Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: Backstage Officials

Steve Cook gives us his Top 5 Backstage Officials

Published

6 years ago

December 13, 2019

We learned this past week that Rene Goulet had passed away earlier in 2019. Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I have a lot of fond memories of Rene’s in-ring career. I’m not even sure I’ve seen any of his matches…I probably have, but it’s nothing I remember.

How do I remember Rene Goulet? When I was a youngster watching this crazy wrestling stuff, Goulet was one of the people in suits that would come down to ringside when things were getting out of hand. Back in the days before indy wrestlers would show up by the busload to serve as security guards, it was left on the referees & the backstage officials to break things up. They were pretty much always older wrestlers that had retired from the in-ring wars and were still collecting paychecks to do things like break up fights, help injured wrestlers, and some backstage stuff.

Hey, I was a kid! I didn’t know what else they did!

In honor of Rene Goulet, we look at the Top 5 Backstage Officials.

5. Tony Garea

Garea & Goulet were serving side by side for years and were good in their roles for one simple reason: they didn’t overshadow the people they were breaking up. They had decent careers, but weren’t icons of the business. So it was ok if they looked stupid sometimes, like when they were trying to get Ultimate Warrior out of a casket. Garea apparently still works as a producer/road agent for WWE all these years later, so good for him on that account.

4. Gerald Brisco

Gerald’s brother Jack was an NWA World Champion and widely considered the more successful & better in-ring performer of the Briscos during their respective in-ring careers. However, I would wager that people of my generation remember Gerald better than Jack. Why? Jack retired from the WWF, went home, started a body shop & was never seen again on television. Gerald worked for WWE as a backstage official for the next two decades before serving as a talent scout during the 2010s. He was often right in the middle of the craziest moments on WWE television & PPV, including when he was escorting Shawn Michaels & Hunter Hearst Helmsley out of the arena after the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Gerald was a loyal foot soldier that didn’t mind doing the dirty work, which usually involved breaking up out of control brawls.

3. Pat Patterson

Pat always had a way of standing out from the rest of the officials & random folks that would come down to the ring when things were out of hand. While most of them were wearing suits, Patterson was typically attired in a windbreaker/polo shirt combination. He was one of the officials that always got mentioned during these altercations, and Vince McMahon would get so offended when a wrestler like Bret Hart would strike him. No wonder Vince made him one of his official Stooges alongside the aforementioned Gerald Brisco in the late 1990s. Patterson also had a more important role backstage than his fellow officials, as he was Vince’s right-hand man on the booking committee & had a hand in planning most of the major matches during the 1980s & 1990s.

2. Doug Dellinger

The Head of WCW Security! Dellinger was a police officer in Charlotte when he started working at Jim Crockett Promotions shows in the mid-1980s. He started working for Crockett & was kept around after Ted Turner bought the company in 1988. Dellinger appeared on nearly every episode of Monday Nitro either attempting to break up fights, escorting wrestlers out of the building, keeping wrestlers out of the building, or knocking on Goldberg’s door prior to his match. Dellinger was one of few “backstage officials” to never actually compete in the ring. He was a civilian, by Gawd!

Honorable Mention: Arn Anderson

I don’t think Arn really fit in the role of “dude breaking up fights”. He had done way too much shady stuff in his career for longtime fans to buy him breaking up fights and helping babyfaces after they had been assaulted. However, the Undertaker beating the crap out of him was easily the most memorable beatdown of a backstage official. I don’t remember Arn doing much of that type of work on TV after that, which was probably for the best for his own safety.

1. Fit Finlay

Finlay was a man that loved to fight during his time as an active competitor. He wasn’t sneaky, he wasn’t shady, he just threw fists & kicked butt. As a member of a wrestling family, he always took his profession seriously, and he brought that same dedication to his role as a backstage official. Behind the scenes, he was the first person in WWE to push & encourage the female wrestlers to be more than T & A. He trained the likes of Trish Stratus & Victoria and molded them into in-ring performers that didn’t embarrass his business.

In front of the camera, Finlay has carried as much authority as any backstage official before or since he started in the role. When he comes out to break up a fight, you know it’s getting broken up. He also apparently has booking power, as he was able to grant Becky Lynch’s request to be inserted into the Royal Rumble match. Nobody really questioned it because it’s believable that Finlay has that sort of authority. Wrestlers don’t mess with him, but at the same time he doesn’t take away from their heat. It’s a fine line, and Finlay manages it better than anybody.

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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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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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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

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Classic POD is WAR

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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