Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Stephen A. Smith, Bronson Reed, Mandy Rose & More
December 30, 2022
DougMaynard.com

Happy New Year’s Eve Eve and welcome to the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I hope everyone is doing well. I’m playing catch-up as always, but I think the end is in sight. I haven’t made a final decision as of yet, but this site may be ending soon. Or there may just be a complete overhaul and some big changes. Or I might just take a vacation for a few weeks? We’ll have to wait and see, but for now, life goes on. Let’s answer a few wrestling-themed questions.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith told Ric Flair recently that he’d love to work at Wrestlemania as a heel manager. Should WWE make it happen?

Smith is a big name for ESPN and he is a natural heel who has name recognition and would draw some eyes to the product. If he’s wanting to work with WWE and maybe do a quick spot as an announcer or manager for Mania, I don’t see why that would be a problem. Triple H should work out a deal and make it happen.

Barry Windham & Arn Anderson versus Alpha Academy (Chad Gable & Otis). Who wins?

As good as Gable and Otis are, and they both are very good in that ring, this one would go to Windham and Arn. Of that, I have no doubts!

Bronson Reed is back in WWE. Thoughts?

I’m glad to see him back in the WWE. I know he worked a few dates for Impact Wrestling and allegedly had a deal lined up with New Japan, but for long-term success in the United States, WWE is the place to be. He’ll make more money and have more opportunities to branch off as a mainstream celebrity working with WWE than New Japan or Impact Wrestling could offer. I’m glad to see him back in WWE and as part of the main roster. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes.

Who had the better career? Chris Jericho or HBK?

It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Jericho has consistently been the bigger star, but Jericho has had more runs near or at the top, and with the constant reinvention of his character, he has kept going far longer than anyone would have ever expected. Also, Jericho has Fozzy, The Podcast, and appearances on Dancing With The Stars to his credit. And Shawn has had several movie roles as well and is currently in charge of NXT. Both have had excellent careers and I can’t say who has had the best. Both men’s careers have been, as the Miz would say, “AWESOME!”.

NXT Star Edris Enofe recently got himself a tattoo of the WWE logo on his chest. Thoughts?

While tattoos are cool with me and I can understand his pride in becoming a member of the WWE roster, the WWE logo on the chest is kind of a rash decision. What if he’s released from WWE? What if he goes to work for AEW or Impact at some point? That WWE brand in such a prominent spot might cause a few problems down the line. Enofe can do as he pleases and more power to him, but that was not a decision I would have recommended.

Jim Ross recently stated that he believes that in 2023, AEW will be doing house shows regularly. Thoughts?

Good for them if this does happen. It’ll give the wrestlers more opportunities to actually wrestle and be used, plus it was increasing the visibility of the company and allow the AEW fanbase more opportunities to see their favorite wrestlers. Cool beans!

Given the money she’s made since leaving NXT and the hesitance of big promotions to hire scandal-related wrestlers, do you think Mandy Rose is now done with mainstream wrestling?

No, I think that if she chooses to back away from the built-in audience that being on TV every week provides, the money from her site will soon begin to dry up and the views will lessen as the wrestling fans find a new interest to slobber over. Mandy is a good wrestler and either Impact or AEW would love to have her as part of their roster. She might take a break for a few months, but she’s not leaving wrestling. It would destroy her fanbase.

If the Rock was to come back but not to feud with Reigns, who would you think he should feud with? I think LA Knight personally.

LA Knight versus The Rock could be fun to see and could work wonders for Knight’s career but given that the Rock would only be available for a very limited number of dates and appearances, I’m not sure if Knight is big enough to warrant his attention. Personally, I’d like to see The Rock have a confrontation or ten with Matt Cardona.

Ric Flair in his prime vs Stu Hart in his prime in a submission match. Who wins?

Ric was a great wrestler. Stu was a great shooter. It’s a submission match. Stu would win.

Superstar Billy Graham vs Jake The Snake Roberts. Who wins?

If we’re talking about Billy Graham that held the WWWF Championship and beat Bruno, it would go to Graham with the win easily. If we’re talking about Billy Graham that showed up afterward with a shaved head and martial arts, then it would go to Jake Roberts. That Billy Graham was but a shadow of his pre-WWWF self.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. And with that, it’s time to call it a night. I’ll probably be back later with another Q&A. Watch for it. Take care and be well.

Ubuntu!