Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, Andre the Giant Battle Royal & More
DougMaynard.com
Doug Maynard

Welcome to the show. It’s the only pro wrestling Q&A that matters. You have questions and I have answers. It’s the Ultimate Wrestling Q&A. I’m Doug, your party host and Guiding Light. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Solo Sikoa or Nick Aldis. Which one should Randy Orton face at WrestleMania?

If it was up to me, Randy would be facing the former NWA World Champion and current Smackdown General Manager, Nick Aldis. It’s a fresh match that we’ve never seen before. Randy and Solo is old news.

What is your excitement level for WrestleMania 41?

On a scale of 1-10, it’s probably a 5. It’ll pick up as the week progresses, but honestly, the build has been lacking, and the two Triple Threat matches are the only ones currently listed on the card that I have a strong interest in seeing.

What future topics or people would you be interested in seeing on Dark Side of the Ring?

The lives of Gino Hernandez, The American Love Machine, Art Barr, and Joey Ryan would all make interesting stories. The trainwreck that is Hannibal would make for a good story as well. Throw in Ashley Massaro, the lives of legends Ann Casey and Penny Banner, and that’s nearly a complete season.

Kevin Owens is expected to be out of action for at least a year in WWE. How should WWE use him, if at all, if he can’t wrestle or perform?

If Kevin can’t wrestle, have him work on the PLE pre-show panels, plus do appearances and special events. Kevin is a strong promo and talker and would do well in that kind of role.

Chris Jericho is allegedly finished up with ROH. What’s next for Jericho?

A few months off to do stuff with Fozzy, and then a return to AEW for a meaningless storyline as the returning hero is the most likely possibility. More reinvention and rebooting of the Jericho character as he tries to extend his long AEW tenure.

Would you like to see Rikishi brought in as the new Wise Man for the Bloodline if Heyman goes with CM Punk?

If Heyman does leave Roman and WWE wants someone in Roman’s corner to be his Wiseman, Rikiski is arguably the most logical choice. Former WWE manager Armando Alejandro Estrada is a possibility as well since he was once the manager of Umaga, but Rikishi makes the most sense.

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal will be held on Smackdown the night before WrestleMania. Any predictions as to who will win? Should they leave this match on Smackdown, or move it back to the WrestleMania card?

Given how busy and loaded WrestleMania week has become, having the Andre Battle Royal on Friday night on Smackdown, as the unofficial start of Mania, makes sense and works for me. I’d love to see it as part of the big show again, but logistics and scheduling say otherwise. Smackdown is better than nothing. As for who should win, my early bet is on Omos, if WWE even remembers to use him, or Austin Theory for the victory.

Do you think Goldberg wrestles at Summerslam?

Goldberg said that he’s training for his retirement match that will happen this summer, so SummerSlam seems the most logical place for it to happen. I’m just speculating, but I’ll say yes.

With wrestling every night and Wrestlemania week coming, I have to ask – do you ever get burnt out on this stuff?

There are times that I do get a little discouraged and tired, but when that happens, I take a day or two to reflect, rest, and find my happy place again. I’ve been writing this stuff for over twenty years and I still love it. If I have a rough spot, I’ll grit my teeth, work through it, and find the positive. Rinse, wash, repeat. It works for me.

Why did WWE stop doing pre-show matches for PPV’s? Instead of doing a pre-show filled with talking, why not do matches on them to get people on the card, especially for Big 4 PPVs like Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series?

It was a decision by WWE to make the events more ESPN-like with analysis and talking during the Kickoff Shows, rather than including matches. Personally, I prefer a few matches, to allow a few others to get on the show, plus get the crowd pumped up and excited. Hopefully, they’ll eventually change their minds and go back to the old formula. I hope so.

And there you go. Thanks for reading. Comments, thoughts, and questions are welcome and appreciated. Reach me by e-mail at Doug28352@yahoo.com or on X at @Doug28352. 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!