Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: Wrestling Captains

As captains seek to lead their teams to victory at Survivor Series, Steve Cook takes a look back at wrestling’s Top 5 Captains!

Published

6 years ago

November 19, 2019

Steve Cook

As captains seek to lead their teams to victory at Survivor Series, Steve Cook takes a look back at wrestling’s Top 5 Captains!

This is the time of year where every WWE Superstar is bickering over who the captain of their Survivor Series team is. I’ve never really understood this. Sure, back in the day when the teams had cool names like Roddy’s Rowdies, The Perfect Team & such, it was important to be team captain so your name would be the basis of the team name. Now? It’s just lame crap like “Team Raw” or “Team SmackDown”. And you’re just teaming for one night anyway. Odds are you’ll be wrestling against most of your teammates within a month. If you’re on a Team NXT, you’ll probably be wrestling against your teammates the night before and a few nights after.

What does it matter being “captain” for one night? It’s not even like your teammates are going to listen to you! Fans complain all the time about this “brand supremacy” stuff, but at least some people occasionally act like they care about it. Who the “team captain” is doesn’t matter unless you’re playing hockey. And even then there’s like a whole “leadership group” filled with half the team. I’ve always figured that only serves to piss off the veterans that aren’t given a letter to put on their jersey.

Listen, some of your favorite wrestlers are going to spend their week arguing about who the captain of their team is. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t mean a hill of beans. The only captains that matter in pro wrestling are in this column. They are the Top 5 Wrestling Captains.

5. Captain USA

When you were as big as John Studd was, you had a pretty good chance of being a star in pro wrestling. Early on in his career, Studd wrestled under several different personas, a couple of them coming with different masks. One of them was Captain USA, who from what I can tell appeared mainly in the Houston area during 1977. Oddly enough, there’s record of Big John Studd appearing in the Dallas area at the same time, so the guy was working multiple gimmicks in the same state. I mean, Texas is a big place and TV wasn’t what it is now, so I could see it working back then.

At the end of the day, he made the right move sticking with the John Studd character. Captain USA was asking for a lawsuit from Stan Lee at some point.

4. “Captain Redneck” Dick Murdoch

If you look up the word “redneck” in the dictionary, you’ll probably see Dick Murdoch’s picture next to it. He was a mean ol’ cuss that you didn’t want to get on the bad side of. Murdoch was legitimately a United States Marine, and we’ll all take his word for it that he was a captain. We’ll also take his word for it that the communists would have taken over if not for him.

Murdoch was an interesting case. He could have one of the best matches on any card. He could also have one of the worst, depending on what kind of mood he was in. Rednecks are like that sometimes.

3. Captain Mike Rotunda

Rotunda’s collegiate wrestling experience at Syracuse University made him a perfect fit for Kevin Sullivan’s Varsity Club. After a brief disagreement with Rick Steiner, Rotunda was eventually named Captain of the squad after Steiner lost some matches and the confidence of his teammates. The Club had a decent run of a year & half or so before splitting up, and Rotunda was left with a useless captainship.

Or was it?

Rotunda took some time off after the VC split and came back as the captain of a boat. A boat! He even had a first mate, good ol’ Norman the Lunatic. Abdullah the Butcher was also part of the crew, which makes one wonder how the ship ever survived a voyage. When you can pivot from being captain of a wrestling team to captain of a boat, you deserve to be on this list.

2. “Captain Charisma” Christian

Christian

These days, Christian seems to be more remembered as Edge’s tag team partner. It would be a shame if people forgot the run that helped put him on the map as a singles competitor. He had had problems finding himself after splitting up with Edge, but once he became Captain Charisma and started talking about his Peeps, things started clicking. The term “Captain Charisma” seemed ironic at first because we didn’t exactly think of Christian as charismatic at the time. More of a good hand. The more he started delving into that side of his character, the more people started buying in.

It got to the point where people wanted Christian as the top contender to John Cena’s WWE Championship. They got Christian in a three-way with Cena & Chris Jericho because Vince McMahon wasn’t quite 100% sold on Christian. That was when Christian knew it was time to move on…at least for a little while.

Dishonorable Mention: Captain New Japan

To say Captain New Japan’s stint in NJPW was a disaster would be…well, fairly accurate honestly. The Captain lost the lion’s share of his matches and didn’t fare well in his feud with Bullet Club, so he decided if he couldn’t beat them he might as well join them. (That didn’t go much better for anybody involved.) The highpoint of Captain New Japan’s existence was teaming with Captain All Japan & Captain NOAH at All Together 2.

Honorable Mention: “Captain Morgan” Aron Stevens

After a 12 hour shift at work it’s time to watch some @nwa powered #NWA #nwapowerrr pic.twitter.com/Y2RObKeD7Q

— kenny z (@kenzurawski20) November 13, 2019

I mean, Stevens can’t walk into a wrestling studio with that getup on and not expect the fans to compare him to Captain Morgan. He’s been around long enough to know better.

1. Captain Lou Albano

There have been more talented managers. Few can claim the level of fame that Lou Albano could during the 1980s, and even fewer can say they had the impact on the wrestling business that Captain Lou had. He’d been the top heel manager in the WWWF for over a decade when he randomly met Cyndi Lauper on an airplane. The two hit it off & Albano ended up appearing in a number of Lauper’s music videos. Cyndi also made her way to the World Wrestling Federation, and you already know the rest of that story.

Albano guided a record fifteen teams to the WWF Tag Team Championship during his managerial career, and later went on to more pop culture fame as the star of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. There’s little doubt who the most successful Captain in pro wrestling history was.

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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

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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