Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 2000 Wrestling Memories

These are the top moments of 2000 that are special to Steve Cook. What are some of your fond, or, haunting, memories of 2000 pro wrestling?

Published

5 years ago

July 20, 2020

Steve Cook

As the calendar switched from 19-something to 20-something, pro wrestling was in a pretty interesting place. The WWF had never been hotter, and drew huge crowds & ratings all year with a very entertaining product. WCW was headed towards the end of its long road to ruin, with every single warning sign run over along the way. The signs were there for ECW as well, as their attempt to compete led to financial problems that not even Paul Heyman could wiggle his way out of.

My Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration continues with a year that had been two thousand years in the making. Did it live up to the hype? Can’t say, I was on vicodin most of the year! But that’s another story I’ll save for when I can afford a therapist…

5. My year started with a Chris Jericho promo

Wrestling was so hot in the late stages of 1999 & early 2000 that USA & TNT used it as holiday programming. USA had a WWF special on New Year’s Eve that lasted until just a couple of minutes past midnight. It was the perfect time for Y2J, Chris Jericho, to come out and address the audience about the new millennium and how things would never, ever, be the same again.

I wasn’t able to find any footage of this, and I doubt WWE is in a hurry to post it, but Chris Jericho being the first wrestler to appear in 2000 made perfect sense to me. Jericho had his ups & downs early in his WWF tenure, but he had enough big moments to ensure that people wanted to see more. Apparently they still do, if the demos are any indication.

4. TLC revolutionizes the tag team scene

The Dudley Boyz loved putting people (especially women during this time period) through tables. The Hardy Boyz liked to fly off of ladders. Edge & Christian favored chairs as their tool of destruction. It made perfect sense to put them all together in one match, and a wrestling tradition was born. These three teams had some of the craziest matches that mainstream wrestling fans have ever seen. I was rooting for the Dudleyz at the time, as I had seen them move up the ranks in ECW. All three teams were hot though. I remember so many kids at school wearing purple Hardyz t-shirts. Edge & Christian were hilarious and became great personalities during this time frame. They all made each other great.

WWE hasn’t had a hotter tag team division since, and it’s hard to believe that they ever will.

3. The Night The World Changed

WCW had taken a turn for the worse during 1999, no doubt. The arrival of Vince Russo was supposed to make WCW competitive with the WWF, instead it sent the company into a state of decline that it wouldn’t recover from. Russo’s half-baked ideas needed editors, and WCW didn’t have any. Until they decided to combine Russo with Eric Bischoff.

Then things went completely banana. It’s tough to narrow it down to one moment. David Arquette winning the WCW Championship? That’s a good one, but I’m going to list the first night of this experiment since I had to watch it twice in recent years for podcasts. It gets worse every time. Is the highlight when Bischoff asks Sid if he’s got any scissors, gets no reaction, assumes nobody heard it and says it again? Or Mike Awesome attacking Kevin Nash? Maybe it’s Shane Douglas attacking Ric Flair! There are just way too many items to choose from here.

2. The Radicalz Make The Move

I started digging into the Internet Wrestling Community in 1999. It turned out that I had a lot of catching up to do. So many things to learn about wrestling history, and so many wrestlers to learn to appreciate. Fortunately, I already liked a lot of the wrestlers the Internet got behind, especially guys like Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero & Perry Saturn. I had an idea how WCW was misusing their talents, but I didn’t know just how bad it was. So when they arrived in the WWF, I was pretty excited about it.

Would I have predicted the way things went from there? Absolutely not. I wasn’t surprised that Benoit & Guerrero ended up being the breakout stars of the group. Nor was I shocked that Dean Malenko still flew under the radar. I expected Saturn to have a better run though. And certainly I didn’t expect two of them to be dead within seven years.

Life takes some weird turns.

1. Foley’s First Retirement

I loved most of the top stars of the 1990s, but Mick Foley was always the one I most identified with. Its not hard to explain why. I found it hard to relate to somebody as cool as The Rock. Steve Austin was a bit too much of a badass to identify with. And who could relate with Undertaker’s life story?

Foley always seemed relatable for some reason. He didn’t have the good looks or chiseled physique. He was a great talker but was never the coolest guy in the room. The way he sacrificed his body on a nightly basis, you had to feel for the guy. I followed his career from WCW to ECW to the WWF, and it was one heck of a ride. I was sad to see it end after a tremendous feud that made Triple H a star.

Until he came back a couple of weeks later and took most of the luster off what ended up being the end of his full-time in-ring career. Believe it or not, I actually took things like wrestler retirements seriously. What a mark, right? I was actually disappointed that after Foley spent years denigrating wrestlers that retired & came back two months later, he came back two weeks later. This was before I realized that wrestlers really aren’t retired as long as they can physically step into a ring.

I got over it pretty quickly because Commissioner Foley was very entertaining. I still wish Foley got a longer in-ring run though.

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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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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

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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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

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