Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Jericho vs Malenko, AJ Lee, Konnan & More
October 10, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Are you ready to talk about the KIng of Sports? It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s get busy and do this.

In early 1998, a feud between the boisterous Chris Jericho and the no-nonsense Dean Malenko kicked off in World Championship Wrestling.
What are your memories of this rivalry?

My memories was that this really gave Malenko a chance to shine as a character, albeit the “cold, emotionless” one. And Jericho was on fire with the promos, including the list of 1004 holds that he was better at than Malenko. It was just a damn good feud that overshadowed all of the other things going on in WCW at the time and really elevated both Jericho and Malenko from the confusion that was the mid-card of WCW at the time to be top guys and stars. It was just a glimpse of Jericho and what he was capable of on the mic and it showed the intensity and fire for Malenko that he hadn’t had the opportunity to show before. We all knew Malenko could wrestle, but this made him interesting and into the man who would eventually become a Horseman. It was just damn good wrestling by two damn good men.

On November 4, Impact will celebrate its 900th episode. I never thought they would even last that many episodes. What’s your favorite Impact moment.

It’s hard to believe that they’ve been around so long with so many ups and downs, but they’re still alive and still managing to hang in there. I’ve never been a regular viewer of Impact, but there is one moment that always comes to mind when I want to laugh and think of the world that is TNA/Impact Wrestling. It involves Ric Flair and Jay Lethal. You know the spot. And here it is.

Thoughts on AJ Lee signing on as an Executive Producer for Women Of Wrestling (WOW).

I think it’s a great move for Lee. She’s back in the wrestling world in a strong position where she can help and develop women’s wrestling, but given her physical limitations due to injury, she won’t have to get in the ring or take bumps. This also allows her to continue what is developing into a very successful career in writing and Hollywood, while at the same time, giving her a producer’s credit to add to her resume. It’s a win-win in all ways for Lee and also for the women of WOW. I’ve heard that Lee knows a few people with some influence over at AEW so maybe we’ll see a few crossovers between the two companies and some great wrestling matches and rivalries. It’s just a good thing that will allow AJ to stay healthy, keep doing what she’s doing, and help build and promote women’s wrestling. I don’t see any downside.

What was your favorite feud of Ric Flair’s to watch?

There are so many to choose from like the rivalries with Dusty Rhodes, Rick Steamboat, Wahoo McDaniel, Harley Race, Kerry Von Erich, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Jimmy Garvin, etc. So many great matches and feuds over the span of forty-plus years and I know I’m missing way more than I named, but my favorite. We have to go back to the late seventies and I was just a young kid, but the rivalry known as the “Hat versus The Robe”, the break-up with friend/partner Blackjack Mulligan. It still sticks out in my mind and was such a classic in so many ways. Most of the video from this era has been lost or destroyed, but the big Cowboy from Eagle Pass, Texas versus The Nature Boy. It was that damn good and in my opinion, one of the very best in the careers of both men.

Do you think we will see Konnan in WWE again?

When did Konnan ever work in WWE? He was there briefly in 1993 under a mask as Max Moon, but was quickly terminated and replaced by Paul Diamond. Has he ever worked for WWE at any other point and time? I don’t think so and if at this point in his career, he’s not there for some business, I don’t really think he ever will be. Maybe for a Hall of Fame Induction at some point when WWE wants to kiss up to the Latino audience, but aside from that, I think the odds of seeing Konnan on WWE TV or working for the company are either slim or none, probably the latter.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Any comments, thoughts, or any questions are welcome and appreciated. Until the next time, take care of yourself and stay safe. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!