Alright, I have re-opened the Mailbag section with the help of two individuals, Kayfabe and Grandpa. Hopefully, it will work out better this time, as the above individuals will handle the great BULK of the emails.

Here are the steps to take if you like your question answered in the Mailbag section:

1. Please check to see that your question(s) have not been answered on any other sections of the page. Take great note of the FAQ Part I and FAQ Part II as well as the mailbag archives at the bottom of the page. .
2. Send a legibly written question or comment to mailbag@rajah.com. Please limit yourself to only one question per person per email. This allows us to update the mailbag more frequently.
3. ALL email sent there may potentially be included in the Mailbag. If you do not want your response posted, do NOT send it there!
4. If a name is included, I will post it along with the email. If you do not want your name published, do NOT write it!
5. Remember, it is impossible that every email I receive get posted on this page. Only the best and most popular questions/comments will likely make it on.
6. Also remember, that questions will be answered by either Kayfabe or Rajah, so any personal remarks should be addressed accordingly. The following color scheme will be used:

Rajah - GREEN
Kayfabe - YELLOW
MTR - PURPLE

From: Martin H.

Did Mick Foley ever win the WWF Hardcore Title? If so, how many reigns did he have, and did he compete in hardcore matches when he first came to the WWF? Thank you. - Martin H.

Mick Foley was the very first hardcore champion of the WWF. Here is a brief(if I can make it that way) version of how he became the first champion. Well Mick who was Mankind at the time kept sucking up to Vince and Mr. Socko had been born and what not. Stone Cold had been beat for the WWF title by Undertaker and Kane who pinnned him at the same time. A month later he officiated a match between the two for the vacant title and the ending saw him take out both men and declare himself the winner. He was fired but Shane rehired him. This set up a tournament for the vacant title at Survivor Series. Well Vince was looking for a Corporate champion. He was doing his best to make sure Stone Cold and the Rock did not win the tournament. He appeared to be grooming Mankind for the position. Mankind got to wrestle Duane Gill(later known as Gillberg in the first round) and was also given the present of the hardcore title before Survivor Series. Vince said it was a present showing how hardcore he was and that he was a champion or something along those lines. Well Mankind made it to the finals of the tournament with some help from Vince and Shane(who turned on Stone Cold) but was screwed over by the Rock who became the Corporate Champion. Shortly there after he lost the hardcore belt to the Big Boss Man and he never won it back. Hell I don't think he ever wrestled for it again because a couple months later he won the WWF title for the first time. Now all of this was back in 1999. That is when the hardcore title was brought into the WWF. So he really did not wrestle hardcore matches as seen now but he did do stuff like the Boiler Room Brawls. So there was a brief look at the Foley becoming the first hardcore champion.

From: Mary

Hey guys, my question concerns my all-time favorite wrestler, Test. When is he ever going to have his time to shine with all the talent he has? I mean, I know he's a relatively new guy and is rather inexperienced, but there's no denying his raw talent. True, he's held the hardcore title and european title, but how is Jeff Hardy (who I also think is great) going to win the intercontinental title from Triple H (one of the best there will ever be) when the WWF won't even let Test beat Triple H in a non-title match even once! It just seems like everytime Test starts getting a slight push, he's pushed right back down. I've never heard of him causing any real problems backstage, so what could be the reasoning behind this? It's always being said that backstage officials (Shane, and JR included) are very high on Test's potential, and that he will become a main eventer. And now with rumors of him going to WCW with Shane (even though I really think it's just a tease and he won't be one of the ones sent over on a permanent basis), what are your thoughts on his situation? Thanks alot, and keep up the awesome work.

I like Test. I do but he has problems. He has been in the WWF how long and he still stumbles on the mic and he still really does not get a great reaction on a regular basis even when he was dating Stephanie and involved in some high profile matches. He also still needs some work in the ring. When it came to selling that rib injury a while back he totally sucked. He would do a move and not hurt and then grab his ribs when he should have had trouble doing the move and maybe not even do it due to the ribs. I think he will get his push eventually just because he is well liked and does have talent and Shane is big on him but I still think he needs a lot of work. As seen on Raw he is staying with the WWF for now and not joining WCW but you never know.

From: Katdancc

Hey guys...love the site....absolutely first rate!! I have two questions about Hawk of the LOD: first, I have been a fan of these guys forever, and in the mid 80s I could swear that there were two different guys playing Hawk; they had different voices on Tv and different colored eyes (i'm not making this up, i swear!). My second question is that I heard the current Hawk had some major kidney or liver problems and nearly died in Japan, which is why only Animal came back into WCW at Sin.....any ideas here?

There was never two Hawks. I am not sure what you were seeing when you said you saw them with two different eye colors. I am not saying you are a liar or anything but there has only been one Hawk. Hawk is still alive by the way. I am not sure where you heard the rumor about Japan but is not true. He is still alive and well and I think still does some shows with Animal in the indies from time to time but his wrestling days are pretty much past him which is why Droz replaced him in the LOD in the first place. He has some health problems to go along with his age but he is still around. I am sure Animal went to WCW because he was offered the job and did not want to turn down good money.

From: Locdog07

Hi guys. I keep hearing about a televised, obviously worked, incident where JR turned "heel" and beat up Michael Cole. I didn't catch this myself, and I was just wondering what the circumstances were, why it happened, etc... It just seems like such an odd idea. Thanks

Actually this sounds real interesting but I have not idea what it is about. I have never heard about this incident if it happened. I would have to say I need help and if any readers out there know anything please write and let me know.

From: Jason
Hey I haven't seen WWF in the longest time until Smackdown! tonite (7/5). My question is...what the hell is going on? I'm seeing the WCW here on Smackdown! and the WWF. Sorry that I am way out dated, but maybe there are a lotta people out there in my boat that have no clue what the deal is here. Thanks.

Geez. Have you been under a rock? Just kidding. Where to begin? Okay here is a very brief catch up for you. AOL/Time Warner merged and it was decided to drop dead weight and well WCW was losing money like there was no tomorrow so they sold it. Eric Bischoff and a group was the leading candidates to buy but it was decided that no more WCW on tv on TNT or TBS and that killed the deal. Vince McMahon bought WCW. Now storyline-wise Shane bought WCW out from under Vince's nose. They did a lot of little run-ins and stuff for a month or more before the full invasion took place and Linda told Vince he had to allow WCW matches on WWF tv since he was preventing Shane from getting a tv deal. The truth of the matter is that TNN was only willing to give Vince a crappy late night Saturday time slot which as of now may have changed though. And of this writing ECW was thrown into the mix with Stephanie being the new owner.

From: Cgreat152
I JUST GOT SOME REALLY GOOD SEATS FOR ARROWHEAD POND OF ANAHEIM ON 8/6/01, AND I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU KNEW IF THE ROCK WILL BE BACK BY THEN OR POSSIBLY MAKE HIS RETURN THAT NIGHT.

Did you know that it is considered rude to type in all caps? Just thought I would point that out. In short I would say that yes the Rock will be there considering he just showed up on the 7/30 Raw.

From: Sentri10
In WCW, Chris Jericho's Liontamer used to be more of a half Boston Crab with one leg behind his opponent's back. Since coming to the WWF, it is now almost exclusively a Boston Crab. Why the change when the first version looked a lot more impressive?

I would have to disagree with you on this matter. He is not doing a Boston Crab now. He may not always put his knee in their back but the Walls of Jericho is not a Boston Crab now. If you want to see a great Boston Crab then watch an old tape of Rick Martel during his "The Model" days in the 90's. He did a great Boston Crab and it looks nothing like the Walls of Jericho. I am sure that Bracket Tazz from the forum here can back me up on this because of his great knowledge on wrestling moves.

From: Essa Rios Fan #986547525
Hey Rajah, Kayfabe and Other Person, Quick Question and Comment: After reading the last chapter in Foley is Good, I have come to a conclusion: PTC sucks! Now to the point: Did the WWF have to pay Marvel Comics for the use of the name X-Factor? Marvel had a comic by that name that went close to 200 issues. I know they paid for the use of Hulk and changed rhino to Rhyno to avoid the problem, but this I am unclear. Can you help me?

The Other Person? What am I? Chopped liver? I almost didn't answer this one but well I am a forgiving guy. I would like to say that I agree with your assessment of the PTC. I wish Foley would have just written a whole other book on the matter. Okay as far as the X-Factor thing goes though, I have not seen or heard of them have to pay anything to Marvel but that does not mean they are not paying them. You are right about Marvel technically owning the rights to that name. I have a few issues of that comic by the way. I would say that a deal was made or maybe Marvel just does not care. Any way it goes I am sure that there are no major legal issues involving the name.

From: John
just found your site...any news on Hulk Hogan...Im pretty sure VinnnyMac wont buck up for him

Glad you found us. Kick off your shoes and stay a while. Last I heard about Hogan he is working starting his own promotion but it was put on the back burner for now for various reasons. At one point Vince would have brought him back to end his career in the WWF but I am like you I don't think he will pay that kind of money for him.

From: Eddie Q.
First of all I want to say something to all the rajah.com viewers, in the polls that you guys have {the last one being the lightweight division tournament} Mostly all the WWF wrestlers win. And thats because everyone barely gets to see what Billy kidman or other WCW stars get to do. WCW has or had the Best Lightweight division and in my opinion, NO, I Know that Rey mesterio jr. is the best Cruiserweight or Lightweight out there today. If anybody dissagrees {which will probably be someone who doesn't even knows who he is or barely watched WCW} please email me with ur opinion at EddieQ169@aol.com.

The main reason that WWF wrestlers win all of the polls here is because mostly WWF fans visit the site and most of them never watched WCW like you said. They also tend to just end up being big time popularity contests which takes away from them. I would have to agree with you about WCW's cruiserweights before WWF bought WCW. The WWF has had a great division as well just never used that way. Most of the smaller guys wrestled in great tag teams. I think now though we will get to see a lot more of the smaller guys and see some great matches involving Kidman, Chavo, Helms, X-Pac, Scotty 2 Hotty, the Hardys, etc. I due hope that they do sign Mysterio Jr. down the road though. He is probably the best small guy in the business. And by the way Kidman did make it to the semi's at least last I checked on that fantasy tournament. Not to bad really.

From: Peter
Dear whomerever, I recently got 2 tickets to WXW in hazelton P,A one of the stars on the card was the road dogg.I just wanted to tell you.

Thanks for the info. I am sure there some people out there interested to know.

From: RaVEn245680
When the hell are we gonna see WWF vs. WWF again? Do we always have to have WWF vs. WCW or WWF vs. ECW? For once I'd like to see WWF titles put on the line against WWF superstars. Now I know the InVasion angle is going on, but can't we sneak a few WWF matches in or even WCW titles put on the line against WCW superstars. The InVasion thing get's boring after a month.

I would not say things are getting boring yet but I doubt you will see any WWF vs. WWF matches or WCW vs. WCW matches until WCW/ECW separates off and gets their own show. Which may be sooner than we think.

From: Ryan
Will HHH and the Rock team forces when they both get back?

They will probably both be the top babyfaces, but I don't know that they'll become a full fledged team. Of course since you wrote this, a lot has changed with the addition of ECW to the Invasion angle.

From: thebigorangemachine
Rajah, when I heard that Jeff Hardy was to defend his light heavyweight title at KOTR I started thinking and I cant remember the last time the title was defended at a PPV. Can you help me?

Off the top of my head, I would say it was back at Backlash 2000 when Dean Malenko bested Scotty Too Hotty in a spectacular match.

From: The Game Shep
Rajah, Kayfabe, MTR, Hello guys, site is tops but let's get the question out. I was just wondering something about Jeff Jarrett. Where did his whole idea of the guitar originate from? What was it, a complete random by himself or scriptwriters? Put me out of my misery, let me know.

He started the "World's Greatest Singer, Wrestler, and Entertainer" gimmick in the WWF back in 1993, so it always fit his character to have a guitar with him (although he didn't always bring one to the ring in the early days). The old "trusty-guitar-as-a-weapon" is an old staple in wrestling. The Honky Tonk Man did that occasionally in the 1980's, but I'm sure it was used in other territories before that. Vince Russo is probably the guy that resurrected it for Jarrett in the WWF in 1998, then continued with it in WCW in 1999 and 2000.

From: Jeremy
Note here is another WWF Memory Lapse. When Benoit and Jericho made Austin tap using the crossface/walls of Jericho both, Hebner said there can be only one champion YET Jericho and Chyna were co-holders of the IC Belt. In my opinion they should have won and had a match to decide who is the real champ on Raw.

Well, the Title match between Jericho and Benoit wouldn't have happened since Austin was booked to win, but since Austin was going to retain, I agree that they shouldn't have used that spot. It was very anti-climactic, and it made no sense that Austin was allowed to continue in the match despite tapping out. A similar situation happened in 1998 where the Undertaker and Kane both pinned him in a triple threat match, and the Title was held up for a match between Taker and Kane. Austin was eliminated from the picture since he had been beaten.

From: King John
Great Site! OK, I was watching the 1991 Royal Rumble last night and I was a referee on the outside of the ring during the Royal Rumble Match that resemble Shane McMahon. Can you tell me if this was Shane McMahon or not?

Yep, that was him. Shane was used as a secondary referee at a lot of PPV's from 1990-1992.

From: Mina
I have a question... what happened to Steven Richards? Isn't he part of RTC anymore?? I generally check your site once per day and I guess I missed the news/rumors posting about him.

You have a high quality site, it is the only website I visit every day (work permitting), keep up the good work!

The RTC kind of disintegrated without any real on screen explanation. A breakup was teased, but never fully played out. So they took them off TV for awhile, and now Steven is back with a similar gimmick, just by himself. Personally, I think they should keep Ivory with him.

From: Jonathan
In the last mailbag there was a question asking if Kane was ever in an official Hell in the Cell Match. You (whoever you may be)said that he was in one with Mankind on RAW in the summer of '98. You were pretty much right, but I have an addition: On the tape of SummerSlam '98, it states that Kane had been in a gruesome Hell in the Cell match with Mankind earlier that week. I just thought I'd send this in to both confirm your answer and add to it (which week of the summer of '98 it took place in). It's fine if you don't know, but I was just wondering if you (whoever you may be) or any of the other mailbag readers knew who won that match. I'm putting up a detailed section about the history of Hell in the Cell matches on my pro wrestling website, The Rock Bottom, which I may I honestly say is worth a quick, if not long look (it's got tons of info, media, news, games, history, tons of very unique, but very interesting sections, etc.), and I'd just like to know. Thanks!

You can read a report of that entire Raw episode here for more details. I'm pretty sure it was a screwy finish with no clear cut winner.

From: DaMan9721
Hey, Kayfabe said that Kane might've wrestled in an offical Hell In A Cell match during the summerof '98. Has everybody already forgotten about Armageddon 2000?

Yep, apparently everyone including yourself has forgotten, because you seem to be implying that Kane was in the main event that night when he actually did a job to Jericho on the undercard.

From: Beergod006
can you please all 9 king of tthe ring champions. I can't remember 3 or 4 of them. Thank

1993- Bret Hart defeats Razor Ramon,, Mr. Perfect, and Bam Bam Bigelow in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1994- Owen Hart defeats Tatanka, The 1-2-3 Kid, and Razor Ramon in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1995- Mabel defeats The Undertaker and Savio Vega in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1996- Steve Austin defeats Marc Mero and Jake Roberts in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1997- Triple H defeats Ahmed Johnson and Mankind in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1998- Ken Shamrock defeats Jeff Jarrett and The Rock in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
1999- Billy Gunn defeats Ken Shamrock, Kane, and X-Pac in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
2000- Kurt Angle defeats Chris Jericho, Crash, and Rikishi in one night to win the King Of The Ring.
2001- Edge defeats Rhyno and Kurt Angle in one night to win the King Of The Ring.

From: Math
Alright Rajah, great site! I was wondering if you could answer this question

Has Disney had anything to do with WCW? A guy I know reckons Disney had something to do with WCW production in the mid 90's but I don't believe that Disney would get involved in Pro wrestling. If I'm wrong, could you tell me how much involvement Disney had? Did they just get involved in production or did they have some say in the Storylines?

Thanks for your help

I think you seem to be confusing what are referred to as "The Disney Tapings" as actually having something to do with the on screen product of WCW. In the early 90's, WCW taped about four months of television all at once at a Disney location (with a Disney audience as a result), but Disney executives were never affiliated with WCW and never contributed to their product.

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