Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
The Hardy Boyz, Ox Baker, Melina & More
February 9, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Let’s talk wrestling. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A and it all begins right now.

Jeff Hardy allegedly turned down induction into the WWE Hall of Fame because it was a solo induction and not one for the Hardy Boyz. Right call or not?

In my opinion, it was definitely the right call. Matt and Jeff grew up together, had the dream to become professional wrestlers together, started in Omega and then WWE together, and it’s only fitting that they go into the WWE Hall of Fame together as well. The reasons for WWE making this offer at this particular point and time are somewhat dubious anyhow and for Jeff to go in alone, that’s just wrong. Jeff, by saying no thanks, absolutely made the right call here.

The Hardy Boyz versus RVD & Sabu in a ladder match. Who wins?

As good as RVD and Sabu are, this one goes to the two NC orignials, Jeff and Matt, the Hardy Boyz.

In terms of the business, how do you think Hulk Hogan’s legacy would be viewed if he helped form a union for his fellow wrestlers?

Mixed at best. Hogan was the consummate politician for his entire career, and if he had gotten behind the idea of a wrestler’s union, Hogan would have been the big winner in some way, shape, or form. And would it have been better for pro wrestling? The jury is still out on that, but I know that many of the things we know and love about wrestling, that we’ve enjoyed over the past several decades, wouldn’t have happened and it would be an entirely different product that we’re watching today if the idea of the Wrestler’s Union had gone through. I can’t answer this question in terms of Hogan’s legacy because we have no way of knowing. But the business would be forever changed. And that is a fact.

Thoughts on Ox Baker?

He had one of the best looks in professional wrestling for any era. A classic heel in every term of the word in regard to pro wrestling. And in terms of ring ability, his matches usually tended to suck. But that didn’t matter because just on the basis of looks and character alone, he was one of the biggest monster heels of his era. The ironic thing though is that while he was a heel in the ring, he was also known to be a very friendly and good guy outside of it. Does anyone else remember when he was a contestant on The Price Is Right? A true character in every sense of the word and a wrestling icon.

Roman Reigns versus Nikita Koloff. Who wins?

In terms of power, Nikita would have the edge. Roman has the technical advantage and probably better endurance, although anyone who went sixty minutes a night with Flair several times a week wouldn’t be a slouch in that area either. If this match could happen, with both in their primes, it’d be the very definition of a dream match and most likely, it would be damn good. As for who wins, my apologies to the Russian Nightmare, but I think Roman would squeak out on top in the end.

Who was that one wrestler or manager that ticked you off in JCP?

JCP is, of course, Jim Crockett Promotions for those of you who don’t know. I grew up here in North Carolina and have been watching wrestling since I was three years old, so Crockett and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling is something I’m very familiar with. Who ticked me off every time I saw them on the TV or wrestling at one of the live events? I was always a fan of the heels (and the Boogie Woogie Man Jimmy Valiant) so who irked me the most wouldn’t be your bad guys or vile heel characters. The one I didn’t like and always booed was Dusty Rhodes. He just struck me as fake and full of himself, kind of like Hulk Hogan did a few years later. Dusty was just too much Dusty when he would show up in Crockett and I would always hope to see the Horsemen or Ole kick his butt.

A lot of fans have been calling for a match between Melina & Sasha Banks? Should WWE do this and how about at Mania?

Well, they have two nights of action to fill and if Sasha isn’t doing anything else, then why not? I’ve seen Melina recently working down with the NWA and she can still go with the best of them. So Melina versus Sasha at Mania? I’d say yes to that.

Who is one wrestler, alive and dead, that you’d like to sit down with and interview if given the chance?

Alive, I’d love to sit down and talk with Windham Rotundo, aka Bray Wyatt. Talking to him about his family, his legacy, his time in NXT, and his evolution as a character while in WWE, the future, etc. It would make for one hell of a conversation and interview. As for someone from days past, how about former AWA Women’s Champion Penny Banner. We spoke a few times in the past via e-mails and her Yahoo group and she was a fascinating woman to talk to. I’d love to ask her about her career, her marriage to Johnny Weaver, her love of horses, the Senior Olympics, and so many other things. She was so inspiring in so many ways, I’d love to have learned more of the story she had to tell.

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 and be safe. Watch out for the evil Japanese manager tossing salt towards your eyes. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!