Opinion

The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE Raw (01/28/2019)

Was the first WWE Raw of the 2019 Road To WrestleMania Good, Bad, Or Ugly?

Published

6 years ago

January 29, 2019

Bobby Fernandes

Was the first WWE Raw of the 2019 Road To WrestleMania Good, Bad, Or Ugly? Bobby checks in with his review!

After a Blockbuster Royal Rumble weekend, here we go again. Onto the next one, and officially on the road to WrestleMania. Last week was a very Good show, with a very hot crowd. Can Raw keep running hot? Or will the fire die down during the home stretch?

THE GOOD

Opening Segment with Seth Rollins

The crowd just went ballistic for the 2019 Royal Rumble Winner. Rollins the face of the company, continues to get praised for his efforts. The crowd on Raw was loud and proud to chant “Burn it Down.” Rollins is going to WrestleMania to delight of all who are watching. Rollins was visibly emotional for his long journey to get back here. But who will he pick? Apparently HHH was also interested as he graced us with his presence. Emotions are high here, WrestleMania is where wrestling dreams are made. HHH wants to know who Rollins will face at WrestleMania by the end of Raw. Dean Ambrose had enough and bravely made his way to intervene. Ambrose essentially took credit for the success of his “brother” Seth Rollins. Ambrose is rooting for Rollins because he has his number. Ambrose legit just took a shot at HHH and told asked him if he needed permission to make a match. Rollins vs Ambrose next per HHH. This was a freakishly Great promo! Well done WWE!

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose

HHH set up this match per Ambrose after being antagonized into it. The fire looked real and the feeling was true. This is a hell of a way to open Raw, two huge stars who can put on a show, and are full of fire. This match had a Good feeling and pace to it. The two stars did not play it safe but the opposite. Move after move, they would constantly out-do each other. It was incredibly physical and unforgiving. Rollins continuously dove onto Ambrose on the outside, laying his body on the line constantly. Ambrose would attempt to win every opening he had. Rollins hits The Stomp and gets the win. Rollins steamrolled his rival and decisively won this match. It was all Good so far.

Dean Ambrose Continued

Before he could say anything important, Nia Jax and Tamina interrupted as they were scheduled at that moment. Nia Jax then essentially removed Ambrose herself.

Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James

Finally time for the Women’s Tag Division to take flight. The qualifying for Elimination Chamber has officially started. Bliss was just impressive. She looked so sharp and on point. It has been so long without her, it is just amazing to have The Goddess back where she belongs. Tamina and Nia held their own in there and working an artist like Bliss had some Good points. Things were miraculously going smoothly considering, but then Mickie James got involved and between her and Tamina really laid on some harshly, Bad action. Luckily, it was brief and overall, everything was Good. Nia Jax double “Samoa Dropped” Bliss and James for the Victory and are qualified for the Elimination Chamber.

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin

A grudge match of sorts, these guys have some heat at least in the storyline. Angle again as to prove to himself he still has it. Corbin has become an upper echelon heel and is delivering. Let me address this, Corbin needs to change his gear already, enough is enough. Angle looked classic, focused and aggressive. Corbin poked at Angle with empty compliments and set Angle off. Angle completely dominated Corbin and would not let up. Multiple suplexes and throws. Angle even hit the “Angleslam” but only for a two count. Angle then got Corbin in an “ankle lock” but Corbin got out, pulled out a huge “deep six” and got the victory. Both competitors looked Good and did a Good job. Solid match again. Corbin then laid on the punishment futher embarrassing Kurt Angle before making his exit.

Finn Balor Promo

Balor lost to the Beast last night at Royal Rumble but did not do all he could to win, he did not tap into the unstoppable Demon. That was what he needed to do and it just didn’t happen. Balor looked determined and still confident. Bobby Lashley didn’t want to hear it, and made his way out with Lio Rush. This could be a really impressive feud especially for the Intercontinental Championship. Lio Rush laid into Balor stiff, Balor then made fun of Lashley and paid for it. Lashley overpowered and destroyed Balor. Impressive way to start this potentially Good feud.

The Revival vs. Curt Hawkins and Zach Ryder

Ryder and Hawkins are a Good team together. The Revival was on point as always, they just work so well together on a consistent basis. This was a Good, quick, action packed match. Revival really dominated and showed they are serious. After completely destroying Hawkins, they hit a Shatter Machine for the victory.

Elias and Jeff Jarrett Promo

Elias is very popular but he really seems like a heel still. He isn’t out to impress anyone, he just does his thing and keeps on trucking. He really heeled out and was interrupted by the original entertainer, Jeff Jarrett. As Jarrett was laying into Elias, Road Dogg then followed. It turned into a Double J celebration. Elias crushed Road Dogg with the guitar and went after Jarrett. Jarrett whopped Elias ass all around the ring, he still has it! Jarrett being on TV is an awesome addition. It only lasted momentarily before Elias took down the Hall of Famer. This was a fun, Good promo.

Natalya and Dana Brooke vs. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan

This was very physical. Dana Brooke and Sarah Logan are visibly better. They obviously have been working hard. This went back and forth but Natalya got Liv Morgan into a “sharpshooter” but with the outside interference of the Riott Squad, she got out and rolled up Natalya for the win and moving onto to qualify for the elimination chamber.

Becky Lynch Promo with Ronda Rousey

Something amazing here. Lynch wants Rousey for her Title in the Dream Match. The Man wants Rowdy and her gold. Rousey poked back, and the crowd was just going insane. The lines have been drawn, the Match is set. Becky Lynch is the hero who will conquer Rousey. She is now in Rousey’s head. This will be epic when it goes down.

THE BAD

Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre

Battle of the Titans, what a power fest. This is very interesting it is literally a power struggle for position. Both are in a position to be top guys. These guys were going a million miles an hour, full steam. McIntyre was brutal to the giant Braun Strowman. Braun had a bad wheel but of course put up a Good fight. However this was all ruined by Baron Corbin who attacked Strowman. Braun wins by DQ but beat the living hell out of Corbin, punching a chair out of his hands. Braun laid waste to both McIntyre and Corbin. The crowd was into it egging Strowman on. This was a decent match but had a horrible ending. McIntrye finally got the upper hand and Corbin and McIntyre severely hurt the big man. Considering who was at play here, this was pretty Bad.

Seth Rollins Decision

Who will Rollins pick? On one hand him and Brock Lesnar would be great as he will most likely slay the beast. On the other hand, Rollins vs. Bryan would be incredible. The crowd shook with anticipation. Brock Lesnar came out first, surprisingly. Paul Heyman laid it all out for everyone, basically not sweating “The Architect.” Rollins did not back down and came right into Lesnar’s face. He went right after Brock but was destroyed by a devastating F5. Lesnar gave another F5. Then another. Even a fourth and fifth. Lesnar had shear dominance over the “new” challenger. The message was sent, even if it was a Bad one. It was actually annoying that Rollins continued to egg him on and got even another F5. This was such overkill and a flat out disappointment.

THE UGLY

Raw’s Women’s Championship Open Challenge – Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Bayley

Rousey needs to not go on the microphone at all, for anything. Where is Paul Heyman? Anyway, open challenges are great! To make it better, Bayley, answered. Bayley is so Good for business. She is incredible and a viable challenger for Rousey. This is awesome! Rousey is so hit or miss, she is just too aggressive sometimes. This was just an incredibly awkward and hard match to watch. Rousey was just horrible and Bayley tried her best to carry the match. It was just full of miscues and flaws. This was not due to Bayley what so ever! Bayley very smartly slowed down the pace to reset. Unfortunately the harsh reality of how much work Rousey still needs to do to have a Good match is overwhelming. Make no mistake, Bayley looked great but there was only so much she could do. Bayley nearly won with a “Bank Statement” but Rousey got to the rope. Rousey when hope was lost, hit a really great roll up off the top rope into an “armbar” for the victory. Rousey retains. Out of nowhere “The Man” arrived onto the scene.

FINAL

Good- 11
Bad- 2
Ugly- 1

Overall

This was a Good strong Monday Night Raw post Royal Rumble. The action was tight aside from a poor showing from Rousey. She needs so much work, hell even Tamina and Nia Jax looked okay tonight. It was a very enjoyable show, with a TON of content.

Monday Night Raw continued this strong trend, and delivered a fantastic show. Tomorrow is SmackDown who always puts on a decent showing. Royal Rumble was amazing and WWE is riding high. Hopefully the momentum continues. Please like, share, comment and as always thank you for reading.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

4 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)

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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!

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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

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