Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: Reasons We Give Wrestlers Free Passes

Today, we look at the top 5 reasons why us wrestling fans might be inclined to issue somebody a free pass.

Published

6 years ago

November 18, 2019

People always tell me that I should be impartial while writing pro wrestling columns. I should judge everybody the same way and never show any favoritism towards anybody. I wonder if anybody in the wrestling writing profession actually does this.

My guess: probably not.

We all have our inherent biases. There are reasons why some people get endless amounts of criticism from people like me while others seem to skate by without notice while being just as bad at their job. People complain that we issue free passes to these folks.

Today, we look at the top 5 reasons why us wrestling fans might be inclined to issue somebody a free pass.

5. We think you’re a good worker

WWE Raw Becky Lynch Natalya

Of course we’re going to be more lenient towards people that we think know what they’re doing in the ring. If there’s a botch in a match between Natalya & Lacey Evans, people are going to blame Lacey because they think Natalya is some kind of a Superworker. If somebody stiffs Becky Lynch in the ring, we’re going to yell & tweet horrible things about how the poor person that did it shouldn’t even be in the ring. If Becky stiffs somebody, it’s just good ol’ Becky working a little snug.

Anytime a “good” worker wrestles a “bad” worker, we’re going to give the one we think is good a pass for anything that goes wrong. Not their fault they have to try & get something out of that other person.

4. We think you’re hot

Scarlett Bordeaux IMPACT Wrestling

We always give a free pass to people we’re attracted to. When that pretty girl tells us that she wasn’t able to go out on that date because her grandmother died, we believe her. Even if she already used that excuse a few times. As somebody that used to do a list ranking women in “Hotness”, it’s pretty easy to figure out why I never really complained about Brie Bella’s botches or why I write columns about how Eva Marie or Scarlett Bordeaux are underrated. I thought they were hot, so I was easier on them than I would be on other people that might have been further down the list.

In fact, I’m pretty sure this is the only reason Chasyn Rance still has a job in the business. Women like working with him, and are willing to turn a blind eye to some of the questionable things he’s done. Dude’s got something they like. Don’t ask me what, but there’s some reason he gets a free pass from some in the Florida area & Kenny Omega.

3. We’re a little afraid of you

New Jack ECW Dive

One guy I never said anything remotely negative about over the years was New Jack. Why? Well, it’s quite simple: the man has multiple justifiable homicides to his credit. Not to mention what he did to Mass Transit or Vic Grimes. Or the dude he stabbed 14 times! Why would I want him mad at me? Anything New Jack ever did was ok with me. Sure, go ahead and stab a dude, Jack. I assume he did something to deserve it.

A current example: Xia Li. She’s pretty stiff in the ring & has recklessly injured at least one person we know of, but most of us aren’t going to say anything about it. Think about it: she’s from China! We start saying mean things about Xia, we’ll have a billion Chinese people mad at us. Maybe even the Chinese government. Who wants to deal with that? I sure don’t!

2. You’re trying to compete with WWE

AEW The Librarian

The idea that nobody likes Goliath is a sham. Plenty of wrestling fans out there will defend anything that Vince McMahon & WWE do to the death. You’ve seen and heard from plenty of them. On the other side of the coin are wrestling fans that will give anybody that tries to compete with WWE plenty of slack to make mistakes & do questionable things. The idea of competition in the wrestling business sometimes means more than the fact of who is trying to provide it.

I’m one of those people that wants competition. Solely relying on WWE for my fix seems problematic during times when the company isn’t providing quality entertainment. I gave TNA plenty of chances to be that competition, more than they deserved. Now we’ve got All Elite Wrestling, and I’m giving them a fair chance too. Some would probably say I’ve been more than fair to them, and they might be right. When you want competition, you’ll give a little leeway to the people trying to provide it, unless they do something so inexcusable you have to dismiss them. And even then you might give them a pass.

1. We liked you when we were kids

WWE Raw Ric Flair The Miz Hulk Hogan

We’ve seen this happen time & again. Old wrestlers do things to make fools of themselves, and we make plenty of excuses for them. Hulk Hogan says racist things after having sex with his friend’s wife? Well the Hulkster’s a product of his time. He didn’t really mean it. Ric Flair makes a drunken spectacle of himself? That’s just the Naitch being the Naitch! Bret Hart’s bitterness doesn’t get much play in Canada or other places off the Internet. There are countless examples, some even involving other wrestlers from years gone by.

I’ll admit to doing all I could to ignore Steve Austin’s domestic issues in the 2000s. Not my proudest moment, but human nature leads to things like that happening. The idea that our childhood heroes are less than perfect can be tough to deal with. That’s why people like Hogan, Flair & Austin will always get work no matter what they do. Their fans wont accept the idea they’re less than perfect. Thus, a free lifetime pass.

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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

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)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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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!

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