Opinion
Writing The Book: The 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Should Becky Lynch win the WWE Women’s Royal Rumble? Abe gives you his thoughts when he’s Writing The Book! What do you think?
Welcome to “Writing the Book.” This is where I attempt to book wrestling pay-per-views, storylines, and matches in an interesting yet logical matter. This week we have the Women’s Royal Rumble!
This was a tall task because people don’t normally book these kinds of matches alone. However, I decided to challenge myself with that headache. Turns out, it ended up being quite enjoyable. The Royal Rumble is the favorite event of the year for most fans so being able to write out the whole thing was just as fun. I’ll explain a few things before the first entrant walks out.
I’m having this match be the main event just like last year. I’ve written a couple backstage segments that will occur throughout the night. Ronda Rousey vs Sasha Banks will happen one or two matches before the Rumble. After Sasha loses, Triple H meets her backstage. He explains that Billie Kay and Peyton Royce insisted they enter as a single entrant. “That being said, a slot in the Rumble just opened up”, Trips says as he hands her a card with an unseen number. There will be an additional unrelated backstage segment after the opener but you’ll know more about that when you get to Entry #19.
There will be no Trish or Lita this time. They had their moments at the last Rumble and Evolution so I wanted to give the free spots to NXT talent and past superstars that haven’t gotten the chance to make that proper return.
Any number you see along the way in parentheses indicates the order at which someone was eliminated. That will help you keep track since you don’t have the visual of a ring in front of you. All surprise entrants will have a link to the wrestler’s entrance music attached so you can envision the moment.
#1 Alexa Bliss
Alexa enters first, grabs a microphone, and voices her displeasure over drawing the first entrant slot. She goes on to say her new talk show has brought in ratings and even managed the women’s division when called upon by Baron Corbin. Alexa demands better treatment. Then the music for Entrant #2 hits.
The total antithesis of the image of Alexa Bliss. Shayna doesn’t make excuses and demands fights rather than shying away from them. Michael Cole announces her as a 2-time NXT Women’s Champion and member of Ronda Rousey’s Horsewomen stable (pun intended). I wanted her to squash Alexa in seconds but realized she is a 5-time champion so she gets to stay a while longer.
#3-4 Alicia Fox, Ember Moon
Alicia Fox enters to help Alexa and helps for a little bit but is no match for Shayna. Baszler eliminates Fox (1) but only tosses Alexa aside. Ember Moon, Shayna’s former rival from NXT, then enters and begins to furiously brawl with Baszler.
#5 Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
They enter together as one entrant because why wouldn’t they. Holding hands while their free hands each wield a microphone. Their promo gets so obnoxious that it makes Moon and Baszler stop fighting. It’s like their entrance at Evolution except they don’t get eliminated right away.
#6-7 Liv Morgan, Toni Storm
Liv enters but doesn’t have her teammates with her so she can’t do much. Toni Storm then makes her entrance with her shiny new NXTUK Women’s Championship. Between her Mae Young Classic win and UK appearances, enough fans should be familiar enough to know she’s a credible threat. As the future of the company, we need as many eyes on her as possible.
#8-10 Sasha Banks, Sarah Logan, Bayley
Two things to notice when Sasha enters: her arm is wrapped from the Rousey match and she goes straight for Shayna. She knows the connection between Baszler and Rousey and wants to take her frustration out. Shayna attacks the arm and neutralizes her immediately. Sarah Logan joins the fray and helps Liv, followed by Bayley who helps Sasha.
There are now three separate tag teams in the ring. The Riott Squad, The IIconics, and Sasha & Bayley. They all circle the ring while the commentators remind us that women’s tag team champions will be crowned at the next pay-per-view. The ring is filling up so let’s clean it out. Sasha and Bayley toss the IIconics (2). Shayna then throws both Sasha and Bayley over simultaneously (3 & 4). Seeds of the MMA vs WWE Horsewomen continue to be planted. Sasha is incredibly frustrated and Bayley has to calm her down.
#11 Lacey Evans
Shayna finally dispatches Alexa Bliss (5). Alexa is exiting up the ramp as Lacey Evans walks down. Lacey mocks and laughs at Bliss. Cole reminds us of their encounter from Monday. Frustrated, Alexa turns around and attacks Lacey from behind. Alexa throws her in the ring right into Ember Moon who is waiting to throw her out (6). Lacey Evans now has her first main roster feud against a babyface Alexa Bliss.
Currently in ring: Shayna Baszler, Ember Moon, Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan, Toni Storm
#12-13 Ruby Riott, Tamina
Ruby Riott completes the Riott Squad trio and Tamina adds some muscle.
I want her in this match regardless if she wins the NXT Women’s Championship the night before. She’s too athletic and charismatic to not have multiple title reigns in her future so the casual fans need to be introduced to her.
#15-16 Mickie James, Dana Brooke
After these two make their entrances, Bianca eliminates both of them (7 & 8). It creates instant credibility.
The Riott Squad change their focus to Toni Storm. The three of them try to toss Toni over but Ember saves her by pulling Ruby off. Toni is then able to break free and eliminates Sarah and Liv in the process (9 & 10).
Currently in ring: Baszler, Moon, Storm, Riott, Belair, Tamina
Just when Toni Storm overcomes the Riott Squad and thinks she has a chance to breathe, Rhea Ripley’s music hits and Toni’s face turns pale. Rhea is not happy about losing that UK Title to Toni and it’s visibly apparent. She’s aiming to clean house.
#18 Zelina Vega
Zelina comes in like a spitfire with her aerial attacks and ranas. Her speed makes Rhea and Tamina flustered and knocks them off their balance. Ripley and Tamina eventually catch her and throw her over together (11). Bianca attempts to capitalize on them having their backs turned but numbers and size aren’t in her favor. She gets tossed after a brief but impressive showing (12).
#19 Nia Jax/Becky Lynch
Allow me a second to explain this one. Have Becky and Asuka open the show. Becky loses. Nia meets Becky backstage after her loss. Remember when Becky punched Nia as revenge after her match at TLC? Nia retaliates at the start of this show. Becky’s face is in serious pain and needs medical attention.
Fast forward to Nia making her entrance at the Rumble. Becky, wearing a face mask for her nose, ambushes her on the ramp while the doctors attempt to get her to stop. Lynch assaults her enough to make the doctors turn their attention to Nia. Becky starts to walk back up the ramp, pauses, looks back at the ring, waits for audience approval, then decides to enter the match as she shoves doctors off of her. She throws Nia’s partner, Tamina, over upon entry (13). Nia Jax never enters.
Currently in the ring: Baszler, Moon, Storm, Riott, Ripley, Lynch
This absolutely needs to happen. She wasn’t involved with the inaugural women’s rumble, Evolution, Raw 25, or Smackdown 1000. I don’t understand why. She’s a future Hall of Famer and helped shape this generation’s female superstars alongside Trish, Lita, and Molly Holly. Victoria is also in the final year of her career so she wont get an opportunity like this again. Getting a stare down with Becky Lynch once Victoria enters the ring would be a pretty great moment.
#21 Nikki Cross
One of the main roster’s newest and brightest stars needs to be among the final group of competitors. Cross indiscriminately begins to pick fights with the current field.
#22-24 Sonya Deville, Natalya, Mandy Rose
Sonya and Mandy are able to team up and Natalya enters as another viable candidate to go deep into the match.
The ring now has eleven entrants so it’s time to filter some out. Rhea completes her mini run by eliminating fan-favorites, Nikki Cross and Victoria (14, 15). Toni Storm takes advantage and gets rid of Ripley (16), thus setting up their inevitable championship rematch. Becky Lynch makes her first big elimination in Shayna Baszler (17), who has been the top performer thus far. This also furthers the horsewomen storyline. Remember, Baszler is the reason Sasha and Bayley got thrown out.
Currently in the ring: Moon, Storm, Riott, Lynch, Deville, Nattie, Rose
A former Divas Champion that made her return in the last Mae Young Classic. She didn’t show much signs of ring rust and the fans love her so I’d be open to welcoming her back in the form of a main roster spot. Her experience, strength and championship history make her an immediate problem to the women in the ring.
#26 Naomi
As expected, she makes a b-line toward Mandy Rose. Sonya tries to pull her off and is rewarded with a flurry of forearms. Naomi throws Sonya over, then Mandy (18,19).
She replaced an injured Alicia Fox in last year’s rumble and returns once again as a surprise entrant. This time, she enters as a former NXT Champion and is even closer to making the main roster. She needs to be showcased.
After Kairi enters and gets some offense in, Ruby Riott eliminates recent foe, Natalya (20).
Currently in the ring: Moon, Storm, Riott, Lynch, Kaitlyn, Naomi, Sane
#28-30 Lana, Charlotte Flair, Carmella
Lana enters, and doesn’t do much, so Becky gets rid of her (21). Charlotte enters at 29, making her already great chances even better. As the winner of Mixed Match Challenge, Carmella is awarded with being #30. Thankfully, that’s one less slot I had to worry about. Now we can begin the final sequence.
Final Nine: Moon, Storm, Riott, Lynch, Kaitlyn, Naomi, Sane, Flair, Carmella
Ruby Riott starts a hot streak by removing Kaitlyn and Kairi Sane from the match (22, 23). Toni Storm finally meets her match in Charlotte (24). Storm was in the match for about 45 minutes. Ember is still climbing in the 50s.
Spots and sequences occur for another couple minutes then Charlotte claims another with Carmella (25). Ruby nabs a fourth elimination by overcoming Naomi (26).
FINAL FOUR: Ember Moon, Ruby Riott, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair
Two from Raw and two from Smackdown. Unfortunately, the two Raw ladies have to exit the match. Charlotte gets Ruby (27) and Becky gets Ember (28). Ruby lasted for 45 minutes and Ember hit the hour mark.
Down to Charlotte and Becky. It essentially turns into a mini match. Five minutes of chops, suplexes and trading submissions. The kendo stick Charlotte likes to use also gets involved. Becky locks Charlotte in the Disarm Her. Charlotte tries reaching for the bottom rope so she can escape to the outside. Becky then releases and locks the submission on the arm Charlotte reached with. Becky now attempts to throw Charlotte over.
Charlotte grabs the top rope with one arm and it hurts. She then grabs the rope with the other arm but the pain from the submissions is unbearable. Becky had them locked in for a long time. Because Charlotte cannot use her arms to stop the momentum, she is thrown over (29). Becky Lynch wins the Royal Rumble.
*****
I know to many this is an uninspiring decision. The most pushed star in the company isn’t even in the match but I put her in it and allowed her to win the whole thing. I think the Royal Rumble should be won by the biggest star, though. When Becky Lynch tagged with John Cena a couple weeks ago, the crowd started chanting “We want Becky” when John Cena was in the ring. John Cena is considered by many as the greatest ever yet the fans preferred Becky Lynch. If this was Money in the Bank, Ruby or Ember would have been my winner.
It works as a story too. Nia Jax took away Becky Lynch’s opportunity to face Ronda Rousey, but Becky took it back. Michael Cole and Corey Graves will surely be losing their mind at ringside. Someone not entered in the match just won the Royal Rumble. We’ve seen people get ambushed prior to entering before but we’ve never seen the attacker actually go on to win the whole thing. That will make fans tune in to Raw.
Management will decide that Becky was justified. However, once Nia Jax heals from her “injuries”, Becky Lynch will defend her Wrestlemania spot against her at either Elimination Chamber or Fastlane. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan did something similar in 2015.
Many are speculating Ronda Rousey to face Charlotte at Mania but that’s not THE match. We’ve seen that already. It was great but now we have the chance to see another dream match for the first time on the grandest stage. Ronda Rousey vs Becky Lynch is the best chance there is to having women headline Wrestlemania for the first time ever. The only other matchup on par with that one would be if Seth Rollins challenged Brock Lesnar. The story is already there. Their first match got cancelled, they started an online feud, then Ronda cost Becky her women’s championship at TLC. I ingrained the WWE vs MMA Horsewomen feud in the Rumble match for that reason. Now that Asuka is champion, I would have no problem with her gaining heel tendencies as Charlotte steps up for a Mania rematch.
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: WrestleMania 41 Las Vegas
Time for The Chairshot personalities to put their money where their mouths are! WreslteMania 41 predictions from the “expert” staff at TheChairshot.com and Chairshot Radio Network.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Chairshot Staff Picks. And what better setting than WrestleMania for this article to return! This 41st edition has one of the most stacked rosters in WWE history. So, without further ado, let us get to the predictions and prognostications…
- AJ – The New Day
- Andrew – The New Day – No one seems to hold tag titles long anymore.
- Dave – The New Day – They have earned it.
- DJ – The New Day – Feel tha Powah!
- DPP – War Raiders – Big E distraction.
- Jason – The New Day – We are not getting E in a working capacity though everyone wants it.
- Patrick – The New Day – WWE doesn’t care about this match, so why should I?
- Rey – The New Day – Its a New Day, bruh.
- Rob – The New Day – New Day rocks and wins!
- Greg – The New Day – New. Day wins. New. Day wins!
Tunney’s Take: War Machine – Yes, WAR MACHINE. I have personally had the pleasure of throwing back a few cold ones with these guys on more than one occasion. Not only being tag champs in WWE but defending the titles at Mania and against The New Day is really cool for me as a long-time fan. Would it be fun to see The New Day have another title run.. YES. I think it’s smarter to give the War Raiders a big Mania W.
Chairshot Pick: THE NEW DAY 9-2
- AJ – Jade Cargill
- Andrew – Jade Cargill – She needs to stay a dominant force.
- Dave – Jade Cargill – Gotta gear her up for the long term.
- DJ – No contest – Naomi puts another beat down on Jade.
- DPP – Jade Cargill – Nervous for how this match will go.
- Jason – Naomi – Way more runway with Naomi as a bad guy. Keep it going!
- Patrick – Jade Cargill – Jade gets her revenge.
- Rey – Jade Cargill – Best non-title feud going. Naomi should win but Jade sneaks by.
- Rob – Naomi – Naomi gets help to win.
- Greg – Jade Cargill – They ain’t beating Jade here.
Tunney’s Take: Jade Cargill – I imagine WWE sees Jade’s ceiling much higher than Naomi’s. What better way to keep Jade climbing the ladder towards a World Title than to pick up a decisive victory in Vegas!
Chairshot Pick: Jade Cargill 8-2-1
- AJ – Jacob Fatu – “AJ does a pretty good LA Knight impersonation” – PC Tunney
- Andrew – Jacob Fatu – I’m biased, Jacob for President.
- Dave – Jacob Fatu – Getting gold back in the Bloodline is smart.
- DJ – Jacob Fatu
- DPP – Jacob Fatu
- Jason – Jacob Fatu – Thanks for coming pal, YEAH!
- Patrick – Jacob Fatu
- Rey – Jacob Fatu – C’mon cuz! All gas no brakes with it. Yadadamean??
- Rob – LA Knight – Solo costs Jacob.
- Greg – LA Knight – Solo screws Jacob.
Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – It has been quite the journey for the Samoan Werewolf. I feel like that journey and the positive turn around it has taken deserves to be rewarded. Let’s see what Jacob can do on his own. Plus, LA Knight is ready to challenge for a World Title.
Chairshot Pick: Jacob Fatu 9-2
- AJ – Tiffany Straton
- Andrew – Tiffany Straton – I hate Charlotte Flair, no objectivity here.
- Dave – Charlotte Flair – Tiffy might be the future, but she kinda failed the litmus test.
- DJ – Charlotte Flair – The Queen crowns the freshman.
- DPP – Tiffany Stratton
- Jason – Charlotte Flair – Tiff wasn’t ready for this spot. Charnos is inevitable.
- Patrick – Charlotte Flair – Lol Charlotte wins.
- Rey – Charlotte Flair – Tiffany SHOULD win but, if Charlotte can squash, she will.
- Rob – Charlotte Flair – Charlotte gets number 15.
- Greg – Tiffany Stratton – Lol Charlotte wins. (Actually she doesn’t)
Tunney’s Take: Charlotte Flair – Charlotte needs the title for the first time in her career. Tiffy has had a nice run but now needs to take that all important step of not losing momentum after losing the title. Despite the drama and lackluster build here, I see a really good match coming this weekend from these two.
Chairshot Pick: Charlotte Flair 7-4
- AJ – El Grande Americano
- Andrew – El Grande Americano – I’d like to see Gable gain some momentum. Rey is Teflon.
- Dave – El Grand Americano – He needs a marque win much more than Rey.
- DJ – Rey Mysterio
- DPP – El Grande Americano – Grande wins with the switcheroo to prove he is not Gable.
- Jason – Rey Mysterio – Unmask Grande at the end. It is fun but has a shelf life.
- Patrick – El Grande Americano – TOTALLY NOT CHAD GABLE
- Rey – Rey Mysterio – Someone’s mask is coming off and it ain’t Rey.
- Rob – El Grande Americano
- Greg – Rey Mysterio – Hall of Famer wins but doesn’t take the mask.
Tunney’s Take: Rey Mysterio – Go listen to DWI 471. DP, Greg and I lay out exactly what this match should be, FUN! Multiple Americanos!!!
Chairshot Pick: El Grande Americano 6-5
- AJ – Jey Uso
- Andrew – Jey Uso – Kinda booked themselves into a corner here.
- Dave – Jey Uso – It just makes sense.
- DJ – Jey Uso – Jey YEETS all over The Ring Genreal.
- DPP – Jey Uso – Jey wins after normal Gunther beating.
- Jason – Jey Uso – Land the plane man. YEET
- Patrick – Jey Uso – Jey has earned this one.
- Rey – Jey Uso – YEEEEEEEEEEEET!
- Rob – Jey Uso – YEET
- Greg – Jey Uso – If Jey loses we riot. We don’t cause he wins.
Tunney’s Take: Jey Uso – ‘Til sweat drop down my balls, ‘Til all these bitches crawl, ‘Til all… YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chairshot Pick: Jey Uso 11-0
- AJ – Roman Reigns
- Andrew – Seth Rollins – I can see Rollins being the last piece of Team Rock.
- Dave – Roman Reigns – I can’t see Roman losing two years in a row.
- DJ – Seth Rollins – Paul Heyman is a Seth Freakin Rollins guy.
- DPP – Seth Rollins – The Rock helps Rollins.
- Jason – Roman Reigns – Seth’s favor is a red herring. Make-A-Wish Brooks got his main, now look at the lights.
- Patrick – Seth Rollins – Seth Rollins… Paul Heyman guy.
- Rey – Seth Rollins – I smeeeeellllllll a new soul to sell.
- Rob – Roman Reigns – Paul Heyman helps Roman win.
- Greg – Seth Rollins – Brock Lesnar returns to help Seth win.
Tunney’s Take: CM Punk – I really have no idea here. I picked Punk because nobody else did. This is going to be professional wrestling cinema at its finest. The story is thick and neatly woven. All the participants are legends and so are the potential party crashers. Will The Rock stick his nose in here? Will Brock Lesnar return to play a factor? Obviously, Paul Heyman has a Plan A… but what is it? All these questions and more will be answered Saturday as night 1 will definitely go out with a bang!
Chairshot Pick: Seth Rollins 6-4-1
- AJ – Iyo Sky
- Andrew – Iyo Sky – Rhea vs Bianca doesn’t need a belt to be compelling.
- Dave – Rhea Ripley – Going with Rhea barely, hoping Iyo wins.
- DJ – Iyo Sky – Unfinished business.
- DPP – Iyo Sky – Rhea and Bianca are too consumed with each other.
- Jason – Iyo Sky – More layers to Rhea/Bianca. Iyo rules.
- Patrick – Iyo Sky – Iyo stole the build and gets the win.
- Rey – Iyo Sky – Smart money is on the underdog champ.
- Rob – Iyo Sky – Iyo survives.
- Greg – Bianca Belair – Naomi helps Bianca win and turn heel.
Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – Rhea is the best women’s wrestler in the world. Give her the biggest win on the grandest stage of them all!!! Bianca needs to go full heel. Iyo has been amazing in this build.
Chairshot Pick: Iyo Sky 8-2-1
- AJ – Dominik Mysterio
- Andrew – Finn Balor – I can see a Judgement Day meltdown incoming.
- Dave – Bron Breakker – Bron is about to become a MegaStar.
- DJ – Bron Breakker – Judgement Day implodes.
- DPP – Dominik Mysterio – Finn take the pin.
- Jason – Penta – I literally do not care because the winner is us, the fans.
- Patrick – Bron Breakker – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
- Rey – Dominik Mysterio – Only match without a clear winner. I choose chaos.
- Rob – Bron Breakker – Finn and Dom cancel each other out.
- Greg – Dominik Mysterio – Dom steals the pin from Bron, on Finn.
Tunney’s Take: Bron Breakker – The case can be made for any of these four to walk away with the most prestigious non-World title in pro wrestling history. The short of it is though that the Main Event picture isn’t really readily accessible for Breakker right now. Let this IC reign go through the summer, to SummerSlam.
Chairshot Pick: Bron Breakker 5-4-1-1
- AJ – Damian Priest – “AJ does a pretty good Drew impersonation” – PC Tunney
- Andrew – Drew McIntyre – Priest has not been interesting in this face incarnation.
- Dave – Drew McIntyre – Time for Drew to get that win back.
- DJ – Fuck finish – To be continued at Backlash.
- DPP – Drew McIntyre – Physical matchup!
- Jason – Drew McIntyre – Either one is fine here.
- Patrick – Drew McIntyre – With two eyes, Drew turns the tide.
- Rey – Drew McIntyre – Low key match of the weekend.
- Rob – Damien Priest
- Greg – Damien Priest – Priest wins, Drew tweets about it half hour later.
Tunney’s Take: Drew McIntyre – With the addition of the Street fight rules, these two behemoths have a really good chance to have one of the best matches of the entire weekend (winks at Rey Ca$h-A-Mania)! I do wonder what is next for both of these talents moving forward. Priest has staled since leaving the Judgement Day and Drew seems stuck in the same cycle for a while now. Very interested to see what the summer holds for this pair.
Chairshot Pick: Drew McIntyre 7-3-1
WHO WILL BE RANDY’S OPPONENT?!?
- AJ – Nick Aldis – Orton wins
- Andrew – Orton and Aldis vs Solo and Tama – Orton and Aldis win
- Dave – Someone is getting an RKO!
- DJ – A segment w/ the Wyatt s6cks.
- DPP – Rusev – Aldis introduces Rusev who defeats Orton.
- Jason – Nick Aldis – You got one more in ya, bubba. Aldis wins!
- Patrick – Nick Aldis
- Rey – Solo then Rusev – Solo in a squash and Rusev MATCHKA(wins)
- Rob – Nick Aldis – Aldis proves himself, Orton wins.
- Greg – Nick Aldis – Orton beats Aldis, they shake after.
Tunney’s Take: I would really love to see a singles match between Orton and Aldis. More likely this is some type of involvement with Solo and Tama. Rusev as a surprise challenger would be cool but, I feel that would be better left for RAW. An impromptu Goldberg retirement match would be crazy and fun, yet highly unlikely and illogical. Whatever happens, best believe exactly what Dave Ungar said, “Someone is getting an RKO!”.
- AJ – Logan Paul
- Andrew – AJ Styles – Logan doesn’t need the rub and should stay upper mid card.
- Dave – Logan Paul – It’s the smart move and would be a statement win for Paul.
- DJ – Logan Paul – Kross gets involved somewhere.
- DPP – AJ Styles – AJ wins a great high-flying match.
- Jason – AJ Styles – Just enjoy it or get a beer, nerds.
- Patrick – Logan Paul – Logan Paul will main-event Mania sooner than later…
- Rey – Logan Paul – Pass the torch, my wily vet.
- Rob – Logan Paul – Kross helps Paul win.
- Greg – AJ Styles – Styles wins after Paul’s cheating backfires.
Tunney’s Take: Logan Paul – Logan seems to really have dedicated himself to becoming great in this business. Anyone with that type of goal must have a World title on their mind. Beating AJ at Mania will be a great springboard for Logan into the Main Event sooner than later (winks at Patrick O’Dowd).
Chairshot Pick: Logan Paul 7-4
- AJ – Liv & Raquel
- Andrew – Liv & Raquel – Not really a fan of Lyra, she needs more work.
- Dave – Liv & Raquel – This Bayley and Lyra team makes no damn sense.
- DJ – Liv & Raquel – Bayley crashes out.
- DPP – Liv & Raquel – Bayley continues a potential heel turn tease.
- Jason – Bayley & Lyra – Finish the story!
- Patrick – Bayley & Lyra – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
- Rey – Liv and Raquel – Bayley want a title but it ain’t the ones in this match.
- Rob – Liv & Raquel – Champs retain.
- Greg – Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel retain thanks to Carlito and maybe JD.
Tunney’s Take: Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel need to be kept as the cornerstone of the women’s tag division for a lengthier period of time. Building tag teams in this division is difficult enough, let alone without a North Star.
Chairshot Pick: Liv & Raquel 9-2
- AJ – Cody Rhodes
- Andrew – Cody Rhodes – They are mentioning it so much, I don’t think 17 happens.
- Dave – Joh Cena – Record falls and we head to summer with a built-in storyline.
- DJ – John Cena – Some kind of Final Boss involvement.
- DPP – John Cena – Cena wins and retires on RAW.
- Jason – John Cena – Story’s over, “Captain” BIG MATCH JOHN.
- Patrick – John Cena – A record breaking night for Cena.
- Rey – John Cena – They’d be really stupid to turn John just to lose. (Post-Mania: Rock, Cena, T Scott, Seth & Drew, TEAM Corporate)
- Rob – Cody Rhodes – Cody surprises us with the W.
- Greg – Cody Rhodes – Cody wins to piss off Rock and set the table for Cena to turn back face. Crowd is behind Cena all the way through.
Tunney’s Take: Cody Rhodes – They had me until the threat of retirement. Been there. Done that. Didn’t fall in love with it back then. I love John Cena. I love this final run. John will get his 17th just not here. I expect nothing less than an absolute GEM of a match here to close WrestleMania 41. This has all been, is, and will continue to be about Cody Rhodes. WM40 defeats Roman Reigns. WM41 defeats John Cena. WM42 defeats The Rock (The Final Boss).
Chairshot Pick: John Cena 6-5
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 wait all year for this 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
For the latest, greatest and up to datest in coverage, opinions, and podcasts ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit TheCharishot.com
Prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot plenty of GREAT t-shirt designs! Makes an awesome 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 – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast / The Oddity… Keeping the news ridiculous!
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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
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!
Blog
DeMarco: Top 5 Non-Title WrestleMania Matches In WWE History
Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show & defined legacies. #WrestleMania #WWEHistory

Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show and defined legacies.
WrestleMania is the Showcase Of The Immortals, but it’s not always the championship matches that steal the show—or define careers. In fact, some of the most iconic, business-defining, and emotionally resonant contests at the Grandest Stage of Them All didn’t feature a title at all. These matches succeeded because of character work, in-ring execution, and the kind of storytelling that sells tickets and moves merch.
Here are the five best non-title matches in WrestleMania history—at least, according to me!
5. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania X8 (2002)
This was never going to be a five-star technical clinic—but it was always going to be the moment. “Icon vs. Icon” was a tagline, sure, but it was also the reality: the biggest star of the ‘80s vs. the biggest star of the Attitude Era. And Toronto turned it into magic. Hogan walked in a heel but walked out immortal (again), with the SkyDome shaking on every punch, every look, every gesture.
What made this work was its self-awareness. Rock and Hogan read the crowd and flipped roles mid-match—Rock became the arrogant aggressor while Hogan Hulked Up to thunderous applause. It’s not often a non-title match headlines a card emotionally the way this one did, but it dominated every headline and highlight reel.
4. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania X (1994)
Sibling rivalries don’t usually lead to technical masterpieces, but then again, this wasn’t your average family drama. Owen and Bret opened WrestleMania X with a wrestling clinic that stood tall over a night packed with title changes. Owen needed to prove he was more than Bret’s little brother, and he did it by out-wrestling the best wrestler in the company. Clean. One-two-three.
It wasn’t just a great match—it was perfect storytelling. Owen’s victory, contrasted with Bret’s later world title win, set the tone for an entire year of brother-vs-brother tension. Bret became champion, but Owen had the moral victory—and all the bragging rights. This is proof that opening matches can steal the show.
3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25 (2009)
If WrestleMania moments could be trademarked, this match would be the reason why. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels wasn’t about championships—it was about legacy. Michaels wanted to be the man who ended The Streak. The build was steeped in biblical imagery: light vs. dark, heaven vs. hell. And the match? Pure perfection. Each man brought everything they had—near-falls, psychology, reversals that had 70,000+ people gasping in unison.
It was 30 minutes of generational storytelling that transcended pro wrestling. And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t even the main event. Yet it dwarfed everything that followed. Meltzer gave it 4.75 stars, fans gave it their hearts, and WWE gave it a sequel the next year. A match so good it forced the company to run it back—because lightning actually struck.
Now, if THIS MATCH is #3, what could possible be #2 and #1…
2. Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (1997)
This wasn’t just a match—it was the turning point of an era. The Submission Match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin was as violent as it was poetic, with Ken Shamrock enforcing the rules and the Chicago crowd growing more frenzied by the second. The brilliance? The shift. Bret Hart, the traditionalist hero, grew darker and more self-righteous by the second, while the disrespectful anti-hero Austin refused to quit, even when drowning in his own blood. There was no title on the line, but the stakes felt bigger than gold.
The infamous double turn changed the business. Austin’s defiance turned him into the voice of a new generation of fans—blue collar, anti-authority, Attitude Era. Meanwhile, Bret would go on to lead the heel Hart Foundation. WWE didn’t need a championship to create a moment that catapulted Austin into superstardom and ignited the company’s hottest era. This match is business-first booking at its absolute best.
1. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21 (2005)
Dream matches often disappoint. This one didn’t. At WrestleMania 21, Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle went hold-for-hold and spot-for-spot with Mr. WrestleMania himself, and together they delivered a masterclass in in-ring psychology. Every sequence had stakes, every near-fall had meaning. It was a stylistic war: Michaels’ heart vs. Angle’s intensity.
Angle forcing Michaels to tap was a statement—it told fans that pure wrestling, not just spectacle, could still main-event caliber storytelling without any need for a title. Michaels sold the ankle lock like death, and Angle’s post-match collapse sold the moment as a hard-fought war. This is the kind of match that keeps purists up at night, smiling, and leaves the storytelling fans like myself as happy as can be!
10 Honorable Mentions (Not Honorable, Just For The Heck Of It)
-
Edge vs. Mick Foley – WrestleMania 22 (2006)
A hardcore war that solidified Edge as a top-tier main eventer. That flaming table spear is still played in every Edge highlight reel. -
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon – WrestleMania 33 (2017)
Everyone expected smoke and mirrors—what they got was a surprisingly technical, high-energy opener that kicked off the show right. -
The Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (2012)
“End of an Era” wasn’t just a tagline. The Hell in a Cell match, with HBK as referee, was a brutal epilogue to a generation’s legacy. -
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho – WrestleMania XIX (2003)
A student-teacher battle of wills. Jericho’s low blow post-match was the perfect heel punctuation to a career-defining contest. -
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins – WrestleMania 31 (2015)
The greatest RKO of all time. That curb stomp reversal belongs in a museum. -
Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show – WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
More sports-entertainment than wrestling, but a crossover moment that made mainstream headlines and paid off with a great finish. -
Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis – WrestleMania III (1987)
A retirement match with big heat, a hot crowd, and Piper walking off into the sunset (for a minute). -
The Firefly Funhouse Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – WrestleMania 36 (2020)
Cinematic weirdness at its best. A meta masterstroke that broke Cena down in layers. -
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison – WrestleMania 37 (2021)
Bad Bunny stunned everyone. He didn’t just belong—he elevated the show. -
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio – WrestleMania 39 (2023)
Father vs. son in a grudge match that played perfectly off real-life drama and Hall of Fame weekend emotions.
Some of these matches shaped legacies. Others shifted eras. But all of them proved that the most memorable moments at WrestleMania don’t need a title—they just need truth in the storytelling and fire in the execution.
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!