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By Mike Johnson on 2012-12-06 10:00:00
One of the great things that ESPN has done over the past few years was their “30 for 30” documentary series where they turn it over to talented, independent filmmakers to tell the great stories (sometimes off-beat) of the past three decades. I know that WWE keeps a tight reign on their material, and generally speaking, have done a nice job with the stories they’ve told. But could you envision them doing a similar series for the eventual network? I, for one, would like to see a documentary that just focuses on the epic Freebirds-Von Erichs feud, and I think other retellings of past angles or behind-the-scenes perspective would be a fantastic history lesson for new fans.

I absolutely love that idea and think that is exactly the style of series that would be most beneficial for the Network. If you sit down a number of talents who worked in that era plus names who know their history (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk), etc. and even go find fans and historians from that era, you have some really wonderfully incitement programming. So, let's hope we see series like that for AWA, Crockett, ECW, etc.

What is your pick for the best wrestling book of 2012?

Interesting question. The books I've enjoyed that were released over the last year were (in order) Bill Dundee, Heroes & Icons, and Booker T. I am actually a huge fan of the new WWE Encylopedia as well as I feel they've really improved from the original book and I am personally a fan of older photos and stories, so I really enjoyed thumbing through my copy when I received it this week.

I've noticed Rey Mysterio has been working with a shirt on since his return a few months ago, something he's never done previously in his career. Has he been asked to cover his tattoos?

I think it's something done to hide the fact that cosmetically, he's not in the shape that he used to be. He's getting older and has had a lot of injuries, so he just can't maintain his physique.

Whatever happened with Alex Shelley going to WWE? It was widely reported several months ago that he had signed with them, but as far as I can tell, he's been working pretty much exclusively for New Japan.

There was no truth to those reports. never reported it, because we were told it was a baseless rumor.

First came Aces & Eights. Now three men referred to as The Shield. Something similiar going on here or just one of those so called coincidences?

It's one of those amazing coincidences that happen in the world of entertainment, just like when there's a huge hit musical film, suddenly 30,000 similar films are green lit by other studios.