Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Ilja Dragunov, AI in Wrestling, The Powers of Pain & 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.

Ilja Dragunov is back, returning on SmackDown to win the United States Championship. Thoughts?

What a way to return after 13 months away from the ring. WWE obviously has huge plans for Dragonuv and is strapping a rocket to this guy. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

Do you think AI has a place in wrestling storytelling?

As of late, I’ve seen some incredible AI creations online, including Mr. Rogers versus Barney the Dinosaur, a wiener dog versus a vacuum cleaner, Helen Keller versus Anne Frank, and so many others. It’s an amazing tool. But does it belong in pro wrestling and as part of the storytelling? Nothing beats the human mind in terms of creativity and storytelling. Is there a place? Probably, but I don’t want to see it.

Is the spear being overused and overexposed?

In just the WWE, the spear is used regularly by both Usos, Roman Reigns, and Bron Breakker. And that’s just on RAW. If everyone is seemingly doing it, it loses its significance. WWE needs to cut back and reserve that for just Roman and Bron Breakker. Otherwise, the move loses its impact as a finisher.

Mercedes Moné has issued an OPEN CHALLENGE to any champion for AEW WrestleDream! Thoughts?

When I did my predictions for the WrestleDream PPV, I said that another match would probably be added. And here we are. I was right. A champion to challenge Mercedes? Does Athena, the reigning ROH Women’s Champion, have any plans this weekend? Let’s go with her as the person taking up the challenge.

Samoa Joe is nearing the end of his legendary career, and he might hang up his boots at the end of his current AEW contract. Thoughts?

Samoa Joe has had an amazing wrestling career, and he’s doing very well currently in Hollyweird as well. He has to do what’s best for him, and I think he has plenty to keep him busy.

Was choosing NXT over the main roster the right move for Blake Monroe?

WWE fans who don’t watch AEW would have no idea who she even is without the NXT time to build her character, plus teach her how to wrestle and adapt to the WWE style. NXT was absolutely the best move.

Did you think that the recent Hardy Boyz vs the Dudley Boyz match was good?

I enjoyed it, and for what was essentially a nostalgia match, everyone did well and brought their A-game. The Hardys and The Dudley Boyz all delivered in spades.

Tommy Rich & Tony Atlas versus Sami Zayn & Shinsuke Nakamura. Who wins?

A weird match and major contrast of styles. Sami and Shinsuke are the more talented in-ring wrestlers, but Tony and Tommy are the old-school good ol’ boys and can adapt. I’ll go with Atlas and Rich on this one.

What are your best memories or thoughts on Adrian Adonis?

I liked Adonis when he was teaming with Jesse Ventura as the East-West Connection and dominated the AWA as the tag team champions. And Adonis was the inaugural Southwest Championship Wrestling champion, winning a one-night tournament in Houston, Texas, in 1982. This was heavily featured in the Apter Mags and on the USA Network. Two very proud moments. I liked the team with Dick Murdoch, too. The flaming, flowery gimmick. I thought that was stupid and embarrassing.

Should The Powers of Pain be in the WWE Hall of Fame?

The Warlord and The Barbarian? While not always the top guys, they were always presented strongly and always delivered. I would be very cool with these two legends being part of the HOF.

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!