Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Michelle McCool, Steve Austin, The AWA & More
March 22, 2022
DougMaynard.com

More hand jive than Pistol Pez taking a trip to New YorkCity with the Boogie Woogie Man, it’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Word is that The Undertaker wants Michelle McCool to be part of the WWE Hall of Fame. Yes or no?

When compared to a few others, such as Torrie Wilson, James Dudley, Drew Carey, or Sharmell, McCool is certainly deserving and belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame. She had a good run with the WWE and is still part of the WWE family as Mrs. Undertaker. I would have no objections to seeing her inducted.

WWE reportedly in serious talks with Stone Cold Steve Austin about making a comeback. Thoughts?

If Austin comes back as a one-shot deal, okay. If he’s an “Authority Figure”, that’s okay. As a full-time wrestler, that’s probably not a good idea. It’d draw ratings and bring back some older fans to be sure, but Austin could not wrestle at the level he once did for an extended period of time, and 89% of the stuff he did in the Attitude Era, that wouldn’t fly either in this politically correct, woken society. Coming back every so often to do a talk-show segment or a cameo, okay, but anything more, I would personally advise against it.

Who had the better tag team career? Shawn. Michael’s with the Rockers or Bret Hart with the Hart Foundation? Who had the greater singles career? Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels?

The better tag team career? The Hart Foundation over the Midnight Rockers any day of the week. That one isn’t even close. As for a singles career, it’s a tough call. I think the edge goes to Shawn simply because he was able to retire on his own terms and is still a major factor in pro wrestling today as the head guy at NXT. Bret, unfortunately, had his options and career paths cut short by a stroke and a careless kick by Goldberg. Thus, Shawn wins for the best singles career, at least in my opinion.

How good was the AWA wrestling-wise compared to other companies?

The AWA was hard to watch sometimes, especially in the late ’80s as it neared its end. Verne Gagne wasn’t up with the times and was stubborn, promoting athleticism and old-school wrestling over characters and personality, plus he was tight with the dollar, and most of the top stars left AWA to go to the WWF and WCW, leaving Verne with a talent pool of guys who were well past their primes and rookies looking for a break. There were some good matches and a few talents worth watching, but as the end approached, the shows were harder and harder to enjoy. The AWA, in its prime, the ’70s, and early ’80s, wasn’t bad at all. The last five years or so, it was a totally different story. The NWA had the good wrestling and the WWF had the characters. The AWA just had a stubborn old man who refused to give up.

Norman Smiley vs The Missing Link in a ladder match? Who wins?

What a contrast in characters and styles this match would present. Who the hell comes up with these? Two talented performers with such distinct and unique characters. I’d give the advantage to Norman though. The Link was in his own world most of the time, while Norman was at least always aware of his surroundings. Norman wins.

Sources say that Omos is getting a singles match at Wrestlemania. Who do you think his opponent will be?

It’ll be the return of The Great Khali. Oh Lord, let’s hope not. Maybe it’s Shane McMahon?Nah, that’s almost as bad as Khali, but just more sweaty. I have a theory, but it’s not Austin. Something in my gut is saying Bray Wyatt, aka The Fiend. I know he’s not officially signed with WWE anymore and has been off the radar for a while making a movie, but it’s about time for a revival of sorts and it would make for a great Wrestlemania moment. So that’s my pick. Either the Fiend or the return of The Great Khali. Now we just have to wait and see.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Any questions, comments, or thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Until the next time, take care of yourself and be good. I’ll see you at the merchandise tables. I’ll be the one looking for Bo Dallas stuff. Stay cool.

Ubuntu!