We’re baaaaaaack!

Yes The Crew are back and ready to answer all your questions no matter how outrageous they are. Whether you have a fanny that smells like rancid salmon, you can’t get an erection unless you stare at a picture of Mel Gibson from What Women Want or you just want our thoughts on John Cena owning The Rock on this past weeks Monday Night RAW, we shall answer each and every single one of them.

Let’s hand it over to Taj, Wayne and Jay to get proceeding underway.

Andre Asks: How would go about improving Judging in MMA?

Taj: I would encourage judges to utilise the “or less” portion of “9 or less” with regards to scoring the “loser” of a round, when that competitor is completely overwhelmed by his opponent in a round.

Wayne: I agree with Taj in that judges need to utilise the 9 or less option in the scoring as it’s mentioned too often on UFC programming. Take boxing for example, a knockdown usually results in judges often scoring the fight a 10-8 round. While we’re talking about judging, I think everyone would like to see the removal of the highly controversial judge Cecil Peoples.

Jay: It’s so blatantly obvious to anyone who watches MMA on a regular basis that judging in the sport needs a massive overhaul. In the past few months we’ve seen some decisions that have left a sour taste in a number of peoples mouths. First, Nick Diaz lost to Carlos Condit in the UFC Interim Welterweight Title match in a fight which many scored Diaz with the win. The decision left Nick questioning his future in the sport after he spend 25 minutes chasing Condit around the octagon. Then this past Sunday at UFC 144 in Japan, Benson Henderson beat Frankie Edgar by decision to win the UFC Lightweight Championship. This fight I, along with many others, scored in Frankie’s favour. Frankie wasn’t happy with the outcome and I have no idea how 4 rounds were scored in Henderson’s favour. I agree with my colleagues that the “9 or less” scoring method could be utilized alot more these days. Also people like Cecil Peoples should never be allowed near a judging table of any combat sport. If you need any more proof that Cecil is an incompetent fool, look at some videos of him on YouTube refereeing some minor league MMA events. I think the best way to improve judging however, is to allow retired Mixed Martial Artists to become professional judges. People like Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, people with an undeniable passion for the sport who know more about the techniques used in fights better than anyone else. But something like that would take time to implement and we all know the judging system needs to be restructured sooner rather than later.

Jonathan Asks: What UFC Stars do you think could make the transition to WWE or TNA and vice versa?

Taj: Well, as MMA is purely a “techical”sport where trash talking is often looked down upon, any wwe or tna wrestler could theoretically make the transition. Many superstars have been noted for their real life expertise in free style wrestling, muay thai, jiu jitsu and other arts. Notable names include CM Punk, Bret Hart, Dave Batista and Bobby Lashley. Also, The Undertaker and Kane are noted to have had some shoot-fighting training and could have made the transition back in the day if UFC were as popular. Of the current rosters, there are a few who would clearly be able to make the transition. Those are; CM Punk, Kurt Angle, Alberto Del Rio, Samoa Joe and The Pope. For UFC competitors, there needs to be a charismatic edge to their personality  in order for them to make the transition to professional wrestling. Of the current UFC competitors, there are a few that could make the transition to WWE. Chael Sonnen is a great example of a fighter with wrestling experience, a passion for pro-wrestling and can cut a promo better than most current wwe or tna superstars. Rampage Jackson is another competitor who could make the transition as he has sound technical and vocal abilities and shined during his appearance as a guest host of Monday night Raw

Wayne: Well the obvious answer here would be Brock Lesnar who has done both, however looking at UFC guys that I could see on WWE television and this is personal opinion, I would take Forrest Griffin, Chael Sonnen, Roy Nelson and Cain Velasquez over to WWE or TNA. As for the guys in pro wrestling making the switch and joining the UFC, this one might come as a surprise, but I think that someone like Tyson Kidd could hold his own in the octagon. Other guys that would do well would be Kurt Angle on his wrestling experience and CM Punk given his love of the business and the time he takes to train on certain techniques.

Jay: Mr. Medium Rare himself, Chael P. Sonnen, tops my list. Chael has an outstanding background as a collegiate wrestler and as he has shown in his interviews over the past couple of years he has more personality than a good portion of pro wrestlers in today’s industry. I think it’d be hard to overlook the Diaz brothers when talking about MMA fighters transitioning to pro wrestling. I think Nick & Nate would fit right in in such an environment, they’ve been controversial, outspoken and downright entertaining. Also, honourable mentions for Forrest Griffin, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Cain Velasquez. On the other side of this question, people like Kurt Angle and CM Punk standout like a sore thumb. Kurt is an olympic gold medal winning wrestler and Punk loves MMA and does infact train in the art of Jiu Jitsu. Also Undertakerand Kane have trained in many areas of martial arts, however age and the curse of “Big Man Knees” will work against these two in that respect

Martin Asks: Out of all the guys in FCW and you can only pick one, which FCW star would you call up to the main roster, even if they’ve already had that opportunity?

Taj: Just one? I suggest the sender of this question watch FCW on a regular basis and then ask themselves this question. There are close to 20 competitors for WWE’s Developmental Promotion that are, in my opinion,  ready for the big-time. To choose merely one performer over a dozen other competitors at similar levels of readiness would be absurd.

Wayne: This is a really tough question as there’s a lot of talented individuals down in Florida Championship Wrestling now given recent signings and those that have been sent back down to developmental, however for me, the one guy I would call up right now to the SmackDown roster is Husky Harris. Husky has vastly improved his work down in Florida Championship Wrestling as well as his look and to me looks to have great quality to establish himself as a powerhouse type character on the Blue Brand, where it lacks some depth to its roster.

Jay: I’d like to start off by saying that FCW has been fantastic as of late. Some great storylines, great matches and some very talented new additions to the roster. I’m not sure if I could pick just one performer to come up to the main roster. So many talented guys that deserve it. Guys like Damien Sandow, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Leo Kruger, Leakee, Richie Steamboat, Bo Rotundo, I could go on. If I had to choose, it would have to be Dean Ambrose for me, but there are about 20 guys who could stake a claim for a call up as Taj said.

Thomas Asks: What is your overall opinion on the Attitude Era in the WWE

Taj: Whilst the Attitude Era can be seen as a great time  due to the rise to superstardom for talent like The Rock, Steve Austin, Triple H and many more, it was, over-all bad for professional wrestling. This time saw the focus shift away from quality wrestling and show-cards in order to capture as many viewers as possible. Infact, the demise of tagteam wrestling can be traced back and attributed to this time in wrestling’s history. This is because the performers who are now competing are the ones who grew up watching Steve Austin stun his boss, almost get enbalmed and crucified, and drink beer and flip people off. Due to the cool, appealing aspect of Austin’s character, many idolised him and, those who chose to enter the business, did not want to start as a tagteam and work their way up, but wanted to go solo and achieve similar accolades to those of Austin and The Rock.

Wayne: In terms of my opinion of the Attitude Era in the then WWF, while it helped ratings to rise thanks in part to its risqué nature of programming, it also helped to promote things that the company have since done away with including chairshots to the head. A quick look at Taj’s answer above is another considerable option.

Jay: My opinion is totally in accordance with Taj’s and I couldn’t have put it any better myself. I suggest you go and read The Taj Show which can be found exclusively here on Wrestling-News.net.

Mark Asks: Opinion on Cena/Rocky segment on RAW and the wrist comments

Taj: Well,to be short; it was promo-cutting at it’s finest. The Rock did seem “off” on Monday, and I choose to believe that this was a deliberate ploy so that John Cena can be seen as the “face” going into their encounter at WrestleMania. Any reactions from The People’s Champ due to the words of John Cena are supposed to be expected from a professional wrestler on the receiving end of that promo. Whilst Cena may be a great talker on the stick, he would be schooled by The Great One in a “real promo battle” as The Rock is perhaps only bettered by Ric Flair when it comes to talking on the mic. I like the direction that they are taking with it, Cena has to go in as face, it would be silly to turn your biggest brand heel this close to WWE hitting “mainstream” once again.

Wayne: As I said on Twitter on Monday night, #RockGotServed (not trending worldwide unfortunately). Cena came out delivered a promo on The Rock in regards to having the notes written on his wrists which seemed to rattle The Rock, left and had the world talking. As far as I’m concerned in terms of their “promo battle” leading upto WrestleMania, it’s Cena 1-0 Rocky.

Jay: I thought it was just a fantastic segment. The Rock came out and did his usualy schtick, getting the people of twitter to make all his catchphrases trend and get the crowd going before the appearance of John Cena. The shot Cena took at Rocky for having notes on his arm was probably scripted as was Rockys reaction. I think the whole thing was done perfectly and Rock seeming completely shocked afte Cena left added to the realism that both had portrayed. To me it was the perfect set-up on what is now an ever shortening Road to Wrestlemania.

Mike Asks: Where are Christian and Alberto del Rio, we haven’t seen them since Elimination Chamber?

Taj: With regards to the update on the condition of any superstar as and when news is available, I refer you to our lead reporter, Mr Wayne Daly.

Wayne: That is a question that many people have been wondering. Without any knowledge, my guess would be that both men are still injured as they haven’t appeared on any live events since the pay-per-view. If both men are not back prior to the WrestleMania XXVIII pay-per-view, then I would expect them back on your screens for the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view at the end of April.

Jay: They’re on honeymoon after tying the knot in a lovely little civil ceremony in Tijuana, Mexico……… As far as I was aware they’re still recovering from injuries and their appearances at Elimination Chamber were a one off for the Johnny Ace segment.

That’ll do it for this edition of #AskTheCrew. Thank you for all the questions. To send in your questions, tweet us @AskTheCrew & include the hashtag #AskTheCrew.

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