Opinion

Why A SmackDown Star Will Win The 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble…And Why it’s Dolph Ziggler

Published

7 years ago

January 4, 2018

As the Royal Rumble looms over our heads, WrestleMania season grows more and more pertinent. Every angle currently in process has a little bit of extra weight behind it because it keeps us guessing what WWE will do with it in time for the biggest event of the year. And Dolph Ziggler is…gone?

WrestleMania 34 is back in the Mercedes Superdome and it’s shaping up to be a huge event. The Universal title match has been somewhat set in stone since last year though – Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar. Now I’ll let Vince McMahon run amok and I look forward to the corral of boos over this match, but I’m really much more invested in the WWE title picture.

WWE AJ Styles Dolph Ziggler WrestleMania

The Champion

AJ Styles should hold the title at least until WrestleMania. There is some room for concern because of the handicap match Styles has against KO and Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble, but I believe that is just a placeholder for now. In my opinion, that match is bound to go awry for the heels and see AJ pull out the win in favor of the continued management storyline between the “Yep!” movement and Shane McMahon/Daniel Bryan. Although it seems like a great pivot based on a hot storyline, I think that AJ is too big right now to lose here.

AJ Styles needs a viable opponent at WrestleMania, and that could range anywhere from Kevin Owens in a one on one contest to Shinsuke Nakamura in a Wrestle Kingdom 10 rematch. The candidate pool on SmackDown however is not as strong as one would think.

The Candidates

Let’s talk about the possibilities here. Since RAW’s main event is decently clear based on recent booking decisions (keeping Roman and Lesnar away from one another), SmackDown has the element of surprise. As of right now it seems like a SmackDown star is more likely to win the Royal Rumble match because the opportunity to headline WrestleMania is a bit out of reach for everyone on the blue roster. Let’s go through a few options for the winner here.

Randy Orton

Not everyone’s first pick because he won last year and has kind of fell off the radar after losing to Jinder Mahal, but I can still see WWE going with this. A heel Orton against a face AJ is something we haven’t really seen yet. The two clashed on SmackDown in opposite roles, but Orton works best as a heel. If Orton is given his first heel run in a good while, this match could work. I’m not saying to have Randy win the rumble, but if he did it may not be terrible for an impending Mania match.

John Cena

Groans all around here, but Cena is a likely candidate as any to win another Royal Rumble. Recent reports across sites such as the Wrestling Observer though note that Vince is planning “something bigger” for Cena than just a title match, so I think it’s not in the cards this year. John Cena is also technically a free agent so even if he did win, it’s uncertain if he would use his Mania match to rekindle a feud with AJ Styles.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Now here’s the match of a lifetime. AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is a money match for hardcore fans everywhere. This is an easy option for a show stealer at the grandest stage of them all, as the two have spectacular chemistry and history, not to mention that they’re two of the most talented active in-ring workers today. The only gripe I have with this though is that I’m not sure if Shinsuke is at that level or rank in WWE yet. He is certainly a main event caliber star, but his booking since he debuted on SmackDown has been quite underwhelming. I can honestly see the possibility of him being in another big match come Mania (maybe an interpromotional contest?), but the best course of action for Shinsuke may be to garner some more big matches in the next year and challenge a game AJ Styles at WrestleMania 35.

Kevin Owens

Surprisingly, I do not think this is a viable match either. KO and AJ had a decent feud with some fun matches over the US title in the summer, but I doubt we really want to see the same feud repackaged for WrestleMania. Something tells me KO will have another WrestleMania where he is involved in some sort of grudge match. Maybe he has another lapse of best friend loss and ends up combating Sami Zayn at Mania? If they threw together a feud with KO and AJ I’m sure they would do great, they just need to steer clear of using recycled material.

WWE Dolph Ziggler AJ Lee WrestleMania

Dolph Ziggler

Now here is my big pick. I think that Dolph Ziggler will enter and win the Royal Rumble to challenge AJ Styles at WrestleMania. After being out for a little while, I can see Dolph being a surprise entrant in the rumble in order to win and get the respect he deserves. Dolph has a great motive set in place to be “the man” in the company like he never could be. If WWE wants to really go all the way with this storyline, what better culmination then to have him fight for the WWE title at WrestleMania? Dolph vs AJ could very well be a show-stealer and it could see a heel Ziggler (maybe with his career on the line…again?) defeat AJ Styles for the title he’s never held. Or Ziggler could lose and not resign with WWE, but I doubt they’d let him main event WrestleMania right before he leaves to work somewhere else.

The Verdict

Overall, there are a few good candidates to fight AJ at WrestleMania (assuming he keeps the title). Most of them however are shaky and not fully fleshed out, but I think that Dolph Ziggler really has the most going for him within this pool of contenders. Either way, since RAW’s main event is basically set in stone, that leaves someone to grab the brass ring over on the blue brand, and I’m very excited to see who it is.

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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

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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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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