Opinion

Rob Who Should Stay and Who Should Go for WWE NXT?

Rob takes a look at the WWE NXT roster after Takeover: Stand & Deliver to see who should move on to bigger things on the main roster.

Published

4 years ago

April 13, 2021

Rob Bonnette

Rob takes a look at the WWE NXT roster after Takeover: Stand & Deliver to see who should move on to bigger things on the main roster.

Now that NXT Takeover is done and we are rounding into WrestleMania the question is being posed as to who should move on from NXT and who should stick around for a bit longer, if not permanently. Unfortunately this question is sparking way too many conversations about people being ruined or stuck in catering or getting jobbed out to people already on Raw or Smackdown and not enough about whether or not these folks have what’s truly needed to succeed up there. So what I did was make my own list based on who I think has done enough in NXT and is suited to succeed on Raw or Smackdown sooner rather than later. Here’s what I got:

SHOULD GO NOW

Adam Cole

There is literally nothing left for him to do. He held every title and wrestled everyone there from Finn Balor to Johnny Gargano to Tomasso Ciampa to Kyle O’Reilly. He broke away from the Undisputed Era, and the way his match with O’Reilly ended at Takeover was a quintessential leaving the territory kind of defeat. The idea of him sticking around to do it all again or face the next wave of guys is not one that should be entertained. Cole has been pegged for a big star and it’s time to see if that’s true or not. If it is and there’s real money to made with him then it has to happen on one of the bigger platforms. And most people including myself think he has the personality to overcome his lack of size. So it’s now or never. If you can’t move him over then it’s high time to stop bringing in guys like him from the indies or other companies and just focus on PC recruits.

Bronson Reed

Reed is at the other end of spectrum, having only recently become a regular on NXT TV and yet to win any titles. So why him? Well after two unsuccessful cracks at the North American Title it sure doesn’t look like that’s in his future for one. Another thing is that with his size and athletic ability he’s not going to be left behind on Raw or Smackdown if he moves over. The only real question is how well he can talk; if he still needs work there then by all means stick around and learn but the time to put him on the fast track is here if there aren’t any title runs ahead.

SHOULD GO SOON

Raquel Gonzalez

She can’t go now for obvious reasons having just won the NXT Women’s Title, but when her reign is over? Don’t wait one week. With her size she’s a natural for Raw or Smackdown and will make for some interesting matchups there be it rematches against Rhea Ripley or challenging some of the ladies she’s yet to lock up with.

Dakota Kai

I’m on Team Keep Dakota and Raquel Together, so this is conditional on that. Dakota’s heel turn was somewhat ineffective before Raquel joined her but really gained direction afterwards; leaving her to fend for herself again doesn’t seem like the best idea in my opinion. So when Raquel goes, Dakota comes with her.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux

Like Raquel the immediate future is spoken for, but once that’s done bring em up. Kross and Scarlett have always been more of a Raw/Smackdown act in my opinion, anyway.

Dexter Lumis

Lumis has a character and persona that works on both levels and doing the drawings/paintings while being Mr. Silent is a unique act that should work out fine. He’s not a guy you put titles on anyway so it’s not like there’s any historical reasons to keep him around long.

Xia Li

Xia Li has a character and personality all ready to go now, so full speed ahead. No point in having her spend another year or two there, move her up later this year and bring her whole crew with her unless there’s some plan for her to win the Women’s Title.

I’M NOT SURE

Io Shirai

Io is in the same been there, done that boat as Cole so she should be done there. But there are some real concerns as to how she’d be booked on Raw or Smackdown. Now let me be blunt and say that there is a communication concern with her. Not her ability to speak English mind you but her ability to communicate as a whole. On NXT she does mostly taped vignette style promos, and mostly in Japanese; on Raw or Smackdown she’s have to do something live sometimes and since her English isn’t great (at least not for speaking in front of crowds) then we have a problem. If you’re not a great English speaker then you have to use things like body language and energy to get across what you’re trying to say so she’s going to have to do that or else she’s going to struggle. And that’s not all on the bookers, by the way; the wrestlers themselves have to do some of that work themselves. Now if you want to say throw her in the water and let her sink or swim then I’ll go along so long as you don’t immediately jump up and totally blame the old man if it doesn’t work out. The easy move of course would be to team her up with her former Stardom ally Asuka as they did with Kairi Sane and hope for the best. That might be the wisest move, too.

NEXT YEAR

Shotzi Blackheart

Shotzi is a license to print money from green hair wigs to helmets to toy tanks. She has enthusiasm and energy to boot as well. So it’s only a matter of time. For now she’s needed on NXT television but unless they plan on her winning the Women’s Singles title then give her the year and move her on. And to be quite honest I don’t think a single’s title run is even necessary. The last thing you want is another act that peaks in NXT and spends their entire career afterwards chasing that high. Shotzi riding out on a bigger tank at WrestleMania next year is a thing we should all be looking for.

So that’s my take. In all of this, there is one thing to remember over everything else, and that is that these folks are primarily there not to have great wrestling matches but to play characters on TV. If they can’t do that then it doesn’t matter how good they are in the ring they are going to have problems succeeding. If you can’t explain who they are without saying ‘great wrestler’ or referring to something from their real life then they need to do something so that that question can be answered by people who don’t watch 20 hours of pro wrestling every week and know everyone’s history away from the camera. The people I slated for early arrival are the ones I think can answer that question the easiest. So let’s shake things up and make some moves.

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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!

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

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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Related Topics:Adam Cole Featured Featured Big Io Shirai NXT Raw Smackdown WrestleMania WWE

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

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

Published

1 week 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!

About Chairshot Radio Network

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FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / 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

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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)

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!

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