Opinion

Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 3/17/2019

We have continuing tournaments and an ROH PPV this week. How much was Andrew able to see? What made the Top 5 Matches? Do you agree?

Published

6 years ago

March 18, 2019

Andrew Balaz

We have continuing tournaments and an ROH PPV this week. How much was Andrew able to see? What made the Top 5 Matches?

Alright, it’s a holiday and it’s late, so this is gonna be a short and sweet intro. Last week, Fastlane 4-Way: Samoa Joe vs R-Truth vs Andrade vs Rey Mysterio, beat out all of the New Japan matches.

Out of the kindness of my heart, I decided to keep a tie for 5th since this week is heavily dominated by Japanese wrestling, especially with the addition of Pro Wrestling NOAH doing a free stream on their YouTube Channel.

So don’t say I never did nothing for you. Now onto the list!

5 (t). ROH 17: Rush vs Bandido

In a good move by ROH this followed a musical interlude after the World Championship match went a full 60 minute Broadway. This allowed for new commentary members (there was a rotating door with Colt in the New Japan Cup) and Dalton Castle added the flavor for this match.

What we got here was a damn good lucha libre match. Rush continues to exude Tranquilo and the Los Ingobernables way of life, and Bandido is a little more high energy. Bandido hit a Double Springboard 450 Splash on a hanging Rush for a near fall. Rush attempted the Bull Horns a few times, and when he finally landed them, it was over for Bandido. Dalton Castle challenged Rush to a match at MSG afterwards.

It was a solid match, but it’s been a long weekend so my recap is lacking.

Winner: Rush via Bull Horns

Rating: ****

5 (t). NJPW: Kota Ibushi vs Zack Sabre Jr

From My 2nd Round Analysis:
Going into this match Kota has a 2-1 record against Sabre, even though Sabre’s lone win came in last year’s New Japan Cup. This match was a nice back and forth that showed off Sabre’s technical prowess and Ibushi’s short temper. The ending sequence was a lot of counters and transitional moves, so it was quite intense.

Winner: Sabre Jr via Orienteering with Napalm Death

Rating: ****

4. NXT: Ricochet & Aleister Black vs DIY

From DeMarco’s Analysis:
DIY wearing matching tights, and having a new Titan Tron video is such a great touch. Ciampa clutching Goldie while looking at Gargano, who “knows what he’s doing” is a level if deep subtlety that you just don’t see anymore. That’s Ole Anderson level shit.

I do need to point out that this is typical for WWE tag teams, meeting the requirements of Patrick O’Dowd’s Vicious Cycle Of WWE Tag Team Booking.

It wasn’t that long ago in WWE where this would have been the obvious TV main event two weeks before Takeover Phoenix. Ricochet looking at Aleister Black as to make sure it’s okay that he’s sitting next to him in the ring? Another great touch. Tommaso Ciampa applies the best chinlock in WWE today. Yes, this is a real thing. Randy Orton would be proud. Actually, Ciampa has stolen a good bit of his act from Randy Orton. Don’t @ me.

Gargano gets hurt, and Ciampa has to go it alone. This, of course, is a throwback to Takeover: Chicago, when Ciampa got hurt…and we all know what happened there! (Ciampa turned on Gargano.) It’s coming. It took two finishers after a 2-on-1 advantage to pin the NXT Champion. That’s how it should be. Black Flash wins, and they’ll face The Forgotten Sons in the finals. If you know anything about WWE booking, you know this ends up. #SaveTagTeamWrestling

The post-match developments with Gargano and Ciampa were nothing short of brilliant. I am not mad that Ciampa ended up hurt, at least in terms of the storyline. I’d give the show ending segment five stars, easy. A small detail is Ciampa tossing the NXT Championship–something he’s obsessed with–aside for it, showing that he has one obsession bigger than Goldie. Gargano’s smile when he stopped Ciampa’s turn–brilliant. The whole thing–brilliant.

Winner: Ricochet via 630 Senton

Rating: ****

3. NJPW: Hirooki Goto vs SANADA

From My 1st Round Analysis:
They did a great job at showcasing how even SANADA and Goto really were. Both had amazing flurries of offense and counters for one another’s signature moves. I really enjoyed the fan survey in the middle of the ring to start with, to see who was more favored. Fans seemed to sway a little towards SANADA, but both got really good reactions.

Winner: SANADA via Moonsault

Rating: **** 1/4

Honorable Mentions:

NJPW: Tomohiro Ishii vs Taichi
Winner: Ishii via Vertical Drop Brainbuster
Rating: ****
ROH17: Las Vegas Street Fight ROH Tag Team Titles: PCO & Brody King vs The Briscoes (c)
Winner: PCO via PCO-sault
Rating: *** 3/4
NJPW: Satoshi Kojima vs Minoru Suzuki
Winner: Suzuki via Gotch Style Piledriver
Rating: *** 3/4
NJPW: Kazuchika Okada vs Mikey Nicolls
Winner: Okada via Rainmaker
Rating: *** 3/4
205 Live: Tony Nese vs Drew Gulak
Winner: Nese via Submission Counter Pin
Rating: *** 3/4
205 Live: Cedric Alexander vs Oney Lorcan
Winner: Alexander via Lumbar Check
Rating: *** 3/4
NOAH Hakata Star Lane Memorial: Naomichi Marufuji vs Yoshinari Ogawa
Winner: Marufuji via Rolling Cradle
Rating: *** 3/4
ROH 17: ROH World Championship: Jay Lethal (c) vs Matt Taven
Winner: TIME LIMIT DRAW
Rating: *** 1/2
NJPW: Will Ospreay vs Lance Archer
Winner: Ospreay via Stormbreaker
Rating: *** 1/2
IMPACT: Number 1 Contender Match: Tessa Blanchard vs Jordynne Grace
Winner: Grace via Grace Driver
Rating: *** 1/4
NOAH Hakata Star Lame Memorial: Kotaro Suzuki & YO-HEY vs Hi69 & Minoru Tanaka
Winner: Hi69 via Stuka Splash
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Raw: Seth Rollins vs Shelton Benjamin
Winner: Rollins via Stomp
Rating: *** 1/4
NJPW: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Ryusuke Taguchi
Winner: Tanahashi via Dragon Suplex
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Raw: Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose vs Drew McIntyre
Winner: McIntyre via Claymore
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE SmackDown Live: Aleister Black & Ricochet & The Hardy Boyz vs The Bar & Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev
Winner: No Contest
Rating: ***
NXT: Forgotten Sons vs Moustache Mountain
Winner: Forgotten Sons via Reverse DDT/Stomp Combo
Rating: ***

2. NJPW: SANADA vs Minoru Suzuki

From My 2nd Round Analysis:
This match has a good bit of history from All Japan and crossover issues between Suzuki and SANADA’s mentor Keiji Mutoh (Great Muta). Going into this match SANADA only had 1 win over Suzuki out of 6 singles meetings. Suzuki dominated a good portion of this match, and just brutalized SANADA. However, SANADA showed great resiliency and the unrelenting drive to beat Suzuki. There was a good exchange of submissions in the middle of the ring with Suzuki finding Knee Twists and an Indian Deathlock to try and break Skull End, but SANADA wouldn’t give up. Suzuki basically gassed himself out, and one more Moonsault attempt was the end of Suzuki.

Winner: SANADA via Moonsault

Rating: **** 1/4

1. NOAH Hakata Star Lane Memorial: Go Shiozaki vs Takashi Sugiura

Given that the Hakata Star Lane show was special since it was the last show in Star Lanes because the building will be closed down permanently after renovations were decided to be too costly. So this show was free on YouTube but more of a house show. A few not normal match ups like Ogawa vs Marufuji, and the champion was in a tag match with his grumpy senpai. This match was special since it’s more of a throwback match with two well known stalwart names of NOAH.

Go and Sugiura always put on classic hard hitting matches. Shiozaki’s chops can be heard around the world and Sugiura’s generally irritated countenance makes for a scary collision. This match definitely delivered for the fact there was nothing on the line beyond bragging rights. Since it’s free, it’s best to just follow the link at the top and watch it yourself. It’s just brutal, hell I think Go was momentarily knocked out during the match, but finished the match.

Winner: Sugiura via Avalanche Olympic Slam

Rating: **** 1/2

Thoughts:

It’s too late to think, I think sleep wins. Yup – Yup – Yup, that’s ducky.

Okay, I’m a little sleep deprived. So I’m gonna go with my order this week. NOAH has been putting on really solid shows last few years, new management, new logo and layout, but you put in two veterans and you get classic NOAH. The colors may change, but the ass kicking stays the same.

Use Your Head! Cause I will and place it on a pillow now. Good Night.

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TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Related Topics:Bandido DIY Featured Featured Big Kota Ibushi Minoru Suzuki New Japan Cup NXT Pro Wrestling NOAH ROH17 Rush SANADA Zack Sabre Jr

Up Next

(NOAH) WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.27 ~ 17TH MARCH 2019

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WWE Week in Review: March 11-17, 2019

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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SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

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

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

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