Tossing Salt Presents:
Ultimate Wrestling Q&A
Big Show, Asuka, ESPN & 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.

Should HBK and Vince McMahon sue Bret Hart for defamation over his comments?

I think Vince has seen enough courtrooms during the past few years, and taking Bret to court would probably hurt him more than help. Can you imagine the discovery process for this if Vince or HBK had taken legal action? Probably best to just remain quiet, let it blow over, and ignore Bret’s bitterness. This is something that would be nearly impossible to disprove, and truthfully, it’s not worth it for either Vince or HBK. Given his more recent claims, if Bret has anyone to worry about, it’d be Dana Warrior, and what Bret is claiming about her husband and Vince. But the best thing for everyone is to ignore Bret, let ot blow over, and forget about it. It’s pro wrestling and 2025. Who really cares, anyway?

Paul Wight, aka The Big Show, recently had minor back surgery, and now he is talking about one more run in AEW. Thoughts?

Nothing against Wight, but I’ll believe it when we see it. He might return for a few appearances and that big KO punch on a couple of people, but I remember how bad his knees were on the Jericho Cruise a few years ago. He’s not coming back for anything significant.

Did you see the video of Paul Heyman shoving away the young fan? Thoughts?

Paul did nothing wrong. If anyone was to blame, it’s the kid for putting his hands on Paul, or the lame security for allowing the kid to get so close to Paul. Paul was just protecting himself.

Do you think we’ll ever get to see Stone Cold Steve Austin versus CM Punk?

If it ever happens, it needs to happen soon. Stone Cold isn’t getting any younger. I’ll give it by SummerSlam of 2026, or the answer is no.

If you woke up tomorrow morning as head of creative for WWE, what would be your first move?

Totally restructure the writing crews, bring in a few new faces as consultants or writers, ex-wrestlers and bookers that actually know wrestling, and I’d push a few often-ignored faces, like Grayson Waller, Ethan Page, Swipe Right, and Austin Theory, to the moon. Plus, more Judgment Day.

Do you think AEW will acknowledge the passing of Larry the Dog on their TV this week?

Dynamite just ended, and I haven’t watched it yet, nor read the recaps, but I hope not. I can see characters like The Young Bucks or Jack Perry taking shots at CM Punk by bringing up Larry and his passing. I hope I’m wrong, and they don’t go that low or tacky, but it wouldn’t surprise me, just so they can get a shot in. I hope not, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.

With her history in Japan, her domination of NXT, and incredible success on the WWE main roster, is Asuka the greatest female wrestler of all time — or at least in the conversation?

The greatest? No, I wouldn’t say so. But she is certainly in the conversation. After all, she’s the Empress of Tomorrow, and no one is ready for Asuka.

According to Freddie Prinze Jr., a friend of his who works for ESPN, ESPN is unhappy with the WWE deal and is having buyer’s remorse. Thoughts?

So, Prinze, who works for neither WWE nor ESPN, is just repeating what a friend told him? I don’t take that very seriously. That’s just shy of Meltzer reporting, with theory and speculation, but nothing to back it up. No facts. He’s probably right, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this turns out to be true, but right now, it’s just his opinion. Nothing more.

Nick Khan says WWE will bring back Pat McAfee after the College Football season is over. Thoughts?

This makes sense. Pat adds to the WWE programming and is a good talent. Nothing against Wade Barrett or Corey Graves, who are both amazing, but Michael Cole and Pat McAfee have incredible chemistry and work very well together. Plus, WWE is paying Pat a lot of money. They may as well use him and get their money’s worth.

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!