Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Hogan, AEW, Starcade & More
October 13, 2019
DougMaynard.com

More questions from Jesse and Cheese. And more answers from me. Let’s do this…

Hulk Hogan wants “one more match”, preferably against Vince McMahon? Should WWE grant his request?

Vince is in his 70’s and should not be in the ring against anyone, period! Hogan shouldn’t either, but I can understand him wanting to do it one last time and put an exclamation point on his career with a final bout at Wrestlemania. So if he thinks he can do it, then WWE should let him do it. Have him work an opponent that will be safe and will protect him and use lots of smoke and mirrors, as they did with the Bret Hart versus Vince McMahon match a few years ago. Make it short, sweet and give Hulkamania a classic and fitting goodbye.

What are your thoughts on AEW thus far?

Russell and Brent have also asked me this question so this is for them as well as Cheese. AEW is not bad. It’s not great by any means and I prefer the production values of WWE. But that being said, I like the raw energy and chaos that is AEW. It’s cool to listen to Schiavone and Jim Ross working together although to be honest, they’re not what they used to be and I’m not sure who the lead is supposed to be and I don’t think they are either. Jericho is great, but that’s not a surpruse. And the in-ring action is okay, but it does seem at times that they go too long and need to work on the concept of television matches versus PPV and house show matches. All in all, I like AEW. They have a long ways to go, but they’re on the right track and can only get better as time goes on.

Who are five wrestlers that you think will join AEW once their current employee contracts expire?

Luke Harper is pretty much the only one I can think of for sure. Maybe Bubba Dudley when he gets tired of ROH ahd I also think Jay Lethal would be a good addition.

Thoughts on Chris Jericho’s new AEW faction, the Inner Circle?

Jericho, the formerly known as LAX team of Ortiz & Santana, Sammy Guevara and Jack Hagar, are a damn impressive team. You have youth, experience, singles performers and teg team champs, all together with one goal, protect Jericho and the AEW title. It’s an impressive unit of AEW talent and I can see nothing but bright days and lots of titles ahead for these people.

Thoughts on the MJF / Cody Rhodes relationship?

This reminds me of Sting and Lex Lugar back in WCW when Lex was managed by Jimmy Hart and ewas a heel, but was still teaming with Sting, his best friend and challenging (and eventually winning) the tag team titles. This says that Cody is a face and MJF is a heel, but they share a bond of friendship. I think it’s pretty cool and I’m interested in seeing where AEW goes with this.

Thoughts on the NWA’s new “NWA Powerrr” show on YouTube?

It was like stepping back in a time machine and being in the studios of Mid-Atlantic or Georgia Wrestling during the early 80’s. I liked the show and hearing Jim Cornette on commentary was really cool as well. If you get a chance to go to YouTube and watch this, do so. It’s creative, great action and really good stuff. Check it out.

Best TV studio match of all time?

It’s impossible to pick one match, but one that stays in my mind was Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling with Roddy Piper fighting Jack Brisco for the Mid-Atlantic Championship. I can’t remember who won or even who was the champion and who was the challenger, but it was all Brisco grabbing Piper in a headlock. Piper would escape and try to fight back and Brisco would snare him again in that side headlock. It was wrestling psychology 101 and way more entertaining than it had any right to be. It still stands out in my mind as one helluva fun and excellent match.

Which was the better Starcade Match? The Dog Collar in 83 between Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine or the “I Quit” match in 85 between Magnum TA and Tully Blanchard?

Both were incredible matches and are tuly epic in their own way, but I’ll give the very slight edge to Tully and Magnum and the “I Quit” match. Baby Doll got involved. Magnum showed his dark side and Tully, despite what he still claims to this day, was forced to give up and quit. Lots of blood, lots of build and a damn good match from start to finish.

And there you go. I’m through now and it’s time to go drink a shot or two. Thanks for reading. Any comments, thoughts or questions, drop me a line. Until the next time, stay cool and support your local Indy wrestling. Take care.

Ubuntu!