Opinion

How Curt Hawkins Can Make 2018 His Year

Published

7 years ago

January 5, 2018

You might find this hard to believe: WWE is lying to you about the Curt Hawkins Losing Streak.

I know, it shocked me as well. But after looking at the Pro Wrestling Database’s records, I can tell you that the Prince of Queens’ losing streak sits at one-hundred & fourteen matches, not the one-hundred & fifty-two that WWE wants you to believe. That number includes some battle royal appearances & a ton of tag team matches. I’m being as liberal as I can be with the count here.

His most recent victory in a WWE-sanctioned match was back on November 8, 2016 when he defeated Apollo Crews at a SmackDown Live taping in Glasgow, Scotland.

Hawkins had to have high hopes after that match. He’d been back with WWE a little bit over a month at that point after a successful run in the indies. People were facing the facts. His win-loss record had been mixed, but he’d picked up a win here & there. Beating Crews in a little over a minute was surely a sign he was headed in the right direction.

He wasn’t. Crews defeated Hawkins in five consecutive singles matches afterwards, then was on the winning end of six straight ten-man tag team matches where they were on opposite sides. Hawkins never recovered from that ending to 2016, and spent the entirety of 2017 looking up at the lights. The closest he got to a win involved two straight weeks where Dean Ambrose beat him up before they could start the match. Not even a move to Raw in the Superstar Shakeup helped Hawkins get out of his funk. He had the same number of victories in 2017 that the Cleveland Browns did.

Sometimes guys just fall into these ruts. Barry Horowitz went years between victories. It took Kenta Kobashi over a year before he got his first win as a professional wrestler. The Hardy Boyz got beat like drums for a couple of years before breaking out & becoming one of WWE’s greatest tag teams.

Not to toot my own horn too much, but I’ve been observing professional wrestling almost as long as Curt Hawkins has been alive. I might not have the in-ring expertise that many wrestlers think is necessary to have an opinion, but you won’t find too many people more in tune with the game than me. Here’s some tips I would give Hawkins if he came to me looking for advice on how to further his career.

Positive Mental Attitude

Most losing streaks develop because a wrestler has lost confidence in themselves. You can see it in their eyes. Even if they talk a good game, you can tell that they don’t really believe it. Hawkins occasionally gets promo time and talks about how he’s going to make people into stars. He sounds confident, but when you look into his eyes you know he’s going to lose because he doesn’t believe a word he’s saying. It’s like somebody handed him a script or something.

I myself have had a self-confidence problem for most of my life. Recently, I’ve decided to cast that aside and carry a positive mental attitude. The biggest opponent in my way was myself. My self-doubts were just as big as Braun Strowman or anybody else Hawkins lost to in 2017. I wasn’t going to reach my goals unless I believed I would.

Curt Hawkins isn’t going to win a match unless he believes he will.

Develop A Finishing Move

A lot of wrestlers out there just need one move to call it a night. Randy Orton has the RKO. Brock Lesnar has the F5. I have no idea what Curt Hawkins’ finishing move is. Wikipedia tells me he uses a top rope elbow drop, which hasn’t finished anybody off since Randy Savage was doing it. He also uses something called the Taste of Pain, which apparently is a hangman’s facebuster.

Listen, the only person that’s been tasting pain during Curt Hawkins’ matches is Curt Hawkins himself. He needs to go back to the gym and figure out something that will be devastating enough to put his opponents away.

Make Some Better Friends

One of Hawkins’ problems, I think, is that he’s a bit of a loner. You rarely see him on television with anybody else. He used to be tag team partners with Zack Ryder, then Lance Archer, but Archer’s busy winning championships in New Japan while Ryder’s busy on SmackDown putting Mojo Rawley over. His tag team matches not on television typically involve an eclectic bunch of misfits. Curtis Axel, Dash Wilder, Bo Dallas…it doesn’t seem like there’s a bunch of rhyme or reason to it.

Except…I mean, Axel & Dallas are already riding Miz’s coattails. They don’t have the best win-loss record either, but aligning with Miz has certainly helped their mindset. I would see if I could join the Miztourage as well, and if that doesn’t work out, find somebody else to align with.

Everybody needs a little help from their friends. Or just some friends in general.

Go STREAKING at @WWEShop! pic.twitter.com/HwQbUepzDl

— Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) January 1, 2018

Quit Wrestling Apollo Crews

Four out of Hawkins’ last six defeats have been singles or tag matches involving Crews. I see what Curt’s thinking here. Apollo’s record in matches with people other than Curt Hawkins is abysmal. He’s one of the lowest rated competitors on the Raw roster right now. The thing is, Crews has Hawkins’ number. Whatever Curt’s doing in matches with Titus O’Neil’s charge isn’t working.

It’s like Roger Federer trying to beat Rafael Nadal on clay. Move on to something else.

Become a Cruiserweight

One of the great things about being on the Raw roster is there’s plenty of opportunity. For one thing, there’s three hours to fill every week. It’s much easier to get booked on that show than it can be for SmackDown Live performers. Also, there’s the fact that the Cruiserweight Division gets a couple of matches every week. This is where I see a really good chance for Hawkins to break out.

Curt currently weighs in at 223 lbs. You math majors out there know that means he needs to drop eighteen pounds to qualify for Cruiserweight status. As somebody that dropped sixty pounds in 2017, I know what it takes to change your body & make yourself leaner & meaner. All Hawkins needs to do is change his diet, do plenty of cardio, and in time he’ll be ready for 205 Live. I’d set a goal of getting to 205 by WrestleMania. Six pounds a month is an achievable feat.

Or, he could just do what Goldust did and randomly come down when somebody needs a tag team partner. If Goldust is allowed to wrestle the cruisers, I see no reason why Hawkins can’t.

Hey, it’s a new year. That means it can be time for a new Curt Hawkins. At thirty-two years of age, he still has plenty of time to find himself as a performer & live up to the potential he had both times he signed with WWE. The current WWE Champion & Universal Champion are both forty years old. Maybe in eight years, Curt Hawkins will be rolling into the Road to WrestleMania with one of those championships around his waist. Stranger things have happened.

Keep in mind that I could have written a column just like this about Jinder Mahal at this time in 2017. Now he’s the all-time GOAT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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!

Up Next

Top 5: Matches of the Week Ending 1/7/2018

Don't Miss

Official Chairshot Ratings: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12

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!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / 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

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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