Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Christy Hemme, Athena, AJ Lee & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m your resident Party Host & Guiding Light, Doug and this is what we call the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. You have questions and I have the answers and no question is off limits. Let’s talk professional wrestling, aka The King of Sports. Let’s roll.

So, what’s the deal with Athena? Why isn’t she on TV?

It’s a good question. Athena, formerly Ember Moon in WWE, is one of the few women in AEW who can actually wrestle. Add to that, she’s the reigning ROH Women’s Champion, as well as the longest-running champion in ROH history, there is no excuse. Athena should be up there with Mercedes, Mariah May, and Toni Storm at the top of the AEW roster, but she’s not. It doesn’t make sense.

Christy Hemme is back with TNA in a backstage role. Thoughts?

Christy got her start in pro wrestling as part of the WWE Diva Search and has become a wrestling aficionado since then. She joined TNA as a talent and eventually became part of the creative team for many years. And now, after a break of a few years, she’s back. From all indications, this is an office position and she won’t be a character on television or doing any matches. But it is wrestling and never say never, right? It’s always cool to see someone come home.

Name the legend who made you fall in love with wrestling.

It wasn’t just one person, but a combination of talents, like Blackjack Mulligan, The Mighty Igor, Brute Bernard, and all of the stars of Crockett in the early 70s. I was hooked from the beginning with folks like Johnny Weaver, Wahoo McDaniel, and The Anderson Brothers.

What are your thoughts on Van Hammer?

Big, blonde, and kind of a goof. Hammer had the look, but I could never really get into his matches. That was a food or bathroom break for me. He was all muscle and a one-dimensional character. I mean, Major Stash? Really? Give me a break.

Rick Martel versus Paul Roma. Who wins?

Paul Roma was more talented than most people tend to give him credit for. He was a lousy Horseman, but his tag team efforts with Paul Orndorff as Pretty Wonderful were top-notch. Martel was a former AWA World Champion and wrestled in the WWE as The Model. This would be a good match, but the winner is in little doubt. Rick Martel would get the win.

Describe Ricochet in three words or less.

Bald, underrated, and flippy-floppy.

Mil Mascaras versus Hulk Hogan. Who wins?

Mil against Hogan would be a disaster. Mascaras won’t sell or take bumps and would refuse to lose. Hogan would be Hogan, and the ego would not let him sell for Mil’s style of wrestling. It’d go to a quick double count-out or someone would have to interfere to get a no-contest. The two massive egos would allow no difference.

Champion versus Champion: The Judgment Day (Finn & JD) versus Grayson Waller & Austin Theory. Who wins?

Waller & Theory are the more talented team, but Judgment Day has the numbers advantage with Carlito, Dom, and the ladies. It wouldn’t matter to the fans since both teams are heels and they’d be happy to see either team lose. I think Judgment Day and the aid of their friends would put them in the winner’s circle.

Is Bron Breakker versus Jacob Fatu a dream match for you?

I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a dream match, but it is a potential match I’m looking forward to seeing in the future. Both men are being built as legit tough guys and when this match eventually happens, it’s going to be a big moment. So, it’s not a dream match, but still highly anticipated.

Teddy Long wants to see AJ Lee return to WWE. “I think it’s time for her to come back — She didn’t leave on bad terms, and they didn’t bury her before she left. I think right now she’d be a big asset to them.” Thoughts? Is Teddy right or not?

From everything that I’ve seen, WWE would love to have AJ Lee back as well, and the ball is in her court. But she’s also a very busy woman so she may not have the time right now. I’m sure that when the stars convene and the time is right, we’ll see AJ again in WWE. Teddy is right that she’d be majorly over right now and it would make for a great moment. We’ll just have to keep watching and see what happens.

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. By the way, this is my 4000th post on this site. Congratulations to me. Take care and be well, my friends. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!