Opinion

Bodeen’s Top 5 Moments: WWE SummerSlam 2021

There were a few things people disliked, as with most things. But Bodeen lists out his Top 5 moments of SummerSlam 2021! Do you agree?

Published

4 years ago

August 23, 2021

Bodeen Green

Summerslam was an odd Pay-Pay-View. Following CM Punk’s epic return the night before on AEW Rampage, SummerSlam had a tough job in outdoing the return of Punk. While there were some outstanding moments on the show such as Edge’s great match with Seth Rollins the show was a roller coaster ride as we saw some good matches mixed with terrible matches as well as pointless filler segments and the return of Brock Lesnar and Becky Lynch with Lynch’s return dividing fans both in attendance and online.

But, as always I am here to bring the power of positivity and look at the good side of things. So as we remove ourselves from SummerSlam and get ready for either ALL OUT and Extreme Rules it is time to look at the top 5 moments from this year’s edition of SummerSlam.

5. Becky Lynch returns and beats Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, dividing fans

Before we get to the controversial part that divided fans, it should be noted that this year’s SummerSlam was a massive curse for Champions who won their titles at WrestleMania 37 with Sheamus, Bianca Belair and AJ Styles and Omos all losing their titles, however, Bianca lost her SmackDown’s Women’s Championship in an odd way. After rumours of Sasha Banks not being able to medically compete at SummerSlam surfaced many wondered if we would see the match between Banks and Belair, especially as WWE kept promoting the match heading into SummerSlam. Despite the rumour, we would get a hype package for the match and things seemed to be normal as Bianca Belair made her entrance. But things would soon take a weird turn after the announcer told fans that Sasha Banks was not medically able to compete and that Bianca’s opponent was actually Carmella. Boos rang all over the arena as Carmella made her entrance with chants of “We want Sasha” continuing after Carmella’s entrance. Bianca got on the mic and told Carmella, she was going to make quick work of her and as both women got ready for the match, Becky Lynch’s music hit for a massive pop with The Man returning to WWE being out for a year after having a child with Seth Rollins.

The crowd were deafening as Lynch made her entrance with Lynch soaking in the moment as Bianca and Carmella watched on in the ring. After soaking in the moment Becky stared and both women and then took out Carmella forcing Carmella out of the ring. Lynch continued the assault on Carmella outside the ring as she threw Carmella into the ring steps before making her way back into the ring and grabbing a mic with Becky then asking with Belair wanted to have a match with Lynch for the SmackDown’s Women’s Championship. Belair accepted the challenge and as the bell rang Lynch offered her hand to Belair out of respect. But this would turn out to be a massive trap as Lynch was sucker-punched Bianca and hit her with the pumphandle slam to pin Bianca in seconds and become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion in just seconds.

Right of the bat, I will say, while this did feel bad for Bianca’s title reign to end like this, personally, I don’t think she looks as weak as some people are saying. While she did lose to seconds to Lynch it can easily be argued that she was caught off guard by Lynch’s appearance and had no time to prepare, Lynch also used a sucker-punch to catch Belair off-guard, perfectly playing to the fact that while Belair is talented she is still young and inexperienced. Of course, it could have made sense for Lynch to have a triple threat match with her pinning Carmella to protect Belair, however, I will wait to see how Lynch’s return will play out in the following weeks to come before I give my ultimate opinion on this. However controversy aside it is great to see Becky Lynch back in the ring as she no doubt deserves a place on this list.

4. Damian Priest takes on Sheamus for the United States Championship

After a terrible match involving Alexa Bliss and Eva Marie, Damian Priest and Sheamus had a big job in recapturing the crowd’s attention. Luckily both men put on a great match that resulted in Damian Priest pinning Sheamus to capture the United States Championship. Both men started the match evenly exchanging strikes and holds throughout the match, Sheamus did a great job in interacting with the crowd during the match, with Sheamus calling out members of the crowd throughout the match and even stopping the Beats of the Bodhrán to stop the crowd from counting along. Damian Priest also had a good showing has his unique move set was on show as he continues to gain support from the crowd.

Late in the match, Priest jump of the middle rope only to be caught with a knee for Sheamus, giving Sheamus a close nearfall. Sheamus tried to attack the legs of Priest and put Priest and a heel hook but Priest was able to grab the mask of the United States Champion and rip it off, exposing Sheamus. Priest then unloaded on Sheamus with multiple strikes and smashed the champion with a heel kick and then hit The Reckoning on Sheamus to become the new United States Champion.

Priest, without a doubt, deserves this moment and hopefully, it’s a step in the right direction in making Priest a star for the future. Priest has charisma, in-ring skills and talent and has done an amazing job during his time on the main roster thus far, putting on a great match with Bad Bunny and The Miz and John Morrison at WrestleMania as well as somehow making a zombie lumberjack match work at WrestleMania Backlash. As for Sheamus, I can still see him being a big part of RAW’s midcard, knowing RAW’s obsession with rematches we will most likely see a rematch between Sheamus and Priest down the line, but after that, I think Sheamus will play the role of an in-ring veteran and help newer talent get over.

3. A reunited RK-BRO faces AJ Styles and Omos for the Raw Tag Team Championships to open the show

While Big E and Baron Corbin did a good job in opening things on the kickoff show, RK-BRO would open the main show with the pair challenging AJ Styles and Omos for the Raw Tag Team Championships. The set-up for this match was great with Randy Orton returning a few weeks ago on RAW only to break up RK-BRO with The Viper ending the night by hitting an RKO on Riddle. However just as RK-BRO seemed dead, Riddle came to the rescue of Randy Orton when Orton was being attacked by AJ Styles and Omos forcing Orton to change his mind and bring back RK-BRO. RK-BRO dominated the early part of the match as they managed to use surprising teamwork on AJ Styles, but the tide would quickly turn as a frustrated Styles tagged in Omos to change the tide of the match. Omos dominated Riddle as The Viper had no choice but to watch on, despite dominating Riddle, Omos tagged in a cocky AJ Styles who controlled Riddle with full confidence until Riddle was able to knee Styles in the face and move to his corner to give Randy Orton the hot tag.

Orton changed the match with the hot tag as he took out Styles and kept attacking Omos keeping the big man off-balance, Orton finished the hot tag by hitting his legendary draping DDT onto Styles for a huge pop from the Las Vegas crowd. Orton then got ready for the RKO but Omos pulled Styles out of the ring, protecting his partner from The Viper, Riddle tried to get involved by jumping from the steel steps onto Omos but Omos was able to catch Riddle and chokeslammed Riddle on the apron. Orton tried to get involved but would be taken out by Styles with Styles inflicting more damage on Riddle by hitting the moonsault DDT from the ring apron onto the floor on Riddle. Just as things looked bleak for RK-BRO Orton managed to avoid the Phenomenal Forearm and after some back and forth from both men, Orton was able to hit the RKO on Styles to pin him making RK-BRO the new RAW Tag Team Champions and starting a curse for Champions who won their titles at WrestleMania. Later in the night, Mario Lopez (who made a WWF reference) interviewed the pair with Orton saying the most destructive letters in sports entertainment are RK…BRO.

This was a fun little match that did a great job in opening the show. While it wasn’t completely memorable and certainly won’t be in any match of the year list, it was fun and did a great job in hyping the crowd for the rest of the show. RK-BRO are an amazing and entertaining pair, both Orton and Riddle did a great job in carrying RAW after WrestleMania 37 during the ThunderDome period and I cannot wait to see how entertaining both Riddle and Orton will be as Champions. It is also great to see Orton’s reaction each week as he starts to like Riddle even more with Orton giving a genuine smile as both men celebrated their title win.

2. Roman Reigns and John Cena square off in the main event as Brock Lesnar returns with a new look

After his epic return at Money In The Bank, it was finally time for John Cena to take on the Universal Champion Roman Reigns after weeks of amazing promos between the two men. This match had a big fight feel to it with the crowd being hot for both men with Cena having a great entrance as the Titantron showed off all of his 16 World Title wins. Cena tried to catch Reigns off guard early in the match by performing multiple roll-ups on the Universal Champion only to get a 2 count, but Reigns would assert his dominance as he began to beat down Cena, cutting Cena off at every turn as he talked trash to the camera. However, Cena was able to hit the 2 shoulder tackles as he started the 5 moves of doom, only for Reigns to reverse the five knuckle shuffle into a Guillotine with Cena being able to power up and escape the hold.

Despite surviving the Guillotine Roman still controlled the match, but Cena was able to hit a AA out of nowhere to score a close nearfall, After Reigns escaped the STF by grabbing the ropes both men went out to the floor, Reigns tried to hit Roman with a spear but Cena was able to counter, hitting another AA through the announce table with Cena throwing Reigns back in the ring for a nearfall. Late in the match Reigns attempted a spear but when shoulder first into the ring post, allowing Cena to lift Roman to the top corner and hit a super AA for another close 2 count. Cena attempted a spear of his own but Reigns was able to counter and would eventually hit a pair of Superman punches on Cena and would finish things with a spear, pinning Cena for the win to retain his Championship.

After the match Reigns stood over a broken John Cena but then out of nowhere Brock Lesnar’s music hit as Brock (now with a beard and a ponytail) made his entrance as Paul Heyman freaked out and Roman couldn’t believe it. Lesnar seemed generally pumped to be back as he stared down the Champion as Heyman panicked with Reigns and Heyman retreating to the back as SummerSlam went off the air. It would later be revealed then Brock Lesnar sent Cena to suplex city once again, proving old habits die hard. Love him or hate him, Brock being back was a great moment and I generally can’t wait to see his interactions with Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman and SmackDown.

1. Edge brings back The Brood as he steals the show with Seth Rollins

Fans off the attitude era would be in for a treat at SummerSlam was Edge channeled his former brood character making for a truly epic entrance as he stole the show with Seth Rollins. Both men put on a great match despite high expectations with both men truly delivering the match of the night.

Rather than give a quick analysis of what happened during the match, I am just going to simply say it was an epic match that had great storytelling and great in-ring action that honestly made me feel like a young kid once again (especially as I am a huge Edge fan.)

This is honestly one of those matches that fans from different eras can rejoice watching as both men without a doubt put on a match of the year candidate.

These were my top 5 moments from the roller coaster ride that SummerSlam was. What were your top 5 moments from SummerSlam this year and what do you think of the return of The Beast, Brock Lesnar? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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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
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

For the latest, greatest and up to datest in coverage, opinions, and podcasts ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit TheCharishot.com

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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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Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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

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Classic POD is WAR

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Blog

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.