Isenberg Reacts : The Five Gifts From WWE in 2016

January 3, 2017

As we head into 2017, this is a perfect time to look back at what occurred in the WWE in 2016. From a casual fan to the diehard fan, I have compiled the five gifts that the WWE gave us in 2016. I cannot wait to read everyone’s opinions, where you can tweet me @JoshIsenberg4 or watch me weekly on Chair Shot Reality and get your thoughts on air @CSReality.

Number 5: The Return of Shane McMahon

It is very difficult to remember a more surprising return in WWE history than Shane McMahon. Who had Shane vs. The Undertaker on their WrestleMania card this time last year? Who had Shane McMahon returning to an authority role on Smackdown Live? Answer: Nobody. That is why it made his year nine months worth of storylines so good and so captivating. Shane came back after a very long time away from television and made an immediate impact inside and outside of the ring. His match at WrestleMania will always be remembered by his “Leap of Faith.” He did not stop there, as another big impact he made was at Survivor Series.

Shane came back at a time where WWE needed him. They needed a fresh McMahon to step up and take over. When the brand split occurred, you knew he would be the right fit to run a show. He still gets a bigger pop than 90 percent of the roster. In 2016, WWE gave us the gift of Shane McMahon. I was shocked day one and still shocked now that he is still around. Soak it in because you know this will not last forever.

What is next for Shane? Well, I am not sure they need him for WrestleMania 33 in a match, but I would love to see him involved in anchoring a Smackdown vs. RAW match, with some sort of stipulation on the line to benefit his show. Just having Shane run Smackdown made it feel more important, like WWE actually trying to make that show as important as the one on Monday nights. Ratings tell all, and this past week was a huge indication that Smackdown Live is having more success than previous.

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.