JR's Mailbag #5

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of JR's Mailbag, the bi-weekly feature here on EWA.com where I try to answer any question from you, the EWA Universe! Whether factual or opinion-based, no subject is taboo, so if you've got anything you want to know for future installments, just remember that there are two ways to go about submitting any questions. You can either get in touch via the EWA's official Twitter account or you can send a direct message to me right here on EWA.com.

With all the spiel out of the way, let's see what's in today's mailbag:


It's fair to say we've seen some pretty terrifying participants in EWA rings over the year, from Dennis Franz dressed as the Blue Meanie to more traditionally scary individuals like Vampiro, Kane, Mordecai, or the legendary Undertaker. While each of those would be excellent answers to your question, Frank, I'm going to cheat and pick two names instead. After all, I don't think I've seen anything quite as horrific as we did on the very last edition of Friday Night Fury on October 31st 2014, where we witnessed The Yeti (who, rather than being a large hairy beast, was in fact a large man wrapped in what seemed to be dusty toilet paper) taking on The Zombie (exactly what it says on the tin). With noted supernatural expert Dr Samuel Loomis making a guest appearance on commentary, despite having thought to of passed away nearly 20 years previously, these two unholy creatures proceeded to have a match that was 90% clinching and 10% off-the-wall offence, the likes of which we've (thankfully) never seen again. If you want to go back and watch this truly gruesome encounter on the EWA Network, do so at your peril!

Next question!


This is, of course, in reference to next Sunday's Double Jeopardy Matches which will first see Brock Lesnar defending the gold against Big Show, where the winner of that match will then have to put the World Championship on the line against the winner of one last showdown between Ken Shamrock and Trevor Mann later in the night.

In that scenario, it's a tough call. For one thing, Big Show has proven himself capable of pulling off huge upsets this year, such as with his National Title victory over Bobby Lashley, as well as wins over Chris Hero, Fit Finlay and most recently Gabriel. That said, Ken Shamrock has proven himself to be one of the most formidable competitors in the EWA today, even at the ripe old age of 54. He's only been pinned once over the last four months and that as part of the Sin City Survival Match, so you'd think Shamrock has the stamina to go the distance. Then again, Trevor Mann has everything to prove. While everyone else in the match has already achieved varying degrees of success over their careers, Trevor Mann has only just hit his prime, meaning he's arguably not just more mentally hungry than his opponents, but can physically better handle the toll of wrestling two matches in one night. And last, but by no means least, you come to the champion himself. Brock Lesnar will surely go down as the most dominant superstar ever to compete in an EWA ring, with only a handful of losses over the past six years and more time spent as World Champion than anyone else. Time and again, Lesnar finds a way to smash through every obstacle put in his path, and when you're talking about a force of nature like that, how can you bet against them?

With that in mind, my money is probably on "The Beast" somehow walking out with the gold still around his waist at All Hallows' Evil. However, if this was a fatal fourway environment rather than Double Jeopardy, I might be inclined to change that pick. In a situation that robbed Lesnar of his champion's advantage and made it more difficult for Shamrock to force a submission with others around to break it up, it's a toss-up between Big Show and Trevor Mann. In that situation, I think the wily youngster might just shock the world and make a name for himself.

Next question!


That's easy, Al...Scrappy Doo. (BAH GAWD! JR's turned heel!)

Next question!


Sounds like someone's suffering from a little "professional jealousy." Well, I can put my Stetson on my heart and honestly say I've never claimed to be the premier wrestling commenter in this business. In fact, everything I say here in the Mailbag or over on the Ross Report should only ever be taken with a grain of salt since these are just my opinions rather than stone cold facts. Granted, I do have a whole lot of years and experience backing up those opinions, but that doesn't mean I'm right all the time.

That said, if you want a shot at the crown, Dave, I've got three words for you...bring it, bitch!

Next question!


This will likely be my most controversial answer here in this week's Mailbag, but I'd say our current roster definitely lacks the "star power" of years gone by.

Before anyone gets their nose out of joint, please allow me to explain. We've had periods in the past where it's seemed like the roster has been made up of former or future World Champions, where you had the likes of Val Venis, Cody Rhodes, Steve Corino, the Vegas Connection, Mr Anderson, Brent Albright, The Rock, Paulton Burchill and more all competing against one another on a weekly basis. Now though? Brock Lesnar is literally the only active superstar on our roster to be a World Champion (with the likes of Adam Cole, Jack Gallagher and RVD all taking time out).

Still, please don't take that as a knock on the level of talent who are currently tearing it up week in and week out, because that's not my intention whatsoever. As I'm sure I've said before in the Mailbag, I whole-heartedly believe that the current roster is as strong as any we've ever seen in terms of delivering exciting matches and rivalries. I look at relatively young superstars like Aleister Black or Chris Sabin or Dolph Ziggler or Gabriel or Marty Scurll or Nick Aldis or WALTER, and they're all capable of breaking out and becoming major stars in the future. And that's not forgeting the veterans who are still delivering the goods after all these years but not quite made it to the top of the mountain either. In my humble opinion thought, none of them are really what I'd call "made men" just yet, which doesn't necessarily mean they need to become World Champion, but certainly that they need to find that "moment" which really puts them on the map.

Perhaps then that's what I'd like to see more of as we head into 2019. These superstars, young and old, not sitting back and waiting for opportunities to come to them, but rather making them happen for themselves. Sometimes, especially with a World Champion like Brock Lesnar who seemingly can't be defeated, it can cause everyone else to become almost deferential to the champ. Like they don't necessarily believe they deserve to be in the same ring as him, or they think they wouldn't stand a chance against him. With more confidence in their abilities though and the guts to step out of their comfort zones, I'm sure we'll see plenty of those talented individuals finally start to unlock all that potential and become legit stars that will be remembered in the annals of EWA history. They're all armed with the tools to make it happen, they just need to figure out how to use 'em.

Thanks again for all your questions, folks! Don't forget, you can ask me anything for the next edition of JR's Mailbag in two weeks time by getting in touch either here or here and I'll do my best to provide an answer!

BOOMER SOONER!