Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Predictability, Ibushi, Hook or Dominik, and More
February 7, 2023
DougMaynard.com

Let’s do another edition of the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready? I said, “ARE YOU READY?”. Okay, let’s go. Regulators, move out!

Do you think the WWE has been making too many predictable outcomes in matches lately? For example, anybody who faces Chad Gable almost always wins.

It’s professional wrestling and predictable outcomes are part of the game. It’s the way things have always been done and I don’t think we’re seeing any more one-sided matches now than we ever have. So long as the matches are competitive and both men get some moves in and it’s not total squash, it’s okay. It’s professional wrestling and it is what it is. Nothing to see or worry about.

Do you think that Rhea rising to Wrestlemania’s main event while having essentially 1 single match in 6 months, against Tazawa, proves in-ring work not nearly as important as the story?

It’s the story and characters that matter. Actual wrestling matches are just a tool to keep the story going and a means to an end. In-ring action is important, but the characters and the stories are the important things.

Do you think WWE is going to split both tag team and WWE Undisputed Universal titles at all?

I think that after Mania, we’ll be back to two sets of titles again, with tag team and individual titles on each brand, as they should be.

If Kota Ibushi joins WWE, who are the 3 wrestlers you want him to have a rivalry with?

Shinsuke Nakamura is the first name that comes to mind since they have a history and it’s the stereotypical Japanese wrestler versus Japanese wrestler that always seems to need to be done. And then, once that’s been done, how about Dolph Ziggler since that would be a good, solid, fun war to see? And finally, Ibushi versus Seth Rollins. No reason is needed. Just book it, HHH. It would be good!

Not my take but do you think ROH should have an annual “Reach for the Sky” PPV to honor Jay Briscoe? And do you think Mark Briscoe is going to be All Elite soon?

That would be a pretty cool idea and I wouldn’t mind seeing it at all. As for Mark, he’s going to be a regularly featured talent on AEW television for some time to come. It’s not going to be All Elite. He already is. Now they’re just going to use him and make it mean something.

Who’s the goat of mainstream comedy-style wrestling?

It could be Danhausen or it could be Santino Marella. No, it really couldn’t. The one and only true GOAT of wrestling comedy is and will always be Ron Killings, aka R-Truth!

Do you think Austin Theory loses his U.S. title at Extreme Rules? If so who takes the belt?

At the Elimination Chamber event, Theory will be defending the United States Championship against Damian Priest, Montez Ford, Seth Rollins, Bronson Reed, and Johnny Gargano. To be honest, Priest and Seth are probably the only two who are serious enough to have a real chance of winning here if Theory does lose. If we weren’t so close to Wrestlemania, I could see Gargano or Ford getting a win to give them a strong push, but I can’t see them getting a title win at this show. I think Seth’s future involves Logan Paul so that takes him out of contention. Priest is someone I’d like to see win, but right now, it doesn’t make sense either. Austin Theory will retain.

Who has the bigger future in your opinion? Hook or Dominik Mysterio?

Dominik has grown as a character every time he shows up on television and while he’s not great in the ring yet, he’s getting better. Hook is good, but he’s not being used, not growing as a character, and is the same person he was a year ago. He’s not getting better. Dominik is improving. And without growth, what kind of future will a professional wrestler truly have? Dominik is the man with the bigger upside, at least at this point and time.

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 day. Take care and be well, my friends. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!