Opinion

News From Cook’s Corner 5.4.20: No Sale

Our buddy Cook is back in the news kitchen! He works over some of the more interesting topics of the week that was.

Published

5 years ago

May 4, 2020

Steve Cook

Hi, hello & welcome to News From Cook’s Corner!

We’re three weeks into this experiment, and I’ve always known that three out of four of my columns are good. This has been the case as far back as I can remember. Even now in this Chairshot experiment with my writing four columns a week. Three are good, one is total nonsense. I feel like this is the one News column in the cycle that will be bad, because I’m being given nothing to write about. Which might be an indictment on the sites that present wrestling news, if I would like to pass the buck.

It’s not like “The Buck Stops Here” is a motto for anybody these days.

Everybody in the world is about passing the buck. That’s a good way to avoid mental health issues. If you act like your actions have no impact, which most baby boomers (including my parents) do, that alleviates a lot of stress. Younger folks like me think we have more of an impact (even if it’s not as much as my parents who refuse to think they have an impact actually do). It’s a catch-22 scenario. In pro wrestling, the people who have the most power are part of that baby-boomer generation that has ruined the planet, and has also ruined the wrestling business.

Did you watch the most recent episode of Dark Side of the Ring? There was a lot of BS going on from all the parties talking, but the lesson I learned was pretty simple. David Schultz was trying to protect the business. As dumb as he was in the process of protecting the business, that’s what he was taught. That business he tried to protect was outed by his boss (who allegedly told him to rough up that reporter) a couple of years later. Basically, Dr. D was wasting his time. There was no reason for him to try & prove the “realness” of the business when his boss was going to expose it to avoid paying taxes.

I believe that Schultz would have done something else to get blackballed. Dude was a bit of a loose cannon. That Mr. T business ended up being the final straw. Everything would have ended up the same way eventually. However, if Dr. D was in fact directed to shut people up by Vincent Kennedy McMahon (who would never admit such a thing because he’s just a good honest Christian fella), Vince deserves some of the blame for that nonsense.

All of the people associated with this business are evil. I’ve said this before, and it’s part of why I have no friends in the business, but I haven’t been proven wrong yet. So let’s get on with the fake news!

WWE News

Dutch Mantell created a bit of a stir last week when he stated that Vince McMahon was planning on selling WWE. Here’s what he tweeted.

HUGE NEWS: Any truth to this. Overheard directly out of @WWE Stamford is that a deal is being negotiated to sell WWE & the network to @ESPN and @FOX by as early as Mid May. @mattkoonmusic

— 𝔻𝕣. 𝔻𝕦𝕥𝕔𝕙 (@DirtyDMantell) April 28, 2020

I’m really not sure why this story took off the way it did. I assume it was a combination of two factors:

1. Dutch Mantell is a respected person within the wrestling world. Its not like somebody like me with no credibility tweeting out speculation.

2. We were bored.

In any event, WWE denies any reporting concerning the potential sale of the company. From where I sit, Vince selling WWE is one of those things I can’t imagine happening. I have assumed as long as that man has a pulse, he won’t give the company up. He loves sports entertainment and constantly working just as much as he loves money.

However, I have assumed a lot of things wouldn’t happen over the years. Many of them ended up happening. Wrestling truly is a “never say never” business. Vince selling out seems unlikely, but there has been smoke here the last couple of years. Enough smoke to make one wonder.

Jimmy Uso will reportedly be out six to nine months with a knee injury suffered during the triple threat ladder match at WrestleMania. This certainly sheds more light on Naomi’s loss against Dana Brooke in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. Better she be at home with her husband than at Titan Tower climbing the corporate ladder. Last thing we need is both of them out due to crazy ladder stunts.

Kevin Owens also says he injured his knee at WrestleMania, but he doesn’t seem too concerned about it. Us fat guys are used to our knees hurting due to our excess weight so I see where he’s coming from.

Becky Lynch hasn’t been very active in the ring lately, but she’s still doing big things. Lynch appeared on Showtime’s Billions on Sunday night, and Kris Tapley tweeted that Becky would be in an upcoming Marvel movie. I can’t say I would have predicted that Becky would be the next WWE Superstar to break into the movie scene, but it seems like a good career move to me. She’s taking acting lessons now and if I remember correctly she was taking them during her hiatus from the wrestling business as well. She’s getting pointers from The Rock & John Cena too, who would be the obvious people to ask. More power to her if she gets it done. I’ve never been one of those people that got mad at wrestlers for going Hollywood. Always seemed like the next step to me.

Speaking of Becky, there was a tidbit she dropped during a recent interview I’d love to hear more details on. Apparently, Vince McMahon was recently demonstrating how to properly fall off of a tower. This leads to many different questions. I know there are people that do that kind of a thing for a living, but is it something Vince should be doing at 98 years old? Was he actually taking bumps onto a gigantic pad? If so, should we be concerned that an elderly gentleman going through a ton of stress is jumping off of high places? Should we be concerned that this is the guy Wall Street puts so much faith in?

Also, since Vince now wants his workers to be glorified stuntmen, doesn’t that mean that Mick Foley came along 20 years too soon like Superstar Billy Graham did?

Other Wrestling News

Ring of Honor has cancelled their events through June, meaning they currently have no events on their calendar. On the bright side, Sinclair Broadcasting isn’t making their wrestlers travel across the country to work events in front of zero fans. However, as a natural-born cynic, I can’t help but notice that this illustrates the lack of importance of ROH to Sinclair’s business. Is there an easier place for them to cut costs than their wrestling company? The longer ROH remains on the shelf, the more likely it is that it’ll stay there.

Hopefully I’m wrong, and once the pandemic is over Ring of Honor returns stronger than ever. It just seems to me that Sinclair has higher priorities on their mind than ROH, and it wouldn’t shock me when it all ends if they realize “Do we really need to open that part of the business back up?”. After all, getting Donald Trump re-elected is vastly more important to Sinclair’s business than running wrestling shows.

We mentioned a random Dutch Mantell tweet getting a lot of traction earlier, so I wanted to mention another one here:

Just ran across this match. Brutal. Samoa Joe and Necro Butcher , a bloodbath on Necro’s end. There’s 3 spots in here that could have legitimately ended Necro’s career/health or life. 4 min, 8 min and 10 minute mark. Comments?? https://t.co/6JUWV6ziVo

— 𝔻𝕣. 𝔻𝕦𝕥𝕔𝕙 (@DirtyDMantell) May 3, 2020

This is my way of saying if you’re reading this and haven’t seen Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher before, you should get on that. You have no excuse, as I assume you aren’t writing at least 4 columns a week and aren’t on at least two podcasts a week, while working an essential job 4 days a week. Watch that shit!

Plugs!

I looked at the Top 5 Relationships Between Wrestlers and Announcers.

I also looked at the Top 5 Curtis Axel Moments

Then I wrote about how AEW Can’t Hire All Of Their Friends. You know, just in case somebody there read that Axel article and got some ideas.

Thanks for reading! Stay safe, and put on a mask and gloves whenever you can.

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

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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

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Related Topics:Becky Lynch Dr D David Schultz Dutch Mantell Featured Featured Big ROH Vince McMahon WWE

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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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SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / 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

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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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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!

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