Opinion

Steve Cook’s Top 5: Wrestling Hot Takes!

Do you agree with Steve’s takes?

Published

6 years ago

April 30, 2019

Steve Cook

Steve Cook takes a look at the wrestling news of the week and gives you his Hot Takes in response!

I’ve noticed something interesting over the past few days while reading wrestling news & the reaction to it. My reaction seems to be different from most of the reaction I read.Weird, isn’t it? Well, maybe not. I have a different opinion on most things than most people I know. One of the approximately 45,875 reasons I’m still single.

I feel like it’s been a long time since I did the whole “react to wrestling news” thing, so let’s bring it back this week! Let’s call it my Top 5 Wrestling Hot Takes and see how it goes.

5. I don’t think Dean Malenko leaving WWE is a bad thing

Malenko was as solid an in-ring hand you could find during the late 1990s. He’s spent the last eighteen years working with WWE as a backstage agent/producer helping the Superstars put matches together. You would think his departure meant the company would fall off the map with the way people were talking about it last week.

I don’t see it that way. Let’s face it, eighteen years is a long time for any agent or producer. WWE has been bringing in tons of veterans for backstage jobs lately, so the writing was on the wall for guys like Malenko & Arn Anderson. I think we can all agree that WWE could use some new voices in those positions.

I’m not sure which matches Malenko was responsible for producing. We rarely know these things, which is why I always feel weird judging who’s good backstage & who isn’t. Just because somebody was a great worker doesn’t make them a great mind. Reportedly, he was the agent for the Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler match at WrestleMania 27. If I was in charge, I would have immediately fired whoever put that poop show together, so Malenko would have been out of the company a lot sooner.

4. I don’t think The Revival are worth $500,000 per year

At least, not in the current pay structure. With WWE bringing in that new money from the Saudis & the networks next business quarter, I’m all about giving it to the wrestlers and increasing salaries across the board. If everybody’s getting a pay increase & $500,000 becomes an average salary for a WWE Superstar, then sure, give the Revival the money.

This isn’t so much a knock on the talents of Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson as it is WWE’s usage of tag teams. Are you going to tell me Raw’s tag team division would be that worse off if two other people were in the Revival’s slot? It’s going to take more than “WATCH THEIR NXT MATCHES” to sell me on that, especially when the only time they get to do NXT-style long tag team matches is on house shows that nobody attends. You could put anybody in the Revival’s slot and get the same value out of them.

Patrick O’Dowd: #SaveTagTeamWrestling

I know, I know. There was a big stink raised about how these guys wanted to be released a few months ago and agreed to stay if WWE proved they cared about tag team wrestling. I don’t see much evidence that that has happened, other than approximately $2.5 million ones for each guy over the next five years.

3. PCO needs to stop trying to kill himself

I don’t watch a whole lot of Ring of Honor these days. The product seems impossibly cold. The ownership is reprehensible even by pro wrestling standards. I see & read things here & there, but most of it just doesn’t interest me.

PCO is an interesting cat. The 51-year old former Quebecer & Amazing French-Canadian recently made a return after an absence of several years. He tore his way through the indy scene & now appears for ROH as part of Villian Enterprises. He & Brody King won the NWA World Tag Team Championship at this weekend’s Crockett Cup. Two things from that show garnered my attention:

-The Briscoes wrestling the motherfreaking Rock N Roll Express
-This spot that PCO apparently does every damn match

Nobody:

Absolutely nobody:

PCO:

😱 #CrockettCup #HonorClub

➡️ https://t.co/L56LqIm2Tw | https://t.co/0TMqQRB6Ou pic.twitter.com/f3fIot0qy1

— TDE Wrestling (@tde_wrestling) April 28, 2019

Like…why? I probably hate apron moves more than anybody with a rasslin’ column, this takes that stupidity to a whole new level. Does the guy have an insurance policy he’s trying to cash in? Just stop.

2. I haven’t really noticed Sasha Banks’ absence from WWE television

We’ve seen plenty of Sasha Banks articles here at the Chairshot lately. Most of us are very fond of the Legit Boss & think WWE should do whatever it takes to keep her a happy, productive member of the roster. There’s no doubt she’s as talented as there is on WWE’s women’s roster.

With that being said…have you noticed her absence since WrestleMania? I haven’t. It would have been nice to have her around to feud with the Iiconics, but at least Asuka & Kairi Sane are a team on SmackDown Live now. Bayley has moved over to that show and seems at least as productive there as she was during the last year with Sasha.

You know what Sasha would probably be doing right now if she was around? Getting Lacey Evans ready to take on Becky Lynch. It’d help Evans’ cause, but man would people online bitch & complain about it. WWE could definitely use Sasha, but not having her around isn’t the end of the world.

1. Bray Wyatt will make this Firefly Funhouse thing work

I wasn’t watching Raw as it happened last Monday night. The Stanley Cup Playoffs were still going on at the time. It was fun following the show on Twitter though, allowing the WWE Universe to guide me through things and let me know what was worth watching. One of the most divisive segments was the return of Bray Wyatt as a children’s TV show host.

I saw people losing their everloving minds over this. They thought it killed Bray as a performer & rendered his future drawing power useless. They saw it as another sign of Vince McMahon’s senility kicking in. I was looking forward to watching it just to see how big a trainwreck it was. Turns out that I liked it!

You can’t tell me that this isn’t a natural evolution of Bray’s persona. Why wouldn’t a wannabe cult leader turn to influencing the minds of the youth of America? It’s a better plan than trying to get fellow WWE Superstars to join him. Plus, Bray has the delivery & creativity to make this sort of thing work. Maybe he won’t be a future Universal Champion, but he can be a character that we still remember twenty years from now. Which is more important in the grand scheme of things?

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

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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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)

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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

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1