Opinion
Andrew’s WWE Raw and SmackDown Live Ratings & Analysis (6/3 + 6/4/2019)
Last week’s polarizing holiday Raw should make this an interesting week going into Super Showdown!

Last week’s polarizing holiday Raw should make this an interesting week going into Super Showdown!
As I said last week, Raw was a decent 2 hour show, but that first hour was rough. Hopefully they don’t front load the show with worthless segments and a ton of talking again. SmackDown hasn’t been a ton better either.
At least Firefly Fun House is usually something to look forward to. Let’s cross our fingers for a better show.
Raw Ratings:
- The Bloodline (Roman Reigns & The Usos) vs The Revival & Drew McIntyre: McIntyre wins via Claymore – ***
- Charlotte vs Lacey Evans: Charlotte wins via DQ – *
- Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss vs Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay – * ¼
- Ricochet vs Cesaro: Ricochet wins via Cradle – ** ½
Analysis:
We start off with a little bit of Roman and Shane talking, that leads right into the 6 man tag, so not too bad.
What can be said of the match is everyone looked pretty solid and the crowd was really behind Roman. “We Want Roman” chants popped up, the crowd popped when he got tagged in, so that’s always fun in its own way. Shane getting involved just enough for Drew to land a few Claymores looking like a beast, and then the beat down on Roman all made great sense, pretty entertaining as well.
Miz TV was honestly forgettable this week. Seth said nothing of merit or with conviction, so this just faded into the background noise of the night.
Lucha House Party comes out, and we all know I hate them. Lars comes back to retread the same crap about mowing them down, but they fight back a little knocking Lars out of the ring to walk away and rethink his strategy. So…I guess this was supposed to make it seem like the 3 of them maybe stand a chance. Horrible waste of time and space.
The IIconics pick on Nikki Cross a bit, Alexa comes in to stick up for her a little. Alexa says she knows Nikki probably wants nothing to do with her, but Nikki acknowledges the past, but since she’s been nice to her, Nikki is happy to be her friend. This could be a great pairing, and Nikki has a tendency to bring an adorable tone to the scene. So this could be really good.
Now even though Becky and Lacey had some decent lines going back and forth, Charlotte is a travesty on the microphone. Everything she said was bland, forced and just felt shoe horned messing up any flow the conversation was supposed to have.
Then we get a God awful match that wasn’t all Lacey’s fault. It was clunky, poorly paced, poorly executed and the DQ finish seemed more like saving the dying segment Old Yeller style. This was a flaming trash can, and a bit of it was Charlotte’s fault.
Rey Mysterio saying the line in English and then Spanish is really stupid. Joe coming out telling him he won’t let him have a moment. Rey then saying he’s not trying to have a moment, but needs a moment to talk. Poor use of words, but a segment that we were supposed to care, was just flat and dumb how he relinquished the belt to Joe instead of vacating.
Arm Wrestling was dumb, but it was short and Bobby showed off some great power and agility in the aftermath. So if nothing else, Bobby looked like a million bucks in change.
IIconics and Nikki with Alexa happen now. The match was a little rough, until we get to Alexa getting her coffee, getting it kicked and dropped while in white pants. Nikki gets the win with her finish and Alexa snaps. This is great for their story. Alexa used to get snarky and brush off anyone else, but now she was embarrassed, but Nikki managed to shake her out of her rage. I also like how Nikki keeps saying “we won”, it’s a cute little nuance that I hope matters.
Seth is out again to call out Brock. Corbin lays him out; Brock comes out, gets in a nice low blow and just enjoys beating the hell out of the champion. He doesn’t want to cash in; he just wants to inflict damage. The crowd was even behind Brock chanting “one more time” after multiple shots with a chair and the briefcase.
Firefly Fun House, YOWIE WOWIE! The introduction of the new little piggy Huskis adds a layer to if this Fun House is just all in his head and his way of playing out his past with the kid’s show veneer. The German accent also made me think Augustus Gloop from Willy Wonka. Muscle Man Dance was great. Just, wow, tons of great fun and clever references.
Triple H and Randy Orton have a run of the mill promo, until the end when Randy says “get your balls out of Steph’s purse”, and that pops them both. So it was interesting because you could tell that they’re friends and that was such a buddy line to just get a reaction, the match should be decent since they both seem to enjoy the idea of wrestling one another.
So we all know Cesaro and Ricochet are great wrestlers, but damn this was sloppy. Numerous hiccups from the Backflip on the outside that Cesaro was supposed to catch him, but just fell, the finish wasn’t correct either, and those are just two that stick out. It was still fine, but if you’re gonna have them wrestle purely to see who’s better, a clumsy match helps nothing.
Undertaker takes 2 minutes to get to the ring, says nothing and the time cuts off before he says Rest in Peace. So yeah…a nostalgic yet lame way to end the show.
Overall Score: 7.5/10
Even if a couple segments hit me as dumb or lackluster, I found myself enjoying the show for the most part. Plus the really damn good Fun House adding some points, cause my math is always bias when the Fun House knocks it out of the park.
SmackDown Live Ratings:
- New Day vs Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens: Kofi wins via Trouble in Paradise – ** ¼
- 24/7 Championship Lumberjack Match: R-Truth (c) vs Elias: Elias win via Leaping Knee – N/A – TITLE CHANGE!!
- 24/7 Championship: Elias (c) vs R-Truth: Truth wins via Under the Ring Shenanigans – N/A – TITLE CHANGE!!!
- #1 Contender Triple Threat: Alexa Bliss vs Charlotte Flair vs Carmella: Alexa wins via Bliss DDT – ***
- Apollo Crews vs Andrade: Did that even start? No Contest? Chicanery! – N/A
Analysis:
Opening up with Kofi’s video package of his trip to Ghana was obviously important to him and a great moment, but I started to get bored and when Dolph came out, I fell into a coma.
I came out of the coma to see the tag match start and it came off very much uninspired. This match really felt like watching them go through the motions. Then more Ziggler after makes that coma starts to creep in again.
Moment of Bliss wasn’t bad. Bayley showed a little more personality, Carmella and Alexa were fine and then Charlotte evoked the groan that could be heard throughout the universe. Here’s to hoping anyone except Charlotte wins this impending Triple Threat.
R-Truth really has been carrying this 24/7 gimmick well. If it were anyone else I don’t think it would be nearly as funny or tolerable. The lumberjack match was nothing except a good vehicle to get an awkward situation, a title change and then Truth chasing Elias under the ring and the referee somehow being able to see what went on and count a pinfall. So Elias is a 2 time champion and R-Truth is a 4 time and the current champion again. The gimmick will start to get stale, but it’s still fine to me.
Aleister Black says nothing of merit, but he yells a bit this time and gets marginally indignant. So does that count as character development now?
Shane gets the upper hand on Roman again, so one would assume Roman gets the win at Super Showdown. But I’d really like to see this setting up McIntyre for a big win at Stomping Ground.
This Triple Threat was actually pretty entertaining. Alexa shows off a slightly different style, Carmella keeps up well, Sparkle Splash/Twisted Bliss actually looked good and the finish was good. Sure, the Raw wild card getting a SmackDown title shot is a little awkward. But what better way for Bayley to cement a character change, then by beating the woman that humiliated her between Bayley this is Your Life and the Kendo Stick on a pole match. Good stuff here.
Lars Sullivan’s interview was worthless. Trying to make him seem like a twistedly intelligent freak who revels in his moniker is dumb. No one cares that he’s okay with being called a freak or whatever else he rambled about. Just beat up people, shut up, or stop nearly swallowing your tongue every breath.
Then we get a throw away Andrade and Apollo match, that doesn’t even start and Finn shows up for a random brawl where Andrade stands tall afterwards. Talk about filler.
Goldberg comes out with good intensity and this was actually a solid hype promo. Undertaker does show up for a blue light stare down, then he disappears and Goldberg shrugs it off and laughs the whole time. Time for Goldberg to Spear Taker into dust!
Overall Score: 5/10
Well, this was not a great show, barely average and I think I read that there was only 19 minutes of wrestling. SmackDown is supposed to be the brand that does the in-ring action better, and lately it’s felt like a watered down Raw. Hopefully after Super Showdown we go back to SmackDown’s old formula. Cause this has been a fairly lame couple of weeks.
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)
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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
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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)
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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.
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