Opinion
DeMarco’s Top 5: What If AEW Didn’t Exist?
Greg tackles a big What If in today’s pro wrestling landscape–What if AEW Didn’t Exist? The possibilities are endless…and shocking.
Greg tackles a big What If in today’s pro wrestling landscape–What if AEW Didn’t Exist? The possibilities are endless…and shocking.
By now you have had the chance to listen to the rejuvenated Badlands podcast here on the Chairshot Radio Network, rebranded as “Badlands What If…” Each week, Mags, Tolley, and Rance take on a major item in the history of wrestling’s past or present, ask a lingering “What If,” and bring you their enlightening analysis around the topic.
Consider this part two. I will take on the same topics, several weeks later, and offer my own spin. There will be overlap, and I am taking a “Top 5” approach that hits you with smaller bullet points than one long timeline. And don’t worry, the Badlands trio is fully on board with my follow-up analysis, and we might even cross back over in the future.
My first topi? Well it’s their first topic: What If AEW Never Existed?
Give the original broadcast a listen, here:
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Here is my Top 5: What If AEW Never Existed?
5. Ring Of Honor Isn’t Struggling, It’s Prospering
Did the formation of All Elite Wrestling destroy Ring Of Honor? It’s easy to make that argument, but much like the demise of WCW, it was more related to the parent company (Sinclair Broadcast Group) wanting to pull the plug due to financial unrest due to entities not even related to ROH. Business is business.
But what if business was booming? Imagine a world where G1 Supercard does include the Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, and Kenny Omega. Ring Of Honor would be the top non-WWE brand in North American wrestling today, and most (but not all) of the Elite crew would be working there today. We wouldn’t be getting ready to watch a deficient Final Battle card to end an era, but we’d be getting for a Final Battle that is once again one of the most anticipated events of 2021.
4. MJF, WWE Superstar
One of the most exciting names in AEW is MJF. At just 25 years of age, MJF was trained by WWE agent Pat Buck and former WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins, and is one fo the top prospects for wrestling’s next decade-and-a-half. I still think a run in WWE is inevitable for Mazwell, but it’s also entirely possible that he grows with AEW should the promotion avoid the pitfalls of many that have come before it.
But if there was no AEW, but 2021 MJF would have likely made his way through NXT and to the main roster, especially if NXT 2.0 is still a thing (and it’s probably not). While it’s also possible that MJF ended up in this article’s version of ROH, it seems more likely that he is on the main roster, having programs with the likes of a Cesaro, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and others.
That is, if they are stil employed…
3. NXT 2.0 Never Happens
So I believe NXT still makes it to cable television thanks to a USA Network television deal, but I don’t think it gets rebranded. We likely see 205 Live get rebranded (which is about to happen anyway) into what NXT 2.0 is–a proving ground for the newest generation–but NXT as we remember it (1.0, black and gold, etc) is still going strong post-pandemic. And if NXT is still going strong, the Undisputed Era members are all still around, but possibly on the main roster. And that main roster might look a little differen (see below).
Also, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan Danielson are probably on the black and gold brand in player-coach roles.
3a. The Releases Come, But Are Somewhat Different
In a follow-up to the point above, I think the most recent batch of releases are much different. I don’t think we lose Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, and all of Hit Row. I think we might lose some of the veteran talent like Shelton Benjamin, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, and others. Because NXT isn’t viewed as a failure, it’s viewed as an asset, and it’s stars will also be viewed in that manner.
2. Pat McAfee Isn’t Commentating on Smackdown, Chris Jericho Is
As an avid listener of his show (in podcast form), and a hug fan of his work on both NXT and Smackdown, I don’t think Pat McAfee is currently sitting beside Micharl Cole on the blue brand. Unless Chris Jericho goes on tour and he’s filling in, because I do believe Jericho himself is the color-man on Smackdown.
Without an AEW to pay him big checks (Cody Rhodes has referred to the “Jericho-tier” as a thing atop AEW’s pay structure), Jericho returns home to WWE, might already be in the Hall Of Fame, and is working as a commentator who only wrestles the occassional special attraction. He’s the next Jerry Lawler, and would do a damn great job at it.
1. Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion
Remember, Cody Rhodes left WWE before any of this AEW business came about. So in this case, he still leaves. And by now, he’d be back. I do think the time away serves him well, and he proves him to be the commodity he believes he is. He still has the school, much like Seth Rollins, and he also has at least one world title run under his belt, like many others.
Cody Rhodes, for any fault we might present today, is still a damn talented professional wrestler, and his talent woudl have made its way to the top of WWE some way, some how.
And because of the WWE video game properties (and policies), he’s likely not saddled what that terrible neck tattoo for life.
What say you in this What If? What things happen if AEW is never a thing? Hit me up @ChairshotGreg on all your forms of social media and lef me know!
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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 - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Nefarious Means
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SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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Opinion
Chris King: The Wyatt Sicks’ Wasted Potential By WWE
Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.
Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.
It’s that time of the year again, folks; it’s unfortunate and downright awful that so many WWE superstars got released today. I’m not going to list all of them, but I am going to talk about one of my favorite factions,
The Wyatt Sicks. Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) were something special. After Bo’s brother Bray Wyatt’s tragic passing, WWE felt like there was a hole that needed to be filled. Wyatt was one of the most creative and brilliant characters, and Bo would be taking over his brother’s concept and bringing it to life. In 2024, at the end of an incredible documentary highlighting Wyatt’s career and struggles, Bo appeared on the screen portrayed as Uncle Howdy. The last time Uncle Howdy was seen on-screen was at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Pitch Black Match. Howdy jumped off a structure onto Knight.
This post-credit scene sparked so much speculation and excitement that Wyatt’s brother would carry on his legacy and possibly debut the faction that was Wyatt’s concept. On the June 17th episode of Monday Night Raw, The Wyatt Sicks made their dramatic debut ,destroying the backstage area as well as “murdering” Chad Gable. It was such an iconic arrival for Howdy as he made his menacing walk from the back into the audience who were chanting “Holy Shit.” The Sicks and American Made (Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers) battled for months, with The Sicks being victorious. On the September 9th episode of Raw, The Sicks defeated them, with Howdy getting the win with Sister Abigail.
The following year, The Sicks would move over to Friday Night SmackDown, and it seemed like WWE had a plan in place. They would win the tag team championships from The Street Profits and start to look dominant. Now, what should have happened next is Howdy should have won the United States title. The Sicks could have held all the gold over on the blue brand, but it never happened. The Sicks entered into a never-ending feud with The MFT’s (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga.) It started off exciting, and the WWE Universe was red-hot for their interactions.
After months of repetitive matches and The MFT’s stealing their lantern, the feud grew tiresome and boring. Even Tama asked Solo why they are still holding onto the lantern, as it was destroying them as a whole. Finally on the SmackDown before Mania, Tama
gave the lantern back to Howdy against Solo’s wishes. Please explain to me why both factions fought almost every single week instead of just having one final blowoff match at WrestleMania.
It should have been either a massive street fight or a falls count anywhere match on the grandest stage of them all. Instead, it turned into a meaningless week-after-week extravaganza that benefited no one. The MFTs won the rivalry, and The Sicks don’t even work for WWE anymore. This was the same criminalized creative process that Wyatt dealt with during his first run in the company.
We’ll never know how much of a dangerous force The Wyatt Sicks could have been in the WWE. For all their careers’ sake, I hope they stay far away from the company for as long as possible. Every superstar that was cut deserves better!
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Opinion
Chris King: Bloodline Saga: Is This the Right Call For WWE?
Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is once again World Heavyweight Champion after his dominant win over CM Punk at WrestleMania 42. On the following night on Monday Night Raw, The OG Bloodline came back together as a well-oiled machine as The Usos stood side by side with Roman. With the WWE Universe asking who would be the first to challenge “The Tribal Chief,” Jacob Fatu shocked the world by answering the call.
Fatu is running hot after his impressive win over Drew McIntyre and feels like he is ready to become the new world champion. This bloodline segment ended Raw, and it picked right back up on SmackDown with even Solo Sikoa and the MFTs involved. This is now two shows that have been centered around The Bloodline saga, and it’s made me question whether or not WWE should be retelling this story.
The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa) ran WWE for over four years as Reigns’ henchmen, doing his dirty work to retain his title. Even though Roman has declared he doesn’t want Jey and Jimmy to serve him, it sure seems like WWE are spinning their wheels. Fatu could add a whole new chapter into the story, even if he’s not able to beat Roman at Backlash. “The Samoan Werewolf” could be forced to do the same thing as Jey did all those years ago and fall in line.
In my opinion, I feel like Fatu should be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship because that’s a title I feel like he should win. I understand standing up to your blood and trying to prove you’re the best, but I don’t think this is the right move. It feels like 2022 all over again, as The Bloodline is the central focus on both shows. If Fatu doesn’t win, what happens to all his momentum he’s been building over the last two years?
Why did WWE make this the best choice for storyline purposes? Why couldn’t creative have come up with a different challenger for Roman? There are so many other superstars that could challenge The Tribal Chief, such as Rusev, Bron Breakker, Gunther, or even a returning Sheamus.
I just can’t help but question WWE’s logic here, and it kind of reminds me of all the times The Shield reunited. Could WWE be pushing the same storyline too many times here? Could the WWE Universe get tired of this rinse and repeat cycle of The Bloodline Saga?
Are we about to see all the weekly episodes solely focused on The Bloodline again? Will it be cinema… Yes. Is there still money in The Bloodline… Yes. Was it the right call? That’s to be determined!
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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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)
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