Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Francine, Mike Awesome, Erick Rowan & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug and I’m your guiding light through this crazy world we call professional wrestling. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A and this is the first of three for today. I took yesterday off because I was feeling bad, plus I had to watch the Elimination Chamber. But that was then and this is now. I’m ready to rock, so let’s roll.

ECW Legend Francine recently pointed out to WWE that she owns the copyright for “Queen of Extreme”, a phrase WWE used for Liv Morgan in the WWE 2K24 video game. Thoughts?

If Francine is right, and I have no reason to doubt that she is, I expect that WWE lawyers will be reaching out soon and maybe we’ll see a WWE Legend’s Contract in Francine’s immediate future. Most likely, a big check will be involved as well. WWE screwed up and now, if all is right in the world, Francine should get paid as a result.

Seven Bucks Productions, headed by TheRock, is said to be working on a film based on Ric Flair. Thoughts?

Ric was arguably one of the greatest wrestlers of his era and is a true legend in this business. While his more recent antics and willingness to do anything for a check and some publicity are sad and are, in my opinion, killing his legacy, he’s still Ric Flair. A film based on Flair, especially the early day with Crockett, the Horsemen, and that first WWF run, would be a must-see for me. I’m interested in seeing how this all goes.

Gunther recently stated that there are no plans to add a female wrestler to Imperium. But, if plans changed and they did add a female wrestler to the faction, who would you suggest?

The first name that popped into my head, just for her athleticism alone, was Shayna Baszler. She seems obvious based on her character alone, but there are aspects of her character that might not fit in with the Ring General and his troops. Then Ivy Nile popped into my head. Her physique alone would blend in well with the rest of Imperium, and she’s new enough to the main roster that she could adapt and easily make small changes to her character to be the perfect fit. So Ivy Nile would be my pick.

What is the first thing you think of when you see the Hammerstein Ballroom arena?

For me, it’s the original ECW One Night Stand PPV in 2005. I was never a big of the original ECW back in the day so I missed most of their appearances in the early days. But the magic on that one night when RVD and Heyman made their spots, was incredible. The atmosphere was incredible and the surroundings, the Hammerstein, were perfect.

What are your thoughts on Mike Awesome?

A very talented wrestler who was incredible beyond his time, but had his career essentially killed by a rash decision and the political sharks that controlled WCW. Awesome was on fire and a huge star on the rise with ECW, but he decided to jump ship and go to WCW. WCW was steady money and probably more than he had ever seen before, you didn’t have to worry about the paychecks making the bank each week. Unfortunately, the move destroyed a lot of credibility with the boys, and then once he was in WCW, he was a man alone with no support. The Fat Chick Thriller? Really? He got some redemption at the first ECW One Night Stand against Masato Tanaka. Unfortunately, despite stealing the show with that classic match, Awesome also suffered an injury and wasn’t able to capitalize on his success that night. Awesome died not long after from suicide. It’s a tragic shame. He was so good and could have been used so much better.

Former WWE star Erick Rowan wants to return and challenge Gunther for the IC Championship. Thoughts?

With Uncle Howdy, Braun Strowman, and Alexa Bliss by his side to counter Imperium? I’d love to see it and it would make for an entertaining feud. Book it, Triple H.

Big Boss Man was one of the best, underappreciated heels during the Attitude Era. But do you think it would work in today’s environment?

Boss Man was good enough and versatile enough as a character, plus good enough on the microphone, he would have made it work. In today’s anti-police era, a few tweaks might have to be made, but Boss Man would have adapted and done well regardless. He was truly that damn good.

Thoughts on Super Humman?

Is this idiot still around? He’s mentally challenged and is going to get majorly injured one day doing those so-called stunts he likes to perform. The really sad thing is that I’ve heard that it’s his parents who film his videos and encourage his antics. Those are the ones that should be preventing him from doing the crazy activities and protecting him from himself. He’s a sad little person.

If a new promotion started up that ONLY promoted the old, classic style of the 1970s & 1980s with no gimmicks, no high flyers, no dives, no corny angles, but instead just tough, big dudes in trunks and boots with taped wrists. Would you watch it?

I think you’re talking about the NWA. Gimmicks and corny angles have always been a part of professional wrestling so you can’t take them away without killing the promotion and business. The gimmicks and the angles are what draw the fans into the arenas and create an interest. I’d probably watch at first, but I doubt it would keep my interest long. Wrestling is more than just matches between big guys in trunks and boots. Those are just part of the package and you need all of the ingredients to make it work and not just a few.

Jinder Mahal versus Blackjack Mulligan versus Kevin Nash. Who wins?

Three big men and three very different styles of wrestler. This match? Nash would tear a quad walking to the ring to avoid Mulligan getting PO’ed and beating his ass for real. Jinder is much better than most people give him credit for and he’d match up well in size and power against Mulligan. I think Jinder is more well-rounded as a wrestler too and while Mulligan would beat him, and almost anyone else in a legit brawl, I can see Jinder being sneaky and stealing a win with a roll-up from nowhere. Jinder wins.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Thoughts, comments, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. I’ll be back later today with at least two more editions of the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A, so be sure to keep an eye out and watch for them. And with that, I’m gone for now. Take care and be well, my friends. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!