Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Jeff Hardy, The NWA, Vince Russo & More
November 13, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Doing more damage than Bastion Booger and Yokozuna at the Buffet Table, it’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready to talk about some wrestling? Let’s do this.

Luna Vachon & Gangrel versus Sammy Guevera & Tay Conti. Who wins?

It’s not even close in my eyes. I like Sammy and he & Gangrel could have a good match, but Luna would absolutely destroy Tay. Luna & Gangrel would take home the win.

Where do you see Jeff Hardy next? He’s my favorite of all time (I’m that era). I hope he’s got his stuff together.

Honestly, I don’t see Jeff Hardy ever wrestling on a national stage and for one of the major companies ever again. His demons have, time and time again, derailed his career and the most recent arrest may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Until he gets clean and more importantly proves that he can stay clean, he’s a major liability for any company that may have an interest in him. He’s under contract to AEW, but with the baggage he brings, is he really worth it? I would love to see Jeff get clean, be healthy, and have a great life, but I don’t think touring and wrestling are productive for that right now. I hope he gets better and everything works out for Jeff, but I think trying to wrestle would do more damage than help at this point.

Could Ricky Morton pull off a singles world title reign?

I think Ricky would have been good as a short-term champion, much like Tommy Rich was when he won and then subsequently lost the belt back to Harley Race in 1981. Pulling off the upset by beating Flair and then losing the belt back a week later would have really kicked his career to the next level and even as part of the Rock & Roll Express, it would still be a major moment. For something like that, Ricky would have been awesome. As a long-term champion, I just don’t see it.

What’s your opinion of DDP?

How many people can enter wrestling already in their thirties, and then go from being a manager and an announcer to being a multiple-time World Champion? Very few. DDP is a very unique person and the personification of following a dream and hard work pays off. And the work he’s done since retiring as an active wrestler, with the DDP Yoga and helping others to get clean and healthy has been even more impressive in my opinion. I was not a big fan of Diamond Dallas Page, the wrestler, but DDP, the man, I have nothing but respect and love. He’s an incredible person.

What is your favorite wrestling memory from AWA Championship wrestling?

I wrote recaps of AWA Wrestling on ESPN for PWInsider for a while and had the chance to see many good matches, interviews, and classic AWA moments. And my favorite? Maybe it was Col. DeBeers attacking Jimmy Snuka. Maybe it was Larry Zbyszko slipping Curt Henning a roll of dimes so Curt would win his first (and only) World Championship. Maybe it was watching Stan Hansen terrify the audience and harass Larry Nelson. All of those were great moments. But my favorites? The feud with the Midnight Rockers against Buddy Rose and Doug Somers, accompanied by Sherri Martel fighting over the AWA Tag Team belts. Their matches were ahead of their time and could stand up against any match in wrestling today.

How would you guys interpret Vince Russo possibly joining AEW?

At this point, AEW booking is so annoying and so hard to watch, I’d welcome Vince Russo coming on board and taking over the Creative from Tony Khan. Russo is annoying and a liar and in general, a pain in the ass, but he knows how to write TV and, given proper supervision like perhaps a William Regal, Bryan Danielson, or hell, even an Evil Uno, he is more tolerable than anything Tony Khan has done recently.

Eric Bischoff doesn’t think that WWE should bring back CM Punk. Thoughts?

With all due respect to Eric, I think a short-term contract with limited appearances, much like what Brock and Roman are currently under, would work well with Punk. He would pop the ratings, make headlines if he was to appear in WWE and bring back some older fans. It would be big news and Punk means money. All he wants is good wrestling and matches/stories that make sense and despite his personal feelings about HHH, they have that in common. I would love to see Punk pop up in WWE again and cut a classic pipe bomb on AEW, WWE, and anything else that comes to mind. It would be, with all apologies to Miz, awesome!

Tyrus is the new NWA World Champion. Thoughts?

This is a great publicity move for the NWA. Tyrus may not be the best wrestler in the world, but he’s competent and a solid talent. Plus, he’s on Fox News daily and more people will see him and that NWA World title belt in an average week now than have seen former champions like Murdoch and Aldis over the past five years. Tyrus is a good man and he has worked hard for his success. I’m happy for him.

Matt Cardona says that if he ever goes back to WWE, it would be as himself and not Zack Ryder. Do you think WWE would agree to that and how well do you think it would get over?

If there is money to be made, I think WWE would be willing to compromise and work something out, maybe having Cardona come in under the Ryder name and then do a heel turn, evolving into the person/character he’s been since leaving WWE. Cardona has really found his niche and is a top guy just ready to take that ball and run with it. I think HHH and WWE would see this and would work with him, whatever it takes, to allow him to do so. It would definitely be best for business.

Nick Aldis just said that the NWA “has become the most toxic brand in pro wrestling”, Agree or disagree?

The more I’m reading and seeing, I’m thinking that Aldis is just blowing off steam and talking to be talking. He’s mad with Billy Corgan and just working the dirt sheets, the fans, etc., as a means to express his frustration and get it out of his system. He’s not the top guy anymore and his ego is hurt so he’s lashing out. Nothing more. So far as the “most toxic brand” remark goes, has he seen AEW? The NWA isn’t even close to that trainwreck.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Any comments, thoughts, or questions you may have are welcome and very appreciated. Give me a shout and let’s talk. And with that being said, it’s time to call it a day. Take care and be safe, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!