Tossing Salt Presents: Wrestling Fact or Fiction
May 7, 2017

It’s nearly 3:00am and nobody else is awake. Even my cat, Goldy, is asleep. This is definitely my favorite time of the night, when I can relax, enjoy the quiet and actually get things done. It’s really, really nice. And what I’m wanting to get done now is a new edition of “Wrestling Fact or Fiction”. As per usual, the questions come from my friends over at 411mania.com. The answers and views expressed in each answer, that’s all me. Let’s just jump right to it and do it.

1. Braun Strowman is the breakout star of the Wyatt family.

FACT: I almost said “Fiction” because the star of the Wyatt Family is and has always been Bray Wyatt, as it should be. Luke Harper had a taste of success with a few weeks as the Intercontinental Champion, but for whatever reason, any push he was getting has been forgotten about and pushed back by the WWE powers-that-be and the so-called creative teams. Erick Rowan can’t stay healthy long enough to get any kind of push. And that leaves Braun, who has really some so far in such a short period of time and is being pushed to the moon as the resident “monster” for the WWE. He’s so big and getting over so well, it’s almost scary. The other members of the family, save Bray, have been forgotten. Braun is the man.

2. Billy Corgan buying the NWA is a positive for the wrestling business.

FACT: I realize that all Corgan has bought is essentially the name and the title belt and nothing else and he’s going to need far more going on to truly have any kind of impact with this purchase. But if anyone can do it, Corgan may be the one. He has money, he has contacts in the entertainment industry that can be used to help secure a television deal, and he’s smart enough to have a good crew on hand who actually know wrestling and can help him make the right decisions. Corgan is first and foremost a fan of old school wrestling and I think he can be trusted to use the legacy of the NWA and the name in a wise fashion that shows honor and respect for what the NWA was and stood for. Corgan may or may not be the man who can make the NWA great again, but he’s probably the best option we’ve had in a long, long time.

3. WWE holding off Shinsuke Nakamura’s main roster in ring debut for the Backlash PPV is a smart move.

FACT: Why not. Shinsuke is a rare and unique talent and better to allow some anticipation and curiousity to build rather than just throwing him out there and killing his character and gimmick with overexposure. Despite what some may believe, not everyone watches NXT so there is still some mystery to Shinsuke. Build the interest by making the fans wait. Less is more in this situation and WWE is, for a change, doing it exactly right.

4. Jinder Mahal will defeat Randy Orton at Backlash to win the WWE Title.

FICTION: I think there will be one helluva match and it will be very, very close. I’m talking far closer than anyone has yet anticipated. I’m hoping that this will be the modern version of Flair versus Sting at the Clash and that even in losing the match, Jinder gets some great reviews and the push to be a top name, much like Sting ended up doing. One can only hope.

5. Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton is the worst feud of 2017 so far.

FACT: It was going so well, but then that whole “burning down the house” thing happened and it just seems that every big of energy and excitement that this feud had going for it burned up in the fire and ended up fizzling out. The “House of Horrors” match was terrible and the whole confusion about does Bray get a rematch for his WWE title or was that the rematch, where the challenger pinned the WWE Champion, but didn’t get the belt and probably won’t get a title show for his efforts either. It just doesn’t make sense on so many levels anymore and after starting off so well, that is really not good at all.

6. Now that his ROH contract has expired, Adam Cole will sign with the WWE.

FACT: Cole had it made at ROH and was the man, the big fish, the head dog, the leader of the pack, etc. Why would he let the contract expire and give it all up unless he had bigger plans and a better deal in mind. That leaves only WWE since Impact is falling apart (fu*k that owl!) and I’ve never heard Japan or overseas mentioned. If he doesn’t go to WWE / NXT, he’s an idiot. And I know he’s not so… ‘Nuff said!

And that’s all for now. Thank you for reading. Thoughts and comments are welcome. And now, I’m going to bed. Have a great one.

Ubuntu!