Opinion

Will Cody Rhodes Suffer a Betrayal vs. Chris Jericho at AEW ‘Full Gear?’

Chris Jericho will defend the AEW World Championship against Cody Rhodes at Full Gear on Saturday, November 9. The hype for the match has ramped up since Dynamite’s premiere on the TNT Network. Tom Clark continues the story!

Published

6 years ago

October 19, 2019

Tom Clark

Chris Jericho will defend the AEW World Championship against Cody Rhodes at Full Gear on Saturday, November 9. The hype for the match has ramped up since Dynamite’s premiere on the TNT Network.

That hype has seen both men come to blows in the middle of the ring, as tensions are indeed running high. Jericho has surrounded himself with a ring of protection with The Inner Circle of Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz, who been nearly impossible for Rhodes and his allies to overcome. But is one of those allies going to betray Cody on November 9?

It’s the same story that pro wrestling fans have seen for years, but this one has a bit of a twist. Cody is not the champion heading into Full Gear, so a betrayal would not cause him to be dethroned. In that scenario, the traitor would then join, or at least partner with, Jericho and his cohorts.

Instead, the move would immediately push The American Nightmare to the back of the line in terms of title contention. He may be a top star in AEW but in storyline terms, he’s putting himself right into the mix with every other talent on the roster. That was apparent when he claimed that if Sammy Guevara beat him on Dynamite, then Cody would not be challenging Jericho at Full Gear.

The war between The Inner Circle and Rhodes’ army is only just beginning, but it’s clear that if Cody is going to defeat Chris, then he will have to defeat everyone else in the process. The only way for him tot do that is to get a major assist from his friends, one of whom could quite possibly leave him for dead.

The first man that immediately comes to the forefront in any talk of betrayal is Maxwell Jacob Friedman. MJF has been a friend to Cody over the past year, but the friendship was born out of necessity on Friedman’s part. MJF wants to get ahead in AEW and fo him, the best way to do that is by gaining the boss’s trust.

That’s exactly what MJF has done, as Cody fully embraced him into the Nightmare Family. Rhodes’s character has admitted that MJF is not the most trustworthy person in the company, but that hasn’t prevented the two from forming a bond. But while MJF is on his best behavior when Rhodes is watching, fans are seeing something very different when Cody’s back is turned.

MJF doesn’t like anyone and only cares about himself, which he shows every time he’s around anyone that Cody calls a friend. To make matters worse, MJF makes no attempt to hide his disdain for the world at large. In fact, he’s overtly obvious about it to the point that it’s become comical.

But that’s not to suggest that MJF is a joke. He’s extremely entertaining, he stays true to who he is and he’s always in character. MJF is arguably the best heel in the industry today. But he’s not exactly the best heel in AEW—at least not anymore.

The fact is that the AEW faithful have turned MJF babyface. They were already cheering him because of how good he is on the mic. They only booed him because they were playing along with him and having a blast the entire time. But when MJF saved Cody from The Inner Circle on the October 9 edition of Dynamite, he fully accepted the new protagonist role that has been thrust upon him. MJF is now one of the most popular babyfaces in AEW, whether he likes it or not.

Of course this will be a factor moving forward for Friedman, especially at Full Gear. The crowd has fully accepted him as a hero, which typically means a swerve is on the horizon. At the very moment when Cody Rhodes needs him, MJF will not be there and The American Nightmare will ultimately lose the match.

But then there’s the matter of the sheer contempt MJF has for the audience. He hates everyone, that much is certain. However he has indeed been so obvious about it that maybe it’s too transparent to be believed. It’s so obvious that if MJF does betray Cody at Full Gear, then it will not be that much of a surprise. In fact, it will likely not be surprising at all. So if not MJF, then who?

What about Hangman Page? While he’s not exactly been Rhodes’ sidekick like MJF, Page is one of The Elite and that means he’s a friend in Cody’s own inner circle. A betrayal from him at the zero hour of the title match would be huge moment for the Hangman, who could perhaps use a shot of adrenaline after failing to defeat Jericho at All Out. It doesn’t meant that Page would need to join Jericho in the end, but it would surely be a great twist on the situation.

The same cold be said of a betrayal from The Young Bucks. Matt and Nick Jackson are perhaps closer to Cody than anybody, so an attack from them would cut deeper than it would coming from anyone else. But if that “anyone else” is Dustin Rhodes, then the entire situation changes.

The Rhodes brothers have already battled and reconciled, which means that the likelihood of another war between them is probably miniscule. But it’s definitely a route that AEW could take, if the two men wanted to clash once again. Then there’s Kenny Omega, who could be the man to throw Cody to the wolves at Full Gear. Omega’s AEW career has not been the smashing success that many predicted it would be, so maybe he will take his frustrations out on Cody.

But if there is a Judas in Cody’s midst, it’s most likely MJF. A betrayal at Full Gear would mean that MJF is ready to prove his worth as a main event caliber star in the company and he wouldn’t need The Inner Circle to get him there. He and Rhodes could very well have the feud of the year as 2019 comes to a close.

Cody’s character has an uphill battle at Full Gear. Chris Jericho has four guys watching his back and all four are focused on helping him retain his AEW World Championship. Cody has backup as well however, so the feud between both sides may very well continue well past November 9. Whether or not Cody can trust everyone in his backup however, remains to be seen.

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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

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

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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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

Classic POD is WAR

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All Shows On Demand

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

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