Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Elias & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug. This is the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Let’s get ready to rumble. Let’s roll.

Do you think fans booing Charlotte on RAW presents a problem for WWE wanting to push her as a babyface?

The fans are going to make their own decisions as to who to boo or cheer, despite what WWE wants or expects. If Charlotte isn’t being accepted as a babyface, allow her to be a heel instead. She’s a better heel anyhow.

What if Triple H steps down from the WWE? What is the WWE’s succession plan?

Only WWE and TKO management know for sure, but I’m sure that there are people available if needed. Unlike the previous boss, Triple H is open to delegating authority and listening to others, so there are already others, like HBK, Road Dogg, William Regal, Paul Heyman, etc., in positions of authority, who could step in while a replacement was found.

Do you think Stephanie McMahon will return to WWE in an official capacity?

Stephanie will be hosting a show about her memories of WWE for A&E, I believe, coming up shortly, plus she’s been making regular appearances at WWE events for the past year. In some way, shape, or form, Stephanie McMahon will always be a part of WWE. It might not be in management, but she’s part of the company in every way that matters.

Who is the GOAT heel commentator? Heyman, Heenan, Cornette, Lawler, or Ventura?

Of the five listed, I’d have to give Ventura the nod as the GOAT of heel commentators. He was the first and one of the very best. Every name listed here was great in their own way and style, but Jesse set the bar early and the others were just trying to catch up.

With the WWE’s recent releases, if Triple H told you to pick eight more names to be cut from the roster, who would you give the pink slip to?

Just off the top of my head, I’d be reviewing the careers and potential for B-Fab, Joaquin Wilde, Apollo Crews, Robert “Mr. Stone” Stone, Noam Dar, Riley Osborne, Tamina Snuka, and Vahalla.

You’re told to take two lower-card talents in WWE/NXT and create a WrestleMania-level feud for them between now and Mania. Who would you pick and how would you do it?

How about Pete Dunne and Ethan Page? Two very talented wrestlers, one of who is still relatively new to the WWE, while the other has been around for a while, but used badly and is very underrated. To set the feud up, Dunne goes to NXT for a match and has a verbal spat with Page. Page disrespects Dunne and Dunne responds by sneak attacking and ambushing Page. Ava makes a match, and the two have a banger that quickly gets out of control and has to be broken up. For the next few weeks, it goes back and forth with ambushes and sneak attacks on each other. Finally, Ava has enough and at WrestleMania, it’s a Fight Pit Match between the two men. And there you go.

Elias, now known as Elijah, has signed a deal with AEW/ROH. Thoughts?

According to PWInsider, Elias is working on a per-night deal and is not under contract with AEW/ROH, at least not yet. But, regardless of contract or not, he’s making appearances with ROH. Good for him. It’s a paying job and regular work.

In your opinion what makes the greatest wrestler the GOAT? Is it character work, in-ring ability, popularity or connection, drawing power, etc?

It’s all of the above. The very best wrestlers can talk, can work strong matches, can connect with the audience, and can put butts in their seats. Few wrestlers have ALL the tools, but there have been a few, like Flair in the 80s, HBK in the 90s, etc. Most only have one or two of these qualities, but they’re strong enough to balance out the talents that are lacking. There are many great wrestlers out there, but true GOATs? They are few and far between.

With Kevin Owens now feuding with Sami Zayn again. How would you book the match, and would you have the match at Elimination Chamber, or would you hold on until Mania? I would go with the first one.

With Sami “injured”, I think it’s most likely that he and KO will settle their issues at WrestleMania. Given their long history and relationship, a match between the two men at Mania is most likely a dream come true for these two guys. I think that’s probably the plan.

What, if anything, do you think WWE has planned to do if John Cena gets hurt and misses a large part of the time during this last year of his time as an active wrestler?

If Cena gets hurt, the WWE will play it by ear, make adjustments as needed, and continue on, business as usual. That’s what professional wrestling companies do. The card is subject to change.

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. Take care and be well, my friends. Watch out for foreign objects, and I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!