Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Giant Baba, Charlotte Flair, Alberto Del Rio & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug and this is the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. No question is off-limits. You ask and I’ll answer. Let’s roll.

If Seth Rollins versus CM Punk happens at WrestleMania 41, does it need a world title?

Two stars like Seth and Punk? Given the history between the two men and how WWE is slowly building towards a match, no belt is needed. It would be nice and add to the match, but a good stipulation would work just as well.

What are your thoughts on Giant Baba?

A wrestling legend and three-time NWA World Champion. I’ve only had the chance to see Baba wrestle a few times via YouTube and it was hard to watch, but considering Baba was getting older when the matches I saw took place, it’s to be expected. The main thing I know about Baba, and it’s been said by many people such as Harley Race, Stan Hansen, etc., is that he was an honorable man and his word was his bond. That’s why wrestlers were so loyal to Baba and All Japan Pro Wrestling, even during the rough times. An honest wrestling promoter. Imagine that.

Ronnie Garvin & Barry Windham versus The Acclaimed. Who wins?

Everyone loves the Acclaimed and this would be a good match, but everyone seems to forget just how effective Ronnie Garvin and Barry Windham were as a team in the NWA/WCW. My money would be on Barry and Ronnie to win.

Fire Tony Khan. Promote Jeff Jarrett to booker. Bring in Dutch Mantell and Jim Cornette to produce. It’s the only way to save AEW! Agree or disagree?

An interesting set of ideas to be sure, but I don’t think it would work. You can’t fire Tony Khan. He’s the owner and the money that is keeping AEW alive. Jarrett as the booker would be okay and an improvement, but I don’t think Jeff would do it or want the headaches. Dutch Mantell is retired and in poor health. He wouldn’t do it. And Cornette wouldn’t leave his home or take the pay cut to do it either. If AEW is to be saved, you’d better look for other, more reasonable solutions, than the ones you presented here.

Rey Fenix, talking about AEW, tweeted, “I needed a doctor and you just ignored me for months.” Thoughts?

CM Punk said essentially the same thing about how, when he was injured, he had to arrange everything himself, pay for the surgery, and didn’t hear anything from the office for six months despite being injured headlining their PPV event. AEW seems to have a pattern of ignoring wrestlers when they’re injured or not being used regularly. Or in Punk’s case, when he’s the World Champion, but gets hurt in a title defense. There is much more to come with this story. Fenix can’t talk right now due to being under contract and held hostage by AEW, but I have a feeling that when it all comes out, it’s going to be bad.

Should Charlotte Flair break Ric Flair’s record for World Championships? Charlotte currently has 14 World Championships on her resume.

I have no real opinion on this question. Charlotte is a damn good wrestler and arguably one of the best women wrestlers ever. If she breaks Flair’s record, good for her. And if it’s John Cena or Randy Orton, good for them. Flair’s record as the touring NWA Champion and anything the wrestlers of today do are not comparable. So if Charlotte wins three more World titles, more power to her. It doesn’t matter to me.

Who do you think was Dusty Rhodes’s best opponent?

This is tough because Dusty had so many good rivalries with Terry Funk, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Kevin Sullivan, The Horsemen, Superstar Billy Graham, etc. But the best? I’ll go with the man that Dusty once said, “It’ll never be over between us!”, the original Rock, Ole Anderson.

Why is old-school territory wrestling so much better than today’s crap?

Things were so much simpler then. People fought over titles and pride. And there were very few wrestlers in the territory for ten years. A person would work a while, then move on and someone else would come in to take their spot. It kept things fresh and much more exciting. Now, it’s the same wrestlers for years at a time. Things get stale and it shows.

What are your thoughts on Alberto Del Rio?

A decent enough wrestler, but an abusive and narcissistic human being. I have no use or respect for Del Rio based on the situation with Paige, plus his later actions with an ex-girlfriend where he was charged with kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault when he tied her up and repeatedly raped her. The charges were dropped due to a technicality, but he’s still a piece of garbage in my opinion.

Would AEW do better in 2025 running shows out of gyms? It makes sense for a gymnastics show.

That sounds like a plan to me. What they’re doing over there, it sure as hell isn’t wrestling. A gym would be a perfect place for them.

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 that’s all for now. Stay well, my friends, and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!