Opinion

The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE Raw (03/11/2019)

Was Raw Good, Bad, or Ugly?

Published

6 years ago

March 13, 2019

Bobby Fernandes

It’s the WWE Raw after Fastlane, as the company kicks into high gear on the Road to WrestleMania. What stood out on the Good Bad Ugly scale?

After a red hot Fastlane Sunday Night, it is time to get serious. The homestretch to the biggest night in Sports Entertainment, WrestleMania. We had a lot happen at Fastlane, however nothing permanently impactful. It was a solid show, and the Raw after should be equally impressive, if not, even a little turned up. However will the Raw brand, continue to be “red” hot? Or will they fissile out so close to WrestleMania?

GOOD

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Shield

Big Opening with the talk of the town, The Shield. “The Final Ride” were the words used. It is a farewell address of one of the most dominant groups in WWE History. This is a great way to open things up this week. I personally will not be surprised is the “lunatic fringe” is seen down the road as a part-timer at some point either.

Now onto bigger business. The Architect has a WWE Universal Championship Match at WrestleMania. Rollins about to start getting everyone more hyped, was quickly interrupted by Paul Heyman. Heyman hyped his boy, The Champ, the Beast. Rollins obviously loves to talk trash as well and went back and forth. Rollins made a good point that guys his size are Lesnar’s weakness and he will Win and bring the Title back to Monday Night Raw Full Time! A random Lesnar hype video then was played, and although it was pretty Good, it was unnecessary. Then out of no-where Shelton Benjamin appeared and gave Rollins a little taste of the German Suplex. This was unexpected and absolutely awesome, as anything with Benjamin and Rollins should be fantastic.

Seth Rollins vs. Shelton Benjamin

As expected or at least, it should have been expected, this was a great showing by two tremendous athletes. Shelton Benjamin is a freak of nature and a “beast” in his own right. Rollins is on fire and has proven himself as a true leader in the WWE. This was a clinic. Benjamin looked impressive in there. He was sharp and did some pretty hard work. Nothing is perfect but it was at the least a very solid showing. Rollins looked to be in trouble most of the match as Benjamin was very aggressive and took him down. Rollins had bits of hope throughout but finally got a break with a hard “superkick” to the gut followed by “the stomp” for the victory. GOOD stuff right there! Hell of an opening match after a decent opening segment.

Intercontinental Championship Match- Finn Balor (C) vs. Bobby Lashley

Out of everything that can happen it seems safe to say that this feud is the most unpredictable Pre-WrestleMania. Finn Balor is a fantastic I.C. Champ, and Lashley with the strap although short lived, would have done a great job with the belt as well. Lashley was better with Lio Rush though, but Rush was physically pushed to the limit last week with Balor. Lashley and Balor had a Good match, as Lashley just crushed the Champion with his massive size and strength advantage. Whenever Balor seemed to get a little steam the bigger Lashley would just get smashed down. Out of the blue we hear the ring bell, by Lio Rush. Lashley hits Balor with a “spear” in mid-air for the Win, and the Intercontinental Championship. This was unexpected and insane! Really crazy twist and I can’t wait to see how this will go, and if anyone else will be involved in the feud.

Aleister Black and Ricochet vs. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable

NXT stars Black and Ricochet have been on fire and an a pleasure to watch every week. They bring so much to the show and have been a great addition. NXT is huge. Roode and Gable are pure talent, Roode is a Champion caliber Main Event talent just simply being wasted on his spot. This was a Good Match. Roode and Gable did all they could and controlled the match but it was a “Black Mass” to Bobby Roode’s face that ended it. Aleister Black and Ricochet Win! Of course the heel Champs made the run in and beat the hell out of the NXT upstarts. This will be a great feud to come and we may see some Gold change hands soon enough.

Kurt Angle vs. Apollo Crews

Angle in his hometown, Pittsburgh PA, can it get better for the Olympic Gold Medalist and Hall of Famer. Angle had a big announcement. Angle emotionally started announcing a farewell. With tears and thank you’s. One last match in Pittsburgh against an absolute talent, Apollo Crews. This was a safe and solid match. Apollo can work, Angle no question is in his element. This wasn’t supposed to blow anyone away, it was meant as a tribute to a man with a sensational career, in his hometown, doing his job well. As it had to be, Kurt Angle Wins with an “Olympic Slam.”

Roman Reigns

Set to face Baron Corbin, Roman Reigns was crushed by Drew McIntyre. A “Claymore Kick” completely knocked the Big Dog down and out of it. He had no chance of fighting back after that. McIntyre loudly mocked Reigns. A second “claymore kick” this time into the post, ended the violence. McIntyre made his mark and set his sights on the biggest possible target. Good move and a major rivalry.

No D.Q. – Dean Ambrose vs. Drew McIntyre

After his boy Roman took a whooping, Ambrose demanded a No DQ/Falls Count Anywhere from HHH. It was granted and it will be a treat. This was Good and very physical. These guys held nothing back. McIntyre brutally went off on Ambrose who put him through the ringer. Ambrose simply got his ass kicked by the bigger, stronger, and more vicious Drew McIntyre. The beating was finally over with a “claymore kick” while Ambrose was stuck in a railing. It was brutal. McIntyre simply killed the “lunatic” and made huge leaps and bounds in the statement against The Shield. This will be awesome and will catapult McIntyre to new heights. Ambrose got up somehow from that and got another “claymore kick for his trouble to end the show.

BAD

Raw Women’s Champion Rowdy Ronda Rousey

Rousey, bad attitude and all made a fool of herself trying to heel out. She just doesn’t have what it takes to pull major promos. She is definitely making headlines and getting a ton of attention. It will be Good, but Rousey is horrible on the mic. The layer of cheese like after eating a bag of Cheetos is thick. Then everyone’s hero Dana Brooke came out. She essentially had enough of the disrespect and had enough of Miss Rousey. This was horrendous as well though. Dana Brooke is a great athlete, and has improved in the ring but just doesn’t get any time on TV. This was emotional but it just was very cheesy. Brooke asked for an opportunity, and got pounced by Rousey. She straight bitch slapped a ref and cleared out. Rousey is a brat right now, that part is Good, the rest, not so much.

“A Moment of Bliss” w/ Alexa Bliss

We need way more Alexa Bliss, this much is a fact, but not doing this. We need her back in the ring. She did all this to present that Alexa Bliss herself will be the host of WrestleMania. We would much rather see her work it but as a host, it really is pointless. Who cares really! We love Alexa Bliss but this is a waste of time.

Triple H/Batista

The machine, the King, the COO of WWE came out in a leather jacket, completely ready to throw down. HHH was all business waiting for his rival Batista to show. Batista was there with a full security like entourage. This went about how it was expected too. Batista is obviously playing the heel in the fight and of course will be showing up doing his job well. Batista slayed on the mic and HHH is almost always pure gold. This served its purpose and was entertaining. HHH hit him hard with shoot like comments, and came right at the big guy. Batista wasn’t having any of it. He wants to do it his way. Batista wants HHH at Mania, and he will do anything for it. The match is on! This was bizarre and absolutely unnecessary but damn that will be Good. The Game vs. The Animal, No Holds Barred.

UGLY

Braun Strowman’s Camaro

Braun Strowman was bought a Camaro from Colin Jost and Strowman literally went “Street Fighter” on it but it looked but and was purely for comedic value. It was very stupid though and again was very pointless.

Nia Jax w/ Tamina vs. Natalya w/ Beth Phoenix

FINAL

Good- 7
Bad- 3
Ugly- 2

Overall

Good Raw. However we saw a Good chunk of Bad and even a hint of Ugly this week. The first major Raw on the final stretch to Wrestlemania was action packed and even saw a title change which was very much unexpected. It was a Good Raw mostly because of the usual top guys that carry the show, but again it wasn’t all Good stuff. Raw squeaked by this week, but a Win is a Win!

Next as expected is SmackDown who rarely disappoints and NXT after that who doesn’t know failure. WrestleMania is sitting on top of the mountain waiting patiently for the rest of the world to arrive on the big night, and the weekly WWE programming is sprinting toward it. All content needs to be tight from here on out, and will be getting the highest of the “Good, Bad and Ugly” standards, only at thechairshot.com. Stay tuned boys and girls, keep your hands and feet in the vehicle because we are on our way to the Greatest Night in Professional Wrestling!

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!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

3 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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SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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!

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

2 months 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