Opinion

Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 4/14/2019

Andrew brings us the Top 5 matches of the week! What made the cut and which match made the Match of the Year pool?

Published

6 years ago

April 15, 2019

Andrew Balaz

Andrew brings us the Top 5 matches of the week! What made the cut and which match made the Match of the Year pool?

Following WrestleMania, we still have a few tournaments going on in Japan, but I have sleep to catch up on. So thankfully this was a slower news week, and I didn’t really need to search out too much. However, no I did not see Worlds Collide yet. Plans this weekend put me in more of a time crunch than usual.

That being said, we have two votes to reconcile! You can see the winner of March, by seeing our current MOTY pool.

January – NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
February – NXT Halftime Heat: Ricochet, Aleister Black & Velveteen Dream vs Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
March – Stardom: Wonder of Stardom Title Match: Jungle Kyona vs Momo Watanabe (c)

The Stardom match barely edged out Okada versus SANADA, so it’s kind of refreshing to see a smaller promotion get the win for the month.

As for the weekly vote, that was a landslide victory for Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35.

Let’s see what’s going on this week.

5. WWE Raw: Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor (c)

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:
Fans rally up and Sami powers his way up, only for Finn to arm-drag him again. Finn goes after the arm from wrist to shoulder to target the joints. Sami powers his way back up and powers Finn to ropes. They break at 4 but Sami CHOPS Finn then fires off clubbing forearms! Sami CHOPS Finn back and again! He throws hands then whips. Finn reverses but Sami sunset flips, only for Finn to roll through and dropkick! Finn trips Sami for double stomps! Sami staggers to a corner but Finn CHOPS him again! Finn CHOPS Sami in another corner, then whips him corner to corner. Sami boots Finn away to chop him and go acrobatic. Finn denies that and now they brawl with forearms and chops. Sami forearms Finn but Finn PELES back! Both men are down and we go to break!

Raw returns and Finn dumps Sami out of the ring! Finn puts Sami back in quick but Sami denies the slingblade. Finn also denies the Blue Thunder, but he gets reeled into it anyway! Cover, TWO!! Sami was so close yet so far from a golden return! Finn and Sami slowly stand and get to corners. Sami aims at Finn and runs in, but into a slingblade! Finn shotgun dropkicks Sami down! Finn climbs up and aims, Coup de Grace misses! Roll up, TWO!! Finn runs into an exploder into buckles! Sami goes back to the other side, and runs back in, but the Helluva Kick misses! Finn’s up fast, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!

Winner: Balor via Coup de Grace

Rating: *** 1/2

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4. IMPACT: Tessa Blanchard vs Madison Rayne

From My Coverage:
Well now, this match was pretty damn good, told a great story since Gail was on commentary and Madison…looked…really good. By that I mean in the ring. This is the second week in a row Madison showed off much better in-ring skills. A few big Frakensteiners, nice transitional roll ups and generally nice movement. Tessa was dominant, but allowed her ego and Gail on the outside to distract her throughout the match. Really good everything.

Winner: Rayne via School Girl Roll-Up

Rating: *** 3/4

3. AJPW Champion Carnival: Suwama vs Yoshitatsu

From Mathew’s Coverage:
Their rivalry seemed to have simmered down a bit this year but when they fought right here, they would act like that never faded away and would start going at it. I’m usually pretty critical when it comes to Yoshi and his performances as a wrestler but I do give credit when credit is due as he really did deliver this time around and can show signs of great talent when he wants to. You can give a lot of credit to Suwama for being a great opponent to bring out the best in him, but they both have great chemistry together when they share that ring. Yoshi wants to prove that he can do better and Suwama is pretty much telling him to show him when they fight in that ring. If I had to compare their carnival matches back to back, I would say this one was better out of the two.

Suwama would go for the Last Ride as Yoshi tries to fight it and fights out of it to kick him in the face as the two would start going back and forth with the kicks to the face, forearms, and headbutts. Yoshi would hit the last headbutt and hits Suwama with a German Suplex as Suwama quickly got up to hit him with one and Yoshi did the same, the two of them would do it again as Suwama delivered the last one and both men are down as the crowd cheers for them. Yoshi planted him down face first as he applied the Koji Clutch, the same way he defeated Suwama last year and he looks to do it again but Suwama was about to break the hold until Yoshi pinned him for a two count. Yoshi is attempting the Codebreaker of Jericho as Suwama hits him with a Lariat and a Backdrop as Yoshi kicked out at two. Suwama went for the Last Ride one more time as Yoshi flipped over him for the Sunset Flip as Suwama would kick out of it. Yoshi ran towards him and Suwama delivers another Lariat and throws him to the ropes. Yoshi would kick Suwama in the face and delivers the Codebreaker of Jericho off the second rope and he quickly applied the Koji Clutch and has it in tight this time around as Suwama would pass out to give Yoshitatsu the TKO in a great match!

Winner: Yoshitatsu via Koji Clutch

Rating: ****

Honorable Mentions:

IMPACT: Brian Cage & Jordynne Grace vs Johnny Impact & Taya Valkyrie
Winner: Johnny via Shining Wizard
Rating: *** 1/2
AJPW Champion Carnival: Joe Doering vs Naoya Nomura
Winner: Doering via Flying Crossbody Attack
Rating: *** 1/2
AJPW Champion Carnival: Joel Redmen vs Jake Lee
Winner: Jake via Backdrop Driver
Rating: *** 1/2
IMPACT: Moose vs Wentz
Winner: Moose via Spear
Rating: *** 1/4
AJPW Champion Carnival: Sam Adonis vs Naoya Nomura
Winner: Nomura via Nomura Lock
Rating: *** 1/4
NXT UK: UK Women’s Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs Jinny
Winner: Storm via Storm Zero
Rating: *** 1/4
AJPW Champion Carnival: Zeus vs Yuma Aoyagi
Winner: Aoyagi via End Game
Rating: *** 1/4
SmackDown Live: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) vs Hardy Boyz
Winner: Hardy Boyz via Swanton Bomb
Rating: ***
WWE RAW: Aleister Black & Ricochet vs Bobby Roode & Chad Gable
Winner: Ricochet via Code Breaker
Rating: ***

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2. AJPW Champion Carnival: Zeus vs Kento Miyahra

From My Coverage:
Now we get one of the more anticipated matches of the Carnival. Kento and Zeus have had a great rivalry over the last few years. Kento usually gets the best of Zeus, but last year Zeus started showing he can overcome Kento. This match wasn’t as good as their two title matches last year, but it was definitely one that will probably be in many people’s top matches for the Carnival. Pacing was similar to their title fights with some posturing, stubborn strike battles and Kento going for more flashy moves like the apron DDT, his Ring Post Neck Lock and just being generally flamboyant and never overtly serious. Fun match. WASSHOI!

Winner: Zeus via Jackhammer

Rating: ****

1. 205 Live: Cruiserweight Title Match: Tony Nese (c) vs Buddy Murphy

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:
Fans know “This is Wrestling!” but this is also far from over. Nese drags Murphy up and whips him, but Murphy holds the ropes. Nese rocks Murphy with a mule kick then whips again, but Murphy reverses. But Nese slides under and pump handle drivers! Cover, TWO!! Murphy survives yet again but Nese just keeps on him. Nese stands Murphy up and puts him on the top rope. Nese climbs to join him, but Murphy slips out and tucks Nese in, SUPERKICK! Then sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Now Nese survives but Murphy is too sore to be frustrated. Fans are still fired up as Murphy stalks Nese to a corner. Murphy brings Nese up with double wristlocks, but Nese blocks the Juggernaut Knee! Murphy slaps Nese but Nese SLAPS Murphy! Then he snap suplexes Murphy into the corner! Nese runs side to side but into a waistlock!

Murphy has Nese on the apron fast, and wants a German Suplex! Nese fights him off but Murphy boots him back. Murphy boots again, then gets space, for a LEAPING knee trigger! Both men fall to the floor but the fans fire up more. Murphy stands first and drags Nese’s dead weight around. Murphy then eyes the desk, and fans like where he’s going with this. Commentary anticipates this as Murphy drags Nese over. Murphy prepares a bomb but Nese is just out. The referee checks but Nese is somehow okay to continue. The count is at 5 as Murphy lifts Nese again. Murphy has to refresh the count before it hits 10, but then he turns around into a back drop onto the desk!! Fans lose their minds again as both men are down on the outside. The referee checks on them, they’re both somehow okay to continue.

The ring count returns, and reaches 5 as Murphy crawls. Nese is in at 6, Murphy is in at 9.5!! Fans cheer as this match continues! Nese and Murphy crawl and then brawl. They trade hands as they stand, Murphy fires off a strike fest! Nese dodges the knee to SUPERKICK! Murphy clobbers him with a clothesline! Murphy Canadian racks to the AK-DDT! Cover, TWO?! Nese survives and shocks Murphy but fans reach a fever pitch. Murphy drags Nese up again for the pump handle. Murphy lifts and htis Murphy’s Law!! Cover, TWO!?! Nese survives Murphy’s best move?! Fans are loving “205! 205!” as Murphy drags Nese up. Juggernaut Knee, and another! And then, suplex, but Nese slips out for a REVERSE-RANA! Nese flounders, runs side to side, Premier Knee! But then a LEAPING one!! Cover, Nese wins!!

Winner: Nese via Running Kneese

Rating: ****

Thoughts:

As much as I like Zeus vs Kento Miyhara, Tony Nese vs Buddy Murphy actually was surprising. Their WrestleMania match was kind of a throw away, but this one on 205 was actually really good. THIS, should’ve been the Mania match…but hey I guess they didn’t have enough time to do it all.

Either way, Nese vs Murphy told a solid story, had solid action, and definitely helps solidify Nese’s title reign.

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(NOAH) WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.30~ 14TH APRIL 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

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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