Opinion
WWE Week In Review: February 18-24, 2019
With some surprising call ups and interesting happening on the Network TV; how did the week go for WWE? Tiffany gives us her take!

With some surprising call ups and interesting happening on the Network TV; how did the week go for WWE? Tiffany gives us her take!
Elimination Chamber is in the rearview mirror and now the WWE Universe turns their attention to Fastlane and WrestleMania.
RAW
Triple H: I actually loved Triple H’s segment this week. He always seems like such a proud father when one of the NXT guys/girls gets called up. It’s no secret that NXT is his baby and he has worked incredibly hard to make it successful. He also has to be proud of the fact that he’s getting ready to go into the Hall of Fame as part of Degeneration X, along with HBK, X-Pac, Chyna, Road Dogg, and Billy Gunn.
NXT Guys: I’ll admit that I was very skeptical when Trips made the announcement about the call-ups since Ciampa and Gargano hold the top titles in NXT. It was very well done and it give a cold Main Roster audience a chance to meet some of the top guys in NXT outside of the fever pitch that is WrestleMania weekend.
Baron Corbin vs Braun Strowman: We went from a really great moment for Triple H to one of the crappiest matches I’ve ever seen. WHY is this feud continuing and when are people going to realize that Strowman stinks?! Best that can be said is that Strowman won, so they’re tied. The moment with Heyman was odd, considering that Strowman isn’t going to be involved with Lesnar for the foreseeable future, thank God.
Heyman: I love Heyman as a promo guy, he can really whip up a crowd, but his promos about Lesnar are as stale as they get.
Finn Balor/Ricochet/Lashley/Rush: I LOVED this match, at least the Balor/Ricochet end of it. Lashley is still boring and Rush is still annoying. The match was really great and Ricochet made a great impression on the fans, though you wouldn’t know it by the crowd noise.
Dean Ambrose: Since Dean had three segments, I’m going to put them all here. I’ve said before that I fully believe that the whole ‘He’s leaving after WrestleMania’ is a work and this week helped solidify that. You typically don’t give a departing superstar three segments one with the COO and another top star, a match, and then another segment with another top star. The match against McIntyre sucked because Dean barely got out of the box, but it’s clear that they’re building McIntyre for something big, so this Ambrose Girl isn’t panicking just yet.
As for the Ambrose/Rollins interaction, I have a few theories on what exactly is going on, but I’m going to wait and see how WWE plays it because they have to tread a lightly to keep from getting bashed.
Lucha House Party vs Hawkins and Ryder: I could NOT get into this match. I don’t care about Hawkins or his losing streak and Lucha House Party gets on my nerves. It was a good match, but it seems like WWE’s either building toward a Ryder/Hawkins feud or they’re going to give Hawkins a win on a big stage.
Heavy Machinery and Lacey Evans: I’m going to be blunt and say I can’t STAND Lacey Evans or her gimmick. However, her interaction with Heavy Machinery was fun and made for a funny dynamic.
DIY vs Revival: This was a match straight out of NXT and I loved it. Ciampa and Gargano are an amazing team and putting them with the Revival guaranteed a great match, which is exactly what happened. Too bad the crowd didn’t appreciate it.
Kevin Owens: I’m not a fan of Owens, so I really didn’t pay attention to what he was doing, but he was a great competitor and it’ll be nice to have him back on the roster.
Sasha and Bayley: I loved this segment with Boss-Hug over the Tag Championships. I still hope one set of tag champions will mean a separate show for the women in the near future. Samoan Dynasty’s appearance and promo weren’t a surprise, but Tamina speaking was. This will probably be the big tag feud for the women heading into WrestleMania and I’m fine with that.
Elias vs Aleister Black: Part of the reason I’m not terribly worried about Ambrose after he was squashed by McIntyre is because of this segment, which went very similarly to the Ambrose/McIntyre bout. I was extremely impressed with Black and his Undertaker-esque gimmick and I think he’ll do pretty well on the main roster.
Ronda Rousey vs Ruby Riott: After the BS squash match at Elimination Chamber, I was glad that WWE gave Ruby Riott a chance to have the match she’s capable of having against Ronda Rousey, but Rousey’s performance left a little to be desired, but it was a good match and Riott and her Squad got to show how good they were before the expected finish.
Thoughts: This was a good RAW, especially when compared to previous weeks. The NXT call ups were done really well, though I did notice that they weren’t put up against older, more established guys, they were put with other NXT call ups. Corbin vs Strowman was the only really crap match of the night and a lot of stories moved forward.
The one really bad thing about RAW was the audience. A lot of people have made excuses about the lousy crowd in Lafayette, but to sit there and basically give the wrestlers nothing is just ridiculous, especially when there were a lot of great matches.
SmackDown
Shane and Miz: This was a really great segment, I was honestly surprised that they didn’t have Miz somehow blame Shane for them losing, Miz owned up to the loss like a man. I’m not surprised that there will be a rematch with the Usos, I’d actually been wondering how long the ‘No Rematch’ thing would last, so that will be a fun match for FastLane.
Aleister Black vs Andrade Almas: This was the first of the NXT call up matches and it was a great starting point. Black and Almas had a wonderful rivalry in NXT and it was fun to have it showcased on the Main Roster.
Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles: This was an interesting segment and seems to be sowing the seeds for a potential feud for these two down the road.
The Bar vs DIY: This was a little bit of an aberration from the NXT Calls Ups vs NXT Call Ups that WWE did on RAW…a little. Sheamus was not part of NXT, but Cesaro was in the very beginning.
This was a FANTASTIC match between these two teams! They really tore the place down and DIY got to show what a great team they were. The scary spot with Ciampa’s knee was definitely justified, but there’s been no word that he or Sheamus was seriously hurt outside of giving everyone a scare.
Asuka vs Mandy Rose: I don’t have much to say about this whole segment except: WTF?! I’m not an Asuka fan, but WWE’s booked her championship run terribly and then having her lose in a stupid way to Mandy Rose was just ridiculous.
Charlotte Flair: I know a lot of people have been making a big deal over the injuries Charlotte and Ronda suffered from Becky, but I’ve had to use crutches a few times in my life and Charlotte’s arm didn’t look all that different from how the underside of my arms looked after using the crutches.
That said, I’m glad to see even a little storyline movement since we didn’t get any on Monday.
Ricochet vs Eric Young: This was another NXT vs NXT match up and it was a great one. SaNity has barely been used since their call up, so seeing them get some air time was a lot of fun. WWE seems to really be invested in putting the new guys over because all of them were 2-0 for their Raw/SmackDown appearances.
Six Man Tag Match: This was such a good match, which I fully expected it to be given the people involved. Bryan’s assertion that he wasn’t going to face anyone he’d beaten in Elimination Chamber was interesting and kind of spoiled what was probably going to happen.
Much like last week and Sunday, Kofi was the star and him getting the pin on Bryan was nice, but a little frustrating when you remembered that Mustafa Ali never got his one-on-one with Bryan after pinning him. I honestly don’t think Kofi’s going to beat Bryan at Fastlane, but it was exciting to see him finally get his chance to shine and he’ll have a great match with Bryan.
Thoughts: This was a really good episode of SmackDown, all the stories were moved forward. Mandy Rose vs Asuka was the big clunker of the show because it was so stupid. I’m really excited for Kofi, but I’m not optimistic enough to believe he’ll win.
205 Live
TJP vs Humberto Carillo: This was a really good match. Carillow has got tons of potential, but I hate him being with Gulak and Gallagher. It’s just very cringe-inducing to have white guys trying to ‘teach’ a POC how to do their job the ‘right’ way. I realize that that’s the point, but this gets a little too close to RL politics for my comfort. Still, it was a good match and Carrillo’s definitely making an impression on people.
Tony Nese proved why he’s a good heel with his promo on Dar and him planting his flag as possible challenger to his good ‘friend’, Buddy Murphy. I almost want Nese to win just to see who will be the face and who will be the heel in this.
Mike and Maria Kanellis: This was another really good interview. Kanellis finally seems to be finding his footing in 205, but he definitely suffers from a lack of attention. Hopefully, that’ll change over this year.
Ariya Daivari vs Johnny Lyons: This was a really good match. Daivari is getting a chance to shine out of the shadows of Itami and the other people he’s been a sidekick to. I’m not familiar with Lyons, but he did a really good job selling. It wasn’t a long match, but it’s clear that Daivari is trying to make a name on his own and I hope it works out.
Buddy Murphy: This was a really good promo for Murphy. Murphy tooting his own horn while massaging the facts is classic heel stuff. It’ll be interesting to see who faces him at Wrestlemania.
Mike Kanellis vs Cedric Alexander: This was an AMAZING match! Kenellis proved that he was more than capable of hanging with the top tier talent of 205. My one gripe was the screwjob-ish finish. I love Cedric Alexander, but I don’t want another round of him vs Murphy. Kanellis won the match and should be moving on. I have a feeling that Maria’s going to raise hell about this next week because it was so close.
Thoughts: Really good episode of 205, as usual. Lots of great matches and promos. It’s nice to see them gearing up for WrestleMania instead of Fastlane.
NXT UK
Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster vs Coffey Brothers: This was SUCH a good match, it easily could’ve been the main event of the show. Andrews and Webster should be considered contenders for the Tag Team Titles. That said, I wasn’t surprised by the Coffey’s winning, they needed a win a lot more than Andrews and Webster did.
Nina Samuels: This was a ‘huh?’ promo, especially since it wasn’t followed by a match.
Jordan Devlin: I was happy to see Devlin bounce back from When Worlds Collide because he was a star in that tournament. I’m also glad that the feud with Banks will continue, I just hope it gets re-started soon.
Kay Lee Ray: This was an interesting vignette for her. I’m not familiar with Ray, but her vignette was very impressive.
Trent Seven: I loved this match. Seven was another one that needed a victory after losing in the tag title tournament. Thorne is definitely a talent to watch, but he was there to put a notch in the win column for Seven, but Seven made him look good in defeat.
Jack Gallagher: There’s been rumors of some of the guys on the Main Roster who are from the UK wanting to go to NXT UK because it’s closer to home and it seems Gallagher might be one of those people. He’d be an interesting addition to NXT UK.
Joseph Conners: I’m going to be honest, Conners gives me the weirds, that might be the point, but I just want to put that out there. I am intrigued by the feud between him and Ligero and Conners claiming that the win was a fluke.
Grizzled Young Veterans: I really liked this segment. GYV have fully embraced being ‘No F**ks Given’ heels and that makes it fun to watch. The potential feud with Lorcan and Burch promises to be a brutal one but hopefully it’ll be more than just a slugfest because both teams are capable of doing it.
Toni Storm vs Rhea Ripley: This was my favorite match this week! Storm and Ripley tell such an amazing story in the ring and this was definitely that. Storm still has trouble making her opponent look like a threat without making herself look stupid, but that’s improving, thank God. I’m thankful that Storm retained, but there really isn’t anyone to step up right now except Ripley.
NXT
Aleister Black vs Roderick Strong: If his dominant performances on RAW and SmackDown weren’t a sign that WWE is high on Aleister Black, his amazing match against Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong solidified it. Black and Strong had a great match but it’s clear that Black is being groomed for big things after he managed to get a win over Strong. I also appreciate the ongoing storyline of Black and Ricochet being aligned against the Undisupted Era.
Four Horsewomen: I honestly didn’t get this segment. Did Baszler and company honestly think a room full of professional wrestlers and/or athletes were really going to be intimidated by her and her friends? It just made her look insecure and petty.
Bianca Belair: I believe I’ve said before that I’m not a fan of Belair, so I just rolled my eyes through her whiny, sore loser, promo. She’s no longer undefeated and Io Shirai won her opportunity to face Baszler fair and square.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: I’m SUPER excited that they’re bringing this back, I don’t remember if they did one last year or who won, but this is always an enjoyable tournament and the names picked are really good.
Mia Yim vs Xia-Li: This was SUCH a good match. Xia Li has improved since her first appearance in the first Mae Young Classic. I’m a huge fan of Mia Yim and I was glad to FINALLY see her get a win since WWE’s booking of her has been questionable, in my opinion. I hated the Four Horsewomen running into another match that didn’t concern them, but I love Yim basically telling Baszler to f**k off, can’t wait for that match.
Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa: This was a fun little segment that seemed to build on Gargano and Ciampa being friends again, whether Candice likes it or not. I wish they’d find something for Candice to do other than playing the concerned wife.
Matt Riddle: I’m not going to lie, I can’t stand Matt Riddle, so I barely paid attention to what he had to say. I don’t think Ohno’s gone, or done with NXT, but we’ll have to see.
Johnny Gargano vs Velveteen Dream: This was a very good main event for NXT. Gargano and Dream are really good together in the ring. That said, I’m very disappointed that Gargano’s first singles title run was so short, I don’t think Ricochet even got a rematch. Also, Ciampa’s involvement was interesting. It’s looking more and more like the DIY reunion is just another mind game by Ciampa, but we’ll see.
Overall Thoughts: This was a really good week for WWE, all the shows put together solid matches and moved the stories along, and RAW and SmackDown only had one clunker a piece, which wasn’t bad. It’s clear that WWE is really playing it safe until after Fastlane when the WrestleMania build will really start, but this was a fun week.
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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!