Opinion

Top 5: First Names in Wrestling

Published

7 years ago

August 7, 2018

What’s in a name?

Well, a lot, actually. Our society tends to focus on last names, as rich people leave all of their money to their children, then those children leave all of their money to their children, & the cycle continues. Your last name determines your starting point, which in today’s America seems to be all that matters. Born on third, think you hit a triple. Born in the dugout, and you’ll probably stay there. Not to be overly negative, but that’s just the way it is.

The first name matters too. Certain first names pop up in history over & over again at certain points. How many Georges have run countries over the years? Too many to count. France had seventeen different guys named Louis as King. Even more ridiculous than that: the idea that sixteen different Popes went by the name Benedict. Especially since that name went kaputski here in America after the whole Benedict Arnold thing.

Which first name do you want if you want to make it big in wrestling? Here are the Top 5!

5. Robert

If you want to talk Rob, we’ve got Conway & Van Dam. Robbie has a solid rep in Brookside. Robert has the Southern cred with Fuller & Gibson. The real force behind this name comes from the Bobs. Armstrong, Backlund, Holly, Orton Sr. & Jr. & Roop were all hard men. Men who could whoop any locker room today. Then we got the Bobbys. Lashley & Roode are big in today’s WWE, then there’s legends like Duncum & Eaton. We all know Bobs & Robs, and they’re all pretty tough.

4. James

If you’re in wrestling and your name is Jim, you’re destined to be in management. Jim Barnett, Cornette, Crockett Sr. & Jr., Herd & Ross were all strong backstage voices during the 20th century. Brunzell & Neidhart were part of top notch tag teams, and we can’t forget about Duggan & Powers or legends like Breaks & Londos.

Then we have a litany of Jimmys. We got a Garvin, a Hart, a Valiant & an Uso. Not to mention Del Ray & Snuka. Remember the period of ROH when Jimmy Jacobs, Rave & Yang were all on the roster? I’m pretty sure they had a triple threat match at some point. J. Dillon & Father Mitchell opted for the full name treatment, as did the immortal James Ellsworth. Oh, and there’s also Jamie By God Noble.

3. Edward

To be honest, there aren’t a lot of wrestlers that straight up went with “Edward”. Edouard Carpentier is as close as we got to that. But if you look at the wrestlers named “Eddie”, you’ll see a line of absolute legends. Eddie Graham had one of the best territories down in the state of Florida. Eddie Gilbert was a master of working the smart fans before people knew that was a thing that could be done & was worthwhile. Eddie Guerrero is one of my favorite in-ring performers & characters ever. Eddie Edwards has broken out of the shadow of the American Wolves. Eddie Kingston has been one of the best promos in wrestling over the last decade.

When it comes to wrestling, you’d have to take Team Edward over Team Jacob.

2. Richard

When you think of wrestling workrate gods of the 1980s, three names come to mind: Ric Flair. Ricky Steamboat. Ricky Morton. Those three alone are enough to push the Richards towards the top of the list. Rick Martel, Rude & Steiner were also top notch. We can’t forget Dicks like Beyer, Murdoch, Slater & the Bruiser, but I see a lot of dead weight & jobbers that keep the Richards from taking the top prize.

Honorable Mention: Christopher

One of my fondest memories of the Attitude Era is Jim Ross continually mixing up Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho. (New Japan fans whining about him mixing people up…it’s nothing new, fellas.) When I was a kid, Christopher was a very popular name. It’s been the name of a lot of pro wrestlers over the years. But with the exception of men like Jericho & Voldemort, most of the other Chrisses are pretty forgettable. I’ll give Daniels & Kanyon some credit for being good, but most of the others weren’t worth remembering. OK, Chris Harris was good, but his WWE persona wasn’t. And I don’t think we include people named Christian.

Honorable Mention: Michael

There are so many Mikes in the business it’s ridiculous. Most of them are pretty blah, but there are fellas like Quackenbush, Rotundo & Sharpe that brought some honor to the name. Michael Elgin & Hayes brought some credibility to the full name, even if Cole took away some of it. Mick Foley also brings some respect to a rarely used variation of the name. Unfortunately, the name’s too easily associated with second generation wrestlers like Graham & Von Erich to put it any higher than this.

Honorable Mention: Mandy

Any name that can claim Rose & Leon deserves mention here.

Mandy Rose WWE Smackdown

1. Steven

Yup. I can already hear people whining & moaning about me putting my own first name at the top of the list. It’s true that there aren’t as many Steves as there are some of the other names on this list. But when you’re talking about quality, my fellow Steves take the cake. First off, there’s Stone Cold Steve Austin, the biggest WWF star of the 1990s. He couldn’t use his original last name of Williams because Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was a big star here & even moreso in Japan. Over in WCW, you had Steve “Sting” Borden holding things down as the Franchise. Before William Regal became a thing in WWE, Lord Steven Regal was quite the aristocratic snob & WCW Television Champion.

Steve McMichael was a Horseman. Steven Richards led the bWo & RTC. Steve Corino was part of the Network, the Group & S.C.U.M. Stevie Ray was one-half of Harlem Heat & leader of the nWo B-Team, and then you had the Lethal Weapon Steve Blackman, who was a group all by himself.

Indeed, the Steves are the only group that can top this list.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

14 hours 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

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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)

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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!

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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

4 weeks 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