Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A:
Promo Edition
Dick Slater, Jimmy Hart, Teddy Long & More
June 4, 2023
DougMaynard.com

Are you ready for a very special edition of the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A? Yes, I’m still asking the questions sent to me by my loyal readers about the world’s greatest form of entertainment, but today, there’s a twist. I’m going to be channeling a few legends of days gone by as I answer each one. Yes, I’ll let the memories take over and answer the questions as I imagine the wrestlers would be answering if given a microphone and asked these same questions by Bob Caudle or Gordon Solie. It’s time for the promo class. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

What’s your honest opinion on Ricky Steamboat?

(As answered by Ric Flair): “Steamboat? Steamboat? One of my best friends ever and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. High flying and those chops. The matches I had with Steamboat set the bar. And you know I know about setting the bar, right? Woooooo! A legend, an icon, and a man. Wooooooo!”

Dirty Dick Slater. Thoughts?

(As answered by Jimmy “The Boogie Woogie Man” Valiant): Dirty Dick Slater. He’s a mean and nasty dude. He can wrestle and he can fight, but just bring it, baby! The Boogie Woogie Man can take him. It won’t be pretty, but Dickie Slater, the Boogie Man knows he’s in for a fight! Bring it, baby, bring it. Have mercy!”

The Skyscrapers (Sid Vicious & Dan Spivey) versus Austin Idol & Masked Superstar. Who wins?

(As answered by #1 Paul Jones): “Let me tell you what. All four of these men are tough. Not as tough as me because they’re not Number One, but they’re tough. Those two guys, The Skyscrapers? They’re big as two skyscrapers, but Idol and Superstar have a big advantage. Superstar used to be my partner and I taught him a lot. Not everything, but a lot. And when Number One Paul Jones helps you out and takes you under his wing, you become great. I think… no, I know that Idol and Superstar would win.”

Do you think after such a long reign that Roman has to be beaten in a long hard hitting match OR do you think he could win the same and then WHACK MITB Briefcase to the back of the head, 1-2-3 New Champion just like that?

(As answered by Ivan Koloff): “Roman Reigns is a tough man for an American and taking him down won’t be easy. I could do it and my nephew Nikita would destroy Reigns. The way to beat him though would be to take advantage of a situation. Money In The Bank. Whoever has that contract has a big advantage. A long match works to Roman’s advantage. Take away that advantage and think smart, like a Russian. And Roman will go down to defeat.”

Would you be interested in a Jimmy Hart podcast? How about a podcast by Teddy Long?

(As answered by George “The Animal” Steele): “Mine! Mine! Auurrrgh! Mine!”

Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler versus Charlotte Flair & Tessa Blanchard. Who wins?

(As answered by The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes): “Oh man, what a match! Ronda Rousey, the baddest woman in the world, and Shayna Baszler, she’s mean, baby. She’s mean. And then on the other side, Charlotte and Tessa, two of the Horsemen’s baby girls. I know these two and how they were brought up. How they were raised! And look who their daddies are. The American Dream went many a round with Ric Flair. With Tully Blanchard, those diabolical Horsemen. And you got to know, got to know, that Flair and Tully taught them gals every trick in the book if you will. This is a match the Dream would love to see, right there at ringside. And it could go either way, either way. But I gotta say, I think that ol’ Rowdy Ronda and mean ol’ Shayna Baszler would come out on top and take that trip to the pay window if you will.”

Wahoo McDaniel versus Gunther. Who wins?

(As answered by Stone Cold Steve Austin): “Wahoo McDaniel? That old man can chop with the best of them and is a legend. What? I said a legend! And Gunther? He’s strong, focused, and chops damn hard too. What? Man, the chops would be flying and both guys would, their chests would look like raw hamburgers. What? I said a hamburger! What? Wahoo is a legend, but Gunther is the future of this business. He’s badass and all business. What? I said, all business! I think Gunther would win. And that’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so!”

Tony Khan recently admitted that he’s been talking to Goldberg. Ryback has been teasing that he’s coming back to wrestling, most likely for AEW. So how about this for All In at Wembley Stadium? Goldberg versus Ryback? Thoughts?

(As answered by Bret Hart): “I hear that AEW is talking to Goldberg and all I can wonder is why? He’s reckless and dangerous and should never be allowed in a wrestling ring. He ended my career by being dangerous and he’s a dangerous loser. And Ryback? He’s almost as bad, but no one is as unsafe as Goldberg. He’ll never be the best there is, the best there was, or the best there ever will be. No one wants to see either of those clowns try to wrestle. I hope Tony comes to his senses and ignores those two.”

When I mention tag teams and the AWA, who is the first team that comes to mind?

(As answered by Harley Race): The AWA was a great place to start out and had some great teams. Stevens & Bockwinkle. Gagne, the kid, Greg, and Jim Brunzell. Rhodes & Murdoch got their start there, and I remember Larry’s kid, Curt, teaming up with Scott Hall and having a good run. But the best, the toughest team, ever to work the AWA is pretty obvious. The Axe, Larry Hennig, and the Toughest Man on God’s green earth, myself Harley Race. Those other teams were good, but the best will always be Race & Hennig. If you don’t believe me, prove me wrong!”

Teddy Long recently stated that he believes the AEW/CM Punk drama is a work. Agree or disagree?

(As answered by Baron Von Raschke): “Does it matter? This CM Punk? This Elite group of people. They don’t like each other and one way or the other, they will fight and settle things. And that is all the people need to know!”

And there you go. Well, that was fun. It was different anyways. I need to do it more often. The questions may or may not be getting answered, but trying to channel the wrestlers and write like they would talk and speak, it’s a great way to use all of these memories of so many years of being a fan that is stuck in my mind. Let me know what you think and if I should do this semi-regularly or never again.

And with that, let’s wrap it up. Any thoughts, comments, or questions are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for reading. And with that, I’m out of here. Take care and stay well, my friends. Watch out for The Sheik and his foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!