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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 1 - 15 of 12220 (Page 1 of 612)

Q: Jim, I just recently watched "The Self Destruction of The Ultimate Warrior". Very interesting. Do you see one of the most popular wrestlers of our time eventually being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame considering not many people cared for him.

Answered 02/09/12 02:41:02 by Jim Varsallone

A: He burned quite a few bridges, but time can heal some wounds. Superstar Billy Graham made peace, before he was inducted. I do think it's possible, but I think there are others more deserving at this time.

Q: Hey Coach ~ did ya see how Miz got out of the way and caused RTruth to nearly crack his skull on the ground instead of catching him during that 6 man match? What's the deal on that? Is WWE gonna punish him for failing to keep RT from nearly getting croaked?

Answered 02/08/12 15:48:01 by Jim Varsallone

A: Nobody's perfect... except Mr. Perfect....I read Truth is ok. Thankfully. It was an accident. I'm sure it was discussed with Miz. From the footage we saw on TV, I wonder if Miz got all the blame, or if we see it on a reverse angle, if available, Truth's leap was offline? It looked like Miz did a Wes Welker. He tried to make a tough catch and should have had it but dropped the ball. These superstars (and receivers) are not robots. It happens.

Q: Jim, on the WWE Hall of Fame, why hasn't Ken Patera been mentioned? I'm old school, and I remember way back at his peak, Patera was as hated a heel as anyone. Did the incident in the AWA with Mr. Saito permanently tarnish Patera's legacy for the WWF/WWE?

Answered 02/07/12 23:38:19 by Jim Varsallone

A: I don't think so. Just need the right people pushing for him. The original world's strongest man deserves it. He is high on my list of those not inducted. Ivan Koloff, Larry Zbyszko, Bob Backlund, Macho Man (with Elizabeth), Bruiser Brody, Ken Patera, Kimala, Kevin Sullivan. Of course I would list Bruno Sammartino, too, but he has already turned it down, because he does not like Mr. McMahon.

Q: Who do you think will be making a turn to heel or a turn to face in the near future? TO answer Terrance's question... - Former WWE and TNA Monty Brown (Marcus Cor Von) is living in Michigan and works as a personal trainer. He is working with a lot of young kids helping them achieve their goals. He talks on occasion about wrestling again, but never makes the commitment.

Answered 02/07/12 23:34:40 by Jim Varsallone

A: Good Marcus Cor Von update. Great what he's doing. Daniel Bryan is turning as we see. How about The Miz turning?

Q: Can you please update me on the status on Christian, Marcus Cor Von, MVP, Chuck Palumbo, Scott Hall and Ric Flair? Thank you

Answered 02/06/12 04:54:35 by Jim Varsallone

A: Christian-injured, MVP-Japan, Scott Hall-battling his demons, Ric Flair-TNA. For others, just Google search them on the Internet.

Q: Two questions; 1)Who do you see Shemaus wrestling against for the Heavyweight Title and 2)Will Laurenitis be "fired" by HHH and set up another 'Taker/HHH match at Wrestlemania 28?

Answered 02/06/12 02:20:13 by Jim Varsallone

A: If it's not Lesnar/Taker, it looks to be Triple H/Taker with Laurinaitis remaining as Raw GM for the time being. Taker vs. Triple H (streak vs. in-ring career). Laurinaitis will be pushing for that match, and you would think he would want Triple H to win, so Triple H can still wrestle and not concern himself as the Raw GM. How about Laurinaitis as the special guest referee for that match? I think Sheamus vs. Bryan. Who knows?

Q: Did you think that Sheamus deserved to win the Rumble? He's been feuding with Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater for the last few months and yet the WWE feels they should just let him headline wrestlemania out of the blue. Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan for the title does not sound appealing. I think they just wanted to surprise people just for the sake out it at the cost of making sense. Y2J should have won the rumble even if he was the favourite. Who would you have booked to win the Royal Rumble if you were in charge ?

Answered 01/31/12 18:08:56 by Jim Varsallone

A: Actually, Cena vs. Rock is headlining Mania. Since you have a match like that, I can see a Sheamus going for a title. Why would you want a bigger match than Cena/Rock? Really, nothing is going to top Cena/Rock as far as hype. That's the marquee match on the card. I do think the surprise factor played a part, but I also think if you look at the superstars and divas holding the titles today, it's a new direction overall with younger type talent, elevating other superstars. Sheamus fits that mold, too. So to me, it does make some sense, when you look at what WWE is doing these days.

Q: Hey Coach ~ What's the deal with John Laurinaitis? Is he gonna stay in Raw or not?? I kinda like him and if reports are true, his presence in that show has brought up the ratings. Are HHH and others conspiring to be rid of him or will he stay (I hope)?

Answered 01/31/12 02:43:38 by Jim Varsallone

A: They way I saw it when I watched. Triple H was ready to fire him (he still works for the company - that's just for the TV show - script). Triple H said he couldn't put his personal agenda ahead of himself, just like he couldn't when he was Raw GM. Now Triple H said he can, but wait a minute. Undertaker returns, and his eyes tell the story. He wants to face Triple H at WrestleMania again. So what does Triple H do. You know Triple H, the TV character, wants to avenge last year's Mania loss to Taker, but Triple H said he can put his personal agenda behind him and be the Raw GM. That's why he just patted Taker on the shoulder and walked away. I figure John Laurinaitis will try to push a Triple H/Taker battle so he can remain Raw GM. I'd rather not see Taker/Triple H again, but Taker did battle Triple H's good friend HBK on consecutive Manias, and Taker retired HBK. How about Taker vs Triple H, the streak vs. the career II. That way Taker could have the honor of remaining undefeated at Mania and retire DX.

Q: Saw TNA last night. Who is the "mystery trainer" who is training Garrett Bishoff? I would think its either Hulk Hogan or Mr. Anderson. Also, Is Mark Henry going to be cleared to wrestle in The Royal Rumble, Sunday night?

Answered 01/27/12 23:32:50 by Jim Varsallone

A: How about Jeff Jarrett? I don't know about Henry. I'm not a doctor nor play one on TV, but if he hyper-extended his knee, that's serious.

Q: Jim I have read different articles from the internet and you tube. In almost all of them they say that if Cena wins at Mania, the fans will riot. Everything is shaping out for the Rock to pass the torch bc I see no reason for him to win. Do you think that this will in fact happen. Y2J says the world will end at Royal Rumble. What do you make of that? Lastly do you think the Montreal screwjob was part of the script. Thanks Jim.

Answered 01/25/12 23:03:58 by Jim Varsallone

A: The fans are not rioting. I don't know what will happen. No one does, except the creative team, and even they can get trumped by Mr. McMahon. Finishes have even changed at the last minute. Will Y2J be part of a group with John Laurinaitis and Triple H? Will Y2J have something to do with or against Underatker? Montreal was legit.

Q: Jim, I know Y2J is your man, but what is up with his antics lately. Is the WWE purposely trying to ruin a good thing. I mean the fans have been behind Jericho for the past 3 weeks. Then Y2J walks out on a tag match after the fans really wanted to see him wrestle. It looks like the WWE is trying to make him a heel even though he has so much support. It just doesnt make any sense to me. Your thoughts Jim.

Answered 01/19/12 22:30:00 by Jim Varsallone

A: He is the bad guy so he is doing things to irritate the fans, and it's working. It's actually pretty funny how everyone cheers, and then he does that. I had not seen that before. Different, and he is having fun. I would not be surprised if that was his idea. Nothing better than to have fans cheer soemone, and then they turn on them. If you recall, Y2J was a bad guy before he left to dance.

Q: In regards to the question about Cena turning heel, the question WWE has to ask is this: Is it worth killing the goose that lays the golden egg? Cena is a cash cow for WWE, in terms of merchandise sales. If you have him start playing the heavy, sales of Cena themed t-shirts, hats, etc. disappear. Say what you will about his act, but the kids (who wear the t-shirts) and the women (who buy it for their kids) love him. I think the more likely scenario is that WWE teases everyone with this story line, make it seem like he's turning, and then use WrestleMania to have the Rock "set him straight" and put him over big time. Thoughts?

Answered 01/18/12 00:53:58 by Jim Varsallone

A: Exactly. It is a business. As much as fans don't understand, these are people, not robots, and their objective is making money. Is there someone who can replace John Cena? The Rock would be the one, but he is a movie star. CM Punk does not cater to kids. Randy Orton? Sheamus? Zack Ryder? It's a tall order.

Q: What was up with Y2J fake crying the other night on Raw. The first time when he was speechless I could tolerate it, but I thought this last incident was ridiculous. I believe the angle they are taking is already played out. What are your thoughts on the matter Jim? Also any chance Taker's streak comes to an end @ Mania.

Answered 01/12/12 22:37:13 by Jim Varsallone

A: I think Taker's streak is his legacy. He lasted so long, one character (for the most part) on top. He will be remembered most for the streak. So I hope when he retires, he will be undefeated at Mania. Y2J is the man. This is infuriating fans, especially those live cheering and yelling. The first week was great. The second week, fans still cheered him, and he duped them again. I would suspect mic problems at some point when tries to talk, and he just shrugs and walks away. The WWE Universe is loyal, which is good, but sometimes also loyal to a fault. Y2J is having fun.

Q: Who else do you see being elected to the WWE Hall of Fame, besides "Edge" and "The Four Horsemen?" Also, will Ric Flair and Barry Windham be there to represent the "Horsemen?"

Answered 01/12/12 22:32:47 by Jim Varsallone

A: Mil Mascaras, who helped open doors in America to the luchadore style, was announced during the WWE Tour in Mexico. He is also related to Alberto Del Rio. I'd like to see Ivan Koloff, Larry Zbyszko and Bob Backlund in the WWE HOF. Macho Man Randy Savage with Elizabeth would be nice. Ron Simmons, who is an FSU legend and got his start in Florida, is another. We'll see. Windham, I don't know, if he will be there. He was in very bad shape with the stroke. It's in South Florida, and he is in Central Florida. That may help. Flair, just depends with his TNA contract and TNA. I would not understand it, if Flair could not be involved. He is the biggest name in the Four Horsemen. I would think something was already worked out between them. If Flair is not under contract and working per event, he could do it. Still, I don't think he would want to do anything to upset TNA. He's Ric Flair. He can do what he wants. Well, he has earned the right to do a lot, but everyone still should try to be professional.

Q: I don't know if it will happen, but if it were me I would have Jericho keep this act up for a couple of more weeks, then pull the big turn during the Punk-Ziggler match, costing Punk the title, revealing that he's the one Laurenitis has been in contact with,and setting up Punk-Jericho for Wrestlemania.

Answered 01/12/12 22:09:33 by Jim Varsallone

A: I think that's good, but I'd rather see Punk as champion at Mania than Ziggler. I do think Ziggler has improved ... but main event Mania in Miami? I don't know. He is from nearby Hollywood.