Opinion
Chris’s Takes Of NXT 11/06/19
Tonight’s NXT we will witness Damian Priest vs. Pete Dunne but will superstars from Raw or Friday Night SmackDown TakeOver Full Sail Arena? Let’s find out!

Tonight’s NXT we will witness Damian Priest vs. Pete Dunne but will superstars from Raw or Friday Night SmackDown TakeOver Full Sail Arena? Let’s find out!
The OC. Invades Full Sail Arena
We go live as we see video footage of The OC, laying waste to The Undisputed Era outside the arena. Moments later, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson match down to the ring. Styles says for years he’s heard all about NXT well after UE attempted to invade Raw last night, they’ve decided to return the favor.
"Welcome to the main roster."
You heard him, O.C.
💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤#WWENXT @NXTCiampa pic.twitter.com/nsDU79JsNL
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
Wait just a minute boys… Daddy’s home as “The Greatest Sports Entertainer Of All Time” Tommaso Ciampa interrupted. The former NXT Champion traded barbs with the leader welcoming them to the “real” main roster. Styles says “Are we supposed to be afraid of you?” Nope, but Matt Riddle and Keith Lee and Ciampa are ready to kick their asses in the main event tonight!!!
Opinion: Words cannot describe how awesome this was! For years, it’s only been a fantasy from both the WWE and the NXT Universe for AJ Styles and The Good Brothers to come down to Full Sail well tonight it became a reality. Styles is one of the best talkers on the mic and for him and Tommaso Ciampa to trade barbs that was incredible.
A HUGE main event will take place now and I am going to love every minute of it! There is one question though, did The OC., come alone or did some other superstars from Raw come too?
Damian Priest vs. Pete Dunne
Will “The Archer of Infamy” continue to play games with “The Bruiserweight” or will Priest leave with his fingers dislocated?
The match started red-hot as both competitors attempted their finishers but we’re unsuccessful. After their first encounter Priest and Dunne have done their homework. The match continued with the young up-and-comer punishing the inaugural NXT UK Champion with a Falcon Arrow for a near-fall. Dunne missed a moonsault on the outside and Priest chokeslammed him on the apron.
😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰@ArcherOfInfamy @PeteDunneYxB #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/60Q3gBuRAf
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
The Bruiserweight caught his opponent off the top rope with a stiff right hand. Priest flew to the skies with a stunning Senton wiping out Dunne. Both competitors made their way back into the ring and engaged in a slugfest that knocked both men out. Priest went for another Chokeslam but Dunne countered into a high kick. Priest delivered a thunderous Crucifix Bomb for another near-fall. The Archer of Infamy had no choice but to tap-out when The Bruiserweight pulled his fingers back.
After the match, Killian Dain blindsided Dune blasting him in the corner. Priest appeared to make the save but just pummeled Dunne. “The Beast of Belfast” obliterated anyone in his path and delivered a Cannonball to The Archer of Infamy!
.@KillianDain makes his presence felt and absolutely FLATTENS @PeteDunneYxB and @ArcherOfInfamy on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/uLOqM7qgFZ
— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2019
Opinion: This was a hard-hitting match with some explosive offense from both competitors. Dunne made Priest look like an absolute monster here. The Archer of Infamy is nobody to sleep on and continues to showcase his raw aggression more and more each week. The Bruiserweight finally getting the tap-out victory was the right move here as he didn’t get pinned clean so he didn’t lose any momentum in my book. Dunne will now have his work cut out for him against The Beast of Belfast. Where Priest goes from here is uncertain but make no mistake his name will go down in the history books.
Backstage Dakota Kai is warming up for her match against the NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler tonight when Cathy Kelly arrived. Kai said that she was afraid of Baszler but she’s not now and she’ll prove it tonight!
Taynara vs. Santana Garrett
This was Garrett’s NXT tv debut and wow did she make an impact. She took the fight to the Brazilian specialist with a huge arsenal of submissions and near-falls. Taynara answered back with a nasty-looking overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
Garrett who was dressed as a superhero mounted a comeback as you would see in a movie delivering high-octane offense. She missed a springboard moonsault and Taynara answered back with a vicious Brazilian kick to the head for the victory.
Opinion: I’m shocked that Taynara picked up the win here especially in Garrett’s debut match. The WWE Universe was on fire for Garrett as she beat Taynara in her own game of submissions. She definitely impressed me and I am hoping she can showcase more offense in her future contests. The Brazilian specialist hasn’t had much momentum in her run in NXT perhaps, this win will help her ascend to the top of the women’s division.
ITS OFFICIAL!!!
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️@NXTCiampa, @SuperKingOfBros, & @RealKeithLee vs. @AJStylesOrg, @KarlAndersonWWE, & @LukeGallowsWWE
TONIGHT on #WWENXT!
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/98QI0XINjx
— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2019
A small vignette aired hyping “The Premier Athlete” Tony Nese to the NXT Universe ahead of his Cruiserweight match tonight.
Backstage we saw “The Queen of Spades” warming up with Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke for her match up next. Another vignette aired this time it was for the Lucha Libre superstar Angel Garza.
Dakota Kai vs. Shayna Baszler
The match started with the always-overconfident NXT Women’s Champion bullying Kai into the corner but things are different since their last encounter as “The Captain of Team Kick” is no longer afraid of Baszler. Kai even faked-out the champ with her signature running kick but stopped, playing mind games with The Queen of Spades. Baszler finally went on the offense after she slammed Kai into the ring post.
Instead of targeting the arm as the Women’s Champion did in their past, The Queen of Spades viciously stomped her rival’s right knee as we headed to commercial. Baszler continued the onslaught until The Captain of Team Kick delivered a series of clotheslines and kicks to her rival.
“War is when the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter to fight each other.” #ForgottenSons #wwenxt @WWENXT @WWE @USA_Network
— Steve Cutler (@SteveCutlerWWE) November 7, 2019
The Women’s Champion executed a thunderous gutwrench suplex from the top-rope as both women fell to a heap. After a fantastic slugfest and more hard-hitting offense, The Submission Magician locked in the Kirafuda Clutch for the tap-out victory.
After the match, Shafir and Duke engaged in a two-on-one beatdown to Kai. It appeared that Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, and Tegan Nox were making the save until they were ambushed by Io Shirai and Bianca Belair. The HBIC Mia Yim with a kendo stick in hand came out blasting anyone in her path.
SHE'S THAT #HBIC!!!!@MiaYim just CLEANED UP this brawl! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/KAOiAc4oV0
— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2019
Opinion: Kai even in defeat looked completely unstoppable contrary to any other time she’s come face-to-face with Baszler. She brought the fight to the NXT Women’s Champion tonight in a hard-hitting affair and I don’t think Baszler was prepared for that.
The Submission Magician has truly grown as an in-ring performer, she was incredible in selling for her long-time rival and she deserves serious props for that. The brawl between all the women was great to see. The question remains though, who will be the final members of both teams heading into the first-ever Women’s WarGames Match?
Backstage Ciampa is being interviewed by Cathy Kelly ahead of their colossal six-man tag match. The Greatest Sports Entertainer Of All Time said that they left the door wide open for The OC! This main event might be the biggest in NXT history!
A vignette aired about Isaiah “Swerve” Scott declaring that Swerve is confidence.
Tony Nese vs. Angel Garza: Winner gets a Cruiserweight Championship Title Shot Next Week
Can The Premier Athlete bounce back to the top with a big victory tonight?
Both competitors started off in a battle of oneupsmanship over some fantastic counters and mat skills. The match continued as both amazing high-flyers delivered high-octane action that wowed the NXT Universe. Nese did his signature arm flex pose and Garza attempted to do his pose stripping down but was shut down. A slap fest ensued that looked very nasty with both competitors risking it all for a title shot.
Garza sent Nese to the outside but remained on the apron but the Lucha Libre superstar hit a wrecking ball dropkick to knock him down. Garza then delivered a picture-perfect moonsault wiping out his opponent on the outside.
High risk: Always.
Pants: Optional.@AngelGarzaWwe #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/zQpyxbvQWf— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
The Premier Athlete went back on offense with his unique arsenal of maneuvers including a tornado DDT on the floor. Nese took the young up-and-comer down with a stiff right hand and delivered a stunning 450 Splash for a near-fall. The Premier Athlete may have six abs but the Lucha Libre superstar clipped his wings with The WingClipper for the 1.2.3!
After the match, the NXT Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush came out to shake his number-one contender’s hand but all he received was a HUGE slap to the face!
From 😇➡👿 real quick.@itsLioRush defends the NXT #CruiserweightTitle against @AngelGarzaWwe next week on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/tIneQqF5E1
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
Opinion: What a match! From start to finish this one was crazy with both high-flyers giving it their all for a Cruiserweight Championship title shot next week. Nese went toe-to-toe with one of the hottest rising stars in NXT today but came up short again. How can The Premier Athlete get back on a winning streak after consecutive losses?
Garza delivered a terrific performance tonight hitting the former Cruiserweight Champion with everything in his arsenal. The Lucha Libre superstar is a sight to behold and he’s only twenty-seven years old. The right man won this match since Nese has already had his time with the title but it was a flop so it was short-lived.
Backstage Cathy Kelly caught up with Rhea Ripley and the rest of her team. She inquired on who will be the final member of her team? The Australian picked Mia Yim and told Kai that she was sorry she just didn’t make the cut.
Isaiah “Swerve” Scott vs. Dominic Dijakovic
The match started with both competitors jockeying for position as Swerve targeted the big man’s arm and utilized a unique dancing counter followed by copying Dijakovic ‘s “Feast Your Eyes” taunt. The big man responded throwing Swerve around like a rag toy.
The POWER of @DijakovicWWE!!!! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/2V8C0oQGNJ
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
Dijakovic slowed the pace down methodical dissecting the young up-and-comer. Swerve avoided some hard-hitting offense with a German suplex. He followed it up with a hard stuff knee in the corner and a stunning tornado DDT for a long near-fall.
Dijakovic went for Feast Your Eyes but Swerve magnificently countered it for a 2.9 count. Towards the end of the match, the big man grabbed his opponent by the chin pulling him up but Swerve got the best of him sending him to the outside. The amazing young up-and-comer delivered a thunderous double-stomp on the apron. After a series of vicious lariats from Dijokovac and terrific kicks from Swerve, the big man finished his opponent off with Feast Your Eyes for the hard-fought victory!
#FeastYourEyes on THIS.@DijakovicWWE wins the war against @swerveconfident on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/IbjmnCAQqy
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
Opinion: Swerve delivered one hell of a performance tonight going toe-to-toe with Dijakovic . He may young but damn he can mix it with the biggest and brightest superstars. His counters and reversals were insane, his execution of maneuvers was crisp and spot on. He continues to prove why he’s one of the hottest rising stars on the black and gold brand. I thought for a second he was going to get the victory when he countered Feast Your Eyes!
Dijakovic the former NCAA football All-American is fascinating to watch as well. His brute strength is scary and the way he hurls his opponents around like a sack of potatoes makes you cringe. His lariats look brutal and he flies around the ring like a Cruiserweight. Dijakovic is making his way to the top of the food chain one impressive victory at a time.
A HUGE match announced for next week…Shut up and take my money!!!
Stakes so high, we needed to bring out the ladders.@shirai_io vs. @MiaYim, NEXT WEEK on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/mnmmzqBukw
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 7, 2019
Main Event: The OC., vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, and Matt Riddle
The OC. is out first followed by Riddle, Lee, and Ciampa. A huge brawl ensued with everyone fighting all over the ring until the official gains control. The match started with Styles and Ciampa beating the hell out of each other.
Allow us to formally introduce @FullSail to @AJStylesOrg:#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/LZlJqdMa4G
— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2019
Ciampa countered but the United States Champion caught him with a stunning dropkick. Back in the ring, Ciampa delivered Willow’s Bell for a long near-fall. Ciampa makes the tag to Lee and in comes Gallows. The two behemoths charged towards each other with shoulder tackles but no one went down. Lee utilized his quick speed to counter and deliver a thunderous pounce that sent Gallows on the outside.
All three members of the OC., isolated Ciampa with quick tags and even cutting off an attempt to get to Riddle or Lee. Finally, after a stiff knee Ciampa tags in Riddle who explodes like a missile blasting anyone that moves with wicked kicks and Brotons.
Full-on chaos erupts as all three members of both teams brawl outside the ring. Lee inadvertently struck the official when he delivered a ferocious pounce to Styles. Ciampa came back in and set up for the Fairytale Ending but Finn Balor’s music distracted him. “The Prince” shocked the NXT Universe as he executed a vicious DDT on the ramp to “The Original Bro.”
Styles threw up the two-sweet gesture and Balor threw up the guns gesture.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!?!?!?@AJStylesOrg @FinnBalor #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/HY6x5hgBt9
— WWE (@WWE) November 7, 2019
The NXT Champion emerged out of nowhere to deliver a massive Superkick to Styles and The Last Shot to Ciampa. The show ended with Balor and the leader of UE smiling at each other.
Opinion: There is a ton to unpack here. In my opinion, this was one of the greatest main events in NXT history and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The OC. and Ciampa, Lee, and Riddle went to war for brand supremacy. It was a perfect mixture of high-octane action and methodical dissection from the Raw superstars. Riddle continues to showcase why he’s in the same main event level as Cole, Ciampa, and Johnny Gargano. The next step in the rise of The Original Bro should be winning the tag team titles with his buddy Lee.
Lee is a freak he should not be able to execute the insane maneuvers that he continues to. He has the agility of a Cruiserweight that allows him to fly all over the ring and his massive pounces are a sight to behold. Styles and company felt completely at home inside Full Sail. I’m waiting to hear their response to the amazing NXT Universe. It’s a different atmosphere than the WWE Universe.
The ending was spectacular as we’ve seen in the past, NXT leaves you anxiously waiting to tune into the next week. It’s something that the WWE creative writing team should take note of. Balor wait I’m sorry…Prince Devitt continues to shock everyone with his slow-paced heel turn. Nobody knows what to expect next from the former Raw superstar. Is he aligning with The UE? Or is he in cahoots with The OC? It’s the small little things that speak volumes and NXT always does it best!
Summary: Another terrific episode with some great hard-hitting matches while adding layers to the developments heading into Survivor Series. Two of my favorites were Swerve vs. Dijakovic and Kai vs. Baszler I felt like those superstars told an incredible story between the ropes.
Right now, the best way to end all of WWE programming is chaotic and pandemonium leaving the audience craving more. Something that makes NXT special is how they set everything up for you to tune in next week to see what happens next. AEW definitely has its hands full this week, and that’s putting it lightly!
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Opinion
Chairshot Staff Picks: WrestleMania 41 Las Vegas
Time for The Chairshot personalities to put their money where their mouths are! WreslteMania 41 predictions from the “expert” staff at TheChairshot.com and Chairshot Radio Network.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Chairshot Staff Picks. And what better setting than WrestleMania for this article to return! This 41st edition has one of the most stacked rosters in WWE history. So, without further ado, let us get to the predictions and prognostications…
- AJ – The New Day
- Andrew – The New Day – No one seems to hold tag titles long anymore.
- Dave – The New Day – They have earned it.
- DJ – The New Day – Feel tha Powah!
- DPP – War Raiders – Big E distraction.
- Jason – The New Day – We are not getting E in a working capacity though everyone wants it.
- Patrick – The New Day – WWE doesn’t care about this match, so why should I?
- Rey – The New Day – Its a New Day, bruh.
- Rob – The New Day – New Day rocks and wins!
- Greg – The New Day – New. Day wins. New. Day wins!
Tunney’s Take: War Machine – Yes, WAR MACHINE. I have personally had the pleasure of throwing back a few cold ones with these guys on more than one occasion. Not only being tag champs in WWE but defending the titles at Mania and against The New Day is really cool for me as a long-time fan. Would it be fun to see The New Day have another title run.. YES. I think it’s smarter to give the War Raiders a big Mania W.
Chairshot Pick: THE NEW DAY 9-2
- AJ – Jade Cargill
- Andrew – Jade Cargill – She needs to stay a dominant force.
- Dave – Jade Cargill – Gotta gear her up for the long term.
- DJ – No contest – Naomi puts another beat down on Jade.
- DPP – Jade Cargill – Nervous for how this match will go.
- Jason – Naomi – Way more runway with Naomi as a bad guy. Keep it going!
- Patrick – Jade Cargill – Jade gets her revenge.
- Rey – Jade Cargill – Best non-title feud going. Naomi should win but Jade sneaks by.
- Rob – Naomi – Naomi gets help to win.
- Greg – Jade Cargill – They ain’t beating Jade here.
Tunney’s Take: Jade Cargill – I imagine WWE sees Jade’s ceiling much higher than Naomi’s. What better way to keep Jade climbing the ladder towards a World Title than to pick up a decisive victory in Vegas!
Chairshot Pick: Jade Cargill 8-2-1
- AJ – Jacob Fatu – “AJ does a pretty good LA Knight impersonation” – PC Tunney
- Andrew – Jacob Fatu – I’m biased, Jacob for President.
- Dave – Jacob Fatu – Getting gold back in the Bloodline is smart.
- DJ – Jacob Fatu
- DPP – Jacob Fatu
- Jason – Jacob Fatu – Thanks for coming pal, YEAH!
- Patrick – Jacob Fatu
- Rey – Jacob Fatu – C’mon cuz! All gas no brakes with it. Yadadamean??
- Rob – LA Knight – Solo costs Jacob.
- Greg – LA Knight – Solo screws Jacob.
Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – It has been quite the journey for the Samoan Werewolf. I feel like that journey and the positive turn around it has taken deserves to be rewarded. Let’s see what Jacob can do on his own. Plus, LA Knight is ready to challenge for a World Title.
Chairshot Pick: Jacob Fatu 9-2
- AJ – Tiffany Straton
- Andrew – Tiffany Straton – I hate Charlotte Flair, no objectivity here.
- Dave – Charlotte Flair – Tiffy might be the future, but she kinda failed the litmus test.
- DJ – Charlotte Flair – The Queen crowns the freshman.
- DPP – Tiffany Stratton
- Jason – Charlotte Flair – Tiff wasn’t ready for this spot. Charnos is inevitable.
- Patrick – Charlotte Flair – Lol Charlotte wins.
- Rey – Charlotte Flair – Tiffany SHOULD win but, if Charlotte can squash, she will.
- Rob – Charlotte Flair – Charlotte gets number 15.
- Greg – Tiffany Stratton – Lol Charlotte wins. (Actually she doesn’t)
Tunney’s Take: Charlotte Flair – Charlotte needs the title for the first time in her career. Tiffy has had a nice run but now needs to take that all important step of not losing momentum after losing the title. Despite the drama and lackluster build here, I see a really good match coming this weekend from these two.
Chairshot Pick: Charlotte Flair 7-4
- AJ – El Grande Americano
- Andrew – El Grande Americano – I’d like to see Gable gain some momentum. Rey is Teflon.
- Dave – El Grand Americano – He needs a marque win much more than Rey.
- DJ – Rey Mysterio
- DPP – El Grande Americano – Grande wins with the switcheroo to prove he is not Gable.
- Jason – Rey Mysterio – Unmask Grande at the end. It is fun but has a shelf life.
- Patrick – El Grande Americano – TOTALLY NOT CHAD GABLE
- Rey – Rey Mysterio – Someone’s mask is coming off and it ain’t Rey.
- Rob – El Grande Americano
- Greg – Rey Mysterio – Hall of Famer wins but doesn’t take the mask.
Tunney’s Take: Rey Mysterio – Go listen to DWI 471. DP, Greg and I lay out exactly what this match should be, FUN! Multiple Americanos!!!
Chairshot Pick: El Grande Americano 6-5
- AJ – Jey Uso
- Andrew – Jey Uso – Kinda booked themselves into a corner here.
- Dave – Jey Uso – It just makes sense.
- DJ – Jey Uso – Jey YEETS all over The Ring Genreal.
- DPP – Jey Uso – Jey wins after normal Gunther beating.
- Jason – Jey Uso – Land the plane man. YEET
- Patrick – Jey Uso – Jey has earned this one.
- Rey – Jey Uso – YEEEEEEEEEEEET!
- Rob – Jey Uso – YEET
- Greg – Jey Uso – If Jey loses we riot. We don’t cause he wins.
Tunney’s Take: Jey Uso – ‘Til sweat drop down my balls, ‘Til all these bitches crawl, ‘Til all… YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chairshot Pick: Jey Uso 11-0
- AJ – Roman Reigns
- Andrew – Seth Rollins – I can see Rollins being the last piece of Team Rock.
- Dave – Roman Reigns – I can’t see Roman losing two years in a row.
- DJ – Seth Rollins – Paul Heyman is a Seth Freakin Rollins guy.
- DPP – Seth Rollins – The Rock helps Rollins.
- Jason – Roman Reigns – Seth’s favor is a red herring. Make-A-Wish Brooks got his main, now look at the lights.
- Patrick – Seth Rollins – Seth Rollins… Paul Heyman guy.
- Rey – Seth Rollins – I smeeeeellllllll a new soul to sell.
- Rob – Roman Reigns – Paul Heyman helps Roman win.
- Greg – Seth Rollins – Brock Lesnar returns to help Seth win.
Tunney’s Take: CM Punk – I really have no idea here. I picked Punk because nobody else did. This is going to be professional wrestling cinema at its finest. The story is thick and neatly woven. All the participants are legends and so are the potential party crashers. Will The Rock stick his nose in here? Will Brock Lesnar return to play a factor? Obviously, Paul Heyman has a Plan A… but what is it? All these questions and more will be answered Saturday as night 1 will definitely go out with a bang!
Chairshot Pick: Seth Rollins 6-4-1
- AJ – Iyo Sky
- Andrew – Iyo Sky – Rhea vs Bianca doesn’t need a belt to be compelling.
- Dave – Rhea Ripley – Going with Rhea barely, hoping Iyo wins.
- DJ – Iyo Sky – Unfinished business.
- DPP – Iyo Sky – Rhea and Bianca are too consumed with each other.
- Jason – Iyo Sky – More layers to Rhea/Bianca. Iyo rules.
- Patrick – Iyo Sky – Iyo stole the build and gets the win.
- Rey – Iyo Sky – Smart money is on the underdog champ.
- Rob – Iyo Sky – Iyo survives.
- Greg – Bianca Belair – Naomi helps Bianca win and turn heel.
Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – Rhea is the best women’s wrestler in the world. Give her the biggest win on the grandest stage of them all!!! Bianca needs to go full heel. Iyo has been amazing in this build.
Chairshot Pick: Iyo Sky 8-2-1
- AJ – Dominik Mysterio
- Andrew – Finn Balor – I can see a Judgement Day meltdown incoming.
- Dave – Bron Breakker – Bron is about to become a MegaStar.
- DJ – Bron Breakker – Judgement Day implodes.
- DPP – Dominik Mysterio – Finn take the pin.
- Jason – Penta – I literally do not care because the winner is us, the fans.
- Patrick – Bron Breakker – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
- Rey – Dominik Mysterio – Only match without a clear winner. I choose chaos.
- Rob – Bron Breakker – Finn and Dom cancel each other out.
- Greg – Dominik Mysterio – Dom steals the pin from Bron, on Finn.
Tunney’s Take: Bron Breakker – The case can be made for any of these four to walk away with the most prestigious non-World title in pro wrestling history. The short of it is though that the Main Event picture isn’t really readily accessible for Breakker right now. Let this IC reign go through the summer, to SummerSlam.
Chairshot Pick: Bron Breakker 5-4-1-1
- AJ – Damian Priest – “AJ does a pretty good Drew impersonation” – PC Tunney
- Andrew – Drew McIntyre – Priest has not been interesting in this face incarnation.
- Dave – Drew McIntyre – Time for Drew to get that win back.
- DJ – Fuck finish – To be continued at Backlash.
- DPP – Drew McIntyre – Physical matchup!
- Jason – Drew McIntyre – Either one is fine here.
- Patrick – Drew McIntyre – With two eyes, Drew turns the tide.
- Rey – Drew McIntyre – Low key match of the weekend.
- Rob – Damien Priest
- Greg – Damien Priest – Priest wins, Drew tweets about it half hour later.
Tunney’s Take: Drew McIntyre – With the addition of the Street fight rules, these two behemoths have a really good chance to have one of the best matches of the entire weekend (winks at Rey Ca$h-A-Mania)! I do wonder what is next for both of these talents moving forward. Priest has staled since leaving the Judgement Day and Drew seems stuck in the same cycle for a while now. Very interested to see what the summer holds for this pair.
Chairshot Pick: Drew McIntyre 7-3-1
WHO WILL BE RANDY’S OPPONENT?!?
- AJ – Nick Aldis – Orton wins
- Andrew – Orton and Aldis vs Solo and Tama – Orton and Aldis win
- Dave – Someone is getting an RKO!
- DJ – A segment w/ the Wyatt s6cks.
- DPP – Rusev – Aldis introduces Rusev who defeats Orton.
- Jason – Nick Aldis – You got one more in ya, bubba. Aldis wins!
- Patrick – Nick Aldis
- Rey – Solo then Rusev – Solo in a squash and Rusev MATCHKA(wins)
- Rob – Nick Aldis – Aldis proves himself, Orton wins.
- Greg – Nick Aldis – Orton beats Aldis, they shake after.
Tunney’s Take: I would really love to see a singles match between Orton and Aldis. More likely this is some type of involvement with Solo and Tama. Rusev as a surprise challenger would be cool but, I feel that would be better left for RAW. An impromptu Goldberg retirement match would be crazy and fun, yet highly unlikely and illogical. Whatever happens, best believe exactly what Dave Ungar said, “Someone is getting an RKO!”.
- AJ – Logan Paul
- Andrew – AJ Styles – Logan doesn’t need the rub and should stay upper mid card.
- Dave – Logan Paul – It’s the smart move and would be a statement win for Paul.
- DJ – Logan Paul – Kross gets involved somewhere.
- DPP – AJ Styles – AJ wins a great high-flying match.
- Jason – AJ Styles – Just enjoy it or get a beer, nerds.
- Patrick – Logan Paul – Logan Paul will main-event Mania sooner than later…
- Rey – Logan Paul – Pass the torch, my wily vet.
- Rob – Logan Paul – Kross helps Paul win.
- Greg – AJ Styles – Styles wins after Paul’s cheating backfires.
Tunney’s Take: Logan Paul – Logan seems to really have dedicated himself to becoming great in this business. Anyone with that type of goal must have a World title on their mind. Beating AJ at Mania will be a great springboard for Logan into the Main Event sooner than later (winks at Patrick O’Dowd).
Chairshot Pick: Logan Paul 7-4
- AJ – Liv & Raquel
- Andrew – Liv & Raquel – Not really a fan of Lyra, she needs more work.
- Dave – Liv & Raquel – This Bayley and Lyra team makes no damn sense.
- DJ – Liv & Raquel – Bayley crashes out.
- DPP – Liv & Raquel – Bayley continues a potential heel turn tease.
- Jason – Bayley & Lyra – Finish the story!
- Patrick – Bayley & Lyra – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
- Rey – Liv and Raquel – Bayley want a title but it ain’t the ones in this match.
- Rob – Liv & Raquel – Champs retain.
- Greg – Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel retain thanks to Carlito and maybe JD.
Tunney’s Take: Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel need to be kept as the cornerstone of the women’s tag division for a lengthier period of time. Building tag teams in this division is difficult enough, let alone without a North Star.
Chairshot Pick: Liv & Raquel 9-2
- AJ – Cody Rhodes
- Andrew – Cody Rhodes – They are mentioning it so much, I don’t think 17 happens.
- Dave – Joh Cena – Record falls and we head to summer with a built-in storyline.
- DJ – John Cena – Some kind of Final Boss involvement.
- DPP – John Cena – Cena wins and retires on RAW.
- Jason – John Cena – Story’s over, “Captain” BIG MATCH JOHN.
- Patrick – John Cena – A record breaking night for Cena.
- Rey – John Cena – They’d be really stupid to turn John just to lose. (Post-Mania: Rock, Cena, T Scott, Seth & Drew, TEAM Corporate)
- Rob – Cody Rhodes – Cody surprises us with the W.
- Greg – Cody Rhodes – Cody wins to piss off Rock and set the table for Cena to turn back face. Crowd is behind Cena all the way through.
Tunney’s Take: Cody Rhodes – They had me until the threat of retirement. Been there. Done that. Didn’t fall in love with it back then. I love John Cena. I love this final run. John will get his 17th just not here. I expect nothing less than an absolute GEM of a match here to close WrestleMania 41. This has all been, is, and will continue to be about Cody Rhodes. WM40 defeats Roman Reigns. WM41 defeats John Cena. WM42 defeats The Rock (The Final Boss).
Chairshot Pick: John Cena 6-5
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 wait all year for this 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
For the latest, greatest and up to datest in coverage, opinions, and podcasts ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit TheCharishot.com
Prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot plenty of GREAT t-shirt designs! Makes an awesome gift!!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast / The Oddity… Keeping the news ridiculous!
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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
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
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Blog
DeMarco: Top 5 Non-Title WrestleMania Matches In WWE History
Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show & defined legacies. #WrestleMania #WWEHistory

Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show and defined legacies.
WrestleMania is the Showcase Of The Immortals, but it’s not always the championship matches that steal the show—or define careers. In fact, some of the most iconic, business-defining, and emotionally resonant contests at the Grandest Stage of Them All didn’t feature a title at all. These matches succeeded because of character work, in-ring execution, and the kind of storytelling that sells tickets and moves merch.
Here are the five best non-title matches in WrestleMania history—at least, according to me!
5. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania X8 (2002)
This was never going to be a five-star technical clinic—but it was always going to be the moment. “Icon vs. Icon” was a tagline, sure, but it was also the reality: the biggest star of the ‘80s vs. the biggest star of the Attitude Era. And Toronto turned it into magic. Hogan walked in a heel but walked out immortal (again), with the SkyDome shaking on every punch, every look, every gesture.
What made this work was its self-awareness. Rock and Hogan read the crowd and flipped roles mid-match—Rock became the arrogant aggressor while Hogan Hulked Up to thunderous applause. It’s not often a non-title match headlines a card emotionally the way this one did, but it dominated every headline and highlight reel.
4. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania X (1994)
Sibling rivalries don’t usually lead to technical masterpieces, but then again, this wasn’t your average family drama. Owen and Bret opened WrestleMania X with a wrestling clinic that stood tall over a night packed with title changes. Owen needed to prove he was more than Bret’s little brother, and he did it by out-wrestling the best wrestler in the company. Clean. One-two-three.
It wasn’t just a great match—it was perfect storytelling. Owen’s victory, contrasted with Bret’s later world title win, set the tone for an entire year of brother-vs-brother tension. Bret became champion, but Owen had the moral victory—and all the bragging rights. This is proof that opening matches can steal the show.
3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25 (2009)
If WrestleMania moments could be trademarked, this match would be the reason why. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels wasn’t about championships—it was about legacy. Michaels wanted to be the man who ended The Streak. The build was steeped in biblical imagery: light vs. dark, heaven vs. hell. And the match? Pure perfection. Each man brought everything they had—near-falls, psychology, reversals that had 70,000+ people gasping in unison.
It was 30 minutes of generational storytelling that transcended pro wrestling. And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t even the main event. Yet it dwarfed everything that followed. Meltzer gave it 4.75 stars, fans gave it their hearts, and WWE gave it a sequel the next year. A match so good it forced the company to run it back—because lightning actually struck.
Now, if THIS MATCH is #3, what could possible be #2 and #1…
2. Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (1997)
This wasn’t just a match—it was the turning point of an era. The Submission Match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin was as violent as it was poetic, with Ken Shamrock enforcing the rules and the Chicago crowd growing more frenzied by the second. The brilliance? The shift. Bret Hart, the traditionalist hero, grew darker and more self-righteous by the second, while the disrespectful anti-hero Austin refused to quit, even when drowning in his own blood. There was no title on the line, but the stakes felt bigger than gold.
The infamous double turn changed the business. Austin’s defiance turned him into the voice of a new generation of fans—blue collar, anti-authority, Attitude Era. Meanwhile, Bret would go on to lead the heel Hart Foundation. WWE didn’t need a championship to create a moment that catapulted Austin into superstardom and ignited the company’s hottest era. This match is business-first booking at its absolute best.
1. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21 (2005)
Dream matches often disappoint. This one didn’t. At WrestleMania 21, Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle went hold-for-hold and spot-for-spot with Mr. WrestleMania himself, and together they delivered a masterclass in in-ring psychology. Every sequence had stakes, every near-fall had meaning. It was a stylistic war: Michaels’ heart vs. Angle’s intensity.
Angle forcing Michaels to tap was a statement—it told fans that pure wrestling, not just spectacle, could still main-event caliber storytelling without any need for a title. Michaels sold the ankle lock like death, and Angle’s post-match collapse sold the moment as a hard-fought war. This is the kind of match that keeps purists up at night, smiling, and leaves the storytelling fans like myself as happy as can be!
10 Honorable Mentions (Not Honorable, Just For The Heck Of It)
-
Edge vs. Mick Foley – WrestleMania 22 (2006)
A hardcore war that solidified Edge as a top-tier main eventer. That flaming table spear is still played in every Edge highlight reel. -
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon – WrestleMania 33 (2017)
Everyone expected smoke and mirrors—what they got was a surprisingly technical, high-energy opener that kicked off the show right. -
The Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (2012)
“End of an Era” wasn’t just a tagline. The Hell in a Cell match, with HBK as referee, was a brutal epilogue to a generation’s legacy. -
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho – WrestleMania XIX (2003)
A student-teacher battle of wills. Jericho’s low blow post-match was the perfect heel punctuation to a career-defining contest. -
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins – WrestleMania 31 (2015)
The greatest RKO of all time. That curb stomp reversal belongs in a museum. -
Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show – WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
More sports-entertainment than wrestling, but a crossover moment that made mainstream headlines and paid off with a great finish. -
Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis – WrestleMania III (1987)
A retirement match with big heat, a hot crowd, and Piper walking off into the sunset (for a minute). -
The Firefly Funhouse Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – WrestleMania 36 (2020)
Cinematic weirdness at its best. A meta masterstroke that broke Cena down in layers. -
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison – WrestleMania 37 (2021)
Bad Bunny stunned everyone. He didn’t just belong—he elevated the show. -
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio – WrestleMania 39 (2023)
Father vs. son in a grudge match that played perfectly off real-life drama and Hall of Fame weekend emotions.
Some of these matches shaped legacies. Others shifted eras. But all of them proved that the most memorable moments at WrestleMania don’t need a title—they just need truth in the storytelling and fire in the execution.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
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
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!