Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Ryback, The Miz, Chris Jericho & 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.

If you had to take 3 aspects of WWE and put them in AEW what would they be? And vice versa?

Three aspects of WWE that AEW could use? Long-term storytelling, backstage structure, and character development. As for three aspects of AEW that WWE could work with? Let’s go with more freedom with the talents in terms of outside projects, more wrestlers from other promotions being used occasionally when it makes sense or adds to a story, and more use of the managers.

Do you think stars turn cold in AEW way quicker than in WWE because of the culture of the fandom? And does it work in the reverse?

I think the talents turn cold more quickly in AEW because of the on-off booking, where a talent is pushed for three weeks, and then not used at all for the next six. It’s not the fans watching that cause these issues. It is the fan backstage pretending to be a booker.

If Punk didn’t join AEW, how do you think Hangman’s world title run would have played out, skip the Moxley step and just go to MJF?

I don’t get the question, but I’ll try and answer anyhow. If Punk had stayed in AEW, we’d probably have Hangman win the belt, lose the belt, and MJF would probably be the champion now. Or, maybe Darby? With the powers that control that company, all the Crystal Balls in the world wouldn’t allow us to understand or predict.

Do you think deep down it is every Western wrestler’s dream to end up in WWE?

WWE is the largest and most successful wrestling promotion in the world. A career with WWE essentially means you’re set for life. If you’re in wrestling, want to have a career as a professional wrestler, and don’t want to eventually end up in WWE, you’re never going to truly make it, and you’re in the wrong profession.

How do you book AEW after Mox loses the base, do you give the belt to MJF to then drop it to Darby? Also, do you think Keith Lee could come back in aid of the “Avengers”?

Give it to MJF or maybe have Mox drop the title directly to Darby when he’s ready to return. I have no idea. And Keith Lee? Seemingly, he could come back at any time, but for whatever reason, Tony seems to have forgotten about him. Go figure.

Why do WWE fans think the Miz is a good wrestler?

Because he really is. That’s why. Miz is the perfect WWE talent in that he can do anything and he’ll give it 1000% and make it work. He can wrestle, talk, and act as an Ambassador. Why do fans think Miz is a good wrestler? Because he’s the Miz… and he’s AWESOME!

With MJF pushing for a feud with Mark Briscoe, according to Fightful Select does MJF mention Jay Briscoe at all, or is that too far?

It’s MJF and nothing would be off-limits. It would be more surprising if MJF didn’t name Jay Briscoe within the first thirty seconds of a promo towards Mark. It’s MJF, and that’s what he does.

Other than Madison Square Garden, what are your favorite wrestling arenas?

The Cow Palace in San Francisco, The Greensboro Coliseum, The Dorton Arena in Raleigh, NC, and The Tokyo Dome all immediately come to mind. And Wembley Stadium, of course.

How would you book Chris Jericho’s return to AEW TV(leaving him sitting at home or binning him off is not an option)?

Let Chris return as a commentator and replace Excalibur. And maybe a few editions of The Highlight Reel, where he can play instigator, but not actually have to wrestle.

Ryback says that he talked to Kevin Owens and was told that Owens and Cody Rhodes weren’t talking about him regarding booking fees. Thoughts?

He jumped to conclusions without investigating first and made himself look like an idiot. What more needs to be said? When one assumes, they make an ass out of you and me. Well, Ryback made himself look like a complete and total ass. ‘Nuff said!

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!