Opinion

Greg DeMarco’s Three Stars of The Night: ALL IN (September 1, 2018)

Published

7 years ago

September 2, 2018

A look at the Three Stars Of The Night for September 1’s ALL IN!

After months of anticipation, building, and a convention that likely set many a wrestling fan back several months financially, ALL IN is in the books! The show was good overall, great at many points, but wasn’t without faults. It’s a wrestling show, that is going to happen.

Who stood out in Chicago on Saturday night? That’s a tough order to sort through, but I slept on it and am ready to stick to my guns. It’s the three stars, BAY BAY!

The Third Star:
Penelope Ford

.@JANELABABY is out of his mind in the best way possible. #ALLIN

➡️ https://t.co/2AEuPvrsmg
➡️ https://t.co/mNpVzZkjg8 pic.twitter.com/bWJ59sTjLk

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 2, 2018

Adam Page and Joey Janella are two insanely over performers, and they were given a gimmick that can really excel with the Chicago Street Fight. the match devolved into “too many dangerous spots,” including an ill advised toss powerbomb from the catwalk ramp to the table/stairs/floor. The Rite Of Passage from the ladder (through a table) looked bad, a you had a phone and talking boots to play into the Being The Elite storyline.

Then you had Joey Ryan and the giant inflatable dicks. And people say Vince McMahon is sophomoric?

.@thePenelopeFord is a bad, bad girl! #ALLIN

➡️ https://t.co/2AEuPvrsmg
➡️ https://t.co/mNpVzZkjg8 pic.twitter.com/VJrdAC6JMV

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 2, 2018

Thank god for Penelope Ford. Not only is she low key the hottest woman in wrestling, but she was everything good in this match. Not because she’s good to look at, but her performance IN THE RING. She killed it, more than once, and if I’m ROH, I’m scooping her up for the Women Of Honor–she’s exactly what the division is missing.

The Second Star:
Marty Scurll

BRAINBUSTAAAAA!! @MartyScurll has Okada on his heels! #ALLIN

➡️ https://t.co/2AEuPvrsmg
➡️ https://t.co/mNpVzZkjg8 pic.twitter.com/q5KLcevhgX

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 2, 2018

Despite being the “heel,” in this match, Marty Scurll was playing the underdog babyface. In all honesty, there wasn’t a heel, and there didn’t need to be. Scurll was the underdog against the mammoth resume and experience of Kazuchika Okada, and that story was huge in this match. As Andrew Balaz will tell you (and did in his ALL IN Ratings & Review…CHEAP POP!), Scurll is often criticized for not being the best worker. I disagree, he’s one of the best workers around–when he chooses to be. His interview with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin shed some light on that for me a while back: he’s going for less is more. Unfortunately for him, he tends to take that too far, getting into “less is less” territory.

Scurll delivered in a big way in this match. He worked his ass off, and told the story of being able to hang with Kazuchika Okada. If the former remains without a championship, I’d suggest ROH call in a huge favor and have Okada put Scurll over in Madison Square Garden during the G1 Special (another huge sellout for ROH!).

Marty delivered an amazing performance, one that stood out in a sea of great performances.

Honorable Mentions:

The Young Bucks (for trying to keep that match together)
Rey Mysterio (for trying to keep that match together)
Christopher Daniels (for trying to keep that match together)
Flip Gordon (for trying to keep that match together)

Go read Andrew’s Review and Mitchell’s Report to see what I mean!

And now… a distinction usually reserved
for the top performer of the night …the first star!

The First Star:
Cody Rhodes & Nick Aldis (tie)

Nick Aldis is so underrated. #ALLIN #UseYourHead

— Greg DeMarco (@ChairshotGreg) September 2, 2018

During the NWA Worlds Championship Match, I composed the above tweet because it was so apparent to me how much Nick Aldis was making this match. He deserves so much praise, because the match–the moment–doesn’t work without the job Aldis did. He was the glue that held the whole thing together.

This is big time. Awesome, awesome moment for @CodyRhodes and @TheBrandiRhodes! #ALLIN

➡️ https://t.co/2AEuPvrsmg
➡️ https://t.co/mNpVzZkjg8 pic.twitter.com/I44cWaTcwu

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 2, 2018

Cody Rhodes was the star of this match, and of this entire show. ROH and The Young Bucks don’t do this without Cody, the ex-WWE superstar who happens to be the son of the son of a plumber in the legendary Dusty Rhodes.

I can’t say enough about the moment provided here. It’s easy to say “Cody booked himself to win the championship,” but I am 100% sure this was a Billy Corgan/Dave Lagana decision. They get a reprieve as the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship can be defended on ROH events for the time being, and when the time is right they can move the championship back to Aldis (or to someone else). Maybe they wait for the G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden, maybe they don’t. Contract negotiations play into that, but I think the success of ALL IN might mean Cody and The Bucks stay with ROH or actually go out on their own in the next year.

This match had everything to pull on your emotions, and it was largely booked like a WrestleMania main event. A WrestleMania main event booked by Dusty Rhodes. It told a perfect story, had the right ending (even if I didn’t expect Cody to win), paid off literally years of build.

Crimson mask soaking into the ring canvas… but @CodyRhodes makes it to the ropes and @TheBrandiRhodes! #ALLIN

➡️ https://t.co/2AEuPvrsmg
➡️ https://t.co/mNpVzZkjg8 pic.twitter.com/vs2JwYa3dR

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) September 2, 2018

If I had one gripe, it’s that this match went on fourth. I get how bad it would have looked if this closed the show (time/spacing issues notwithstanding). But dude, fourth?

Regardless, hats off to Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis for this match, this show, and this story. Job well done gentlemen.

Who are your Three Stars of WWE Monday Night Raw? Comment on social media @ChairshotGreg, @theCHAIRSHOTcom, and use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

In hockey, a game’s “Three Stars Of The Night” represent the top three performers of the night. For more clarification, I defer to this Pittsburgh Gazette explanation:

“The tradition dates to the 1936-37 season, when Imperial Oil became the principal sponsor of Hockey Night in Canada radio broadcasts and was seeking a way to promote one of its products, Three Star gasoline. The idea of doing so by selecting the top three performers in a particular game purportedly came from a Canadian advertising agency.

Many clubs do recognize the player with the most three-star selections with an award or trophy, usually in conjunction with a corporate sponsorship, at the end of the season (or sometimes, each month). All six Canadian franchises, for example, have an affiliation with a well-known brewery.

The NHL keeps track of its own Three Stars Of The Night selections, but that is done on a league-wide basis. The league employs a system that awards 30 points to a first star, 20 to a second star and 10 to a third – a running total can be found on the league’s website – but it does not present an award based on them.”

In hockey tradition, the first star represents the best of the three, but all three are considered to be receiving a high honor.

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

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Related Topics:All In Cody Rhodes Featured Featured Big Marty Scurll Nick Aldis Penelope Ford Three Stars Of The Night

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

3 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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FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / 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

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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)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

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

2 months 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