Opinion

WWE Week In Review: August 5-11, 2018

Published

7 years ago

August 13, 2018

NXT

NXT Championship: It’s a pretty safe bet that Aleister Black is NOT happy with Johnny Gargano, who played a crucial, if unintended, role in Black losing the NXT World Heavyweight Championship to Tommaso Ciampa two weeks ago. So, to vent his frustration at the man who, by his own admission, is the reason Ciampa won the NXT World Heavyweight Championship, Black and Gargano met up in singles competition this week.

This was a brutal, but very good fight. Both men had plenty of reason to be angry with the other. However, Ciampa, in a foolish attempt to get the upper hand on Black, attacked both Gargano and Black, which resulted in a free for all.

Finally, General Manager Regal comes out to stop this before it gets out of control and decides that he can’t stop Black, Ciampa, and Gargano from destroying each other, but he can channel this hatred. He makes Black’s rematch into a Triple Threat Match for TakeOver Brooklyn, much to Ciampa’s horror.

However, after NXT went off the air on Wednesday night, we were informed on Twitter that Aleister Black was found unconscious in the parking lot of Full Sail University. On Thursday, William Regal announced that there was no way for Black to be medically cleared in time for TakeOver, so the Triple Threat match has been made into a one on one encounter between Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano for the NXT World Heavyweight Championship.

NXT North American Championship: Ricochet, who will be vying for the North American Championship against Adam Cole at TakeOver, was supposed to be in action tonight, instead he got jumped by Cole and the Undisputed Era before the match started. Cole seemed to be offended at Ricochet calling him a coward and that Adam Cole doesn’t hide behind anyone, though he had to wait until Ricochet was outnumbered and laid out to show his face. He vowed that Ricochet laying battered and beaten and himself standing tall is what’s going to happen at TakeOver.

NXT Women’s Championship: Neither Shayna Baszler or Kairi Sane were in action this week, nor was there any announcement of anyone being added to the Women’s Championship match at TakeOver: Brooklyn. Although we did get a recap of the Baszler/Candice LeRae match and face off between Baszler and Sane. We’re also told that Sane will face Aaliyah Wednesday on the Go-Home Show.

NXT Tag Team Championship: The only time the NXT Tag Champs, Undisputed Era, were featured was during Cole’s promo on Ricochet. However, Roderick Strong will face Tyler Bate on Wednesday’s go home show.

EC3 vs Velveteen Dream: Last week, Velveteen Dream invited EC3 to enter his world and talk about their issues. 3 agreed and we got a surreal segment that seemed like the opening to an adult film based on either Miami Vice or CSI: Miami. Needless to say, not a lot got settled, they’re still going to fight in Brooklyn, and I’m not really sure what the whole point of it was. However, we did get to see 3 drop Dream into the pool.

Nikki Cross vs Amber Nova: NXT’s Twisted Sister (thank you, Mauro) was in action against Amber Nova, who didn’t seem to fully grasp who she was up against, though the crowd did try to warn her by chanting “Nikki’s going to kill you!”

The Daughter of a Mechanic wasn’t daunted, but all her attempts just seemed to piss Cross off, which isn’t wise. However, this was a really good match and Nova did a great job. Cross is a really great competitor, bat crap crazy gimmick aside.

This wasn’t a squash match, Nova got in some good offence, but there was no stopping Nikki Cross, who picks up the pinfall.

Keith Lee: For several weeks, we’ve been seeing vignettes for the ‘Limitless’ Keith Lee, who made his debut tonight against Marcel Barthel, another NXT prospect.

This wasn’t a squash match, Barthel and Lee got in their fair share of offense, but Keith would pick up the victory. For a heavily hyped debut, it wasn’t as good as I thought it should be, and I wasn’t really impressed with either guy, but hopefully, that’ll change.

Final Qualifying Match for the Mae Young Classic – Vanessa Borne vs Taynara Conti: Before her match, Borne gave a quick interview stating that her goal was to win the last spot in the Mae Young Classic because she didn’t want to deprive the world of seeing her compete.

Why both of these ladies were considered contenders for the Mae Young Classic is pretty obvious. This was a great, if short, match and could work as a non-title feud in NXT on its own. At first glance, this looked to be Borne’s match to win, but Conti showed that she was more than a pretty face and was able to not only outlast Borne but kick her ass as much as Borne kicked hers. Ultimately, Conti got the win and will be representing Brazil in the Mae Young Classic.

Street Profits vs The Mighty: Street Profits hosted an episode of Street Talk, where they mocked The Mighty and we’re told that it’s going to be The Street Profits vs the Mighty next week.

Kassius Ohno vs Adrian Javode: Kassius Ohno was in action again Adrian Javode, who has a pretty badass pedigree in martial arts.

This wasn’t quite a squash, but it was close. Javode got a little offense, but it was all Ohno after that. He flattens Javode with two knockout punches and it’s all over.

Tiffany’s Take

This was a week of ups and downs for the SummerSlam build. RAW is still struggling a little with trying to keep momentum going with all but one of their title matches already planned. They did a pretty good job this week, but there were some rough spots.

On SmackDown, they seem to be having the opposite problem. It almost feels like they waited too long to start the build for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Thankfully, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles are seasoned pros, which is what’s keeping the build from feeling rushed.

205 only has one match for SummerSlam, but that build has been going nicely, as have the other feuds on the show. I’m also really interested to see what happens with Itami and Ali after Ali’s collapse on Tuesday.

NXT’s World Title situation suffered a little from the fact that NXT tapes their shows a month or so in advance, which can cause problems if someone in a major title situation gets hurt. The ‘Black got jumped in the parking lot’ storyline is a good cover and Ciampa vs Gargano for the NXT Title will be a barnburner, but the whole thing still feels awkward.

Overall, I was happy with the builds this week, I’m pretty excited for SummerSlam. Time will tell if WWE can keep things going as we enter the last week before SummerSlam.

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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 days 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)

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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

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