be the BEST chance I EVER have to go to the "Super Bowl" of WWE!Where's Kenny Dykstra & how's the new Marlins stadium coming along?What year are they projected to start?

Answered 10/09/09 22:23:35 by Jim Varsallone

A: It is an awesome event. WWE added Ultimate Warrior to its legends' web page, and with Warrior living in Arizona and WrestleMania in Arizona, I suspect Warrior for the Hall of Fame in 2010. I don't know the happenings of Kenny Dykstra. The Marlins Stadium is scheduled for 2012. We shall see. It will have aretractable roof to combat the summer weather. The summer time is the rainy time in Florida - not March or April, per se.

Submitted by alan from aventura,fl

Q: JIm, Please tell me what's up with Roddy Piper? Rumors are flying around the net about his health.Is the cancer back? Your the one who can find out the truth.

Answered 10/08/09 23:22:22 by Jim Varsallone

A: I read there was a bogus report on the Internet. Gee, really. According to Piper's spokesperson, he is doing fine and just needs to take it easy.

Submitted by Chris from St. Pete

Q: "Whatever happened to Maven?" Maven does occasional work for the Home Shopping Network as a guest host.

Answered 10/08/09 23:21:01 by Jim Varsallone

A: WWE released him. That was it.

Submitted by Kamran

Q: You know it occurred to me during last night's ppv that if the wwe is trying to make their product more family-friendly, then why even have hell in a cell matchups?

Answered 10/05/09 15:41:39 by Jim Varsallone

A: I know what you mean, but still it is pay-per-view which is different from the prime-time TV shows. You can do more on PPV. The switch to PG was done for TV to attract more advertising for TV - not done for PPV.

Submitted by Kamran

Q: I read that the reason why punk lost the title was because of his behavior in the European tour. Apparently he dressed inappropriately and taker asked him nicely to change because of presentation reasons and he asked "what about cena?" I guess they took it the wrong way and said he's going to drop the belt to taker, thus making it the first match of the night. Dave Meltzer noted that this may not be exactly how the story went down but it's how it was told. Now they're going to renew the taker-batista rivalry (should be fun). Your thoughts?

Answered 10/05/09 15:40:16 by Jim Varsallone

A: First of all we don't know the whole story. Apparently, there was serious talk of Punk dropping the title to Taker about a month ago - before any of these supposed issues at the event. I read not more into it. I think giving the belt to Taker to punish Punk, per se, could be done, of course, if he did something wrong, but from a business standpoint, Taker is not working a full-time schedule - age, physical well being. So financially it hurts the company to have a champ working part-time. I don't see the company making decisions to hurt its pocketbook, especially during these economic times. Not to say part of the story is or is not true, but this is not the 70s. The company is going to make more decisions based on money - not foolish pride. Bottom line, if Punk is drawing big money for the company, there will be more latitude for him or anyone in that standing.

Submitted by Terrance from Miramar, Fl

Q: do you know what happen to gorgeous Jimmy Garvin? are they coming out with a fabulos freebird dvd?

Answered 10/05/09 04:14:51 by Jim Varsallone

A: He became a pilot.

Submitted by Terrance from miramar, fl

Q: Hey Jim, what really happen to Angelina Love? Is she gonna surface in the WWE?

Answered 10/05/09 00:56:26 by Jim Varsallone

A: She had a working Visa issue. Whether she did not renew it, filed improperly or something fell through the cracks, I don't know. By what happened, it would lead me to believe someone did not notify her of a deadline, or she did not fill out the proper paperwork. That's speculation. If she can not work for TNA because of it, she can not work for WWE either. Hopefully, it will get resolved, and she will not have to pay a fine or some type of back pay. I suspect if things work out legally, she will re-sign with TNA.