Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
War Games, Triple H, SoCal Val & Much 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 Cyrus. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my brother, Jeffrey Darryl Maynard (1963-1989). Forever loved and missed. RIP.

Luke Menzies (Ridge Holland) stated that WWE will be paying for his upcoming neck fusion surgery. Thoughts?

It’s a wrestling injury, and Holland was with WWE for nearly 8 years before being released, so it makes sense that WWE is picking up the tab. It seems that both WWE and Holland are backtracking somewhat after the bad publicity on both sides from their recent split. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at both WWE HQ and at the Holland household to hear what is being said and see what happens next.

Could you see Papa H being replaced or given a reduced role by TKO in 2026?

If TKO had someone ready to step into the role to replace Hunter, he’d probably have already been removed. Hunter is walking a very thin line with his TKO bosses, and I’m sure he knows it. If he crosses the line, stumbles, or shows defiance to his corporate masters, he’s gone. It’s not if, but just when.

Based on the current wrestling news, what are the best examples of wrestlers “maximising their minutes” and going on to become bigger stars?

The best example of this is Chelsea Green. If she’s on the show, you remember it. Be it two minutes or twenty. And now, she’s a two-time United States Champion and double-belt holder. Grayson Waller and The New Day are masters of this tactic as well.

Do you think WWE failed Sonya Deville during her prime?

I can’t say failed because, without WWE, nobody would have a clue about Sonya Deville or who she even is. But they didn’t use her to her full potential. That is pretty obvious.

El Paso, Texas, will have Eddie Guerrero Day on November 18 to honor the legacy of Eddie. Thoughts?

An honor well deserved. Congratulations to Eddie and his family.

What’s your take on Jon Moxley returning to WWE?

When his AEW deal expires, I can see Moxley returning to the WWE for a final run, and maybe an induction of The Shield into the WWE HOF. It won’t be for several more years, though.

Former TNA Knockout SoCal Val has joined The Playboy Club as a Model and Content Creator. Thoughts?

Does Playboy even still have a magazine? I didn’t even know they still existed. I just checked, and Playboy magazine quit publishing in 2020, moving to an online format, but this past February, it resumed publishing an annual print edition. So, they’re still a thing. And now, SoCal Val is a part of their family. She’s a decent-looking woman, and whatever pays the bills, right? Congratulations to the former TNA personality.

John Cena is the new IC Champion. Thoughts?

Super Cena lives again, and now he’s a grand slam champion. I hate seeing Dominik lose the belt, but it gives his character a good place, trying to get his belt back, issues with Judgment Day, the whiny ex-champion with Daddy issues, etc. Things needed to shake up a bit, and this title switch does just that. And the fans got a huge, feel-good moment. Works for me.

Nikki Bella turned on Stephanie Vaquer. Thoughts?

Who didn’t see this coming? Nikki wasn’t getting over in her return as a babyface, so they did the switch to heel, where they can use smoke & mirrors to hide her flaws and still get value from the former Divas’ Champion. This certainly makes things more interesting. Nikki was always better as a heel in the past.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has released their Top 250 Women’s rankings, and guess who is #1. Mercedes Mone. Thoughts?

Well, she has the most titles, right? We know she’s not the best woman wrestler, and they know it too. Mone has gotten worse in the ring over the past few years, not better. But what was it that Eric Bischoff once said? Controversy Creates Cash. Putting Mone at the top is controversial. And that will sell more magazines. I can easily name a dozen women wrestlers who are better. But Mone wlll get the fans arguing and talking, so she gets the nod.

According to David Otunga, Andrade reached out to him for legal advice about that no-compete from WWE. Thoughts?

That’s a good move by Andrade. He’s in a legal mess with the WWE, and who would know more about the legalities of dealing with a wrestling promotion than a Harvard-trained lawyer who also once wrestled for the WWE? Maybe Stephen P. New, but regardless, this move makes sense. I doubt Otunga would actually take the case because of the jurisdiction, and also not wanting to burn bridges with WWE himself, but he can give some good practical advice for Andrade on how to proceed.

So, it’s time for War Games. CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes versus The Vision w/ Paul Heyman. So, who is the fourth man for each team?

Is it fourth or fifth? I’ve seen Meltzer talking about new additions to the Women’s team, and they’re already at four members each. I think WWE usually goes with four people, so we’ll go with that. For Team Punk, it’ll be either Jimmy Uso or yet another return for Roman Reigns. As for Team Vixion, I’m thinking we’ll see the Beast, Brock Lesnar.

Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Iyo Sky, and Rhea Ripley versus The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend at War Games. Thoughts?

I’ve noticed Meltzer speculating about adding AJ Lee and Becky Lynch to this match, but why? Both teams are solid as it is. This should be a banger of a match.

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!