Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Steph Vaquer, Chris Jericho, Chris Masters & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug and this is the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A, where nothing is off limits. You have the questions and I have the answers. Let’s roll.

Fresh from her appearance at AEW Forbidden Door, former CMLL and NJPW wrestler Steph Vaquer has signed with WWE/NXT. Thoughts?

I guess that Vaquer weighed her options and went with the deal that she feels is best for her. It’s not personal and just business, something that CMLL, NJPW, and AEW should all understand. If AEW wanted her, they should have signed an agreement before putting her in the main event of a PPV event. They didn’t and her appearance impressed the powers-that-be at WWE and they swooped in with a deal. AEW’s loss is WWE’s gain. It’s just business.

Say his name, and he’ll appear. TNA star Joe Hendry teamed with former NXT Champion Tripp Williams in the main event of NXT against Ethan Page & Shawn Spears. Thoughts?

It was a good match and Hendry is the man right now. Appearing both regularly on NXT and TNA is unprecedented and I’m happy for Hendry. He’s enjoying great success at the moment and good for him. He deserves it.

Swerve Strickland says the big difference between AEW and WWE is that AEW gives him time on TV, while WWE doesn’t. Thoughts?

AEW does right now, but how long will it last? Ask Wardlow, Miro, Sammy Guevera, Action Andretti, or any other AEW stars how that works. Swerve is the flavor of the week and is currently getting the heavy push from Tony Khan, but when Tony finds a new shiny toy to play with, Swerve will be regulated to a seat in catering, just like all the others. Enjoy the push while it lasts, Swerve, because it won’t last forever.

Chris Jericho says that he’ll know when it’s time to retire. It’s past time. Thoughts?

Chris needs to trust his judgment and make his own decisions. Yes, the majority of the stuff he’s currently doing is not good, but he’s still an icon and a true legend of professional wrestling. He’s still a valuable player for AEW and can be an important figure in their day-to-day activities. Maybe less TV and more of a backstage role these days, but I think that Jericho still has some value left and plenty to offer.

Nikki Garcia, fka Nikki Bella, says that she would come out of retirement for a match against Dr. Britt Baker. Would you like to see this match? Thoughts?

Nikki Bella versus Britt Baker? Sure, I’d like to see it happen. Nikki was far better in her day than most of the AEW Women’s roster and she was a good character. It would be a step up for the Women of AEW.

Thoughts on Chris Masters. Why hasn’t the WWE brought him back yet?

I don’t know why Masters hasn’t returned to WWE as of yet, not even for a Rumble appearance or a cameo. Maybe he burned some bridges or just fell into the out-of-sight, out-of-mind category. But if Carlito can return to WWE, anything is possible. He’s currently working for the NWA, but hopefully, we’ll see The Masterpiece back in WWE at some point. Keep your fingers crossed.

The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan has recently undergone major medical issues and has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical bills. Thoughts on Sullivan as a wrestler and a Booker?

Sullivan was a rare and unique worker and had a great mind for the business. His character work in Florida as the cult leader was so good, that people are even now still accusing him of being an evil Satanist and holding him responsible for the murder of his ex-wife, Nancy, and her family. A good wrestler, a good booker, and a legend and icon in the business that is professional wrestling. Here’s wishing Sullivan a speedy and painless recovery back to full health.

Who would be your Mt. Rushmore of wrestling opinion writers?

The late, great Chris Hyatt, who worked at 411Mania and wrote The Midnight News. Mr. Tito, currently working at NoDQ.com. Bill Apter, not because he’s so good, but for all of the years working for the magazines back in the kayfabe days, and hell, myself. I know that these days, I mostly do just Q&As, but the best is still yet to come. You’ve been warned.

Riho returned to AEW and injured her arm in her first match back. Thoughts?

It’s pro wrestling and it happens. Tough break for Riho. Here’s to a quick and painless recovery.

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, I’m out of here. I’ll be back shortly after I go throw some clothes in the washer. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for Jericho and the forklift. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!