Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Bret Hart, The Von Erichs, Matt Cardona & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug and this is the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s do this.

Who was your OG wrestling crush: Trish or Lita?

It was neither of these esteemed athletes. My Diva Crush was, as all who have read my stuff for more than a week already know, Lisa Moretti, aka Ivory.

The Janel Grant lawsuit. Do you think arbitration is the right course for this case, or should it proceed through the court system?

The NDA, which Grant signed and agreed to, says that any disagreements would be settled through arbitration. She violated the NDA and now, she wants to change the rules. Vince McMahon is a sleaze, but there was an agreement in place, agreed upon by all parties involved. Vince kept his part of the deal until Grant violated hers. Either do arbitration as agreed in the original NDA or take it to court and have all charges dismissed with Grant getting nothing.

What are your thoughts on Bret Hart’s lingering resentment about Bill Goldberg?

It was an accident. Goldberg didn’t go into the match with plans to cripple Bret Hart. Shit happens sometimes. Bret needs to just let it go already.

Rate the Von Erich Brothers in terms of in-ring ability from best to worst. David, Kevin, Kerry, Mike, and Chris.

In my opinion, David was the best of the bunch. I’d rank Kevin in second in terms of in-ring ability. Kerry had the looks and the body, so I’d put him in third. Neither Mike nor Chris ever belonged in a wrestling ring, but Mike managed to at least look semi-competent. He’s fourth and Chris is the least talented of the family.

John Cena versus Steve Austin as the main event of WrestleMania 41. Yes or no?

Have Cena and Austin ever wrestled? I don’t think so. This would be a great dream match. But is there a demand for it? I don’t think so. If Austin comes back to wrestle, great. And if Cena has a match at Mania, then great. But why tie them up in one match that no one is asking for instead of maybe getting two big matches from them instead, placing them against other opponents? It makes far more sense that way.

WWE is indeed considering making certain PPVs into 2-night events with the next option being the Royal Rumble. As such, the 2-night format is on the table for the 2026 Royal Rumble. In addition, Money in the Bank could also be headed to a multiple-night event by 2027. Thoughts?

I can see the shows, where there are two duplicate main events, one for the men and one for the women, being on two nights. That makes sense and avoids the repetition of two of the same matches on the same show. The extra time could be used to make sure all of the WWE titles are defended and represented. So that would be WrestleMania, Survivor Series, The Royal Rumble, and Money in the Bank. 4 shows out of twelve per year. It’s a bit much, but not too much. I wouldn’t do more than that though.

Matt Cardona turned down a contract offer from AEW. Does that mean he’s going back to WWE?

Matt Cardona has stated many times that his goal is to return to WWE, as Matt Cardona. Until that happens, he’s keeping his options open as the Indy God and Death Match King. Signing a contract with AEW would have destroyed any hopes of that WWE return ever happening. He’s just playing it smart.

Ric Flair believes Mercedes Moné will return to WWE one day. Is Ric right?

When AEW and Tony get tired of her and Mercedes gets tired of wrestling in empty arenas, a return to WWE would not surprise me at all. I think she’ll have some fences to mend and some crow to eat before it can ever happen, but I think Ric is right. It will eventually happen.

I’m just asking how true is this. I’ve heard from a few people that starting in January, Scott D’Amore is coming in as AEWs head Booker, and that’s Tony Khan’s plan going on or something. I heard that from a few places. Thoughts?

Tony Khan isn’t going to give up control and the book to anyone willingly. It would be much better for AEW to have someone like D’Amore in charge, but I can’t see it happening. I think those people you heard it from are wrong.

Athena versus Trish Stratus. Who wins?

This could be a good match or it could be a total trainwreck. Both women are good in the ring, but both can get a little sloppy sometimes as well. It could go either way. I think the ring rust would catch up with Trish. Athena would win.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and any questions are welcome and appreciated. And with that, let’s wrap things up. Take care, my friends, and stay well. I’ll see you a the matches.

Ubuntu!