Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Tribute to the Troops, Gunther, Leilani Kai & 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, guiding light, and the man with the best mullet since Billy Ray. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

I was just wondering if WWE will do the Tribute to the Troops again? Or are they moving away from this concept? I suppose with so many political actions in the world… who knows?

That was a WWE thing and a personal project of Vince McMahon. The last Tribute to the Troops was in December 2023. TKO has discontinued the event.

Kris Statlander wants AEW to do an All-Women’s version of Blood & Guts (War Games). Thoughts?

Of course she does. It’s bad enough that the WWE women do it. The AEW women could really screw it up and make it a joke. Sorry, Kris, but no.

AEW talents are allegedly not allowed on Ariel Helwani’s show due to past comments Helwani made about Tony Khan. Thoughts?

According to AEW, this is not true, and AEW talents ARE allowed on Helwani’s show. None have yet to appear, but we’ll see.

Despite online claims, multiple WWE staffers, including at least one higher-up, have said they’ve never heard Tony Khan referred to as “snowman” within the company. Thoughts?

They must not read the comments on Facebook or X, but then again, what are they going to say? Thinking Tony might allegedly use narcotics wouldn’t be an official company policy anyway. And, what people speculate or think when Tony Khan and Frosty are mentioned in the same sentence, who really cares anyhow?

Do you think WWE made the right call shutting out fans and media from the WrestleMania 43 announcement?

They knew the announcement would go over like a turd sandwich at the Mark Henry household, and didn’t want to face the immediate backlash or answer questions trying to explain it. So, they cut out any arguments and faked their way through the announcement. It wasn’t cool, but it was the only way they could control the narrative.

Are you ready to see Gunther back in WWE? What should his first move be when he returns?

I am definitely ready for the return of the Ring General. And what should his first move be? Lay out John Cena, and make the challenge to face Cena in his last match and give Cena his retirement papers, much as he did to Bill Goldberg.

Do you think The IInspiration should stay a team for life or would you ever want to see them go solo?

As solo wrestlers, Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee are talented but easily forgettable. They’re just filler for the match before the actual show begins. But, as a team, they’re like The Rock & Roll Express, The Midnight Express, or The Anderson Brothers. The team far exceeds the singles, and cementing that legacy as a unit, there isn’t anything wrong with that.

Is Leilani Kai in the WWE Hall of Fame? And if not, why not?

No, she isn’t currently a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. She’s a former Women’s Champion, and tag team champion, and has been inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2006, as well as the Professional Wrestling HOF in 2016. I’m shocked about this, as I thought she was already in. So, Michelle McCool is in, but Leilani Kai isn’t? That’s a true travesty. Given her recent appearances with WWE, hopefully, she’s finally on the radar, and 2026 will be her year. She is certainly deserving.

I was thinking, as part of WWE Evolution III, whenever it happens, should WWE hold a special Hall of Fame ceremony as part of the event, with legendary women like Missy Hyatt, Baby Doll, Miss Elizabeth, Stephanie McMahon, and Sapphire getting HOF inductions? Thoughts?

That’s actually a very cool idea. There are so many women in the history of pro wrestling who paved the way for what we see now, but never get the credit. Traditionalists might be unhappy about having a one-off Hall of Fame induction for the female legends who helped evolve pro wrestling, but it would be a great event, make money, and really make the WWE Evolution events even more special. I like that idea.

The Nemeth brothers and the Hardys are arguing over who the greatest brother tag team of all time is. Who would be on your Mt. Rushmore of legit brother teams?

For legitimate brother teams, not kayfabe, my Mt. Rushmore would have Matt & Jeff Hardy, Terry and Dory Funk Jr., Jack & Gerald Brisco, and Jimmy & Jey Uso. And honorary kayfabe mention goes to Ole & Gene Anderson, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.

Stephen A. Smith listed his Top 5 wrestlers of all time, listing The Road Warriors, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Goldberg. Thoughts? And who would be on your personal Top 5?

Smith’s whole gimmick is to piss people off, and his list, especially the number one pick of Bill Goldberg, was strictly tongue-in-cheek. And I’m sure it pissed Bret Hart off. My top list of favorites changes from time to time, depending on my mood, but what the hell. My personal favorites, who can always be counted on to deliver and make the match matter, would be Bobby Eaton, The Masked Superstar, Arn Anderson, Ernie Ladd, and Harley Race.

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; that is all people need to know. I’ll see you at the matches.

Ubuntu!