Opinion

The Wrestling Debate Club: Should NXT UK Have Returned?

Chairshot’s Rey Ca$h and WrestlingHeadlines.com’s Clive have a pointed debate on whether NXT UK should’ve returned or not.

Published

5 years ago

October 15, 2020

Rey Cash

Clive: Greetings! I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Clive, and I am and a podcaster and columnist for WrestlingHeadlines.com. I’d like to welcome you all to this, the first in a bi-monthly Brand Extension offshoot, where Chairshot Media’s Rey Ca$h and I take you to Wrestling Debate Club. In written form! Rey, thank you for joining me on this new and potential laden venture!

Rey: My pleasure sir! I’m still astonished that you were so willing and happy to lose a debate against me so publicly, but I’m still happy to be here with you.

Clive: There was me hoping for a cordial and respectful back and forth on this debut installment. Instead, you went for the jugular. If that’s how you want to play it, then let’s jump right in. Unless you have any preemptive sore-loser caveats you want to throw in beforehand?

Rey: Remember Braveheart? The Scot died. On your cue, Clivert!

Statement Up For Debate: These past few weeks have seen the return of NXT UK to the WWE Network and TV outlets around the world. Considering there are still unaddressed roster members implicated in June’s #SpeakingOut Movement, should NXT UK even return at all? Rey, as a proponent for the show’s return, the floor is yours.

Proponent’s Argument: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, trolls and trollettes of the IWC, I’d like to speak to you about a word that has become a bit of a buzzword in recent times – diversity. Now, more than ever, society has realized the importance of diversity. And I’m not just speaking about racial diversity, gender diversity, or the diversity of sexuality, religion, or class. I’m talking about diversity of choice. In this wonderful business that we call professional wrestling, this particular form of diversity has been quite the major issue over the years. The WWE essentially ran a monopoly on the business for almost 2 decades; so much so that they had to create their own diversity. They tried to achieve this first with the initial brand split, then with the rise of NXT, and most recently, with what Triple H calls “global localization”. It’s because of this that one of the most underserved markets in all of professional wrestling, the United Kingdom, received a WWE offshoot brand in NXT UK.

Now, I know that there has been massive controversy associated with this brand. The timing of its inception with the simultaneous rebirth of World of Sport is fresh in people’s minds, what with the so-called “homogenization” of the British Independent wrestling scene, and most recently, the #SpeakingOut scandal. It’s important to state, as we’ve talked about ad nauseum personally and in our various mediums, that there was a cancer in the wrestling business and it needed to be cut out. For the most part, wrestling – and WWE in particular – has done that. So while there is still some uncertainty with a portion of the NXT UK roster, and there MUST be an amicable resolution on those performers who deserve swift and severe punishment, the point of the brand should not be lost. The diversity of the brand should not be destroyed. The sins of the few should not affect the many. The importance of this brand for the region it serves, and the possibility of what this brand represents is a fire that must be stoked. Not one that should be extinguished. NXT UK gives European and Commonwealth wrestlers a steady wage in their own backyard. They have guarantees that working for the various Indy promotions could not promise. And the prospect of what making it in the WWE can do for a performer is too great to pass up, especially if you don’t have to move stateside. So I’d like to finish my opening argument by reminding you all of the importance of what NXT UK can and should be. A diverse, bustling showcase for the best professional wrestlers that Europe has to offer. A few disgustingly unfortunate controversies should not end this medium.

Opponent’s Argument: Readers, WWE, as we all know, is a publicly traded company. In so being, it strives to be the standard bearer in all things professional wrestling. It even aims for similar standards in the world of entertainment as a whole. With that comes a responsibility. A base level of visibility. A transparency to show to the world that it is not this all conquering evil conglomerate some pockets of wrestling fandom believe it to be.

In the Speaking Out Scandal’s wake, WWE has failed to set the standard. While independent wrestlers around the world have taken quick, decisive, and foundation rumbling measures to not only ensure a safe working environment, but also to present an untainted product to the public, WWE has in some cases portrayed itself as a brush with which to brush under a rug its dirty little secrets. Especially when it pertains to NXT UK.

Yes, some of those with allegations have indeed been shown the door, or at least suspended, pending further investigation. However, other allegations have remained, on the face of it at least, ignored. Why are public statements made for some and not for others? Why, with such an incredibly sensitive issue nowhere near resolved, are some accused not also treated with the visibility given to their peers? The UK and European wrestling scenes are small. In turn, they are close knit. Guilt by association is not a word I wish to use lightly. Yet, innocent wrestlers have toured the world for years with colleagues who are now considered predators, and a cancer to the business.

With police taskforces regarding #SpeakingOut still ongoing as you read this, it is irresponsible for WWE to operate with a business as usual mindset. Not enough has been done to assuage the collective anxiety felt by the Internet Wrestling Community. Until that has happened, NXT UK, now the hub of the BritWres scene, should not be back on our screens.

Proponent’s Retort/Rebuttal/Cross: My counterpart stated that WWE is the standard bearer in professional wrestling, and as such, should set the standard in situations such as this. He’s absolutely correct. Unequivocally so. He also states that WWE seemingly has brushed it’s dirty little secrets under a proverbial rug. Again, absolutely correct. I’d be an idiot if I didn’t acknowledge and lament WWE’s extremely checkered history of shoddy business practices, unfair treatment of performers, and overall crassness. These are all facts. But the question being asked is should NXT UK be ended because of all of the above.

Let’s talk about a few of these dirty little secrets that have been brushed under the rug by WWE. Chris Benoit committed a double murder homicide while under the employ of WWE. There is a very public and saddening list of professional wrestlers that spend the majority of their time under WWE’s employ that died at extremely young ages, with their demise ultimately being tied to the rigors and demands of the WWE model – most notably, Eddie Guerrero. There is a history of racist undertones in gimmicks, who’s pushed to success and why, and in treatment by wrestlers and management. The absolute same can be said for the treatment of the women of WWE historically, probably even more so. And then there’s Vince McMahon, as shrewd a businessman that’s ever lived, but a man who is as devilish as any we’ve seen in this generation. These are all verifiable facts. Do they mean that WWE should cease operations?

The answer should be, and is no. For all of the atrocities that WWE has been responsible for, they have given us just as much, if not more. The amount of lives that the WWE has ruined is likely quadrupled by the lives that they’ve positively impacted – professionally, financially, and for some, even personally. WWE’s success is directly involved in the success of every other wrestling company in the business, and that’s even before they became a conglomerate. In more recent years, WWE has taken a heavy philanthropic charge, placing heavy emphasis on their fight against multiple forms of cancers, the Special Olympics, and women’s empowerment to name a few. There are multiple redeeming qualities that WWE has, and we haven’t even talked about the product. For all of the conjecture about the enjoyment of it, there’s no debate that the biggest and most memorable and important moments in the wrestling world happen in the WWE.

So, am I arguing that the ends justify the means? No, that’s not my decision to make. For every issue that I’m somehow able to accept, millions more can’t. I accept that and I honor that. What I am arguing, however, is that this isn’t a black and white situation. It never is in entertainment. The issue is simply, “What does NXT UK have to offer, and is it still worth it?” With this being the ACTUAL question at hand, I feel that the answer is an unequivocal yes. I ask you, if you shut down NXT UK, what do you do with their near 40 person roster? Are the masses worth sacrificing for the transgressions of a few? I also ask, especially to my counterpart, if you are a wrestling fan in the UK and Europe, what are you supposed to watch? NXT UK has given the European wrestling scene it’s only weekly episodic show. Yes, the bigger Indy companies will still do shows and televise them, but will it have the ease of watching and production quality that the WWE has?

Finally, if we do shut down NXT UK, what does this mean for future brands, shows, and companies? This sets a precedent that if any show has issues with some of its performers, that show should cease. That’s a dangerous precedent to set. One that gives entirely too much power to a society that more often than not abuses it. Instead of destroying what is essentially 50+ people’s livelihoods, let’s get rid of the ACTUAL abusers. Let’s clean up the show, clean up the brand, and clean up the business. Don’t throw it in the trash because a handful of guys are trash.

Opponent’s Retort/Rebuttal/Cross: The question posed today isn’t whether or not NXT UK should be done for good. Rey posits several salient points as to the deeds of the few being outweighed by the needs of the many. Rather, the question asks if it is too soon to bring the product back to the masses.

I was a huge proponent of its arrival on the Network. Proud of its venture onto normal television. Even with the backlash of its apparent harming of the BritWres scene as a whole. But Rey mentions charitable causes and women empowerment programs as WWE’s positives. Indeed they should be. However, when, on the face of it, a complete lack of action has been taken for some still accused, their victims who spoke out are far from empowered. With WWE’s success, as Rey suggests, this problem is a microcosm of the entertainment industry. For WWE to rise above its peers in that arena, more has to be done.

If WWE isn’t as transparent as it can be with these investigations, as the standard bearer that it is, why should companies aspiring to be affiliates buck that trend? If WWE doesn’t call a halt to proceedings until ALL accused have either been routed or cleared, why, then, should anybody else? With the accused (from NXT, Raw, and Smackdown also) wrestling away as if nothing has happened, how long will it be before independent companies wait for the fires to die out again before bringing their own accused back in? It might not take as long next time for a similar scandal to hit the scene.

Proponent’s Closing Statement: Ladies and gentlemen of the IWC, I’d like to make it known officially that I agree with my opponent on pretty much every point he has. I absolutely think that WWE should be held accountable for the inconsistency of how they’ve handled the #SpeakingOut movement accused. I think that there should have been a clear, concise, and most importantly PUBLIC plan as to what happens with those mentioned. I also think that WWE is and should continue to be the leader in the wrestling business, which means that they need to set the standard. And Clive and I both believe that they’ve missed the mark in this regard.

Where we disagree, however, is on one fundamental issue. What do you do until that happens? I’m not going to pretend to be a lawyer or a contract expert, but it’s more than fair to assume that all of the performers signed to WWE have morality clauses in their contracts. The people who have been released thus far have all openly admitted to what they did. The ones still under contract, however, have not. Some of which are actively fighting the allegations legally. This puts WWE in a precarious situation. I’d LOVE to see that WWE released Matt Riddle or Velveteen Dream today, but can you imagine the potential legal firestorm that may bring? They’d have legal recourse to say that WWE stood by them this far, and if rumors are believed to be true, both men informed WWE of their situations before they became public. So this is absolutely a lose-lose situation in the eyes of the WWE.

Now, I’m not sticking up for Riddle, Dream, or any of the accused. I’m not even sticking up for the WWE in this regard, who have the capital and gravitas to deal with any legal firestorm that may come their way. I’m simply trying to point out the delicacy of how this situation has to be handled. And not simply for the performers mentioned, but for the accusers as well. This situation is one that must be handled with care, diligence, and time. That last point – time – is the issue on which my opponent and I disagree. So to end my statement, I’ll ask you this. In a post-quarantine world, do you really think that the NXT UK brand could handle a full on shut down until all legal issues have run their course? Do you think that the WWE can afford to completely shut down a brand, one so important and synonymous with their second biggest market, to wait for the official situations of a few potentially guilty parties?

I believe that the answer is no. I believe that all of the accused should deal with their transgressions, and if true, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and fired. I believe that there is ABSOLUTELY no place for sexual assault, sexual deviance, abuse, domestic violence, targeting and grooming, or any of the other things mentioned in the allegations in society, especially in wrestling. But most importantly, I believe that the innocent should not be punished for the guilty. I believe that NXT UK should continue.

Thank you.

Opponent’s Closing Statement: With this being such an incendiary topic, it’s heartwarming to know that Rey and I are on the same page on the majority of the issues arising from this. So much so, it would be pointless for me to reiterate the points my opponent has so eloquently put across.

The issue with time, however, is that its very abundance can lead to complacency. Not just by WWE, who might not be as rigorously investigating matters as it was in June and July. But also by those accused whose status remains unresolved. Whose social media has slowly but surely become more active. Whose friends – even family members, with whom I struggle to believe would have been blind to such behaviour all this time – wait for them to be ingratiated back into the fold; their own potential guilt by proxy equally diminished.

Rey is spot on with the negative ramifications a prolonged postponement would have for third parties and wrestlers themselves. Knowing said wrestlers like I do, however, what with them having lived in each others’ pockets for lifetimes, this disease has to be thoroughly eradicated. Before it can come back, even more damaging to the wrestling community than it was the first time.

Clive: Well, Rey, thank you for joining me on this unique venture. I like to think this back and forth will have conjured up several talking points and issues for those reading to ponder.

Rey: Man, I thought we were supposed to fight? Like joust style. Like on American Gladiators. This was waaaaayyyy too friendly, but you are my brother, so I guess I’ll let this slide. Let’s do it again sometime!

Clive: Oh, indeed we will, sir. Indeed we will. If, however, we are going to do that, a tally has to be kept to see who is more in keeping with IWC sentiments. This where you, the reader, get to have your say. Hit us up in the comments below, or if you find this on social media. Tell us who you think won this debate, why, and if you have an alternative option.

You can find Clive on Twitter @RickyandClive

You can find Rey on Twitter @ItsReyCash

FIN

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: WrestleMania 41 Las Vegas

Time for The Chairshot personalities to put their money where their mouths are! WreslteMania 41 predictions from the “expert” staff at TheChairshot.com and Chairshot Radio Network.

Published

6 hours ago

April 18, 2025

PC Tunney

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Chairshot Staff Picks. And what better setting than WrestleMania for this article to return! This 41st edition has one of the most stacked rosters in WWE history. So, without further ado, let us get to the predictions and prognostications…

AJ – The New Day
Andrew – The New Day – No one seems to hold tag titles long anymore.
Dave – The New Day – They have earned it.
DJ – The New Day – Feel tha Powah!
DPP – War Raiders – Big E distraction.
Jason – The New Day – We are not getting E in a working capacity though everyone wants it.
Patrick – The New Day – WWE doesn’t care about this match, so why should I?
Rey – The New Day – Its a New Day, bruh.
Rob – The New Day – New Day rocks and wins!
Greg – The New Day – New. Day wins. New. Day wins!

Tunney’s Take: War Machine – Yes, WAR MACHINE. I have personally had the pleasure of throwing back a few cold ones with these guys on more than one occasion. Not only being tag champs in WWE but defending the titles at Mania and against The New Day is really cool for me as a long-time fan. Would it be fun to see The New Day have another title run.. YES. I think it’s smarter to give the War Raiders a big Mania W.

Chairshot Pick: THE NEW DAY 9-2

AJ – Jade Cargill
Andrew – Jade Cargill – She needs to stay a dominant force.
Dave – Jade Cargill – Gotta gear her up for the long term.
DJ – No contest – Naomi puts another beat down on Jade.
DPP – Jade Cargill – Nervous for how this match will go.
Jason – Naomi – Way more runway with Naomi as a bad guy. Keep it going!
Patrick – Jade Cargill – Jade gets her revenge.
Rey – Jade Cargill – Best non-title feud going. Naomi should win but Jade sneaks by.
Rob – Naomi – Naomi gets help to win.
Greg – Jade Cargill – They ain’t beating Jade here.

Tunney’s Take: Jade Cargill – I imagine WWE sees Jade’s ceiling much higher than Naomi’s. What better way to keep Jade climbing the ladder towards a World Title than to pick up a decisive victory in Vegas!

Chairshot Pick: Jade Cargill 8-2-1

AJ – Jacob Fatu – “AJ does a pretty good LA Knight impersonation” – PC Tunney
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – I’m biased, Jacob for President.
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Getting gold back in the Bloodline is smart.
DJ – Jacob Fatu
DPP – Jacob Fatu
Jason – Jacob Fatu – Thanks for coming pal, YEAH!
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – C’mon cuz! All gas no brakes with it. Yadadamean??
Rob – LA Knight – Solo costs Jacob.
Greg – LA Knight – Solo screws Jacob.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – It has been quite the journey for the Samoan Werewolf. I feel like that journey and the positive turn around it has taken deserves to be rewarded. Let’s see what Jacob can do on his own. Plus, LA Knight is ready to challenge for a World Title.

Chairshot Pick: Jacob Fatu 9-2

AJ – Tiffany Straton
Andrew – Tiffany Straton – I hate Charlotte Flair, no objectivity here.
Dave – Charlotte Flair – Tiffy might be the future, but she kinda failed the litmus test.
DJ – Charlotte Flair – The Queen crowns the freshman.
DPP – Tiffany Stratton
Jason – Charlotte Flair – Tiff wasn’t ready for this spot. Charnos is inevitable.
Patrick – Charlotte Flair – Lol Charlotte wins.
Rey – Charlotte Flair – Tiffany SHOULD win but, if Charlotte can squash, she will.
Rob – Charlotte Flair – Charlotte gets number 15.
Greg – Tiffany Stratton – Lol Charlotte wins. (Actually she doesn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Charlotte Flair – Charlotte needs the title for the first time in her career. Tiffy has had a nice run but now needs to take that all important step of not losing momentum after losing the title. Despite the drama and lackluster build here, I see a really good match coming this weekend from these two.

Chairshot Pick: Charlotte Flair 7-4

AJ – El Grande Americano
Andrew – El Grande Americano – I’d like to see Gable gain some momentum. Rey is Teflon.
Dave – El Grand Americano – He needs a marque win much more than Rey.
DJ – Rey Mysterio
DPP – El Grande Americano – Grande wins with the switcheroo to prove he is not Gable.
Jason – Rey Mysterio – Unmask Grande at the end. It is fun but has a shelf life.
Patrick – El Grande Americano – TOTALLY NOT CHAD GABLE
Rey – Rey Mysterio – Someone’s mask is coming off and it ain’t Rey.
Rob – El Grande Americano
Greg – Rey Mysterio – Hall of Famer wins but doesn’t take the mask.

Tunney’s Take: Rey Mysterio – Go listen to DWI 471. DP, Greg and I lay out exactly what this match should be, FUN! Multiple Americanos!!!

Chairshot Pick: El Grande Americano 6-5

AJ – Jey Uso
Andrew – Jey Uso – Kinda booked themselves into a corner here.
Dave – Jey Uso – It just makes sense.
DJ – Jey Uso – Jey YEETS all over The Ring Genreal.
DPP – Jey Uso – Jey wins after normal Gunther beating.
Jason – Jey Uso – Land the plane man. YEET
Patrick – Jey Uso – Jey has earned this one.
Rey – Jey Uso – YEEEEEEEEEEEET!
Rob – Jey Uso – YEET
Greg – Jey Uso – If Jey loses we riot. We don’t cause he wins.

Tunney’s Take: Jey Uso – ‘Til sweat drop down my balls, ‘Til all these bitches crawl, ‘Til all… YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chairshot Pick: Jey Uso 11-0

AJ – Roman Reigns
Andrew – Seth Rollins – I can see Rollins being the last piece of Team Rock.
Dave – Roman Reigns – I can’t see Roman losing two years in a row.
DJ – Seth Rollins – Paul Heyman is a Seth Freakin Rollins guy.
DPP – Seth Rollins – The Rock helps Rollins.
Jason – Roman Reigns – Seth’s favor is a red herring. Make-A-Wish Brooks got his main, now look at the lights.
Patrick – Seth Rollins – Seth Rollins… Paul Heyman guy.
Rey – Seth Rollins – I smeeeeellllllll a new soul to sell.
Rob – Roman Reigns – Paul Heyman helps Roman win.
Greg – Seth Rollins – Brock Lesnar returns to help Seth win.

Tunney’s Take: CM Punk – I really have no idea here. I picked Punk because nobody else did. This is going to be professional wrestling cinema at its finest. The story is thick and neatly woven. All the participants are legends and so are the potential party crashers. Will The Rock stick his nose in here? Will Brock Lesnar return to play a factor? Obviously, Paul Heyman has a Plan A… but what is it? All these questions and more will be answered Saturday as night 1 will definitely go out with a bang!

Chairshot Pick: Seth Rollins 6-4-1

AJ – Iyo Sky
Andrew – Iyo Sky – Rhea vs Bianca doesn’t need a belt to be compelling.
Dave – Rhea Ripley – Going with Rhea barely, hoping Iyo wins.
DJ – Iyo Sky – Unfinished business.
DPP – Iyo Sky – Rhea and Bianca are too consumed with each other.
Jason – Iyo Sky – More layers to Rhea/Bianca. Iyo rules.
Patrick – Iyo Sky – Iyo stole the build and gets the win.
Rey – Iyo Sky – Smart money is on the underdog champ.
Rob – Iyo Sky – Iyo survives.
Greg – Bianca Belair – Naomi helps Bianca win and turn heel.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – Rhea is the best women’s wrestler in the world. Give her the biggest win on the grandest stage of them all!!! Bianca needs to go full heel. Iyo has been amazing in this build.

Chairshot Pick: Iyo Sky 8-2-1

AJ – Dominik Mysterio
Andrew – Finn Balor – I can see a Judgement Day meltdown incoming.
Dave – Bron Breakker – Bron is about to become a MegaStar.
DJ – Bron Breakker – Judgement Day implodes.
DPP – Dominik Mysterio – Finn take the pin.
Jason – Penta – I literally do not care because the winner is us, the fans.
Patrick – Bron Breakker – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
Rey – Dominik Mysterio – Only match without a clear winner. I choose chaos.
Rob – Bron Breakker – Finn and Dom cancel each other out.
Greg – Dominik Mysterio – Dom steals the pin from Bron, on Finn.

Tunney’s Take: Bron Breakker – The case can be made for any of these four to walk away with the most prestigious non-World title in pro wrestling history. The short of it is though that the Main Event picture isn’t really readily accessible for Breakker right now. Let this IC reign go through the summer, to SummerSlam.

Chairshot Pick: Bron Breakker 5-4-1-1

AJ – Damian Priest – “AJ does a pretty good Drew impersonation” – PC Tunney
Andrew – Drew McIntyre – Priest has not been interesting in this face incarnation.
Dave – Drew McIntyre – Time for Drew to get that win back.
DJ – Fuck finish – To be continued at Backlash.
DPP – Drew McIntyre – Physical matchup!
Jason – Drew McIntyre – Either one is fine here.
Patrick – Drew McIntyre – With two eyes, Drew turns the tide.
Rey – Drew McIntyre – Low key match of the weekend.
Rob – Damien Priest
Greg – Damien Priest – Priest wins, Drew tweets about it half hour later.

Tunney’s Take: Drew McIntyre – With the addition of the Street fight rules, these two behemoths have a really good chance to have one of the best matches of the entire weekend (winks at Rey Ca$h-A-Mania)! I do wonder what is next for both of these talents moving forward. Priest has staled since leaving the Judgement Day and Drew seems stuck in the same cycle for a while now. Very interested to see what the summer holds for this pair.

Chairshot Pick: Drew McIntyre 7-3-1

WHO WILL BE RANDY’S OPPONENT?!?

AJ – Nick Aldis – Orton wins
Andrew – Orton and Aldis vs Solo and Tama – Orton and Aldis win
Dave – Someone is getting an RKO!
DJ – A segment w/ the Wyatt s6cks.
DPP – Rusev – Aldis introduces Rusev who defeats Orton.
Jason – Nick Aldis – You got one more in ya, bubba. Aldis wins!
Patrick – Nick Aldis
Rey – Solo then Rusev – Solo in a squash and Rusev MATCHKA(wins)
Rob – Nick Aldis – Aldis proves himself, Orton wins.
Greg – Nick Aldis – Orton beats Aldis, they shake after.

Tunney’s Take: I would really love to see a singles match between Orton and Aldis. More likely this is some type of involvement with Solo and Tama. Rusev as a surprise challenger would be cool but, I feel that would be better left for RAW. An impromptu Goldberg retirement match would be crazy and fun, yet highly unlikely and illogical. Whatever happens, best believe exactly what Dave Ungar said, “Someone is getting an RKO!”.

AJ – Logan Paul
Andrew – AJ Styles – Logan doesn’t need the rub and should stay upper mid card.
Dave – Logan Paul – It’s the smart move and would be a statement win for Paul.
DJ – Logan Paul – Kross gets involved somewhere.
DPP – AJ Styles – AJ wins a great high-flying match.
Jason – AJ Styles – Just enjoy it or get a beer, nerds.
Patrick – Logan Paul – Logan Paul will main-event Mania sooner than later…
Rey – Logan Paul – Pass the torch, my wily vet.
Rob – Logan Paul – Kross helps Paul win.
Greg – AJ Styles – Styles wins after Paul’s cheating backfires.

Tunney’s Take: Logan Paul – Logan seems to really have dedicated himself to becoming great in this business. Anyone with that type of goal must have a World title on their mind. Beating AJ at Mania will be a great springboard for Logan into the Main Event sooner than later (winks at Patrick O’Dowd).

Chairshot Pick: Logan Paul 7-4

AJ – Liv & Raquel
Andrew – Liv & Raquel – Not really a fan of Lyra, she needs more work.
Dave – Liv & Raquel – This Bayley and Lyra team makes no damn sense.
DJ – Liv & Raquel – Bayley crashes out.
DPP – Liv & Raquel – Bayley continues a potential heel turn tease.
Jason – Bayley & Lyra – Finish the story!
Patrick – Bayley & Lyra – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
Rey – Liv and Raquel – Bayley want a title but it ain’t the ones in this match.
Rob – Liv & Raquel – Champs retain.
Greg – Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel retain thanks to Carlito and maybe JD.

Tunney’s Take: Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel need to be kept as the cornerstone of the women’s tag division for a lengthier period of time. Building tag teams in this division is difficult enough, let alone without a North Star.

Chairshot Pick: Liv & Raquel 9-2

AJ – Cody Rhodes
Andrew – Cody Rhodes – They are mentioning it so much, I don’t think 17 happens.
Dave – Joh Cena – Record falls and we head to summer with a built-in storyline.
DJ – John Cena – Some kind of Final Boss involvement.
DPP – John Cena – Cena wins and retires on RAW.
Jason – John Cena – Story’s over, “Captain” BIG MATCH JOHN.
Patrick – John Cena – A record breaking night for Cena.
Rey – John Cena – They’d be really stupid to turn John just to lose. (Post-Mania: Rock, Cena, T Scott, Seth & Drew, TEAM Corporate)
Rob – Cody Rhodes – Cody surprises us with the W.
Greg – Cody Rhodes – Cody wins to piss off Rock and set the table for Cena to turn back face. Crowd is behind Cena all the way through.

Tunney’s Take: Cody Rhodes – They had me until the threat of retirement. Been there. Done that. Didn’t fall in love with it back then. I love John Cena. I love this final run. John will get his 17th just not here. I expect nothing less than an absolute GEM of a match here to close WrestleMania 41. This has all been, is, and will continue to be about Cody Rhodes. WM40 defeats Roman Reigns. WM41 defeats John Cena. WM42 defeats The Rock (The Final Boss).

Chairshot Pick: John Cena 6-5

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 wait all year for this 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

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DeMarco: Top 5 Non-Title WrestleMania Matches In WWE History

Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show & defined legacies. #WrestleMania #WWEHistory

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2025

Greg DeMarco

Shawn Michaels Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21

Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show and defined legacies.

WrestleMania is the Showcase Of The Immortals, but it’s not always the championship matches that steal the show—or define careers. In fact, some of the most iconic, business-defining, and emotionally resonant contests at the Grandest Stage of Them All didn’t feature a title at all. These matches succeeded because of character work, in-ring execution, and the kind of storytelling that sells tickets and moves merch.

Here are the five best non-title matches in WrestleMania history—at least, according to me!

5. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania X8 (2002)

This was never going to be a five-star technical clinic—but it was always going to be the moment. “Icon vs. Icon” was a tagline, sure, but it was also the reality: the biggest star of the ‘80s vs. the biggest star of the Attitude Era. And Toronto turned it into magic. Hogan walked in a heel but walked out immortal (again), with the SkyDome shaking on every punch, every look, every gesture.

What made this work was its self-awareness. Rock and Hogan read the crowd and flipped roles mid-match—Rock became the arrogant aggressor while Hogan Hulked Up to thunderous applause. It’s not often a non-title match headlines a card emotionally the way this one did, but it dominated every headline and highlight reel.

4. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania X (1994)

Sibling rivalries don’t usually lead to technical masterpieces, but then again, this wasn’t your average family drama. Owen and Bret opened WrestleMania X with a wrestling clinic that stood tall over a night packed with title changes. Owen needed to prove he was more than Bret’s little brother, and he did it by out-wrestling the best wrestler in the company. Clean. One-two-three.

It wasn’t just a great match—it was perfect storytelling. Owen’s victory, contrasted with Bret’s later world title win, set the tone for an entire year of brother-vs-brother tension. Bret became champion, but Owen had the moral victory—and all the bragging rights. This is proof that opening matches can steal the show.

3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25 (2009)

If WrestleMania moments could be trademarked, this match would be the reason why. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels wasn’t about championships—it was about legacy. Michaels wanted to be the man who ended The Streak. The build was steeped in biblical imagery: light vs. dark, heaven vs. hell. And the match? Pure perfection. Each man brought everything they had—near-falls, psychology, reversals that had 70,000+ people gasping in unison.

It was 30 minutes of generational storytelling that transcended pro wrestling. And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t even the main event. Yet it dwarfed everything that followed. Meltzer gave it 4.75 stars, fans gave it their hearts, and WWE gave it a sequel the next year. A match so good it forced the company to run it back—because lightning actually struck.

Now, if THIS MATCH is #3, what could possible be #2 and #1…

2. Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (1997)

This wasn’t just a match—it was the turning point of an era. The Submission Match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin was as violent as it was poetic, with Ken Shamrock enforcing the rules and the Chicago crowd growing more frenzied by the second. The brilliance? The shift. Bret Hart, the traditionalist hero, grew darker and more self-righteous by the second, while the disrespectful anti-hero Austin refused to quit, even when drowning in his own blood. There was no title on the line, but the stakes felt bigger than gold.

The infamous double turn changed the business. Austin’s defiance turned him into the voice of a new generation of fans—blue collar, anti-authority, Attitude Era. Meanwhile, Bret would go on to lead the heel Hart Foundation. WWE didn’t need a championship to create a moment that catapulted Austin into superstardom and ignited the company’s hottest era. This match is business-first booking at its absolute best.

1. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21 (2005)

Dream matches often disappoint. This one didn’t. At WrestleMania 21, Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle went hold-for-hold and spot-for-spot with Mr. WrestleMania himself, and together they delivered a masterclass in in-ring psychology. Every sequence had stakes, every near-fall had meaning. It was a stylistic war: Michaels’ heart vs. Angle’s intensity.

Angle forcing Michaels to tap was a statement—it told fans that pure wrestling, not just spectacle, could still main-event caliber storytelling without any need for a title. Michaels sold the ankle lock like death, and Angle’s post-match collapse sold the moment as a hard-fought war. This is the kind of match that keeps purists up at night, smiling, and leaves the storytelling fans like myself as happy as can be!

10 Honorable Mentions (Not Honorable, Just For The Heck Of It)

Edge vs. Mick Foley – WrestleMania 22 (2006)
A hardcore war that solidified Edge as a top-tier main eventer. That flaming table spear is still played in every Edge highlight reel.
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon – WrestleMania 33 (2017)
Everyone expected smoke and mirrors—what they got was a surprisingly technical, high-energy opener that kicked off the show right.
The Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (2012)
“End of an Era” wasn’t just a tagline. The Hell in a Cell match, with HBK as referee, was a brutal epilogue to a generation’s legacy.
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho – WrestleMania XIX (2003)
A student-teacher battle of wills. Jericho’s low blow post-match was the perfect heel punctuation to a career-defining contest.
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins – WrestleMania 31 (2015)
The greatest RKO of all time. That curb stomp reversal belongs in a museum.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show – WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
More sports-entertainment than wrestling, but a crossover moment that made mainstream headlines and paid off with a great finish.
Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis – WrestleMania III (1987)
A retirement match with big heat, a hot crowd, and Piper walking off into the sunset (for a minute).
The Firefly Funhouse Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – WrestleMania 36 (2020)
Cinematic weirdness at its best. A meta masterstroke that broke Cena down in layers.
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison – WrestleMania 37 (2021)
Bad Bunny stunned everyone. He didn’t just belong—he elevated the show.
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio – WrestleMania 39 (2023)
Father vs. son in a grudge match that played perfectly off real-life drama and Hall of Fame weekend emotions.

Some of these matches shaped legacies. Others shifted eras. But all of them proved that the most memorable moments at WrestleMania don’t need a title—they just need truth in the storytelling and fire in the execution.