Opinion

Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 6/24/2018

Published

7 years ago

June 25, 2018

Another week, another Top 5. The winner from last week might come as a small surprise, but in a very close vote that was a 4-way tie for a while, finally we had a decisive winner. AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura at Money in the Bank, pulled off the win.

So even though there were 3 NXT matches, we see a main roster winner…I wonder if that says anything?

Well let’s not read too much into things and just get to this week’s matches. I didn’t have as much time as usual, so I’ll be doing a general overview instead of play by play style match descriptions.

5. Raw Intercontinental Championship Match: Seth Rollins (c) vs Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler Three Stars WWE Raw

Seth comes off his first defense where he needed to visibly cheat, but maintains the ‘fighting champion’ ideal and declares an open challenge. Both Dolph and Drew McIntyre come out, but as we see, Dolph is the one to enter the match.

This was a fairly standard match for both, where they bumped hard and Ziggler focused on the injured knee that Rollins sold through most of the match. Ziggler managed to dodge the Blackout the entire match and it wasn’t until McIntyre got on the apron, that we saw the interesting finish.

I’m only saying it’s interesting because it was effectively the same way Rollins retained the previous night, but Karma bit him in the trunks. So it’s not a Fame-Asser or Superkick that wins the match, it’s a roll up with a handful of tights. And we have a title change on Raw!

Winner: Ziggler via Roll Up

Rating: *** 1/4

4. Jinsei Shinzaki 25th Anniversary Show Sendai Girls World Title Match: Chihiro Hashimoto vs DASH Chisako

Jinsei (aka Hakushi in WWF) is the current President of Michinoku Pro and co-founder of Sendai Girls, so the show had a mixture of male and female wrestlers. This match is important because the Sendai Girls World Title got vacated after Ayako Hamada was arrested on the drug charges.

Now I’m not well versed in Sendai Girls, so I’m not sure why DASH got this shot, but Chihiro is a former champion, so it makes sense for her to be in this spot. However, even though DASH isn’t a very decorated wrestler and seems to have been a tag team specialist for the first 10 or so years of her career, she put up a valiant effort in this match. The match was extremely competitive and aside from a couple hiccups, was very enjoyable.

DASH hit a rope assisted German Suplex from the corner, as well as numerous strikes and crucifix pin attempts. Thanks to my lack of exposure with this product, I can easily say the match could’ve gone either way, but once DASH looked to hit a point of desperation, I figured the more experienced wrestler would pull this off. After a damn good match, Hashimoto finishes the match with a German Suplex Hold, to win the vacant Sendai Girls Title.

Winner: Hashimoto via German Suplex Hold

Rating: *** 3/4

3. Lucha Underground Championship Match: Matanza Cueto vs Pentagon Dark (c)

Antonio Cueto, seems to be trying to establish his control over the new temple by unleashing a threat onto the champion that he has yet to defeat. Pentagon is 0-2 against Matanza, does he finally break the losing streak?

We see a fairly well paced, and enjoyable match that starts out on the outside. Vampiro continues to make comments about how Pentagon needs to give into the Evil and stop pandering, and almost on cue, Pentagon misses a chop into the post to give Matanza an opening.

Matanza keeps the advantage for a while, just overpowering Pentagon. However, Mr. Cero Miedo doesn’t care and slowly makes his comeback. Eventually hitting a few superkicks, into two Mexican Destroyers and finally stunning the monster long enough to end the match with his Package Piledriver.

Before Pentagon can collect his arm, Antonio walks out with some key, which gives Matanza enough of a second wind to get out of the ring and apologize to his father. I guess, more to come on that one…right?

Winner: Pentagon via Package Piledriver

Rating: *** 3/4

Honorable Mentions

Smackdown Gauntlet Match: Samoa Joe vs Rusev vs Daniel Bryan vs Big E vs The Miz
Winner: Rusev via Accolade
Rating: *** 1/4

MLW Fusion 20,000 Bounty Match: Brody King vs Shane Strickland
Winner: Strickland via High Knee Strike
Rating: ***

AJPW All Asia Heavyweight Championship Match: Ryoji Sai (c) vs Yoshitatsu
Winner: Sai via Sidmouth
Rating: ** 3/4

2. 205 Live Triple Threat: Buddy Murphy vs Hideo Itami vs Mustafa Ali

After interfering in the match two weeks ago, Mustafa and Buddy get the chance to exact some revenge on Hideo.

This match was a slightly different Triple Threat. We didn’t see a lot of “getting rid of one person” and having a rotating series of 1 on 1s. There were quite a few times when all three were trying to get in offense, some even becoming the victims of a convenient duck out of the way. Buddy threw Mustafa over his head, so Hideo was on the receiving end of an X Factor and well as Buddy ducking under a Backfist, so Hideo makes contact with Mustafa’s face.

A very fun and fast paced match, we see Ali land a Spanish Fly from the announce table to the floor on Murphy, but Itami manages to take the advantage. A well placed Hestiation Dropkick dazes Ali, so Itami can remove the bottom turnbuckle. Setting things up nicely for one more Hestiation Dropkick, and Murphy is still on the outside unable to break up the pin.

If Hideo gets a shot at the Cruiserweight Championship before his rumored date over in NOAH, that could be an interesting wrinkle if Itami gets a title run just to effectively show off success in WWE.

Winner: Itami via Hestiation Dropkick into Exposed Turnbuckle

Rating: **** 1/4

1. NJPW Kizuna Road IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado vs Hiromu Takahashi (c)

Hiromu’s first defense as champion is an old rival, and someone who got a win on him in the BOSJ. So there’s some nice history between these two, to add a layer.

We see Hiromu walk to the ring with a guitar case, and as a small swerve when he opens it up, it’s got a bouquet of flowers, which he presents to Desperado. Despy was skeptical but eventually took them, and then hit Hiromu with them as soon as he turned around.

This match took a while to build up. They spilled outside fairly quickly, and repeated use of the guitar case,chairs, guardrails and Hiromu attempting his long running dropkick spot one too many times. Thankfully we all know by now that Japanese referees are very liberal with their decision to start to the 20 count. So we don’t really get even a hint of count out possibility here, but it spills outside almost as soon as they get back in the ring.

We see multiple heel tactics employed by Desperado to try and pick up the win. Even his tag partner Yoshinobu Kanemaru shows up and slides in a chair. Funnily, this causes Bushi to come out to help Hiromu and that has to be the loudest pop I’ve ever heard for Bushi.

Either way, Hiromu fights through the multitude of short cuts taken by Desperado and manages to pull off a few big moves, into his Time Bomb, to retain.

Winner: Hiromu via Time Bomb

Rating: **** 1/2

Well this is a difficult week for me to vote. We’ve got a few promotions that aren’t on the Top 5 often, as well as a bunch of familiar faces that have become almost synonymous with Top 5 work. So I guess I’ll go with the match I found the most enjoyment out of, which would be, 205 Live Triple Threat: Buddy Murphy vs Hideo Itami vs Mustafa Ali.

It was a nicely done Triple Threat, didn’t follow the usual formula, and it’s nice to see Itami get a little momentum.

So everyone else, make you opinion known, comment, e-mail, sky writing, Twitter trains of doom…I don’t know. Just – Always Use Your Head

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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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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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