Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
CM Punk, Paige, Sammy Guevera & More
September 24, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Let’s talk about some wrestling. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s do this.

What are your thoughts on Comcast’s NBC/Universal possibly acquiring Warner Bros/Discovery?

If my name was Tony Khan, I’d be worried. NBC/Universal has a relationship going back with WWE for nearly 40 years. WWE isn’t perfect, but they deliver ratings and stability for the nights their products air. AEW, not quite 3 years old, doesn’t. It’s that simple and if both companies, AEW and WWE are under the same umbrella, a choice may have to be made. And unless something changes drastically, that choice is pretty obvious. Tony Khan needs to build his audience, and make things more stable, and attractive for the corporate bosses, otherwise, if this merger does happen, he’s screwed. It’s just that simple. Make the product worth keeping or else, if push comes to shove, NBC/Universal won’t.

What is taking so long on AEW punishing CM Punk or not?

Legalities and the possibility of legal action. Punk said what he said and was out of line, but the boss was right there next to him, didn’t try to stop him, and could often be spotted nodding along with Punk’s words. Then three EVPs for the company allegedly barged into Punk’s dressing room and provoked a physical confrontation. Punk has plenty of grounds for an unsafe work environment lawsuit due to the actions of Omega & The Young Bucks, and if push comes to shove, could end up costing AEW and Tony Khan a whole lot of money. Khan is slow-walking any punishment to make sure that he’s covered his ass and won’t provoke any extra headaches from Punk, a very smart move in my opinion.

Did Saraya (formerly Paige in WWE) make the right decision by joining AEW?

I’m sure that she’s getting a big paycheck by signing with AEW and she received a huge pop from the live crowd, so short-term, this is definitely a good move, especially when you factor in that she’s not medically cleared to get physical and wrestle. I’m not sure how this will all work out in the long run, but for the here and now, it’s a good move for Saraya and I’m happy for her.

How happy are you for the Acclaimed as new AEW Tag Champions?

Scissor me, Daddy Ass! I like it and I think it’s a great place for the Acclaimed to be. I’m very happy for them.

Who should have won the AEW Title at Grand Slam?

I think that they made the right call with Jon Moxley. He’s a former AEW Champion already and has pretty much ended up as the defacto face of the company. Bryan Danielson has too many questionable things going on in regard to his physical health and recent injuries. I personally would have preferred to see The American Dragon win the title, but Moxley is what’s best for business.

What are your thoughts about Ken Shamrock wanting WWE’s attention?

He wants a good paycheck, some time in the spotlight, and possibly that elusive Hall of Fame spot. I think Ken Shamrock is thinking about what’s best for Ken Shamrock and currently, a little time doing something with WWE would be it. Good call by the former NWA Champion/World’s Most Dangerous Man.

What are your thoughts on Ricky Steamboat coming back for a match?

I’m not crazy about it, but I feel much better about Steamboat than I did about Flair’s alleged last match. Steamboat will be in great shape, wrestle a safe match without doing anything stupid, and won’t be blading or taking unnecessary bumps. Also, Steamboat isn’t an alcoholic who wears a pacemaker. I don’t like this and think it’s unnecessary, but it is what it is and most likely, I’ll be watching just like everyone else.

Will Malakai Black return to AEW or rejoin WWE as Aleister Black?

If and when Black does return to the ring, I’m guessing that it will be in WWE as Aleister Black.

Do you believe that Sammy Guevara is leaving AEW?

If he went to WWE, Sammy would be buried and stuck down in NXT more likely than not. Plus he wouldn’t have nearly any of the freedom that AEW allows him with the VLOG, with his wife, Tay, or many of the moves he likes to perform. If anyone is truly AEW for life, Sammy would be the one. He isn’t going anywhere.

If you could take a ten-hour car ride with any three wrestlers, past or present, and listen to their stories, conversations, etc., who would it be?

How about Ole Anderson, Jim Cornette, and Harley Race? Just imagine the stories and knowledge that would be gained by spending any amount of time with these three legends. Harley would probably be driving so a ten-hour trip would only take seven hours, but it would be one hell of an adventure and ride.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and greatly appreciated. And with that, I’m out of here. Time to go get ready for work. Take care and be good. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!