Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Rikishi, The Elite, Nikki Cross & More
October 2, 2022
DougMaynard.com

I’m not feeling it today, but the questions keep coming, so what’s a man to do? It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s do this.

Do you think that Rikishi could possibly come back as a true head of the table character to cause a rift between Roman and the Usos?

Once we get past Mania and the hopeful encounter with Roman versus Rock and the Sami-betrayal, a storyline with Rikishi coming in, tired of seeing Roman mistreat his three sons, would be an interesting and fun way to go. I don’t think Rikishi would be cleared to wrestle, but to come in and stir the pot and instigate a break-up of The Bloodline would be very cool. I like this booking idea.

Do you think after the Alpha Academy splits up, Otis could be a monster heel and win a world title?

A monster heel? Yes, he absolutely could be. A World Champion? I don’t really see that happening. I’m not saying that it couldn’t happen, but I just don’t see it.

The (The) Judgment Day VS The Blood Line or a potentially Bray Wyatt stable VS The Blood Line at Extreme Rules War Games?

I think The Judgement Day versus a new Wyatt Family makes more sense than involving The Bloodline at this point. The Bloodline is like a modern-day Horsemen whose job is to protect Roman and his titles, so I’d put them against Drew McIntyre and his allies before pitting them against the heel team of The Judgement Day. The Judgement Day makes more sense because we had the teasings of a Demon vs Fiend feud a few tears ago that never happened and there are unresolved issues with Bray and Balor.

If The Elite is to return to AEW, how do you book it?

I wouldn’t. If I was Khan, I’d fire every one of them for barging into CM Punk’s dressing room and putting his company in a very shaky position if Punk was to sue for an unsafe working environment. They’re all EVPs and shouldn’t have jumped the gun as they did. Punk should be released too for his unprofessional comments during the Media Scum, although I think the fact that Khan was by his side the entire time and just nodding in agreement kind of validates his claims. AEW would be in a better place to just get rid of all of the parties involved, The Elite and CM Punk. But back to your question. If I had to book the Elite’s return, I’d have them in a Trios match against The Best Friends and Orange Cassidy… and lose clean in about two minutes.

Wardlow vs Bron Breakker in a match. Who would go over if you’re booking?

If I’m booking, Breakker wins. I’d make it a strong match so Wardlow can get back some of the credibility he’s lost over the past few months in AEW due to poor booking, but Breakker would get a clean pin finish at the end of the night.

If Tony Khan has to fire either CM Punk, Omega, or the Young Bucks, which one should he pick?

I already went over this a few questions ago. Fire all of them. Punk has the best case for keeping his job or getting a contract buy-out because he just made comments, with Tony right there next to him, nodding and agreeing with what he said. The Bucks and Omega allegedly went to Punk’s dressing room and escalated the situation into a physical confrontation. They’re EVPs of the company and those actions were far worse than any comments made by Punk. Just getting rid of all of them and moving on would be the best decision Khan could make. I just doubt he has the balls to do so.

We’ve had Homicide last year and Muta this year, what legend do you want to appear next year at Grand Slam?

An easy answer for me. I want to see Alex Wright and The Disco Inferno show up and dance. A Boogie Knights reunion. Hell to the yeah!

Who do you think Bray should come back and feud with first? And how would you book it?

I think the first feud should be with Finn Balor and The Judgement Day. Balor and Bray were teasing a feud a few years ago and it never happened. Just have Bray show up at Extreme Rules and make an appearance and then on RAW the following Monday, he can do an interview and talk about the unresolved issues with Balor, how The Judgement Day is a ripoff of the Wyatt Family, and how he’s conquered Demons and Balor is a joke. The story would write itself and Bray could recruit new Family Members (Kross, Scarlett, Alexa Bliss, Braun, Bo Dallas) and stalk/harass Judgement Day until we get the matches between Balor and Bray we’ve been waiting for.

Could we see Nikki Cross come to the aid of Drew in his battle against Kross and Scarlett?

I could see this happening. Nikki’s run as an almost-Super Hero sucked pretty badly and a return to her slightly demented character from her NXT days would be a great career move. And helping out Drew in the process? That’s even better.

Would Shane Douglas be on your Mt. Rushmore for ECW? Who would be your Mt. Rushmore of ECW?

For my Mt. Rushmore of ECW, Shane would definitely be on there, along with Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, and Raven. Heyman belongs there too, but I’ll save him for my Mt. Rushmore of bookers/promoters or managers.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Until the next time, my friends, take care and be safe. Watch out for foreign objects. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!