Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Kenny Omega, Penny Banner, WCW Hall of Fame & More
December 7, 2022
DougMaynard.com

As Alice Cooper (who else?) is blasting away on the speakers, I think it’s time. It’s time. It’s not Vader time unfortunately, It’s time to talk about the world’s greatest form of entertainment and sports. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. And if you’re not down with that, two words for you. Tough noogies! Let’s do this.

Is it time for Kenny Omega to separate himself from the Bucks? I don’t see any benefits for him to stay with them, but a lot of reasons to leave. His matches with the Bucks suck because the Bucks are gymnasts, not wrestlers. I know Kenny is a somewhat polarizing figure, but his singles matches are great. I think the Bucks drag him down. Your thoughts?

As a singles wrestler, Omega can be led into a good match and can be entertaining. When he’s with the Bucks, it seems to bring out the absolute worst in him and he’s intolerable at best and a complete moron more often than not. Omega is a polarizing character, as you said, but he can have good matches if he’s not too busy playing with his friends. Yes, Omega should definitely drop the baggage that is the Bucks. He would be much better as a performer, plus if the Bucks weren’t part of the scene, I have a feeling we could still get a CM Punk versus Omega feud which could be incredible and makes lots of money for everyone involved. But so long as Generation Me is there, that’s off the table. They need to go.

Do you think MJF doing snow angels was a nod to CM Punk in a good way?

From what I understand, Punk and MJF got along well backstage and Punk definitely went out of his way to help MJF whenever possible. I think MJF is using the snow angels in the ring is a great way to both get heat from the fans and give a nod to his friend.

Knowing NXT is currently a different presentation than it was, does someone like Nick Aldis still have to go through NXT to get acclimated in the WWE way before being ready for the main roster, or does someone (even with his veteran status) have to go through the system first?

I think it depends on the wrestler and what WWE wants to do with them. AJ Styles didn’t have to go through NXT, nor did Ronda Rousey. If Aldis was to sign with WWE, I don’t think it would be a necessary requisite before joining the main roster unless he requested it to get used to the WWE ways of doing things. It just depends on the individual.

Does Penny Banner belong in the WWE Hall of Fame?

Penny Banner is a former AWA Women’s World Champion and was an incredible person outside the ring as well. I got to know her somewhat via online communication and conversations a few years ago and in my opinion, she definitely deserves a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. I don’t see her going in as part of the main induction ceremony due to how long ago she wrestled (1954-1977), but that’s why we have the Legacy Wing. Banner would certainly qualify for induction under that heading and I hope someone in WWE realizes that. She was an incredible person and I know her daughter, Wendy, would love to see her Mom get the honors she so rightfully deserves.

Jade Cargill versus Ronda Rousey versus Chyna. Who wins?

I think Ronda would be the one to go over in this match. Both Chyna and Jade have the size advantage, and Chyna also had a slight experience advantage, but Ronda was/is the real deal and once she took either woman off their feet, the size and strength wouldn’t make much of a difference. Ronda would win.

If you could travel with any wrestler, past or present, for a month, who would it be?

How about Marty Jannetty? If you don’t end up in jail or dead, it would be a month of experiences that you could talk about forever, plus most likely several that you would deny ever happened and refuse to talk about ever again. It definitely would never be boring.

If Triple H told you to recruit 5 wrestlers, not former WWE stars, to come sign with WWE/NXT, who would you suggest?

I would snag Anthony Mayweather, the former Crimson, from the NWA. From AEW, I would bring up John Silver & Hook. And from the local Indy scene here in North Carolina, I would recommend Sammy Love, from ACW/C.A.G.E., and The Fallen Artist, Derk Douglas for a managerial role.

Favorite midget wrestler not named Hornswoggle?

For me personally, I’ll go with Coconut Willie, a little Samoan/Jimmy Snuka wannabe who I saw wrestle many times in the late 70s and early 80s for Crockett Promotions at several small shows. He was funny and entertaining, could move well, and was always fun to watch.

Who was your favorite person to hold the United States Championship?

So many people have held this title over the years, in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, it’s hard to pick just one person. But when I think of the U.S. title, the first name that comes to mind is Sgt. Slaughter. This was pre-WWE so he was actually a good character, tough as nails, and fun to watch as he made his way through challenger after challenger and had some damn good matches. Then he went to the WWE, was watered down, and became a joke. But before that, in the NWA, Slaughter was the U.S. Champion and badass as hell.

Who was the best ever Intercontinental Champion ever?

I’ll go with the Miz on this one. Why? Because he’s the Miz and he’s awesome. What more reasons do you need?

Who from the WCW Hall of Fame: Lou Thesz, Mr. Wrestling II, Ole Anderson, The Assassin, The Crusher, Dick the Bruiser, Wahoo McDaniel, Terry Funk, Antonio Inoki, and Angelo Poffo do you think will at some point be in the WWE Hall of Fame?

They all should be inducted and part of the WWE Hall of Fame. When WWE bought out WCW, they also bought out all of their assets and that includes the WCW Hall of Fame. Induct the entire WCW Hall of Fame into the WWE Hall of Fame as a legacy induction. It’s only right.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions you may have are welcome and appreciated. Ask me anything. Nothing is off-limits. And with that being said, I bid you a fond farewell for now. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!