Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestling Q&A
June 9, 2017

It’s nearly 4:00am and I can’t sleep. I tried, but after tossing and turning for a while, I decided to get up and get things done. So clothes in the dryer, more clothes in the washer and I just finished an “Opposing Views” piece. And now, it’s time to turn to the greatest sport in the world, aside from Naked Twister, professional wrestling. Are you ready to do some Q&A? The questions come from the pages of Facebook. The answers are from me. Let’s do this…

Ric wants to know, “Better frog splash? Eddie or RVD?”

What? No love for Hornswoggle and the “Tadpole splash?” What about Snuka and the “Superfly Splash”? Both Eddie and RVW were masters of this ariel move, but RVD is probably the best ever at making it work and look great in the process.

Chris says, “Flair and Valentine made a terrific tag team and also had a fantastic feud at the start of the 1980s. What are some of the best memories from their rivalry??”

How about Flair welcoming Valentine back to the Mid-Atlantic region, with Valentine wanting to know why Flair had changed, and Flair telling Valentine that he’s “looking good” and can stay that way if he stays out of Flair’s way. And then, later on, Valentine breaking Flair’s nose with Gene Anderson’s cane. These two were great together, either as a team or as opponents. I would have loved to see their battles live, but never had that chance and only got to see them wrestle occasionally on TV back then. A feud for the ages to be sure.

Rusty asks, “Who would win the tag team match? Freebirds vs The Varsity Club (Mike Rotundo, Rick Steiner)?”

This would actually have been a great match to see, with Kevin Sullivan accompanying Rotundo and Steiner to even the numbers. Varsity Club were better wrestlers, but the Freebirds were the better team. It would have been awesome to watch and probably one helluva brawl, but I think the Freebirds would come out on top.

Rohit asks, “Any superstars/wrestlers who fails to make you interested in them, despite others singing praises? And why?”

I just don’t get any of the SHIELD guys. They’re good in the ring and I can’t really explain why, but they just bore me… all of them. I don’t see the appeal of Baron Corbin all that much either. Again, I can’t explain exactly why, but I don’t see the “it” there.

Corey wants to know, “Who’d win in a legitimate fight? Cornette or Russo?”

Always bet on JIm Cornette. He survived in the wrestling business, as a character, personality and booker for over 30 years now and while I don’t think he could take on Meng for example, I’m sure he knows how to handle himself if necessary. And Russo? That “bro” needs a good ass-whooping.

Scotty asks “Better spinebuster… Arn Anderson? Or Faarooq/Ron Simmons? Or Batista?”

What about Triple H? It’s a regular move from his arsenal as well. But bottom line is, nobody does it better than “Double A”, Arn Anderson… Period!

Gary asks, “For $20,000…Would you take 15 suplexes from Brock Lesnar?”

Damn skippy, I would. Show me the money!

Joey asks, “Best entrance in wrestling?”

Currently, I think Bobby Roode down in NXT is the top pick for this question. As he makes his way to the ring, it’s “Glorious!”. As far as all time, either Vader in Japan or the Undertaker.

Scotty again with, “Billie Kaye or Peyton Royce? Who will see the most success once they get their WWE call-up?”

Of the two, I see the most energy and potential in Billie Kaye. Both have strong and weak points to their game, but Billie just strikes me as the better performer and talker of the two. I think she’d adapt to the WWE style and matches easier and thus, have more success on the main roster.

Alex wants to know, “Where’s American Alpha? Also, do Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows just say “Fuck it” and go back to Japan by the end of the year?

About American Alpha, that’s a good story. They were moved to Smackdown, had a way too short run with the titles and haven’t been seen since on TV. What was the point of bringing them up to the main roster if they’re not going to be used. WWE is really dropping the ball on the tag team scene, especially on Smackdown, where they have, in my opinion, the best teams. Hopefully, once the Usos and New Day get their feud out of the way, someone will remember American Alpha is on the roster and use them better. As for Gallows and Anderson, I don’t know how long their contracts are for, but they haven’t really been used well either. I would think the money is better in WWE, plus they have AJ Styles and Finn Balor there too, but I could see, once their contracts expire, going back to Japan. They deserve much better than what they’re getting thus far. Someone is dropping the ball with the tag team scene in WWE and they need to get it back on track. So many great teams there and so much talent being wasted. Sad!

And finally from Rohit, “Was there any point where you just did not care about wrestling and happily moved on?”

I had some times where I’ve stepped away and other things, like work, drinking and sex, took precedence over wrestling, but I’ve never been gone for long. I’ve been a fan since I was a small child and now, over 40 years later, I’m still a fan. My interests and what I enjoy about the sport has changed somewhat as time has passed by and I look at it more now from a different perspective, as a writer / reporter, than a fan, but I still love and enjoy it. And it’s one of my favorite topics to discuss with folks as anyone who reads any of my writings can tell. So yes, I’ve had my moments and moved on, but I always come back.

And there you go. Any comments, thoughts, or questions, let me know. Thank you for reading. I’m going to try to go to bed now. Have a great night and I’ll catch you later.

Ubuntu!