At some point in your life someone you know, be it teachers or friends or other intellectuals have asked you the following question - "if you could have a dinner party with any three people alive or dead, who you invite?"
The WWE has attempted to answer their own similar question with the new WWE Network series, Table for 3. The concept is simple, and quite elegant by design. Three superstars gather around a table and discuss moments throughout their career or the industry in general, basically just have a good time in an intimate setting while we watch. What makes it even better is that even if the superstars and divas are discussing a specific moment, the series (as of yet) doesn't show any classic footage. The fans can decide if they want to seek out these classic moments on the network.
Clearly, in the PG era, the WWE is going to err on the side of caution and not allow Table for Three to be the kind of bombastic discussion show that it could be. But fans can dream, can't they? All kinds of wondrous combinations of threesomes can and should be paired up to give die-hard fans their valuable insights inside the business. So grab some grub and pull up a chair under the learning tree and enjoy the below fifteen pitches for Table for Three guests.
15 15. Kevin Dunn – Jim Johnston – Kerwin Silfies
The Chairman’s right hand, the man behind the entrance themes, and the man behind the camera, and yet seldom do any of them share their thoughts on the business. Dinner time seems to be the right time for three of WWE’s most tenured employees. Dunn, Johnston, and Silfies have all been with the company since the mid–eighties and considering how little they have been on camera this dinner date would be one of the more intriguing episodes as this trio shares their knowledge and experiences on everything from the first WrestleMania to their feelings on some of the more outlandish ideas of the company – XFL anyone?
14 14. Ric Flair – Arn Anderson – Tully Blanchard
Three out of the four original Four Horsemen are not coincidentally three of the greatest wrestlers ever. We all know how batcrap crazy Naitch can be, but pair him up with former running mates and we'll get to hear the experiences of the early days of the Horsemen, how the group feels about some of the other Horseman alumni. But the real treat for this episode would be to hear from Arn and Tully who seldom have interviews on the network, as well as the hypothetical booking situation of what if Ric, Arn, Tully, and Barry Windham were all in the WWE at the same time.
13 13. Kane – Mark Henry – Big Show
Its monster mashed potatoes served up with a side of hellfire and brimstone when three of the longest tenured performers and three of the best big men in the business. Big Show, Kane, and Mark Henry are all far more entertaining in backstage type interviews like this show, so this would be a pretty hilarious half hour as the trio discusses how they feel about the fans of the Attitude Era and now, as well as what should be some interesting road stories. Fans who have always wondered how these giants use a restroom on an airplane can finally found out the full details.
12 12. Goldust – Stardust – Eden
The Dream lives on in the 'Dust Brothers and Cody's wife, announcer Eden. In what should be the most emotional Table for Three episode yet, the remaining wrestling members of the Rhodes family will dine on their favorite stories of their father and father-in-law, as well as a unique take on two brothers, a generation apart both growing up in the industry. And of course, we'll hear about the beginnings of Goldust and how and why Cody decided to don the cosmic paint of Stardust and how they feel about the global influence of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes.
11 11. Bayley – Sasha Banks – Charlotte
The last three NXT champions and three of the four horsemen who are currently altering the perceptions of what a Diva can be have a dinner chat about their hopes and dreams for women’s wrestling and where it can and should go. Bayley and Sasha can spill the beans on what it meant to be the main event at the last Takeover special. Charlotte hopefully has a lot of good “growing up Flair” stories. From their beginnings in FCW all the way to their current success, there’s no telling how far these three careers will go, so it’s only fitting that there’s no telling which direction this dinner will go.
10 10. Rob Van Dam – Tommy Dreamer – Mick Foley
Most wrestling fans generally look back in fondness at ECW, so why not spend some time with three of the biggest extreme legends ever, not to mention three of the most entertaining on the mic? Foley, RVD, and Tommy Dreamer could discuss how they broke into the business, as well as how their time in ECW changed their destinies forever. Dreamer and RVD could also talk about the night they debuted in WWE where for one night only, they turned the invasion angle on its ear (no pun intended to Foley). Foley has bled all over the world and now we can hear more about his time in the land of extreme.
9 9. Bret the Hitman Hart – Jim the Anvil Neidhart – Natalya Neidhart
If you don't have any interest in tales from Dungeon from three different viewpoints, then you're just not a wrestling fan. Even though the Anvil was interviewed for the Hart and Soul DVD, this would be a rare inside look at how he came up in the business and his own personal stories of Stu. Nattie could speak to what it was like to have a world famous uncle like Bret, and the influence of growing up as a Hart. The Hart family has been through and has seen so much over the years. The stories these three could share would make for a priceless episode.
8 8. The Hardys – The Dudleys – Edge and Christian
In the first ever special Table for Six episode, the three tag teams that set the bar so high during the Attitude Era that no set of tag teams have come close to reaching that bar since have a sit down to discuss their place in the industry and the history of tag team wrestling in history. The trio of teams will share their thoughts on the state of tag team wrestling, the real life troubles and triumphs of each man, and where they want to see tag team wrestling go in the next few years. Of course, no interview with the innovators of TLC matches would be complete without them all dissecting their thoughts going into those epic matches.
7 7. Kevin Nash – Sean Waltman – Scott Hall
Scott Hall's legacy in the business could be centered around one singular moment - "you know who I am but you don't know why I'm here." Twelve words was all it took to set the industry on fire and spark WCW to ratings wins for 82 weeks. He might have debuted alone, but shortly after, Kevin Nash and Syxx would follow. Now the original Wolfpac can dish about their thoughts on the nWo, as well as Waltman's place as the Attitude Era's answer to Buddy Roberts. The three members of the Kliq could also discuss what it was like watching their boys on the other show, especially after Waltman left and alongside HHH and the Outlaws, invaded WCW, coming to the Norfolk Scope.
6 6. Finn Balor – Sheamus – Becky Lynch
A Demon, a Celtic Warrior, and a Lass Kicker all walk into a restaurant. There have been a few Irish born stars over the years, but none have been as popular as these three. These three could kick back and have a pint while they give American fans a brief history of Irish wrestling companies and the reasons Balor and Sheamus never met in the ring. Meanwhile Becky Lynch can speak to training with Balor and her rise to the top, along with her reasons for briefly stepping back from the ring to be a flight attendant. The trio also have a different take on life on the road, as they are all far away from home and the WWE seldom heads to the Emerald Isle.
5 5. Roman Reigns – Jimmy and Jay Uso
Sons and daughters of superstars who get into the ring probably feel a lot of pressure and the need to surpass their parents' accomplishments in the ring. But now imagine the ton of pressure to perform when your entire family and extended family are considered legends in the industry?! Roman Reigns and the Usos literally have a lifetime of stories to tell as the sons of Sika and Rikishi respectively. The dedication to be the best fuels the Usos and Reigns can share their thoughts on rebuilding the abysmal tag team division and Roman deals with the rocket being strapped to his back.
4 4. Shawn Michaels – Undertaker – Triple H
We've already said goodbye to HBK, and we are approaching the twilight of the Deadman's Hall of Fame run. Triple H has settled and excelled in his new role - just look at the greatness of NXT! Now, three men who combined have given us enough memories to last a lifetime can have a no holds barred discussed about how Taker felt about the Kliq, and Shawn during his more nefarious days. The founding members of DX both have high regards for the American Bad Ass and here would be a great chance to pay homage to the man. Three legends, over 40 years combined experiences, any true fan and student of the business better not miss this one.
3 3. John Cena – The Rock – Stone Cold Steve Austin
The three biggest stars ever each have a very different rapport and level of respect with the fans and each other. For the first time ever these three icons go head-to-head-to-head in what would be a classic episode. John Cena, the Rock, and Stone Cold will discuss their singular rises to the top and how they felt about watching each other's rise to the top and how they have all withstood the rest of time. What separates these three from the rest of their respective pacts? Perhaps we'll find out during this dinner table discussion.
2 2. Jim Ross – Michael Cole – Jerry Lawler
Where would the WWE be without its three most distinct voices ever? After Gorilla Monsoon, Jess Ventura, and Bobby Heenan retired or left for WCW, Vince McMahon tried to keep pace at the announce table by himself and Randy Savage but that clearly wasn't working so he once again called on Good Ol' J.R. to be the lead voice on Monday nights. And when paired with the King, the two became one of the best teams ever. Lawler has the distinction of also working with Michael Cole, and seeing as how three have seen every major moment of WWE programming since 1993, there's no telling which way the discussion would go.
1 1. Vince McMahon – Eric Bischoff – Paul Heyman
The no-brainer for our number one would be the be all and end all of all epic discussions. The three most influential men in the history of business will sit down for a raucous caucus to dissect the biggest boom period in any sport, let alone wrestling. These three have never been together for an interview before and there is no better place to do it then a place where forks and knives are present, because these three have wanted at each other in the worst way. Fans would most want to see Heyman and Bischoff just go at it, as Bischoff could finally either confirm or deny to Paul E’s face whether or not Easy E stole ECW ideas or not.