Opinion

Mathew’s Top 25 Matches of 2019: #15-11

First 10 down, 15 to go. Mathew brings us his 15-11 matches of 2019!

Published

5 years ago

December 26, 2019

Mathew Sarpraicone

Welcome back and I hope everyone had a great holiday yesterday.

It looks like we’re down to the halfway point of our list and this is where things start getting more difficult to see who will be next on the list. If you’re just joining us now, then go ahead and read the previous lists.

#25-21
#20-16

You all caught up? Good, let’s continue our journey!

15. Kenny Omega vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (Wrestle Kingdom 13 1/4/2019)

– Tradition vs Evolution, that was the story for this match and it was enough to sell it as a big match. These two had unfinished business in 2016 where they were supposed to have a Ladder Match but didn’t happen due to Tanahashi getting injured. The two never fought each other in singles action again until this show right here, nearly three years later. Kenny has had a rather underwhelming reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion except for his time in the G1 Climax due to all his title defenses being underwhelming.

While the fans were divided on how New Japan should be going forward with how Kenny trying to make things more western and some wanting to keep it as it is since they were fine without it. The match would finally happen and it was a great main event. Tanahashi has had a rough couple of years but he was able to step it up in 2018 despite all the injuries he’s had. Tanahashi would shockingly win the match along with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship for the eighth time since people were expecting Kenny to retain, but it looked like that wasn’t the case due to Kenny not signing a new contract. I think it worked out as a better story for Tanahashi winning but his reign didn’t last long due to losing to Jay White a month later. Great match and worthy of a WK main event to show why he’s still our ace. Go Ace!

14. Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston (WrestleMania 35 4/7/2019)

– One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity. Kofi was someone who wasn’t supposed to be mixed in with the WWE Title picture but he finally had his chance after failing over ten years ago. The build-up to this story was nicely done and the ironic part was it being against Daniel Bryan who had a similar struggle five years ago with the B+ Player storyline leading into WrestleMania. Fans would start getting behind Kofi to push behind this Kofimania trend and they had no choice put to pull the trigger and keep the ball rolling.

He kept having minor setbacks from Elimination Chamber and losing matches to get his chances back but would finally get it after his New Day Brothers helped out to win a match, so Kofi can get his big WrestleMania match. The two would deliver their best match this year and the only match on ‘main roster’ to say it was a great match. It also helped that I was able to witness it in person and the atmosphere for it was something else. Kofi would finally win the big one after eleven years with the big payoff. Unfortunately, after he won the title there was little to impress with his matches being underwhelming except for his matches with Randy Orton. Despite the bad payoff, the build-up prior and the match itself was alone worth being on the list.

13. Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa vs. Jake Lee & Naoya Nomura (Real World Tag Team League 12/9/2019)

– All Japan Pro Wrestling delivered another successful Real World Tag Team League with some great matches but the final day would be one of their best matches of the year when The Violence Giant would fight Jake and Naoya in the finals of the tournament. Suwama and Shuji would show why they’re the Tokyo Sports Tag Team of the Year three consecutive years in the row while Jake and Naoya have been making fantastic progress during the whole year.

A lot of close calls and during the final minutes of the match and it looked like Jake and Naoya would defeat them again but the Violence Giant would be able to win the match and the league itself. It had a lot of great tag team wrestling which is something you don’t get to see too much of these days and kept it simple but very effective. If you never watched Violence Giant in action, you’re missing out on one of the best tag teams in a long time.

12. Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA (New Japan Cup 3/24/2019)

– This would not only be Okada’s best match for the year, but also one of SANADA’s best in his career. SANADA hasn’t had luck in defeating Okada whenever they fought each other (except for G1), but he would keep on getting closer each time and this was one of those times that would kind of make you believe that he had a chance of winning. Despite SANADA losing again, he still put on an incredible effort that should be worth mentioning.

These two had about four battles and it is debatable to which one was the better match since they all have a good claim, except for maybe their final one at Kings of Pro Wrestling but there were still claims and to me, this one was the better match out of the four this year. All of them are worth watching and you really can’t go wrong with either one as I also thought about adding their G1 Climax match instead where SANADA finally got his first win over him. All great matches and exciting chapters in their rivalry.

11. WALTER & Daisuke Sekimoto vs. Yuji Hino & Yuji Okabayashi (BJW Ryogokutan 11/4/2019)

– If you had to describe a match that screams manly as fuck, this would be the match right here. NXT UK Champion, WALTER would make a surprise appearance to BJW during one of their biggest shows and teamed up with Daisuke to take on Yuji Hino and Yuji Okabayashi. What do you get when you have these four men fighting? Nothing but pure brutality and it was glorious in every regard.

These four men are great as being known as powerhouses and if you love their chops, you’ll be getting plenty of them right here. It made me wish WALTER had singles matches with any one of them, especially against Yuji Hino. After the match was over, it would make you wanna have a 24 oz porterhouse steak with a side of a baked potato to go with it, it was that manly and rough. If you think BJW is just deathmatches, you’re 100% wrong and matches like these will show you that they can be great at both types of matches.

That’s it for our next five. I hope you’ve all enjoyed it and tomorrow, we’ll be down to our final ten!

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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

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