Opinion

Top 5: Pro Wrestling Moms

Published

7 years ago

May 11, 2018

This Sunday marks one of the most important holidays of the year. While we should love & appreciate our mothers every single day, it’s especially important to on the second Sunday of May. Mom does so much for us. We would not be alive if not for their care. Not to mention the whole childbirth thing. I try not to think about that too much, the “Miracle of Life” video scarred me as a young child.

Pro wrestling is full of loving mothers that have made an impact on their childrens’ careers. Here are the Top 5 Pro Wrestling Mothers.

5. Momma Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin is an outstanding athlete. He’s always been missing a little something in the charisma department though. He isn’t a great talker. He’d do amazing things in the ring, but wouldn’t be able to connect with the audience. WWE’s idea to deal with this was giving Stelton an entertaining side character. Managers used to serve this role, but there weren’t managers in 2006. WWE decided to introduce us to Shelton’s momma.

Momma Benjamin was bigger than life. She’d often get her son into untenable situations with other competitors. The character really had potential, but she lasted a little over two months before her departure. Thea Vidale, the actress that played the role, later said that her time with WWE was one of the low points of her career. While not naming names, she made claims of sexual harassment that led to her decision to leave.

That’s no way to treat somebody’s momma.

4. Saraya Knight

Saraya met professional wrestler Ricky Knight in 1990 & quickly went into the business herself. They married and had twp children that also got into the business. You’re likely familiar with one of them, the current general manager of SmackDown Live, Paige. She’s the only mother in pro wrestling history that I know of to have a lengthy in-ring feud with her daughter, which was probably more to do with necessity than anything else. Until recently it was tough to find female wrestlers in the UK.

Paige (left), mom Saraya (right) and believe it or not Becky Lynch in the middle!

The entire family was the subject of a documentary that insipred a feature film that will come out in 2019. I remember Saraya coming off in the documentary as somebody that would do anything for her family, like any good mother.

3. Mama Cornette

Jim Cornette was a spoiled mama’s boy. He was accustomed to getting his own way because he always had at home. This made it impossible for the common wrestling fan, whose parents instilled work ethic in them, to relate to him. Her fortune enabled him to acquire the services of some of the best wrestlers in the industry. There was a thread of truth in the story, as Jim’s mother was the person that got him interested in wrestling to begin with. She’d buy him magazines & regularly take him to shows. She even became friends with one of the promoters, Christine Jarrett, and convinced her to let Jim take pictures at ringside. She’d sell his pictures, an arrangement that continued until Jim became a manager.

Mama Cornette never cut a promo. She never even appeared on a show. It was better that way. The character worked better as a mythical figure that Cornette would brag about than it would have in the flesh.

2. Linda McMahon

We’ve seen a lot of the McMahons on WWE television over the past twenty years. Vince was one of the most effective performers on the microphone in the history of wrestling. From commentary to evil authority figure to even occasionally as a popular boss, he excelled for decades. His children aren’t as good as he was in his prime, but that’s hardly an insult. Both Shane & Stephanie learned well from their father & became solid talkers.

Fortunately, they didn’t take after their mother. Linda was never a commanding presence on television. Her charisma was non-existent, which stood out in comparison to the rest of her family. Her value came in her ability to seem like the one McMahon that was somewhat mentally stable. Every family needs one of those.

Honorable Mention: Big Bad Mama

Every house needs somebody in charge. Especially the GLOW House. Big Bad Mama ruled the roost during the third & fourth season with her dominating presence & voodoo. She’s most remembered for her appearance on …Married With Children where she squashed poor Al Bundy. After her death in 2013, multiple GLOW performers took to social media talking about how she was like a mother to them. Even if most fans didn’t take the show seriously, the performers did. Mama lived up to her name behind the scenes.

Honorable Mention: Judy Bagwell

Judy was a former WCW Tag Team Champion, the object on the pole in a match between her son Buff & Kanyon, & was a strong backstage presence in her son’s career. Jim Ross described an occasion where Judy telephoned him to let him know that her son wouldn’t be able to make a WWF live event. Jim was not impressed.

1. Helen Hart

You can make the argument that Helen sacrificed more to the wrestling business than any woman. She moved from New York to Calgary to be with her husband, Stu. She gave birth to twelve children. She didn’t want any of her sons to wrestle, or any of her daughters to marry wrestlers. You can guess how that turned out. She helped run Stu’s Stampede Wrestling promotion while staying off-camera until the early 1990s.

Helen & Stu provided Jerry “The King” Lawler with plenty of comedic material to use during his feud with Bret. Bret would later say they found it hilarious & loved their role. They appeared on WWF television several times during their sons’ careers, including at Survivor Series 1994, where Owen convinced Helen to throw a towel into the ring to stop Bret’s suffering in Bob Backlund’s crossface chickenwing, costing Bret the WWF Championship. Her love for all of her children didn’t always lead to the best of decisions, but she always had the best of intentions.

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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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About Chairshot Radio Network

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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: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months 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