JR's Mailbag #8

Hello, and welcome to the final edition of JR's Mailbag this year! As always, I'm here to answer all of the hot topics currently setting the EWA Universe alight, with no subject off limits! If there's anything you want to ask me for future installments, just remember that there are two ways to go about submitting your questions. You can either get in touch via the EWA's official Twitter account or you can send me a direct message right here on EWA.com.

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


I'm sure there's nothing I can say that will lighten the blow for any superstar who has found themselves not a part of the Super Brawl festivities, especially those who've worked their tail off for much of the year with this goal in mind like Ricochet, or men like Marty's Scurll and Jannetty. After all, everyone wants to be involved in Super Brawl and have that allure of etching their names into the history books. However, one thing I would say to those superstars who have unfortunately missed out on the cut is that this isn't the end of the world. Yeah, you might have to watch Super Brawl XVIII from the sidelines, but as cliche as it sounds, there's always next year. And there's a whole lot of time between now and then for you to go out there and show the world what you're made of, making damn sure that it's impossible for you NOT to be involved in Super Brawl XIX! With the right mindset, this is one negative that can be turned into a positive if you're willing to put in the hard work.

Next question:


If I were a betting man, I'd say probably not for a multitude of reasons.

For one thing, I think the women's roster could stand to be expanded before such a match would even be possible. While that's not a knock on any of the many talented women we have currently tearing it up on SLAM!, it's more an indication that we've only got maybe 6-10 active superstars right now, which ideally you'd want to see doubled to create as much strength and depth as possible.

For another thing, I don't think the Super Brawl concept really lends itself to the women's division either. I mean, think about it...the whole crux of the Super Brawl Match is that the winning team walks away with all the championship gold. Yet, our female superstars currently have only one championship to fight over, meaning it would really only be the winning Captain who benefitted from such a match. Sure, I guess you could make one of the team the de facto number one contender, but that's still not enough in terms of prizes to really inspire these women to work together. That's perhaps where seeing the roster of female superstars growing would help, as if there were enough competitors to support it, who knows? The EWA could introduce gender-specific Tag Team Titles to give the women something else to compete for. As things stand right now though, we're not in any kind of position for that idea to become a reality.

For what it's worth too, I wouldn't mind seeing the women once again be allowed to take part in the main Super Brawl Match at some point in the future. It made for a unique dynamic last year and all three women did themselves and the division a ton of credit with their involvement. Still, I'm peachy keen to see the tag team match that was set up this past week on SLAM! pitting Daffney and Becky Lynch against Charlotte Flair and Tessa Blanchard, with whoever scores the victory walking out with the title. To me, that's a concept that's got money written all over it.

Next question:


Hmmm...that's a toughie. I'm not getting any younger, and honestly, the older I get, the less I want for. Hell, a big ol' bottle of BBQ sauce and a juicy steak is enough to keep me happy these days.

In terms of what I'd wish for in the EWA though, I guess I'd like to see some new stars being elevated and given a chance to run with the ball. We've seen so many superstars come in and make their mark this year, be it Gabriel or Ricochet or even veterans making a return to the sport like Fit Finlay and Ken Shamrock, all of whom have proved to be the backbone of the EWA's success over the last six months. And while they've had their fair share of main events and been involved in some major moments, it feels like they're all still very much on the cusp of truly breaking out. I'd also include names like Chris Sabin, John Cena and Big Show in that category as well. That said, I'm a firm believer that we are the masters of our own destiny, so rather than play it safe and wait for management to give them permission to become the "next big thing" (for lack of a better term), I do wish that someone would reach out, grab that brass ring, and make it their own.

Of course, that's easier said than done when you've got a World Champion like Brock Lesnar, easily the most dominant force that the EWA has ever seen. But as great as "The Beast" is, and no-one's denying that, that doesn't mean he can't be beaten. And whoever does put Lesnar down and take that title away from his iron-like grip could soon find themselves as the biggest superstar in the entire business. All it takes is one three count and the entire landscape of the EWA can be changed.

Final question:


Damn, another tough one. I've been racking my brains for a good 20 minutes considering my answer, so please bear with me here.

As Captain, I think I'd have to go for Brock Lesnar. As mentioned in my answer to the previous question, Lesnar is a monster in that ring who has a habit of mauling his way through any and all competition. If there's one man you can rely on to get it done, it'd be "The Beast." In the National Title slot, I'd have to go for Randy Orton, who is tied with Chris Jericho for the most Super Brawl victories with three a piece. That experience could prove invaluable in the Super Brawl Match, with the fact that Orton was for the longest time the only World Champion to successfully defend his championship in the match being the reason I'd go for him over "Y2J." As for my Tag Team spots, I think I'd have to go for Harry Smith and Steve Corino. Both have been winning Super Brawl Captains, and crucially, both have been runners-up as well, so they know what it's like to come so agonizingly close to victory in the "Showcase of the Immortals." Again, that kind of experience could prove vitally important. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they're two of the all-time EWA greats as well.

Even then though, there's so many other superstars you can't overlook. Men like Al Snow and Richard Blood have proven themselves capable of upping their game when Super Brawl rolls around. Men like Edge have the ability to think outside the box and use whatever tools necessary to ensure victory, even if said tools aren't necessarily legal. Men like Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page know what it's like to be team players better than anyone else. There's so many combinations of superstars who would make a damn good team...so why not Tweet me some of your suggestions!

For now though, that's all she wrote as far as JR's Mailbag goes this year! Thanks for all your questions over the past few months, and hopefully you've still got plenty more for when we return in the new year. As always, all you've gotta do is send them either on Twitter or here on EWA.com and I'll do my best to provide an answer! Until then, I'll be back this weekend with a run-down of the four Super Brawl teams before we make our final stop on the EWA tour ahead of Super Brawl XVIII!

BOOMER SOONER!