Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Austin Gunn, Seth Rollins, Wrestlemania & More
November 29, 2021
DougMaynard.com

It’s Monday morning and you know what that means. For me, a haircut, a visit by a nurse, Physical therapy, hopefully getting my ramp finished, and at least three potential breakdowns/anxiety attacks. For you, my loyal readers, all three of you, it means a couple of Q&A’s, possibly a Day of Dougie, and the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A to start things off. It sounds to me as if this might be a good day after all. Are you ready? It all begins right now.

Would you like to see Austin Aries in AEW or back in WWE?

To be honest, I could care less if I see Austin Aries anywhere. He doesn’t really do much for me and the way he walked out of Impact Wrestling just soured me on the man as well. It reeks of unprofessionalism and to be honest about it, so does he. He’s a talented performer and if he’s there to wrestle, make his appearances, have the matches that we all know he’s capable of, and be a true professional, Aries is an asset to any company. But given his last two or three runs, he has a lot to make up for and isn’t worth the trouble in my opinion.

Your thoughts on Tazz?

I’ve never been a big fan of Tazz, but I respect the character and the legacy of what he’s accomplished in his career. He’s a good talker and adds to the show in a way few others can. He’ll never be one of my favorites, but he is an ECW legend and at that announce table, as well as in his current role as a manager in AEW, he still has quite a bit to offer and bring to the table.

Should AEW sign Lana to be with Miro?

While I like Lana and did appreciate her original role as the manager of the Bulgarian Brute in WWE, I don’t think Miro needs her, and having her with him right now would detract from his character more than help. She’s not a great wrestler and her only purpose right now would be eye candy, something AEW has far more than enough of at the moment. So if she can improve her wrestling skills and get better in that ring, maybe AEW could bring her in at some point, but for now, I don’t think there’s a spot for her.

Austin Gunn issued an apology over old tweets from years ago that popped up with Gunn using the “N-Word”. Should AEW fire Gunn?

I really don’t get why Gunn had to even apologize but in today’s politically correct and woken world, anything we have ever said, done, implied, or thought about at any point in our lives can and will be used against us if it offends someone. Gunn was, I believe 17 or so when he used the word “Nigga” in some tweets. Not the offensive and hate-filled variation of the word, but the less formal version that is usually used to imply a friendship or alliance of some sort. And now everyone is upset and going nuts. To be honest, most people I know under the age of thirty have used that word in the friendly sense at some point and if they say they haven’t, they’re lying. And I’m talking about blacks, whites, Native Americans, and an Indian guy (from India) that I know. And to be honest, here, I have as well. I often, when talking to my best friend/brother, will text him with a “What’s up my Niggy?”. Am I being racist? I don’t think so and neither was Gunn. It’s a term of affection and not racist in any way, sense, or form in the context I’m using the word. Gunn, from all indications, is anything but a racist and the context of his use of the word needs to be taken into consideration before everyone loses their minds. Gunn has apologized. He’s gone above and beyond the call of duty. Now, let it go and everyone needs to move on.

After getting attacked by a fan at RAW, should Seth Rollins get a bodyguard, as Jericho had in WCW with Ralphus, and make the attack part of his character/story?

I would love to see WWE write the attack into the storylines and have Seth react to it as only his character could or would. I doubt WWE would go for a bodyguard such as Ralphus for Rollins, but admit it, it would be funny to see and add to the Seth Rollins character about how little he thinks of the WWE security and his safety. It’s just mocking and insulting enough that it would totally rock.

Should Wrestlemania continue to be a two-day event?

To be honest, I prefer the two-day event. When Mania runs for one day, it’s a six or seven-hour show and is exhausting. A two-night event means shorter shows, maybe three to four hours, more matches, and just feels even more of a big event, at least in my opinion. I realize that it does mess up the schedule for the long Mania weekend of events, with Smackdown on Friday, Mania on Saturday and Sunday, and then RAW on Monday, not leaving much room for NXT and the Hall of Fame stuff, but that’s easily rectified. The Hall of Fame on Thursday night, Smackdown Live on Friday, Mania on Saturday and Sunday, RAW on Monday, and close it up with NXT on Tuesday. Or since the NXT show on the USA Network is on Tuesday, have it as usual and then the NXT PPV event on Wednesday. It’d make for a long week to be sure, but everyone and everything would be included, the city that hosts would rake in millions of dollars, the fans would be ecstatic, and it would make WWE lots and lots of money. A week of chaos to be sure, but the benefits would far outweigh the bad points. Or just move the Hall of Fame to another time of the year, maybe aligned with the Royal Rumble or Summerslam instead. But so far as the Wrestlemania show itself, two days is the way to go from now on.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, or any questions are welcome and appreciated. Use the comment box or drop me an e-mail at Doug28352@yahoo.com and we’ll talk. Until the next time, take care and stay safe. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!