Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestling Fact or Fiction
WarGames, The Fiend & More
December 4, 2021
DougMaynard.com

It’s time once more to do that infamous Fact or Fiction thing. As per the usual, my thanks to Jake Chambers and 411mania.com. They do all the hard work here and provide the statements. I just do the commentary afterward. It’s Wrestling Fact or Fiction and it starts right now.

Statement #1: Wargames is the most violent event on the WWE calendar.

FACT: While there are some matches that are pretty much guaranteed to have violence, blood, sweat, tears, and a few “What the…?” moments, as far as a total package of a show goes, WarGames is generally the show to see. There will be all of the things I mentioned earlier, plus a good story and lots of cringe moments mixed in for good measure. It’s hard to screw up a WarGames match and thus far, it’s been the one that sets the bar for the rest of the NXT and WWE events.

Statement #2: The Fiend was the scariest wrestler of all time. 

FICTION: The Fiend was a great character and had some creepy moments to be sure, but I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s and got to see Kevin Sullivan at his worst, Abdullah The Butcher hacking up people, and Ole Anderson threatening folks. Listen to any Ole promo and if he doesn’t give you a chill, you’re not human. He meant that shit and it was obvious with every word and action. The Fiend was unique and a great character for Bray Wyatt, but scary? Not really. At least not in my opinion.

Statement #3: It is inappropriate for wrestlers to make realistic death threats as part of storylines.

FACT: Why threaten death when it’s not going to happen, even in the most extreme of rivalries. Violence is okay and dismemberment is okay because even though we know it won’t happen, it could. Cold-blooded murder? Not going to happen and shouldn’t be teased only to let us, the fans, down. Keep it real.

Statement #4: Horror movie actor and pro-wrestler CM Punk has been a more important addition to the AEW than Bryan Danielson.

FACT: While Bryan Danielson has been tearing it up in AEW with great matches, CM Punk is still the mystery and reason that lost and past fans are tuning in. The Dragon has great matches, but Punk has the buzz and is the one that the fans are invested in and want to see more of.

Statement #5: Watching wrestling on VHS was more fun than streaming wrestling is today.

FACT: It was a different time and a different world. The VHS tapes were usually with friends and we were all interested and invested in the action and the stories that was pro wrestling. The thrill was the hunt for the rare and hard-to-find tapes and the anticipation. Now, it’s all just there and just too easy. That’s good to a point but has killed a lot of the thrill.

And there you go. My thanks for reading and to Jake Chambers for allowing me to use his statements to make this column possible. Thoughts, comments, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Until the next time, take care and stay safe. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!