Opinion
The Best Long Term Story in Wrestling
Last night at NXT Takeover Chicago 2 we saw what is quite possibly the best long-term story in wrestling in years. Maybe ever. All thanks to Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
Some people will say the likes of Steamboat and Flair or Omega and Okada when talking about the best long-term storyline. However, I wasn’t around for Flair and Steamboat and as much as I like New Japan I’m not as invested as other people. Gargano vs Ciampa is for me the most invested I’ve been in a story in a long time. There’s no shades of grey… just pure good vs pure evil.
The hype package talked about this being a year in the making from the last Takeover Chicago but in fact this has been building since the cruiserweight classic back in 2016.
Originally just two indie guys who had never teamed together they managed to become the most popular team in NXT. Their friendship survived their cruiserweight match and losing at Takeover Brooklyn to take the tag team titles in a classic 2 out f 3 falls match in Toronto. After a few unsuccessful attempts to regain the titles Ciampa shocked everyone by turning on Gargano. Whatever your opinions on WWE’s production the false end graphic was a great way to lull you in. The fact that people actually booed the turn showed how much fans were invested in DIY.
Then Ciampa got injured which could have quite easily derailed this story. However, they smartly changed the story to Gargano trying to move on and becoming a singles wrestler again but constantly coming up short. This was helped by Gargano being the most likeable face since Daniel Bryan. Ciampa meanwhile used twitter to constantly take shots at Gargano to keep this feud in fans conscience.

Finally, after a brilliant 5-star match against Andrade Cien Almas Gargano was attacked with crutch by Ciampa. Ciampa purposely grew his bread out and go in incredible shape making it look like he had done nothing but obsess about getting back at Gargano.
Then he cost Gargano his career in NXT easily making him the most hated man in the company. He would come out and not have to say anything but stand there and let the boos reign in.
The unsanctioned match in New Orleans was hands down the match I was most invested in that entire weekend. There weren’t a lot of fancy moves this was a fight. Every move looked like it was designed to cause as much pain as possible. Mauro Ranello did a great job of selling how much of a despicable human being Ciampa was in a similar vein to how JR would back in the day.
The match was filled with call backs including the use of the crutch and sitting in the middle of the ring like after their cruiserweight classic match. That looked to be the fairy-tale ending but Ciampa couldn’t get over his loss and attacked Gargano before he could get a shot at the NXT Championship.
The fact that they were in street clothes was a nice touch. This match featured even more call backs like Ciampa dragging Gargano to the top of the ramp and beating him the same way be did when he turned on him the year before. This time it was Gargano sending Ciampa through two tables and watching officials carry him out. In the end it was Gargano’s obsession with finishing Ciampa that ultimately cost him.
What helps make this the best long term story is the fact that it technically isn’t over. Personal I hope they save the rubber match for when they both get to the main roster. Have Gargano challenge for a title only to once again be cost by Ciampa because he can’t let Gargano be happy. From here I think Ciampa should go after the championship and Johnny should probably go up soon.
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Opinion
Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania.
‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman?
I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!
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
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
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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Opinion
Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!
This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month.
Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while.
The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev.
All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet.
As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!
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
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes
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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