Opinion

The Good, Bad, and Ugly Of WWE SummerSlam 2018

Published

7 years ago

August 18, 2018

They say we all have opinions, especially those who consider themselves experts, imagine that for those of us who chose Professional Wrestling as our art form. Here is this “smarks” take on what will go down this Sunday. WWE has plenty of time to impress even the harshest critics, 7 Hours of it to be exact for SummerSlam 2018.

The Good

First let the THE GOOD times roll, we may find salvation in an underdog. Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Drew Gulak for the Cruiserweight Championship is going to be a clinic. They are easily two of the better pure talents on the show of the night however it’ll probably be placed on an unfortunate spot on the card and will become a typical afterthought by the Casual fan and a treat for true purist.

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women’s Championship, which in my opinion is being labeled unfairly as a predictable title change with no real interest on the card. Not true! As anything Bliss touches is sacred, and Rousey is so over she could kill Daniel Bryan and be forgiven. I have the unpopular opinion however that Little Miss Bliss’ reign is not over despite the leaked promo photo of Rousey with the strap. WWE loves to play head-games and I believe this is one of them.

Daniel Bryan vs Miz will get a reaction. it feels real, it will be stiff, the crowd will be hot, and the “real heat” will show with every second, as a rare gem. Miz will win, and it will be cheap, expect surprises.

Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship will be action packed and full of high spots, false hopes and precision to the max. It will be old school and edgy, and will result in something huge to come. Will the “Lunatic” heel turn with his tremendous potential as a top face right now? Hell No! Ambrose and Rollins will deliver an unforgettable frenemy series once Rollins gets the Gold.

As for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships, I love the Bludgeon Brothers (c) and I love New Day I think this could be another dark horse of the night. I don’t think it’s had enough hype and predictably Sanity will obviously interfere somehow which will cheapen it. However, it will be fun to watch.

Finally, Carmella (c) will retain the title due to tension between old friends. Asuka will be a non-factor whether she is involved or not but will as always bring us some action. I think this could be a brutal match showing vicious notes of Becky Lynch and Carmella, who will up their game to hang with Charlotte Flair and likely Asuka.

The Bad

Now on to the “THE BAD” taste that will be left in our mouth. First off, the Raw Tag Team Championship Kickoff Match sees The B Team (c) vs The Revival. Being placed here is literally disgraceful as no doubt they will relentlessly advertise the very Pay Per View we’re about to watch. May I also mention that there isn’t anyone on Earth that’s watching the WWE Network that doesn’t already know about the event they’re about to watch. It really is too bad also as the talent is there, the interest is there, however the support backstage where it counts is missing.

Next two matches are a badly blended. Horrible a talent like Finn Balor to have to face a joke like Baron Corbin. Swap him and Samoa Joe’s opponents, and you can save us from a glorified Indy Match rerun (Joe vs Styles) who, by the way, AJ Styles is by far the best talent in all of wrestling, and if they could have instead had a Raw/Smackdown crossover, we could have had a stiff, striking freak show between Joe and Corbin, which would pop our heads, and leave us the “SuperMatch” Balor vs A. J. STYLES. The match of matches, which could not be a more perfect fit.

Speaking of which, Braun Stroman, a personal favorite of mine vs Kevin Owens seems like it could be a completely useless match of the night, that is to say unless the Monster is losing the briefcase. I don’t feel like if Owens wins the he’s going to be able to do the run in at the end of the Main Event which is all that can save that horrendous painful main event.

WWE’s play for getting Roman over with the fans, almost worked but failed. Brock Lesnar (c) vs Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship is going to be bloody, and god willing a quick match because the longer it goes the harder it will be to stay up to write the post show. The only thing that will keep my eyes open is the anticipation for the run in for the Money in the Bank holder.

Finally, a tough one to put on the bad list because the potential to be a classic is all there, gets “tainted” by yet another nut shot in the Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Jeff Hardy United States Championship match. Kill me now I cannot stand Nakamura as a heel although he’s funny and his promos are gold, he just can’t help but be awesome in the ring this match could be unbelievable without the cheapening of WWE corn ball cheese. One interesting note to watch for is what Orton’s role will be w new accusations involving inappropriate backstage behavior?

The Ugly

Now to “THE UGLY” truths of SummerSlam. Rusev and Andrade “Cien” Almas have no business working the Kickoff or being in a trash mixed tag team match with partners Lana and Zelina Vega. What did they do wrong you ask? They were just too likable and took advantage of an extremely unfortunate role and owned it. Lana wrestling is a train wreck, she may be gorgeous but a train wreck and will require a skill set Vegas could never achieve to carry her shortfalls. Rusev and Cien are just too talented to be a freak show when you could have replaced a garbage match on the main show. The ugly truth is Mike Bennett (Kanellis), Bobby Roode, and Ty Dillinger should be on this spectacle, and the more they are forgotten, the absurdity of the current booking is going to always be “ugly.”

I see said the blind man, check out The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Post Show, and let me know what you think in the comments below.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week 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)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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

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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