Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Ivan Koloff, Brian Cage, The Briscoes & More
January 31, 2023
DougMaynard.com

The month of January is coming to an end. The Road To Wrestlemania has just begun. And the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A? We’re not going anywhere. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Why is Ivan Koloff not in the WWE Hall of Fame? And how about Baron Von Raschke? He belongs there too.

Why Ivan, a former WWWF Champion, isn’t in the Hall of Fame already is one of the great mysteries of the world. He should have been inducted long ago. As the man who ended the nearly 9-year reign of Bruno Sammartino, he’s definitely deserving. I’m guessing that he and Vince probably had a fallout many years ago and Vince likes to hold a grudge. Hopefully, now that Triple H is the man in charge, Ivan will finally get his long-overdue spot as a WWE Hall of Famer.

As for the Baron, I’m thinking it’s probably the whole Nazi thing that the Baron used as part of his gimmick and character for so many years. He was just too good at what he did and people believed. WWE is scared of the bad public relations in inducting a goose-stepping Nazi into their Hall of Fame, even though the real Baron, James Raschke, is one of the most honorable and nicest guys in the business. It sucks for sure, but it’s all about perception.

Word has come out that Warner Brother’s ban on The Briscoes from AEW TV was not only because of Jay’s tweets but also because The Briscoes once wore Confederate Flags on their ring gear in the past. Thoughts?

So they wouldn’t allow Lynyrd Skynard to do a concert on their Network, or footage of the Fabulous Freebirds to be shown? Kid Rock and Hank Jr. wouldn’t be allowed either. It’s a stupid reason.

Overall thoughts on the Royal Rumble PPV?

While I could have done without the Mt. Dew Dark match, the rest of the show was damn good. The two Rumble matches were well done and the right people won. Gunther got the big push that is well-deserved and long overdue. And that angle at the end, with Sami and the Bloodline. That was pure pro wrestling 101 and excellent. This was arguably one of the best shows in recent memory for WWE or anyone. Very well done, it was.

Brian Cage’s AEW contract is due to expire soon and WWE is allegedly interested. Should Cage stay with AEW or try and go to WWE?

So long as he’s in AEW, Cage will be just another body lost in the shuffle. If he was to sign with WWE, I can see a good run in NXT for Cage, as well as a strong run on the main roster once he’s adjusted to the WWE style of doing things. If WWE is an option, that’s where he should try and go.

Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake versus Braun Strowman & Ricochet. Who wins?

This could be an excellent match with lots of stiff chops by Valentine, the power moves by Braun, the showing off by Brutus, and the high-flying by Ricochet. Something for everyone. And no doubt, Jimmy Hart would be in the corner of Valentine and Beefcake, so that would add to the energy and excitement as well. And the winners? My gut says that Braun and Ricochet would take that trip to the pay window. So there you go. Braun and Ricochet win.

Ernie “The Cat” Ladd versus Omos. Who wins?

Omos is a big man, but Ernie used to fight regularly with Andre the Giant and Abdullah the Butcher. Omos is getting better, but he’s not there yet. Ernie called himself the “King” for a reason. Ernie with the taped thumb for the win.

Who would be in your Mt. Rushmore of “Jobbers”?

I hate the term “jobbers” because nine times out of ten, the undercard guys were better than the main event dudes. But I’ll play along and give my Mt. Rushmore, off the top of my head, of the lower card talents who really were that damn good. How about George South, Joey Maggs, Brad Armstrong, and Rick McGraw?

Who would you rather see a return to WWE in 2023 or 2024? Matt Syndal in AEW, who used to be Evan Bourne in WWE or Ryback?

Of these two, probably Ryback, just to watch the fans on social media explode. Ryback sucks and doesn’t deserve to be part of any promotion just due to his big mouth and asshole ways, but he’s more entertaining than Syndal.

And there you go. Another column in the books. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. And with that, I’m out of here, my friends. Take care and be well. Watch out for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!