Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Nikitta Lyons, Jonny Fairplay, Austin Theory & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug. Welcome to the first of many editions of the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I just finished a small vacation in the hospital, and the questions have piled up. The next few days should be fun. Are you ready to rumble? Let’s rock.

Eric Bischoff says that Will Ospreay isn’t a draw. Is he right?

If booked and used properly, Will Ospreay is very talented and could be a major star for any promotion he works for. His lack of drawing power isn’t Ospreay’s fault, but instead, the way he’s being used and presented, plus the poor quality of what he’s being forced to work with. With the right people, Ospreay could be a major draw. He’s just not with the right people right now.

What are your thoughts on Penta?

Talented and more interesting than I was expecting. It’s all in the presentation. Thus far, I’ve been impressed. This guy has a big future ahead of him.

Which broadcast team was better? Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura & Vince McMahon, or Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler?

All three were excellent for their era. My personal favorite was Jesse and Vince, but that’s just me. The actual best team? Ross and Lawler, by far.

What is the best AEW storyline right now?

I’d say the break-up of The Acclaimed. Max Caster is a future big star and I’m interested in seeing him break that glass ceiling and become a top guy in AEW.

Do you think the ship has sailed concerning Nikita Lyons and the main roster?

If she’s not being mentioned as a potential part of the main roster yet, I doubt she ever will be. Yeah, that ship has sailed.

Whatever happened to former Survivor star and TNA wrestler Jonny Fairplay? Is he still involved in wrestling?

Fairplay still makes appearances on television and at signings, but for the most part, his career in wrestling at least, is over. His last major role in wrestling was as a manager in 2014. Now, he lives in Danville, VA, and just takes any paying appearance he’s offered.

Has WWE dropped the ball with Austin Theory?

Not at all in my opinion. Theory might not be the big star that Vince was grooming a few years ago, but he’s kept a consistent spot on the main roster and has settled into a Miz-like role with the company, where he’s not the focus, but can be relied on for almost any role. And when the eventual break-up of his team with Grayson Waller comes, I think that will elevate Theory to a major spot as a top WWE babyface.

Abdullah the Butcher versus Jacob Fatu. Who wins?

It doesn’t matter who gets the win at the end. A Fatu-Abdullah match, with both men in their primes, would be the stuff of legends, like Abby and Sheik, or Brody versus Hansen. Just brutality at its very best. Fatu would win, but no one would remember. They’d just remember the fight.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming AEW Grand Slam: Australia event? Will it be successful or an absolute disaster for AEW?

This event went from a stadium show to a PPV to a television taping, with the venue being changed, the time of airing being changed, and poor ticket sales, to now, plenty of fan complaints about the seating, prices, and problems with the venue. At this point, I think AEW just wants to get this over with and move on. It’s been a disaster since Day 1.

Duke Hudson has been released from WWE. Thoughts?

To be honest, I had to look up the name to see who this guy even is. I feel for Hudson, but he wasn’t getting used regularly and was an afterthought at best by NXT management. He’s a talented guy with a good look so maybe he can go out on the Indys, pull a Drew or Cardona, and eventually come back. But for now, being released was probably for the best.

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Get used to it because there is much more to come. Questions, comments, and thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe. And I guess that’s all for now. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects, and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!