Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Carmella, Rey Fenix, The Rock & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

I’m Doug, your resident Guiding Light and Party Host. And this is the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. Do you have questions? I have the answers. Are you ready? Let’s roll.

The New Day versus Demolition. Who wins?

A good match with six good wrestlers as Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E is pitted against Ax, Smash, and Crush. It’s a tough call, but I think the outside presence of Mr. Fuji would make the difference. Demolition wins.

As someone who liked the rankings in AEW what your thoughts would be on bringing them back accompanied by divisions and relegation? That way you could have someone go on a run but not need to be a world title contender. You could also have major stakes in relegation matches.

You’re overthinking and too much thinking doesn’t work well in professional wrestling. The old cliche is KISS, or Keep It Simple Stupid!” No one pays enough attention or cares about detail in AEW enough to make it work, and bringing back the rankings as you’ve explained, would just confuse the hell out of everyone. Better to leave them be.

With AEW on a good run, and WWE having some questionable directions lately, do you think the tides could turn on WWE when they’re trying to keep everyone in that locker room happy?

Do I think the tides will turn and AEW will overtake WWE? No, I don’t. Looking at it, there will always be someone unhappy in any business, but I think the huge majority of the WWE roster is positive about the company and where they’re at, especially when they look at the alternatives.

If Cope beats Mox and then gets beaten by Christian, what does Christian’s title reign look like to you?

A move to stability, prominence, and better times for all. Christian is the man and would make a great AEW World Champion. Just don’t bring up anything about families or dead fathers.

How long do you think it will be before fans start getting annoyed with The Rock for changing storyline plans like we used to with Vince?

I think the tension has already started and the fans are not happy with the latest antics of The Rock. They’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt due to his history and who he, is, but the goodwill is fading quickly.

Due to horrible cases of writer’s block, TK, Papa H, and HBK come to your doors and ask for the names of the next five world champions of their respective companies. Who do you list?

For Tony, I would list the five next champions as, moving from the current champion, Moxley to Adam Copeland, to Christian Cage, to Swerve Strickland, to Bobby Lashley, and then finally, to Powerhouse Hobbs. For Triple H and the WWE World Championship, I’d move from the current champion, Gunther, to Jey Uso at Mania, and then to Bron Breakker, Sheamus, Finn Balor, and then Gunther again. And finally, HBK and the NXT Championship. Oba Femi is the current champion. I’d go from Oba to Ethan Page, to Trick Williams, to Ethan Page, to Ricky Saints, to Oba again.

Was Carmella’s WWE departure really due to backstage heat? Do you think Corey Graves’ move to NXT played a role?

Carmella’s departure was because in the past three years, she’s been under contract, but only wrestled for six weeks. WWE has continued to pay her through injuries, the pregnancy, the injuries after the pregnancy, and now, until the end of her contract when it expires. I’ve never heard anything about backstage heat for Carmella at any point during her time in WWE. WWE can’t be expected to keep her under contract and continue to keep paying her if she’s not able to work. It’s just business. When she gets her medical issues cleared up and can work, WWE will eagerly welcome her back. It has nothing to do with Corey Graves. Again, it’s just business.

How would you book Aleister Black on his WWE return?

To start, he would be Chad Gable’s mentor is learning how to fight Luchadores. Black taking over American Made from Gable, to form his own faction, would be cool too. I think that’s the direction I would take.

If Rey Fenix finally makes the move, should WWE bring him back as part of The Lucha Bros alongside Penta El Zero M, or should he go solo?

If Fenix joins WWE, give him a run in NXT to start to reestablish himself with the WWE fans and establish his new WWE identity. And then, on the main roster, when Penta needs help, Fenix can rise and lend him aid, with the reformation of the Lucha Brothers. But I’d do more solo than tag teaming.

Who from either WWE or AEW would you book to go on a Roman Reigns title streak, both men and women?

In the WWE, I’d go with Gunther. He’s already halfway there. The guy is believable and damn good. He’s the perfect option for a long-term champion. As for the women, the choice is obvious and already wearing the belt. Rhea Bloody Ripley. ‘Nuff said!

And there you go. My thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and 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!