Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Billy Gunn, Too Cool, Al Perez & More
July 24, 2023
DougMaynard.com

You have questions and I have the answers. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s do this.

Do you prefer when commentary is ringside or out of the way on the stage? And if you were at the desk, which vantage point would you like better?

I prefer to see the commentators at ringside calling the action. It just adds to the presentation in my opinion. If I was part of the crew calling the action, I’d probably prefer to be at ringside as well. I know they call from the monitors, but I wouldn’t want to miss anything.

If you could manage/book any four wrestlers in AEW as a faction and try to get them over, who would you choose?

Most of my favorites have been either released or their contracts have expired, but I’d give it a shot. Let’s go with the easy answer. CM Punk, FTR, and Claudio Castagnoli. He doesn’t fit well with the Moxley-led version of the BCC, so put him with FTR and Punk instead. And yeah, this group would dominate AEW for sure.

Who do you think will replace Billy Gunn after his retirement on Collision? Or does the Acclaimed go back to going for the TAG titles?

That was a shocker to see Billy take off his boots and leave them in the ring this past week. I don’t know if it’s an actual retirement from AEW, just a retirement from in-ring competition, or just part of a swerve to throw everyone off for a while and maybe do a heel turn. I don’t get it. But I don’t think The Acclaimed will try and replace him. That would be very disrespectful and backfire on them quickly. Most likely, we’ll just see The Acclaimed get back into the hunt for the AEW Tag Team Titles.

Which wrestler from any promotion would you invite to a Sunday afternoon family barbecue? They would be in gimmick.

Stone Cold Steve Austin, because you know he’d make sure there is plenty of cold beer. What?

Do you ever see WWE inducting Too Cool into the Hall of Fame, or do you think that the nature of Brian Christopher’s death might keep them from doing so?

I can see this happening, but Rikishi needs to be part of the package as well. Christoper and Scotty 2 Hotty were a great tag team that had a lot of memorable moments as part of the WWE. Also, Scotty works in NXT as a trainer and most of Rikishi’sfamily is part of the WWE roster so we know there is no bad blood anywhere. Yeah, I think it will eventually happen.

Thoughts on “The Latin Heartthrob” Al Perez?

Al Perez was a very talented wrestler and had a great look, but the major problem with Perez was that he seemed to believe his own hype a bit too much and overestimated his value to the companies he worked for and promoters. He had all the tools and was getting a big push in WCW, but then protested about being The Black Scorpion and jobbing to the then-WCW World Champion, Sting. It’s too bad because Perez, managed by Gary Hart, was, with all due respect to Lex Luger, the total package. I thought he was pretty awesome, but he could have been so much more.

Who was a better draw and over more in their prime? Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold Steve Austin?

It’s a tough call because Hulkamania was the foundation that Vince built around to take the WWF national and create Wrestlemania. And Stone Cold was the biggest star of his era, with a fan base second to none. I think I’d have to say Hogan for this one.

Gunther & Baron Von Raschke versus Bruiser Brody & Miz. Who wins?

Just imagine all the people this match would offend. It would be great and snowflake heads would explode. Both Miz and The Baron would be there to take the loss so the two biggest stars would be protected. I’ll go with The Baron and Gunther winning because Miz gets over more when he loses than when he wins, plus he’d probably consider it an honor to take the Baron’s claw. The Ring General and The Baron win. And that is all the people need to know!

LA Knight is the most over wrestler in the business on any promotion today, it’s not even close. If/When WWE decides to run with him, should he be the one to dethrone Roman Reigns?

LA Knight is getting over, but the most over wrestler in the business? I can’t agree on that, nor would Roman, Dominik, MJF, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, or Jim Cornette. He should get some title runs with either the U.S. or the Intercontinental Championship, but to be the one to take out Roman? I just can’t see that.

You are given a job in a wrestling company as a manager. What’s your gimmick?

I’m fat, obnoxious, and only have one leg. My gimmick and character could pretty well write themselves, but I’d add some colorful shirts and go for a Captain Lou Albano kind of look and style to add to the character. And since I only have one leg, I’d go to ringside in a wheelchair or keep one available, but I’d get up every so often to interfere and sometimes give my prosthetic leg to my client to use as a weapon. I’d probably make a great heel manager for any Independent Wrestling Company.

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

Ubuntu!