Opinion

Big E’s Side-Eye Makes Him A Contender

Published

7 years ago

December 21, 2018

With the McMahon’s promising new changes on the WWE Main Roster; is Big E in line for more than just a sandwich?

I’d like to make one thing perfectly clear: I’m a big supporter of The New Day. Every wrestling promotion should be so lucky as to have a trio like Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods & Big E on their cards. They’re good workers, they’re extremely popular, sell a ton of merchandise and make everybody they’re in the ring with look like a million bucks. They’re a shining example of a concept that can flop at the beginning, but given time can turn into something bigger than originally imagined.

Heck, most of us have probably forgotten the awkward debut. They were going to be Nation of Domination 2.0 for a second. Then they did the over-the-top Power of Positivity gimmick as faces that were actually heels, and once they became heels they were golden. Eventually they became the beloved New Day that nobody could imagine booing.

Which has kind of led to a problem. It’s not the worst problem in the world, but it’s still a problem. The New Day has run out of things to do in the tag team division. Honestly, they ran out of things to do in the tag team division a long time ago. How many times have they feuded with the Usos and then re-instituted the Uce Truce? There isn’t much new for them to do, but they’re New Day so they need to be doing something.

It’s hamstrung a number of SD tag teams lower on the pecking order. Gallows & Anderson are Good Brothers that can’t get on TV. I didn’t know Sanity was still on the roster until they brought Nikki Cross out for a match with Becky Lynch. I saw Epico & Primo on TV, which made me think I was in a weird dream. It’s tough for these guys to break through the Bar/Usos/New Day triumvirate, as there’s only so much time on SmackDown Live for tag teams. Or anything else, for that matter.

I’m not suggesting that the New Day break up. Absolutely not. We don’t need one of them turning heel on the others, leading into a long term feud. It probably wouldn’t get over, and it would kill off the potential for more silly New Day merchandise that people buy because it’s silly & it’s New Day. I mean, who else in WWE can be the inspiration for Booty-Os, or the Book of Booty? These are three creative cats, and if they were on the indies they could probably book a better show than Cody Rhodes & the Young Bucks. I said it.

What should they do?

If I was on the WWE creative team, I would be pushing for the New Day to pursue singles careers while still together. This helps ease the logjam in SD’s tag team division & creates new contenders in the singles divisions. My first move would be to send Kofi Kingston after the United States Championship, as he’s a three-time US Champion. Ric Flair has the record at six, so it should be relatively easy for Kofi to break that record.

Xavier Woods is listed at 205 pounds, which puts him at the limit for the Cruiserweight Championship. I’m told that 205 Live viewership isn’t great, so adding 1/3rd of New Day to the show could only help. Woods has received rave reviews from everybody for his tag team work, and I feel like he could be the Heart of 205 Live that left when Mustafa Ali got bumped up to the SmackDown roster.

This leaves Big E, who I’m pretty sure is the New Day member that most people have been requesting a singles push for. He’s built like a spark plug. He might not be six feet tall, but he’s as strong as an ox. Big E has an interesting charisma about him. I don’t know if he can cut that main event promo, but he’s one of the most entertaining WWE Superstars on Twitter.

Lot of our fans yearn to sit on yall’s faces. https://t.co/cGn3drOgML

— Florida Man (@WWEBigE) December 16, 2018

So not only is he a beast in the weight room, he’s a beast on the social media. Sounds like the perfect combination for a WWE Champion to me. The New Daniel Bryan obviously holds that title right now, and from what I saw on Tuesday night, Big E might have his eyes on it.

👀 @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/eQY6gXatvb

— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 19, 2018

The man is eating a sandwich and giving Bryan the ol’ side eye. No doubt there was a message being sent there while Shane McMahon was going on about whatever. Heck, I wasn’t paying attention either. But I damn sure noticed that side eye from Big E whilst eating his sammich, and Bryan averting his gaze. Part of that might have been Bryan trying not to break character & laugh at E’s facial expression. I also feel like part of it was Bryan was recognizing that change was afoot, and he might actually have to deal with a meat-eating Big E.

Big problems

Bryan is one of the smartest people in the game, which is quite the accomplishment considering the head injuries. He surely knows that if he signed on the dotted line to wrestle Big E, his championship would be in jeopardy. That’s one of the hidden aspects that could make this NEW ERA interesting. Brock Lesnar can avoid this mess by not showing up, but Bryan’s the kind of guy that insists on being on every show and being a fighting champion. New matchups means more chances to lose a championship. We’ve already seen Bryan in multiple matches with Mustafa Ali, and even get pinned by the man. He’s open to giving new people a chance, but I believe that Bryan does know his limits.

Big E could be a nightmare for Bryan in the ring. E’s got the height & weight advantage. He’s got the people behind him. The one category I wonder about is stamina, as E has been in tag matches for most of his WWE career. Does E have enough wind to hang in there with a champion that can wrestle as long as is necessary? We have no such about Bryan’s durability. Can E bring enough force to end it before stamina becomes a question?

If nothing else, Daniel Bryan vs. Big E for the WWE Championship would be a fantastic SmackDown Live main event. I believe that within two hours WWE could sell people on the idea of E winning. I believe the people would get behind it. After the first match happens, I believe people will want more. I think E’s got all the tools to make a viable WWE Champion.

If you let Big E out of his cage, he’ll pile the bodies to the sky. I saw that look from him on Tuesday night. Whether he was just ribbing Bryan or not does not matter. It was the look of a man that knew that he had the upper hand on another man, while eating a sammich.

Daniel Bryan better hope that the New Day keeps dedicating themselves to tag team business. If they realize they’re better off diversifying their portfolio, his standing as WWE Champion will be in serious jeopardy.

Was the side eye the beginning of Big E’s singles push? Let us know on social media @theCHAIRSHOTcom and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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!

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!

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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!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

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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Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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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

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