Opinion

Steve Cook’s Fave Five: November 2020

Cook explores some of the major players that have him looking forward to November!

Published

5 years ago

November 6, 2020

It’s a new month! You know what that means, right? It’s your monthly dose of positivity from a man that’s been accused of being negative more times than he can count. Most of those times were by people I haven’t seen in years. I would love to roll up on those people here in 2020 and be all like “YOU SEE WHY I’M SO NEGATIVE?”.

True genius is never appreciated in its own time.

I am doing my best to rectify that with this column. Appreciating true pro wrestling genius in its own time. Booker T gets a reference here because he popularized the Fave Five back in the day, and we’re keeping it going now. Here are my five favorites at the moment I’m writing this!

5. Matt Sydal

It’s always nice to see an old friend, isn’t it? Matt was quite the talented kid, you could tell when he was working his way up through the indies and then Ring of Honor that he was in store for big things. At the time, the idea of somebody his size not named Rey Mysterio making it big in WWE seemed like a bit of a stretch. Evan Bourne didn’t have an awful run though! It could have been better, but it could have been a lot worse. He got over pretty well as a spunky underdog and had a successful tag team with Kofi Kingston. I was skeptical of the Air Boom name, but it worked!

I know that Matt Sydal worked some other places after leaving WWE. Unfortunately, I wasn’t watching a whole lot of Impact Wrestling when he was there, or Ring of Honor when he was there, or even New Japan when he was there. Sydal had knee surgery towards the end of 2018, and was out for most of 2019. His Impact contract expired, and he was a free agent. He’s kept that status & worked various places, recently appearing on both ROH & AEW television. It was fun to see him wrestle Delirious again in the Pure Tournament, and although he had quite the botch in his AEW debut, they did some ret-con work to pin that on Michael Nakazawa putting baby oil on the ropes.

We don’t know for sure where Matt Sydal is going, and that’s a large part of the fun.

4. Tracy Williams

I had heard good things about the man known as “Hot Sauce”, but I was waiting to see them. His spotlight episode of ROH TV didn’t do much to win me over. Not entirely his fault, unless he told them to put that Bully Ray match on there.

His performance in the Pure Wrestling Tournament won me over. After a good showing in the first round, he & Fred Yehi tore the house down in Round 2. Spectacular match. Another good showing and a win over Jay Lethal later, and Williams went to the finals. He would lose to Jonathan Gresham, but people had to be impressed with his matches in the tournament. I know I was!

A Ring of Honor with Tracy Williams as part of its foundation has a chance to succeed.

3. Shotzi Blackheart

I wrote about Shotzi and how she should book NXT fairly recently, so I don’t want to belabor any points I made there. It’s pretty obvious that I wasn’t alone in noting Shotzi’s brilliance at Halloween Havoc. Everybody’s jumping aboard the Blackheart Bandwagon, and nobody can blame them for that. She’s become a star with the NXT fanbase, and it’s not going to end at Halloween Havoc. See, William Regal also appreciated Shotzi’s performance as Havoc host, and he offered her a match with anybody of her choosing.

Her choice?

.@ShotziWWE chose anything but a shortcut! She'll face Toni Storm TOMORROW NIGHT on #WWENXT!

📺 Wednesday, 8/7c @USA_Network https://t.co/NV4FRChoMo

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 3, 2020

Could we have asked for anything better to get people back in a good mood after all of this election divisiveness & hullabaloo? Surely we can all agree on enjoying Shotzi vs. Toni. Back in the day I would have been torn over who to root for. Now, I just enjoy two badass chicks going at it. Gonna be good!

2. WALTER

It’s easy to forget about WALTER. He works the NXT UK circuit, which was inactive until recently. The group is also full of sex perverts, and not the fun sex perverts like we see in the Dark Order. The type that are creepy and have no redeeming value, even for the sake of sports entertainment. It’s easy to ignore the show and to hope that WWE quits putting these types of folks on their Network.

However, there is one man that occasionally makes it worth a watch. The Ring General. There are few things more emotionally satisfying in wrestling than seeing WALTER beat the crap out of some goofy NXT UK young boys. Like last week, when WALTER and Ilja Dragunov went at it. People actually talked about the match, which is the first time I remember that happening for an NXT UK match since…WALTER vs. Pete Dunne?

Sure, there were parts that annoyed me. They did the goofy end-match spiel that everybody does where the loser takes 15 moves that should have been finishers & kicked out. And I was ready to give them some credit when WALTER slammed the kid on the floor, steps, apron, then did a top rope splash. Surely that was the finish, and I was going to give them credit for Dragunov not kicking out of too much. Whoops. But that’s modern-day wrestling.

I can’t let those flaws take away from the sheer joy of WALTER beating people up. And since they’re all people I haven’t heard of, and likely sex perverts based off the NXT UK average, I don’t have to feel bad for the poor bastards across the ring from him.

1. Eddie Kingston

"I never quit and NOTHING in my life, and I'm not gonna quit on the 7th. You're gonna have to go to a very very dark place…and you know what Jon…I live in that place" – @MadKing1981

WATCH #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama! pic.twitter.com/4pWldjKfZz

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 22, 2020

It wasn’t that long ago that Eddie Kingston was contemplating retirement.

It was even more recent than that when Eddie Kingston was selling his boots to pay the rent.

Now look at him! The Mad King is main-eventing AEW Full Gear, facing Jon Moxley in an I Quit match for the AEW Championship. Who had that on their 2020 bingo card? Two former CZW Champions who were among the most gifted talkers of their indy wrestling generation in a nationally televised company’s main event program. It’s a beautiful thing.

Every time I’ve ever heard Eddie Kingston talk, I’ve had no doubt that everything he said was what he believed. There aren’t many people in wrestling I can say that about. He makes you believe. He’s a huge betting underdog heading into Full Gear. It would be a massive surprise if he made Moxley quit and became the AEW World Champion.

But, man, this is 2020.

Nothing surprises me!

Do you have a Fave Five? Let me know in the comments or on the Twitter!

About 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!

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)

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)

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!

Up Next

Cook’s AEW Full Gear 2020 Gambling Picks

Don't Miss

NXT Minus 6: Wrestling with Emotion

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!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / 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

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

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)

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)

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