Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Six-Woman Tag Match, Bobby Lashley, Wrestlemania Host Cities & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I’m Doug and as Al Bundy would say, ‘Let’s rock!’.

Wrestlemania is shaping up to be a packed event, but Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill in a six-person tag team match? Really? Is WWE dropping the ball here?

At first, I was wondering what the hell as well, but then I thought about it. The WWE roster is so packed and strong right now, that there isn’t room for everyone to have a singles match at Mania, regardless of how good they are. Bianca belongs in a singles match, but she’s had those moments for the past four years so now it’s time to step back and let someone else have a moment. This match gives her a match on the show, plus with the six-person stipulation, it gives Cargill a match but prevents her from being overexposed as not being ready for a long singles event as of yet. It protects Asuka, who recently suffered an injury, from being at risk as well. And it gives Naomi, who doesn’t belong on Mania, a match to keep her happy. It’s not a great spot for the ladies, but it checks all the boxes and it’s probably the best way to keep everyone safe and happy.

If you could pick a city to host Wrestlemania again, what is it?

The Queen City, Charlotte, NC. With all of the wrestling history that has taken place in North Carolina over the past century, not having a Mania take place in the Mid-Atlantic territory is just wrong. It needs to happen.

Any favorites for the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Smackdown this upcoming Friday night?

I haven’t given it too much thought as of yet, but I think Bronson Reed may be the man to keep an eye on for this event. The guy is huge and has a big future ahead of him.

If Tony Khan was a white man, he wouldn’t get as much hate as he does. Lots of underlying racism attached to the toxicness sadly, it’s 2024. Thoughts?

This entire statement is blatantly stupid and reeks of someone just looking to find a problem and racism where it’s not there. Look at Tony. He can “pass” for a white man if he wants to and I honestly doubt anyone cares what race he identifies as. Tony gets criticism because he’s a poor booker, a money-mark for the wrestling business, and makes bad decisions and stupid comments on X/Twitter. It’s not his skin color, but it’s just him. Tony rubs a lot of people the wrong way in many different ways and thus, the people react. Nothing more and nothing less. It has nothing to do with race.

Do you think Malakai Black is ever going to get a singles run in AEW?

As of Saturday night, it looks as if Black may be going after Adam Copeland and the TNT Championship so, to answer your question, I say, “Maybe?”.

If you were a wrestler and had the same contract offer from WWE and AEW which company would you wrestle for and what would be the reason/reasons you chose that company?

It’s not even a contest here. WWE does long-term storytelling, has a strong product, and will turn a wrestler into a star. It’s harder work, but it’s a safer environment with a bigger company and more potential for success, even after the run with the company ends. AEW is just matches thrown together and living on the whim of an overworked money-mark and if he remembers you exist each week. If all a wrestler wants to do is collect a paycheck, AEW is the place to be. If a wrestler wants to be a big star and have great matches, character development, and stories, it’s WWE.

Has WWE dropped the ball too hard with Bobby Lashley? He’s a great in-ring guy and he seems to just be there, no real amazing feuds or programs and potentially missing Mania.

It sure as heck does seem that way as of late. I guess that the WWE roster is so stacked these days, that even a guy like Lashley, who should be at the top of the roster and getting pushed to the moon, is getting lost in the shuffle. He’s on TV regularly and is being used, but his programs with the Street Profits, Karrion Kross, the AOP, and Paul Ellering just aren’t a big deal right now. Sad, but true.

Hook versus Jack Perry. Who wins?

He’s an annoying little twit, but I think that Jack Perry, aka the former Jungle Boy, would go over with this one. Hook is a talented kid, but he’s not getting better and has gotten stale in my opinion. Perry comes across as an obnoxious jerk and I’d like to see someone slap him in the head a few times with a steel chair, but he’s a good wrestler with a lot of potential. Perry wins.

If Cody Rhodes never returned to the WWE, who do you think will be taking on Roman Reigns for the undisputed championship?

That’s a tough question with so many variables involved, it’s hard to give a simple answer. Let’s say Randy Orton. He just came back from a long absence at the Survivor Series, so a strong Orton push against Reigns makes sense.

What are your thoughts on AEW’s ratings? Concerned or not. What could AEW do to get the ratings to trend upward?

It’s simple to me and most wrestling fans. Consistent storylines, better characters, introducing the new stars instead of just making matches, and giving the matches a reason and purpose for happening instead of just making matches for no reason except for the booker wanting to see it happen. If AEW gives a solid, strong, good program that keeps the fans interested, the ratings will improve. If they continue as they currently are, the ratings will continue to decline. It is just that simple.

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. Watch out for Matt Cardona. That dude is everywhere. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!