A look at your news for 4/15/2020 including notes on Christian (not) returning, AEW talent staying home, Austin Theory’s brand status, COVID-19 large crowds, the Raw rating, and more!

The Chairshot Daily is your look at wrestling news and rumors–with a hint of reality thrown in! We won’t hold back on you, we will let you know what we think regarding the validity of a rumor.

Austin Theory Remains On Raw

As you may have noticed on Monday’s edition of WWE Raw, Austin Theory remains on the red brand along with Angel Garza as part of Zelina Vega’s associates. Theory was announced for a Money In The Bank qualifier next week, where we can expect him to lose to Aleister Black. Theory also picked up a win over Akira Tozawa to provide some singles credibility as we head to next week’s match. It’s reported by the Wrestling Observer that he impressed officials and has been kept on Raw.

Analysis: Theory on Raw makes sense…right now. They need talent who can work, and he fills that spot. He and Garza make a good team, but that team could really make an impact in NXT right now as well. One thing that seems to be ignored is the fact that commentary still refers to Theory as being from NXT, whereas Bianca Belair is being termed as coming to Raw. I don’t think this move is permanent, and at 22 years of age it’s probably better for Theory to get more time in NXT before he gets “lost in the shuffle” on Raw after the normal TV schedule resumes.

Many Top Talents Not Present At Recent AEW Dynamite/Dark Tapings

Wrestling Inc reported that a decent sized list of top stars didn’t appear at the most recent AEW tapings that took place in Georgia. The Young Bucks, Hangman Page, Women’s Champion Nyla Rose, PAC, The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr & Fenix), SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky) and Big Swole were those named. It was also reported that Tony Khan put no pressure on talent to appear, and that talent from COVID-19 hotspots like New York and California were purposely not used. Talent not appearing felt more comfortable because The Young Bucks were among those not brought in.

Analysis: All of the talent listed are from California or New York, with one in Virginia (Page). So it makes perfect sense that they weren’t used. The Young Bucks are still cranking out Being The Elite, and have even been wrestling on their shows. It seems like the right call, and I actually enjoyed what I saw from the tapings in Georgia last week.

Quick question, though: don’t Cody Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes live in California?

WWE Raw Ratings: Viewership Down, Rating Still Strong

The WWE Raw Ratings are in:

• Hour #1 – 1.994 million viewers, .59 share, #3 show on cable
• Hour #2 – 1.913 million viewers, .56 share, #5 show on cable
• Hour #3 – 1.832 million viewers, .52 share, #7 show on cable

Ratings courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily.

Analysis: You’re going to see “lowest rating” headlines all over, because that’s fun to click. The truth lies elsewhere: Raw performed well in a time where people’s viewing habits are nearly impossible to predict. News is through the roof, and even though Raw is live, it’s not the Raw people are used to watching. There’s absolutely no reason to make a big deal out of Raw’s “low” viewership, other than clickbait. 

You want a slant to take? Take the slant that this proves WWE has no reason to run these shows live right now, as there is no audience and we have no spoiler issues. If you want to bitch, at least bitch about the right thing!

Christian Talks Ever Being Cleared To Wrestle

With Edge’s return to the ring, it’s easy to wonder if Christian could do the same. He addressed those questions on Booker T’s podcast, and indicated it’s not in the cards because his issues were concussion related.

“I mean, it’s one of those things, right? It’s a completely different injury. You know–I’m pretty content with all that I’ve accomplished in WWE. I’ve pretty much accomplished everything I’ve ever wanted to do, except main event WrestleMania, and let’s be honest – how many people actually get a chance to do that? It’s one of those–I’m 46 years old, you know–and I had some concussion issues. It’s just a matter of–you know, I don’t see it happening. I’m medically disqualified. I just don’t–I’m not sure how I would ever get cleared.”

Analysis: Yep, no reason for him to come back. It’s easy to ask the question when Edge is back, and when Daniel Bryan made his return at WrestleMania 34. But each situation is unique, and Christian seems pretty content to be retired. To me, it’s more important we start asking about when he goes into the Hall Of Fame. 

Rhino Is A Tessa Blanchard Supporter

Rhino recently gave some comments on Impact Wrestling World Champion Tessa Blanchard as part of an interview with Wrestling Inc.

“There are people you’ll watch and think, ‘I want to get in the ring and mix it up with that person.’ She is that person. I told her, ‘We may never get in the ring together, but if I do I’m hitting you with a slingshot suplex and you better not kick out because that was her dad’s finisher.’ She popped. She goes, ‘Only if I hit you with a Gore.’ I said, ‘That’s fine. I won’t kick out.’ I’m impressed every time I see her. The moves, the facials, the stories, the dedication and drive and hard-hitting action. It’s amazing to watch her wrestle.”

Analysis: Rhino is a personal favorite of mine, and I love his perspective here. Tessa seems to have recovered from her controversy in January, and has been able to carry the Impact World Championship with pride. 

Large Gatherings Further Delayed?

Clutch Sports is reporting that California Governor Gavin Newsom doesn’t see NBA games returning–at least in their true form–any time soon. Mass gatherings are a threat to quelling COVID-19 and the spread of the coronavirus, and it could cause another outbreak if held before a vaccine is major control is achieved.

“The prospect of mass gatherings is [negligible] at best until we get to herd immunity and get to a vaccine.”

Analysis: Personally, I have an IZW Wrestling show still on the books for May 16. I really don’t expect it to happen, as I don’t see us returning to live events of any nature until the fall at the earliest. This thing is just too big to risk.

Six news items for the day–what stands out to you? Leave a comment or hit me up on social media @ChairshotGreg.