Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Eva Marie, Baron Von Raschke. Daniel Bryan & More
May 6, 2021
DougMaynard.com

It’s really too early to be awake, especially on a day off, but I have things to do. I need a vacation or at least maybe a beer. Let’s do the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A.

Thoughts on the return of Eva Marie to WWE?

She’s been back for a while and working out at the Performance Center, as well as hanging out backstage at television tapings and finally, WWE decided to bring her back to television. I really don’t have an opinion on her return. I’m sure she’s better in the ring than she was on her previous stint in WWE and she’s an interesting character. We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes and if she manages to surprise everyone, good for her. And if not, oh well.

If Vince McMahon was to call you and say, “Find me 5 future WWE Superstars Pal!”, who would you recommend?

I’d work the phone and my Facebook contacts, load up the car, and head to Stamford with a few friends such as TheFallen Artist, Derk Douglas (as a manager), the incomparable Sammy Love, the two toughest men on the NC Indy scene today, the Atlantic Coast Destruction Crew (AC/DC), which is Ethan Storm & Tazz Jackson, and “The Monster” Brad Branson. Maybe they’re not what one would expect when the words “WWE Superstar” come to mind, but they’re all cool dudes, good in that ring, have great minds for the business, and know how to entertain. And Sammy definitely is a future star with a big future. The rest are more established and would be considered veterans, but when it comes time to deliver, they always do.

There is a new documentary out about Baron Von Raschke? Thoughts?

The Baron is a great character from the silver era of pro wrestling and I’m very interested in seeing what this documentary has to offer. From an Olympian and solider to a goose-stepping Nazi, the career of the Baron has been full of different paths and opportunities and the master of the Claw made the most of all of them. I’m looking forward to seeing this documentary and hopefully, it will be enough to convince WWE to give the mat legend his rightful due and a much-deserved spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

What wrestlers would you like to see a documentary or film made about?

The Exotic Adrian Steet was the first name that came to mind when I saw this question. Big Swede Hanson is another legend from the silver era of Crockett that would make a great subject. And honestly, I’d love to see a movie or book made about the marriage/story of former AWA Women’s Champion Penny Banner and “The Dean Of Professional Wrestling”, Johnny Weaver. I think that would be fascinating to learn more about.

What do you think is next for Daniel Bryan now that he has been “exiled” from Smackdown?

New information has emerged that says that Bryan isn’t even under contract to WWE anymore and that he’s a legit free agent so I guess anything is possible for the former American Dragon if this is true. If he stays with WWE, I’d like to see him work down in NXT with some of the up-and-coming talent there and maybe work as a traveling scout for WWE, working Indy shows and places like New Japan while at the same time, scouting for new talent for WWE to take a look at. I don’t think AEW or Impact are options because, with Bryan’s style of performing, I think it’d be concussion city in just a short period of time. I think the future is bright for Bryan and he can pretty much pick and choose what happens next. We’ll just have to wait and see what that decision will be.

Who would be on your mid-card Mt. Rushmore?

This is for people who were never “top guys”, but definitely could be. I would say William “Steven” Regal, Dick Slater, Bill Eadie, aka The Masked Superstar, and Brad Armstrong.

What do you think of “contract signings”. Do they help or hurt promote the matches?

If used properly, sparingly, and actually serving a purpose, I don’t see anything wrong with them, but when they’re just used as filler and to hot-shot a match because the build has sucked, they’re a waste of time. Less is more and if the two (or more) wrestlers are going to be shown together signing a contract, it should be a big deal and be a special event. If it’s just to take up space and time, then it’s a waste and shouldn’t be done.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions you’d like to see answered, feel free and give me a shout. Have a great day and take care of yourself. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!