Opinion

Mitchell’s Wednesday Night War Phase 2 Review!

WrestleMania Week marks the end of Phase 2: New Year’s to April Fools’ Day!

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2020

Steven Mitchell

The Wednesday Night War rages on!

Phase 1 was a great start, and it continued into the New Year! But now with WrestleMania 36 being “too big for one night” and AEW adjusting to global circumstances, let’s take a look back at the last three months! How did both companies do from New Year’s Day to April Fools’ Day?

Well first, a look back at Phase 1.

AEW did incredibly well for the new promotion on the block, but NXT earned its spot as WWE’s third brand.

PHASE 1 SCORE GRAPH

WNW Phase 1 Chart

PHASE 1 FINAL SCORES: NXT – 9.11; AEW – 9.08

As you can see, it was neck and neck, with NXT only pulling out victory because of their inclusion in Survivor Series season and going above and beyond during those crazy circumstances. Hopefully everyone recalls the situation after that particular Saudi Arabia event where the SmackDown superstars couldn’t return in time (apparently that retroactively counts as a hostage situation?) and so NXT stepped up! NXT shined bright that Friday Night and even brighter for both WarGames and Survivor Series. In fact, NXT took over Survivor Series with a winning record that night.

Now, to Phase 2!

Because AEW took the Christmas holiday off, I exempted NXT’s parallel episode, so the #HappyHolidaysNXT episode doesn’t count to any score. By the way, that episode only got an 8.5/10.

PHASE 2 SCORE GRAPH

Wednesday Night War Phase 2

PHASE 2 FINAL SCORES: NXT – 9.01; AEW – 9.22

TOTAL PHASE 1 & 2 SCORES: NXT – 9.06; AEW – 9.15

Phase 2 Analysis

Well NXT definitely had some lower lows in this phase. Ironically, NXT didn’t take Christmas off but they sure went easy on New Year’s Day. That was the End of the Year Awards for 2019 episode, which with just match replays and award ceremony promos, was like a precursor to the pandemic days we’re going through. The more recent drop towards 8/10 was the very first NXT after the pandemic started. It was an episode of just promos, but good promos, which kept it afloat out of the high 7’s. But they’ve also been able to rebound a bit, with just last night giving us that literally TakeOver level Triple Threat for the NXT North American Championship.

Now NXT still held strong in the middle, with TakeOver: Portland being a separate event and truly shocking me with how great Worlds Collide could be. Of course, it helps when it’s NXT VS NXT UK, two halves of a great brand under Triple H and Shawn Michaels. And I loved that it gave the NXT Cruiserweight Championship some real crossover cred as it now belongs to Jordan Devlin of NXT UK. When the world returns to normal, I hope we get even more of that. I’ve always said that the WWE should’ve handled the Cruiserweight Division differently than they have, and HHH started the groundwork for that here.

Meanwhile, AEW just kept going strong no matter what. New Year’s Day was a great episode, the build to what would’ve been Blood & Guts has been great, and even in needing to delay Blood & Guts hasn’t slowed AEW down. In fact, their adjustments to the pandemic shut-in orders have also worked very well, in that almost nothing changed. Unlike the WWE with Raw and SmackDown replaying old matches, AEW kept giving us new matches and material. They still gave us the debuts of The Exalted One, Brodie Lee, and BROKEN DAMASCUS Matt Hardy to keep stories on pace. Kenny Omega alone gave us great material, from defending the AAA Mega Championship to having a great singles match with Trent Baretta. AEW Dark gave indie stars great opportunities in a time when those independent promotions had to shut down because nothing else (WrestleMania particularly) was happening.

AEW also fast-tracked their midcard championship, the TNT title, and the tournament will keep things going despite the limits on the size of groups that can gather. They’re also still keeping Blood & Guts alive. Between Chris Jericho and Matt Hardy going back and forth in promos to using the Young Bucks’ recovery as a story, there is still plenty of new and original material to fill for time when they can only have so many people in one place.

Phase 2 Conclusions

That .11 gap for this phase is definitely indicative of how the two companies operate. NXT being WWE, a publicly traded company, they have to let on the gas at some points because of stockholder concerns of the general public. At the same time, NXT can afford to let up a little after riding so high. AEW keeps riding high because they’re not beholden to stockholders. They’re also the new show so they need to keep going to stay strong, but also have talent that is motivated to do anything and everything to keep fans entertained. NXT takes phase 1, AEW takes phase 2, and AEW is leading overall with that 9.15 compared to NXT’s 9.06. But just the fact both shows are still riding in the 9’s, you can’t take anything away from either one.

Phase 3 Preview

Well, a lot of this will be determined by the world’s circumstances. The stretch on the calendar is still going to be the next thirteen weeks, from 4/8/2020 to 7/1/2020. This will bring both shows firmly into the Summer, and then Phase 4 perfectly fits into the lead up to AEW Dynamite’s 1 year anniversary in October. Both shows will be just fine for the start of Phase 3 with NXT rolling out more of what would’ve been on TakeOver: Tampa, and AEW having a NO HOLDS BARRED AEW World Championship match of Moxley VS Hager. The real concern is that hopefully this coronavirus pandemic stops being a pandemic, and stops being something that freezes so many of us with fear so that we can finally have FILLED Arena episodes of everything again!

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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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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

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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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!

All Shows On Demand

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