Opinion

King’s Takes For Survivor Series 2019

After an incredible TakeOver WarGames last night, NXT battles Raw and SmackDown for brand supremacy. Can the black and gold brand prove once and for all that they are truly the main roster? Let’s not waste anymore time and get right into the action!

Published

5 years ago

November 28, 2019

Chris King

After an incredible TakeOver WarGames last night, NXT battles Raw and SmackDown for brand supremacy. Can the black and gold brand prove once and for all that they are truly the main roster?

Let’s not waste anymore time and get right into the action!

Cross Brand Tag Team Battle Royal Kickoff Match

The final two tag teams were The Street Profits from Raw and Roode and Ziggler from Friday Night SmackDown. Both teams started brawling to gain control. After Ziggler inadvertently blasted Rodde with a Superkick, Montez Ford tried to take advantage to eliminate him.

That was thwarted as Ford went up to but Roode sent him to the apron dangling. He then hit a stunning Five-star Frog Splash turning in mid-air reminiscent to RVD, and Roode eliminated him to secure the victory.

Opinion: I know in previous years the pre-show hasn’t counted in regards to the score at the end of the night, but with so many NXT tag teams eliminated it definitely made little sense after three weeks of utter dominance. I would have thought that IMPERIUM would have walked away with the victory, let’s just hope things get better for the black and gold brand going forward.

Triple Threat NXT Cruiserweight Championship Kickoff Match

A really good high-octane match that provided both challengers an opportunity to showcase their incredible talents. Kalisto portrayed the role of the heel in this match delivering hard stiff strikes to his opponents. Tozawa was able to shine against the champion with an amazing repertoire of high-flying maneuvers.

Will all three competitors on the top rope, The Man Of The Hour hit a jaw-dropping Double Spanish Fly. Kalisto hit Salida Del Sol while running up Tozawa for a long near-fall. Tozawa hit the Senton Splash but pinfall was broken up by Kalisto. The finish saw Kalisto hit Salida Del Sol on Tozawa and Rush hit The Final Hour for the successful retention.

Opinion: This was a fun sprint of a match that was non-stop action. All three competitors were given a decent amount of time to show the WWE Universe what they can bring to the table. Rush continues to prove that he’s the standard-bearer for the Cruiserweight division.

The Tag Team Champion vs. Champion vs. Champion Match

Big E, Ivar, and Kyle O’Reilly started the match for their respective teams. The Undisputed Era members made quick tags after getting dumped by Ivar. The powerhouses brawled for a moment until O’Reilly came back in. Erik made the tag and so did Kofi Kingston. The first pinfall came after Kofi hit a stiff kick to O’Reilly.

Towards the middle of the match, the members of UE took complete control isolating Erik and utilizing the methodical dissection of his legs. Ivar finally got the hot tag and obliterated anyone in his path. O’Reilly saved Fish from getting splattered in the corner. Kofi wiped out everyone on the outside and so did E.

The finish came when Ivar landed his signature flying springboard elbow to O’Reilly and Fish followed by The Viking Experience on O’Reilly through Fish to secure the first victory for Team Raw.

Opinion: What a car crash style of match that could very well have stolen the show if they were given more time. There were some fun interactions between E and Ivar as the two powerhouses of their respective teams. O’Reilly and Fish have been dominating TakeOvers for years now and it’s about time they were given the opportunity to shine under the bright lights.

I believe WarGames is going to be used as the scapegoat to why UE lost tonight. The Viking Raiders have had too many squash matches and WWE should build off this victory to finally give them their first real feud as Raw Tag Team Champions.

Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Triple Threat Match

Sarah Logan, Lacey Evans, and Toni Storm started the match. After several minutes of back and forth action, Storm hit a double German suplex. Both former friends Io Shirai and Kairi Sane brawled for a few minutes with both women hitting some high-octane maneuvers. Somehow Candice LeRae and Shirai were injured and taken to the back.

It’s down to Banks, Natalya, Belair, and Ripley until both competitors from Raw and SmackDown locked in a double-submission and forced her to submit. The Boss blindsided Natalya with a stiff right hand to eliminate her. Banks hit a stunning Meteora for a long near-fall. A terrific battle of submissions ensued between The Brutalizer and The Bank Statement.

Both Shirai and LaRae came back down to the ring to break up the submission. With the official distracted, The Genius Of The Sky hit a missile dropkick and Ripley bit The Riptide to secure the victory for NXT.

Opinion: A terrific match between all of the women. I think the only thing that was missing was an all-out brawl but other than that this was a great showing for black and gold brand.

It’s odd to see opponents from last night’s TakeOver WarGames on the same page tonight but it worked. Ripley secured her second victory of the weekend positioning her perfectly for an NXT Women’s Championship title shot sooner rather than later.

Men’s Champion vs. Champion vs. Champion Triple Threat Match

As soon as the bell rang, Nakamura blasted both opponents with stiff kicks. Styles came in to deliver a Phenomenal dropkick to Strong. The Messiah of the Backbreaker is living up to his moniker, by delivering some backbreakers. While Strong is on the outside, the two former WrestleMania 34 opponents face-off.

After some great back-and-forth action, Styles grounded the North American Champion with a deep headlock. Strong delivered a series of running forearms to earn him a near-fall. Strong monkey-flipped the US Champion right into a nasty-looking knee strike from Nakamura for a long near-fall. Styles appeared to hit the Styles Clash but Strong broke it up.

Unbelievable action in this HARD-HITTING battle between Intercontinental Champion @ShinsukeN, United States Champion @AJStylesOrg and NXT North American Champion @roderickstrong! #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/ARY5moNSVa

— WWE (@WWE) November 25, 2019

The Intercontinental Champion hit an inverted suplex followed by a Kinshasa for a 2.8. The finish came after Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm to Nakamura and Strong tossed the US Champion outside to steal the victory.

Opinion: This dream match was amazing with all three competitors putting it all on the line to be dubbed the best mid-card champion across all three brands. I thoroughly enjoyed that even though Nakamura and Styles are heels they didn’t show any allegiance during this match.

There were a ton of near-falls and dramatic sequences that drew a “This is awesome” chant and it indeed was. The wily member of UE picked the right moment to strike and capitalized to score the victory.

NXT Championship Match: Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne

The match started off with arm wrenches as The Bruiserweight attempted to break Cole’s fingers. Dunne is utilizing joint manipulation to ground the NXT Champion.

Both competitors targeted their injuries from TakeOver to gain momentum. The leader of UE turned things around with a Superkick.

Cole took it to his challenger while keeping the action slow-paced grounding Dunne targeting his injured leg. The Bruiserweight mounted a comeback with a stiff knee in the corner and a sit-down powerbomb for a near-fall.

The challenger took out the champion with a stunning moonsault on the outside.

Cole answered back with The Last Shot for a long near-fall followed by a nasty-looking Ushigoroshi.

.@PeteDunneYxB. @AdamColePro.
AMAZING.

Adam Cole = #WWENXT’s iron man. #WeAreNXT #SurvivorSeries https://t.co/61svbrA06L

— Triple H (@TripleH) November 25, 2019

Dunne hit The Bitter End for a near-fall of his own. The challenger went for another middle rope moonsault but Cole hit a perfectly-timed Superkick for a 2.8.

“This is awesome” rang through the All-state Arena” as both competitors continued to battle over the coveted NXT Title. Both competitors were battling on the apron and Cole hit a thunderous Panama Sunrise.

The finish saw Cole counter The Bitter End into another Panama Sunrise followed by The Last Shot for the hard-fought victory after an incredible match.

Opinion: It’s astonishing to think that these two competitors went through physical hell last night at WarGames and still put on a five-star classic tonight. The match started off slow but once it picked up the WWE Universe loved every minute of it. There were some great near-falls and a tremendous amount of action from both competitors.

Now that the NXT Championship has been defended at Survivor Series, the next immediate step needs to be Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. Cole standing tall with a successful title retention after weeks of dominant booking was the right call. Now the question remains who can dethrone the leader of UE?

Universal Championship Match The Fiend vs. Daniel Bryan

Bryan came out of the gate firing on all cylinders with a series of corner dropkicks. The Fiend answered back with a thunderous clothesline and rapid-fire punches. It has been all Wyatt so far who suplexed his opponent halfway across the ring.

Bryan reversed an Irish whip that sent The Fiend crashing into the steel steps. After some high-octane offense, Bryan hit a massive splash to wipe out the Universal Champion. With the WWE Universe on his side, Bryan hit his signature running knees in the corner. The Yes! Man hit the Running knee.

The Fiend rose through the dead reminiscent to Crown Jewel and regained control by locking in the Mandible Claw to choke his challenger out to retain his Universal Championship.

Opinion: I am still digging the red lighting contrary to popular vote it makes The Fiend’s matches standout and sets him apart from every other superstar. Bryan delivered everything in his arsenal to try to dethrone the monster but to no avail.

For the first time in a year, The Yes! Man summoned the power of the Yes Movement but it wasn’t enough. Wyatt looked like an absolute beast here withstanding the correct amount of offense and choking out his challenger.

📸👹 The Fiend @WWEBrayWyatt vs @WWEDanielBryan 📸👏 #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/8eb6oTmuPD

— Kim (@kimberlasskick) November 25, 2019

Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Triple Threat Match

The match started with Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, and Tommaso Ciampa for their respective teams. The Monster Among Men thwarted a double-team attack. Drew McIntrye and the favorite WALTER entered the mix for a chop fest. After a great showing from the NXT UK Champion, he was eliminated after McIntrye drilled him with a Claymore.

Ricochet and Shorty G entered the match with some high-octane action until Gable locked in the Ankle Lock. Matt Riddle and Gable had a terrific battle of submissions and mat wrestling. Kevin Owens entered the match and eliminated Gable after a Frog Splash.

He then took the fight to Roman Reigns and King Corbin on the outside. Owens ran right into Ciampa who hit Willow’s Bell to eliminate the man who helped him not twenty-four hours ago.

Randy Orton entered the match stalking Ciampa and the had an intense stare-off. There was a slew of eliminations in several minutes. Keith Lee entered and The Monster Among Men stood face-to-face. The action was fast and furious as the big men ran the train on the outside.

We were now down to Ciampa, and Lee, Roman Reigns, and Rollins after The Big Dog blasted Corbin with a Superman Punch and a Spear which allowed Ciampa to eliminate him. The former Shield-mates double-teamed Ciampa. Lee blocked a Shield bomb attempt.

Ciampa hit Project Ciampa on Rollins for a long near-fall. Ciampa shot up and went for another but Reigns hit a Superman Punch and Rollins hit the Stomp. The Limitless One went right after Reigns and Rollins and delivered a stunning double crossbody.

Lee kicked out of a Frog Splash and dropped the former Universal Champion with Ground Zero to eliminate Rollins. “Oh, Bask in his Glory” rang through the arena as Reigns made his way back into the ring.

The two powerhouses had a quick exchange of fast-paced action and Reigns hit two Superman Punches for a 2.999. The Big Dog did his signature pose in the corner to deliver a Spear but Lee hit a THUNDEROUS Spirit Bomb for another long near-fall. Lee missed a moonsault and Reigns hit a MASSIVE Spear for the hard-fought victory.

Well, damn. That was fun, Chicago. Respect to #Raw and #WWENXT. @RealKeithLee, I’ll see you again big man. 🤙🏽 #SurvivorSeries https://t.co/6v11wMOwAY

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) November 25, 2019

Opinion: The one thing WWE consistently succeeds at is multi-man matches and this was no different. Each superstar from each brand was given their opportunity to shine. We also got some dream match interactions between Orton and Ciampa, Lee, and Strowman and a few others.

While Reigns was the sole survivor leading his team to victory, you can take no credit away from Lee. The big man has had a hell of a week. From pinning Rollins on Monday to going to war at WarGames, and now nearly coming so close to defeating Reigns. What a tremendous match.

No Holds Barred, No Disqualification WWE Championship Match

The match started as Rey Mysterio grabbed his steel pipe as Brock Lesnar exited the ring. Mysterio came back in to be obliterated by The Beast Incarnate. Lesnar hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on his challenger onto the announce table cardboard. Mysterio has been given a ticket to Suplex City free of charge.

Out of nowhere, Dominick comes down to throw in the towel for Mysterio but Lesnar refused to end it. The challenger hit The Beast Incarnate with a low-blow and so did Dominick. Father and son hit a double 619 on their long-time rival. Both Mysterio and Dominick delivered Frog Splashes for a near-fall.

Lesnar met Dominick on the top rope and hit a huge German suplex followed by a thunderous F5 on his challenger to successfully retain his WWE Championship.

Opinion: Leave it to Mysterio to make the WWE Universe for a second believe he was going to defeat Lesnar for the WWE Championship. This has been such an amazing story of a father hell-bent on getting retribution for his son willing to do whatever it takes to beat the bully. Now that Mysterio has failed in taking the title, who is Lesnar’s next challenger?

Main Event: Women’s Champion vs. Champion vs. Champion Triple Threat Match

The match started with all three women going at it in an all-out brawl. Lynch took down her opponents with a missile dropkick. The Man then set her sights on Bayley and she goes for retribution. Baszler broke up a pinfall attempt and utilized joint manipulation until Bayley broke that up. The Queen of Spades then refocused her gaze onto the SmackDown Women’s Champion as they squared off.

Baszler was having her way with Bayley until Lynch once again dropped her with a missile dropkick. The Man and the NXT Champion circled each other before a huge brawl ensued. Bayley wiped out both her opponents with a crossbody. Baszler now furious locked in the Kirifuda Clutch on the ropes choking out her rival. The Raw Women’s Champion disrupted it and hit a sit-down powerbomb on Baszler.

The ending saw Lynch attempt to lock in the Dis-Arm-Her several times only for it to be blocked. Baszler got the clutch only for Bayley to come in to make the save. Lynch and Baszler fought outside the ring.

The NXT Champion locked in the Kirifuda Clutch but Bayley countered into a pin. Baszler caught the SmackDown Women’s Champion in mid-air to lock it in one final time to force the tap-out.

After the match, The Queen of Spades hoisted her NXT Championship over a fallen Lynch who then rose up to drop her rival. The Man hit a huge leg drop onto Baszler through the announce table to showcase her dominance.

"Give me my f**king belt." – Bex Moxley#SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/5cO9h4wX4R

— GIF Skull – #JoinDarkOrder #AEWDynamite (@GIFSkull) November 25, 2019

Opinion: Contrary to popular opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed this match I felt WWE did a tremendous job utilizing Bayley after weeks of her appearing as an afterthought. They also wisely only allowed minimal time for Baszler and Lynch to fight one-on-one reminiscent to the Winners-Take-All Match at this year’s WrestleMania. Incredible booking all around and the right women won here.

Summary: NXT has been overlooked for far too long and tonight they were booked strong alongside Raw and SmackDown where they won the battle. There were some great moments such as the superb mid-card triple threat, Lee’s impressive performance, and most of all Cole’s spectacular NXT title defense. Now that the battle for brand supremacy is over, creative must focus on building new stories around their workhorses.

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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.

Published

4 days ago

April 18, 2025

PC Tunney

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

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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

Published

6 days ago

April 16, 2025

Greg DeMarco

Shawn Michaels Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21

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.