Opinion

Andrew’s Top 5 (10) Matches: Week Ending 9/27/2020

Okay okay, this Top A Lot list is all Japanese matches. With concurrent tournaments it was bound to happen. Maybe you’ve seen some of the matches?

Published

5 years ago

September 28, 2020

Andrew Balaz

So last week we had too many good matches to fit into just a list of 5 – and this week is similar! This is what happens with big tournaments and shows going on all at once!

Now, even though we had a ton of choices, the hype helped this one match run away with the vote, AEW Dynamite: Parking Lot Fight: Santana & Ortiz vs Best Friends, nearly lapped the list.

I didn’t have time to really get to the normal TV programs, so this will probably be a much different list than most.

Quick Top 5:

N-1 Victory Day 3: B Block: Takashi Sugiura vs Naomichi Marufuji
Rating: **** 3/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Kota Ibushi vs Tomohiro Ishii
Rating: **** ½
Stardom 5Star GP Blue Stars Final Day: Utami Hayashishita vs Syuri
Rating: **** 1/2
G1 Climax 30 Day 4: Tetsuya Naito vs Zack Sabre Jr
Rating: **** 1/2
G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Shingo Takagi vs Will Ospreay
Rating: **** ½
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate: Open the Twin Gate: Kota Minoru & Jason Lee (c) vs Dragon Kid & Susumu Yokosuka
Rating: **** 1/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Jay White vs Kota Ibushi
Rating: **** ¼
Champion Carnival Day 4: Yuma Aoyagi vs Kento Miyahara
Rating: **** 1/4
N-1 Victory Day 4: A Block: Go Shiozaki vs Masaaki Mochizuki
Rating: **** 1/4
Champion Carnival Day 4: AJPW Junior Heavyweight Championship: Koji Iwamoto (c) vs Ikuto Hidaka
Rating: **** ¼

Honorable Mentions:

N-1 Victory Day 4: B Block: Shuhei Taniguchi vs Katsuhiko Nakajima
Rating: ****
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate: Kzy vs Naruki Doi
Rating: ****
N-1 Victory Day 4: B Block: Naomichi Marufuji vs Kenoh
Rating: ****
G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Will Ospreay vs Tomohiro Ishii
Rating: *** ¾
N-1 Victory Day 4: A Block: Manabu Soya vs Kaito Kiyomiya
Rating: *** 3/4
WWE Clash of Champions: Intercontinental Ladder Match: Sami Zayn vs AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy (c)
Rating: *** 3/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 4: YOSHI-HASHI vs EVIL
Rating: *** 3/4
N-1 Victory Day 3: A Block: Kazushi Sakuraba vs Go Shiozaki
Rating: *** 3/4
N-1 Victory Day 4: B Block: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Takashi Sugiura
Rating: *** 3/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Taichi vs Minoru Suzuki
Rating: *** ¾
Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate: DOA Cage Match: Eita vs YAMATO vs Big R Shimizu vs KAI vs Masato Yoshino vs BxB Hulk
Rating: *** 1/2
NJPW Strong Ep. 8: Blake Christian vs Adrian Quest
Rating: *** 1/2
Stardom 5Star GP Grande Finals: Himeka vs Utami Hayashishita
Rating: *** 1/2
N-1 Victory Day 3: B Block: Kenoh vs Shuhei Taniguchi
Rating: *** 1/2
G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Jay White vs Kazuchika Okada
Rating: *** ½
Stardom 5Star GP Blue Stars Final Day: Maika vs Syuri
Rating: *** 1/2
WWE Clash of Champions: Universal Championship: Jey Uso vs Roman Reigns(c)
Rating: *** 1/2
Champion Carnival Day 4: Shuji Ishikawa vs Shotaro Ashino
Rating: *** 1/2
N-1 Victory Day 3: A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya vs Masa Kitamiya
Rating: *** 1/2
UWN Prime Time Live Ep. 2: NWA Women’s World Championship: Thunder Rosa(c) vs Priscilla Kelly
Rating: *** 1/2
Stardom 5Star GP Red Stars Final Day: Tam Nakano vs Mayu Iwatani
Rating: *** 1/2
IMPACT!: Winner Gets an Immediate X Division Title Shot: Chris Bey vs TJP vs Trey Miguel
Rating: *** 1/4
Stardom 5Star GP Red Stars Final Day: Konami vs Himeka
Rating: *** 1/4
Champion Carnival Day 4: Kuma Arashi vs Jake Lee
Rating: *** 1/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 4: SANADA vs Hirooki Goto
Rating: *** 1/4
IMPACT!: Tenille Dashwood w/Kaleb Konley vs Jordynne Grace
Rating: *** 1/4
WWE Clash of Champions: WWE Championship Ambulance Match: Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre (c)
Rating: *** 1/4
NJPW Strong Ep. 8: Barrett Brown vs Danny Limelight
Rating: *** 1/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 4: Juice Robinson vs KENTA
Rating: *** 1/4
G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Shingo vs Jeff Cobb
Rating: *** ¼
N-1 Victory Day 4: A Block: Masa Kitamiya vs Kazushi Sakuraba
Rating: ***
G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Jeff Cobb vs Minoru Suzuki
Rating: ***
WWE Clash of Champions: Raw Tag Team Titles: Angel Garza & Andrade vs The Street Profits (c)
Rating: ***
Stardom 5Star GP Blue Stars Final Day: Maika vs AZM
Rating: ***
IMPACT!: Kimber Lee w/Deonna Purrazzo vs Susie w/Kylie Rae
Rating: ***
UWN Prime Time Live Ep. 2: Karl Fredericks vs Slice Boogie
Rating: ***
N-1 Victory Day 4: A Block: Kazushi Sakuraba vs Kaito Kiyomiya
Rating: ***
Champion Carnival: SUWAMA vs Zeus
Rating: ***
NJPW Strong Ep. 8: Clark Connors vs Jordan Clearwater
Rating: ***
G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Kazuchika Okada vs Yujiro Takahashi
Rating ***
IMPACT!: RVD w/Katie Forbes vs Sami Callihan
Rating: ***

6t. Champion Carnival Day 4: AJPW Junior Heavyweight Championship: Koji Iwamoto (c) vs Ikuto Hidaka

Snippet from Mathew’s Review:

Koji gets Ikuto up for a Brainbuster and as he attempts a second one, he bounces him off the ropes to do a Swinging Neckbreaker. Koji attempts a German Suplex as Ikuto flipped over him and caught Koji’s leg, kicking it in and hits a Dropkick on it right after to hurt his knee again. Ikuto applies the Kneebar and wrenches it up to get more pain in until he had to break the hold but he’s still on the attack, hitting him with beautiful kicks to make the champ hang between the ropes. Ikuto takes advantage of this as he goes onto the apron, hitting a DDT right on it and the champ goes down. Koji got back in the ring eventually and runs after him as Ikuto hits him with a kick to the face as Koji kicked out. Ikuto attempts a Brainbuster as Koji pushed him out of the ring, holding onto the ropes to lunge himself back in as Koji would do the same as Koji caught him with a knee to the face. Koji ran the ropes but Ikuto catches him with a Backdrop, making Koji roll up right away and does another takedown, the crowd is loving it! Koji hits a German Suplex Hold as Ikuto kicked out at two. Koji would throw him into the ropes and attempts the Koko no Geijutsu but Ikuto held his ground and pushed him off for a moment and as Koji ran towards him, Ikuto backflips into him as if it was a Sliced Bread! Koji catches him with a Lariat before hitting the Dragon Suplex to try and take him down, and he finally hits the Koko no Geijutsu, retaining the championship! What a match!

Winner: Iwamoto via Koko no Geijutsu

6t. N-1 Victory Day 4: A Block: Go Shiozaki vs Masaaki Mochizuki

From My Results:

After Go fights off the submission we get more strikes, Chops from Go, Kicks from Mochi; Mochi gets the advantage after a Buzzsaw Kick, Brazilian Kick and a Snapping High Kick drive Go to the corner ropes. Mochi runs to perform his Triangle Kick finish, but a huge desperation Lariat takes Mochi out of his shoes. They both crawl to the center, slowly get up to strike, Go gets a small advantage hitting a few chops, Limit Breaker, the Karate Chop takedown and a Go Flasher, but only a 2 count!

The strikes continue until we see a trade of finishers, Triangle Kick lands which rocks Go, but he falls back into the ropes and charges forward with a Gowan Lariat. As both recover a little, Go looks for another Gowan Lariat, Mochi ducks, follows him to the ropes, Dragon Suplex Hold for the pinfall!

Winner: Mochizuki via Dragon Suplex Hold

6t. Champion Carnival Day 4: Yuma Aoyagi vs Kento Miyahara

Snippet from Mathew’s Review:

Kento waits for Yuma to get back into the ring and hits the first Blackout into the corner and attempts a German Suplex as Yuma fought off and attempts one of his own, making Kento turn as they both do but Yuma would eventually hit the move onto Kento. The two would get up and hit each other with stiff forearms and it seemed like nobody was going to stop anytime soon until Yuma hits Kento with a Superkick before hitting three German Suplexes in a row but Kento kicked out at two! Yuma jumped to the second rope and it looked like he was gonna go for another Crossbody as Kento caught up to him before he could jump and hits a German Suplex with Yuma on the second rope! Kento attempts the Shutdown German Suplex Hold as Yuma broke free but Kento tries to hit a Blackout instead, only for Yuma to catch his knee and hit a stiff forearm before hitting a spinning kick to get Kento down. Yuma applies the End Game again in the center of the ring and this could be it but as Yuma tried to position himself better, Kento got his foot on the rope! Yuma goes for the Rockstar Buster as Kento pushed himself off and hits the Blackout and as he attempts to hit another one, Yuma had him to the ropes and pins him with the European Clutch as Kento kicked out at two! Another Blackout from Kento in which Yuma responds with a Superkick and goes for a spin kick but Kento ducks and hits another Blackout. Kento goes for the finish as he finally hits the Shutdown German Suplex Hold, staying in the game while eliminating Yuma in the process.

Winner: Kento via Shutdown Suplex

6t. G1 Climax 30 Day 3: Jay White vs Kota Ibushi

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:

Red Shoes counts, White kicks the bad leg! SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! But Ibushi is back up!? V-TRIGGER!! Kenny!! Ibushi brings White up, lifts, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?! White barely survives and Gedo is relieved! Ibushi won’t stop to be frustrated, he vows to end this! Ibushi grabs the arms, sits White up but White reaches for Red Shoes! Red Shoes tries to shake White off but White refuses. White does let go and throws forearms, but Ibushi just takes them with a smirk on his face. Ibushi DECKS White with one! Fans applaud again as Ibushi sits White up for the BUZZSAW! But Ibushi won’t stop there, he sits White back up with both wrists, but Gedo has the towel? Is Gedo really going to save White like this?

No, it’s so White can get away with a LOW BLOW UPPERCUT! Gedo walks away and White drags Ibushi from the ropes. Fans rally for Ibushi but White gives Ibushi the fisherman BACK SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ibushi escapes and White is furious! White drags Ibushi up by the wrists, reels him in, but Ibushi powers out and V-TRIGGERS!! Gedo is on the apron, Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES him down! Ibushi has White’s wrists, for KAM- NO! BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!!!

Winner: White via Blade Runner

6t. Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate: Open the Twin Gate: Kota Minoru & Jason Lee (c) vs Dragon Kid & Susumu Yokosuka

The Dragon Gate generation defends against the Toryumon generation! This promises to be fast paced and frenetic since neither group is the big bad heel group of Dragon Gate (that’s R.E.D.), so this will be more of two babyface or tweener teams going hard.

As is the usual set up with Japanese tag matches, we see each of the men have early time to shine before the match kicks into the next gear. When it kicks, it begins with a nice dive from Dragon Kid, and we’re off to the races. There are great counter moves, a nice leg sweep during the rope run for a Tiger Feint, and Asai Moonsault to the outside.

We get another gear shift as both teams start hitting a ton of tandem moves, saves, a flashy Kick/Strike combination, more pinfall breaks and tandem attacks. Jason Lee catches Dragon Kid with a kick, knocking him down, leaving him vulnerable to the Hong Kong Tornado (Yang Time).

Now since I don’t follow Dragon Gate extremely closely, I’m not sure if there was a tangible story…but damn was it fun to watch.

Winner: Lee via Hong Kong Tornado

2t. G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Shingo Takagi vs Will Ospreay

Snippet from Mathew’s Review:

Shingo caught Ospreay midair and would toss him into the ropes before attempting the Pump Bomber, which Ospreay flipped over him and catches him with a Powerbomb as Shingo kicked out. Ospreay would call for the Oscutter and hits it as Shingo kicked out at two! Ospreay goes for the Strombreaker but Shingo fought out of it and when Ospreay attempted a kick, Shingo caught him and hits the MADE IN JAPAN and kickout by Will! Shingo hits the Pumping Bomber this time and Ospreay backflipped with it but still kicked out. Shingo went for the Last of the Dragon but Will fought off him and hits the Hook Kick before delivering a Reverserana. The two exchange blows to each other and Will gets him to down to taught him but Shingo delivers a couple of forearms before meeting another kick. Will tries to run the ropes but Shingo catches him with a Lariat before attempting another Pumping bomber but Ospreay catches him with the Spanish Fly for a kickout when Shingo attempted to roll him up, and Ospreay kicked out as well. Ospreay called for the Oscutter from the top rope but Shingo pushed his legs out to stop him and as he attempted a German. Ospreay held on and made Shingo go to the outside to hit a Pumping Bomber before climbing up to have him on his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. Shingo hits the Pumping Bomber and then the Last of the Dragon, giving Shingo his first victory and revenge over Will. Their first encounter was better but this was still a great match, can’t wait for the third encounter!

Winner: Takagi via Last of the Dragon

2t. G1 Climax 30 Day 4: Tetsuya Naito vs Zack Sabre Jr

From My Results:

Not really a fiery comeback spot, but Naito finally has space to breathe and work out a plan. Naito gets Zack into a spot to try the Destino, ZSJ stops him with an elbow, Tornado DDT from Naito stalls Zack and then Naito sinks in Puma Blanca. ZSJ struggles a little to find an exit before just rolling to the ropes. Zack counters Gloria with an Overhead Kick, Naito Enzuigiris him for good measure, goes for the Flying Forearm, but ZSJ dodges and locks in the Octopus Hold. Rides it down as a Grounded Octopus and starts going to work on Naito’s limbs. Naito does manage to find the ropes, but he’s not moving much after the rope break.

A bunch of nice quick counters set in, leading to Naito hitting the Running Destino, but when he goes for the arm wringer version, ZSJ counters with the Zack Driver. Zack with a Front Neck Lock, which he transitions to the Prawn Hold that beat EVIL, Naito kicks out, European Leg Clutch, Naito barely kicks, and we’re left at a bit of a stalemate. ZSJ tries a Zack Driver again, but Naito now counters with Destino, for 2. Arm Wringer Destino, and Naito scrapes by.

Winner: Naito via Destino

2t. Stardom 5Star GP Blue Stars Final Day: Utami Hayashishita vs Syuri

Snippet from Mathew’s Coverage:

The two finally got up on their feet and would punch each other back and forth until Syuri attempts a kick, making Utami punch her leg down and hits a Lariat as the two go down again. Utami was able to lift Syuri for the German Suplex hold as Syuri kicked out at two. Utami would pick her up to apply the Torture Rack but Syuri rolled off to apply a modified Fujiwara Armbar and turned it into an Armlock as she has it locked in but Utami finally got to the ropes, fighting off the pain. Syuri was able to hit the Buzzsaw Kick and it looks like it’s over but Utami kicked out at two! Syuri wasted no time and would run the ropes to hit the Running Knee Strike and pins Utami again as she kicked out again! Utami slowly got to her hands and knees as Syuri kicked her face in to knock her down but Utami grabbed the ropes before getting the three count. Syuri calls for the finish and runs the ropes but Utami pulled her in to hit a German Suplex as the two do down and we have a couple of minutes left! Utami got Syuri up and finally hits the Torture Rack Bomb and this could be it but Syuri grabbed the ropes before the three count as well! The two are punching each other until Syuri got up to hit another Buzzsaw kick, she’s done but Utami kicked out again! Utami flipped Syuri over and applies the Rear Naked Choke, looking to get the submission victory as she’s forced to let go when Syuri turned it into a pin. Utami quickly picked her up for the Torture Rack and the bell rang once she hits the Torture Rack Bomb, making it a no-contest with one point each, making Utami the winner of the Blue Stars Block with ten points! What an incredible match, best for my block!

Winner: Time Limit Draw

2t. G1 Climax 30 Day 5: Kota Ibushi vs Tomohiro Ishii

Snippet from Mitchell’s Coverage:

Ishii suplexes Ibushi but Ibushi slips out. Ishii swats the roundhouse away but Ibushi PELES! Ishii wobbles, but he blocks Ibushi’s clothesline to spin Ibushi around. Ishii reels Ibushi in but Ibushi suplexes first! To STEAL the BRAIN BUSTER! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down again! The ref checks on both men, they’re okay to continue and slowly rise. Ibushi is up first, teeth grit as the fans rally behind him. Ishii rises, Ibushi runs but Ishii LARIATS! Ishii drags Ibushi back up, but Ibushi trades palm strikes again! ROUNDHOUSE!

Ibushi brings knee pads down, has the wrists and sits Ishii up, but Ishii breaks free. Ibushi still thrusts, but Ishii blocks. Ibushi forearms, hops up but Ishii pushes him off to waistlock. Ishii GERMANS, but Ibushi lands on his feet! BOMAYE!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives Ibushi’s tribute to the King of Strong Style, but Ibushi keeps his focus. Ibushi grabs the wrists, sits Ishii up, but Ishii lariats! There wasn’t much to it, Ibushi KNEES Ishii again, but Ishii HEADBUTTS back! Ibushi LARIATS! Ibushi runs, V-TRIGGER!! KENYY!! KAMI-GOYE!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Ibushi via Kamigoye

1. N-1 Victory Day 3: B Block: Takashi Sugiura vs Naomichi Marufuji

From My Results:

Both men start realizing the match is going long, so they might be approaching Time. We see Marufuji go for a few Hook Kicks, but Sugiura eats em, then just tosses Marufuji. Two Running Knee Lifts, and an Olympic Slam, but Marufuji kicks out. Sugiura takes him to the ropes for an Avalanche Olympic Slam, but gets an Avalanche Shiranui instead! A slow cover means no pinfall, so Marufuji hits the Cobra Clutch KO-OH and then True Tiger King…BUT SUGIURA KICKS OUT! Marufuji looks to be aiming for the Fisherman Flowsion, but Sugiura catches him with the Front Neck Lock.

The Front Neck Lock, wrestles him down, and Marufuji is in the hold for at least 30 seconds…but the Time Limit bell rings!

Winner: Time Limit Draw

Thoughts:

There’s even more matches on this article than the last! And yes, I know what some of you may be saying ” 6-10 wasn’t a tie for fifth, why didn’t you stop at 5″. Well that’s easy, because there were too many matches that deserved a bit of recognition. When there were still some 4 snowflake matches that missed a Top 10, that’s a damn good week.

So yes, there we have it. Plus I’m aware this is a harder list for most people since this Top 10 is all Japanese matches. My choice will go to my number 1, Takashi Sugiura vs Naomichi Marufuji, because that was a great match to go into their storied history.

Hopefully you’re watching at least the G1 since NJPW is becoming a little less random Japanese company, and more general knowledge.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

3 weeks 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

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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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: WrestleMania 41 Las Vegas

Time for The Chairshot personalities to put their money where their mouths are! WreslteMania 41 predictions from the “expert” staff at TheChairshot.com and Chairshot Radio Network.

Published

1 month ago

April 18, 2025

PC Tunney

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Chairshot Staff Picks. And what better setting than WrestleMania for this article to return! This 41st edition has one of the most stacked rosters in WWE history. So, without further ado, let us get to the predictions and prognostications…

AJ – The New Day
Andrew – The New Day – No one seems to hold tag titles long anymore.
Dave – The New Day – They have earned it.
DJ – The New Day – Feel tha Powah!
DPP – War Raiders – Big E distraction.
Jason – The New Day – We are not getting E in a working capacity though everyone wants it.
Patrick – The New Day – WWE doesn’t care about this match, so why should I?
Rey – The New Day – Its a New Day, bruh.
Rob – The New Day – New Day rocks and wins!
Greg – The New Day – New. Day wins. New. Day wins!

Tunney’s Take: War Machine – Yes, WAR MACHINE. I have personally had the pleasure of throwing back a few cold ones with these guys on more than one occasion. Not only being tag champs in WWE but defending the titles at Mania and against The New Day is really cool for me as a long-time fan. Would it be fun to see The New Day have another title run.. YES. I think it’s smarter to give the War Raiders a big Mania W.

Chairshot Pick: THE NEW DAY 9-2

AJ – Jade Cargill
Andrew – Jade Cargill – She needs to stay a dominant force.
Dave – Jade Cargill – Gotta gear her up for the long term.
DJ – No contest – Naomi puts another beat down on Jade.
DPP – Jade Cargill – Nervous for how this match will go.
Jason – Naomi – Way more runway with Naomi as a bad guy. Keep it going!
Patrick – Jade Cargill – Jade gets her revenge.
Rey – Jade Cargill – Best non-title feud going. Naomi should win but Jade sneaks by.
Rob – Naomi – Naomi gets help to win.
Greg – Jade Cargill – They ain’t beating Jade here.

Tunney’s Take: Jade Cargill – I imagine WWE sees Jade’s ceiling much higher than Naomi’s. What better way to keep Jade climbing the ladder towards a World Title than to pick up a decisive victory in Vegas!

Chairshot Pick: Jade Cargill 8-2-1

AJ – Jacob Fatu – “AJ does a pretty good LA Knight impersonation” – PC Tunney
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – I’m biased, Jacob for President.
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Getting gold back in the Bloodline is smart.
DJ – Jacob Fatu
DPP – Jacob Fatu
Jason – Jacob Fatu – Thanks for coming pal, YEAH!
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – C’mon cuz! All gas no brakes with it. Yadadamean??
Rob – LA Knight – Solo costs Jacob.
Greg – LA Knight – Solo screws Jacob.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – It has been quite the journey for the Samoan Werewolf. I feel like that journey and the positive turn around it has taken deserves to be rewarded. Let’s see what Jacob can do on his own. Plus, LA Knight is ready to challenge for a World Title.

Chairshot Pick: Jacob Fatu 9-2

AJ – Tiffany Straton
Andrew – Tiffany Straton – I hate Charlotte Flair, no objectivity here.
Dave – Charlotte Flair – Tiffy might be the future, but she kinda failed the litmus test.
DJ – Charlotte Flair – The Queen crowns the freshman.
DPP – Tiffany Stratton
Jason – Charlotte Flair – Tiff wasn’t ready for this spot. Charnos is inevitable.
Patrick – Charlotte Flair – Lol Charlotte wins.
Rey – Charlotte Flair – Tiffany SHOULD win but, if Charlotte can squash, she will.
Rob – Charlotte Flair – Charlotte gets number 15.
Greg – Tiffany Stratton – Lol Charlotte wins. (Actually she doesn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Charlotte Flair – Charlotte needs the title for the first time in her career. Tiffy has had a nice run but now needs to take that all important step of not losing momentum after losing the title. Despite the drama and lackluster build here, I see a really good match coming this weekend from these two.

Chairshot Pick: Charlotte Flair 7-4

AJ – El Grande Americano
Andrew – El Grande Americano – I’d like to see Gable gain some momentum. Rey is Teflon.
Dave – El Grand Americano – He needs a marque win much more than Rey.
DJ – Rey Mysterio
DPP – El Grande Americano – Grande wins with the switcheroo to prove he is not Gable.
Jason – Rey Mysterio – Unmask Grande at the end. It is fun but has a shelf life.
Patrick – El Grande Americano – TOTALLY NOT CHAD GABLE
Rey – Rey Mysterio – Someone’s mask is coming off and it ain’t Rey.
Rob – El Grande Americano
Greg – Rey Mysterio – Hall of Famer wins but doesn’t take the mask.

Tunney’s Take: Rey Mysterio – Go listen to DWI 471. DP, Greg and I lay out exactly what this match should be, FUN! Multiple Americanos!!!

Chairshot Pick: El Grande Americano 6-5

AJ – Jey Uso
Andrew – Jey Uso – Kinda booked themselves into a corner here.
Dave – Jey Uso – It just makes sense.
DJ – Jey Uso – Jey YEETS all over The Ring Genreal.
DPP – Jey Uso – Jey wins after normal Gunther beating.
Jason – Jey Uso – Land the plane man. YEET
Patrick – Jey Uso – Jey has earned this one.
Rey – Jey Uso – YEEEEEEEEEEEET!
Rob – Jey Uso – YEET
Greg – Jey Uso – If Jey loses we riot. We don’t cause he wins.

Tunney’s Take: Jey Uso – ‘Til sweat drop down my balls, ‘Til all these bitches crawl, ‘Til all… YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET YEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chairshot Pick: Jey Uso 11-0

AJ – Roman Reigns
Andrew – Seth Rollins – I can see Rollins being the last piece of Team Rock.
Dave – Roman Reigns – I can’t see Roman losing two years in a row.
DJ – Seth Rollins – Paul Heyman is a Seth Freakin Rollins guy.
DPP – Seth Rollins – The Rock helps Rollins.
Jason – Roman Reigns – Seth’s favor is a red herring. Make-A-Wish Brooks got his main, now look at the lights.
Patrick – Seth Rollins – Seth Rollins… Paul Heyman guy.
Rey – Seth Rollins – I smeeeeellllllll a new soul to sell.
Rob – Roman Reigns – Paul Heyman helps Roman win.
Greg – Seth Rollins – Brock Lesnar returns to help Seth win.

Tunney’s Take: CM Punk – I really have no idea here. I picked Punk because nobody else did. This is going to be professional wrestling cinema at its finest. The story is thick and neatly woven. All the participants are legends and so are the potential party crashers. Will The Rock stick his nose in here? Will Brock Lesnar return to play a factor? Obviously, Paul Heyman has a Plan A… but what is it? All these questions and more will be answered Saturday as night 1 will definitely go out with a bang!

Chairshot Pick: Seth Rollins 6-4-1

AJ – Iyo Sky
Andrew – Iyo Sky – Rhea vs Bianca doesn’t need a belt to be compelling.
Dave – Rhea Ripley – Going with Rhea barely, hoping Iyo wins.
DJ – Iyo Sky – Unfinished business.
DPP – Iyo Sky – Rhea and Bianca are too consumed with each other.
Jason – Iyo Sky – More layers to Rhea/Bianca. Iyo rules.
Patrick – Iyo Sky – Iyo stole the build and gets the win.
Rey – Iyo Sky – Smart money is on the underdog champ.
Rob – Iyo Sky – Iyo survives.
Greg – Bianca Belair – Naomi helps Bianca win and turn heel.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – Rhea is the best women’s wrestler in the world. Give her the biggest win on the grandest stage of them all!!! Bianca needs to go full heel. Iyo has been amazing in this build.

Chairshot Pick: Iyo Sky 8-2-1

AJ – Dominik Mysterio
Andrew – Finn Balor – I can see a Judgement Day meltdown incoming.
Dave – Bron Breakker – Bron is about to become a MegaStar.
DJ – Bron Breakker – Judgement Day implodes.
DPP – Dominik Mysterio – Finn take the pin.
Jason – Penta – I literally do not care because the winner is us, the fans.
Patrick – Bron Breakker – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
Rey – Dominik Mysterio – Only match without a clear winner. I choose chaos.
Rob – Bron Breakker – Finn and Dom cancel each other out.
Greg – Dominik Mysterio – Dom steals the pin from Bron, on Finn.

Tunney’s Take: Bron Breakker – The case can be made for any of these four to walk away with the most prestigious non-World title in pro wrestling history. The short of it is though that the Main Event picture isn’t really readily accessible for Breakker right now. Let this IC reign go through the summer, to SummerSlam.

Chairshot Pick: Bron Breakker 5-4-1-1

AJ – Damian Priest – “AJ does a pretty good Drew impersonation” – PC Tunney
Andrew – Drew McIntyre – Priest has not been interesting in this face incarnation.
Dave – Drew McIntyre – Time for Drew to get that win back.
DJ – Fuck finish – To be continued at Backlash.
DPP – Drew McIntyre – Physical matchup!
Jason – Drew McIntyre – Either one is fine here.
Patrick – Drew McIntyre – With two eyes, Drew turns the tide.
Rey – Drew McIntyre – Low key match of the weekend.
Rob – Damien Priest
Greg – Damien Priest – Priest wins, Drew tweets about it half hour later.

Tunney’s Take: Drew McIntyre – With the addition of the Street fight rules, these two behemoths have a really good chance to have one of the best matches of the entire weekend (winks at Rey Ca$h-A-Mania)! I do wonder what is next for both of these talents moving forward. Priest has staled since leaving the Judgement Day and Drew seems stuck in the same cycle for a while now. Very interested to see what the summer holds for this pair.

Chairshot Pick: Drew McIntyre 7-3-1

WHO WILL BE RANDY’S OPPONENT?!?

AJ – Nick Aldis – Orton wins
Andrew – Orton and Aldis vs Solo and Tama – Orton and Aldis win
Dave – Someone is getting an RKO!
DJ – A segment w/ the Wyatt s6cks.
DPP – Rusev – Aldis introduces Rusev who defeats Orton.
Jason – Nick Aldis – You got one more in ya, bubba. Aldis wins!
Patrick – Nick Aldis
Rey – Solo then Rusev – Solo in a squash and Rusev MATCHKA(wins)
Rob – Nick Aldis – Aldis proves himself, Orton wins.
Greg – Nick Aldis – Orton beats Aldis, they shake after.

Tunney’s Take: I would really love to see a singles match between Orton and Aldis. More likely this is some type of involvement with Solo and Tama. Rusev as a surprise challenger would be cool but, I feel that would be better left for RAW. An impromptu Goldberg retirement match would be crazy and fun, yet highly unlikely and illogical. Whatever happens, best believe exactly what Dave Ungar said, “Someone is getting an RKO!”.

AJ – Logan Paul
Andrew – AJ Styles – Logan doesn’t need the rub and should stay upper mid card.
Dave – Logan Paul – It’s the smart move and would be a statement win for Paul.
DJ – Logan Paul – Kross gets involved somewhere.
DPP – AJ Styles – AJ wins a great high-flying match.
Jason – AJ Styles – Just enjoy it or get a beer, nerds.
Patrick – Logan Paul – Logan Paul will main-event Mania sooner than later…
Rey – Logan Paul – Pass the torch, my wily vet.
Rob – Logan Paul – Kross helps Paul win.
Greg – AJ Styles – Styles wins after Paul’s cheating backfires.

Tunney’s Take: Logan Paul – Logan seems to really have dedicated himself to becoming great in this business. Anyone with that type of goal must have a World title on their mind. Beating AJ at Mania will be a great springboard for Logan into the Main Event sooner than later (winks at Patrick O’Dowd).

Chairshot Pick: Logan Paul 7-4

AJ – Liv & Raquel
Andrew – Liv & Raquel – Not really a fan of Lyra, she needs more work.
Dave – Liv & Raquel – This Bayley and Lyra team makes no damn sense.
DJ – Liv & Raquel – Bayley crashes out.
DPP – Liv & Raquel – Bayley continues a potential heel turn tease.
Jason – Bayley & Lyra – Finish the story!
Patrick – Bayley & Lyra – The WWE doesn’t care about this matchup, so why should I?
Rey – Liv and Raquel – Bayley want a title but it ain’t the ones in this match.
Rob – Liv & Raquel – Champs retain.
Greg – Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel retain thanks to Carlito and maybe JD.

Tunney’s Take: Liv & Raquel – Liv and Raquel need to be kept as the cornerstone of the women’s tag division for a lengthier period of time. Building tag teams in this division is difficult enough, let alone without a North Star.

Chairshot Pick: Liv & Raquel 9-2

AJ – Cody Rhodes
Andrew – Cody Rhodes – They are mentioning it so much, I don’t think 17 happens.
Dave – Joh Cena – Record falls and we head to summer with a built-in storyline.
DJ – John Cena – Some kind of Final Boss involvement.
DPP – John Cena – Cena wins and retires on RAW.
Jason – John Cena – Story’s over, “Captain” BIG MATCH JOHN.
Patrick – John Cena – A record breaking night for Cena.
Rey – John Cena – They’d be really stupid to turn John just to lose. (Post-Mania: Rock, Cena, T Scott, Seth & Drew, TEAM Corporate)
Rob – Cody Rhodes – Cody surprises us with the W.
Greg – Cody Rhodes – Cody wins to piss off Rock and set the table for Cena to turn back face. Crowd is behind Cena all the way through.

Tunney’s Take: Cody Rhodes – They had me until the threat of retirement. Been there. Done that. Didn’t fall in love with it back then. I love John Cena. I love this final run. John will get his 17th just not here. I expect nothing less than an absolute GEM of a match here to close WrestleMania 41. This has all been, is, and will continue to be about Cody Rhodes. WM40 defeats Roman Reigns. WM41 defeats John Cena. WM42 defeats The Rock (The Final Boss).

Chairshot Pick: John Cena 6-5

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 wait all year for this so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!