Opinion

News From Cook’s Corner 12.28.20: Brodie Lee

It’s Monday. You know what that means.

Published

4 years ago

December 28, 2020

Steve Cook

It’s Monday. You know what that means.

Another edition of News From Cook’s Corner! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas & some Happy Holidays, even though, as usual, we have a lot of death & despair to talk about here. I’d like to talk about other things too, but I am not the one that makes the news. Not high up enough on the totem pole to do that.

We can talk about some of the positive things going on in life before collapsing into death & despair. My Bengals have won two straight games since the last edition of the Corner, more games in a week than they managed in the four months prior. Hey, you take them when you can get them, especially when one is against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some will say they should be tanking for draft position this time of year, but I figure if you’re Zac Taylor and your coaching record through two seasons is what is, you’re probably better off having the team show some level of improvement than getting a higher draft pick.

Not that the Brown family has ever made a habit of firing coaches early in their reign, but you never know! I know if I was an older NFL owner and I had the feeling I might not have many years left to win something important, I’d be more likely to give up on a struggling coach early. Just saying!

In more positive news, the Louisville Cardinals got their one victory they get over the Kentucky Wildcats in men’s basketball every ten years or so. I swear this rivalry seemed to feel a little bit closer, but maybe I was drinking more when I was kid. Not that it was a terribly impressive showing to beat a 1-6 team by three points, but you take these wins over UK when you can get them. Bragging rights the next 365 days, and since there wasn’t a football game this year they can’t lord that over us either.

You know what? 2021 might end up being all right.

And now, our last News From Cook’s Corner of 2020.

My Next Move

Let’s start off with some personal news this week. We all like personal news, right? Ok, here’s the deal. There’s a pretty good chance I won’t be doing this whole wrestling writing thing much longer.

You might be asking why. The answer is pretty simple. I need to pay the bills. Granted, my largest bills these days are to the liquor store, but I still need to pay them. Writing about wrestling on the Internet doesn’t pay the bills, unless you’re Jeremy Lambert or Jeff Harris or somebody like that.

So, I have a regular job. I don’t want to divulge too much information there, but the bottom line is that my professional situation doesn’t bring me the personal happiness I desire, and there’s little evidence that it ever will. See, old people told me that you weren’t supposed to like work. I’m starting to think they’re wrong.

What makes me happy? Wrestling, and kinda writing. The writing thing is difficult, but it’s a challenge I often enjoy. Unfortunately, as I already stated, writing about wrestling on the Internet doesn’t pay the bills. Luckily, I have found a job that can combine my passions, pay the bills, and extricate me from my current situation.

That’s right, WWE is looking for a lead writer! I believe I am just the man for the job, as a look at the posting on LinkedIn will prove…

* Manage a team of Writers/Producers to build compelling stories that capture a global audience fitting multiple demographics

I know I have a solid fanbase in countries across the globe. Britain, Finland, Turkey, the Philippines. Men, women & children love my work. I think I’ve got this part down.

* Lead writing team discussions in brainstorming and laying out weekly episodes and long-term storylines

You guys have heard me lead discussions before. Who betta?

* Responsible for the development of clearly defined yet emotionally sophisticated characters for a diverse group of WWE Superstars through thought provoking, captivating, and creative storylines

Do you know anybody more emotionally sophisticated than me? I’ve got so many issues I should be writing a magazine. Got so much baggage I need a porter to help carry it. Not to mention, I’ve provoked all kinds of thoughts from people over the years.

* Edit in-ring promos and backstage segments submitted by writing team members for continuity, character consistency, storyline progression and final punch-ups

My middle name is Continuity. I’m also a pretty darn good speller.

* Compile, write, edit, and take ownership of the drafts for their respective shows weekly, including all promotions, graphics, replays and pop culture references

Easy peezy lemon breezy. I’ve been taking credit for other peoples’ work for years!

* Constructively mentor and critique individual writers to help develop growth and foster a positive team environment

Ask Tony Acero what a mentor I’ve been to him. Or, maybe just assume I’ve been a good one and don’t ask him about it.

* Incorporate consumer insights and social media to deliver impactful storylines that are consistent with the WWE and Talent Brands

Does anybody know the consumer better than me? I’ve been consuming way too much WWE product for like thirty years now.

* Deftly pitch ideas and stories to executives in weekly creative meetings

If my middle name wasn’t already Continuity, it would be Deftly.

* Produce and direct Talent in a live television environment on a weekly basis

That can’t be too hard. WWE independent contractors take direction pretty well. Or else they’re gone!

* Collaborate with internal WWE departments as liaisons for the Creative Writing Team

There’s something I’ve always wanted to be: A liaison. Its always sounded fun to me. I don’t really care what I’d be liaisoning for, I just want to be one.

* Travel weekly to live taping of RAW or SmackDown as well as Pay-Per View events.

I haven’t properly traveled anywhere terribly interesting in years, so this sounds like fun!

So that’s what I would be doing. Now, what kind of qualifications do I need to meet?

* 5+ years of TV/Film writing and production experience

I’ve always thought of my columns like movies. Like how Vince & Dusty always saw wrestling. “We making movies, daddy!”

* Experience supervising a writing team and leading a writer’s room

I think most writers feel like they’re in a room full of writers when they’re by themselves. Or is that just me? Do I need to see somebody about this?

* Experience in all aspects of Live TV production a plus

I was part of my elementary school’s news broadcast in the fifth grade. That should cover me, right?

* Knowledge of WWE shows, talent, storylines, and audience demographic/psychographic

Come on now!

* BA/BS in Film, TV, Drama, Media Studies, Communications or similar field of study or proven experience in lieu of degree

I think we can all agree that Political Science & Drama might as well be the same thing these days.

* Located in NYC/Stamford, CT area OR open/able to relocate

So you’re asking me to move out of Kentucky. WHERE DO I SIGN?

Hate to say it, but it looks like you guys won’t have me around here much longer. Once I remember my LinkedIn password, this job is as good as mine. It’s been nice knowing most of you, and I wish a few of you luck!

NXT Going Patless

The Wrestling Observer reported that Pat McAfee won’t be seen on NXT for quite awhile, possibly not until Spring 2021. WWE made the call on this one, and although a reason isn’t cited in the report, I am making the wild-ass guess that they’re trying to make his appearances special. Which makes sense, but he’s also the best talker they have on the show. As much as we like Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, none of those guys have ever been in conversation for best talker in their own residence, much less NXT. It’d be a lot easier for them with Pat by their side.

Who would have thought a few months ago that I would be griping about the lack of Pat McAfee on NXT? 2020 has been weird, y’all.

Kylie Returns…to Cameo

We all know that Kylie Rae officially stepped away from pro wrestling a couple of weeks after no-showing Impact Wrestling’s Bound For Glory event. She stated that she was currently unwell and needed some time away. Hopefully it’s a good sign that she returned to Cameo this week and is offering video messages for $55. Maybe it’s just a sign that she needs some money.

Either way, it’s nice to see Kylie doing something in the public eye and hopefully it goes well for her. Like I said back when this went down, her mental health is more important than her wrestling career.

Danny Hodge

The man that most old-timers would tell you was the greatest pure wrestler to ever step in a ring passed away last week at the age of 88. Danny Hodge was never defeated while competing at the University of Oklahoma, in fact he was never taken off of his feet. A three-time NCAA Champion and silver medalist at the 1956 Summer Olympics, Hodge was trained in the professional style by Ed “Strangler” Lewis & Leroy McGuirk, and immediately became the top junior heavyweight in the business.

He spent most of his career as the NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion in the days when the ability to work in the ring was more important than having a fireball personality. Obviously, most of Hodge’s career wasn’t captured on film, but there are some clips you can find on YouTube. While he did some touring as champion, Hodge spent most of his life in Oklahoma and held his greatest number of championships in McGuirk’s promotion.

Hodge’s strength was attributed to having double tendons in his hands. He was known for being able to crush apples with one hand, a feat he was still showing off in his eighties.

Danny Hodge passed away today. Danny was a champion and frontier in both amateur and pro wrestling, and one of the reasons I entered into pro wrestling. He paved the way for amateurs to make the transition. Thank you Mr Hodge! #RIPMrHodge! https://t.co/XU7Vqe1wwN

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) December 26, 2020

Angle is the one guy old-timers think could have hung with Hodge in his prime, which is certainly saying something.

Mr. Brodie Lee

This isn’t how things were supposed to end.

The man known as Brodie Lee early in his wrestling career showed so much potential as he drove through the Northeastern independent wrestling scene like a big rig. Whether it was CHIKARA, CZW, Dragon Gate USA, ROH or any other fed he worked, Brodie Lee showed he had the potential to make it to the top of the wrestling industry. He stood out from the pack. Not just because he was 6’5 & 275 pounds, but that sure helped his chances.

WWE signed him, sent him to FCW for development. Luke Harper became Bray Wyatt’s right-hand man in the Wyatt Family. He didn’t have to change his look, in fact I’m pretty sure he wore the same tank top for most of his wrestling career. The Wyatt Family took WWE by storm early on, and wasn’t quite like anything people had seen before.

“Send us someone, just don’t send anyone you want back.”

Of course, these groups don’t last. They always split up. Fans hoped that Luke Harper would get a chance to be a singles star. Many saw the potential…but they didn’t have the power to make it happen. The people that did have that power didn’t see it. They didn’t “get” Luke Harper. There were some moments. Harper did hold the Intercontinental Championship for 27 days. He did have a memorable match with Randy Orton on a PPV that people thought might lead to big things. Hell, the Bludgeon Brothers team with Rowan was fun for what it was.

Eventually, it reached a point where we all knew that Luke Harper had reached his ceiling in WWE. We had faith that he could bust through that ceiling somewhere else.

“You are not the first out of touch old man to not believe in me. But I will make damn sure you are the last.”

The Dark Order was a concept that AEW really wanted to work, but really wasn’t working. Evil Uno & Stu Grayson were/are a great tag team. Alex Reynolds & John Silver were fine additions to their group. It wasn’t clicking. The final AEW show of 2019 ended with the Dark Order doing one of the least convincing beatdowns of babyfaces anybody had ever seen. They became a meme. Most wrestling feds would have given up on those boys & either disbanded the faction or given them the heave-ho down the card to irrelevancy.

Instead, AEW decided that Brodie Lee needed to be the Dark Order’s Exalted One. Many of us thought it could be Matt Hardy. There was a time where Marty Scrull could have been the leader, which would have worked given his history with the Elite. Instead, it was Mr. Brodie Lee.

To be honest, some of the Dynamite sketches fell a bit flat. A little too on the nose with the comparison to another Mr. that runs another company. Mr. Brodie really found his place on Being The Elite. That was where Mr. Brodie’s minions acted like complete idiots, and Mr. Brodie had to punish them for being complete idiots. Most of my biggest fits of laughter in 2020 came when Brodie would have to react to stupid things that John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno or other members of the group did.

Good shit, pal. I couldn’t wait until Brodie came back from his recent absence and punished his minions for all the stupid things they’d been doing lately. I mean, these Dark Order folks been acting silly ever since Brodie lost the dog collar match & the TNT Championship to Cody. Surely, Mr. Brodie would have plenty of papers to throw at them once he returned.

The only problem is, he’s not going to return. A non-Covid related lung issue led to Jon Huber’s death at the age of 41. He leaves behind a wife and two young sons, which is a greater tragedy than anything we can talk about in a wrestling column. In wrestling columns, we talk about things like how Brodie Lee passed just when he was about to reach his full potential. When he was about to become one of those “Legends” that we talk about forevermore.

The more I read on Twitter, the more I realize that people within the wrestling business were already going to talk about Brodie Lee forevermore. Even if he didn’t reach certain kayfabe levels that wrestling fans thought he deserved to reach, most people in wrestling already thought of Brodie as a legend. He was just one of those guys that people loved. Even if an office didn’t get him, even if he didn’t have multiple world championship reigns, he was still a guy that brought a lot of emotion out of people.

Whether you’re a WWE or AEW supporter, or you’re a fan of a certain brand of indy wrestling here in the USA, you probably got something out of Jon Huber. Whether you were a fan of the Big Rig, or Luke Harper, or Mr. Brodie Lee, you got the best he could give you. The shame of it all is that he had so much more to give. As a wrestler, a husband, a father, a human being.

You never know when it’s your time. When Brodie had that dog collar match with Cody, nobody watching had any idea it’d be the last time they’d see Brodie Lee wrestle.

My response when I heard the news was “What. The. Fuck.”, and that’s still my take on the whole matter.

Thanks for reading. Until next week, keep your stick on the ice.

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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

2 days 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
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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

4 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.