Opinion

Rich Swann & Enzo Amore: Second Chances

Published

7 years ago

May 18, 2018

America is all about second chances. Which is great, because a lot of people need them these days! With increased media presence, everybody having cameras on their phones & 24/7 news cycles to keep humming, things that flew under the radar years ago are front & center in 2018.

This is especially true in pro wrestling. There’s no way that today The Fabulous Moolah could do any of the stuff she’s accused of doing fifty years ago. Could you imagine Jimmy Snuka getting away with murder now? I just learned the other day that Mr. Wrestling 2 was a registered sex offender due to an incident involving a gang rape before he entered the business. He wouldn’t even get out of wrestling school now!

I embellish a little bit. 2 would get out of wrestling school. Then the first time he got booked anywhere big, somebody would do some digging & find out his past. After that, he’d get bumped off any shows he was supposed to be on, the promoter would apologize for booking him, and we’d move on to whatever the next thing was. Then, months later, 2 would get booked again. Some people would still be mad, but most of us would be cool.

We believe in second chances. We just need some time to take things in.

Rich Swann is somebody that’s looking for a second chance. He worked his way up the ladder until finally getting to WWE late in 2015. He got his big chance in the Cruiserweight Division, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Cruiserweight Classic & winning the Championship on the very first episode of 205 Live. “The Outlandish” Rich Swann was a guy that was all about dancing & having a good time. It seemed like he could have a pretty good spot in the division for years to come, if not always as champion at least as a popular figure that fans liked because he danced. We like wrestlers that dance.

That idea bit the dust on December 10, 2017. Swann was arrested on charges of battery & kidnapping/false imprisonment. It was a bizarre story. Apparently, Swann got into an argument with his wife, who wrestles under the name of Su Yung, over her performance in a match earlier that evening. She decided to get out of the car, and he followed her out, put her in a headlock & took her back to the car. Under WWE’s zero-tolerance policy for domestic abuse, they had no choice but to let him go.

At first, Swann kept a low profile & even talked of retirement from wrestling. As usual, the retirement didn’t stick. He got booked in a handful of indy promotions, including Combat Zone Wrestling, one of the feds he started out in. There was some negative feedback from fans about his booking, but there were also some fans happy to see him. He notably appeared on an Impact Wrestling Twitch broadcast of a co-promoted show they did with Pro Wrestling Revolver in Iowa. That went fine, and not long afterwards, Impact Wrestling announced that Swann would be appearing on a TV taping.

Making his IMPACT debut at our June 1st and 2nd tapings at @StClairCollege in Windsor, ON – @GottaGetSwann!

TICKETS: https://t.co/4lMCWbwjLp pic.twitter.com/cWbkEKeDHM

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) May 15, 2018

One important thing to keep in mind: Su Yung recently started working for Impact Wrestling. She was immediately given a push towards their Knockouts Championship upon entering the company. Impact’s management certainly values her as a talent, and they would value her opinion on her husband. Any corporation or company worth its salt wants to minimize the effect their employees’ personal lives have on their work. If Su Yung is unable to perform at her best with Swann around, Impact wouldn’t be interested in his services.

She’s forgiven Rich Swann. That’s good enough for me. I see no reason to not wish him the best with his second chance & his new opportunity with Impact Wrestling. As long as he keeps out of trouble & his confrontation with Su was a one-time thing, he deserves to go as far in pro wrestling as his talent will allow.

Ironically enough, just before his departure from WWE, Swann was scheduled for a match where the winner would get to wrestle the then-Cruiserweight Champion. A man that currently finds himself in a similar situation to Swann. He needs a second chance.

pic.twitter.com/qTr5hMs3Oi

— Enzo Amore (@real1) May 16, 2018

Just before the incident in question, Eric “Enzo Amore” Arndt had found the role he was born to play in WWE. They tried to push him as a babyface for a long time, and while there was an audience for it that was willing to buy his t-shirts, his grating personality was much more suited for a bad guy. Especially a bad guy that hid behind a bunch of ass-kissers like the Zo Train. From that perspective, his dismissal by WWE was disappointing. He didn’t achieve his full potential.

It seemed inevitable in a way, though. There were constantly reports of Arndt rubbing people the wrong way backstage. The way he carried himself on & off television…let’s just say there weren’t a lot of people in WWE defending him when the allegations were made.

Arndt’s situation is different from Swann’s in several ways, including the fact that his accuser hasn’t forgiven him. His accuser isn’t in the wrestling business & can’t/won’t vouch for him with promoters. She feels that Arndt is getting away with a crime. People have gone into further detail speaking about her mental health than I feel comfortable doing. Having not been the victim of a sexual assault, I can’t comment on what victims go through. Whether the evidence is sufficient or not, she obviously feels like a crime was committed.

No matter what a victim does, they’re in the wrong. Arndt’s accuser gets accosted on social media for daring to speak out. Su Yung has faced criticism from some corners of the Internet for standing by her man. If she didn’t, people would be mad about that too. There’s no way to win in the eyes of the public. For people to imply that accusers should face some form of punishment is not something I can wrap my head around. They’ve already been punished. Even if you insist that somebody completely made up the allegations…who wants to go through life as a perceived sexual assault victim? How much money would make that amount of embarrassment & negative attention worthwhile? More than Eric Arndt has is my guess.

With all of that being said, there was a form of punishment for Arndt. He lost his job. He’s not getting it back anytime soon. From most accounts, people within WWE were looking for an excuse to get rid of him anyway. He’s had to live the last several months under the microscope of being accused of rape. If he’s innocent, that has to be unbelievably frustrating. He may not face the full brunt of the justice system, but a form of justice has been carried out here.

Somebody will book him. He’s a former WWE Superstar whose name has been all over the press. He’s got notoriety. He still has fans. It’s a tough decision to make for an indy wrestling promoter, but there are plenty that have shown the ability to go there.

I wouldn’t be shocked if Impact Wrestling goes there. Don Callis was evasive when asked the question on a recent conference call. He went the ol’ “never say never/time will tell” route in answering. This tells me that the conversation’s been had. I would expect them to wait until a few other promotions book him & see how it goes. If things go well & Arndt doesn’t run into any more problems, expect him to appear on Impact under some name by the end of 2018.

If enough time passes & he proves to be a different person, we’ll root for him. We love giving people second chances.

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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)

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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

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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)

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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