Tossing Salt Presents:
Wrestling Fact or Fiction
CM Punk, Adam Copeland, Podcasts & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s back. My thanks to Mr. Jake Chambers and the outstanding people at 411mania.com for providing these great statements. Are they correct or not? Let’s find out. It’s Wrestling Fact or Fiction. Let’s roll.

Statement #1: Backstage drama will continue to follow CM Punk upon his return to WWE.

FACT: CM Punk is a man who says what he feels and tends to be outspoken more often than not and that ruffles feathers so there will be the occasional drama. It’s inevitable. But I think the majority of the drama these days will be handled much better, in a professional manner since Punk will now be dealing with adults and a professional capacity rather than playing with children who leak stories to the media, cut live shoot promos, and fight every step of the way. Remember, Punk worked for WWE for eight years, and while there were disagreements and the occasional flare-up, there were never any major problems until the end of that run, and it’s a different company now. Both Triple H and CM Punk have grown and evolved as people and if there’s a problem, they’ll discuss it like two men conducting business. Drama will always be there. It is pro wrestling after all. How the drama is addressed and handled is different and that’s the important thing.

Statement #2: If we’re not going to get traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team matches anymore then the War Games matches should include elimination rules in the end.

FICTION: It’s an interesting idea that the final part of the War Games match, the Match Beyond part, be under elimination-style rules. It would be fun to see and interesting, but it also reminds me of trying to fix something that isn’t broken. Leave the War Games match alone as it is, plus throw a couple of bonus elimination-style, traditional Survivor Series matches on the card as well, to keep the older fans happy. WWE has more than enough members on the roster and enough secondary feuds going on that throwing at least one traditional five-on-five elimination-style match won’t hurt anything, nor take away anything from the two War Games matches. The show would be like a traditional regular singles match for the Kickoff show, the Women’s War Games match, a singles match, a 5-on-5 Survivor Series match, a singles match, and then the Men’s War Games Match. Lots of wrestling action and everyone is happy.

Statement #3: You blame the sale of WWE to Endeavor for the first hour of Survivor Series being one big commercial for Ruffles.

FACT: It was kind of extreme and blatant, wasn’t it? While WWE has always had its moments of product placement, such as the Mt. Dew match a few months ago, they were never quite that bad. Okay, maybe a few times with the New Day and Booty O’s, but it was far less obvious. I guess Endeavor wants to get that product endorsement money and get back some of the ten billion dollars they invested in WWE. It’s a little annoying, but I don’t blame Endeavor for that. It’s just business.

Statement #4: Will Ospreay made the right move signing with AEW.

FACT: I don’t agree with the decision, but I understand it. Tony Khan probably offered more money, plus the schedule will be much more flexible so Ospreay can continue working in New Japan and accepting Independent bookings. If Ospreay went to WWE, those deals would be over with. WWE also has far more control over their talents, in the style they work, limiting the dangerous moves and crazy spots. If Ospreay wants to be the acrobat and spotlight performer, AEW doesn’t have those restrictions and he can essentially do what he wants. WWE would probably extend his career and make him a bigger star, better for the bigger picture, but for instant gratification and ego, AEW is the better move.

Statement #5: The best tag team wrestling is in AEW.

FICTION… FACT: I almost said fact, but the lack of stories and common sense in the booking kind of hurts things. AEW has some great tag teams and tag team wrestling, but the best? I just don’t see it. WWE has some good tag team wrestling as well, but tag teams are not the main focus. It’s not nearly as bad as it was under Vince, but tag team matches are still not a top priority. I think for my taste, either NXT or TNA would be the best places to see tag team wrestling and matches. NXT is the younger guys, finding their characters and developing into bigger stars and the tag team scene is fun and different. TNA has solid matches that make sense and great tag team action as well. Okay, I changed my mind. AEW currently has the best tag team scene.

Statement #6: It is already clear that AEW doesn’t know what to do with Adam Copeland.

FICTION: Right now, working with Christian is the right thing and makes sense. It’s logical and is more fun than it has any right to be. I think that falls on the chemistry, brains, and skills of Copeland and Christian rather than AEW management. What will they do with Copeland once this feud and rivalry ends, that will be the big question. That’s when we’ll really find out what AEW can do with Copeland. Right now, with Copeland and Christian essentially booking themselves, things are good. Afterward, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Statement #7: Cheap Heat is the best pro-wrestling podcast.

FICTION: I can’t say yes because I’ve never listened to this podcast. I listen to Cornette, Dutch Mantell, Konnan & Disco, Arn, Bischoff, and sometimes Schiavone & Jim Ross. And with those names already on my playlist, another podcast isn’t always easy to fit into the schedule. I will try and give it a listen when I get the chance though.

Statement #8: You would pay to listen to a podcast.

FICTION: With so much free content available, why would anyone pay to listen to one? It just doesn’t make sense. I understand that people are trying to make money, but no one is that big or important that I’ll pay my hard-earned money to listen to. Maybe I’m just entitled, but that’s the way it is.

And there you go. My thanks again to Mr. Jake Chambers for the great statements and Fact or Fiction concept. And thanks to everyone out there for reading and the support. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. And with that, let’s wrap it up. Take care and be well, my friends. I’ll be back in a little bit with some more editions of The Ultimate Wrestling Q&A, plus some other stuff. And I guess that is all the people need to know. I’ll see you later.

Ubuntu!