Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestling Fact or Fiction
May 20, 2017

Welcome to another edition of your favorite weekly wrestling column. Well, maybe not, but it’s one of mine. It’s that “Fact or Fiction” thing where I take a look at six, sometimes more, comments, provided by my long-time close, personal friends that I’ve never met, over at http://www.411mania.com. I look, I think and then I either agree or disagree, using “Fact” or “Fiction” as my reply and then explaning why. It’s even more fun than a midget playing volley ball. It’s true. So with the explanation of what this is out of the way, let’s make like Linda Lovelace and Rover and just do it.
1. Jinder Mahal should win the WWE Championship at Backlash?

FACT: I don’t think it will happen and I even commented in my prediction column for Backlash that the thought of Jinder as the WWE Champion doesn’t do a thing for me personally. But looking at it from a business point of view, it would be good for the WWE. It would show that, just like in days of old, that anything can happen in the WWE. It would be a great selling point with the WWE as they try to move into the market for India with the WWE Network and it would be a fresh face at the top of the card. Jinder isn’t all that to me and not the man I personally would pick to be the next champion, but let’s be honest. Randy’s current reign as the champ isn’t setting the world on fire either so can Jinder be any worse? I think Randy will retain the belt and remain champion, but if Jinder does surprise me and win, that’ll be okay too.

2. What is your current level of excitement for Saturday’s NXT Takeover event?

Maybe a five on a scale of one to ten. The matches are solid and I always enjoy watching Asuka and Bobby Roode perform, but I’m admittingly not a big NXT guy. I’ll watch and probably, as the show goes on, get caught up in the action. That’s the way it usually works, but my excitement for the event just hasn’t really started picking up all that much yet.

3. At Extreme Rules, Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe vs. Finn Balor vs. Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns will take place, with the winner receiving a Universal Title shot against Brock Lesnar. Samoa Joe should win this match and get the title shot.

FACT: I would love to see Samoa Joe against Brock. Or Bray Wyatt against Brock. Or Finn Balor against Brock. Any of those three would be from very good to great in my opinion and Joe is definitely my second favorite, right after Bray for this match. What I don’t want to see is Seth or Roman against Brock. There’s a been there / done that feeling about those matches and I just don’t really give a damn about seeing them again. But Joe, getting a chance to cut loose and be the bad ass that kills bitches dead that we used to see in TNA and NXT? Against Brock? That would be incredibly fun to watch and see.

4. There will be at least two title changes at NXT Takeover: Chicago.

FICTION: Of the five matches advertised, the only one where I expect to see a title switch happen is the match for the UK Championship. I think that Roode, Asuka and the AOP all have a pretty secure hold on their belts and will retain their titles. But that UK Championship, a new title and new wrestlers that the fans are not familiar with, a title switch would be a good way to generate interest and publicity for the title and the UK Division.

5. What is your current level of excitement for Sunday’s WWE Backlash event?

Currently it’s running about maybe a 7 out of 10. I’m curious to see how Breezango and Jinder will do in their matches as the top challengers for the Tag Team and WWE titles and also interested in seeing how long it will take Charlotte to turn on her team mates. I think that Dolph versus Shinsuke will be off the charts and the match with AJ Styles versus Kevin Owens will try to steal the show. My excitement level is definitely far more for this than the NXT event the night before. Both shows will be solid and full of good action and matches, but I definitely think that Backlash will be the stronger of the two.

6. Superstar Billy Graham recently stated that Triple H will face and put over Finn Balor at Summerslam; you have no desire to see this match.

FACT: If there’s a logical reason and purpose to having HHH come back to the ring and facing Balor, then it’s all well and good, but having this match just for the sake of having this match doesn’t make any sense and shouldn’t happen. HHH should only be getting into the ring at this point as a last resort and the final piece of a plan, when all else has failed. With Samoa Joe around to currently act as HHH and Steph’s hitman, there is no reason for Hunter to put on the tights, especially against Balor. If they want to do this match, give us a reason why. Otherwise, don’t waste our time, please.

And I guess that’s all for now. Thank you for reading. Questions and comments are welcome. Time now to go watch some Netflix and finish up Season 1 of “Once Upon A Time”. Have a great one and I’ll talk at you later.

Ubuntu!