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Andrew’s Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 6/14/2020

WWE had some great matches and some head scratchers this week. What made the Top 5? How many have you seen?

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2020

We still have an interesting situation where this week gave us a few bigger events from different companies. Again, nearly normal…there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

So now it’s time to get to the votes. Here’s the current MOTY Pool:

Match of the Year Pool:

January – Wrestle Kingdom 14: Double Gold Match: Kazuchika Okada vs Tetsuya Naito
February – AEW Revolution: AEW World Tag Team Championship: Hangman Page & Kenny Omega (c) vs The Young Bucks
March – AEW Dynamite: AAA Mega Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs Sammy Guevara
April – WrestleMania 36: NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte Flair
May – NXT: Pit Fight: Matt Riddle vs Tim Thatcher

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was shocked the Pit Fight won the vote. Not because it was bad, but because I really expected meme culture to carry Le Sex Gods.

Last round of voting was really good for WWE products since, NXT In Your House: Io Shirai vs Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley, won the weekly vote. Are we going to see more WWE domination?

That was a weird sentence to write. Let’s just see what the Top 5 is this week.

Quick Top 5:

WWE Backlash: Edge vs Randy Orton
Rating: **** 1/2
NOAH Go Forward Day 1: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Go Shiozaki (c) vs Akitoshi Saito
Rating: **** 1/4
WWE SmackDown: Intercontinental Tournament Finals: AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan
Rating: ****
SEAdLINNNG Delivered To You: Beyond The Sea Championship: Arisa Nakajima (c) vs ASUKA
Rating: ****
NOAH Go Forward Day 1: Keiji Mutoh, Masaaki Mochizuki & Naomichi Marufuji vs Kaito Kiyomiya, Suhei Taniguchi & Mohammed Yone
Rating: *** 1/2

Honorable Mentions:

WWE Backlash: United States Championship: Apollo Crews (c) vs Andrade w/Zelina Vega & Angel Garza
Rating: *** 1/4
IMPACT!: Michael Elgin vs Ken Shamrock vs Sami Callihan
Rating: *** 1/4
NOAH Go Forward Day 1: Hardcore Match: GHC National Championship: Katsuhiko Nakajima (c) vs Masao Inoue
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Raw: Asuka vs Charlotte
Rating: *** 1/4
AEW Dynamite: TNT Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs Marq Quen
Rating: *** 1/4
IMPACT!: Knockout’s Championship: Taya Valkyrie w/John E. Bravo & Rosemary vs Jordynne Grace
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Raw: Kevin Owens vs Andrade vs Angel Garza
Rating: ***
AEW Dynamite: FTR vs Butcher & Blade
Rating: ***
NXT: Mia Yim & Keith Lee vs Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano
Rating: ***
WWE Raw: Bobby Lashley & MVP vs Viking Raiders
Rating: ***
WWE Backlash: Women’s Tag Team Triple Threat: BlissCross vs IIconics vs Sasha Banks & Bayley (c)
Rating: ***

5. NOAH Go Forward Day 1: Keiji Mutoh, Masaaki Mochizuki & Naomichi Marufuji vs Kaito Kiyomiya, Suhei Taniguchi & Mohammed Yone

A lot of the fun in this match was seeing Kaito cut his teeth further against a group of veterans. Even after his year long reign as GHC champion, Kaito is still young and trying to carve his position. He’s currently got his sites set on the man behind the Muta, Keiji Mutoh.

This highlighted Mutoh and Kaito while the others made sure to not get ignored. Mutoh took some deliberate pacing with Kaito, worked his leg with Dragon Screws and Figure Fours; just doing a great job showing veteran strategy. The match ends after a flurry of finishers from Mochizuki (Triangle Kick) and Mutoh (Shining Wizard) on Yone. Marufuji locks in the Perfect Key Lock, while the entire veteran M squad has someone in a submission.

Fun match, with a great under current for Kaito.

Winner: Marufuji via Perfect Key Lock

4. SEAdLINNNG Delivered To You: Beyond The Sea Championship: Arisa Nakajima (c) vs ASUKA

If I’ve learned anything about SEAd, it’s that the really good matches are on a special level. ASUKA has been making waves most places she participates in, and Arisa is veteran who puts on marvelous matches with most wrestlers who can keep up.

Asuka and Arisa start off a little slow, but the intensity turns up once Arisa hits a Triangle DDT onto the apron, spiking ASUKA. The pace quickened, the strikes stiffened and we got a ton of great moments and near falls. I’m not really sure of the story since SEAd isn’t the easiest promotion to follow. But it was a title match and ASUKA is a pleasure to watch.

Arisa went for her half and half suplex hold, but ASUKA fought out, and during the struggle we saw Arisa basically spin ASUKA into a pinfall. It looked like she started with a La Magistral, followed through for a Head and Leg Cradle, bridged through for a backslide style pinfall before flipping into a Jacknife Cradle for the win. It was confusing, beautiful and I’m dizzy just writing that.

Winner: Nakajima via Cradle Variation Locomotion

3. WWE SmackDown: Intercontinental Tournament Finals: AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:

Bryan still has the waistlock, but Styles standing switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Styles holds onto Bryan but Bryan fires up. Bryan standing switches, to GERMAN! Bridging over, TWO! Bryan clamps onto Styles with a seated cobra stretch, and he elbows over and over and over! Then he rolls Styles to the YES LOCK! Styles endures as Bryan cranks back, but Styles drags himself blindly towards ropes. Styles uses his leg for the ROPEBREAK! Bryan lets go in frustration but he fires himself up again. The crowd fires up with him as he grabs the wrists. Bryan gives Styles DANIELSON STOMPS!! Bryan fires up and the crowd is at a fever pitch. Bryan demands Styles stand, and he starts up the “YES! YES!” Styles stands, Bryan runs in, but his knee is caught to the STYLES CLASH!! But Styles is too exhausted to cover!!

Styles crawls to ropes, Bryan flounders to his feet and the crowd continues to duel. Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!!

Winner: Styles via Phenomenal Forearm

2. NOAH Go Forward Day 1: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Go Shiozaki (c) vs Akitoshi Saito

There is a lot of significant weight to this match, beyond that of wrestling moves and a belt. Go Shiozaki was the Mitsuharu Misawa’s tag team partner, in the match that Misawa passed away because of 11 years ago. Akitoshi Saito is the man who delivered the backdrop that caused Misawa’s untimely death. It was not deliberate, it wasn’t a botch, Misawa knew his body was giving out, but he felt he had to continue on for the company. Thus, these two are tied together in horrible tragic history. Also Shiozaki won his first Heavyweight title, the day after the incident. So both men carrying weight on their shoulders is an understatement.

Saito really brought it in this match. The pacing was deliberate, but it was heavy, hard strikes. Both men motioned to the heavens at different points, acknowledge their shared tragedy before certain spots. Shiozaki pulled out two big loving homages, the Misawa elbow comeback into the Rolling Elbow, and a tremendous Emerald Flowsion.

Go did end the match with his Gowan Lariat, as to put his own seal on the history, which is wonderfully done, but the touches were great. This match could get overlooked as just “good” for those who don’t know the history. But a little bit of context, and this match was enough to choke up watching.

Winner: Shiozaki via Gowan Lariat

1. WWE Backlash: Edge vs Randy Orton

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:

Orton is up, to UPPERCUT Edge down! Orton walks over as the crowd rallies back up. Orton drags Edge up by his hair again, and back through the ropes. Edge knows that and pops free to hotshot Orton back! Edge gets back up, slides in to sunset flip, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Cradle, TWO! RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Orton finally hit his move and it didn’t work!?! The crowd loses its mind as Orton deals with the shock of Edge surviving. Orton argues the count with the ref, but the ref defends it was two. Orton hobbles back over to Edge, looms over him, and calms himself. Edge stirs, but Orton backs up. Orton wants to bring out a deadly classic of his. A move that ended careers! Orton runs at Edge, but into the SPEAR!! Edge has a wild look in his eyes but he doesn’t cover!

Edge gets to another corner, builds the energy, and SPEARS again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Just what are these two men made of?! Perhaps they really will “Fight Forever!” Edge gets back up, watches Orton get to his feet, and stalks up behind him. Edge whips Orton corner to corner, Orton reverses, but Edge goes up and leaps, INTO AN RKO!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?! No one knows what to make of this! Orton glares down at Edge as Edge slowly rises. Orton brings Edge up but Edge clamps on the ANTI-VENOM ARM TRIANGLE! Orton KNEES low, but how low?! Was it a low blow? The ref doesn’t know, and the PUNT hits!! Cover, Orton wins!!!

Winner: Orton via Punt

Thoughts:

Now I loved the Shiozaki and Saito story. Under normal circumstances that would run away with my affection, BUT, Randy and Edge really pulled out something special. Though not tied in tragedy, they did have a well known past, and played on that as well as any Japanese match.

Much like I said in my results, it wasn’t the greatest match ever, but hot damn it was great. Possibly the greatest of the week if enough people agree with me.

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

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Andrew’s Impact Wrestling Results & Match Ratings: 9.7.2023

999th episode of IMPACT! Victory Road on Friday and 1000th episode next week!

Published

3 weeks ago

September 8, 2023

Andrew Balaz

Personal issues pop up to delay this, but we need to have somewhat consistent IMPACT coverage; especially with the 1000th episode next week! Victory Road is later today, so we’ve got a few finishing touches for that show and get to see where some of the stories could go for Bound for Glory.

Time to get into IMPACT!

The unhinged @steveofcrazzy has a chilling message for @Taurusoriginal on #IMPACTonAXSTV! pic.twitter.com/SBSA4VhVs8

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 8, 2023

Ratings:

Deonna Purrazzo vs Dani Luna: Deonna wins via Fujiwara Armbar – ** 1/2
Champagne Singh & Shera vs JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura): JOYA wins via One Hit Wonder – **
SUBculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) vs Rich Swann & Sami Callihan: Swann wins via 450 Splash – ***
Lio Rush vs Kevin Knight: Lio wins via Final Hour – *** 1/4
Bully Ray & Steve Maclin vs PCO & Josh Alexander: Bully wins via School Boy – ** 1/4

Results:

Deonna Purrazzo vs Dani Luna

Usually Dani is just the third during SUBculture tag matches, so while it may not be her debut match, its not something we’ve seen often.

Slow collar and elbow tie ups, standing switches and different headlock and takedown attempts; but nothing of great note. After Deonna gets the first takedown that goes nowhere since its against the ropes, she tries to get a little cocky and Dani scoops her up in a Slam and works more of a power game. Deliberate Sliding Lariats, Three Amigos Suplexes stopped at 2, Dani manages to get Deonna to apron but not over for the third amigo. They start to go back and forth on the apron, but an Arm Wringer takedown sends Dani face first into the apron.

Deonna uses a few Straight Jacket takedowns, Backstabbers and Dani only gets room to breathe after a desperation Drop Kick. Stacked Powerbomb from Dani, but she’s visibly selling the arm when Deonna kicks out. Luna Landing attempt, Deonna slips it, Yakuza into a Side Salto Suplex. Queen’s Gambit attempt, but Cradle counter, Spinning Elbow; but Deonna absorbs it, rocks Dani back, hits the ropes and transitions into a Fujiwara finish.

Oh for Christ sakes, Tommy Dreamer gives another promo where he’s crying and talking about his parents. I hope he loses against Kenny King and is forced to retire. I’m so sick of crying Dreamer promos and below average matches that plod along.

Champagne Singh & Shera vs JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura)

Yuya and Champagne start and its mostly basic action with a few JOYA pops for Yuya until Champagne hits the Stun Gun on the top rope and tags in Shera. Shera powers him over, bullies him into the corner, tags in Champagne and some running corner spots keep Yuya reeling. Yuya fights back against Singh, tags in Hendry and Joe starts to clean house.

Hendry tries to start Forever Lariats, but Shera and Champagne put the brakes on that, Yuya gets Shera out of the ring, Release Fireman’s Carry into a Cutter, called The One Hit Wonder, wins that match for JOYA!

A stressed-out @bullyray5150 and the fired-up @SteveMaclin prepare for their main event clash against @Walking_Weapon and @PCOisNotHuman later tonight on #IMPACTonAXSTV! pic.twitter.com/6b8kfBWKLi

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 8, 2023

IMPACT Flashback Moment: Gail Kim vs Awesome Kong, Final Resolution 2008

SUBculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) vs Rich Swann & Sami Callihan

The most recent former Tag Champs versus a team of two former World Champions. Gotta wonder if SUBculture will continue to slide further from the belts or if they get a solid spring board off of two former World champs.

Mandrews and Rich are mostly matching each other, they even do the stupid Simultaneous Dropkick spot. Mandrews gets Rich into his corner with some of the quick inconsequential offense, tags in Webster and then its Rich’s turn to move things to his corner and tag in Callihan.

Webster tries a Shoulder Tackle off the ropes, but Callihan doesn’t budge and rakes the eyes. DeathSwann tries a tandem move but SUBculture moves and knocks DeathSwann out of the ring. Big Senton from Webster as the commercial break hits. Off the commercial, SUBculture is still using some tandem spots to work over Rich for a 2 count.

Swann and Webster are legal, Swann tries to fire up and Webster Dropkicks him in the teeth for his troubles. Mandrews gets tagged in and tries to keep Rich grounded, but again, Rich fires and eats a Back Suplex as Webster tags in. So SUBculture keeping really good tag team basics, but Rich starts fighting out of the corner, flashing those feet to whoever he can, and tags Sami back in. Sami hits his Flatline/DDT combo on both men and looks in charge.

Tandem Vertical Suplex into a Falcon Arrow gives SUBculture the near fall. Sami clocks both guys, tries to isolate Mandrews but eats Stun Dog Millionaire for his troubles. Webster gets tagged in, both lay each other out and dual tags. Sami punches Mandrews in the face, Rich runs down the ramp and hits a Slingshot Cutter. They go into their Death Valley Driver/450 Splash combo for the win!

The Good Hands want a shot at the IMPACT World Tag Team Championships but The Rascalz have the Motor City Machine Guns to deal with first! @TheTreyMiguel @ZacharyWentz @TheJohnSkyler @TheJasonHotch #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/JBiMJ6KPa3

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 8, 2023

Lio Rush vs Kevin Knight

Early on speed kills kind of opening, Lio tries to run him around in circles, but Knight shows he can keep up, feigns a strike and then Dropkicks Lio out of the ring. Lio tries to grab his title and leave but Knight grabs him by the dreads and pulls him back into the ring. Knight is smothering Lio, while Lio isn’t totally taking the challenge seriously.

Lio gets a sneaky punch on the outside which rocks Knight, and Lio slides back in to make distance. Lio lands a few quick kicks and dodges one corner attack, but Lio is getting rocked shortly after. Lio gets a little ref shield and starts to take over. Eye Rake, dodge against the ropes so Knight slips through the ropes and ends up on the Apron, Backhand Spring knocks Knight down, and 3 Suicide Dives even out the momentum.

After the commercial, Lio is still beating on Knight. Raking the face, big hammer fists across the face, and keeping Knight on the ground. Lio tries to sink in the Sleeper, Knight fights up to his feet and slams Lio into the corner. Lio tries to kick Knight back and pop to the top rope, but as soon as he hits the top rope, Knight plucks him off with a quick Frankensteiner. Two big Lariats, Stinger Splash and Top Rope Splash from Knight gives him a 2 count. Knight was setting up his DDT but gets Paintbrushed after the counter. Lio hits the ropes and Knight hits a Diving Forearm right as Lio is turning. Both men are throwing variations of Haymakers, Lio dodges a Springboard Crossbody, Sweeping Spin Kick from Lio into Final Hour; and Lio Rush wins!

.@DirtyDangoCurty kept the trash talk going against @JakeSomething_ on #IMPACTonAXSTV! @JohnEBravo1st pic.twitter.com/le9m7DGya2

— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 8, 2023

Now its no surprise I dislike most of Alisha’s wrestling, but her winning the Battle Royal was perfect heel tactics and…Trinity might be one of the best to fight Alisha. Not because I think Trinity is like Manami Toyota, but given she’s from WWE – she understand matches where gimmicks will probably drive the action more than the wrestling. Deonna was her wrestling opponent, Alisha is Sports Entertainment.

OKAY I don’t love contract signings but when Alisha insults Santino’s accent while her own Boston accent is cliché strong. So again, De-Lisha can cut solid promos and I enjoy the persona she’s working with. Trinity turns the accent line around very nicely after being goaded by Alisha, and like I said, Trinity gets it. A “Boston Sucks” chant starts in the Canadian crowd. Trinity calls Eddie “Mr. Alisha” so Lish throws her drink in her face, then an Overhead Kick clocks Lish and they do the classic Signing Brawl. Trinity looks to put Lish through the table, but Eddie grabs Trinity and Blue Thunder Bombs her through the table instead.

Bully Ray & Steve Maclin vs PCO & Josh Alexander

Bully doesn’t want to interact with PCO, so when PCO tells Josh he wants to start when he sees Bully start, Bully tags out of course. Commercial Break kicks in early while PCO is stomping a mudhole in Maclin, but when we get back Josh is legal. Josh wrestling Maclin down, tags in PCO and the ole Double Clothesline has Maclin reeling.

PCO gets distracted with Bully so Maclin takes a small advantage but a right hand from PCO puts the brakes on that. Well good psychology with Maclin going after the left arm and Josh selling it. Not only is it the surgically repaired one, but Maclin damaged it in the lighting truss when he returned. Bully tags in now that Josh is softened up a little, but Josh has that Never Say Die mentality. Josh drops Bully on the apron, goes for his Low Crossbody but Maclin low bridges the other side and Josh spills out clutching his arm.

Maclin keeps Josh isolated, Bully tags in and almost immediately loses the advantage. Bully gets suplexed, Josh tags in PCO and Bully tags out as fast as he can. Josh eats a cheap shot, but PCO is working over Maclin with some ease. Guillotine Leg Drop to the back of the neck, PCO dives at Bully and Maclin, Bully runs away and leaves Maclin to eat it alone. Bully tries to talk to “Carl”, PCO doesn’t care, goozles Bully, Maclin attacks from the blind side, PCO swings wildly, Maclin ducks, the ref ALMOST gets hit but cowers anyway, Bully hits the Low Blow while the ref is cowering, then a School Boy Roll Up means Bully and Maclin win!

Overall Score: 7/10

Honestly, decent enough matches, solid work towards the matches at Victory Road, and not a bad show. I kinda liked Wentz alluding to the fact their match will have interference, Lish and Trinity could be more fun than expected and Lio has been winning me over in this Impact run. Aside from that, it will be nice to see Jordynne Grace back, Dango is amusing and finally getting Maclin vs Alexander is nice.

The show was good, Victory Road should keep that momentum going and then 1000th episode right after that. So we should be looking at some fun stuff for Impact Wrestling before Bound for Glory.

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

Entertainment

Talk the Kēki: Jojo’s Stone Ocean Part 3 Review, My Hero Academia, More!

Welcome to the final Talk the Kēki episode of 2022 as it is time for the Fall season finale!

Published

9 months ago

January 8, 2023

PC Tunney

Welcome to the final Talk the Kēki episode of 2022 as it is time for the Fall season finale! Join Mat and Ethan as they talk about their holiday as well as the final set of news to close out the year. They will also review Part three of JoJo Stone Ocean along with season finales such as Bleach, Chainsaw Man, Bocchi the Rock, Love Flops, Spy x Family, Raven of the Inner Palace, and Uzaki-chan! Also, more reviews from shows that will carry on to the next season like My Hero Academia, To Your Eternity, and Eminence in Shadow.

About the Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

Featuring shows such as Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture), The DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect), The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling), The #Miranda Show (wrestling and entertainment), Chairshot Radio Hockey Talk, Patrick O’Dowd’s Chairshot Radio 5×5 (pop culture), PC Tunney’s Chairshot Bets (Sports), Down The Wire (Sports), Lucha Central Weekly (wrestling & lucha libre), Talk The Keki (Anime), The Mindless Wrestling Podcast, and more!