Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Velveteen Dream, WXW, Joe Gacy & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Let’s talk pro wrestling. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I’m your party host, Doug. Let’s roll.

Patrick Clark, aka The Velveteen Dream, showed up and issued an open challenge at a show in New York. So it seems that The Dream is back in pro wrestling. Thoughts?

I’m glad to see it. Clark had a lot of issues going on while in NXT and since his release, but remember, he was never charged or convicted of anything. Clark is still a young guy and young people do stupid things sometimes. This is a chance for redemption for Clark and a chance to live his dream. Second chances don’t come often and I’m glad to see Clark getting one. Now, I just hope he doesn’t mess this up.

Wild Samoan Afa announced that WXW will be closing, after 27 years of promotion, in April. Thoughts?

From what I understand, Afa has heart problems & onset of Alzheimer’s & Dementia going on, so this decision makes sense. It would be nice if someone could step in and buy the promotion, maybe a rich relative like Dwayne Johnson, and keep WXW alive, but that’s probably just wishful thinking. Afa is doing what he feels he needs to do and it’s the end of an era. Sad, but understandable.

If they are trying to turn Joe Gacy into a babyface, is it time to change his name as well? Do you think the fans would get behind someone so obviously named after a real-life serial killer?

I don’t think the majority of today’s fans care where the name came from. John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer, was a sick bastard to be sure, but he’s been dead now for over thirty years. Joe Gacy, the wrestler, is a talented dude at NXT who is entertaining and has a bright future ahead of him. He’s getting over and no one cares about the name. Just let the guy wrestle.

Choose Only 1: Batista’s Spinebuster or Arn Anderson’s Spinebuster?

I have to go with Arn’s version as the better one. Batista just picks the opponent up and drops him to the mat. Arn has to catch him, turn, and pivot before slamming the opponent to the mat. Arn’s version looks better and looks like it’d be more effective.

Who are your favorite tag team wrestlers of all time?

It’s a tough call for the all-time tag because I have so many tag teams that I am a huge fan of such as The Midnight Express, Arn & Tully, Arn & Zbyszko, Steamboat & Youngblood, The B-Team, Arn & Windham, Masked Superstar & Paul Jones, Jones & Von Raschke, etc. Oh wait, I misread the question. My bad! Tag team wrestlers and not established tag teams. That makes it easier. My favorite tag team of all time is Ole and Gene, the Anderson Brothers. But wrestlers who were primarily tag team dudes. I’d say Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, and Buff Bagwell.

With all of the hype building toward Sting’s last match, as he and Darby defend the tag titles against the Young Bucks, I’ve noticed something. Where is Ric Flair? He was brought in to be part of Sting’s retirement and was supposed to be at Sting’s side leading up to the final match, but he’s vanished from AEW and hasn’t even been mentioned. What’s up?

That’s a good question. All of the hype with Flair coming to AEW to be a part of Sting’s retirement journey and then, he’s just not there anymore and not even mentioned. It makes no sense at all. Flair made a big deal about how he was going to be there by Sting’s side and now, nothing. It’s just bad storytelling.

Using just one word, describe Paul Heyman.

Imaginative.

If Triple H was removed from WWE due to the Vince scandal, do you think Tony Khan would offer him a job at AEW? Do you think Triple H would accept?

I think Tony Khan may offer, but to be honest, I seriously doubt that Triple H would accept or even truly consider AEW as an option or future career choice. It would depend on just how mad he is with the TKO people and how many zeroes are on that paycheck.

Psycho Sid Vs Oba Femi? Who wins?

I’ve only seen Femi wrestle maybe three times and the dude is impressive, but he’s not the man who rules the World. Sid wins.

Curtis Axel (Joe Hennig) says that WWE would never allow him to use his real name despite repeated attempts to convince them to do so. Thoughts?

I can kind of get it as WWE likes to own character names, but I can also see Axel’s position on this. His last name has a legacy dating back three generations and would certainly be more credible and sellable than Michael McGillicutty or even Curtis Axel. I’m thinking most likely it was a Vince thing. Maybe he was mad about Joe’s daddy, Mr. Perfect, jumping to WCW? Who knows. Joe isn’t a young man anymore, but he’s still healthy, in great shape, and a very talented professional wrestler. Maybe some talks with the NWA, TNA, or even AEW to come in and wrestle under his real name is what he needs to do. He would be an asset to any talent roster and a serious, focused Joe Hennig could make a strong impact in my opinion. They’d be lucky to have him.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. Follow me on X at @Doug28352. And with that, let’s wrap this up. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!