Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Tony Schiavone, Oba Femi, The Undertaker & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Mayard

Happy Thanksgiving. I’ve decided to take a break from cooking the Thanksgiving feast and instead, answer a few wrestling questions. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. You’re welcome. Now, let’s do this.

How would you rate Tony Schiavone as a commentator now compared to his time with Crockett and WCW?

How the mighty have fallen. Tony was excellent when working for Crockett in the old Mid-Atlantic region. After Nitro and Thunder started to air, Tony was rapidly losing interest and was burnt out, especially in the last couple of years of WCW. And AEW? Why is he even there? Tony is just going through the motions to collect a paycheck. He’s a shadow of what he once was and it’s getting more and more obvious every week. I can understand it to a point because look at what he’s trying to get over every week. Even Gordon Solie or Jim Ross would be lost with that insanity. Tony has the occasional spark of the old Tony, but those moments are few and far between. He should just retire already.

Eric Bischoff is coming to NXT next week. Thoughts?

How does Eric’s WWE music go? I’m back and better than ever. First, it’s the one-night-only event with MLW and now, Bischoff is back on WWE TV. Eric always finds a way to keep himself relevant. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of trouble Eric stirs up at the PC next week. I’m looking forward to it.

Gunther had more aura as Intercontinental Champion. Something is so different, but I don’t know what it is. What do you think it is?

Gunther is playing a new twist on his character, one of self-doubt and humanity. Instead of being Superman, Gunther is showing some signs of weakness so that his challengers for the World Championship don’t seem so overmatched. It’s WWE leveling the odds to create more interest in their champion. I’m not sure if it’s working, but that’s what WWE is doing.

From Survivor Series 87, The Hulkamaniacs (Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, Ken Patera, Don Muraco, and Bam Bam Bigelow) versus The Dangerous Alliance (Steve Austin, Rick Rude, Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, and Larry Zbyszko) w/ Madusa and Paul E. Dangerously. Who wins?

Would this be an epic match for the ages or what? Hogan, Orndorff, and Muraco are all top-tier WWE superstars, while on the other side, there are Rick Rude & Steve Austin. And every single person involved in this match belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame. There’s not a second-rate performer in the bunch. I didn’t see any stipulation for the match so I’ll assume it’s just a regular match. And the winners? Hogan would be upset and probably walk out, but the Dangerous Alliance would get the victory. A distraction by Madusa and some quick cheating by Arn and Booby on Bam Bam Bigelow would give the heels that much-treasured trip to the pay window.

Would you like to see Jacob Fatu and Bronson Reed as a regular tag team?

With the right manager or advocate, this team would be incredible and dominate WWE. Where is Captain Lou Albano when you need him? I’d love to see these two men team up regularly.

What’s your take on Shawn Michaels getting physical during WWE NXT this week?

Eddy Thorpe was careless and NXT General Manager Eva Raine took a bump as a result. And HBK got upset and took it out on the man responsible. Too bad HBK didn’t superkick Thorpe, but I’m sure that next week, with HBK taking the night off as punishment for his misdeeds, and Ava still selling that door bump, Eric Bischoff can fill in for the night and make sure Thorpe has a bad night. At least that’s what I’m hoping for.

What do you think about Roman Reigns potentially facing The Rock at WrestleMania 41?

If that’s what the WWE wants, so be it. The OTC versus The Final Boss. That sounds like money to me. Book it, Hunter.

Do you believe that Oba Femi is ready for the WWE main roster already?

The two main rosters are so full of top-level talent right now, that I think Femi might have trouble finding a role where he can stand out and be noticed. But that being said, the dude is talented and with the right story and push, can and will be a major player for WWE. He’s ready for the main roster. The question is, are they ready for him?

What’s your take on The Undertaker getting political?

The Undertaker has retired from active wrestling and has moved on to be Mark Calaway, a respected podcaster and Ambassador for the WWE. He’s entitled to have an opinion and express it as he sees fit. After so many years of keeping kayfabe and staying silent, Calaway is finding his voice and speaking up. Good for him.

Ricky Starks is still under contract to AEW, and Adam Copeland has been cleared to return to the ring. So Starks versus Copeland? Yes or no?

It’s a no-brainer of a feud that could bring Copeland back into the AEW mix, plus get Starks over with the AEW audience and elevate his career. And it makes sense. It will never happen, but it should.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. Comments and questions can be sent to my e-mail at Doug28352@yahoo.com. Follow me on X at @Doug28352. And I guess that is all the people need to know. I’ve got to go tackle my cooking. Have a great Thanksgiving, my friends, and stay well. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!