Ask 411 Wrestling – Edition

What’s up, wrestling fam! Welcome back to the one and only, the last bastion of weekly wrestling journalism here at 411 Wrestling: Ask 411. I’m your host, the very caffeinated Ryan Byers, and I’m here to tackle all your burning wrestling questions. Got a query about the good ol’ days, a head-scratcher about the current product, or maybe just a wild what-if scenario you need analyzed? Hit me up at [email protected], and you might just see your question answered right here next week.

Logan Paul: Main Stage or Celebrity Wing?

From: MNMNB

Question:

Alright, Ryan, let’s talk Logan Paul. Dude’s polarizing, I get it. But when the time comes, and let’s be real, it’s a matter of “when,” not “if,” he gets the Hall of Fame nod, where does he land: the celebrity wing or rubbing shoulders with the all-time greats in the main wing?

Answer:

You know what? I’m going mainline Hall of Fame for the egomaniac kid. Yeah, yeah, I know, he’s not a “full-time” wrestler, but let’s look at the facts, people. In just two short years, the dude’s racked up thirteen matches. That’s more than a handful of guys already enshrined in the Hall. And it’s not like he’s just jobbing out there. We’re talking a lengthy championship reign, appearances in some of the biggest gimmick matches, even headlined two premium live events—twice—with a world title on the line!

Now, compare that to some of the celebrity inductees. Andy Kaufman, bless his soul, was a genius, a true artist of the absurd. But those matches? More performance art than athletic competition, right? Logan Paul, love him or hate him, is out there having legit banger after banger. By the time the Hall of Fame conversation rolls around, he’s only gonna have further cemented his wrestling cred. So yeah, main wing, all the way.

The Bloodline Takes Over NXT?

From: Damion

Question:

Yo, Ryan, gotta ask: with Ava Raine (aka The Rock’s daughter) doin’ her thing in NXT, you think we might see The Bloodline show up down there? Maybe lay down the law if anyone disrespects the fam?

Answer:

Damion, I feel you on this. The visual alone of Roman, the Usos (when they get back on the same page, that is), and Solo hitting that slow-mo walk to the ring in NXT? Goosebumps, man! But I’m not sure random backstage attacks are the play here. NXT’s gotta build its own stars, you know?

However, I could totally see The Bloodline showing up for a big event, maybe even wrestling a match or two. Imagine the rub the NXT champ would get from going toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns. Plus, you know Triple H would love the ratings boost.

The “Iron Claw” and the Von Erich Curse

From: Steve

Question:

Hey Ryan, just watched “The Iron Claw,” and wow, what a gut punch! The whole “cursed grandma” thing really stuck with me. Is that a real part of the Von Erich family lore or just something the movie made up?

Answer:

Steve, I’m right there with you. “The Iron Claw” is a tough watch, man, but powerful storytelling. Now, about that “cursed grandma” bit: it’s kinda true, kinda not. See, Jack Adkisson’s mom’s maiden name was actually just “Erich,” not “Von Erich.” My guess? Adding the “Von” was a way to instantly give American audiences that German association, like “Von Kaiser,” you know? Heck, even Dr. Scott in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was originally just plain “Dr. Scott” in the stage play. Sometimes, a little name tweak goes a long way in showbiz.

Ask 411 Wrestling – Edition

What’s up, wrestling fam! Welcome back to the one and only, the last bastion of weekly wrestling journalism here at 411 Wrestling: Ask 411. I’m your host, the very caffeinated Ryan Byers, and I’m here to tackle all your burning wrestling questions. Got a query about the good ol’ days, a head-scratcher about the current product, or maybe just a wild what-if scenario you need analyzed? Hit me up at [email protected], and you might just see your question answered right here next week.

Did WWF Really Come Close to Bankruptcy?

From: Big Al

Question:

Hey Ryan, with all the talk about Vince McMahon and the whole hush money thing a while back, I keep hearing how close WWF came to going belly up in the mid-‘90s. Is that legit? How dire were things back then?

Answer:

Alright, Big Al, let’s dive into the squared circle of financial woes, shall we? The short answer? Yeah, the WWF was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy back then. Things were definitely touch-and-go for a hot minute.

Think about it: WCW was breathing down their necks with the NWO, stealing all the headlines (and their top stars!). The steroid trial was a PR nightmare. On top of that? The whole Bret Hart situation? Dude didn’t leave for WCW because he wanted to; he left because the WWF literally couldn’t afford to pay him what they promised in his contract. That’s how rough things were.

Let’s just say Vince McMahon pulled off a major victory, both in the ring and with his accountants, to keep the WWF afloat. It’s wild to think about how different the wrestling landscape might look if things had gone south back then, huh?

Is There a Piper-Ritter Connection?

From: Redmond

Question:

Ryan, this has been bugging me for years. Roddy Piper and John Ritter—did John Ritter base his whole “Jack Tripper” thing on Hot Rod? They looked so much alike! Is there any connection there, or am I just trippin’?

Answer:

Redmond, you are not alone! I’ve totally made that same Piper-Ritter connection in my head a million times. Those piercing blue eyes, the wild, curly hair—separated at birth, maybe? Sadly, as far as I know, there’s no record of any direct inspiration or connection between the two. No epic “Three’s Company”/“They Live” crossover episode we missed, sadly.

It’s just one of those weird coincidences, I guess. Like, did you know John Ritter and Buff Bagwell were both in that horror movie “Terror Tract” back in ? Now that’s a random Hollywood connection for ya!

Jericho vs. Hogan: Hall of Fame Showdown

From: CaseyDub

Question:

Ryan, settle a debate for me, would ya? Who’s shared the ring with more Hall of Famers: Y2J or the Hulkster?

Answer:

CaseyDub, you came to the right place! I love a good stat-diving wrestling debate. Alright, let’s set some ground rules: we’re talking WWE Hall of Fame inductees, all wings considered (gotta be fair to the celebs and Warrior Award winners!). And we’re counting any match type: singles, tag, even those wacky Royal Rumbles.

Drumroll, please… In this corner, with a career spanning five decades and a whole lotta “brother!” moments, racking up an astounding 109 matches against Hall of Famers, it’s Hulk Hogan!

And in the other corner, the Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla himself, with a still-impressive 62 Hall of Fame opponents, it’s Chris Jericho!

Now, before we crown Hogan the undisputed champ of facing legends, we gotta factor in a few things. That dude’s been around since like, forever (well, to be exact). He wrestled in an era when a lot of the guys he faced are now Hall of Famers. Plus, remember that Hall of Fame ceremony where they basically inducted half of Hogan’s rogues’ gallery? Yeah, that bumped up his numbers a bit.

Still, gotta give Hogan props for longevity and, let’s face it, being a huge draw who could elevate anyone he stepped in the ring with. As for Jericho, the man’s a wrestling workhorse who’s always looking for that next great feud. I wouldn’t be surprised if he catches up to Hogan eventually, especially with all the legends he’s still got left to wrestle!

Outro

That’s all the time we have for this edition of Ask 411 Wrestling, folks! Remember, this train keeps on rollin’, so keep those questions coming. Shoot me an email at [email protected], and you might just see your wrestling ponderings addressed in the next edition. Until then, stay safe, stay smart, and for the love of all that is holy, don’t try that Coast-to-Coast at home!