Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Teddy Hart, Booker T, Jim Cornette & More
July 23, 2023
DougMaynard.com

Let’s do that wrestling Q&A thing. It’s not just any wrestling Q&A, but the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready? I said, ARE YOU READY? Let’s do this.

Thoughts on RJ City?

The only thing I know RJ City from is his weekly YouTube show, “Hey! (EW)” where he does interviews with AEW wrestlers and the occasional backstage interview. He’s funny, really quick, and is probably one of AEW’s best-kept secrets. He’s fast with the quips and comments and could be a modern-day Bobby Heenan for AEW if given the chance. I admittingly don’t like much about the AEW product, but RJ City has become somewhat of a guilty pleasure of mine. I’d like to see AEW use him more.

Thoughts on Jake Atlas?

I only remember seeing this guy in a couple of matches. He has a good look and seems to be a talented guy, but didn’t seem to stand out from the crowd very well, which is a common problem in AEW. I’m sure, given more time, he could have been elevated into a featured player on the AEW roster, but domestic issues with his boyfriend forced AEW to release him so that’s no longer an option at the moment. I hope his career can recover and he can live up to the potential he seems to offer. We’ll just have to wait and see, I suppose.

Ray “The Crippler” Stevens, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, The Iron Shiek, and Manager Gene Anderson versus Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley. Who wins?

Four of the best of the late 70s/early 80s versus four of the best of today. This match would be epic. If there had to be a winner, Judgement Day would get the win, but most likely, this match would go to a double disqualification or no-contest.

What wrestler turned manager was a disappointment to you? And what wrestler turned manager far exceeded all your expectations?

Arn Anderson. He was a great wrestler and a great talker, but as a manager, something always seemed to be missing. He was fine with the final incarnation of The Horsemen, but when he started managing in AEW, it just never seemed to feel right or click. And on the other end of the spectrum, is Gene Anderson. He was a very well-respected wrestler until injuries forced his retirement from the ring, but he was never known for talking or promos. He was the “quiet brother”, with Ole Anderson doing all the talking. But he became a manager with stars like The Iron Sheik, Jimmy Snuka, Ray Stevens, and a few others and he did a great job. He added to their characters and came across as the real deal. He is highly underrated as a manager, but he did an excellent job.

Teddy Hart was arrested again. Thoughts?

Is anyone truly surprised? Teddy seems to be a magnet for getting in trouble. He’s the male equivalent of Tammy Sytch, except where her major vice is alcohol, his seems to be drugs. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out, but I’m suspecting he’ll be getting some jail time. It’s a shame because he was easily one of the best talents of his time with so much potential, and yet he’s just wasted it and thrown it all away. Teddy Hart should have become a major star, but instead, he’s just a big “what if?”.

Booker T has accepted Ryback’s challenge for a fight. He said this on his podcast. “I accept Ryback’s challenge to a fight. As far as if I see Ryback in public, it’s on. The green light is on. Ryback is not going to beat me up. I’m not scared. I’m not running.” Thoughts?

And the update on this. Ryback started throwing out stipulations and demands and it went from a challenge for a fight to a joke. Booker says any professional fight is off and that Ryback is a clown, which we all knew already. Booker also says though that if he runs into Ryback anywhere, anything can happen and it’s on. But Ryback challenged Booker and then started throwing out “But we have to do this and this and this…” stipulations and now, it’s just a big “What would happen if?”, deal instead. No big surprise with that. Booker would kick Ryback’s ass and I think Ryback finally figured that out so he’s backtracking.

How do you rate a match and what makes a 5-star match to you?

If I enjoy the match, can get into it and caught up in the action and story that is being told, and it keeps my interest, it gets a high rating. If it sucks and the moves don’t make sense and the wrestlers are just hitting spots for no reason, not selling, and just jumping around like gymnasts, I take that into account too and it lowers the rating. It’s all about how it keeps my interest, how believable it is, and how it makes me feel inside.

Lex Luger versus Seth Rollins. Who wins?

This would be a good match and far better than most would expect. I think Seth would end up with the win though.

Now that Brian Pillman Jr., has left AEW, what does the future hold for his tag team partner Griff Garrison when he returns from his injuries?

I think Griff’s contract will run out as he recovers from his injuries and then he’ll quietly vanish into the sunset to become an Indy darling, never to see the big time again.

Do you think that Jim Cornette hates Vince Russo or is it all just a work and part of Corny’s schtick?

I think the rants, the comments, and the stories about hating Russo are definitely a part of Cornette’s gimmick and character, but I also think that as time has progressed, it’s gone from being a schtick for Corny into the real deal, with real heat and emotions. I think Jim has convinced himself that the hatred and disgust for Russo is real and on his part, he truly hates the guy. Deserved or not, the passion that Corny feels is very real to him.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. And with that, let’s wrap things up. Take care and be well, my friends. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!