Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Nick Wayne, Contracts, Matt Riddle & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I’m Doug. We answer the questions that no one else will. Are you ready? Let’s roll.

Do you think that WWE is contract-tampering with AEW wrestlers?

No more than AEW is tampering with WWE wrestlers and both companies are tampering with TNA talent. Officials making offers to contracted employees? Probably not, But friends speaking to friends and the spilling of guts, complaints about work, etc. It happens.

You do these wrestling Q&As every day. Why aren’t you doing a podcast or at least video versions of the Q&A instead?

I’ve thought about it, but I hate the way I sound on audio, hence the podcast is out. And videos? I’ve experimented a few times, but my house, with the pets, the phone, my Mom, etc., wouldn’t work very well either. Too many interruptions. It will all happen eventually, but for now, I’ll stick to the writing. I like to write.

If TruTv is being rebranded as TNT Sports do you think they’ll move AEW to it?

It’s a possibility, but I haven’t heard anything for sure. It would be a demotion for sure since TruTV doesn’t have nearly the exposure and reach that TBS or TNT have, but if Warner Brothers Discovery wants it to happen, AEW won’t have much of a choice.

The AEW television contract with WBD expires at the end of December, but so far, there’s not a new deal as of yet. Time is running out. Do you think AEW will remain on the WBD Networks after the end of the year?

I don’t think that Tony will get the money he’s allegedly asking for and might even have to take a pay cut, but I don’t expect to see AEW changing networks. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all goes down.

Do you think that Matt Riddle has burned his bridges with WWE and TKO or will he eventually be back?

The powers that be at UFC don’t like Riddle and the management of WWE weren’t happy with him when he was terminated so who knows? It’s pro wrestling and the WWE. Riddle is a talented and charismatic guy so never say never. Anything is possible.

When do you think The Rock returns?

If I was a betting man, I’d say just about the time that Smackdown moves to the USA Network and then again, when RAW moves to Netflix.

What are your thoughts on wrestling companies extending a wrestler’s contract to make up for injuries and other missed time? I’ve heard that AEW may do this with Ray Fenix. Is this even legal?

I can understand the legalities behind this practice. The company signed for X years and they want to get what they agreed to. Injuries or personal issues cut into that time frame and the company feels short-changed and wants to make up the difference. I don’t know if it’s legal or not, but the talent continues to get paid so that counts for something. I don’t agree with it, but I think it should be determined on a case-by-case basis. I can’t see forcing a wrestler who wants to leave to stick around and continue to work for a company he doesn’t want to work for. But I also can’t see investing millions of dollars to build a character and they just take off and leave with no return on the investment. As I said, it’s a complicated issue and both sides of the argument have valid reasons.

Thoughts on AEW wrestler Nick Wayne?

A talented young guy who has mostly worked under the radar under the guidance of Christian & Killswitch and gets better in the ring every time he performs. Hook may get the attention of the fans and promotion, but Wayne continues to improve and I think will have a strong future ahead of him. The kid has an amazing amount of potential and although I didn’t see it much when he first debuted, he’s growing on me and I’ve become a fan.

Who’s the better wrestling personality? Jim Cornette or Paul Heyman?

This comparison is like asking me to choose between Zeus and Odin as to who the better King of the Gods is. They’re so alike in so many ways, yet so different as well. I can’t make a choice. I may have a t-shirt that says I’m a Jim Cornette Guy, but I’m equally a fan of Paul Heyman as well.

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 for now. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!