Opinion

NXT: Who Should Go And Who Should Come Back?

With the WWE Draft upon us, Rob Bonnette takes a look at the NXT to see who should move up to Raw and Smackdown, and who should move back.

Published

5 years ago

October 9, 2020

Rob Bonnette

With the WWE Draft upon us, Rob Bonnette takes a look at the NXT to see who should move up to Raw and Smackdown, and who should move back.

The draft is upon us this weekend, and with it the changed prospects of people who will be moving from one roster to another. And while some folks will be moving from Raw to Smackdown or vice versa, what I’m really looking at is who goes to and from NXT. Now we already have some migration in some of the members of Retribution (Donovan Dijak, Mia Yim, Mercedes Martinez) from NXT to Raw while Ember Moon has returned to NXT. And there are some names that were supposed to move up before COVID happened who are now in limbo (Chelsea Green, Vanessa Borne). But what about the rest? Who’s ripe to move on from NXT and who could use a refresh by coming back to were things started? Some folks are better off on Raw or Smackdown (see the Street Profits) and some have found their way after returning like Finn Balor and Breezango. Now when it comes to making these lists it’s too easy to let personal biases overtake one’s thinking; moving someone off Raw or Smackdown to NXT so you don’t have to see them anymore is not the move for real. So I tried to not do that and instead come up with something a bit more objective. Here’s who I came up with:

Go: Johnny Gargano and Candace LeRae

It’s time for both members of the couple to move on. Johnny has held every title there is to have in NXT, and has wrestled everyone he could possibly face. He’s been there in some capacity since 2016, and it feels like it. It’s reached a point where Johnny’s name in a main event is a cause for dread because it brings with it the specter of an overlong match with too many kickouts. He very badly needs some boundaries put on his ring work and that’s not going to happen as long as he’s in NXT. Candace has not been there as long but after her loss to Io Shirai at Takeover, coupled with the returns of Toni Storm and Ember Moon, it’s pretty obvious that she has zero chance of ever winning the NXT Women’s title. Believe it or not she stands a better chance at winning a title on Raw or Smackdown than in NXT, based on how things have shaken out. The other thing with both of them is that the timing is now right because they finally have characters that they can play outside of ‘we’re great wrestlers and we’re married….yay!’ So everything is there and there’s nothing to stick around for. Pull the trigger on this one.

Come back: Chad Gable

Chad Gable is a great wrestler. As a character he’s……..a great wrestler. The much maligned Shorty G gimmick hasn’t worked, but even before that there wasn’t anything about him that appealed to anyone other than workrate enthusiasts. Which makes you a job guy on Raw or Smackdown unless some miracle happens. In NXT however, he can be ‘Chad Gable, great wrestler’ and just do promos around that and be just fine. He’d fit in working on top with Balor, Kyle O’Reilly, etc or in the midcard with Kushida, Damian Priest, and those guys.

Go: Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez

Dakota is in the same boat as Candace in that she got a shot at Io Shirai and failed to win, and is now stuck behind everyone else with zero chance of ever winning the title. Gonzalez hadn’t reached that level yet but probably won’t any time soon. The women’s tag team division could use another entry, so bringing them up together would make a lot of sense. And look, they can both work singles, too. Another win win here.

Come back: Peyton Royce

The dirtsheets have all run with the rumor that Peyton is the Iconic that is favored the most by Vince McMahon, but there’s real reason to believe that Billie Kay is the one who will do better. Neither are great wrestlers but Billie has some real potential doing character work on her own, way more than Peyton in my opinion. Of course there’s always the possibility of bringing them both back because I don’t see how you push either of them on Raw or Smackdown as anything but comedy acts without egregiously moving them ahead of several people who are better performers than them.

Go: Malcolm Bivens

After a long wait Malocolm finally got on TV earlier this year as the manager of tag team Indus Shur, who were looking they were going to run over all the lower level tag teams in NXT until they were ready to work against the better talents. Then one of the members spoiled the finish to Keith Lee/Adam Cole title match and we haven’t seen them since. Since he wasn’t there that long to start with and the tag team never got going much anyway, why not move him up where his personality and comedic skills would be better served? As far as someone for him to manage they could always move up someone like Dabba Kato, who isn’t doing anything on NXT right now anyway.

Come back: Riddick Moss

What exactly are they doing with Moss? He’s been in Raw Underground and has worked a bunch of matches on Main Event. He wins those matches, sometimes inexplicably, so somebody sees something in him, but after a quick run with the 24/7 title earlier this year there doesn’t seem to be any desire to jump in with both feet and actually push him. It doesn’t help that they just kinda throw him out there but if they have aspirations for his future it’s better to put him somewhere that he can work matches, show what he can do, and thus earn the respect of the fans who aren’t really here to see him beat anyone of any consequence right now.

So those my picks. Obviously there are names like Adam Cole and Karrion Kross out there, guys who will be on Raw or Smackdown sooner than later, and some of my picks aren’t likely to happen (Royce and Moss in particular). But not knowing is part of the fun, and makes for good surprises along this road of fandom. So here’s to the draft and here’s to Fridays. Happy drafting, everyone!

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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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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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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