rajah.com Mailbag
-By Aree, MTR, Pete and Rajah

1. Please try your best to check to see that your question(s) have not been answered on any other sections of the page, including past mailbags (archives below).

2. Send a legibly written question or comment to mailbag@rajah.com. Please try to keep it short (one question per person per edition).

3. ALL email sent to the address above may potentially be included in the Mailbag. If you do not want your question publically posted for everyone to see, this section is not for you.

4. If a name is included, we will post it along with the email. If you do not want your name published, do indicate this in your email.

5. Remember, it is impossible that every email we receive get posted in the mailbag. Only the best and most popular questions/comments will likely make it on.

6. Also remember, that questions will be answered by either MTR, Aree, Rajah or Pete so any personal remarks should be addressed accordingly. The following color scheme will be used:

7. If you have any additions or corrections to the answers we provide, please send that it in and we will probably issue a clarification in the next edition.

Rajah - GREEN
Pete - YELLOW
MTR - PURPLE
Aree Jones - PINK


From: Big Daddy Duker
Aree's entries are a pleasure to read. It's refreshing to see someone who can actually write intelligently (let alone with some wit) on a wrestling website. It's infuriating to read some of the bonehead posts made by these so-called sources (example: people seem to be unable to understand that "coining" a phrase refers to creating it rather than simply repeating it). While I'm at it, I might as well ask a question or two. With regards to the infamous botched Nash/Giant powerbomb at Souled Out '98: 1) Who is generally thought to be at fault there? While Nash clearly dropped him, it seemed that the Giant failed to pull himself up into position, which looks as though it might have thrown off Nash's balance. 2) Who's idea was that? Attempting to powerbomb someone of that size seems like a terrible idea to begin with. Did Nash think he could handle it, or was it an order given out from the back? Thanks, and (to coin the phrase) "keep up the good work".


Now you've made me blush... I'm intelligent and I write with wit! Wow. It's Aree's lucky day.
I'd say it was both guys. Nash couldn't hold the weight, and the Giant didn't have the wrestling expertise to hold up his end of the powerbomb.
As for whose idea, I can only assume they were going for a "Hogan slams Andre" moment. But Hogan stated he suffered a back injury from lifting Andre, which is no surprise. If you're aware of Nash's ego, you'll understand when I say I totally believe that Nash said he could handle it. He was wrong. To coin a phrase, Nash is an idiot.


From: Brandondork
Hey Aree. I came across this mailbag thingy for the first time and had to ask a question (in hopes to stump you). But first I assume you're chick, so ROCK ON! We need more ladies loving the game. Ok here's the question.... I've heard rumors (alot) that back in the golden area of the WWF/E there was a dark match. The Rockers vs. The Hart Foundation for the tag titles. Shawn and Marty won, when the middle rope broke. Management didn't like the new duo with the belts so they were giving back to the titles back. My question is, do you know if this story is true or false for a fact. I see it everywhere on HBK fan websites. Love the site! Adios-o


It still surprises me that after three years with the site, people still don't realise I'm a girl. It's perfectly obvious to me. As for the rumor, from what I've heard it's true. The WWF did that a lot at one time - they'd award titles to people at house shows and then turn around and strip them on a technicality. I have a theory that they were trying out house show fan reaction. If it was favourable (either really happy reactions or booing heels out of the building) then they seriously considered awarding the titles for real at a PPV or TV taping. There was no internet in those days so unless you were at house shows or talked to someone who had been, it was all a bit of a mystery.


From: Mrry5dm
great site. you often say that wrestling recycles it self. If thats the case wwe is in for a big popularity boost, the reason is hbk. in 97 wwe was losing the ratings war, had very few superstars but hbk seemedto keep the company afloat.6 years later business is down, stone cold and rock are gone, hhh has been overdone but shawn still gives the fans a reason to watch raw. ive seen about a million questions about the 97 screw job.I think bret and vince plotted the whole thing, bret does vinniemac one last favor and bret gets to look like the victim, he knew shawn wouldn't past up the chance to humiliate him. Sounds like future storyline tome, DID VINCE AND SHAWN SCREW BRET, OR DID VINCE AND BRET SCREW SHAWN!


I've read a hundred conspiracy theories on the Bret-Shawn-Vince saga and I don't buy any of them. Bret just isn't that good an actor. If you've seen Wrestling with Shadows you should have no doubt about the reality of what happened. It's the best possible proof that it was all real. No one screwed Shawn. Shawn went on to rock the industry until his retirement. He got more money, more fame and more air time with Bret out of the way. He's back now making more money and adding to his impressive legacy. Bret Hart is the guy sitting at home, wondering where it all went wrong. Bret WAS screwed and Vince did the screwing. It's that simple.


From: mke
Do you think that bret hart really ever gets enough credit for helping the wwf through its tough times when they were goin against wcw 96-97 it alway seems to me that people always give more credit to shawn michaels and the undertaker. I mean it was his feud with austin in 97 that kept the wwf interesting also do you think had it not been for those matches with bret austin would have never broken out to become the huge star that he was because that wrestlemania match with bret made him a star


Agreed. I think the reason that Bret Hart is often left of the list of people who helped the WWF out of their ratings slump is because of his serious falling out with Vince and the WWF. Vince stripped him of his title, Shawn Michaels shafted him, he punched Vince in the face and broke his ankle and accused Vince of killing his little brother. If you're Vince, and you've just lost possibly the biggest wrestling star you've ever had (with the exception of Hogan) would you go around saying "Bret Hart was a key factor in helping us through tough times and bad ratings?" Hell no.


From: MDW
I heard WWE Male superstars are or might be posing for Playgirl and I was wondering which guys in the WWE would pose?


As Bret Hart said to Shawn Michaels shortly after HBK posed in Playgirl wearing his championship belt and nothing else, "More guys than girls read that magazine". For that reason, I don't think the WWE will be pursuing Playgirl appearances for their superstars. I don't know who would actually pose, but I can tell you who I'd like to see - Rob Van Dam. Well, you did ask.


From: Becky
Ever since we all saw the "Bench Press Contest" on Raw sometime ago, something has been bothering me. That something is this, wasn't there some sort of bench pressing contest/bet in the 80's? I keep wanting to say that it was Jesse The Body Ventura who was involved. I think there was also someone who grabbed the bar because the person lifting the bar/weights couldn't get it all the way back into the brackets that the bar rests in. I think whoever did the weightlifting made a bet that he could lift a certain weight.


I thought the same thing Becky! And you're right, there was a Bench Press thing in the 80's and Jesse Ventura was involved. The actual guy doing the bench pressing was Dino Bravo and Ventura was assisting him. I saw the segment a few months back on tape and it went on forever! At least 15 minutes, which felt like forever. Bravo didn't make a bet, but he did say he was trying to break the world bench press record. Kudos to you for your excellent memory.


From: Pouncer221
Hi this is my first time writing to you guys and I have a question to ask. Does the WWE ever plan on giving each show its own pay per view? It would help out each show with their feuds and help people accept the roster split even more.


Nope, no plans so far. The WWE is struggling at the moment with ratings and revenue so now is not the time to double their PPV obligations. I'd say it might be a long term plan of theirs, but not within the next year or so.


From: Some Guy
Hi there, cool site i was wondering what the hell does Eddie Guerrero have to do to get a shot at the WWE title. Eddie is one of the greatest mat wrestlers in WWE today and since he returned to WWE he has outperformed many wrestlers. I can't understand why the big show got a shot at the WWE title as he is very lazy and guys who work their ass off like Eddie don't get a run. I know los guerreros are a good tag team but surely Eddie and Chavo are more valuble to use as singles wrestlers. So my question is this: will Eddie Guerrero ever get the title shot and reign he deserves.


Eddie's a great wrestler, but he's had performance issues in the past. He was even fired a while back. It's going to take time and a lot of effort to re-build his WWE stock. He's not ready for title yet, but I certainly hope to see it on him one day because as you point out, he's a very deserving champion.


From: Paul Rabone
Hi guys. Keep up the great work on the site. Two questions: 1. Why do people give Vince Russo so much heat? What did he do wrong? 2. I've noticed that when a wrestler climbs to the top turnbuckle, the ref starts counting. Why? Thanks guys.


The correct question should be "What didn't Vince Russo do wrong?" He was Vince McMahon's right hand man in the WWF. He thought he was God, and took the credit for turning around the WWF. To be fair, he played some part in the resurgence of the WWF in the late 90's, but he certainly wasn't the only factor. After WCW fired Eric Bischoff, they offered Russo the job. Russo accepted and left Vince in the lurch, and understandably pissed. However, in typical Vince McMahon fashion he got over it and re-hired Russo for about a week before cutting him loose again not so long ago.
The wrestling "rules" do not allow wrestlers to mount turnbuckles. As such, it is an illegal action and the referee counts to five as a precursor to DQ-ing. Yeah, like THAT will ever happen.


Continue on to Part 2


Send ALL Mailbag-related email to mailbag@rajah.com.

The rajah.com Mailbag Archives