Opinion
Knee Jerk Reaction: WrestleMania 36 (Night 1)
Get inside the head of Greg DeMarco with these Knee Jerk Reactions for WWE WrestleMania 36, compiled in real time!

Get inside the head of Greg DeMarco with these Knee Jerk Reactions for WWE WrestleMania 36, 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.
WrestleMania 36 Kick Off
- It’s already weird: Corey Graves is a host, not an analyst, and they’re in a studio and not in front of fans. Craziness ensues!
- I am glad to see that The New Day is still involved in the ladder match.
- No one looks more appropriate on the pirate themed WrestleMania match card than The Monday Night Messiah himself, Seth Rollins.
- Triple H said that there would be a unique way to remove Roman Reigns from the Universal Championship match… that idea (whatever it was) seems to have been scrapped.
Kickoff Match: Drew Gulak vs. Cesaro
- Good for Drew Gulak, good friend of Chairshot Radio (formerly The Greg DeMarco Show when he was on).
- Good for Drake Wuertz as well, although this isn’t his WrestleMania debut as he worked the match between Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle and Triple H & Stephanie McMahon from WrestleMania 34.
- Cesaro, you’ll remember, was reported to be sick. Wrestling Newz!
- Cesaro victorious with the Airplane Spin, gotta love it. This was a good match, obviously hurt by the lack of a crowd.
WrestleMania 36, Night 1
- Good reminder as to why I hate it whenever Stephanie McMahon talks.
- The opening video? Maybe we need to call this MetaMania? (I dug it, by the way.)
- We really love AC/DC in WWE, don’t we?
- A lot of focus on Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch–the two biggest stars in the company.
- I wonder how many takes
Rob GronkowskiGronk needed. - I love me some Mojo Rawley, not gonna lie.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships – Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The Kabuki Warriors of Asuka & Kairi Sane (c)
- NXT is really important, and it’s my favorite show. But Alexa Bliss is a reminder that NXT isn’t the sole indicator of success on “the main roster,” as she didn’t do squat in NXT and is a multi-time champion on Raw and Smackdown.
- Is that the WrestleMania sign behind Michael Cole and JBL?
- The volume of the performers is a big plus in this match, that’s something we need to keep up tonight. If I have any complaints about Cesaro/Gulak, it’s how quiet it was. Obviously that’s unavoidable.
- I wonder if this match would have opened WrestleMania if we were in Raymond James Stadium?
- Asuka is doing a hell of a job working the, um, crowd.
- This is something you might hear a lot from me during this, but these performers deserve a ton of credit doing this with no crowd to work off of.
- Kairi Sane does the little things so well, like a snug little kick to Alexa after breaking in the corner.
- I feel like this match is going long, but I really think that’s due to the lack of a crowd and not because the match is actually going long.
- Nikki’s back is in way too good of shape after having taken that Insane Elbow from Kairi Sane.
- Always love seeing the ol’ Sparkle Press.
- CODEBREAKER!
- (I’m sure Jericho tweeted about that. That’s a Jericho thing to do.)
- Flying Forearm Powerbomb is a move I love to see. Not sure it can be considered a Modified Doomsday Device, that’s not even close, Cole.
- AND NEW! Big win for Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss, a “crowd pleasing” win to open the show.
Kayla Braxton interviews Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
- Glad to see Kayla Braton working backstage! (I’m just glad to see Kayla Braxton.)
King Baron Corbin vs. Elias
- A ton of intensity from Elias early, which we need in this environment.
- Remember when Baron Corbin had hair? Man am I glad he shaved his head! (He still sucks, though.)
- Interesting question from Michael Cole to JBL asking about a victory on “this stage.” Is this really a WrestleMania stage? I guess the real indicator is if they would have run the same matches in the stadium.
- If this truly IS a WrestleMania stage, what does that say about a guy like Ricochet who isn’t on the card?
- Love Corbin bitching at the announcers–that’s what we need with no fans!
- Going from action to a shot of the WrestleMania sign seems like the first obvious “edit” of the night. They just filmed this last week, I can’t really complain about things like that.
- Elias gets the win, using the tights. Elias is the type of babyface who can get away with that.
- That’s 2 for 2 for the babyfaces so far.
Raw Women’s Championship – Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch (c)
- Interesting that the swear words were left in the video package.
- So much for this match serving as the “main event” for one of the nights. That term, main event, is so relative in WWE. Rarely does it mean “go on last.”
- Why do we need Mike Rome doing the Japanese style ring introductions when there’s no crowd?
- Becky Lynch really flourishes in front of a crowd, especially a WrestleMania crowd. This is the first match where I am okay with no crowd, though. Shayna Baszler is delivering on her promise of not needing fans.
- Uranage to the apron seems silly without the crowd reaction. I need to get over this lol.
- Disarm-Her across the ropes was creative, I like it!
- Shayna and Becky are BRINGING IT. Love this match.
- DAMMIT! Don’t like the finish, especially when we saw Ember Moon do it years ago. Baszler needed to win this one.
- Hell of a match, even if “the wrong person won.” Babyfaces are now 3 for 3.
Intercontinental Championship – Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn (c)
- Drew Gulak accompanies Daniel Bryan, and Sami Zayn is flanked by Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro.
- What are the chances Drew Gulak turns on Daniel Bryan tonight?
- Sami Zayn is a new pair of boots away from being The Iron Sheik. Or The Genie from Alladin.
- Sami’s persona is perfect for an empty arena match. Plenty of talking and interacting, especially with the official. Drake Wuertz might end up being the star of this match.
- Sami Zayn: If Bill Murray was a pro wrestler.
- Love what Drew Gulak is doing here. Great that he gets to shine on the WrestleMania stage.
- I was really starting to wonder if something was up with Daniel Bryan–then he tackled Sami Zayn on the stage.
- Sami Zayn continues to flourish on a closed set.
- I am finally settling in and don’t feel the “no crowd” impact.
- Drew Gulak continues to shine on the outside. Daniel Bryan bringing him into this is brilliant.
- Not sure who was clapping for Daniel Bryan’s suicide dive.
- Creative finish, I can’t complain about it.
- Zayn retains, and the babyfaces are now 3-1 for the night. Surprised by the result, but also quite happy with how it went down. Best match of the night so far.
Ladder Match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships – John Morrison (c) vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jimmy Uso
- No Big E introduction?
- I was worried when the Newz sites were reporting that this was John Morrison vs. one Uso. Kofi Kingston was such a huge part of WrestleMania 35, he needed to be in this match.
- I do miss having Big E’s antics, and still miss Xavier Woods.
- When all three went to get their ladders, we got our first shot of the “Performance Center” wall. Remember when the new hard camera angle was big news? I think they also turned the set-up in general.
- I was finally comfortable with there being no crowd, but the Ladder Match having no crowd is really really odd. It’s an eerie reminder of the state of the world today.
- JBL said John Morrison reminds him of a young Mr. Perfect. Curt Hennig was 44 when he passed away, John Morrison is 40 today. And apparently ageless.
- Kofi just killed himself in a spot that would have had a HUGE crowd pop. And nothing. Nothing at all. I really wish we had some sort of Mystery Science Theater 3000 effect with Big E and Xavier Woods, as Woods would be marking out over each match.
- Why do we have the barricade around the ring? There’s no one to keep out of the ringside area!
- Just noticed the XW plastered all over Kofi’s gear. Given that Xavier Woods is a personal favorite, I love to see it. Still wish he and E were around for this, given how many people were ringside for the last match.
- Also of note: 5 matches so far, 4 of them from Smackdown.
- Just when you think there are no new ideas for a Ladder Match, Kofi Kingston climbs up the inside of the ladder.
- “Flatten your face like a pancake BOI!” Jimmy Uso just pointed out to me that we didn’t get any pancakes during the entrance. NO PANCAKES?!?! The world is so weird right now…
- Gotta give them credit for the creative finish. I wonder how many takes they needed for that one. Hopefully one, since John Morrison took a hell of a bump at the end! Great match, needed a crowd, and surprised to see Morrison and Miz retain.
Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens
- Seth Rollins is SO GOOD in this role, as evidenced by the video package.
- Seth’s gear is fabulous, too. Seriously, this character is amazing.
- The ONLY thing I would change? His theme song. Doesn’t fit now.
- Love the KO Mania 4 shirt, and the fact that both pictures are Owens makes it even better.
- I didn’t realize Seth Rollins was 6-1 at WrestleMania, meaning Randy Orton (WM31) is the only person to beat Seth at the Showcase Of The Immortals. I still think he should be 6-2 after tonight.
- Do we have international announce teams tonight? Somewhere? Just little things we take for granted.
- Kevin Owens doesn’t need such a heavy beard. He needs a beard, but not THAT beard.
- Falcon Arrow on the apron? REALLY???
- This match could have used a gimmick.
- The trash talking from Rollins is more necessary than ever with no crowd.
- High intensity match that I find myself watching and not typing notes…
- Kevin Owens flat out calling Rollins “God” makes my black heart smile.
- Ring the bell? RING THE BELL???
- DQ finish? Really? That’s it?
- Don’t like the finish.
- Ok, we’re not done yet. Now I am okay with the finish, thank you restart. There’s the gimmick I said it needed!
- I’ve always loved how we sell the “steel” steps that are so light they basically float when thrown.
- You can’t fake being hit with a chair so hard it becomes mangled after 3 shots.
- Interesting of note, during the reply of the Rollins giving Owens a CHAIRSHOT three times, we didn’t get the split screen. Heavy editing moment #2.
- OWENS DIVES OFF OF THE WRESTLEMANIA SIGN!
- That was the most heavily padded announce table ever, and it doesn’t matter. That was one hell of a dive.
- Rollins needs to watch The Rock sell the Stunner.
- Good win for Kevin Owens, he needed that.
- Six matches in, and we’re 4-2 for babyfaces. 4-3 if you count the opener. I have a feeling we’ll end at 6-3.
WWE 24/7 Championship – Mojo Rawley over R-Truth
- Truth looks like a bitch losing to one forearm shot.
- I did love Mojo taking that from Gronk, though. Gronk winning it was obvious.
- I am sure we’ll see Gronk win that thing tomorrow night, though.
Universal Championship – Braun Strowman vs. Goldberg (c)
- Surprised this doesn’t go on last, it made sense to have the off-site match break things up a little.
- We’re in the middle of an outbreak, and we still use extras for Goldberg’s entrance. I hate the term “unnecessary” in wrestling, but that was unnecessary.
- I hope this is short. Really short.
- I also hope Goldberg’s gum goes flying.
- No video package, no mention of Roman Reigns. I really want to know what idea got scrapped. Triple H said we’d have a “unique” way for this match to change, and this is far from that.
- Four Spears with no reaction is not as much fun! This is another match that needs a crowd.
- Four Powerslams and we’re done. Thank you.
- See internet, there was no way Vince was going to let Goldberg hold him up for money.
- “If you’re the WWE, you hate this right now.” No JBL, they love it. Trust me.
- It’s about time for Braun Strowman. I don’t think he just drops it to Roman, either. I can see him having a long reign, possibly through WrestleMania 37.
Boneyard Match – AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker
- As I said, I am surprised this is going on last, even if we’re pre-recorded. I honestly expected this go to on in the middle of the show to break up the monotony of the closed set.
- Does this make AJ Styles a WrestleMania main-eventer?
- AJ Styles and The Undertaker made Patrick O’Dowd happy by dropping real names throughout the build.
- Matt Hardy must be hating this right now, it’s everything we wanted to do!
- Love, love, LOVE AJ Styles stealing Taker’s entrance, then saying the place isn’t scary at all.
- Thank you AJ Styles for not showing up in ring gear.
- BIKER TAKER!
- If you’re new to me, know that I love me some Biker Taker.
- AJ made this feud personal–and human–so Biker Taker makes the most sense.
- Good job establishing right away that this is a Buried Alive Match.
- AJ throwing himself off of the roof of that hearse seemed to appropriate.
- All this Michelle McCool talk, I feel like we need a Sarah Taker run-in.
- Everything about this is great. Jeremy Borash is doing a hell of a job.
- Oh look, here’s The OC! You knew we were going to see Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
- And randon druids. I’m going to guess we’ve got Malcolm Bivens and The Undisputed Era under those.
- AJ just saved a man’s life, because Mark was gonna impale one of those dudes.
- AJ really likes bringing up Michelle, eh? Seems like he’s still not over the Samoa Joe feud.
- After that fence spot, Undertaker literally sounds like he’s dying.
- A lot of bitch-calling tonight.
- “Let’s start this thing up” really made me think it wouldn’t start.
- Now we get some spooky!
- AJ begging for mercy was great.
- The chokeslam off of the roof (with the camera work) and the music that followed felt VERY Lucha Underground.
- There’s no way The Undertaker was losing that match.
- This was very well done, and I could stand to see more things like this. WWE is good at this.
WrestleMania 36, Night 1 Overall Thoughts
- No crowd definitely made this a challenge for me, but it was obviously a bigger challenge for everyone involved.
- WWE did what they needed to do in many of these matches, still provided some surprising results.
- Hats off to the talent involved, and the staff behind it. They made the best of a bad situation.
- As a fan, analyst, writer, podcaster, promoter, everything of wrestling, I am glad they did this, and I am looking forward to Night 2 of WrestleMania 36.
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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.

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
Prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot plenty of GREAT t-shirt designs! Makes an awesome gift!!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast / The Oddity… Keeping the news ridiculous!
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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Blog
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

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.
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!