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Jim Varsallone

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.



Wrestling

Jim Varsallone answers your pro wrestling questions

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Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 56 - 75 of 12220 (Page 4 of 612)

Q: Jim,do you know if CCW is still around?The school was called Bodyslam Universtity. I called the number and its not in service.Any info?

Answered 11/07/11 01:52:53 by Jim Varsallone

A: CCW is still around. Try ccwevents.com. The company just changed its web address.

Q: Hi this is Marcia i just want to know when you going to post the interview you took of me with my daughters yesterday at miami. Can you let me know when you post it it up so i can buy the picture Please!!!!! Thank You

Answered 11/07/11 01:46:34 by Jim Varsallone

A: I've posted a few tonight but not yours, yet. Keep posted in the next few days.

Q: Hi this is Marcia again please let me know when john cena or randy orton if they show up somewhere else so i can take my daughter to take pictures with them......

Answered 11/07/11 01:46:03 by Jim Varsallone

A: I remember you from the WWE event. You are a true fan.

Q: Everytime wrestling comes to Miami I buy for my daughter the best ticket I can afford. My question is after the performance can she go backstage and meet them in person (who do you have to see for this. Today she is going to try to be one of the 200 that gets in to bayfront park. In the future can she be notified like if there is an outside activity that you have to pay to see them like at a party or whatever. My daughter is disabled and to her this is the most important thing in her life.

Answered 11/05/11 01:19:29 by Jim Varsallone

A: How did it go? Did she make the 200? They had a VIP party for $40 - $100 as well as the free event. I posted that online. Generally, they do not do meet-n-greets after shows. Sometimes they do Make-A-Wish events before shows. I usually tell everyone just enjoy the shows. If somewhere, someway, you meet them, good, but if not, that's ok. There will be some events the week of WrestleMania in Miami, like an art auction for charity (need to buy a ticket) where she can probably meet them. Also Fan Axxess (Thursday-Saturday) during the WM Week has WWE talent appearances each day.

Q: Who would you say has been the wreslter with the biggest hype that never went anywhere? I can think of Tiny Lister vs Hulk Hogan. That was really bad...

Answered 11/03/11 01:43:56 by Jim Varsallone

A: Tiny Lister sure beat his chest a lot. Glacier (Blood runs thin), Nathan Jones (Trains, No Planes & Automobiles), The Mummy (Pat Patterson must have booked that finisher), Oz (Kansas or bust) and The Shockmaster (shocked with his agility).

Q: Jim, what happened to the Michael Cole vs Jim Ross match on Monday Night Raw? Thought those two would settle their differences, finally. Also, I know its scripted, but where does Alberto del Rio's character get those vehicles that he drives towards the ring? Some of those cars are just a bit expensive, if an over zealous fan decides to "over react."

Answered 11/02/11 22:08:58 by Jim Varsallone

A: I read they ran out of time, but the match will be next week. In each town, they work with the arena and car dealerships in the area to use a lavish vehicle. They are on loan, so to speak, so hopefully a fan will not over-react. Though, WWE can afford it. Nice gig for Del Rio (for a few momnets), but Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase had the best role, spending WWE's money after shows - living a high rollers road life on the company dime - just to heighten his character. Character portrayal are non-existent these days, for the most part, after shows, especially with the changes in computer and phone technologies and television.

Q: The storyline on Monday Night Raw involving the laptop by the announcers booth has dissapeared without mentioning who the annonymous Raw General Manager was? Are they gonna leave the WWE Universe hanging, without knowing who it was?

Answered 11/02/11 22:02:27 by Jim Varsallone

A: Generally speaking, it's not the first time. John Laurinaitis is the interim GM (for TV as part of the script). Whether he was the mystery GM (script), who knows. You can credit or discredit the CM Punk angle and a new direction in and with creative for that GM laptop spot to be dropped. In the real world, Mr. McMahon is still the one in charge backstage.

Q: hi jim did you listen to Hulk Hogans interview on the Howard show? Robin 1st question to him was we all know its fake and Hulk Go's here we go agin.Funny but wow he was in surgery for 12 hours having his back fused.Plus he is the only wreslter to be on the cover of sports Ils. mag. I did not know that . in the end Howard called him the greast wrestler of all times. I still say slick rick is the best.

Answered 10/31/11 02:43:25 by Jim Varsallone

A: I did not hear that interview. During an interview, Hogan was asked if he could have done anything different, what would it be? He said use the sleeper hold as his finisher. All those leg drops (six days a week for how many years) helped to injure his back. Ric Flair was the best champion, but Hogan was the best draw. I read, listened and was told Stone Cold made more money for WWF than Hogan, but pricing was different during Hulk-A-Mania and Austin 3:16. Things were cheaper during Hulk-A-Mania, compared to Austin 3:16. I think Hogan was the best draw. Flair and anyone in the business will tell you. The top wrestler was the guy who could put butts in the seats. Flair was a really good draw, but Hogan topped him in that category.

Q: when is the dead man coming back looks like he's semi retired

Answered 10/31/11 01:16:11 by Jim Varsallone

A: He got married and will return when anyone least expects it. He's done this so long, been on top longer than just about anyone in this era. He deserves whatever he wants. I suspect he will go for 20-0 at Mania in Miami.

Q: Hey Jim, do you see kane returning any time soon? he has been out a while.. and if so do you think mark henry will hold onto the title maybe even have kane return at survivor series and intervene in the title match, seeing as it was henry who put him out of action.. so it then sets up a match between them for the championship?

Answered 10/31/11 01:13:35 by Jim Varsallone

A: He was expected to be out about three months. So he should be returning soon.

Q: Saw where Barry Windham was in the hospital in serious condition. What happened to him?

Answered 10/27/11 21:17:48 by Jim Varsallone

A: I read he was found at his ranch after suffering a stroke or heart attack. The report said he is in intensive care, in bad shape. We'll hope for the best.

Q: do you know where raw is going be the day after wrestlemania? AAA or BAC? saw prices for Wrestlemania think i will order it on PPV

Answered 10/26/11 23:43:19 by Jim Varsallone

A: I believe AAA, the same venue for the WWE Hall of Fame.

Q: The state of women's "wrestling" is in bad shape. Especially in the WWE. Who are your top ten women performers, in your opinion?

Answered 10/24/11 00:46:45 by Jim Varsallone

A: Total Nonstop Action Impact Wrestling has more talent overall than WWE's divas. Gail Kim (she returned to TNA), Tara (WWE's Victoria), Sarita, Mickie James, ODB, Jacqueline, Madison Rayne, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, Winter and more. It is a solid women's division. TNA's Knockouts were at their best when Dutch Mantell was in charge of that group. He is no longer with them. I think WWE's Nattie Niedhart and Beth Phoenix are two of the best going today. Kelly Kelly still has work to do, but she has improved. Layla has really improved. Her and Michelle McCool are good. Awesome Kong is on baby hiatus from WWE. She is really good at being intimidating. Finlay did a good job with what he had, leading the WWE divas, but he isno longer with WWE. I would rate Beth Phoenix, Nattie Niedhart, Gail Kim, Tara and Sarita in my top five. Eve Torres reminds me of John Cena. She may not be the best worker in the ring, but she works hard and is a good representative of a company. She has the ability to have it all and carries herself very well. If Eve continues to train and improve, she can be someone who can carry a women's division. I know she was already WWE women's champ, but I think bigger for her, if she works harder, improves and gets the chance/push to elevate the divas.

Q: Read where Gerald Brisco suffered a minor stroke. What is his condition now?

Answered 10/22/11 00:36:02 by Jim Varsallone

A: He did a while ago and was doing ok. I didn't read anything new.

Q: Jim, I know the whole show is a work but if HHH is scripted as COO of WWE, how does the "board of directors" overlook his abuse of the crew? How can a member of management just go ahead and punch a member of the crew? Couldn't R-Truth file another claim with David Otunga for assault? The gaps of logic in writing are fun. Can you imagine anywhere in corporate America where the management has the right to physically assault their employees?

Answered 10/19/11 04:05:50 by Jim Varsallone

A: Good point. Lawyers would have a field day. Evidence right on television for everyone to see.

Q: With John Laurenitis the interim GM and Executive Vice-President of Talent, his reinstatement of The Miz and R-Truth and the firing of JR, where do you see this whole issue finally being solved, and does Triple H play an integral role in this issue.

Answered 10/17/11 04:15:12 by Jim Varsallone

A: I don't know. These things change more often than we know and often enough as we see. Triple H vs. John Laurinaitis?

Q: I KNOW KELLY KELLY IS A LITTLE HOT AND STUFF BUT WHY THE HELL IS SHE TRYIMG TO WRESTLE WHEN SHE CANT.IF I WERE THE DIVAS AND I WRESTLED HER I'D BE SCARED TO.SHE NEEDS TO GO BACK TO WRESTLING SCHOOL AND TRY AND LEARN A LITTLE MORE BEFORE SHE EVER GETS IN THE RING....SHE SUCKS!!!!

Answered 10/17/11 04:14:03 by Jim Varsallone

A: If established women's wrestlers like Beth Phoenix and Nattie Niedhart have a problem with it, I would understand. I have not heard nor read that. It will be interesting after their WWE days how they will react to a question like that. Gail Kim recently left WWE. I'd be curious to get her views on the subject. What I read, heard and see is that Kelly Kelly has improved. I think she has improved but she has more work to do. The inexperienced divas are supposed to be training every week. I think the divas in WWE have to be careful, but it's the veterans who have to speak up, if there is a problem. Candice Michelle ended up injuring herself.

Q: Jim, Saw that a wrestling reporter from Baltimore just got a job with the WWE creative team. Hypothetical: Would you ever take that job if it was offered to you?

Answered 10/12/11 15:47:34 by Jim Varsallone

A: I don't know. It depends what kind of job. I don't see myself as part of a creative team, scripting a WWE TV show, but in the words of WWE, 'Never say never.' Plus, it's not like other weekly TV shows. Other weekly TV shows have off seasons. People, who don't know, think it's easy writing for WWE. In WWE, they run two TV shows every week (no re-runs). It's been how many years? You need to add new people to the writing team to help keep the angles/storylines fresh. It is a very difficult job. Give those folks credit. You have to think about this, too. The more a fan/person watches something, the harder it is to please him or her. Think about when you first watched WWE and the excitement for something new. As time evolves, you've watched more and more, and you become more critical and jaded. As fans get older, some still watch, but they become very cynical. That's a general statement, but I believe true on many levels. Just read posts online by long-time viewers. That's why you have to attract new fans and know about current pop culture - like anything change with the times. Why do you think any type of weekly TV show doesn't last very long (and they have off seasons): Because people can only watch so much before they get tired of any type of show; the writing team runs out of ideas; a new writing memeber/group is not as successful; a main character leaves the show. That's why not many TV shows have lasted. "The Simpsons" has survived, but even it has an off-season/re-runs. Somehow, someway, WWE has survived it all for a very, very long run without any breaks/re-runs.

Q: Jim, I know you said before again and again the Monday night Raw and the Smackdown is not real and it is scripted tv show but what the wrestlers do to each other it is real broken backs arms and legs how can you tell me it is not realand what goes on behind the ring it sure looks real to me when I watch it and answer to your question about the anaheim/Los angeles angels I work in the honda center I lost faith in the angels

Answered 10/11/11 23:38:55 by Jim Varsallone

A: The storylines are scripted. I've always said what the men and women do in the ring is risky because even though the main objective is to protect your opponent and not hurt them, accidents happen, and they do get injured. You were asking about Triple H as COO. That was all part of a script. They do a good job acting and don't get enough credit for their acting chops, especially on live TV. Sorry to hear you lost faith in the Angels. Mike Scioscia is a good coach. Are you going to watch Survivor Series? The Rock is teaming with John Cena, his WrestleMania opponent.

Q: Jim,Okay I get it now answer me this since it is a tv show is Triple H is the COO in the Smackdown then

Answered 10/11/11 22:55:45 by Jim Varsallone

A: You can Google it. Triple H is a WWE superstar and also works behind the scenes for the company with talent development. He is not nor never was a GM nor COO or CEO. He is a HHH. What about my Angels question? WrestleMania Miami and Survivor Series?