Opinion

The Good, Bad and Ugly: WWE Monday Night Raw (04/01/2019)

Was the final WWE Raw before WrestleMania good, bad, or ugly?

Published

6 years ago

April 3, 2019

Bobby Fernandes

Coming off of one of the worst editions of Monday Night Raw we have seen in recent memory (and that is saying something) we are at the take home WrestleMania Show. No excuses, no b.s., it’s all business from here on out. Everything needs to click and anything but Good, in fact, anything but Great is a disappointment. Let’s Get this party started!

GOOD

Stephanie McMahon

The week of WrestleMania is a time where anything can happen. Some predictable, some not so much. This seems to edge toward predictable as McMahon had breaking news. April Fools of course she “added herself to the match.” However in the spirit of the magically time around the biggest event in Sports Entertainment, she did have a purpose and announced, that “All Titles will be on the line” for the Women’s Championships. This was short and no one is surprised by this announcement. They had to make it official and this served its purpose.

Universal Champion Brock Lesnar w/ Paul Heyman

Lesnar as always got a reaction. He is full on hated by everyone and Seth Rollins is his polar opposite currently. Heyman did his part as the hype man to perfection, talking up his guy and talking down Rollins. Heyman laid it on thick and Rollins had enough. Seth Freakin Rollins made his entrance and didn’t falter. Rollins marched right up to The Beast. Rollins made his stand and made it clear that he is going to rid the WWE of their most hated person. Anything can happen in the WWE and Rollins feels that this a lock. Rollins did the best thing he could, he hit Lesnar with a low blow but got German Suplexed by Lesnar who recovered. Rollins then hit another “low blow” followed by a kick and “the Stomp” making a point and leaving the Champ down in the ring. Good Promo!

Boss N Hug (Tag Team Champions), Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs. Nia Jax, Tamina Snuka and the IIconics

This match was set up to be a disaster but it surprisingly was not. We had a decent showing especially the returning Glamazon Beth Phoenix. Phoenix stole the show, literally pie facing her team mate Sasha Banks and stealing the tag in before completely dominating all of her opponents and finally ending the match with a Glamslam to Peyton Royce for the victory. Good match and the crowd was into it! Hope to see more success to come from this.

Batista

No question, everyone is pretty excited to see “The Animal” Batista back home even if just for WrestleMania. Batista is a decorated, well established talent and has become a major fame on the big screen as well. He can work and has some mic skills as well. This time around we got a promo video hyping the bad blood between him and HHH. These vicious alphas have beaten the hell out of each other with Gold at stake, but this time it is even more important ramifications. His message on Raw, “Hunter Kiss my Ass.” This will be Good, and promo did its job well.

Kurt Angle’s Last Monday Night Raw

Angle was spilling his heart out and getting the love right back. Angle’s video was amazing and he has touched the sport like no other. The most hated person alive (except Charlotte Flair) Baron Corbin who has been on fire lately interrupted. Whether you like Corbin or not he gets so much heat. The crowd just cannot stop hating him constantly and for that we must applaud. No one in WWE has this much heat, so much hate all the time. He doesn’t even try and gets it done like no other person can. Angle finally challenged Corbin to an exhibition match against Corbin and just as Baron Corbin was to enter the ring, he retreated, claiming he wants him full steam at WrestleMania. Unexpectedly, Rey Mysterio made a run in and challenged Baron Corbin himself for a match on Raw. Mysterio and Angle had some fun throwing Corbin around before ending the promo. Good promo, and good hype.

Apollo vs. Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers

Filler, hype crap for the Andre The Giant Battle Royal which has really become a bit of a shame as of late. This is now filled with the entire WWE Tag Team Division which makes no sense. As a match this nothing special but it wasn’t Bad either. Crews is impressive and took full control and the victory against former Champion Jinder Mahal. After the match all participants who surrounded the ring during the contest went crazy in the ring and fought it out! The whole thing is a bit of a joke but the match was Good.

Raw Tag Team Championship Match- The Revival (C) vs. Ricochet and Aleister Black

If it were up to me these guys can all work each other until time runs out. Ricochet and Black have had a stellar showing on the main roster and haven’t missed to much of a step since arriving. They have started at the top level, facing the very best teams including the Champs. These teams contrasting styles have lead to some Good content and this week, was very Good. Revival isolated their opponents and punished them with quick effective tags and shear brutality. Ricochet and Black also had their moments of offensive dominance but Revival kept control most of the match. Ricochet flew and Black kicked his way back. Both teams jockeyed for position but it was finally after an underhanded move outside involving Ricochet, The Revival retains and wins by countout. After the match it was a pair of Black Masses and a 630 for the Champs’ troubles.

Heavy Machinery vs. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable

For some reason there is a lot of heat here with these two teams. Maybe it is a way for WWE to low key push Heavy Machinery. The match was going well, and Bobby Roode had full control. Lacey Evans popped out and did her little walk with her tunes blasting causing a distraction. Roode still had control until the mighty Otis entered and immediately messed the former champs up. After Gable got the tag, he was caught by Otis and officially “Compacted” for a victory by Heavy Machinery.

The Riott Squad vs. Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair

Riott Squad jobbed out again. Standing out was Sarah Logan who again showed some Good stuff out there. Lynch and Charlotte constantly bickering and jawing aways. Rousey finally tagged in and ended the match in seconds with an arm bar to Liv Morgan for the victory. Immediately Rousey attacked Charlotte and chaos ensued. Rousey, Flair and Lynch were arrested but that didn’t stop them from still fighting and beating the hell out of each other almost more viciously. Lynch and Rousey even kicked each other in the back of the police car destroying the doors and windows. They couldn’t be controlled or detained. Rousey lost her shit even ramming the police car. It was amazing and looked fantastic. This was yet another Good showing on Raw this week.

Braun Strowman vs. “Michael Che and Colin Jost” (Not them)

This was a filthy 90’s Saturday Morning squash match from the old days. Strowman destroyed the unfortunate fill-ins and of course ultimately Won with his mighty double powerslam.

Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush

You have to talk about this match, and it should be Good enough, but this has become an unfortunate after thought. The two guys are very talented and the title has relevance again. After Lio Rush did his usual hype which is great by the way, a surprise emerged on the big screen. A very confident Finn Balor introduced us again to the unbeatable “Demon” who will now be the biggest threat to Bobby Lashley’s Intercontinental run. Unsure why the Demon is here and missed out on Lesnar but it is safe to say that in Demon form, Finn Balor’s chances or getting the Intercontinental Championship back has just increased immensely. Another Good solid hype promo for the very successful night.

Baron Corbin vs. Rey Mysterio

Corbin looked very Good in there and Rey Mysterio worked with ease. This was a Good clean match. We saw Mysterio do what he does best and showed off the power and abilities of Baron Corbin. This looked Good and showed off both guys strengths. Corbin gained control and brutally beat down his smaller foe. Mysterio managed to somehow fight back but it was short lived. Baron Corbin hit a devasting “Deep Six” to end the match and pick up the impressive clean win.

BAD and UGLY

They must’ve read last weeks Good, Bad and Ugly because they got it all out of their systems. I can’t believe it but a clean Good show.

FINAL

Good- 12
Bad- 0
Ugly- 0

OVERALL

GOOD! ALL GOOD! This is a major change from last week and it could not have happened at a better time. From start to finish WWE came out hard and finished well. It wasn’t the greatest Raw of all time and maybe the fact that last week was so Ugly may have lowered our expectations, but what we had here was Good and it couldn’t have happened at a Better time! Great Monday Night Raw take home show!

A near Perfect Raw, well what will the ever successful SmackDown do next? Probably blow us away! SmackDown is shaping up to be spectacular and this take home show should deliver. NXT also coming into a huge Takeover WrestleMania weekend, has a lot of work to do and it would be a shock if they struggle this week! Looking forward to it and so are you! Catch you after SmackDown Live!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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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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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