Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 1994 Wrestling Memories

Steve Cook continues his journey through his own wrestling history, looking at 1994!

Published

5 years ago

June 7, 2020

Steve Cook

Steve Cook continues his journey through his own wrestling history, looking at 1994!

When you look back at your history as a wrestling fan, you notice points where your tastes change.

1994 was one of those points for me. Up until this point in my Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration, we’ve seen some pretty silly angles make the list since I remember them fondly. Once I hit the age of 10, I was looking for some meatier stuff. I needed something more serious to grab my attention. Undertaker vs. Underfaker might have made the list before, but not now. I was over that type of nonsense. I have no fond memories of Brian Lee acting like the Undertaker, though I did appreciate the Leslie Nielsen segments as part of the build.

Here’s some other things I appreciated!

5. Missing My First Episode of Monday Night Raw

I don’t experience the Fear Of Missing Out too often these days. More often than not, I’m viewing wrestling content via on demand or streaming services. Back in 1994, I had seen every episode of Monday Night Raw live. I disappointed the first time I had to miss the show, especially since I knew that Bret Hart was scheduled to take on the 1-2-3 Kid and it was surely going to be a classic. It was, as I found out years later when I watched it.

I was at Kings Island, though. So it’s not like I was too sad about it. I just wished they’d booked Bret & the Kid for any other week!

4. Mr. Bob Backlund

I was not the wrestling historian in 1994 that I am now. So I didn’t know a whole lot about Bob Backlund other than he had held the WWF Championship for 5 years back in the day. He came back to the WWF in 1992 and worked as a pretty bland old school babyface for a good period of time. I can’t say I ever looked forward to his appearances on TV at that point. Then, all of a sudden, Backlund got a WWF Championship match against Bret Hart on Superstars. Bret won a hard-fought match and tried to shake hands afterwards, but Backlund snapped, slapped Bret & put the cross face chicken wing on him. As it turned out, Backlund was tired of what society was becoming & wanted to bring things back to the way they were back in 1978 when he was the WWF Champion. He never fairly lost the title either, since Arnold Skaaland had thrown in the towel for Bob when he refused to submit to the Iron Sheik’s Camel Clutch. Backlund would apply the chicken wing to many people on his path to regaining the WWF Championship at Survivor Series 1994.

The character change Mr. Backlund underwent in 1994 would last for the rest of his public & private life. The man has worked that character everywhere he’s been for the past twenty-six years, so one can assume it’s actually him at this point. I was interested in his storyline, and thought he would have made an interesting champion for a period of time longer than three days. But that didn’t happen.

3. The Last of Steamboat

One of my early favorite pro wrestlers we haven’t touched on much so far here is Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. I just thought that guy was one of the best pure wrestlers out there. His offense, his selling was all on point. To this day, I can count the number of bad Steamboat matches I’ve seen on one hand. Ricky’s matches on WCW television were a big part of my getting into that product and accepting it on the level of the WWF. He was always one of the best wrestlers wherever he worked. Greatest babyface of all time? I was more sold on that before I watched 1989 WCW in further depth & saw the awkwardness of the Family Man storyline, but in-ring he’s got a great argument for it.

Ricky’s career got cut short in 1994 during a match with Steve Austin. A regular bump ended up breaking Steamboat’s back and taking him out of the business. It was a sad day when I heard Steamboat had to retire, and further evidence of the change in the WCW product I had grown to enjoy. We’ll discuss that more later.

2. Bret vs. Owen

The best compliment I can pay Owen Hart is that I disliked him for a good portion of the 1990s. I was always a Bret Hart fan since I started watching, and bought into the “best there is, best there was, best there ever will be” catchphrase. It wasn’t too far off the mark. When Owen turned against Bret, I couldn’t believe the temerity or the unmitigated gall of the man. How could a brother turn against a brother?

Obviously, I wasn’t alive during the Civil War and I hadn’t studied it yet. All I can say for sure is that I was deeply into the Bret/Owen angle. When I heard through the static that Owen had beat Bret at WrestleMania X, I couldn’t believe it. Owen went on to win the King of the Ring tournament just like Bret had and crowned himself the King of Harts. They had a tremendous cage match at SummerSlam, and Owen managed to convince the matriarch of the Hart family, Helen, to throw in the towel on Bret at the Survivor Series. It was a beautiful feud played out by two masters, and I loved all of it.

1. The Hulkster Changes WCW

Here’s something I didn’t love, which is my main memory of 1994.

The main thing I liked about WCW was that it was different from the WWF. That doesn’t mean I hated the WWF. A lot of people out there still don’t get this idea that you can enjoy different wrestling companies. I liked the fact that WCW presented a different product from the WWF, giving me two different things to watch. I like variety! Some of y’all don’t, and prefer stanning a certain product. That’s not me. That’s never been how I’ve operated. I’ve always preferred having a variety of wrestling products to watch and support. I don’t go all-in on one because that’s not my style.

I like to play the field.

Hulk Hogan coming to WCW was one thing. I was already over the Hulkster at this point, but I understood the idea of him drawing eyeballs. Hulk Hogan bringing all his friends with him, and turning WCW into WWF from a few years ago? I wasn’t on board with that. This wasn’t the first or last time WCW would try to be a WWF clone in order to gain a fanbase, but it was the first time I saw it, and I was not impressed. I was with the WCW fans in their traditional markets that would cheer Flair over Hogan.

Eventually, WCW figured this out, and we had something worth watching. But those first few months with Hogan were rough. Right when Steamboat retired, we had all of these Hogan cronies come in and clog up the TV shows. Not great times.

Next week, we’ll look at 1995 & the beginning of the Monday Night Wars! Join us then!

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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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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)

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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

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Classic POD is WAR

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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