Opinion

Knee Jerk Reaction: WrestleMania 36 (Night 2)

WWE WrestleMania 36 is in the history books, and Greg DeMarco has Knee Jerk Reactions for Night 2, compiled in real time!

Published

5 years ago

April 6, 2020

Greg DeMarco

WWE WrestleMania 36 Charlotte Flair Rhea Ripley

WWE WrestleMania 36 is in the history books, and Greg DeMarco has Knee Jerk Reactions for Night 2, compiled in real time!

It’s WrestleMania, BAY BAY! I am watching (not) live on the WWE Network. These thoughts are in bullet-point form, and were compiled live as I watched. I’m on the west coast and usually watch on a delay, and managed to do so tonight with minimal spoilers.

Kickoff: Natalya vs. Liv Morgan

My love for Liv Morgan notwithstanding, I couldn’t really get into this match. It’s not what many would call a “WrestleMania worthy” match, at least not in 2020. WrestleMania 6? Yeah, this is totally added to the card in a random control center segment.
However, there are no battle royals this year, for obvious reasons. So good for Liv Morgan to get onto the WrestleMania card in a singles match.
Even better for Liv Morgan? A WrestleMania win!

WrestleMania 36, Night 2

Same opening and promo package, which I get. These things are made in advance.
Gronk as host has been meh, in all honesty.

NXT Women’s Championship – Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (c)

Charlotte vs. Rhea would have been a great opener for this event in general. Women have opened each night of WrestleMania 36.
Charlotte turning her back on Rhea’s entrance is one of those “little things” that often goes overlooked.
Rhea Ripley going with very different gear tonight–in both design and color scheme. I’ll defer to Miranda Morales on that one.
The big fight title match introductions really don’t work as well with no crowd.
Ok let’s see if LOLCHARLOTTEWINS holds true tonight.
Both women are really delivering an empty arena experience, which is appreciated.
Charlotte has the Flair Chop mastered.
This match has the perfect balance of storytelling and in-ring action. If you don’t recognize Charlotte Flair as a ring general, you don’t know what you’re watching. And Rhea Ripley is going to follow in her footsteps.
You know, everyone says Edge vs. Randy Orton has the best build–and it might–but Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley gave it a run for its money. And now it’s delivering in the ring.
This is the best example of a hard hitting heavyweight fight I’ve seen out of the women in WWE so far.
I love that Standing Cloverleaf.
(A standard Cloverleaf is also done from a standing position, btw.)
LOLCHARLOTTEWINS
Charlotte winning was the right call, honestly. From a storyline perspective she felt disrespected by the manner in which Rhea went about getting this match. Charlotte wasn’t going to allow herself to be anyone’s stepping stone. Great job, hell of a match.

Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley

One hell of an entrance for Aleister Black. He’s got future WrestleMania main eventer written all over him.
Much like Liv Morgan vs. Natalya, this match screams “WrestleMania Control Center Announcement.”
Long Tights Lashley (trademarking that) is the best look for Lashley.
For a match with no build, a stadium full of people would be eating this up right now.
I honestly went into this match being all about Aleister Black, but Bobby Lashley has impressed me in the early goings of the night.
Here’s a match we need to see: Aleister Black vs. Shinsuke Nakamura.
And that’s how we break up Lashley and Lana. Why stop him from hitting the Dominator?
Once Lana made the call you saw the finish coming, but up to that last spot, this was a fantastic match.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Otis

I really hope we get a good payoff to whoever is behind GTV2020.
Dolph Ziggler is now accompanied by Sonya Deville. Otis comes out without Marty Jannetty–err… I mean Tucker.
Let’s hope this is short.
That was one hell of a dropkick from Dolph Ziggler right there, maybe the best dropkick in WrestleMania history. (I’m not going back to check.)
I do love Otis’ Stan Lane Midnight Express inspired trunks.
Remember when I wanted this to be short? There’s a reason for that wish…
I get the storyline, but why is Sonya Deville out there with Dolph?
Kinda shocked Otis picked up the win and got the girl so fast. But this is wrestling, it won’t last.
Imagine if the kiss happened in front of 70k fans?

Last Man Standing – Edge vs. Randy Orton

Loved the opening with Randy Orton hitting the RKO while Edge was waiting for him, followed by the reveal that he posed as a camera man.
Interesting that Edge rolling out of the ring stopped the 10-count, but then could get counted out on the outside.
I thought this match would have been great in an “off-site location,” but the Performance Center offered them plenty of options. And the views through the windows really added to the atmosphere.
“I’m always gonna love you Edge, I’m always gonna love you.”
Orton plotting his next move as the ref counted Edge was perfect, as was Edge’s follow-up hanging dropkick through the equipment.
That hanging Thesz Press was all kinds of awesome.
Commentary on this match has been minimal, and it’s working for me.
In a nice nod to Triple H’s treatment of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano, they haven’t caused any damage to the facility yet.
It looks like Bray Wyatt set up the lighting in the production area.
Watching this match, after watching last night’s Boneyard Match, has me suddenly wanting to see Randy Orton vs. The Undertaker again at WrestleMania 37.
Unless I missed it, I don’t think the ref has counted Randy down yet.
An eerie COVID-19 point: When talents fight backstage or in any production areas, people are everywhere–this time it’s completely deserted.
Edge just dropped an elbow on Randy Orton, on a steel conference room table, dropping from the chain link fence on the ceiling.
Think about what I just wrote right there.
First weird editing moment of the match, after Edge takes out the camera man.
Any else hoping Orton would push Edge (on the storage cart) into a rig, and the storage cart explodes to reveal LJN figures?
Just me?
Oh, that’s where I left my aluminum steel steps!
WATER BREAK!
When you climb from a pick-up truck to a semi-trailer, you kinda start to think the end is hear, eh?
That’s not quite the catering they’re used to. Also, who put that huge ladder there?
Things you never expect to say: “And then I got hit in the back with a chair while laying on top of a semi trailer.”
TV-14 means we still bleep out the F-Word! 🙂
And now Edge is crying. You did this to yourself, man. You asked for this match.
Edge winning was the right call, and I love him checking on Randy after. Sells the fact that he didn’t want to do what he had to do.

WWE 24/7 Championship – Rob Gronkowski vs. Mojo Rawley (and everyone else)

Did we really need to have a mini battle royal on the floor, now?
If Gronk is going to jump off of the perch, let’s at least get the camera shot. This thing is pre-recorded.
A better option? Just don’t do it.

Raw Tag Team Championshp – Austin Theory & Angel Garza (w/Zelina Vega) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford (c))

No way Theory and Garza should be winning this match (even if Austin Theory is a guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer… in like 7 years).
Montez Ford is a national treasure and should be in WWE until the day he dies. Which is hopefully a long ways away.
What in the actual hell is Zelina Vega wearing? Triple H thinks it’s too much.
Love commentary’s focus on Zelina Vega as a business manager. It really drives home her value, and gives credibility to a team who has one week of experience together.
I know it’s because of the camera angle, but Zelina Vega should really be in her team’s corner.
Good match that wasn’t hurt by not having a crowd, but had there been a crowd they would have really won them over. Well done.
Bianca Belair gets a spot! Good shit right there.

Titus O’Neill is the New Host?

Despite being blocked on Twitter, I love me some Titus. I hope he does more than this one little comment.

5-Way Elimination Match for the Smackdown Women’s Championship – Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans vs. Tamina vs. Naomi vs. Bayley (c)

I’m glad we still got some semblance of an entrance for Naomi.
Seth Rollins can learn a thing or two from Karen–new persona, new music.
I’m glad Sasha and Bayley are working together, and I hope they don’t use this match to break them up. It’s too soon.
Team BAD UNITY! For a second, anyway.
Stars of this match are Naomi and Sasha Banks, at least for me.
I like Lacey eliminating Sasha after Sasha saves her–keeps the story going without blowing it up.
I also love how you can hear Michael Cole yelling, in the replay.
I also also love Sasha helping Bayley win–the right call.

Firefly Funhouse Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt/The Fiend

Didn’t expect to see John Cena’s entrance take place in the Performance Center.
Vince McMahon Puppet is easily the star of this WrestleMania.
The Smackdown Fist?!?!
Saturday Night’s Main Event? This is already the best thing ever. You can’t do this in any other environment, and I am so glad it’s happened here.
SO. MANY. INSIDER. TERMS.
Okay, Eric Bischoff? Love the Hogan connection.
SUCH GOOD SHIT!
I just now realized there’s no referee.
There are also no words. I was just watching, in awe and amazement. I might have to do a separate article on this match. It was absolute brilliance.

Money In The Bank hits WWE Network on May 10th

May 10? Yeah, okay.

WWE Championship – Royal Rumble Winner Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar (c)

Fans or no fans, Brock Lesnar IMMEDIATELY gives any match a big fight feel.
No Paul Heyman introduction? Nice rub for Mike Rome.
Nearly every Brock Lesnar match starts with his opponent hitting his finisher early, and it doesn’t get old.
Drew kicking out of the F5 at 1 is beautiful.
This was a fight, short and sweet just like it needed to be. Drew McIntyre is set up to be one hell of a WWE Champion.

WrestleMania 36 Night 2 Overall Thoughts

Another good show, where the important matches held my attention.
It wasn’t perfect, but I really enjoyed it. So many highlights, and ground laid for the future (whenever that is).
This will be it’s own article, but I can honestly say that if wrestling needs to go away temporarily, I’ll be okay with it.

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Knee Jerk Reaction: WrestleMania 36 (Night 1)

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week 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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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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