Opinion

The Epic Epeneter Review: WWE Smackville

Mason Epeneter reviews the WWE Smackville special from Nashville airing Saturday night on the WWE Network!

Published

6 years ago

July 28, 2019

Mason Epeneter reviews the WWE Smackville special from Nashville airing Saturday night on the WWE Network!

First off, this was an incredible idea by WWE. It boosts ticket sales because they can promote it as a WWE Network event, therefore implying that a title change could happen, unlike a normal house show where you’re going because WWE doesn’t often have RAW or SmackDown in or near your town.

READ THE SIGN!#SMACKVILLE is streaming LIVE RIGHT NOW on the award-winning @WWENetwork! pic.twitter.com/jV22lMfMis

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) July 28, 2019

It also is a good buildup to SummerSlam, reminding fans that it is coming up so they should clear their calendar for one of the Big Four events. Last but not least, it tests out live-streaming a house show on the WWE Network for the rumored upcoming tier system (to my understanding, house shows would be available on the highest tier – Tier 4 – for $14.99/month).

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Ali

During the week, @FinnBalor suffered an undisclosed injury. @WWE Medical has unfortunately not cleared him for competition tonight at #SMACKVILLE. It is unknown who or if @ShinsukeN defends his title tonight. Stay tuned as we learn more.

— WWE (@WWE) July 28, 2019

Overall, this was a great improvise by WWE, and their best move of the night. About thirty minutes before the event, WWE announced via their Twitter account that Finn Bálor was injured and was unable to compete. After Shinsuke Nakamura bragged about not having to compete for the night, a referee started the forfeit ten-count when Ali came out and challenged Nakamura to an IC Title match, which Nakamura accepted. The match was good, made both competitors seem legitimate with back-and-forth action through the night, Ultimately though, Nakamura came out with the win after Ali’s head collided with the middle turnbuckle and Nakamura connected with a KINSHASAAAAAAAA in the middle of the ring. 1. 2. 3. Lights out Ali and a Nakamura celebration. If there was anyone who didn’t know who Ali was before tonight, they certainly do now. Congrats to both competitors and to WWE for capitalizing on an unfortunate situation to showcase Ali’s in-ring abilities.

(I do not do match ratings based on the fact that I do my reviews solely off of my first impression.)

Elias’s Concert / Elias vs. Kevin Owens

Elias/Credit: WWE.com

The concert started with Elias in the middle of the ring in a pitch dark arena with only two spotlights on him. He mentioned meeting Johnny Cash and took a shot at the NFL’s Tennessee Titans because the event was in Nashville. Elias pulled a strong yay-nay reaction from the crowd after walking out of the spotlight and almost leaving the ring (the yay) and walking back into the spotlight (the nay). He did this for about a minute-and-a-half before finally deciding to sing his song. Elias sang a tribute to Shane McMahon, which led to Kevin Owens interrupting the concert because Elias had mentioned him and his match against Shane at SummerSlam in the song. KO stated that just punching Elias in the face wouldn’t teach him a lesson but he was going to have to beat him in a match, after making a comedic comment about the way the refs enter the ring, the match began. This match went quick, very synchronized, and smooth. KO got two knees to the face from Elias, Kevin failed one stunner but then hit one after he rolled out of the way of Elias’s elbow drop, ultimately causing the stunner. 1. 2. 3. KO has the momentum heading into SmackDown LIVE.

Main Event for the WWE Championship – Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Samoa Joe

#WWEChampion @TrueKofi defends his title TONIGHT in a #TripleThreat Match against @HEELZiggler and @SamoaJoe at #SMACKVILLE! pic.twitter.com/a1PSMxM0MQ

— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) July 27, 2019

The main event started quickly at what looked like the potential demise of Kofi Kingston’s title reign after Samoa Joe and Dolph Ziggler decided to team up on Kofi on what David Otunga pointed out as an attempt to insure a new champion walks out of the Bridgestone Arena. After destroying Kofi for a while, Kofi managed to get out of a hold by Joe, attacked Ziggler, and eventually hit him with an S.O.S., but Joe threw Kofi out and pinned Ziggler, for a kick out at 2. This led to the dissension of the Joe-Ziggler alliance and the beginning of a Kofi comeback. After hitting a move off the top rope, Joe rolled out of the ring while Kofi had his comeback on Dolph. Eventually, it came down to Dolph being on the outside of the ring and Kofi connecting with Trouble-in-Paradise onto Samoa Joe for the three count. WWE advertised Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship defense against Randy Orton at SummerSlam with a graphic on the bottom of the screen while Kofi looked strong heading into July 30 episode of SmackDown LIVE.

Thank you for reading my review and analysis on WWE Smackville, please check out my sponsor: The Official WrestleCircus Fan Community Discord.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

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

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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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: 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