Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 2009 Wrestling Memories

Steve Cook’s journey through time stops in 2009 for Mickey Rourke feuding with Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, and the joy of Bryan Danielson.

Published

5 years ago

September 19, 2020

Steve Cook

Daniel Bryan Bryan Danielson ROH Chairshot Edit

Steve Cook’s journey through time stops in 2009 for Mickey Rourke feuding with Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, and the joy of Bryan Danielson.

We saw last week how the wrestling world rebounded in 2008, and the Era of Feeling Better continued in 2009. WWE was producing some high end stuff on their biggest shows. TNA was making an impact with some high profile additions. Ring of Honor said goodbye to one of their legends, and I said hello to regular writing again.

2009 was an eventful year. Let’s continue my look at thirty glorious years of wrestling by ranking the most memorable moments of 2009.

5. Return to News From Cook’s Corner

I needed some time off from writing. That happens every few years, it doesn’t seem to be anything I have control over. My 411 work was limited during 2008 & a good chunk of 2009 to a few months of Ask 411 Wrestling, random news fill-ins & some show recaps here & there. 2008 featured my epic run of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling recaps, which is a show I wish somebody would air on their channel here in 2020. I had such a thing for Trishelle Cannatella, and last I saw she’s aged pretty well. Ah, memories.

Finally, I was feeling froggy enough to bring back the News From Cook’s Corner! The return column actually holds up, and as I’m looking back now, I’d have to say that three year run from August 2009 to August 2012 was my peak as a writer.

Don’t get me wrong, I think overall I’m a lot better now. I’m working harder on my writing now than I ever have, doing a more expansive variety of things. And I have to try and phrase this delicately, because I really do appreciate everybody that reads my work, especially this spectacularly self-indulgent series of columns. There aren’t as many of you as there used to be. I’m doing more work and getting less of a response than I ever have. I’m not really sure what happened to cause all that. Perhaps I’ll figure it out as this series continues.

4. Countdown to Lockdown

To be honest, I’ve lost track of how many autobiographies Mick Foley has written at this point. Dude has written a lot. One that kind of flew under the radar of most fans was a memoir about his feud with Sting in TNA, Countdown to Lockdown. It was an interesting tale about that feud along with Foley’s final days with WWE, his special relationship with Tori Amos among other things happening around this time.

This was a weird in-ring run for Foley. He was serving as TNA’s executive shareholder & co-owner alongside Jeff Jarrett, and using that power to put himself in bigtime matches years after WWE decided that wasn’t a great idea. Foley realized his physical limitations, so after beating Sting for the TNA Championship at Lockdown, he announced that he would only defend the title once a year. Unfortunately for him, he decided to do it a mere two months later, and lost to Kurt Angle in a King of the Mountain match. Foley would engage in other matches the next couple of years, most of which we’re better off not remembering.

All things considered, that Lockdown match wasn’t nearly as bad as I was expecting. Larry & I reviewed it some time ago because Lockdown 2009 was up for free on YouTube, I’d recommend checking to see if it’s still there.

3. The Wrestler Inspires…Wrestling

Technically, The Wrestler came out in the final weeks of 2008, but it didn’t become available for most of our consumption until early 2009. I remember going up to a small theater in the shadow of the University of Cincinnati to see it, and I was impressed with the tale told by Mickey Rourke, Marissa Tomei, Necro Butcher and the rest of a strong cast. Wrestling promotions were impressed with it too, and attempted to use the new interest movie fans had in wrestling to their advantage.

WWE had Rourke appear at WrestleMania to help blow off a storyline where Chris Jericho was mad at WWE Legends for overstaying their welcome in the business & making fools of themselves, like Randy “The Ram” Robinson had in the movie. Jericho defeated Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper & Jimmy Snuka in a handicap match, but was felled by a punch by Mickey Rourke. Hey, it’s wrestling, that kinda thing happens.

Ring of Honor played a role in the production of the actual movie, serving as the backdrop for Robinson’s final match. They also found some creative inspiration from the movie, leading to Jerry Lynn dethroning Nigel McGuinness as ROH Champion. It was a short reign for the 46 year old, only lasting from April until June, but it did serve as a bit of a turnoff for me as a fan. Although, his match with Roderick Strong in Dayton was pretty good, and it was hard to deny the cosmetic similarity between Lynn & Randy the Ram. It was worth a shot for ROH.

2. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV

If you ask many people my age & older what their favorite WrestleMania match is, they’ll likely tell you “Savage vs. Steamboat”. That WrestleMania III match shaped so many young kids into future wrestlers, and still holds up today. It’s certainly near the top of my list, though I have Bret vs. Austin from 13 and Savage vs. Warrior from VII higher because those stories hit home more for me.
If you ask today’s generation what their favorite WrestleMania match is, I would wager that most would say “Undertaker vs. Michaels”. Then if you ask them which one, they will probably tell you “the first one”. I like the second one better, as it completes the story and Undertaker doesn’t nearly die on a dive during it.

However, that near death experience for a Dead Man certainly added to the XXV match. HBK’s all white Undertakeresque entrance attire, with him descending from the heavens while Undertaker rose from the pits of hell made for possibly the greatest entrance of all time. It was quite the spectacle, holds up today, and I think it serves as a blueprint for a lot of what WWE does in big matches now.

Unlike the Flair match the year prior, I got the hype for this one. Not my favorite of all time, but I won’t knock you if it’s yours.

1. The Final Countdown Tour

Like most wrestling fans, the vast majority of my favorite wrestlers come from my youth. I grew up on the likes of the Macho Man, the Million Dollar Man, Jake the Snake and others from that early 1990s WWF period. It’s not that today’s wrestlers are worse than yesterday’s, in many cases they aren’t. I just feel more of a connection to these men of my youth than today’s wrestler, many of which I’m older than by now. (Another big part of it. Its tougher to form a connection younger folks doing things you could never do than older ones that you wouldn’t mind growing up to be like.)

Bryan Danielson was the exception to that rule for me in his Ring of Honor days, and still is today. He isn’t that much older than me, but I look up to him for his incredible in-ring ability, his knack for connecting with crowds, and the great person he appears to be outside the profession. If you didn’t become a Bryan fan at some point during his career, I’m really not sure what you’re a fan of when it comes to wrestling. Different strokes, but I just can’t see what isn’t to like about Bryan.

Danielson’s closing days with Ring of Honor included a stop in Dayton, where he put over Chris Hero as part of his Final Countdown tour. Dayton was a place where Bryan would typically face somebody working their way up the card. We mentioned Tyler Black last week, he also had a match with Erick Stevens that was intended to serve a similar purpose. Bryan did business the right way on his way out, losing to the guys who would have to pick up the slack when he was gone. We wouldn’t have expected anything less. Maybe some would have preferred a different opponent, but ROH knew who they wanted in those slots. Hero would be one of those staples for the promotion for the next number of years. Meanwhile, we watched Bryan rise up the ranks in WWE and fondly remembered seeing him at the county fairgrounds back in the day.

That’s what the joy of wrestling is all about.

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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!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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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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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

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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

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