Opinion

Impossible To Dispute The Undisputed Era

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2018

We can call them Future Shock, or we can call them reDragon, but what we can’t do is ignore what each man is capable of doing in the ring. Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Bobby Fish, collectively known as The Undisputed Era, have immediately made an impact since joining WWE’s NXT brand. As many will recall, immediately after Drew McIntyre won the NXT championship, Fish and O’Reilly appeared on the apron while a dazed and confused NXT champion looked at them in surprise. Why were they there, and what purpose could they be serving at that moment? It became clear a moment later. The fans in attendance began to rise to their feet, and a commotion started in the crowd, as the newly signed Adam Cole emerged from the audience, and with the help of O’Reilly and Fish beat down the champion, immediately sending a message.

Those unfamiliar with Cole, Fish, and O’Reilly have really missed out on seeing just how talented these men are. It hasn’t mattered whether they were part of a team or singles wrestlers, each man has achieved success. When Fish and O’Reilly debuted separately, it turned heads among the NXT faithful, and why not? They are two world-class athletes that are as known for their accomplishments as a tag team as they are for their achievements as singles wrestlers. Now they have joined a promotion that is pretty close to a place they used to call home since NXT today has a lot of the same feel as Ring of Honor did when they were there.

It was in Ring of Honor that they earned the reputation of being one of the best tag teams in the world. During that same time frame, they won multiple junior heavyweight tag team championships with New Japan Pro Wrestling, as the team known as ReDragon laid waste to opponents around the world. They were known to strike their opponents with such fury that it would make most people tremble at the sight. They are not the biggest men, but what they lack in size they surely make up for in technical ability. They are able to physically dissect their opponent one move at a time. During their time in Ring of Honor, O’Reilly and Fish were both singles champions as well. These men work as well together as they do on their own.

Undisputed Era WWE NXT

For as good as these men are, there was something that was missing, and that missing quality has arrived in the form of former three-time Ring of Honor world champion, Adam Cole. Anyone that has seen Cole compete as a face or as a heel knows just how much his character can be loved or absolutely despised. Ask many wrestlers and they will say that it is typically more rewarding to be a heel, and it is no different with Cole.

When he became a full-fledged heel that cool, calm and collected personality emerged, and made him the face of Ring of Honor. One of the best qualities he possesses is his ability to deliver a scathing promo that can be clear, concise, and demonstrate qualities that many wrestlers today lack. His in-ring ability is heavily influenced by Shawn Michaels, and when we see what he can do in the ring and how he is able to perform against those bigger than him that is clearly evident. One difference between the two would be their ability to take chances with high-risk moves, but a key way that Cole differs from Michaels is how absolutely sadistic he can be with some of his tactics. Examples are when he stapled a sign to the head of Jay Briscoe, or when he shaved the heads of Michael Elgin and Jay Lethal as they were held against their will. Cole’s passion and his ability to tell a story in the ring is the reason his joining NXT has been largely heralded.

Above anything else, including wins and losses, Cole wants to tell the most convincing story possible. This is why fans will cheer his matches, but equally cheer when he gets what is coming to him. It is the perfect blend of being loved and having fans love to hate you.

When Cole joined O’Reilly and Fish in the ring to attack McIntyre, it was celebrated, not because fans had issue with McIntyre, but because three of the best and in many ways underrated talents in the world now have a new platform, a bigger platform on which they can show those who didn’t know about them just how good they are. Cole, Fish, and O’Reilly had the faith of Ring of Honor’s powers that be because they were able to generate tremendous reactions with their matches time and time again. In a place and time where size could be the focal point, skill and the ability to convince both your opponent and the fanbase how good you are will speak volumes.

In the weeks that have passed since NXT Takeover III: Brooklyn, we have seen Cole, O’Reilly, and Fish continue to get involved in matches, and even beat down members of the United Kingdom division in Tyler Bate, Wolfgang and Trent Seven. They have also had further altercations with Drew McIntyre and sAnity. However, while the goal is to make them look strong that isn’t to say that others won’t get retribution for what was done, to them. As fans have seen, sAnity attacked the unsuspecting trio and sent them scurrying out of the arena at Full Sail University. It could easily have been a case where the newest additions of NXT were able to get the better of sAnity once again, but that wasn’t the case.

Undisputed Era WWE NXT

Recently, they have also been trying to convince Roderick Strong to join them and their cause. Some may not know that Strong has a history with Fish and Cole. In Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Cole and Strong were part of a faction known as Mount Rushmore 2.0, along with the Young Bucks and Super Dragon. Later on, Strong and Fish feuded for the Ring of Honor Television title. It is often said to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, and that could be the case here. Will familiarity with one another be reason enough for Strong to align with them?

One of the most important qualities these three possess is chemistry. Unlike other factions that have been put together in the past in NXT, such as sAnity, Cole, Fish, and O’Reilly, who is now referred to as the Undisputed Era, already know each other, and not just because they competed in the same promotion. In the past, Cole and O’Reilly have been the best of friends and the bitterest of enemies. In fact, on one occasion O’Reilly hit Cole so hard he broke his nose during a match …and they are friends behind the scenes! In the past, they have also feuded over the Ring of Honor world championship, but years before that were once aligned with one another as a tag team known as Future Shock. Truth be told, the name could still work today because their addition to NXT will shock the promotion’s future! OK, while that pun may not be necessary, complete respect and admiration for this group is. As made evident by their respective singles matches against Aleister Black, O’Reilly and Fish aren’t simply here to coast on past accolades and add name value to the promotion; they are here to provide captivating stories and compelling matches.

In every group, someone plays a role, and that is no different in the Undisputed Era. Cole has taken on the role of leader, and his ability to promote himself is clearly evident. The group walks with confidence and a sense of self-assurance, and while fans can usually see through the guise of what a performer is conveying, in the case of these three they are able to not only sell who they are but why they are there. It isn’t common for a collection of talent to immediately come in and direct their attention towards those holding the championships, but that is exactly what these three are doing. While they use underhanded tactics to win that is to be expected because that’s what heels do. Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O’Reilly have arrived and no one will be able to dispute what these additions will mean to the NXT roster.

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Also, stay tuned for The Wrestling News Hub Magazine Podcast to include interviews with ROH top prospect tournament entrant, Curt Stallion, Sebastian Suave, Ring of Honor’s Frankie Kazarian, “All Good” Anthony Greene, ‘The Green Machine’ Mike Orlando, Josh Briggs.

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1