Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: AEW Dynamite Moments (Year One)

Steve Cook celebrates one year of a legit #2 in American TV wrestling with his Top 5 AEW Dynamite moments from their first year!

Published

5 years ago

October 13, 2020

Steve Cook

Steve Cook celebrates one year of a legit #2 in American TV wrestling with his Top 5 AEW Dynamite moments from their first year!

Whether you love or hate All Elite Wrestling, it can’t be denied that the company has made the wrestling business more interesting. It’s given us all sorts of new things to talk about and kept us from getting bored. Maybe it’s just me, but all these years where WWE was the undisputed #1 promotion with other federations nowhere near them in relevance were pretty damn boring.

Sure, you could write about Impact or ROH, but who was going to care? Japan could draw some Internet eyeballs, but it was still quite the minority compared to WWE. I don’t mean to totally bury WWE, as they’ve produced plenty of outstanding content through the years. But sometimes you gotta switch it up, right? You can’t have McDonald’s everyday, you have to mix in some Popeye’s every once in awhile to keep things fresh.

AEW Dynamite is having their anniversary show this week. It’s been a little over a year, but we all know anniversaries can be held whenever. Let’s celebrate by looking at my five favorite AEW Dynamite moments of the first year.

5. Eddie Kingston Debuts

I’ve been an Eddie Kingston fan for a long time. In my opinion, he was the best promo on the indies for most of the twenty-first century. He had a couple of things keeping him from getting to the next level. Some of it was that nasty physique bias that promoters (and a lot of fans) tend to have that makes it take much longer for certain people to make it big. Some of it involved personal demons.

Eddie seems to have kicked all of these things aside in recent years. He’s appeared on Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling & NWA Powerrr, but AEW Dynamite on July 22 marked his biggest TV shot to date, as he answered TNT Champion American Nightmare Cody’s open challenge. He got to speak his mind on the microphone and have his match, and you knew that AEW was going to bring him on board. Unless WWE snuck in there and signed him first, which they tried to do! King went with AEW, and now he’s got his own crew to go after world champions with. It’s amazing how life can change within weeks.

4. Jake “The Snake” Roberts Emerges

Those of you who have followed my journey as a wrestling fan know that Jake “The Snake” Roberts was my very first favorite wrestler. He had a knack for being involved in interesting stories back in the day, had a snake & the DDT. What wasn’t to love? Well, a lot. It’s somewhat amazing that Jake is still with us after years of drug abuse. Fortunately, one of Jake’s best friends is Diamond Dallas Page, who excels at helping folks who are addicted to drugs kick the habit. Roberts got clean and has done his best to stay that way for the past several years.

Even if Jake returned as a bad guy intent on taking Cody’s share of AEW, and now has Lance Archer focused on taking the AEW Championship, you still have to root for the guy. I do, anyway. It’s great to see Jake Roberts on my television in any capacity in 2020, and his return on the March 4 edition of Dynamite, one of the last before the pandemic set in, was a sight to see.

3. Darby Allin Attacks Chris Jericho on a Skateboard

You have to go to 4:27 of the above video to see the moment that made Darby Allin a star with AEW fans. Episode 2 of Dynamite saw Allin win a match against Jimmy Havoc to earn a shot at AEW Champion Chris Jericho on the next week’s episode. It was fair to wonder what Allin or Havoc had done to earn a title shot at that point. Allin had wrestled Cody to a time limit draw at Fyter Fest, so he did have that going for him, along with a unique look & persona.

Things were breaking down at the end of the show, as is wont to happen during wrestling television shows. Jericho & his friends were busy fighting off the Elite, but Allin needed to make his impact felt to set up the next week’s match. What better way than to ride down the ramp on a skateboard and jump into Chris Jericho? It established Allin as somebody that would do damn near anything at his own personal expense in order to get the job done, and he would do crazier things going forward.

2. Cody brings backup to fight the Inner Circle

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hosted the fourth episode of Dynamite. While the Inner Circle wasn’t booked for any matches that evening, they still had tickets! Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana & Ortiz used airhorns to drown out Cody’s planned announcement, which drew Cody to the barricade. Jericho was confident that Cody wouldn’t run into a 4 on 1 assault and kept insulting his upcoming challenger. Dustin Rhodes came out, followed by MJF, then Diamond Dallas Page (with a Road Warrior pop, no less).

Unfortunately the videos leave out the part where Jericho turns from an overconfident asshole into a worried asshole. They do capture Cody wrapping MJF’s scarf around his hand to smash the glass window, open the door and drag Chris out for a fight. Just classic pro wrestling drama throughout this segment, and as usual Jericho was saying things that would end up on t-shirts.

1. Parking Lot Fight

Recency bias? Maybe! But this brawl involving the Best Friends taking on Santana & Ortiz was just a tremendous piece of business the likes of which TNT Standards & Practices never would have allowed back in the day. It was a classic CZW-style brawl, topped off with an Orange Cassidy appearance & Sue driving her boys away…

and flipping Santana & Ortiz the bird. Does pro wrestling get any better than that?

You may have different favorite Dynamite memories than I. Shoot them into the comments or let me know on the Twittah!

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week 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

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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

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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)

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