Opinion

Top 5: Matches of the Week (Ending 12/4/18)

Published

8 years ago

December 3, 2017

Welcome to the final list that feeds into November to help decide The Chairshot: Match of the Year. Last week, we saw a pretty decisive win with Johnny Gargano vs Pete Dunne @ NXT winning by a wide margin.

This week is a pretty even list, 4 out of 5 are easy for everyone to watch, with the fifth being a nice match, from a promotion that needs to find it’s identity. Let’s get to the list:

5. All Japan Pro Wrestling: World’s Strongest Tag Determination League: Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu vs Daichi Hasimoto & Hideyoshi Kamitani

In what seems like an unbalanced match up, we see Miyahara and Yoshitatsu (Former Triple Crown Champion, current Ace of the company and the man who just challenged for the Triple Crown championship, respectively) versus two relatively unknown wrestlers. Daichi Hashimoto is the son of Shinya Hashimoto, so those are very large shoes to fill, whereas, Kamitani found success in Big Japan and has been trying his hand in All Japan since 2016.

Initial perception of this match will be very sad for some watchers. The venue is basically a high school gymnasium with maybe 200-300 fans and a rather subdued malaise through most of it. Miyahara is the Ace of All Japan, mainly since most of their younger talent left and went to NOAH a few years ago. As for the match, it starts off rather slowly, giving all four men a chance to build up some momentum. Kamitani and Miyahara seem to get most of the support from the crowd, as the early portion seems to be in control of Miyahara and Yoshi.

After both teams try to cut one another off and use high impact tandem moves, Yoshitatsu spends a considerable amount of time outside of the ring. Brawling on all sides and each team having a member slide in for a pin breakup comes to a halt when Hashimoto catches Miyahara mid Blackout (basically a V Trigger like Omega does), hits a dragon screw leg whip and follows up with a Shining Wizard for the surprising pinfall victory over the Ace.

A somewhat by the numbers and unsurprising match until the last 5 minutes. It can be noted that they are trying to rebuild Yoshitatsu’s ruined credibility and protecting him even from a pinfall. So given that the story is kinda easy to follow, the young kids get the rub and Yoshitatsu doesn’t look like a complete trashbag…it’s a solid match for a promotion that deserves a break.

Ranking: Silver I

4. Raw: Seth Rollins vs Cesaro

These two guys don’t really put on a bad match, they’re just not being prominently featured outside of the tag division.

For being an early match on Raw, this felt a lot like a kickoff match to a Pay-Per-View. The crowd was into it and the match went back and forth very nicely. Each wrestler got most of their stuff in, but Cesaro has been eating losses like candy bars, so the finish isn’t surprising.

Not sure how much this will hurt Cesaro when they inevitably split up but he always puts on a good match. Here’s to hoping he gets a few wins eventually or finally gets out of mid-card hell when it matters.

Ranking: Gold V

3. Smackdown: Randy Orton vs Kevin Owens

This match started off hot with Randy beating the holy hell out of Owens and took a while to turn around.

As soon as Owens got the momentum he never really lost. Sami Zayn was banned from ringside, but interfered once they started brawling up the ramp. It was an amusing way to get around the banning at ringside and added unexpected drama when Orton kicked out after the interference.

Owens goes up to the top rope for a Frog Splash, and actually hits it for the finish. Many people, myself included, was expected a big RKO spot; but nope, Owens went over in a solid and rough match.

Ranking: Gold V

2. NXT: Moustache Mountain vs Pete Dunne & Mark Andrews

Well this is everyone’s new favorite everything and it’s honestly just nice to see them doing something with the UK wrestlers.

The idea that Dunne can only find tag partners by promising them a title shot is amusing. The match though, was what you’d expect. Everyone got their stuff in quite well and quite often. Trent was the punching bag since Tyler is still being portrayed very strongly.

Moustache Mountain goes over and Dunne eats the pin, but goes postal and destroys Mark Andrews afterwards. So it was a solid showing from everyone involved, nothing overly flashy but worked well enough to close the show.

Ranking: Gold IV

1. Impact: Alberto el Patron vs Johnny Impact

Well regardless of the fact it’s Impact! and the match spawned one of the more ridiculous .gifs of the week, the actual wrestling and storytelling was fantastic.

It begins hard and fast since the two wrestlers hate each other, and continues to stay hard hitting and brutal. Alberto shows a vicious side of himself trying to get through Johnny to get to Eli who he feels isn’t the rightful champion. Brawling outside and stiff shots keep the drama pretty high in this match, until Eli Drake shows up to ringside to observe, and in turn, distracts Alberto when he was looking to finish Johnny.

Since Alberto allows himself to be distracted, Johnny hits a nice Starship Pain for the win and then the ensuing beat down happens. Drake and Adonis (who eventually joins) helps beat up Impact, until Petey Williams comes in for the save. This is a good way to keep the story moving forward and keep Petey relevant in the title scene.

Ranking: Gold IV

None of the matches dwarf the other in quality, so that makes the decision a difficult one. Out of all of them, I enjoyed the Impact: Alberto el Patron vs Johnny Impact match the most for the storytelling and over all intensity.

All Japan deserves a little attention for trying to build up, mostly with Veterans like Ultimo Dragon, Tajiri and Yoshitatsu, but they are trying with a limited budget. Just fast forward through the Dory Funk Jr and Great Kabuki matches, since those are just…sad…and…bad…and…sad.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

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 all enjoy Pro Wrestling 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

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1