Opinion

Cook: Otis Should Be Mr. Money In The Bank

Otis is headed to the most unique WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match ever–can he win it? Steve Cook thinks he can…and he should!

Published

5 years ago

May 9, 2020

Steve Cook

Otis is headed to the most unique WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match ever–can he win it? Steve Cook thinks he can…and he should!

The stage has been set for the most unique Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match of all time. The circumstances are like nothing we’ve ever seen before. You’ve got a one-of-a-kind setting in WWE Headquarters, with six men poised to fight their way from the ground floor to the top.

And six women will be doing the same thing at the same time, just to complicate things further.

The lineup of talent is impressive. You could make an argument for any of them to win.

AJ Styles & Rey Mysterio are two legendary competitors that are missing a Money In The Bank win from their resume. Rey especially wants one because he hasn’t forgotten the time Kane cashed in on him at the event. Now he has a chance to right that wrong years later, and he knows he doesn’t have too many chances left.

Styles is coming off a big loss to Undertaker in the Boneyard. He got the last slot into the match though, so momentum is on his side. A cagey veteran like Styles would be dangerous with the briefcase at his disposal. He’s also competed in more different types of matches than anybody else here. Years in TNA ensured that.

Daniel Bryan, like Styles & Mysterio, has years of experience and credibility behind him. He’s also won the match before. The man that’s spent much of his life fighting against the machine climbing the corporate ladder to victory would have multiple meanings to it.

King Corbin has also won the MITB Ladder Match before. The less said about his cash-in attempt on Jinder Mahal, the better. People will get mad about it, but there’s no doubt that Corbin is a future WWE or Universal Champion. He wins too many things, and we can argue about what kind of heat he gets, but the guy gets heat. Is now the time? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

Aleister Black is a man that people have predicted big things for since he arrived in WWE. He’s got that dark look & persona that WWE fans & officials love. Unlike the other men listed so far, Black doesn’t have a laundry list of main roster accomplishments. This would serve as a springboard to something more.

And then you have Otis.

Otis didn’t spend years and years busting it in the indies to get noticed. Hisn’t a guy like Aleister Black that came up from NXT with a ton of buzz. He was (still is, in fact) a tag team guy. One-half of Heavy Machinery, a team that hasn’t been taken very seriously as a threat to championships. Let’s just say they’re known more for steaks & weights than anything else.

You’d see them pop up here & there in backstage segments for laughs, but their 2019 wasn’t much to speak of from an in-ring perspective. They were bit players looking for a chance. While serving in that role, it became obvious that Otis was the standout of the team, at least from a personality perspective. No disrespect to Tucker, but Otis’s personality stands out anywhere. You don’t see people with Otis’s appearance, vocal chords or general demeanor very often, if at all.

Don’t get me wrong, Otis is a legit beast. Dude can lift weights & grapple with the best of them. He’s got amateur wrestling credibility. He looks like a dude that can kick your ass, and he most certainly would. At the same time, he doesn’t really have that look that WWE favors for its champions. He doesn’t have a scuplted physique. The weight is there, but the height isn’t. Not to mention the fact that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a WWE Champion rock the cut-off t-shirt before. Maybe Shawn Michaels back in the 90s?

Shawn’s #1 Fan back then might be Otis’s #1 Fan now.

There was a report that came out this week that Vince McMahon is heavily behind Otis, and that doesn’t surprise me one bit. Vince has always loved hillbillies and other comedy characters. Doesn’t mean he’ll feature them in main events, but the guy likes to laugh and he thinks people that sound different are funny. I imagine the whole reason Heavy Machinery got called up to begin with was that Vince watched an NXT episode, caught one of their promos and thought it was funny. He probably also noticed that they were pretty large by human standards, which always helps.

From everything I’ve ever heard, Otis in real life is just like Otis on television. The man isn’t playing a part, he’s simply turning up the volume. When that’s the case, it’s a lot easier. He got over with people by doing that, and worked his way into a romance storyline with Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville & Dolph Ziggler that got over pretty well. The classic love story of the not-so-attractive guy with feelings for a girl in combat with the attractive guy who should probably get the girl based off how America works.

It’s not surprising that the angle worked. Got Otis over like a million bucks. Now is the time to make the next step. He’s got another big WWE Network match coming up this weekend. If he wins it, he gets a briefcase that entitles him to a title shot. He’s already teased using it for a tag team title shot, which shows he’s not quite sure how it works, but that’s fine.

I’ve always said that during times when people aren’t watching wrestling as much, promotions should experiment. They should try things they wouldn’t usually do. Obviously, what they would usually do isn’t working.

Why not try something different?

AJ Styles wouldn’t be different. Rey Mysterio wouldn’t be different. Daniel Bryan wouldn’t be different. King Corbin wouldn’t be different. Aleister Black would be kind of different, but can you imagine that guy carrying a briefcase for months on end?

You could imagine Otis carrying a briefcase. He’d probably put some sandwiches in it, but that’s part of his charm. He’s also completely unpredictable. Most MITB winners would strategize for when a champion is down & out. Otis? He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. He’d probably go a different route with it, which is what the briefcase gimmick needs.

Otis needs to win this match. For heaven’s sake, his girl Mandy just lost her first match against Sonya Deville. We need to keep this couple credible, so they need to get some big wins. Sunday would be a big step in that direction.

PUT OTIS OVER, YOU COWARDS.

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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!

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

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

12 hours 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 don’t 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

4 weeks 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