The call went out, and you responded! This week the panel tackles the tough issues that you, the reader, have sent in.

We discuss second-tier titles, and muse on what the pro-wrestling landscape might be like after the demise of Vince McMahon. We also play around with tag team combinations, and discuss the pay-per-view we wish we'd been at.

Joining us this week is our special guest Steve Zavos, who sent in Question #1. Welcome to the panel, Steve!

1. I know this would be a battle of the grandads so to speak, but what are your thoughts on a Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan retirement match at this years Wrestlemania ?
Steve Zavos, New Plymouth

Steve:
I think it would be great and I would really like to see it happen but I don't think it will. They really need time to properly build up a match of this magnitude and judging by how WWE likes to announce their matches for Mania quite early these days, it looks highly unlikely. If it did happen though I would see this go down much like the Hogan/Vince match at Wrestlemania 19 a few years back.

Dion:
The 90's fan in me would love to see Flair vs. Hogan one more time - but not as a retirement match. Who wants to see Hogan retire Flair? That thought gives me chills. And of course there's no way on earth Flair would retire Hogan. I think we're more likely to see Flair put someone like Batista, Triple H or HBK over as his retirer.

Troy:
I'd be absolutely disgusted. I don't know if I could think of a more unsuitable person for the honour of retiring Ric Flair than Hulk Hogan.

Matt:
A sago pudding on a pole match? No way! The Hogan/Flair "who could beat who?" question was cool in the late 80's... but Flair and Hogan have done that dance so many times since it's (forgive the pun) - old. Even when they did wrestle, their styles were so mis-matched it was a bore-fest. Add 20 years, broken hips, replaced knees and severely shrinking hairlines to the mix, and I'd rather see "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Steamboat again than that.

Ost:
I don’t think I’d be alone in not wanting to see that, to be quite frank. One of the keys in making a retirement match work is it elevates the guy winning into the realm of being a modern day legend (just look at how it’s done in Mexico) and both of those guys are already at that level. Second, both of them existed for years with very successful careers without much in the way of conflict, so there’s not really much “meat” that could be used to build the match around. Thirdly, it would be a match so ginger and gentle it would give us all Billionaire Ted flashbacks. Finally, Hogan already retired Flair in 1994. The fact that almost nobody remembers this says it all.

Leighton:
I agree with Dion on this matter. The match would be Wrestlemania worthy for nostalgia's sake, but unless it was to be Flair going over I wouldn't want to see it as a retirement match. Flair is amazing at dragging young stars up to his level and making them look great, whereas it would be fair to say that this is not one of Hogan's stronger points. Someone from the new generation should retire Flair.

Kirsty:
I think it's an absolutely crap concept because Flair's retirement SHOULD put someone over. My guess is that it won't though; I'm betting Naitch wants to go out via a respected mate. That said, I like seeing Hogan now and again. It'd be cool if he had a match - again, with the intent of putting someone over - but I'm guessing if they do ask the Hulkster back they'll save it for WrestleMania 25.

Simon:
I have no interest in seeing this now - if we're going Old School Feud, I'd rather see Sting have at it with Flair. But really, as has been said, I think we'll see HBK go at it and it'll be great. And that's cool.

2. With a lot of big talent now back in active duty and heavy competition for the two World Titles, do you think it is time for more focussed attention on the "lesser" titles, i.e IC, US, Tag Titles & Cruiserweight?
Daniel Frear, Christchurch

Steve:
There is a lot of big talent but there is still not that one big shining star that has the X-factor to carry the company forward in my view. Until they find that next Rock, Austin or Hogan there will always be a big focus on the World Title picture. I couldn't agree more with regard to the other titles (add the Women's Title to that list). The worst part about it is that it seems like they don't want to focus their attention on them and while I am a big fan of the "gimmick matches" they seem to be dominating too much at the moment as well. Comes with the "E" I guess.

Dion:
Yes... and no. It's a shame that the second tier titles have become afterthoughts, but to be honest, there are so many damn titles between the three brands, that each show would become a "title-o-rama" with little room for non-title matches or storylines. The E have dug themselves a bit of a whole with this one, I'm afraid. I'm very much a supporter of fewer titles in that promotion.

Troy:
I'm not interested in lesser titles, but less titles. Too many. Far, far too many. I miss the days when the Intercontinental title was THE target for aspiring upper midcarders. Now they just win Money in the Bank and leave it at that.

Matt:
I think the shine has fully gone from the IC and US Titles, ever since we went to two heavyweight belts. I mean, the IC title used to mean something because the next step up was normally a programme with the upper reaches of the roster and an eventual crack at the champ (RE: Bret Hart, Ultimate Warior, The Rock, HHH, Angle, Benoit). Now it's just blahhh. I honestly couldn't even remember who has those titles... and I watched RAW last week.

Ost:
The problem is the people involved with making these titles mean something, is that they don’t really know what to do with them, how to do anything with them, and even what the purpose is for them in the first place. That goes back to the ever-diminishing wrestling influence behind the scenes. Secondary titles used to help build up other stars - there was always an official or unofficial “ladder” of wrestlers - and matches, even for shots at the secondary titles, had an importance about them that is so lacking these days. Instead they’ve largely been replaced by nonsensical feuds conjured up in a very short amount of time, which only serves to hamper the successes of the better, more dramatic feuds at the top of the card. Storylines draw in moderation, but don’t forget people tune in because it IS pro wrestling. They had something going with the tag titles in the recent past, I’d love it if they could really make that work.

Leighton:
Of course, but with three "world" titles that need to be challenged for at each PPV it won't happen. Look at No Way Out, opening with a World Title match and closing with two others, with Elimination Chambers and not much else in between. It seems like in 2007, you work your way up the ranks by winning the ECW, then Smackdown, then RAW world titles. Secondary titles are now mere TV show filler, which is very sad for titles with strong lineage like the Intercontinental and tag titles.

Kirsty:
I really think that there are too many titles. The more there are, the less each of them mean. I long for the halcyon days of just Tag, WWE and Intercontinental titles. So while I think that the IC belt in particular should mean more than it does presently, I don't see that happening while there's so much gold up for grabs.

Simon:
I think the lesser titles haven't mattered in a long time - but that's because what brings the money in is the big guy, and WWE has been so desperate to create another Rock or Stone Cold or Hogan that they've gone all out making the likes of HHH, Cena, HBK and Batista all claw and circle the top (and Undertaker and so on...) and really, a shot at the I/C belt doesn't mean anything.

3. For me the WWF/WWE has been the greatest soap opera, and it will only end when the original great one Vincent Kennedy McMahon passes away. All morbid theories aside, would you keep watching ? Would there be something to watch ?
Alex Davidson, Auckland

Steve:
Yes I would keep watching and yes there would be something to watch - there always will be. As long as there is a McMahon still involved in the business it will never end.

Dion:
Absolutely. As much of a genius as VKM has been and as entertaining as he can be, I find his character far more interesting when he's on our screens less. The evil boss is a timeless theme, but when VKM shows up on every show week in and week out, it grows a bit tiresome. I'd definitely miss Vinnie Mac if he were gone from our screens for good, but I think there would be a much larger impact off screen than there would be on it.

Troy:
I think Shane McMahon has talents that are quite simply suppressed, but I think that he may well be happy to take care of the quieter side of things for as long as his father remains in control. Shane has a great deal of respect and admiration for his father and the product, and I believe that the company will remain in good hands long after Vince is gone.

I honestly don't have a strong opinion of Stephanie McMahon's style. Some decisions I have liked, and some I haven't. I must admit that I'd be more worried if Shane wasn't waiting in the wings though.

Matt:
Vince is the undead... he will never die, just like Hulkamania will live forever!! What? Hogan is starting his own fed? Bugger him then!!

All I hope is that there is another McMahon with the creativity that Vinnie Mac has... because at the mo' Stephanie is not doing such a good job.

Ost:
If you love the soap opera, then you’ll undoubtedly be tuning in regularly after Vince McMahon Jr. shuffles off his mortal coil. The WWE seems destined to head in an even more soap opera direction, with less emphasis on what happens in the squared circle. I have not doubts that it will survive in some capacity – after all the McMahon’s have been involved in the promoting business dating back to the early 1920’s. I see no reason why there won’t be a fourth and even fifth generation of the family still going strong.

Leighton:
The presence of Vince McMahon on TV doesn't mean that the shows are automatically entertaining. Vince has been involved in some of the most ridiculous, dull and self-gratifying moments on WWE TV in the last ten years. The show could go on without him. What is much more of a concern is whether anyone from the new generation will be able to hold down the business side of things in the way McMahon has in the last 25 years. The workload would be incomprehensible to most mortals, and time will tell if the heirs to the empire will be up to the task of keeping the WWE where it is now.

Kirsty:
The thing is, I appreciate Vince more when I DON'T see him, and this does not bode well. I am of course fully aware that he is a master businessman and CEO, and I think that the company he has built up will continue in the way he has run it by his family.

On the other hand, when Vince goes we lose one of the industry's great pioneers. No matter what you might think of the guy, he was the one who turned wrestling upside down and changed it forever. It's a hell of a legacy.

Simon:
I agree with the theory presented here already that a McMahon has to stay handling things and I agree regarding Shane McMahon. I met Shane - he was intense, intelligent, articulate and passionate about the business. Don't let his behind-the-scenes approach fool - he has this business flowing through his veins and loves that! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

4. Pick your favourite retired wrestler (alive or dead) and team him/ her up with someone on the current rosters (any promotion) as a tag team. Why would you love to see this pairing?
Mark Andrews, Queenstown

Steve:
It would be Bret Hart teaming with Kurt Angle. Like most other people I'd prefer these two to be wrestling each other because they are both such fantastic, gifted technical wrestlers from different backgrounds and different eras. However, they would still have great chemistry as a tag team and be sure to come up with some awesome tag team wrestling moves and holds. They would probably have the sharpshooter and ankle lock put on at the same time on opposing team members as their finisher - that would be cool !

Dion:
Great question!

This is from out of left field, but how about an in-his-prime "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Eddie Guerrero? Those two would've made one helluva great team!

Or from further left of that field, Andre the Giant and Rey Mysterio. Entertaining if nothing else!

Troy:
Steve Austin and CM Punk. Austin can teach the guy to brawl, and Punk and can be all "Oh, no you didn't!" when he celebrates wins, losses and weather patterns by drinking sixteen beers and assaulting the referee. I'd watch.

Matt:
Kurt Angle/Bret Hart...because they are both technically brilliant and as intense as each other.

In "parts unknown" fantasy land Sting and Ultimate Warrior would be cool as another run as "The Bladerunners" post all their fame. That would be off the hook craziness.

Ost:
The Junk Yard Dog and Shelton Benjamin. It would help Shelton connect with the people, at the same time Benjamin’s amazing skills would hide the weaknesses of the JYD. Plus, it’s the good time tag team that the promotion is really lacking at the moment.

Leighton:
Giant Gonzalez and the Great Khali. They could have been named "Unstoppable and Unwatchable". Seriously, I think an Eddie Guererro and Santino Marella combination could have been a very entertaining duo. Similar personalities but also clashing with each other over their respective Italian/Latino heritages.

Kirsty:
Although he's not quite "retired", he does seem to be somewhat absent, and I can't help this (although as opponents would be better): Sting and the Undertaker. 'Nuff said.

Simon:
Ravishing Rick Rude and John Morrison/Johnny Nitro - a far better team than MNM any day...

5. What's the one pay-per-view you wish you'd been at, and why?
James Song, Hamilton

Steve:
I would have to say Wrestlemania 3. Just being at the Pontiac Silverdome for the biggest event in pro-wrestling history with 93,173 screaming fans would have done it for me. Although most fans will probably only remember it for one thing, it will never be forgotten.

Dion:
I've said it before and I'll say it again... Summerslam 88 is the pay-per-view that I was the biggest mark for. At only 13 years old, there was CLEARLY no chance I could've made the journey, but I would've been in absolute heaven if I could've seen Demolition vs. The Hart Foundation and the MegaPowers vs. the MegaBucks live!

A bit more realistically, I would've loved to have gone to Wrestlemania X-8. Rock vs. Hogan, the invasion of the nWo and the feeling surrounding the WCW takeover must have been amazing!

Troy:
WrestleMania X-Seven. It's the still the one show I can watch over, and over, and over again without ever getting bored with it. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to be there.

Matt:
Survivor Series, Montreal 1997 Jimmy... the night Vinnie Mac killed Bret Hart's career. If I was front row I'd have hocked a loog on Vinnie Mac myself.

Ost:
Wrestlemania X-7. Massive venue, rabid crowd, great matches, Gimmick Battle Royal…would more could you ask for? Although Royal Rumble ’97 with Stone Cold Steve Austin putting on an amazing one man show would also have been great to see live.

Leighton:
Either Wrestlemania X7 (the culmination of the peak years of wrestling in the late 90s/early 00's) or ECW Barely Legal 97, or One Night Stand mk I. That's three isn't it? If I could have had great seats I'd give the nod to X7 because I truly believe it's the best PPV of all time, but if I'd have been stuck in the nosebleeds at the Houston Astrodome I'd probably choose the more intimate Barely Legal for the emotion, atmosphere, and sense of occasion. Oh, and the wrestling wasn't bad either.

Kirsty:
I can't decide between WrestleMania 12 and 13. I'd have given anything to be there to see those legendary Bret Hart matches go down - the Iron Man against Shawn Michaels and the brutal clash against Steve Austin. Both absolutely amazing matches.

Simon:
Wrestlemania 3. Those carts. That slam. The midget getting squashed by Bundy. Alice Cooper. The snake. The birth of Brutus as barber. Piper's "retirement". So many golden memories - all of that AND The Killer Bees...