Opinion

The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE SmackDown (01/29/2019)

Did Smackdown deliver a Good, Bad, or Ugly show to kick off the blue brand’s Road to WrestleMania?

Published

6 years ago

January 30, 2019

Bobby Fernandes

Smackdown ends an enormous string of events for WWE in Phoenix. But was the finale Good, Bad, or Ugly? Bobby lets you know!

Raw was successful in keeping the action going and the story strong. A lot of Good as of late, SmackDown is up to bat. SmackDown notoriously is a strong, amazing show, and now with the Road to Wrestlemania fully under way, the pressure is at it’s highest. Can the ever popular SmackDown brand thrive under pressure? Or will it lose steam and leave us all feeling flat?

THE GOOD

Opening Segment with “The Man” Becky Lynch

Becky continued her impressive streak of being awesome! She has the crowd, she has the whole fan base, and now has The Raw Women’s Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey in her sights. Becky Lynch is now Clint Eastwood in a Western “Good.” Not to ever be outdone, The “Queen” arrived. Charlotte is still in the picture. Charlotte always seems to get in Becky’s head every time. This is excellent all around. Becky struck first this time, then tried to just dismissively walk away. Charlotte got her back and the two were able to be separated. Solid opening.

United States Championship Match – Shinsuke Nakamura (C) vs. R-Truth w/ Carmella

I like this a lot. R-Truth may be comic relief but he has been doing this consistently for a very long time. Nakamura can go at it with a lot less. Good use of talent and keeping it fresh. Obviously this was very physical, we a big guy and a striker. R-Truth is a very interesting wrestler as a whole, completely own style. Nakamura appeared to be completely limp and knocked out but kicked out of multiple pin attempts and even took control. Seriously shocking, R-Truth his a tight roll into a small package type pin and the ref counted 3. R-Truth has won the United States Championship! Wow! R-Truth out of no-where! Out comes another person robbed of their spot in the Rumble, Lana. She came with Rusev. Rusev then completely insulted R-Truth and challenged him for his brand new United States Championship.

United States Championship Match – R-Truth (C) w/ Carmella vs. Rusev w/ Lana

After some push and shove Rusev got his match. This whole thing is shocking. R-Truth out of the blue getting the US Strap and Rusev coming right out for it. Rusev being fresh after R-Truth just had a hell of a match with Nakamura, took full advantage and control. Just when Rusev looked to have him, again R-Truth gets a big time roll up for the second big win of the night. Rusev and Nakamura then laid the boots to R-Truth completely breaking down the new US Champ.

Rey Mysterio vs. Samoa Joe (plus Andrade w/ Zelina Vega)

Zelina Vega was a pleasant but unfortunate distraction for Rey Mysterio. Andrade attacked Mysterio and although Rey tried to fight back he just wasn’t good enough. Andrade took him out. Decent little segment.

The Miz & Shane McMahon Championship Celebration

Shane put together the night’s festivities. A highlight reel of course was in order. No matter how crazy this all is, Shane and The Miz are the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Aside from that, the video was long and almost like a recap than a celebration. It seems the audience is fully behind the New Champs. Shane gave The Miz something he will always cherish, his Father. Miz’s Dad, Mr. Miz Miz hit the ring in celebration to a warm crowd. Miz achieved his Father’s praise. A huge moment for the guy. Another point of business is the 4 Way Elimination for a shot at their belts. Great set-up again, very unpredictable.

The Usos vs. The Bar vs. The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston) vs. Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker)

Heavy Machinery lead by Otis tossed around the competition. Otis beat up Kofi before getting the better of Big E. The looked like they were all having fun in there. It was all over the place, each team getting their time in. The New Day is the first to go, getting taken out by Heavy Machinery. That is huge for this team. The Bar took out Jimmy Uso destroying him on the outside. The Bar is a huge intimidating team but when Otis was let loose he just took out everyone, caterpillar and all. The Bar lead by a huge “Brogue Kick” took out Heavy Machinery, then shortly after the Uso’s locked it up and won their way to a Tag Team Championship Match at Elimination Chamber.

Daniel Bryan Segment (Change the WWE Climate)

Don’t be “Fickle” the Champ has something to say. Daniel Bryan and Rowan hate everything on Earth now, not the Earth itself but everything else. Daniel Bryan literally threw the Heavyweight Championship in the trash and whipped out a wooden all natural, completely unique new belt. AJ Styles came out appalled by Daniel Bryan’s actions and had enough. Randy Orton also got involved, the Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali, and Samoa Joe. This was just insane. Not a great way to end the show, it was just a promo. However the audience was captivated and everyone had heat. Everyone killed each other while Daniel Bryan berated the whole group from the outside on the mic with Rowan. HHH then announced he will be facing all of them in a huge Elimination Chamber Match. The payoff was worth it that is fantastic!

THE BAD

THE UGLY

FINAL

GOOD- 7
~~BAD~~
~~UGLY~~

OVERALL

Another Good SmackDown. It is incredible the difference in the amount of matches and total content Raw and SmackDown have. It really isn’t because of the extra hour either. SmackDown seems to take their time and give a lot of quality over quantity. This was another successful showing and great way to continue the story.

Raw was Good, SmackDown was Good, will NXT be Good? Well it usually is for sure. After another amazing Takeover and NXT being solid Gold, this week should be more of the same. Let the Good times roll.

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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!

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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)

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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

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