Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Johnny Gargano, Bobby Lashley, Comedy Wrestling & More
December 28, 2021
DougMaynard.com

Greetings and welcome to the after-wedding extravaganza. Yes, I actually watched RAW, the last part of it anyhow, for the Wedding of Miz & Maryse. It was great to see Eric Bischoff again and did you hear the pop he got? Wow! As for Miz, Maryse, and Edge, I kept expecting to see some idiot in a goofy mask come out looking for blood and cheap publicity, but instead, we got a bloodbath for the loving couple. That was okay, I guess. But now, I’ve got wrestling on the mind and that means the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready to do this? And away we go.

What’s next for Johnny Gargano? Will he resign with WWE or do you think AEW will snap him up? If so what matches would you like to see for him in AEW!

Right now, Gargano is taking some time off to be there for his family as he and his wife welcome their first child. He’s not under contract to anyone so where and when he returns to wrestling is anyone’s guess. While AEW is a great option, I personally think a return to WWE and NXT would be the best thing for Gargano. The money would probably be better and he’s already established as a top guy who would make for a strong presence on either NXT or the main roster. In AEW, Gargano would, in my opinion, be lost in the shuffle with an already bloated roster. He’d get the strong push at first and then be lost in the shuffle. Look at Miro for an example. But that being said, if he does end up in AEW, I think Gargano versus Danielson and Gargano versus Punk would make for the two biggest matches that I’d like to see him in.

In another multiverse, a 5 on 5 Survivor Series match Between WWE and AEW. Who would you pick as the team members of both companies?

Representing the WWE, I’d have Roman Reigns, Edge, The Miz, Kevin Owens, and Seth Rollins. For AEW, I’d have CM Punk, MJF, FTR, and Cody.

What are your thoughts on Bobby Lashley starting to look like Zeus?

I wish I hadn’t seen this question because now I’m going to look at Lashley and see Debo. There is a resemblance there, but that’s mainly being big, black, and bald. I guess if there is ever a remake of the movie, No Holds Barred, we know who will play the Zeus role. I’m not going to be able to get this one out of my mind. Oy vey!

How do you feel about (or even define) “comedy wrestlers? “Comedy wrestlers” used to irritate me, but now I really find myself enjoying guys like Cabana, Grado, Orange Cassidy, and Danhausen (to name but a few).

There’s a place for comedy wrestling and if it’s done right, I don’t mind it at all. I prefer to keep it separate from the more serious wrestling and wrestlers. I don’t want to see Brock Lesnar for example, trading moves with Santino Marella and falling victim to The Cobra. I love R-Truth and Drake Maverick, for example, but I don’t want Drake or Truth challenging Roman for a title and doing the stupid stuff. Keep it serious in the ring and use the comedy to set up matches and define characters, as it should be.

Adam Cole has recently been sporting the pink and black, are AEW foreshadowing cole winning the Men’s Owen Hart Cup?

That could be foreshadowing as you suspect and having Cole win the Owen Hart Men’s Cup would be cool, but more likely, he just likes to wear pink and black. I know I do. Those are two of my favorite colors and I know I’m winning that tournament. Hell, I’m not even entered. I think you’re reading more into it than it actually means.

Do you think that WWE will go back to the Thunder Dome in 2022 and if, so who will be the world champions to take us through it?

If the live shows are forced to be canceled due to the COVID restrictions, then it’s good that WWE has an option available such as the Thunder Dome. I think it will only be used as a last resort and if there are no other options, but at least the option is there. As for who the Champions will be to take up through the latest pandemic outbreaks, I think that at least until Mania, it will remain Big E and Roman Reigns.

What’s your take on Cesaro? Do you believe he’ll get another singles title run or tag champ again?

Another run as a tag champion is pretty much a sure thing. And I would love to see him with a big push as a singles star. He is that damn good in the ring and is capable of having excellent matches with anyone and would make a great WWE or Universal Champion at some point. He deserves it and is absolutely worthy.

What do you think will actually happen to WWE if/when Vince steps down? Who takes over/What direction do you think they go? And do you think that could be what finally opens the forbidden door?

When Vince steps down, I think WWE will change in many ways. I expect that the McMahon’s will sell the company and probably NBC Universal will take over and buy them out. I would expect to see maybe HHH and Stephanie stay on as part of the deal and we’d see more of a focus on wrestling, much like NXT was, than the entertainment factor. And as far as opening that forbidden door, I can see a partnership and work with companies like MLW, New Japan, AAA, and ROH. That could be good business for all parties concerned.

With AEW being tag-team rich, thoughts on a Crockett Cup-like tournament?

A tag team tournament in honor of some of the legendary tag teams of the past such as The Midnight Express, The Rock & Roll Express, The Anderson Brothers, The Road Warriors, The Hart Foundation, etc. It sounds like a great idea to me and I’d love to see it.

How soon before Sting passes the torch to Hook?

I’d give it about six to eight months before this happens. Give Hook some time to build his character and reputation before Sting decides to do the honors and put this kid over.

The best overall storyline ever created in wrestling? And why is it Kane?

I always thought the best storyline ever created was Disco Inferno and his duck, but the thing with Kane was damn good and still has ramifications even to this day. But is it the best? I’m more inclined to think either the Dusty Rhodes feud with Ole Anderson that led to the formation of the Four Horsemen or the Jerry Lawler feud with Andy Kaufman would get that description and honor. By the way, Kaufman belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame. Just saying.

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

Ubuntu!