I can answer 5 and 7 for you.
5) Yes, and the reason it was changed is because Hogan was about to "retire" to go do more movies and such, and they didn't want to make Hogan look weak or put the belt on someone who wasn't going to be there.
7) For me, I REALLY thought with all my heart that Cactus Jack at Rumble 02 was a sure thing title win.