That's Gotta Hurt: The Most Devastating 'ConChairTos' In Modern-Age WWE

At Extreme Rules last weekend, WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix suffered a brutal attack at the hands of Rhea Ripley and the Judgment Day. However, the WWE Universe collectively believes Ripley may have taken things a step too far.

During Finn Bálor and Edge’s violent I Quit match, it became evident to the rest of Judgment Day that the words “I Quit” are simply not in Edge’s vocabulary. Judgment Day resorted to the numbers game to beat up Edge in a four-on-one assault and handcuff him to the ring. Just then, Phoenix ran toward the ring before beating up Ripley and landing a nice shot on Bálor in the process. She freed Edge from his handcuffs but paid a hefty price for doing so. Ripley clocked the former Women’s Champ in the head with a pair of brass knuckles, obviously distracting her concerned husband before he could attack Bálor with a steel chair. Dominik and Priest held down Edge as the inaugural Universal Champion hit three straight Coup de Grâce, still failing to make Edge quit. That’s when Ripley took things to the next level and gave Edge a taste of his own medicine by hitting Phoenix with a “ConChairTo.”

The ConChairTo, sometimes referred to as the "Con-Chair-To," is one of wrestling’s most sadistic maneuvers and it was popularized by Edge in years previous. The move is actually so dangerous, WWE banned it from use for years, partly why it is so shocking to see it used freely now. The ConChairTo involves placing a steel chair on the ground underneath your opponent's head, before smashing the exposed side of their head with another chair. This effectively creates a steel chair and skull sandwich … The move could be deadly if done right.

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The brutal shot from Ripley got Edge to reluctantly utter the words, “I quit” before rushing to his wife’s aid. An understandably angry Edge tried to check on his wife, but she remained motionless as doctors and referees rushed into the ring to help. Phoenix is now injured, although the specific injury has not been disclosed. Although it was Ripley who executed the attack, Ripley still says the attack was Edge’s fault.

With all that being said, and us wishing Beth Phoenix a quick and full recovery, we wanted to look back on a few of the most devastating ConChairTos to happen in recent memory and give some context as to why this dangerous maneuver is being used.

Edge Turns On AJ Styles

During the lead-up to last year’s WrestleMania, Edge took to the ring and demanded a match at the show with one major caveat: He wanted to face a true Superstar. Well, look no further than the Phenomenal One, AJ Styles. Styles eagerly accepted Edge’s challenge to set up a dream match that the WWE Universe never thought they’d witness. In what looked to be a show of respect, Edge extended his hand for a handshake but blasted Styles with an elbow to the face instead.

He beat down Styles in a shocking assault that was reminiscent of his younger, more arrogant days before delivering not one, but two stiff ConChairTos to an already unconscious Styles. Edge would go on to win their one-on-one match at WrestleMania, but it wasn’t without the help of Damien Priest as the two formed the Judgment Day faction.

A WrestleMania ConChairTo For Randy Orton

In his first one-on-one match since WrestleMania 27, Edge took on Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match at WrestleMania 36. The show, which took place at the performance center due to the Coronavirus pandemic, allowed for the two Superstars to use everything at their disposal to hurt one another without worrying about the safety of fans. The two fought throughout the WWE Performance Center, breaking glass, throwing weights, and eventually making their way on top of a production truck.

Although the two icons spent far more time outside of the ring than in it, the match still flowed really well and had superb storytelling throughout. Once on top of the truck, Edge was able to hit his signature ConChairTo to keep the Viper down. This ConChairTo was particularly special, as it marked Edge’s grand return to WrestleMania, he executed the move perfectly, and it won him his match against one of the best of all time.

Reigns Smashes Daniel Bryan After Agonizing Loss

On the April 30, 2021, episode of SmackDown, Daniel Bryan challenged Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. As the Tribal Chief is still the champ, we know he was able to successfully defend his title against Daniel Bryan. After what was considered a heartbreaking loss for the Yes Man, however, Reigns and the Bloodline weren’t done yet.

As Reigns brought two chairs into the ring, Bryan’s close friend Cesaro swarmed the ring in an attempt to save Bryan. He flustered Reigns with a massive European Uppercut, but the numbers game was too much for even Cesaro to handle. The Usos tied Cesaro up in the ropes as he helplessly watched Roman deliver a violent ConChairTo to Bryan. This attack was scary, especially given Bryan’s medical history and how it sent him packing from WWE. In the end, this is just another notch on Reigns’ belt, but for the rest of the WWE Universe, it was an unnecessary and unforgettable attack on Bryan.

The Viper Welcomes Edge Back With A ConChairTo

Only one day removed from Edge’s impossible and emotional return at the 2020 Royal Rumble, the Rated-R Superstar appeared on RAW to explain to fans how he’s back, why he’s back, and just to soak in the feeling he missed so dearly for the past 10 years. Suddenly, Randy Orton’s music hit, which excited fans as the two had one of the most beloved but short-lived tag teams in WWE history, Rated-RKO.

Unfortunately for Edge, The Viper wasn’t there to reminisce on old times as he savagely beat down Edge before delivering the ConChairTo to his former friend. This attack set up the WrestleMania match these two would go on to have a few months later, but seeing this move done to Edge, especially considering the injury that first ended his career, was extremely shocking.

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