TJR Q&A #3: Samoa Joe On Main WWE Roster, Euro Heel Stable and More!

It’s that time of the week for another Q&A session exclusively here at TJRWrestling.net.

The last Q&A was two weeks ago. My apologies for not doing one sooner because I want to do them weekly at least. I was away in Orlando and didn’t have time. Now that things are back to normal, it will go back to being a weekly thing here on TJRWrestling. For this Q&A, it’s a mix of questions that were replies to the last Q&A and also from readers on Twitter. Let’s get to it.

From Jake Dickinson: Hi John. How would you book Samoa Joe’s main roster debut and run?

Kevin Owens. That’s a feud that was started in NXT, then it just stopped and that disappointed. That’s not usually something that happens in NXT. In this case is stopped because Owens was feuding with Finn Balor for the NXT Title and there just wasn’t a way for them to have that blowoff match. Maybe on the main roster they could do it.

Other good feuds for Joe would be with the better workers like Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Cesaro.

From Daniel Swansson: Should Undertaker be the manager for The Wyatt Family?

The Undertaker as a manager? I really don’t think so. That’s not a role or him. Managers need to be smaller guys and not one of the most popular wrestlers ever. I see the association since Wyatt is a dark character, but it wouldn’t work that well.

From Matthew Reitler: Do you think Brock Lesnar will be defeated clean for the rest of his WWE run? If so, who would do it?

That’s a tough question that is hard to answer. I think at some point he will lose clean, but maybe you save it for a while and make it a big deal. With that said, if they were to do Lesnar against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 32 then I think Reigns would beat him clean. I guess it all depends on who the opponent is and when the match is.

Since Lesnar has a lot of value as a huge star that is arguably WWE’s biggest name, it makes sense to use him to put somebody over. It’s the same way that The Undertaker was used to put over Lesnar at WrestleMania.

Somebody will beat Lesnar clean. I don’t know when and where, but when it happens it should be treated as a big deal.

From Mike Julius: If you were in charge of doing a brand split who are the top 5 guys for each brand?

Off the top of my head I’d go like this:

Raw: Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt

Smackdown: Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Cesaro, Sami Zayn

I think for Raw you would need Lesnar and Cena there just because of the star power. Rollins is my long term top face. Ambrose would be a heel. Wyatt can be a heel or a face.

For Smackdown, I think it’s more of the wresting show. You might think Roman Reigns doesn’t fit with those guys, but long term he’s a guy WWE wants to build around, so surrounding him with the best performers in the company is a way to do that. As for the other for, they are among my favorites and would make the show more watchable.

I left off some fairly big names. They can be mixed in.

From Daniel Stockwell: I have a couple of questions regarding The Shield: 1) How do you think The Shield will be remembered in years to come? Do you think they will continue to rank among the greatest factions? 2) What are your thoughts on a Shield Triple Threat Main Event at Mania? I’ve heard some say it needs to happen this year. Your thoughts?

1) I think they will be remembered as a fantastic group that was booked strongly from day one, which helped them a lot. However, they were together for about 18 months when they did the split, so it’s really not that long. They are one of the best groups ever, though.

2) I’m all for the Shield triple threat match at WrestleMania. I wrote about it several times. I hope it’s a go.

From Phillip Arnitz: What are your thought on a WWE offseason? Would a couple months off a year to rest injuries or come up with meaningful storylines be something that could benefit the WWE who seems to take months off creatively anyways? It could also build anticipation.

I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but is also very unlikely. We all know that WWE is a year round business that isn’t going to change any time soon. What you can do is give people time off for a month or two at a time. We’ve seen guys like Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show and soon John Cena take over a month off for outside commitments. To shut the entire promotion down for a month or two just seems very unlikely. I doubt it ever happens.

From @McFlurry_Porn: Do you think the fact you aren’t the target market for wwe plays a part in your lack of enjoyment in product?

Very good and valid question. I think that’s part of it, but I don’t know that kids are loving the storylines either lol. It’s just not that compelling right now for people of all ages. There are less people at WWE events these days too.

From @joe90101: How much does Paige get paid to appear at Wizard world as she’s done quite a few?

No idea. I know that non-WWE people might get in the range of $2000 to $5000 depending on who it is, but not sure what she gets or if there’s any sort of bonus for it. If you’re on the main roster you’re doing very well for yourself…for the most part.

From @MrPatterson1983: Who should be next to feud with Seth Rollins? Let’s face it Kane is a stop gap. Might be logic to story but still boring one!

Cesaro! But that’s not going to happen. I think it might be Ambrose again or some kind of multi-person feud. Not sure to be honest. They could always stick Rollins in a Survivor Series match as a way to have him on the show and not defend the WWE Title. Then somebody can pin him as a way to start a new feud.

How about Daniel Bryan? That would be a nice way to bring him back.

From @MikeAJGriffin: Does anyone in WWE creative have a clue what they’re doing?

That made me chuckle a bit! What’s interesting about that is they have like 28 writers so I’m sure some are good at their job. It’s just a Vince McMahon run show and he’s going to do what he thinks is best even as a 70 year old man. I’ve talked to and read things from former writers. A lot of the time they never get their voices heard because of the boss.

From @jermaine611: Chicago is a hardcore crowd. It showed me that Roman Reigns is not over and needs work his in ring is boring. What needs retooling?

They probably should have turned him heel for like six months and then had him go face again. That could have helped a lot. I would also cut back on lengthy promos. They should be short and never longer than a minute. Just keep it simple.

From @c_pridz: What hypothetical story line would excite you?

Something that elevates a midcarder like Cesaro to a top spot. Also a massive turn leading to new stable that generates an impact the way The Nexus and The Shield did. Just do something to really get people talking and tuning in every week.

From @JFLANland: Is the “What?!” chant the worst thing to happen to wrestling in the past 20 years?

Haha! I don’t hate it as much as some people. I think it’s funny if you do it to a heel like Big Show, but at times fans annoy. When Austin started it he was a heel to annoy people, then went face. I’m surprised it lasted this long and I bet he is too. When I was at the two NXT shows last week I didn’t really hear that chant. If the show is better people focus on other things.

From @allynod: Why doesn’t WWE use Stone Cold more? Especially as it looks like he won’t be on Raw next week.

It might be his call because he may not want to be on every few months. But I wish it was more often. He should be on next week. I think having him do a promo with a wrestler or even an in-ring interview would be fun. I’d use him more for sure. Plus, WWE advertising him would be a ratings boost for sure. There’s nobody else like him.

From @IanHenry778: Thoughts on heel Euro stable featuring @WWENeville, @WWECesaro, @WWESheamus, and @WadeBarrett? How would you book them?

I’m all for it, but I think Neville would be tough to book as a heel. There’s so much talent there. Easy to book them together. The motivation is that they didn’t get far alone, so they unite to dominate together. Would be huge for Barrett & Cesaro. I know they booked that stable in a video game a few years ago and people thought it would happen on TV.

From @joe90101: What content do you want to see on the network? I’m waiting for OVW and FCW.

I doubt that stuff gets added for a while. Maybe it will never be added. I want more of Raw especially my favorite year 2000. That’s more important to me.

From @duddshaw: Is @DeanAmbroseWWE the most overrated wrestler in wwe?

Strongly disagree. I think Ambrose is pretty great and when he goes heel he’ll be even better. Awesome performer.

From @bambambigganose: Think they turn Roman Reigns heel? Fans already hate him.

I think they should have done it after WrestleMania and then turned him face before the Royal Rumble. Would have helped. I doubt it happens any time soon.

That’s all for now. If you have questions for me to use next week, deposit them below or check me out on Facebook or Twitter when I ask for questions next time.