Opinion

The Wrestling Debate Club – The Undisputed ERA

Rey Ca$h is joined by his friend and Wrestling Headlines’s own Clive to debate the state of the Undisputed ERA in NXT.

Published

4 years ago

February 5, 2021

Rey Cash

The Wrestling Debate Club - The Undisputed ERA

Rey Ca$h is joined by his friend and Wrestling Headlines’s own Clive to debate the state of the Undisputed ERA in NXT.

Clive: Welcome back to 2021’s first Brand Extension Wrestling Debate Club, with myself and good friend / sparring partner, Chairshot’s own Rey Ca$h, as your hosts. Mr Ca$h, how fares thee on this meteorologically miserable start to the year?

Rey: Well ya know, pandemic, insurrection, schizophrenic weather, and family issues notwithstanding, I’m living the dream! Just tryna get some of that good ol’ McMahon blood money. But it always good to be with you, my brother

Clive: Get those Peacock stocks in the bag, my good man! So, this time around, we’re looking at our beloved NXT. Specifically, the Undisputed Era. While we both share common ground in that the Era has run its course, our reasons for said opinion differ. Mine? Well, all members have won gold. All members have had memorable feuds throughout all divisions. And with their apparent decision to stay on NXT – a place that routinely has an in and out policy, over that of the main roster’s revolving door style booking – the Undisputed Era has nothing left to do that will see it reach the relevancy and stature it once had. Rey? Your thoughts?

Rey: Yeah man, it just feels different. NXT in its most current iteration was never meant for stars to stay longer than two years. They debuted, ran through their feuds, won or challenged for titles, had one farewell feud, and moved to Raw or Smackdown. In August, the ERA boys will have been in NXT for FOUR years! Nobody stays in NXT that long. Well, nobody but Aliyah, but I digress. So they’ve always been around. Pre-USA Network. And they’ve been in EVERY major story, match, and title picture. Even had a successful face turn. So what else is there for them to do, other than implode and fight each other?

Clive: Even with that, I don’t think there’s been much so far to tell us that is in the cards. NXT’s decision makers had the perfect opportunity to do this at New Year’s Evil. You posited that it was the thee time for Adam Cole to turn on Kyle O’Reilly. Irrespective of the title match outcome for the air guitarist extraordinaire. All we got, though, was O’Reilly’s second clean loss to Finn Balor, and Cole appearing more supportive of his stablemate. Usually by now, some foreshadowing will have presented itself that would suggest Cole may soon attack O’Reilly. But even as keen an eye as yours is for foreshadowing, you, too, struggle to see any payoff in this. The question I ask is: Has NXT missed the boat to rejuvenate and bolster Undisputed Era’s stock? Or is it too late?

Rey: Well, as WWE has shown, they only need 30 minutes and renewed interest to rejuvenate a wrestler. See Nakamura, Shinsuke. So I’m not concerned with timing. My concern, however, is reasoning. Should they rejuvenate them? Should the Undisputed ERA become the standard bearers again?

The two things that the ERA has going for them is that they’re the best collection of talent on the brand (maybe the company), and fans go bonkers for them. So maybe it’s just a necessary change of scenery that’s needed. The ERA running roughshod on Raw or Smackdown would be one of the stories of 2021. And with O’Reilly’s new-found singles success, the group is that much stronger.

Here’s a question for you, Clive. Why do you think it is that the Undisputed ERA feels like they’re at a crossroads and have possibly run their course?

Clive: Two reasons. The first being that NXT’s modus operandi doesn’t lend itself to wrestler rejuvenation, as is evidenced above. The second, that four is a big, big number to come over to either Raw or Smackdown and not only stay as a unit, but work well as one. I know main roster promotion being cursed isn’t what some in the IWC believe it to be, but it’s a tough ask for all four Undisputed Era members to come up and remain as they are, never mind book them all well. On top of that, I am one of the few who does not believe Adam Cole possesses that quality shared by other smaller wrestlers who went on to superstardom.

Rey: See, that’s interesting to me. I think I tend to disagree with both of those assessments. I think that NXT is a rejuvenation place, but only for new wrestlers or Raw or Smackdown folk coming down. Zack Ryder, Tyson Kidd, and Ember Moon come to mind. But more pertinently, stables, traditionally, are the one thing Vince normally books consistently well. Especially one that’s as seasoned, talented, and over as this one. But I think we agree on one thing. All of these potential happenings are contingent on Adam Cole breaking out into true superstardom. I think that not only he can, but he will. Much like his predecessors (Punk, Bryan, Styles, Balor), he’s the perfect mix of hype, ability, and charisma to strike big in Titan Land. If you don’t think he will, however, then this all is a moot point.

Clive: So is it fair to say, then, that what it all boils down to is if Mr. Cole has enough of the above variables to gain Daddy Vince’s attention, approval, and admiration? I wonder if this is why, according to yours and my relatively seasoned wrestling fan eyes, NXT didn’t pull the trigger on huge dissension within the ranks at New Year’s Evil. One has to wonder if a main roster call up is indeed on the cards, but on hold due to an injured Bobby Fish? The three fit members’ absence in the Royal Rumble was at least mildly conspicuous. And with the Raw after the Rumble in the bag (time will tell with Smackdown still to air tomorrow), there are no signs of any immediate promotion.

With all of this in mind, is it simply the case that whatever is going on in NXT is just Uncle Paul et al treading water, pending Fish’s return to fitness? If so, will these months in no man’s land damage them in any way?

Rey: To answer your second question first, I don’t think they’re necessarily in no man’s land. Kyle O’Reilly has had a critically acclaimed pair of matches in the main event against NXT Champion Finn Balor. Adam Cole (BAY BAY) and Roderick Strong are probably headed to another Dusty Classic final. And the ERA as a whole is just months removed from the feud of the year against Pat McAfee and his Kings of NXT. So they’re not languishing. They’ve just overstayed their welcome.

With the other question, I do think they may be just in a holding pattern until Monsieur Fish returns. But I still am on the fence about them ever being “called up”. With NXT as a third brand now, on cable TV no less, they need guaranteed draws and mainstays. That’s why I think they’re still there, along with guys like Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. So it all depends on where they see them making the most money for the company, because their “overness” with the audience has never been in question.

Clive: I suppose I agree that they have overstayed their welcome, rather than that they find themselves in no man’s land. And yes, NXT is in the business of becoming a fully fledged brand, rather than a testing ground for Raw and Smackdown. Perhaps that’s what it is. Perhaps, just like the red and blue brands, wrestlers on the black and gold will go through peaks and troughs of relevancy, use, and fan engagement.

It’s a real doozer, this one. An instance where our opinions aren’t so far apart from each other, but merge somewhere in the middle. I guess one could say this has been more of a conversation rather than a structured debate. So, in this instance, we’ll ask you, the reader, for your stance on where Undisputed Era currently finds itself. Has the outfit outstayed its welcome? Are its days at the tippy top of Wednesday nights a thing of the past? And when – or if – the Era is transferred to Raw or Smackdown, do you see it being a success?

Rey, despite our wading through the fog on this one, I still feel it was a good conversation, and one that should be posited by the IWC as a whole.

Rey: But I still won, right?

Clive:

Well, ladies and janitors, that concludes another installment of the Brand Extension Wrestling Debate Club. Rey and I thank you for reading our old man shouting at clouds routine (some of us admittedly younger than others, wink wink). We’ll see you next time.

FIN

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

3 days ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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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!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1