Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Ricochet, Ace Austin, Dream Interviews & 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.

Kali Armstrong is the first ever EVOLVE Women’s champion. Thoughts?

I’ve seen Kali wrestle a few times on EVOLVE, and she’s pretty capable in the ring. I don’t see “superstar” attached to her name yet, but she’s a solid performer and has great potential. Congratulations to Armstrong for a great beginning in WWE and hopefully many great matches and championships to come.

Ricochet says that he’s planning on starting a faction in AEW. Thoughts? Who do you think should be in it?

A faction in AEW? What a unique and novel idea. Why the hell not? And as for who, how about Darius and Dante Martin, aka Top Flight, and Aaron Solo? Top Flight is a solid team that seems to be getting a push right now, and Solo is a very underrated talent who can work and talk but needs a break. And what the hell? Add Anthony Bowens too. Why? Just because.

Would you want to see Cedric Alexander join MVP, Benjamin, and Lashley in AEW?

He was part of the group in WWE and isn’t doing anything right now, so why the hell not? Sign him up!

What promotion do you think Ace Austin should join next? Are you excited to see him compete outside of TNA?

As I see it, Austin has two options. AEW, where he can be paid well, but get lost in the shuffle after six weeks, or NXT, where the money isn’t as good and he’ll have to work harder to find his spot, but the potential is greater in the overall big picture of things. I think he’ll end up in AEW.

Do you think WWE is doing the right thing by investing heavily in select NXT talent for quicker call-ups? Should they develop more before jumping brands?

WWE calls up talent to the main roster when they feel they’re ready and it seems to be the best decision for what WWE needs on the main roster. There is no blanket answer to cover every talent in NXT. It has to be determined on a person-by-person basis, and it is.

How many real-life friends do you have that are wrestling fans? Not counting internet friends or people you met online. I’m curious.

Several of my personal acquaintances are wrestlers, former wrestlers, or involved in the business in some manner, so actually, quite a few would be considered fans. Most of my friends fall into three categories. Friends from my school days/partying days, friends from work, and friends who are more family than just friends. Wrestling fans can be counted in every group.

If you could sit down and interview any five wrestlers for your website, who would it be? Be realistic.

Be realistic? Damn, that takes all the fun out of this. But five wrestling personalities that I’d truly like to sit down with here in my kitchen and have a conversation with? It would be Heath Slater, who has regularly been taking bookings and working events here in Laurinburg, NC, the legendary Baby Doll, who I’ve met many times and also periodically works events here in the ‘Burg, my ex-roomie and brother in every way but blood, Michael Youngblood, who has had an amazing career of over thirty years and never lacks an opinion on anything, Ethan Storm, aka one half of the team Atlantic Coast Destruction Crew (AC/DC), another good friend and veteran of nearly thirty years, and finally Marty Garner, aka Cham-Pain. He’s worked all over the world, was the personal assistant for The Rock, and yet still is just a local cool dude and great guy. I’ve never met Marty for more than a nod or a “How you doing?”, but we have many mutual friends and I’ve heard so many Marty stories, that I know he would make for an awesome conversation.

Since today is both of their birthdays, Chris Benoit versus Kamala the Ugandan Giant. Who wins?

Are we talking about the old Kamala or the WWE version? It’d be an interesting match and a fun clash of styles and characters. Kamala has the size obviously, but Benoit had the intensity and was a much better wrestler. Benoit would win.

Mercedes Mone says that she is the Beyonce of Women’s wrestling. Thoughts?

So, she’s saying that she’s all hype, overrated, and believes her own publicity. Yeah, I can see that.

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!