Opinion

Clark: Will Finn Bálor Benefit From his Renewed Rivalry with Bray Wyatt in WWE?

Finn Bálor is headed for a major showdown with Bray Wyatt at WWE SummerSlam! Who will it benefit?

Published

6 years ago

July 27, 2019

Tom Clark

Finn Bálor is headed for a major showdown with Bray Wyatt at WWE SummerSlam on Sunday, August 11. Finn is facing The Fiend, who recently returned to WWE, following months of pre-taped vignettes depicting him in what WWE calls “The Firefly Fun House.”

Fans were beyond ready for Wyatt’s reemergence on TV, so it’s no surprise that he received a great pop when he came back. Wyatt attacked Bálor, setting up a new feud between the two. But even though fans are anxious to see Bray back in the ring, it seems as though Finn has been lost in the conversation. So will this feud benefit The Bullet Club founder?

Bálor has been a constant topic of conversation from the moment he first arrived on WWE’s main roster. Many insiders had pegged him as WWE’s next big thing and judging from the spotlight he first enjoyed, it seemed as though he was definitely on the way up.

But then came Finn’s injury in 2016, which forever changed his career. From that point on, Bálor was never truly used the way his fans believed he should be. He’s always had the “it”factor and very few have worked harder to achieve stardom in the industry. But for whatever reason, Finn just never seems to reach that elite level.

He’s always just on the edge of WWE’s main event scene and more often than not, he’s barely even there. It appears to be such an easy booking move for the company to make, yet it never happens. So what is the reason for this hew feud with Bray Wyatt?

The two men have fought before, but their angle was cut short in 2017 and never reached a true resolution. Since then, Wyatt joined Matt Hardy’s Woken Universe and later disappeared, only to return as in his new demented Mister Rogers gimmick. However, Finn Bálor continued along the same path he’s traveled from the beginning.

Therein lays the issue with this feud. It’s naturally set up as a way to get Wyatt over and there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. Bray is a great character and has waited a long time for a storyline of substance. Now that he has it, he deserves a chance to succeed.

But the same can be said of Bálor. So while he’s in a good spot for Wyatt’s sake, it’s perhaps not a good spot for himself. It’s not about putting over Bray and making Finn look bad. It’s a matter of putting Bray over and leaving Finn in the same place he was before.

However, many fans are perhaps not of the opinion that Bálor hasn’t evolved in WWE. After all, he is the current Intercontinental champion and he has proven himself against some of the company’s top stars. So maybe Bálor’s situation is not as dire as it seems. But despite how anyone feels about Finn’s booking, there is no denying that he is making very little forward progress.

So WWE’s answer is to book him with the one guy that needs a win more than he does? As WWE fans shake their heads at the entire situation, it’s clear that Finn is probably not going anywhere at this point. But maybe he doesn’t need to.

AJ Styles, along with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, have officially formed The Original Club in WWE. The move is a direct shot at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Bullet Club of course, but the trio should get the gimmick over nonetheless. So when will the trio become a quartet?

When will Finn Bálor join The OC? It’s a question that’s been asked for quite some time and that’s understandable. Putting Bálor with Styles and company only makes sense, just as it made sense before. So maybe it’s only a matter of time until Finn turns heel and adds his immense talent to an already extremely talented faction.

It’s a move that certainly seems like a good idea and if it happens, The OC would immediately become the most popular heel group in WWE. Fans that are unfamiliar with Bálor’s work in New Japan perhaps don’t know just how good he is as a heel, but that would definitely change with The OC.

Of course the group may, or may not, last very long. Unless The OC broke new ground and did the unexpected, they would likely implode due to a war over leadership. It’s the customary direction for any heel faction. Styles took over as the head of The Bullet Club and he took that spot from Finn Bálor. What are the chances that their characters would play nice now, considering their history together?

WWE has not been afraid to reference The Bullet Club in the past, which means the company would probably not shy away from covering the history between Finn and AJ. But then there’s the problem that even if Finn joins The OC, there’s no guarantee that he will climb the ladder as a result.

WWE has been unwilling to elevate Finn as a solo star, though there have been multiple opportunities to do so. Would Finn’s positioning improve just because he’s standing side by side with AJ Styles? If that’s the plan, then when will the move happen? Could The OC actually help Finn defeat Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam?

Finn Bálor is a star and he’s proven that many times over the years. So while he will surely deliver against Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam, it’s clear that WWE should have a plan in place for Finn when it’s over. He could become a main event star in Vince McMahon’s company and everyone knows it. Then again, they’ve known it for a very long time.

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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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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

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

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

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

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

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

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

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

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

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

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

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

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

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

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

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

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1