Opinion

Top 5: Pride Friendly Wrestlers

Published

7 years ago

June 26, 2018

If you’ve seen the news, you know that June is celebrated by the LGBTQ community as Pride Month. Pro wrestling’s relationship with members of the community can best be described as “complicated”. While many within the business are homosexual or bisexual, including some of the most powerful people involved over the years, wrestling promotions have used fans’ lack of tolerance to get heat as far back as I can remember. We all know that wrestlers will do whatever they can to get a reaction from a crowd, and for most of wrestling’s existence, doing something perceived as gay was a good way to get some boos & some off-color chants.

We’ve all seen the garden-variety gay heels. They’re better off left in the dustbin of history. Some have taken the gimmick & ran with it to the point where they transcended the “cheap heat” barrier with their creativity. Some have lived their lives as members of the LGBTQ community, have faced down discrimination & rose above it to excel at their profession.

These are the Top 5 Pride Friendly Wrestlers.

5. Pat Patterson

Pat’s sexuality was an open secret going back to the sex scandals of the early 1990s & Jim Ross hollering “HE’S SINGLE FELLAS!” on late 1990s Raw commentary. It wasn’t officially acknowledged on WWE television until the final episode of WWE Legends’ House in 2014, and was further covered in Pat’s book that was released in 2016. Patterson’s illustrious in-ring career along with his longtime status as Vince McMahon’s right-hand man & numerous creative contributions show that sexual orientation can’t by itself effect how much someone can accomplish in the wrestling business.

4. “Exotic” Adrian Street

Back in the old days, you had to be a tough motor-scooter to work a gimmick where your sexuality wasn’t known. Wrestling fans thought that Adrian Street wasn’t one of the toughest people in the world & were more apt to go after him than the larger, “manlier” wrestlers. They were in for a bad time if they tried anything. Street was a legit shooter that had no problem busting heads or tying people in knots. He had to in order to survive. Adrian & his valet/wife Miss Linda were among the most hated people wherever they went & always provoked a reaction from a crowd. Since it was the 1970s & 80s, the reaction usually wasn’t good. Street had no problem dealing with it.

3. Goldust

As somebody that had seen Dustin Rhodes come up in WCW, the Goldust character was pretty jarring. The Natural had carried on the Rhodes family tradition for several years, and he gave it up to be a guy wearing a blonde wig, gold facepaint, a gold bodysuit & a golen robe while speaking in movie quotes & playing “mind games” with his opponents. It took a couple of times for me to realize that it was in fact Dustin Rhodes.

1996 was nowhere near ready for Goldust. Announcer, fan & wrestler reaction to him was pretty typical for the time. There were even some men that refused to wrestle him. It was a brave character direction for Dustin to take, and only years afterward did he begin to receive his just due for it. Some would still say he hasn’t.

2. Dalton Castle

Early Ring of Honor was not welcoming to wrestlers that weren’t 100% super straight. The Christopher Street Connection’s role for most of their run was to have fans chant homophobic slurs at them & get killed by serious tag teams. Watching ROH back then, you never thought that a fella that came down to the ring with his boys playing an androgynous showman & was pretty darn flamboyant would get over as the top babyface. I don’t think Dalton Castle would have been accepted by ROH fans in 2002, but by 2015 everybody was ready for him.

A few years before, that act probably would have been booed out of the building. In fact, Dalton had played the more traditional flamboyant heel character in the indies before. He honed his game, brought more of a glam rock feel to it, and everybody bought in. He’s the World Champion of a company owned by ultra right-wing Sinclair Broadcasting. I still wonder how it happened.

Honorable Mention: Chris Kanyon

Kanyon was one of the most talented in-ring performers of his time. He was such a solid hand that WCW entrusted him with training their various celebrity performers & handling the stuntwork in Jeremy Lambert’s favorite movie, Ready to Rumble. Unfortunately, Kanyon’s battle with mental illness led to him passing away at a far too early age.

Honorable Mention: Sonya Deville

Everybody can be proud of WWE’s first openly lesbian competitor. Sonya is still relatively new to the main roster, but has already scored some major victories. The sky’s the limit for Deville, who would have no problem shutting up anybody taking exception to her lifestyle in or out of the ring.

Honorable Mention: Darren Young

Young’s status as WWE’s first openly gay wrestler wasn’t followed up on by the promotion & he was released a couple of years later after doing little of note. It’s tough to conclude that WWE didn’t miss some kind of opportunity there. Even if they didn’t focus on his sexuality in his storylines, there would have been a fanbase there to engage.

1. The Golden Lovers

There have been a number of tag teams over the years that have hinted at a homosexual persona. None have pulled it off as well as Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi. I wouldn’t be able to do most of the story justice, so follow the tweet thread below if you haven’t seen it before:

I don't really have wrestling-related followers but all I want to talk about is how the best thing in professional wrestling right now is a complex, epic, and (currently) happy gay love story, 9 years in the making and featuring two of the best in the world. It's remarkable. pic.twitter.com/B6sPxSyLYw

— Simpsons Reference (@EffingBoring) February 23, 2018

After reuniting with Kota, Kenny realized that the hate & negativity that had been driving him for years wasn’t enough to attain his ultimate goal of becoming IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He needed to embrace the love he got from his friends, his lovers & the people that supported him. Once he did that, he was able to beat Okada.

Omega tells reporters that people can make whatever they will of his relationship with Ibushi. It’s not something that’s going to be the focal point of storylines. Everybody will be happy if it enhances the appeal of pro wrestling to all types of people. Omega’s matches have certainly opened a window to new possibilities, and his storytelling with Ibushi, the Young Bucks & Cody Rhodes has given New Japan a relatability it didn’t previously have with North American audiences. It’s not just about really cool moves anymore.

The Golden Lovers are for everybody. So is pro wrestling.

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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!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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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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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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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