Opinion

Steve Cook’s Top 5: Toronto Wrestlers

Toronto has produced some great wrestling talent–who stands out?

Published

6 years ago

June 2, 2019

Steve Cook

The Toronto Raptors are in the NBA finals, inspiring Steve Cook to take a look at the 6IX’s best wrestling exports!

The Toronto Raptors have finally made it to the NBA Finals after twenty-four seasons of basketball action. We all know that basketball isn’t the sport of choice for many residents of the T-Dot. We also know that the Maple Leafs haven’t made those fans happy for generations.

Toronto is one of professional wrestling’s best cities. It goes back to the days of Frank Tunney running regular cards at Maple Leaf Gardens. Toronto has hosted two WrestleManias along with countless WWE events with rabid fans attending and letting their opinions be known. Eventually, WWE got tired of that & labeled Toronto as “Bizarro World”. To be honest, Toronto fans knew what was going on, & WWE didn’t want to accept that.

Today, we look at five of the finest professional wrestlers to call Toronto home.

5. Christian

Christian

Poor Christian. He was always doomed to be the Marty Jannetty of his tag team with Edge. Edge fit the size needs that WWE had at the time, & Christian was a bit shorter & lighter than what they wanted. Somehow, the CLB hung around and got the WWE fanbase liking what he was doing. The WWE front office still didn’t like it too much, so he got his release & went to TNA to become an actual main event talent.

I went to a TNA house show in Louisville that had Christian fighting Kurt Angle for the TNA World Championship & seemed like a legit main event. He eventually got back to WWE & became the WWECW Champion. Then he got called up to SmackDown to be Edge’s second banana, and Edge got forced into retirement until anything else could happen there. Christian never got to prove to Vince that he was anything more than a CLB. Such a shame.

4. “Whipper” Billy Watson

If you want to talk about Canadian wrestling legends, you have to talk about Whipper Billy. He was one of the first NWA World Heavyweight Champions, holding the championship for 239 days between Lou Thesz’s first & second title reign. He was always at the top of the card at Maple Leaf Gardens during his career, and he would have stayed there if not for a horrific accident where he got hit by a car. Watson still raised a ton of money for charities after his career ended, and appeared on television from time to time to get beaten up by the Shiek.

3. Trish Stratus

Up until the Women’s Evolution/Revolution, Trish was the greatest female competitor in WWE history. Her seven Women’s Championship reigns were unrivaled until Charlotte Flair came along. Her workrate was unparalleled in WWE until the Women’s Evolution became a thing. Until Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch or anybody else of this era came along, the only woman that could claim similar popularity to Trish was Wendi Richter. Trish didn’t have Cyndi Lauper on her side, so she deserves a lot of respect there.

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2. Gail Kim

If we were only talking about WWE, Gail would be so far behind Trish that it wouldn’t be funny. Her first WWE run wasn’t great, and her second WWE run was even worse. For whatever reason, Gail worked so much better in TNA/Impact Wrestling. Her feud in TNA with Awesome Kong was epic. She could never replicate that in with WWE with whoever they had at their disposal.

Some wrestlers were like that. They worked in one promotion and not in others. Gail was meant to perform with TNA/Impact Wrestling. If she went anywhere else, it didn’t work. But when she was with the right promotion, she was one of the best in the world.

Honorable Mention: Traci Brooks

This won’t come as a surprise to anybody that’s read anything I’ve ever written. I credit Traci taking notice of me early in my 411 days to my still doing this nonsense today. Sadly she came around a little too soon to be part of the WWE Women’s Evolution, or even when TNA decided to actually push Knockouts. She was the original TNA Knockout, and I keep hoping that she’ll be part of All Elite Wrestling at some point.

1. Edge

THE RATED-R SOOOOOOOOPERSTAR! Love him or hate him, Edge definitely had an impact on WWE throughout the 2000s up until his retirement. He was that guy on the fringe of the main event scene for years, then once he got there he racked up championship after championship.

He started out with the Brood, then formed one of the greatest tag teams of all time with his fellow Ontario resident, Christian. Once they split up he was able to spread his wings & become a top singles star. It took a little time, but once he caught on he became a guy WWE could build a show around. He became a guy WWE could build as the third greatest Canadian wrestler of all time.

I mean, I like Edge, but even he would say he would rate behind Bret Hart & Chris Jericho.

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Related Topics:christian edge Featured Featured Big Gail Kim Toronto Traci Brooks Trish Stratus Whipper Billy Watson

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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

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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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