Opinion

WWE Week in Review: March 25-31, 2019

Next week is WrestleMania 35! Did the WWE shows help to excite, or further the IWC narrative of being disconnected? Let’s see what Tiffany says about it.

Published

6 years ago

April 1, 2019

TiffanyMC

Next week is WrestleMania 35! Did the WWE shows help to excite, or further the IWC narrative of being disconnected? Let’s see what Tiffany says about it.

RAW

Women’s Beat the Clock Match: Uh…Okay, that happened. Seriously, what was the point of doing a ‘Beat the Clock’ match with nothing at stake? And why was the Riott Squad sacrificed for that nonsense? These women are going to be MAIN EVENTING WrestleMania, and they do this two weeks out? Seriously?

Finn Balor vs Bobby Lashley and Jinder Mahal: I’m over this feud, seriously over it. It’s just become bunch of petty nonsense and I hope Balor wins at WrestleMania and WWE separates him and Lashley in the Shake-up. The inclusion of Mahal was just silly, especially since Balor ran circles around Lashley and Mahal.

Elias: I don’t like Elias, but him going around New York and playing guitar was funny.

Aleister Black and Ricochet vs Revival: Black and Ricochet have been making quite a splash as a team on the main roster and they’ve done a great job of helping revitalize the RAW Tag Team Division. I have a feeling that Black and Ricochet will be having a VERY busy WrestleMania weekend after that great match with the Revival.

Drew McIntyre vs Reigns and Ambrose: I’m going to be blunt: I think McIntyre is massively overrated. He has no personality and is an average worker and promo at best. The only difference between the McIntyre ten years ago and McIntyre now is that he put on muscle because he’s every bit as boring now as he was as Mr. McMahon’s hand-picked ‘Chosen One’. So I find him being put with Roman Reigns for WrestleMania a little baffling, however since this match will be Reigns’ first singles match since October, it should be a good one.

On the other hand, the treatment of Dean Ambrose is frustrating. We keep being told that Ambrose is leaving, yet WWE keeps bringing him out and putting him in this feud, fighting McIntyre for Roman and getting beat every time. Why are we building a story for Ambrose if he’s leaving in a couple of weeks? Make up your minds, WWE.

Women’s Tag Team Division: I think we all knew that the re-emergence of the Divas of Doom and the small number of actual women’s division tag teams meant we were headed for a Fatal Four Way match at WrestleMania, but I’m still concerned about how Beth Phoenix is going to do since it’s been seven years since she’s had an actual match. Hopefully, the other three teams will help cover any issues she might have.

Kurt Angle: The Angle retirement tour keeps on truckin’, but I’m still hoping that Baron Corbin will not be Angle’s final match. Kurt can’t go the way he used to, but I don’t think putting him with Corbin, who isn’t exactly a ring general, is the best way to send Angle into the sunset.

As someone who watched Angle and Samoa Joe in TNA, I had high expectations for this match, and it wasn’t the worst match I ever saw, but it was NOT like what they had in TNA, which was sad, though Joe’s face when Angle beat him on a roll up was very hilarious.

Moment of Bliss: Here we go again. As if Moment of Bliss isn’t cringey enough, we had to add Braun Strowman to the mix, just for added face-palming. I get that WWE is wanting to pull in mainstream people, but putting two SNL guys in the Andre is a dumb move. At least put in athletes that aren’t going to stink up the place.

Baron Corbin vs Apollo Crews: I really wasn’t into this match. The point was to build up Corbin to face Angle, but it just made it look like Crews should be facing Angle, not Corbin. Corbin just looked like a petty wannabe.

Seth Rollins: This was the highlight of the night, as far as I’m concerned. Seth more than held his own against Paul Heyman and watching him stalk down Heyman and vow to go to war for the WWE Universe was just fun. I’m not totally sold that Seth will beat Lesnar at WrestleMania, but he made a damn good argument for it on Monday.

Triple H: A lot has been said about Triple H’s influence on the business, not all of it good, but he was definitely a proud man on Monday when he talked about the RAW Women’s Championship main eventing WrestleMania. Turning his attention to his own WrestleMania match, Triple H did a great job of making Batista look like an entitled chump who didn’t have the guts to face him like a man, but sent a letter with more demands, like Triple H put his own career on the line. I’m not sure what the point was since the whole DX vs Brothers of Destruction storyline showed that career-ending matches aren’t binding in WWE, but it does make it feel like there’s more at stake for Triple H than just kicking Batista’s ass.

SmackDown

Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan: Well, it seems as if this convoluted storyline finally seemed to be getting somewhere. Kofi Kingston seems to finally be getting his title shot, thanks to the New Day’s determination…or is he?

Yes, Vince said that Kofi was going to WrestleMania, but nothing was said about the title shot and Vince is not someone to capitulate as easily as he seemed to have at the end of SmackDown.

The Gauntlet Match Woods and E went through was amazing. The best part was the Usos forfeiting rather than try to cost Kofi his chance at the title shot he’d earned. It was a sign of respect between two teams that have had a lot of wars.

I loved that the babyface locker room came out to celebrate with Kofi, which shows how much genuine respect he has from the locker room.

Charlotte vs Asuka: If there was one major flaw WWE has, it’s the inability to leave things alone and the Charlotte/Asuka SmackDown Women’s Championship Match was one of those instances. I get that they wanted to build Charlotte up since she’s become a third wheel in a feud that doesn’t need her, but screwing over the SmackDown Women’s Division to do it was a stupid move. The match was big enough without throwing the SmackDown Women’s Championship into the mix.

Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles: This was the match I was really looking forward to. Angle and Styles had a great rivalry in TNA and if anyone could coax a good match out of Angle at this stage, it would’ve been Styles, so I was furious that Orton ruined it by interfering, but at least Angle got him back, but it still sucks.

Rey Mysterio: I’m still trying to figure out why Dominic is involved in this feud or how Mysterio got a US Title shot in the first place, but the match should be a good one.

Miz vs Shane McMahon: I honestly wasn’t onboard with Miz vs Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. I just didn’t think it was a big enough match to warrant going to WrestleMania, but they’ve definitely done a good job of building this feud quickly, even if some of the promo was a little ‘uh’. I’m not sure how to feel about Shane in a Falls Count Anywhere match, but he and Miz should have a great match.

205 Live

Lucha House Party vs Party of Gulak and Humberto Carrillo: This was SUCH a great match and continued the storyline of Carrillo not wanting to give up his high-flying style just because Gulak and Gallagher don’t like it. Making the loss Gulak’s fault is interesting.

I’ve said before that a lot about this storyline makes me very uncomfortable, but I can see where this is heading: Gulak and Gallagher keep pushing Carrillo to do things the ‘correct’ way until Carrillo snaps and becomes a huge babyface.

Drake Maverick and the Kanellises: I’m a little disappointed that Mike Kanellis is going to stay a heel since his ‘Better than the Best’ thing seems tailor made for a babyface/tweener run, but we’ll see. I am excited to see what will happen next week when Tozawa has Kendrick in his corner.

Buddy Murphy: I’ve said before that few things will wreck a friendship in professional wrestling than going for the gold and that’s proving true with Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese. I loved Murphy playing the arrogant heel that’s forgotten what his former friend did for him. I also loved Nese beating the tar out of Murphy and saying that he’s the reason Murphy was on 205 and not still in NXT.

Cedric Alexander vs Ariya Daivari: This was a really great match, but I’m a little confused as to why Oney Lorcan attacked Alexander. Lorcan is a great addition to 205, but I’m a little confused as to why he attacked Alexander when the only time they’ve been the ring together was in the Cruiserweight Tournament. It just seems nonsensical to me, but it’s another ‘wait and see’ thing, but I’m already skeptical of this storyline.

NXT UK

Jordan Devlin vs Dan Moloney: I don’t have much to say about this match. Jordan Devlin was involved, so it was a show stealer and it was only the opening match. I feel for Moloney, but it’s clear that Devlin’s being groomed for big things down the line, and I hope it’ll include a title run.

Kassius Ohno: Since the debut of the Shield, there’s been a rumor that Kassius Ohno had been slated to be a Hound of Justice, but that was change, though whether he was supposed to be in Dean’s spot or Roman Reigns’ is up for dispute. His promo on Wednesday proved why he would’ve been a disaster in whatever role he was supposed to play. It was just flat and made no sense.

Jinny vs Toni Storm: For whatever reason, and not doing anything to earn it, Jinny is the new #1 Contender for the NXT UK Women’s Championship. Her promo over this was just plain dumb, especially since she hasn’t proven to be anything but an average wrestler.

Xia Brookside vs Rhea Ripley: I think we all knew what was going to happen when Xia Brookside challenged Rhea Ripley to a match, and we weren’t disappointed. It was a great match, but Xia had really no chance against Ripley. The really interesting thing was the debut of Piper Niven, who is EXTREMELY talented. The fact that she’s bad enough to scare off Ripley says something and I’m interested to see where this goes.

Isla Dawn vs Kay Lee Ray: Okay, this isn’t an official thing, but I was very intrigued by this exchange. Even though Ray claims to not be interested in being friends, the fact that there are three Scottish women on the roster is just BEGGING to become a stable like Gallus or be part of Gallus.

Trent Seven Interview: I don’t have much to say about this other than it looks like they’re going to break up Moustache Mountain, which is a dumb thing to do, in my opinion.

European Alliance vs Williams and Jordan: I’m actually kind of excited about this match. Both teams are great mid-card teams and could have a great feud before it’s all said and done.

Mark Andrews vs Noam Dar: This was another fantastic match for NXT UK this week. I love both guys involved in this match and they didn’t disappoint. The only disappointment was the No Contest ending. It’s hard to see who this was covering for, but they full deserved the standing ovation they got when they were carried out on stretchers.

Pete Dunne vs WALTER: Thank god we’re finally getting this match because the build was boring me stupid. I hope Dunne retains but I have a feeling WALTER is going to win it at TakeOver. At least this contract signing didn’t end in a fight.

NXT

Johnny Gargano vs Adam Cole: I’m really excited about this match. Yes, I would have rather seen Gargano finally get one over on Ciampa, but Adam Cole will work. Triple H making it 2-out-of-3 Falls guarantees a barnburner, but Gargano should insist that Undisputed Era be banned from ringside so there’s no question about who the real winner is.

Kacy Catanzaro and Lacey Lane vs Aliyah and Vanessa Borne: This was another good match that got ruined by Shayna Baszler and her goons. I’m not sure what the point of making Shayna look like a punk who has to pick fights with people who aren’t a threat to her is, but I hope it costs her the title because the women of NXT should be doing more than just being her punching bag. Also, where are Belair, Shirai, and Sane, the women who are ACTUALLY feuding with Baszler?

Matt Riddle vs Kona Reeves: This was a giant snoozer, as far as I was concerned. I don’t care about Reeves and Riddle sets my teeth on edge. Velveteen Dream being involved didn’t make me anymore interested in this match or the feud. Dream vs Riddle is already looking like a skipper.

Forgotten Sons vs Aleister Black and Ricochet: It’s the final of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and the most unlikely tag team in the bracket has been on a major role on three of the five WWE brands. This match was fantastic, as expected from both teams. The biggest surprise of this whole thing was that Black and Ricochet won. I honestly thought, given that they’re likely going to be on the WrestleMania card against the Revival, that they’d have the Forgotten Sons win it, but it looks like the Unlikely Duo is going to have a very full weekend and I’m excited for both of them.

Overall Thoughts: How was the penultimate week before WrestleMania? Not great. At least on the Big Two. RAW and SmackDown were full of misses, in my opinion because WWE/Vince can’t leave well enough alone, especially where it concerns the RAW Women’s Championship Match. I get that this is a historic moment, but I can’t think of a match that’s gotten more overdone and tinkered with than this and I’m almost afraid that WWE’s going to fix it until they break it, and this turns into a flop.

I’m glad that Kofi vs Bryan is finally finalized, but I keep feeling like Vince is going to pull some trick to drag this out to WrestleMania.

The network shows weren’t nearly as convoluted in their builds, thank God, and it made them much easier to watch, even if I didn’t enjoy very much of NXT.

We’re heading into the go-home week for WrestleMania and I’m PRAYING that Vince stops tinkering with things because it’s making too many messes that I don’t think are going to be fixed at WrestleMania.

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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.

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2025

PC Tunney

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
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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

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Greg DeMarco

Shawn Michaels Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21

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.