Opinion

RAW WARS – The Fellowship of the Briefcase

Published

7 years ago

June 12, 2018

Episode V

An old man hosting a summit. A threat to the realm. Eight young warriors who have answered the call. A lone authority figure guiding their way. A mystical artefact that has the power to bring doom. Bickering, screeching, until the group of nine arrives at an agreement. After watching the 11 June episode of RAW, I have the urge to re-watch Elrond’s council from The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring. This scene shares some eerie similarities with the opening segment of the RAW go home show for the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. So, let us take a closer look at that segment and find out how much Rivendell we can find in Little Rock, Arkansas.

One Two Briefcases to Rule Them All

Tonight’s episode started with all eight Money in the Bank Ladder Match competitors from RAW, all perched atop ladders. This brought GM Kurt Angle out, the old and somewhat wise man of the red show. Since he was not surprised to see the assembly of superstars in the ring and vice versa, I can only assume that Kurt was the host of this ladder summit. He then introduced us to the plot. This year, superstars from both RAW and SmackDownLive will compete at Money in the Bank, but it will be a gruelling fight, before one can win one of the two Briefcases of Power that guarantee a championship opportunity anyplace, anytime. The briefcases, sometimes golden, but always with letters engraved on the side, do not grant the power to become invisible, but they can transform a mid-card baddie to a main event villain as they did with Seth Rollins and Carmella. That is basically what the Ring did for Sauron as well. If you however lose the briefcase, you are bereft of that power. Speaking of which…

One Does Not Simply Win at Money in the Bank…

Constable Corbin then entered the stage. Last year he made something disappear in true wizard fashion. Unfortunately for him, it was his push and it has yet to appear again. Baron Corbin referred to Stephanie McMahon, who is RAW’s Galadriel. The Elven sorceress who says, “All shall love me and despair”, when offered the Ring of Power. Galadriel ultimately declines; if only Stephanie had that much self-control. Corbin then allowed Angle to continue and the latter claimed that nothing would make him happier than RAW defeating SmackDownLive, which is the Mordor to RAW’s Gondor (at least in Stephanie’s eyes). Constable Corbin reminded us of the consequences should that not happen on Sunday.

No One Trusts a Monster Among Men

This prompted the superstars in the ring to make use of their microphones as well. What ensued was bickering of the highest degree. Every superstar claimed that he or she would win the briefcase, talking down their rivals in the process. I especially liked Kevin Owens pointing out the height advantage that the Monster Among Men has. The vibe that I got from KO and Bobby Roode makes me hope we see a Gimli-Legolas friendship between them sometime in the future. Of course, we also had alliances, as the former mixed match challenge partners (Banks-Bálor, Bliss-Strowman) supported each other. When the bickering got too heated, Bliss interfered with a screech that would do the Nazgul proud. Much like the interference of Frodo, this led to the segment’s end, as the competitors agreed on someone getting these hands come Sunday. At least, it was Braun’s music that hit, which I take as a universal sign of agreement.

RAW Has No King. RAW Needs No King

At the end of The Lord of the Rings, the fellowship achieves the goal and then some. The ring is destroyed, Aragorn is crowned king, and Sam marries Rosie. Of course, before that Gandalf dies and is reborn, Boromir is Sean Beaned, Gondor is basically in ruins, and Frodo never finds his happy ending. What does this mean for our fellowship of the briefcase? The Money in the Bank PPV will remain a focal point in the WWE calendar. A new queen might be crowned, if a female RAW superstar wins at Money in the Bank. It does not make sense to give the briefcase to a male RAW superstar, with the Universal king being absent and a known Kingslayer on the loose. WWE seems to continue the romantic angle between Alexa and Braun. And the others? Well, I do expect any potential alliances to break during the ladder match, steep falls from ladders for some of the superstars, and the death of any minor push most of the RAW superstars have had in recent weeks. I am looking at you, Bálor and Owens.

Does the build towards Money in the Bank increase my hype for the matches? It does not, but then again, neither did Elrond’s council meeting hype me up for the long journey to Mordor. Here is hope that we can agree on Monday that the PPV indeed passed the bridge of booking doom without incident. If not, we can only hope that Constable Corbin knows how to summon the eagles to salvage the expedition.

***

What do you think? Leave a comment below or message me on Twitter @KirstinHerzog1. Always #UseYourHead.

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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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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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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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Classic POD is WAR

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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