Opinion

The Weekly Brainbuster (9/12/19): The Babyface Dilemma in WWE

This week breaks down some numbers for the top babyfaces in WWE!

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2019

Matthew Davis

This week breaks down some numbers for the top babyfaces in WWE!

Welcome to the second edition of the Weekly Brainbuster here on The Chairshot!

Last week we evaluated how signature moves became part of wrestling and what some analysis showed about some specific moves in wrestling today. This week, our topic is the most alarming trend in WWE! We’ve all talked about it, we’ve all noticed it, but this week we are going to analyze why it is so damaging to the company!

As I discussed last week, I’m going to start analyzing by looking back. What do you remember about wrestling from when you were young? Most of us were drawn into Hulk Hogan in the WWE. But before Hulkamania, a certain type of wrestler dominated the house shows. Hulkamania became so vibrant and popular because of the ground work laid down many years before Hulkamania began. I’m sure you’re thinking about large, muscular, bodybuilders, and while that is valid, you will have noticed that many of the top champions before Hulk Hogan were bad guys. But after January 1984, it all changed in the WWE. The company always needed a “top babyface star”after that such as Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena. But, if you look at other companies such as NWA/WCW; the top champions were always bad guys!

During WCW’s reign on top, the biggest faction and stars were part of the nWo, but even before that, during the Crockett days, the biggest star was Ric Flair, a bonafide, over the top bad guy, escorted by his Four Horsemen, always holding back names like Dusty Rhodes, Sting, the Road Warriors, and other good guys because they would manipulate rules, cheat, lie, and steal their way to victories. The same thing happened in the WWF pre-Hulk Hogan. Look at “Superstar” Billy Graham, he’d win by a thread and retain his championship against the top names of the day. It was during that time, the late 70’s that the saying “Faces sell merchandise, but heels sell tickets” became part of wrestling. Fans anticipated the good guy to win, but the bad guy would win by the skin of his teeth, drawing fans to go to the next show, waiting for the good guy to win. Rinse and repeat.

What is the biggest problem the WWE is facing right now? The company has record setting television deals, great merchandise sales, but, low ratings and poor attendance. Even though the highest ratings of all-time were guided by a “babyface” Steve Austin in 1998, look at his character. He was as close to a traditional bad guy as you could get. The character succeeded because the product at the time embraced that type of behavior, but drinking beer, flipping middle fingers, fighting the boss, and getting arrested, were traditional qualities associated with heels. For the last 10-15 years in the WWE, the company has embraced a PG rating and top babyface stars like John Cena and Roman Reigns, and now currently, Seth Rollins. And yet the company is suffering more than it has been ever in company history in ratings.

Looking at the last two years, here is the list of some of the highest winning percentages:

Becky Lynch (41-13, 77%)
Roman Reigns (41-13, 72%)
Braun Strowman (45-18, 71%)
Cedric Alexander (38-16, 70%)
Seth Rollins (61-26, 70%)
Ricochet (27-13, 68%)
Bayley (45-23, 66%)
Finn Balor (50-32, 61%- the 2nd most Wins, and most total matches)

Prior to turning babyface in July, Kevin Owens had compiled a record of 12-36 over the last two years, a 25% win percentage. Since turning babyface, he has gone 5-2 (71%). During Braun Strowman’s eight week heel run in 2018, he went 2-3 as a heel (40%), and as a face he went 43-15 (74%). After Bayley turned heel on September 2nd, she lost her first match as a heel on September 9th, after only averaging one loss per month over the last two years! I’m assuming she’s also going to lose at Night of Champions, which would mean she’d double her average “loss per month” in two weeks, let alone any other loss after that this month. Alarming!

Let’s look at the other side, the person with the lowest win percentage with at least 30 matches, is Sami Zayn, who has won 5 matches in two years. He has a 15% winning percentage, and 3 of those wins happened around Royal Rumble last year during his feud with AJ Styles involving Kevin Owens, leading to a WWE Title match at Royal Rumble. His only other wins, were a tag match where Owens got the pin at this years Stomping Grounds, and a dirty pinfall over Braun Strowman in a Falls Count Anywhere match where he required interference. After him on the main roster? The aforementioned Kevin Owens, followed by Cesaro, and Andrade, Rusev, and Miz (who was a heel most of 2018).

The problems with this go even deeper than just wins and losses. Why should anyone watch WWE if the same people win every single week? But do they win every week? According to my wrestling database “The Most Complete Wrestling Database Online Project”, let’s go deeper and evaluate main event matches on PPV. Babyfaces have won 18-22 main event matches on PPV since January 2018. Of those 4 wins by heels? Three of them belong to Brock Lesnar, and one belongs to Asuka, who wasn’t a full blown face when she won at TLC 2018 because the match included red hot Becky Lynch. In addition, an additional 7 out of 8 babyface won co-main events (90% match on card rating or higher) on PPV, with the lone exception being Dean Ambrose who defeated Seth Rollins at TLC 2018 (So that’s the ONLY SHOW to see non-faces win not named Brock Lesnar). That’s a babyface win 83% (25-30) of the time in the upper card on major shows, and 96% in matches that don’t involve Brock Lesnar. Overall, babyfaces win 2-3 times as much as the top heels. It seems that if a bad guy DOES win, they lose again the next week or at the next show, which many refer to as “50/50” booking, but as can be seen, things are far from 50/50 on WWE television!

With ratings at an all-time low, is it time for the company to embrace a top bad guy? The Era of John Cena has passed us by, yet, it still seems to linger with new names. In 2019 alone, the most losses belong Drew McIntyre, Cesaro, Samoa Joe, Bobby Lashley, and Baron Corbin. What is wrong with the company? Well, when the bad guys can never win, that completely deflates the point of them being a bad guy. They’re supposed to be cunning and cheat and manipulate so you hate them. You hate them because those qualities lead to win after win, until the good guy finally beats them in an epic encounter, resulting in a huge reaction from fans in a feel good moment. What is there to feel good about when Seth Rollins wins every single week? What is there to feel good about when Becky Lynch wins every single week (besides the fact that shes The Man and she’s the best thing going in WWE and has been for a solid year), but shouldn’t she lose more to make those big wins feel that much important? That’s the problem the company finds themselves in. That is one of the main reasons for ratings being at an all-time low. Chris Benoit’s victory at WrestleMania XX would not have felt as emotional had he already been a six time world champion who always beat Triple H every week, right? That moment lives on in highlight videos and our memories as a great moment because the bad guy…..finally lost.

That does it for this weeks edition of The Weekly Brainbuster! As always, if you enjoyed this article, tell me what your favorite fact from this weeks article was in the comments. Follow me on Twitter “@TMCWDOP”, or you can send me an email at “Matthew.Davis7819@gmail.com”. Until next week!

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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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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