Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Bryan Danielson, Top Indy Guys, Sasha Banks & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Before I get started, I want to send a big shout-out and wish a very Happy Birthday to my nephew, Shawn Gantt. Love ya, dude! And now, it’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Are you ready? Let’s roll.

The Texas Death Match between ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Swerve Strickland at AEW “Full Gear” has been given 5⭐️ by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Thoughts?

I think Meltzer may have played in the snow one too many times with Tony. Staples to the titty and drinking blood are what equivalates to a 5-star wrestling match these days and here I thought it required telling a good story, taking the fans on a roller coaster ride of emotions, and maybe wrestling. But hell, what do I know, right? 5-stars? I just don’t see it.

Will AEW be on HBO Max starting in Jan 2024?

I keep hearing this and for the PPVs, I hope this is the case. Occasionally, there are matches I’d like to see, but I’m not paying Tony Khan forty bucks to watch four hours of botches and dream matches that no one will remember two days later. We’ll just have to keep watching and see what happens.

AEW is in DALLAS the same month the Von Erich movie is coming out. Marshall and Ross vs. Big Bill and Ricky Starks, anyone?

With MJF having a featured role in the movie as Lance Von Erich, having the Von Erich boys, plus Kevin, as part of AEW, at least for the Dallas events and in conjunction with the movie, is a no-brainer. I hope it does happen.

What are your thoughts on Brie Garcia stating on a podcast that Bryan was wrestling with a broken orbital bone until his nose went numb? I guess WWE was protecting Bryan from himself all this time until Tony let him be the free spirit that he wanted to be (quite literally).”

It just shows me that Bryan Danielson thinks he’s Superman and that injuries don’t matter. He’s stubborn and I can identify with that, doing things that you know better, but you do it anyhow because you don’t want to let anyone down and you’re a tough guy. Yes, WWE was protecting Danielson from himself. AEW isn’t doing that and as a result, Danielson is dealing with the consequences.

Uncle Dave said WWE had no interest in bringing in CM Punk. Do you think he will post a retraction?

Uncle Dave will not admit that he was wrong. That would be the responsible thing to do, but when has that ever mattered to Meltzer? He reported what his friends wanted him to report and now, he looks like an idiot as a result. Oh well.

Punk goes to WWE, various AEW talent start posting AEW love session-esque tweets, Young Bucks are on hiatus, Dave says there is talent in AEW who don’t want to be there, and QT suddenly resigns. Wtf is going on over there?

Actions have consequences and the poor management skills of Tony Khan, plus the whole concept of letting the inmates run the Asylum are catching up with AEW, both in ratings as well as the backstage vibe. Everything is falling apart and Tony doesn’t have a clue how to fix it.

Do you want to see the Hardy Boyz finish up their careers in WWE or AEW?

I want to see them finish up their contracts in AEW, retire from active in-ring wrestling, go to the WWE to get that much-deserved WWE Hall of Fame induction, and then come back to North Carolina with a nice WWE Legends Contract each as they help build, train, and promote the NC Independent Wrestling scene with maybe a rebirth of Omega.

According to wrestlingnews.co, WWE fans may see the return of Sasha Banks, aka Mercedes Mone, to the company in the near future. Thoughts?

Sasha still has that contract with New Japan to finish up first, plus a broken ankle to recover from, but I’d like to see her back in WWE. I don’t care much for her personally, but she’s a talented wrestler and WWE would know how to use her and keep her in the mix at the top. AEW wouldn’t.

Rhea Ripley versus Victoria. Who wins?

These two women are comparable in size, strength, look, and intensity. This would be a damn good match. It’s a tough call for me because I enjoy both women and have much love and respect for both of them. Rhea is a better actual in-ring worker than Victoria though, given the eras of wrestling and quality of matches thus far in her career. Mami would win.

Who are 5 Indy Wrestlers that you think WWE/NXT should be taking a look at?

There are so many good wrestlers and budding stars on the Independent Wrestling scene, especially here in North Carolina, that it’s hard to pick just five, but I will. Sammy Love, Nathan Cross, Angel Angels, Renegade OutlawJoe Locklear, and “First Class” Garrett Sinclair. That’s just the tip of the iceberg with so many talented guys coming up, building their characters, and growing in that ring every weekend, but it’s a good start. Hey Shawn Michaels, I hope you’re listening.

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. Watch out for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!