Opinion

Top 5: Requested Raw 25th Anniversary Returns

Published

7 years ago

January 10, 2018

One thing we know for sure about the Raw 25th anniversary special on January 22 is that plenty of legends will return for the occasion. Whenever WWE has an anniversary you can count on that. We already know that Undertaker, Shawn Michaels & Kevin Nash will return, along with Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler, and we can probably expect the usual suspects for these events as well.

Mick Foley could be one of them. Even if he got fired last year, firings are temporary events for the Hardcore Legend. He’s been fired as many times in storyline as Marty Jannetty was in real life. He was asked recently who he would like to see return for Raw’s 25th anniversary, and his idea was one you might not think of…

Al Snow.

I’d forgotten that Al had been out of WWE for so long, but indeed it’s been more than ten years since the Snow Man appeared on WWE television. Raw’s 15th anniversary show was the last time Al Snow was on TV before being wished well in his future endeavors. Snow is still quite active in the business, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind being on the show if asked.

This got me to thinking of who some of the more random people to invite back for Raw’s 25th anniversary. For the purpose of novelty, I’m not bringing back anybody that’s appeared on Raw since the show’s 15th anniversary show on December 10, 2007. Here are the top 5 random people I’d like to see make a comeback for Raw’s 25th anniversary…

5. T.L. Hopper

Some of you might not have been lucky enough to be around during the glorious run of the WWF’s favorite plumber. Here’s some of what you missed!

Mid-90s episodes of Raw featured a ton of characters that had day jobs & were WWF Superstars during their time off. Tony Anthony, better known as The Dirty White Boy during most of his South-based wrestling career, actually did have a day job as a plumber. He knew the material and was certainly convincing as a plumber. The problem: who wants to see a plumber wrestle? Is a plumber going to main event WrestleMania? Not if that’s the entirety of his character.

Still, wouldn’t it be funny to see T.L. Hopper pop up backstage cleaning a toilet or something?

4. Ken Shamrock returns to Raw

I still consider Shamrock one of the all-time MMA legends, no matter how many years he stuck around after he should have retired. He was one of the people that popularized the UFC in the early years and his run with the WWF only served to increase the visibility of that sport.

His WWF run seems pretty under-appreciated as well. Dude won the Intercontinental Championship, co-held the Tag Team Championship with the Big Boss Man, and was 1998 King of the Ring. He also introduced the WWF to the ankle lock, a move that Kurt Angle used to win & defend several championships.

Certainly Raw’s General Manager would be willing to welcome back the man that created his finishing move, wouldn’t he?

3. Stacy Keibler

Let’s be honest: Stacy wouldn’t rank as one of WWE’s top women of all time. Her win-loss record in the ring wasn’t great, and she didn’t show a great amount of improvement at the craft as her career developed. Nobody she managed saw a great deal of success due to her acumen. She left WWE in 2006 to pursue an acting career…and the main accomplishment of all of that was that she dated George Clooney for two years.

So why do we still remember Stacy today, and would love to see her at Raw’s 25th anniversary?

You see, in the 2000s that was enough.

2. Jeff Jarrett

Here’s something that’d turn heads. Jarrett hasn’t been seen on Raw since October 1999, when he left for WCW & countless world championship reigns. He wasn’t part of the WCW crew that the WWF signed, so he took his ball & created his own company. Then when his company didn’t want him anymore, he created another company. Then he came back to his company & left again and eventually would up in rehab.

Which WWE paid for. Figure that one out.

Jarrett exited rehab recently and was last seen wrestling Jerry Lawler at a Memphis Grizzlies game. What if his next appearance was for the company that paid for his rehab? It’d definitely generate some headlines, that’s for sure.

1. Rob Bartlett

I’ve never really understood the thought process behind making Bartlett part of the original Monday Night Raw announce team in 1993. OK, there was a thought process.

-Bartlett was big on Imus in the Morning, and for whatever reason, Vince was big on New York radio personalities. Todd Pettengil also got hired by the WWF from New York radio right around this time. If Peter Rosenberg came along twenty years earlier, he’d be on one of the announce teams instead of working the pre-shows.

-They wanted somebody other than Bobby Heenan so they could run an angle with Heenan not being able to get in the building.

-Vince was in this weird phase where he wanted commentary to be stand-up comedy. I noticed this while re-watching the 1993 & 1994 Raws on the Network. There were weeks where he’d spend an entire match running through current events & trying to get Randy Savage to react. I guess it was supposed to make the show different or edgy or something. Bartlett, theoretically, would have been good at that.

It didn’t work because Bartlett didn’t know anything about wrestling & his idea of comedy didn’t get over with the fans. He lasted three months. The one episode I remember him being entertaining on was one where he spent the whole show imitating Vince McMahon. Heenan & Gorilla Monsoon were there in place of Savage & McMahon, and Bartlett was so bizarre that he got Heenan & Monsoon agreeing fairly often for one of the few times in recorded history.

I just want him on Raw because it seems like the least likely thing to happen other than people returning from the dead.

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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!

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

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

1 week 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

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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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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