Opinion

Does WWE Have A Fiend Problem?

The Fiend has been a prolific character since appearing on WWE television, but has booking painted him into a corner?

Published

5 years ago

May 1, 2020

The Fiend has been a prolific character since appearing on WWE television, but has booking painted him into a corner?

In April 2019 the WWE & world of professional wrestling was given a glimpse at something we’d never seen the likes of before, or even since for that matter when Bray Wyatt reappeared on our television screens with a new gimmick that was certainly a shift from what we’d previously come to know Bray Wyatt to be as a character.

Up until that point in time, Bray Wyatt had been damaged goods in WWE for as long as fans could remember. As talented as the man was both on the microphone and as an in-ring competitor it was truly both the writing and booking for the character he portrayed that led him into the downwards spiral he had been in for so long. At the start of his run in 2013 both Wyatt and his former ‘Wyatt Family’ seemed unstoppable or at the very least like a gimmick that had the longevity needed to craft a star that would fall in line with someone like The Undertaker or Kane to an extent. This would end up being far from reality.

The former “Eater of Worlds” was mauled by an awkward obsession from the creative team to pile him on with endless strings of losses, programs with top stars (e.g. John Cena, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Undertaker) that always lead to his credibility severely diminishing due to him never being able to score that truly ‘definitive’ win, inconsistent booking of his character that leads him nowhere & a familiar pattern for how all his rivalries worked that at the end of it portrayed him as nothing more than just a gimmick in the company instead of a truly one-of-a-kind performer. The WWE had one of the brightest young minds in the business on their hands and it was clear they were squandering him & needed radical change to save someone that could carry the company forward, and boy did they ever.

Upon his return in April of 2019, Bray Wyatt wasn’t what he once was, in fact at first glimpse you’d probably take his character as a joke, as I did.

What was a joke at first glance however shaped into something that none of us, not I or almost anyone watching would imagine could be nearly as entertaining, unique & memorable as the newly reformed Bray Wyatt. He threw in his ‘fireflies’ and instead came back as a semi-comedic spin of a children’s television host that you’d see every Saturday morning, followed along with a colorful look, fluffy animals, corny one-liners, a funhouse of toys & cheerful tone that on the surface seemed like a recipe for disaster but has now become the most captivating character I’ve come across since the initial debut of Shinsuke Nakamura in 2016. It wasn’t just that side of his character that intrigued fans or myself, but his ‘alter-ego’ that took many of us by surprise.

This new form of Wyatt came with a dark side, a seemingly unstoppable force that served as the polar opposite to Bray Wyatt himself, now known as “The Fiend.” Masquerading around in a haunting mask, along with eerie takes on children’s nursery rhymes & a tweaked version of Wyatt’s original entrance, ‘The Fiend’ wasn’t just one of the few terrifying characters in all of professional wrestling but a refreshing change to programming that needed an unbeatable character in its storylines for the longest time. Right off the bat, the booking for him was near pitch-perfect, as he dismantled the likes of Finn Balor, Mick Foley, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Kane, John Cena & even Braun Strowman, whom I’ll get too later.

Not all of it was perfect though, especially a severely mishandled (and rushed) feud with Seth Rollins over the Universal Championship that served the right result but took far too long to get there, featuring one of the worst main events in the history of the company that looked like it could kill the character for sure, but instead did more damage to Rollins than anything. We also have Universal Championship match with Goldberg at the companies most recent Saudi Arabia show, Crown Jewel, that did absolutely nothing for either man besides once again put over a veteran talent that didn’t need the win & do nothing for Wyatt’s character at all. All it did, is get us to where we are now.

Bray Wyatt finds himself booked in a Universal Championship against now champion Braun Strowman, for the very belt he lost for no good reason in the first place. While the match itself serves as a pretty neat piece of storytelling for both men considering their history, it lights up the one fatal flaw I have with the character, his invulnerability.

Despite coming off arguably the biggest “win” of his career against John Cena in the Firefly Funhouse Match at WrestleMania 36 (which is a gem that everyone should check out) it seems like WWE has once again booked themselves into a corner like they have so many times before with their most valuable asset. ‘The Fiend’ himself, for the most part, has been booked as someone who cannot be stopped, bar one puzzling loss to Goldberg as I mentioned, and still retains the aura of the character that is so important, where they go from here is where my concern arises. WWE hasn’t just placed their most interesting character in a match against anyone but against their newly crowned Universal Champion in Braun Strowman, who much like Bray Wyatt in his earlier days has been victim to some bizarre booking choices.

Braun Strowman may have been awarded the Universal Champion by pinning Goldberg in a real nothing of a match at WrestleMania by being a fill-in for the absent Roman Reigns, but that doesn’t undo the fact that the company has failed to capture the essence of the Braun Strowman character that they once did back in the day when he was feuding with the likes of Reigns himself or Big Show on RAW & instead have squandered any real momentum he had to transform him into a babyface that isn’t at all compelling. I personally like Strowman and think he’s one of the most talented big men the company has ever had but regardless of what happens in just over 10 days from now, the WWE is damaging a character that simply cannot afford it. I could do an entire article about my issues with someone like Braun Strowman but the reason I want the focus to be on ‘The Fiend’ is simply that sadly the company needs to capitalize more on him than anything at this moment. It’s very clear that the winner of this match will be right in line to battle the company’s biggest star in Roman Reigns upon his inevitable return to the ring and if you’re serving up your biggest name to anyone, it should be to the one character that comes closest to replicating the sheer aggression of him in a storyline.

Come Money In the Bank the WWE has booked themself into yet another jumble, one that will upset a side of the fanbase regardless of the final result. On this night, however, it’s pretty clear that Bray Wyatt, ‘The Fiend’ or whichever alias you choose to call him has to come out the victor. It’s highly likely that his character will eat another loss in the very near future but sacrificing him at this stage to a champion that possesses no real presence is something I hope WWE’s creative team doesn’t decide is a good idea in the long or short-term.

While maintaining the momentum of ‘The Fiend’ as an unstoppable force is quite tough to do in this age of wrestling it’s important that they keep as much of the character as they can intact so they can preserve what could likely be one of the defining stars of this generation.

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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

5 days 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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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)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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