Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Jack Perry, Victoria, Jake Hager & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Welcome to the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A, where anything goes and no question is too much. We’re keeping it real. Are you ready? Let’s roll.

Is Cody Rhodes a Top 10 wrestler in the world?

It all depends on your perception and what qualities you would use to define a “Top Ten” wrestler, but as of right now, with the way he’s being pushed and booked in WWE, I would put him in the Top Ten of current stars and talent.

You can start your pro wrestling promotion with any four wrestlers past or present in their prime. Who are you choosing?

I’d go with Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Bobby Eaton, and Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie).

AEW trying to figure out creative plans for Jack Perry. How would you book his return to AEW?

I’d put him under a mask and have him exposed as The Devil. Okay, maybe not, but that seems to be, at least in my opinion, the way AEW is currently headed. I don’t think Perry should be brought back to AEW. He instigated the backstage altercation that cost AEW their biggest star and the punishment for both men, termination, should be the same. But if I had to book his return, I’d have him come out on Dynamite to the sounds of a new theme song, Cry Me A River, and just cut a pipe-bomb promo, establishing how he’s been “misunderstood” and how he is AEWs “savior”. Just have him so full of himself that even the biggest assholes would say he’s an asshole and play off the massive heat he’s going to get. And just build on that as he challenges MJF for an opportunity at the World Championship.

Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria) has expressed interest in maybe going back to WWE and working as an agent or trainer. Should WWE give her a chance?

WWE should at least give her the opportunity and a chance. Varon was always good in the ring, better than most of her era, and would have a unique perspective and experiences that could be passed on to the next generation of WWE talent. She might bomb, but then again, she might be the next Molly Holly and excel as a WWE producer and trainer. She just needs to be allowed to find out.

Ken Shamrock and WWE have to come to terms on a new deal. Do you think we’ll be seeing Shamrock back in a WWE ring or on WWE television?

Shamrock is 59 years old and unlike some promotions, WWE prefers to keep most of their elderly wrestlers outside of the ring and in roles other than active wrestlers. But I could see Shamrock being used as an Ambassador for the TKO product, having had experience in both WWE and UFC, plus the occasional cameo backstage and maybe in the role of Guest Referee for the occasional match. Shamrock looks great and I’m sure that now he’s part of the WWE team again, they’ll find plenty of ways to use him.

How would you book Jake Hager to make the former WWE World Champion a top guy in AEW?

It’s simple. Have Jake start winning matches and be booked strongly and consistently. Jake is a former WWE World Champion, plus he has an undefeated record in MMA and there is no reason that any decent promoter couldn’t get Jake over as a top heel and monster. He’s not the best promo in the world and that’s true, but there are so many managers and legends in AEW, that he could be paired with someone who can handle the talking such as CJ Perry, Don Callis, or hell, even bring back Dan Lambert. Jake has all the tools, but just needs to get serious in the ring and be pushed correctly and there is no limit to what he could accomplish.

The House of Black versus The Fabulous Freebirds. Who wins?

Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews versus Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, and Terry Gordy. What a brawl this would be. The HOB are better in-ring wrestlers, but when you have the Freebirds in a match, that really wouldn’t matter all that much. Roberts was the wrestler, Gordy was the power, and Michael Hayes was the leader and wordsmith and the magic they had, the chemistry, was almost beyond compare. I’ll go with The Freebirds on this one.

What does it say when the ROH title is now being made 1/3 of a combined AEW/ROH/NJPW title? Feels like its history and its importance are being buried.

A title with a long history is being merged with an obscure title that no one cares about outside of Japan and a title that is made up just for this tournament. You’re 100% correct that the ROH history is being buried and forgotten so an inept and clueless booker can have a meaningless tournament that no one cares for or gives a damn about. It’s a damn shame.

There are rumors that Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon may be soon returning to WWE. Thoughts?

I’ve heard this as well and it makes sense that the WWE would like to have a McMahon or two on board now that Vince is apparently out of the picture. Stephanie did well in all of her various roles in WWE Management over the past few decades and has proven that she is capable and a strong asset to the company. Her possible return to WWE doesn’t surprise me in the least and all I’m wondering is what took her so long. As for Shane, he’s still a McMahon and has name value so while I doubt his role, should he return, would be anything more than the occasional appearance, makes sense as well. I’m wondering though, will Linda McMahon ever return? Hmmmm.

Who was an underrated tag team you feel never got their fair credit or a chance to shine?

The first team that came to my mind was Men at Work from WCW. Chris Kanyon and Mark Starr. They got a few wins on WCW Saturday night and were pretty effective as a team, but aside from that, they never got the push or rub from WCW management. Kanyon eventually moved on to become a strong mid-card talent, but Starr never moved past the “jobber” level despite having all the tools. It was a miscarriage of justice in my opinion.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Thoughts, comments, 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!