Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Chris Jericho, Kevin Dunn, Keith Lee & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s New Year’s Eve and we’re getting ready to say goodbye to 2023. I guess that means I need to clean out my inbox and answer a few questions so I don’t start the new year already running behind. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s roll.

So now there are allegations that Chris Jericho, Mr. NDA, sexually harassed former AEW star Kylie Rae, leading to her leaving the company. Thoughts?

I can see why everyone is wanting to pile on Jericho, but even though he’s a huge hypocrite in so many ways, it’s innocent until proven guilty and Kylie Rae hasn’t said anything. She just liked a tweet that referred to this from a so-called wrestling journalist. Also, the rumor is not that he sexually assaulted her, but that he allegedly hit on her and made her feel uncomfortable. If just making people feel uncomfortable is cause for a person to be dragged through the mud and destroyed, I wouldn’t have a job, career, or life. Yes, I remember how I was back when I was drinking regularly. I’m sorry, guys. So let’s just wait and see how this develops. Even if it is Chris Jericho, we shouldn’t jump to judgment. Let it play out first and save our judgments for later.

Adam Cole is the AEW Devil. Thoughts?

It is what it is. I was hoping for more, but it’s AEW and pretty much went how I expected. Adam Cole, Bay-Bay, is the Devil! Yawn.

Andrade el Idolo is finished with AEW and moving on. So what’s next? A return to WWE or somewhere else?

Considering that Andrade only left the WWE originally because he wasn’t happy with the way Vince was booking him, plus he’s married to the top female star in WWE, who just signed a new contract extension. He’s going to the WWE.

Kevin Dunn, who has been the Executive Producer of WWE TV for over thirty years, is leaving WWE. Thoughts?

I can’t wait to hear Jim Cornette’s take on this. It makes sense though. Dunn was always Vince McMahon’s second-hand man and extremely loyal to Vince. He’s good at what he does, but I’ve been hearing for years that he and Triple H don’t get along well. Plus, WWE has new owners and is seeking to try new things in their production values and the way the shows are done. Dunn has made his money and he’s set for life. It’s time to retire, rest, and reap the benefits of a long career. Best wishes to Kevin Dunn in his future endeavors.

Attention, Maggot. What do you think of Sgt. Slaughter?

Sarge is a decent wrestler and character who had a good career. I wasn’t much of a fan after he left Crockett to go to the WWF though. He was much rougher and hard-edged in Crockett, fighting guys like Blackjack Mulligan, Wahoo McDaniel, and Barry Windham, but then he went to WWE and his style seemed to change. The matches were different and he got more cartoony and gimmicky. He just seemed to me to have lost a few steps on the drive up to New York and wasn’t the same. But he had a great run, both as a heel and baby face, and a career that continued for many years. Not one of my favorites, but still an icon & legendary character in the world of pro wrestling.

Keith Lee was removed from his match with Swerve Strickland due to not being cleared by doctors. Lee revealed on Twitter that he’s been dealing with an injury since the Arthur Ashe Stadium show in 2002 and it’s been getting worse since Final Battle. Thoughts?

If this injury is so serious, why has he still been appearing on television and wrestling instead of taking time off to heal properly? It seems as if WWE dodged a bullet when they decided to release Lee. He has been injured more often than not since going to AEW. At least in WWE, he would be taken off the schedule and allowed to focus on his health and getting better. In AEW, he’s still wrestling and making appearances and we’re seeing the results. Best wishes to Lee for a full and speedy recovery from his injuries and issues.

Since it looks like Saturday PPVs are gonna keep happening, what do y’all think about if AEW used Collision as the preshow? Just put the Buy-In or Zero Hour on Collision. Sure, they’d probably have to air Collision at a different time slot than usual, but I feel like this would work for PPV nights.

That would be a good idea and probably work to their advantage. WCW used to use their Main Event show on TBS on Sunday nights to lead into their PPV events, and WWE did the same thing with Sunday Night Heat. It would help with the lead-in audience for the PPV events and probably spike the ratings for Collision as well. This is an idea that Tony Khan, Warner Brothers Discovery, and AEW should consider.

Is it okay to attend a wrestling event by yourself or is it weird?

It’s perfectly okay. I do it often, although in my case, I prefer to be alone to take notes of the show and do a report on it for my site. Also, as I’ve discovered many times, I may walk through the doors alone, but I know so much of the talent involved in the local shows, that before and after the show, I spend quite a bit of time talking and catching up with friends and acquaintances. Going alone is perfectly fine, as is going with friends and family. Just go and support the local talent and the shows and have a great time. That’s all that really matters.

Eric Bischoff says AEW is just another wannabe company filled with Ex-WWE stars like TNA. Thoughts?

There is a difference though. AEW has a money-mark billionaire paying the bills and behind the product. That makes all the difference.

Hornswoggle vs Zach Gowen. Who wins?

I like Gowen and this would be quite the spectacle, but never bet against The Swoggle. Hornswoggle would find a way and sneak out the win.

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 it up. Take care and be well, my friends, and have a Happy New Year. I’ll see you on Day One.

Ubuntu!