Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Kevin Lawler, Col. DeBeers, Simon Miller & 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.

Is Dave Meltzer relevant?

If someone dies and you want a good history of their career, Meltzer is your man. If you want good, honest, unbiased factual journalism, not so much.

Uncle Elmer versus Curley Moe. Who wins?

Everyone knows Uncle Elmer from his wedding at Saturday Night’s Main Event all those years ago. Curley Moe was a near-600-pound grappler who did impressions of Curley from the Three Stooges, and wrestled for the IWCCW and other promotions in the Northeast during the late 80s. The ring would have to be reinforced for this match and the tremendous weight of both men. At least Elmer could move around fairly well. Curley Moe? Oy vey! Uncle Elmer wins.

Why was Kevin Lawler never a major star like his father, Jerry, and brother, Brian Christopher?

I remember the name now that you mention him, but just barely. Kevin, who wrestled under the names Kevin Christopher and as the kayfabe brother of Eddie Gilbert, Freddie Gilbert, never ventured far from Memphis for most of his short career. He wrestled and worked as a referee, but never had the exposure his brother or father did. He still lives in Memphis and currently runs a carpet-cleaning business.

What are the odds of WWE being somehow involved in the ill-advised UFC show at the White House next year?

TKO owns both UFC and WWE, and one of the founders of WWE, Linda McMahon, works in the Trump Administration. I’d say the odds are pretty strong, better than 50%.

It’s John Cena versus AJ Styles at Crown Jewel. Thoughts?

I keep hearing that Cena asked for this match, and WWE agreed. It should be an excellent match, and I’m looking forward to it.

What are your thoughts and memories of Col. DeBeers? How would that gimmick work today?

Col. DeBeers was the racist character, portrayed by Ed Wiskowski in the late 80s. The DeBeers character was so scummy and repugnant that it was barely tolerable then, and now, it would never even be suggested, much less brought to life. But Wiskowski, despite being of Polish descent and probably one of the nicest people in wrestling, killed it and made the character work far better than it ever had any right to. Before becoming the vile South African mercenary, Wiskowski also worked as The Polish Prince, and Mega Maharishi Imed, a parody of a religious cult leader. Easy Ed Wiskowski was a great wrestler, could play any role or character, and is a true wrestling legend.

WhatCulture’s Simon Miller made the PWI500, coming in at #350. Thoughts?

I’ll give that a golden thumbs up. Congratulations, Simon.

Should John Cena stick with the decision to retire in December, or should he extend the retirement tour and have his last match at WrestleMania?

More names and ideas for possible opponents keep popping up, and time is running out. I’d like to see Cena add a few more dates to his schedule and stretch it out until WrestleMania. I don’t think anyone would mind.

TNA has invaded NXT. Thoughts?

Finally, we get to see an Invasion done right. I’m looking forward to this story and seeing how it develops.

What did you think of watching WrestlePalooza on the ESPN app?

I didn’t watch it on the ESPN app. Too rich for my blood. I followed the show via social media and watched some of the highlights on YouTube.

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!