Opinion
Good, Bad, & Ugly: WWE Smackdown (1/8/19)

Does WWE Smackdown follow a strong Raw with a Good show of their own? That’s for Bobby Fernandes to decide!
Monday Night Raw is now behind us, and it was a strong showing this week. SmackDown is expected to outperform as it has week after week. Raw was special this go around, as it was a bit of a tribute to “Mean Gene” Okerlund, and everyone brought their “A” game. SmackDown almost always brings their “A” game and tonight should be no different. WWE is in full swing on the Road to WrestleMania with the ever prestigious Royal Rumble coming up very soon. AEW is eating up all the attention signing huge names and continuing to build an arsenal to compete. With Raw doing their part, will SmackDown continue to impress the masses?
THE GOOD
Opening Vignette w/ Daniel Bryan
We all get it, Daniel Bryan is a heel. He is a great heel at that, but this was a very boring segment. Maybe we are all just “fickle” but this insane Daniel Bryan is a bit boring at times on the mic. The old school heel tactics are Good though, going after fans food, and signs. Overall though, this was on the Bad side, until R-Truth beat the hell out of Daniel Bryan and defended the fans honor.
Non-Title Match (WWE Champion) Daniel Bryan vs. R-Truth
R-Truth is one of those veterans that can still go, and doesn’t seem to ever slow down. He brought it tonight and worked his ass off out there. Daniel Bryan of course did his thing and brought it as always. This was a quick but Good Match, a lot of offense in a short time. Daniel Bryan Win’s with a running knee. As he was making his exit, the “New” AJ Styles came out and greeted the Champion with a Good old fashioned beat down. Good energy and successful opening match.
Rey Mysterio and Mustafa Ali vs. Cien Almas w/ Zelina Vega and Samoa Joe
This match had the makings to be a fireworks display! Everyone involved is high energy and simply nasty in the ring. Surprisingly, Ali and Samoa Joe started off a little flat, and slow. Nothing special. Then it was time for Mysterio and Cien Almas, and besides a small but painful botch, I thought I was watching a Cruiserweight Match from an old WCW Event. This was just fantastic, and a feud between Almas and Mysterio would be extremely beneficial especially to the audience. Samoa Joe started killing it also brutalizing Ali with a “fall-away slam” across the announce table. There were a few botches and mishaps but that can happen in such an intense match with such high flying competitors. The ending was nuts! The piledriver spot, the 619 miss into the finish, Ali almost killing Joe over the top, so much to see, a generous amount of action. Cien Almas pins Rey Mysterio! Almas and Samoa Joe Win! How is WWE planning on competing with AEW? We just saw it, and it is beautiful!
Rusev Promo
A different tone of the United States Champion, Rusev. Lana is hurt and is being used as some heat for this fight. This feud is fantastic without an ounce of promos or talking. They could just come out as themselves and work in front of the audience who would eat it up. That isn’t what is happening though, we have a cliché storyline. It isn’t Bad because the talent is exemplary, no matter what the matches (if they actually have one) will be successful. Angry Rusev is great though, and the less funny Rusev is the better he looks.
For a Shot at the SD Tag Team Titles at Royal Rumble Non-Title Match (Tag Team Champions) The Bar vs. The Usos
Here we have some massive potential. Contrasting teams, both have immense success, and are loved by the audience. It would be nice to see some new tag teams immerge or bump up on SmackDown though. Whoever is next for a Title push will certainly be in Good hands with either of these teams. All four wrestlers individually showed their strengths, and of course killed it teaming up as well. The Usos really worked hard out there and successfully kept putting Shamus over. It looked Good. Cesaro is above average. His bump over the barrier looked to make a row of kids happy! Up close and personal and always 100%. “The Swiss Superman” is just amazing. The Usos stayed amped the entire time. The energy was intense as it looked like Jimmy Uso was going to get the hot tag. Out of the blue, Mandy Rose comes out in a towel, causing Jimmy to be distracted, Jay gets hit with the “Neutralizer” Cesaro and Shamus Win! The Miz seizes his opportunity and gets a “Brough Kick” for his trouble. He also got a Title shot for him and Shane McMahon vs. The Bar. The whole thing packaged the way it was, telling multiple storylines effectively, hitting all cylinders, and giving the fans genuinely Good content. It is all a win. Sonya Deville overpowering a very pissed of Naomi, that also is a plus. Let’s all hope we see a lot more Sonya Deville.
Winner Faces Asuka for the SD Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble- Carmella vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch
This was and is a really Good plan, Carmella changes the environment a bit and makes this whole thing better, if that is even possible. The confidence all three competitors give off is overwhelming. Carmella capitalized early on Lynch and Charlotte starting things off. It was short lived though when Becky Lynch decided to dominate. All three went at it though not disappointing and solidifying once again they are the “Main Event.” Even when they were catching their breath it looked Good. Carmella rolling into the “Cone of Silence” and Flair powering out was fantastic! Charlotte’s “double moonsault” was also unique and looked great. This was an incredible match! They put it all out there always changing roles and fighting for position. Carmella had the match locked several times, then Charlotte, then Becky, then Carmella and so on! It could have gone any way, all hitting their respective move sets. In the end Lynch trapped the “Disarmer” on Carmella for the Win, and moves on to Asuka at the Royal Rumble for the Title. Great Match! Asuka of course had to get a closer look and faded out with the two amazing talents face to face.
FINAL TALLY
- GOOD ALL OF IT!
- BAD- 0
- UGLY- 00
OVERALL
Great, Good and all around enjoyable. This was a really fun SmackDown. Awesome writing and talent. The only complaint was the opening which also came out better than Bad. WWE is awake and will not be intimidated by competition. They thrive on it. The quality since the arrival of AEW has been noticeably improved. WWE is on light speed, and will keep us watching every show!
Fantastic Raw and SmackDown and hopefully some normal NXT this week will make for some successful ratings and fan awareness. WWE is on fire and will be hard to stop as long as they continue doing whatever it is they are doing. Keep it up! Please continue to read, like and share! Thank you for the support!
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank
Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

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
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 – 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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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
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
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 – 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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!