Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: Relationships Between Wrestlers and Announcers

Thanks to Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone, Steve Cook takes a look at the relationships between pro wrestlers and their announcer counterparts.

Published

5 years ago

April 29, 2020

Steve Cook

Thanks to Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone, Steve Cook takes a look at the relationships between pro wrestlers and their announcer counterparts.

Chemistry isn’t something that can be taught.

No, I’m not talking about high school chemistry with elements & experiments and things like that. We’re talking about chemistry between human beings. Some people just naturally get along. Some don’t. In wrestling, you need to work with people that you have some type of chemistry with to achieve your full potential. When you’re doing an interview, you need somebody holding the microphone that you can work with in either a positive or negative way.

Angel Garza knows this. That’s why he’s trying to garner Charly Caruso’s favor, and doing a pretty good job of it so far. You can feel the chemistry from those two, which might make Angel’s fiancee a little suspicious. Fortunately, there haven’t been too many of those types of relationships between wrestlers and announcers. Abyss had a thing going with Lauren Brooke in TNA for a minute, and Kane had a relationship with Terri Runnels that was notable for its lack of chemistry.

These folks all had the type of chemistry that made for good television. Here are the top 5 wrestler-announcer relationships.

5. The Midnight Rockers & Larry Nelson

Looking at Larry Nelson, he doesn’t seem like the type of guy that 1980s Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty would get down with. But that’s what we were constantly told on AWA television. Nelson was their #1 fan and apparently partied with them all the time. Much later on we found out that Nelson was indeed quite the night owl, and that helped lead to his departure from the AWA and pro wrestling in general.

4. Chris Jericho & Tony Skia-Vone

Tony always excelled in the role of “straight-man for loudmouthed, delusional heel”. They didn’t come much more loudmouthed or delusional than Jericho in late 1990s WCW. Chris was always going on about something, and Tony was often on the receiving end of his diatribes. They reunited later in AEW, much to the dismay of Jericho since Skia-Vone had hated him for 25 years. Now they’re doing commentary over AEW’s matches during the quarantine era, and fun is had by all listening to them. Tony also has a fascinating relationship on-going with Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., who has taken him under her wing & seems very possessive when Tony talks to other AEW women like Brandi Rhodes. It’s one of the more interesting wrestler-announcer relationships in recent memory.

3. Jerry Lawler & Lance Russell

Lance was largely responsible for the King getting into the wrestling business. Young Jerry would draw pictures of the wrestlers he saw on TV, and one day he got the idea to send them to the TV station. Russell saw the drawings and decided to use them as a way of describing what happened at the matches on Monday night. Eventually Jerry was invited down to the studio, where he met Lance & other wrestlers & stated heading down the path into pro wrestling.

Once Lawler became one of the promotion’s top stars, he got to talk to Russell on a regular basis, and he took as much advantage of that as possible. That banana nose gave the King an endless amount of material.

2. Steve Austin & Jim Ross

The Stone Cold character didn’t have a lot of friends. Not surprising considering he coined the phrase “DTA: Don’t Trust Anybody”. There was one man on WWF television that Austin consistently held in some regard, and that was “Good ol’ JR”. Austin & Ross built a strong friendship off of television and Ross as the lead announcer was always sure to criticize Mr. McMahon’s actions during his feud with Stone Cold.

JR has had plenty of favorites during his career. Steve “Dr. Death” Williams was obviously one. Mick Foley was always willing to open up to him. But JR was never more behind somebody than he was behind Stone Cold Steve Austin during the Attitude Era. I can only think of two times Austin attacked JR, which goes to show how much he respected his Okie buddy.

1. Hulk Hogan & Gene Okerlund

Hulk & Gene’s relationship started in the AWA. As the company’s top interviewer, Okerlund was holding the microphone while Hogan was growing into his character and becoming the biggest star in wrestling. It was only a matter of time before Hulk went to New York, and he was more than happy to take Gene with him. The Hogan-Okerlund connection continued throughout the 1980s, it seemed like every Hogan promo during the time period started with “WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, MEAN GENE!”.

Gene followed Hulk to the WWF, but when the Hulkster came to WCW, Gene had already been there for several months. WCW’s attempt to re-create Hulkamania included familiar supporting characters like Gene. When Hogan turned heel in 1996, it was only natural that Gene be there to express his disapproval. Fortunately, they became friends again a few years later. Gene had plenty of friends in wrestling and was part of so many memorable interviews, but people remember him most as being alongside the Hulkster.

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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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About Chairshot Radio Network

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Classic POD is WAR

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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