Opinion
Mishal: Thank You, Jon Huber
Mishal takes some time to reflect upon, and be thankful for, the career and amazing life of Jon Huber (Brodie Lee/Luke Harper).
Mishal takes some time to reflect upon, and be thankful for, the career and amazing life of Jon Huber (Brodie Lee/Luke Harper).
The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind of emotion for any wrestling fan.
Death is never an easy event to tackle, regardless of who you are. It’s an unexpected, sudden and harsh reminder of just how short life is, but more importantly how suddenly it can be taken away without even the slightest of warnings. More than anything it provides a reality that the life we all live is never as constant or safe as we’d like it to be, and when we least expect it, the things that add so much value in their small bursts can just vanish in the blink of an eye.
And that’s how the last 24 hours feel, like a blur, something that simply doesn’t feel real despite the harsh reality we must all force down.
2020 has been filled with loss, more for some than others. Whether it’s friends, families, loved ones from your social circles, celebrities, idols, mentors or even pets, loss has been a common theme we can all relate to during these exhausting times. Some of us have even lost the capability to live as freely as we were once used to, others are forced to restrict their lifestyles because of the hazard they could represent to older generations of people around them, and I think it’s all of this that makes yesterday’s developments so much more devastating.
The wrestling world has been no stranger to loss in 2020. From the legendary Pat Patterson, Kamala, ‘Soulman’ Rocky Johnson, Road Warrior Animal and now, Jon Huber, to us WWE & AEW fans, known as either Luke Harper or Brodie Lee, respectively.
No matter how or when we knew him, no matter the character he portrayed, no matter the promotion he was signed under at the given time we reference or which side of the wrestling aisle he sat at, Jon Huber’s death stings in many ways I wasn’t expecting it to. I’ve been watching him steal the show in every ring he’s set foot in since the days of CHIKARA, where he went to war against the likes Claudio Castagnoli (now known to us as Cesaro) or Bryan Danielson (who we know as Daniel Bryan) amongst many other names I won’t mention here. And ever since my first introduction to him as a young wrestling fan, he always stood out to me as an oddity different from all the others around him. The Brodie Lee character was always intimidating because not only was he amongst the biggest men in the room, he was also amongst the most agile in that room as well. Placing a character of such size and agility into the squared circle is never a joke as it breaks the mould of the prototypical big-man the business so frequently tries to sell to us. Generally, men over 6 foot 6 are normally presented as being all about the size, a more limited move set without the variety someone in a lower weightclass would possess, but not Brodie.
Brodie Lee was one of wrestling’s few exceptions, in the vein of the likes of The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, Sheamus, Braun Strowman or Keith Lee, a mammoth of a man towering over smaller opponents that could mimic any of their offense that would normally give them an advantage. He was a talent, a special one at that, one that always made the man across from him look good even in loss.
My early exposure to Brodie Lee was a unique one because of that distinct look his character presented, an attire and posture that wasn’t too frequently seen in the business. Beyond the odd, calculating stare laid a swiss army knife of tricks out of the wrestling handbook that nobody could be prepared to see, which was displayed in spades as his career grew to the heights we saw it in his later years.
His WWE debut brought a tonne of eyes to the character that had previously not been exposed to his work prior which made for a world of potential for him to grow. And despite his run under the WWE banner being somewhat mixed from many fans perspectives, I’m just glad the wider mainstream world of professional wrestling got to see his talents first hand, regardless of the hiccups his character may have had. Brodie, now known as the unpredictable Luke Harper, tangled as part of The Wyatt Family with both Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowan, a group which has become one of the most iconic in the modern-day era of professional wrestling. It turned out that being a member of cult obsessed with purifying the talents they faced in the ring would be the ideal fit for Luke Harper at the time, even with the limitations it brought his character down the road.
Harper would start stealing the show not just as a stable, but in singles competition, taking part in some of the most underrated matches of the last half decade I can think of. Many singles matches against the likes of Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Roman Reigns and a criminally overlooked match against Dominik Dijakovic that doesn’t receive near the level of attention that it should have at the time are just prime examples of how good the man was at being a professional wrestler, at embodying the character he played for a good portion of his career.
For the longest time Luke Harper was a part of the most overlooked moments of the last number of years in WWE, including some of the best angles the company created on each given year he competed in. He was, and still is referred to as one of the most overlooked competitors that WWE just never used to his fullest potential despite some real highs in a career under the brand many felt never reached the levels it was capable of.
But that’s where AEW comes into the fold.
As devastatingly brief as his work with AEW was, few would ever contest that this was the point where Brodie Lee started coming into his own element entirely. Portraying ”The Exalted One” didn’t just give him the perfect gimmick to bounce off of following a WWE run that left much to be desired, as well as positioning himself as the saviour of The Dark Order, a stable that up to that point was barely clinging onto relevancy due to the influx of talent the company was receiving at that point in time.
Brodie, however, grabbed the bull by the horns and thrust The Dark Order into a position in which it received significant attention on the card, including spotlights in the AEW World Title scene, as well as an incredible squash match which saw Brodie topple Cody Rhodes to claim the AEW TNT Title in dominating fashion. Brodie’s title reign didn’t last as long as many would have wanted it to, but it did accomplish a multitude of things; memorable matches against talent such as Jon Moxley, Cody, Dustin Rhodes & Orange Cassidy, bringing relevancy to a previously forgotten unit in AEW, re-establishing himself as the star he simply wasn’t regarded as with the competition and presented us a character that had endless potential down the line if the circumstances had been different.
While the length of his tenure is certainly disappointing when we reflect, what he accomplished in the short space of time he was in AEW is remarkable. Proving not just to us, but more importantly to a number of other industry leaders that he was what they doubted him to be, a star, and a master of his craft.
Up until this point this article has been a brief run-through of the career of Brodie Lee, Luke Harper or the man himself Jon Huber and just highlight of how much quality came out of such an under-appreciated character. But more than anything, it should teach us all one thing, how quickly we can lose someone that all of us, fans, friends, family or otherwise hold near to our hearts.
The life of Jon Huber will be remembered for many things. He’ll be remembered for being a father, a husband, a great friend to many around him, an incredible entertainer to the fans no matter the opponent across him, a champion worthy of more than he even accomplished, a superstar capable of achieving the highest of highs and having met him on a few occasions at live events when they existed, a stand-up guy who welcomed everyone like they were a member of his family. Jon Huber’s death is a bleak reminder of the times we live in when all the things we value are at risk and just how devastating a loss can feel when someone forges a connection with you regardless of your location on this planet. And I’ll admit, the weight of losing him didn’t hit me until the minute I read about it.
Having met and seen him perform in the ring on more than one occasion, there’s no doubt of the kind of person Jon was, and that’s why the pouring out of emotion is so unlike anything we’ve come to see in the small community that professional wrestling bolsters.
What we all need to remember is that death is never the end of our journey, for many it’s a brief pitstop. For others death doesn’t define your ending, the impact you make following it keeps the spirit of the person alive longer than his or her own lifespan can. And without question Jon is going to be talked about long, long after this heartbreaking period.
I think I speak for everyone, fan or otherwise when I say thank you to Jon, for making us laugh, scream, cry, stare in awe at his abilities, but most importantly, for bringing us together at a time when we couldn’t be more divided as a community in general.
Rest in power Jon Huber, you’ll never, ever be forgotten.
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Opinion
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS: WWE Bash In Berlin Immediate Reactions
Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Bash in Berlin. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM
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About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)
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About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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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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Opinion
AJ’s Top 3 Favorite SummerSlams
AJ is back with his annual opinion article, and this time the SummerSlam buzz got him wondering about his personal Top 3.
It’s been a while since I have done any form of writing and SummerSlam is this Saturday. Of all the SummerSlams I’ve seen over the years; which ones are my favorites? While it’s not a revolutionary idea, I figured everyone loves to debate favorites of well, anything. Don’t worry though because this isn’t just going to be pure recency bias. I’ve watched the majority of them so with the ones I put on the list, it hit me more in some way shape or form whether it was story, a really good match or it just felt like a solid event.
At least this proves WWE is trending in a good direction for me, when it gets the ol’ brain juices flowing just because a show is around the corner!
#3: 2022 (Ol’ Brock Lesnar Has A Farm)
Starting off the show, we get Bianca looking for a rematch against Becky from last years SummerSlam and it was better than the 21 second affair that everyone claims was a squash. This time Bianca holds her own and beats the Man in a fairly decent match, good way to get the event started. Next up is the heat seeking missile, Logan Paul against the former heat seeking missile because, well he wasn’t cut out for it and wasn’t a guy in everyone’s eyes, The Miz. After they had their blow off at Mania with Logan coming out on top which… isn’t awful, I just don’t like Logan Paul because he has that dude bro aura and swagger to make him more hateable than any other person on the card. Which I suppose is his gimmick…so…kudos?
First Championship match is for the US Championship and it’s as expected that in Theory, he should never beat someone to the caliber of Bobby Lashley which is no surprise. Dominik and Rey still back when Dom wanted the good fight against the Judgement Day before joining them later. The former Colts players, which they hammered it dahn in this match up showed that the canal swimming, trash talkin’, podcastin’, current RAW Color Commentatin’ goofball we all love, Pat McAfee came out on top again Bum Ass Corbin.
Usos putting the Street Profits on lockdown in the penitentiary since I believe this was peak Bloodline with the belt collecting and running all of WWE. Liv beat Ronda Rousey which isn’t astonishing but it’s not something people had on their bingo cards for anything with WWE so it was a nice little shock factor. The most memorable part of the night is obviously the Main Event, Lesnar brings the tractor, Roman catching the Microphone and Brock stands on top of the vehicle. Damn good match that showed off what they do in the ring since Roman caught his stride as the main bad guy and Brock… liked people after all of this? That is still a weird statement in my head. Brock being a good guy people person. If Liv wasn’t on bingo cards for wrestling, that is not on bingo cards in any aspect of life really.
That is more of the event that had solid matches and story going for it. No weird double count out, multiple people involved, 5 tag matches on the card. Things made sense and weren’t convoluted, had shocking moments that were great to see like Liv actually getting a title defense and there were the results we all expected at the time like Theory losing in 4 minutes to Bobby Lashley.
#2: 2009 (Are You Ready for The Return?)
This event wasn’t that strong. It was strong with the star power involved in 2009 with guys like Rey Mysterio as Intercontinental Champion, Orton and Cena for the WWE Championship as it was becoming as stale as month old chips and CM Punk was facing Jeff Hardy before he ultimately returned to TNA at the beginning of 2010 after this PPV. For me, it’s not so much of the show itself, it was more of the memories because the Balai as our friends Chris Platt and Rey Cash like to call my brother and I, we were just coming back into wrestling and we were TNA Fans. We didn’t watch WWE that much really, it was just what came on after another channel had old ROH shows before they moved to three hours and swallowed the 8pm Eastern Slot. No, the reason why this has so many memories for me is three main reasons. First, Orton and Cena. They have had their rivalry since the beginning it seems, being each others foils like Hogan and Piper before them and there had to be a stipulation where if Randy was Counted Out or DQ’d, he’d lose the championship regardless. This was prime Viper Randy and the obvious joke we had of Super Cena where he very rarely lost, unless it was SummerSlam surprisingly enough.
Number two reason was CM Punk and Jeff Hardy. Hardys known for the Ladder and TLC matches in the past and this being the penultimate match for this feud and it was a banger of a match. If you didn’t know Punk before, it was a great introduction to his wrestling. I used to like Punk a lot because of this match because he could talk, wrestle… and not insanely personal with things in wrestling. In all seriousness, this was a great match. Ultimate risks, high reward for Punk grabbing the World Heavyweight Championship and he was given his next feud because of the final boss of SmackDown at that time. Thanks, Teddy Long.
The main and final reason though why this match gave me the memories flowing back is more of the fact that one of my closest and longest termed friends of 23 years, also loves wrestling. Back when we were younger, he’d do MoCap videos on YouTube with his figures. We’d have friends come over for parties at his house and we’d do the one thing WWE always told us not to do and that was try it at home. He was always stronger than me, I was always more charismatic. He had the power aspect and did things with brute force, I could talk my way out of trouble with parents if we did something wrong. There was always one thing that our respective mother’s always called us though… it’s on the tip of my tongue… oh right, ‘Degenerates’.
As soon as we were called that, we kind of parodied the DX line. I was limber enough to do the HBK pose and do a Superkick before it became the new DDT and he would just Spinebuster people and knew how to do the water spit. So what do you think was the main reason we even ordered this PPV for his 13th Birthday? I think the two guys we were pretending to be were set to return on a tank and toss out some glow sticks. The return of DX, Shawn Michaels coming back after Mania with Triple H to deal with the Legacy problem was an amazing return for them and made everything so much fun.
So we have the solid card and this one has a personal story… what’s my number one SummerSlam? Is it personal? Well yes but not going into that. Is it a good card? To me, it was a phenomenal card! Is it memorable? Seeing how wrestling fans still mention at least three matches to this day.
#1: 2005 (Octopus in the Washer, Lover’s Quarrel and Where the F%#$ is Vickie?)
Quite possibly some of the best matches I’ve seen and one that was just the most hilarious moments of overselling in wrestling history, I know why I love this SummerSlam but it’s also a really good card at the same time. Redacted beats Orlando Jordan in 25 seconds for the US Title and they made jokes about it like, he can make a coffee faster than he beat Orlando and stuff like that, it’s pretty funny. Angle getting sick of Eugene’s antics for his Gold Medal was also a great bit they had play up, the Year long feud of Randy Orton and Undertaker was still going on where Orton comes out on top this time around to get the win back from Mania, Jericho returning for the match with Cena in a whole promotional thing for each other’s groups, Fozzy for Jericho and the Chain Gang doing Bad, Bad Man for Cena leading up to a match for the WWE Championship. JBL won a 20 man battle royal on SmackDown to win the Championship…… Opportunity to face the newest member of SmackDown, Batista but the three main matches that a lot of people talk about to this day; Edge vs Matt Hardy, Rey vs Eddie for Dominik and Hogan vs HBK in the Main Event.
I have reasons to enjoy the Hardy/Edge match but it looked like a real fight, it really made us believe that Matt Hardy was going to kill Edge because real names were dropped during this tirade from Hardy. It wasn’t Edge and Lita, it was Adam and Amy. Matt was so dead set on beating the hell out of Edge that they made a situation into gold and it was a great moment for this match to happen, I believe it was also an Unsanctioned Match too which added the intensity until matt got concussed and knocked senseless that it looked like he couldn’t fight for anything but the build up was what made it seem like a marque match. It made it feel real, it made it feel awesome and it made it feel personal.
Eddie kept tormenting Rey Mysterio about Dominik not being Rey’s but Eddie’s for the summer. That’s all you heard from Eddie being the weasel he was is hanging out with Dominik, making the world believe it’s his son and what not (Let’s not do a fast forward to today where he has the mullet, mustache and everything like Eddie) but they settle this in a Ladder Match where the top of it is a document for the custody of Dominik and my god, this match is better than it should have been. I expect nothing else from Eddie because the man hated having a bad match, Dom got involved and stopped Eddie, Vickie was late and stopped Eddie. The whole match was good it was just very weird with the premise but was a great match. I wonder if Rey regrets his decision to win the match now…
Octopus in a Washing Machine… those five words have resonated with Shawn Michaels’ performance in this match, forever. It was supposed to be an amazing match up between Hogan and Michaels, Icon vs Icon it said and suddenly Hogan’s back gives out, can’t do a trilogy of matches so we can only do the one and then pull out of everything after. This match was set up to be a classic and instead turned into the most unbelievable sell fest ever. A Hogan big boot caused Shawn to tumble 3 or 4 times, getting crotched on the ropes had HBK bouncing higher than he should have, being tossed out of the ring made it look like Shawn never broke his back in 1998 from how much he flopped and flipped around like crazy. It’s bad… or maybe even good that a lot of current wrestlers watched this match that went, “I can sell like that, I want to be a wrestler” and did. So good or bad, I don’t know but for some reason this PPV has always had a place in my heart for how memorable it was.
Those are my top three SummerSlams so far but who knows, 2024 has potential to maybe bump something or at least get me to consider a shift. Should be fun to see how the show plays out! What are some of your favorite SummerSlams?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!