Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 2020 Wrestling Memories

Steve Cook finishes up his wrestling memories in 2020, a look back at one of the oddest years any of us have ever experienced.

Published

4 years ago

December 29, 2020

Steve Cook

Steve Cook finishes up his wrestling memories in 2020, a look back at one of the oddest years any of us have ever experienced.

I haven’t looked forward to the conclusion of my celebration of thirty years as a wrestling fan. We’ll certainly remember 2020, but mostly for not so great reasons. Let’s go ahead and count then down. 2020! Some of you had a decent year, but for most of us it was the WORST YEAR WE’VE EVER LIVED IN!

Let’s break it down.

5. Undertaker Gets His Ending

One of the most interesting productions of 2020 was The Last Ride, a WWE Network documentary chronicling the last few years of Undertaker’s career. Undertaker had always been careful about protecting his gimmick, this was the first time he really took fans behind the curtain. We saw a man looking to end his career with a good performance that kept having bad ones. It’s a story that many of us can identify with: the desire to go out on top, and the ability to know when you should go out.

Undertaker finally got that chance. The Boneyard Match with AJ Styles was easily one of the most entertaining matches of 2020 and the perfect note to go out on. He had a farewell at Survivor Series with a Paul Bearer hologram and rode off into the sunset. Sure, he could still come back because everybody comes back, but at the moment I’m writing this, it feels good.

4. Ratings

TV ratings talk has always been one of those things that I’ve loved and hated at the same time. I wish people would focus more on the content of the shows and which one is better from a critical perspective. At the same time, I look at the ratings when they come out just like everybody else does. I can’t help it.

I’m at least smart enough to know how fractured viewership habits are now compared to back in the day. Back when Raw & Nitro were facing off every Monday night, they were on two of seventy channels on my cable system. Which was a drastic upgrade from what kids my age ten years prior had to choose from, and kids my age ten years prior to that. The further we move along, the more choices we have.

There was a school of thought that mainstream wrestling could benefit off of a pandemic because more people would be home watching TV. That didn’t happen, at least not as much as some hoped. There’s a vast amount of content to consume, even during a pandemic where production on certain types of programming is limited.

It needs to be emphasized that Raw & SmackDown still do wonderful numbers compared to other options on cable & satellite systems in demos & viewership. In the case of Raw, historically down from its peak back in the 1990s, but compared to other options not named “Monday Night Football” in 2020, not bad. AEW Dynamite has been killing it in those prime demos that TV people look at. And as much as we knock NXT for being far behind AEW in those demos, they’re doing more than well enough to justify their existence.

As much as I’m not a fan of these metrics, there’s not much else we can use in 2020. Not like people are going to shows!

3. Death

I’m not really sure where to start with this one. Pro wrestling has seen some really bad years when it comes to death, but 2020 might have been the worst. I may even have missed some in the timeline here:

January 9 – Pampero Firpo
January 11 – La Parka II
Janurary 15 – Rocky Johnson
January 25 – Justice Pain
March 5- Rip Oliver
April 12 – Joe Pedicino
April 16 – Howard Finkel
May 17 – Shad Gaspard
May 18 – Larry Csonka
May 23 – Hana Kimura
May 31- Danny Havoc
June 4 – Chris Hyatte
June 10 – Mr. Wrestling II
June 30 – Tim Brooks
July 31- Mark “Rollerball” Rocco
August 9 – Kamala
August 16 – Xavier
August 27 – “Bullet” Bob Armstrong
September 2- Casey Michael
September 10 – Barry Scott
September 22 – Road Warrior Animal
October 15 – Karsten Beck
October 28 – Tracy Smothers
November 25 – Bob Ryder
December 2 – Pat Patterson
December 10 – Zeus
December 21 – Kevin Greene
December 24 – Danny Hodge
December 26 – Brodie Lee

It’s an overwhelming list of names with so many people that had some sort of an effect on my wrestling fandom over the years. I don’t even know where to start talking about the accolades of these folks. We also lost some people that paved the way for people like me to write about wrestling on the Internet, including one of my closest associates over the past fifteen years or so. Larry was one of the few people I could always rely on to have my back through thick & thin. That list got shorter.

It’s part of the circle of life, of course. People you grew up watching will pass away. Some of your friends will leave before you do. Unfortunately, that circle started moving a little faster in 2020.

2. #SpeakingOut

It was something many years in the making that needed to be done long ago. We can’t fault people for being afraid to come out. We live in a patriarchal society where women are afraid to speak their truth for fear of a backlash from the non-believers. Especially in pro wrestling, where women’s wrestling only got taken seriously (outside of Japan) in the last couple of years or so. Believe me, as a long time supporter of women’s wrestling I was a minority voice in the IWC for many years. Most people within the wrestling business were men that did not take women seriously.

It started with somebody calling out independent wrestling star David Starr. Starr denied it, but he pretty much got drummed out of the business right away, since apparently nobody believed him. Further accusations would follow, many involving wrestlers based in the United Kingdom but some in other areas of the world.

The UK took the brunt of it though. Jimmy Havoc was finally starting to get over in AEW when he got accused, and those issues along with other issues he had with substances led to his dismissal. Audio surfaced from years earlier of Sammy Guevara joking about how he wanted to rape Sasha Banks, which led to productive discussion, an apology and Sammy being sidelined for a minute while completing training. Sasha got a lot of respect for how she accepted Sammy’s shortcomings at that time & worked with him through the issue. Most folks wouldn’t have been as generous as Sasha was. Justin Roberts got accused of things too, he’s still around even though everybody that filled in for him was better at the job.

CHIKARA was seen as a viable alternative where women were treated as equal to men. As it turned out, we learned of multiple cases of sexual harassment & abuse, which hurt CHIKARA more than most promotions since they had a better reputation than most feds. CZW could survive such allegations because people expect less from them, CHIKARA couldn’t. Mike Quackenbush was initially very apologetic, then later on tried to put himself over in order to keep running shows. As much as I’m a mark for Quack’s in-ring work and found him to be a decent person in previous years, I, and most people, saw through his attempts of spinning the narrative.

David Lagana got drummed out of NWA. Marty Scrull isn’t involved with ROH or anybody else anymore. Joey Ryan got cancelled from Impact Wrestling and everywhere else, which didn’t surprise anybody because his character was that of a ridiculous pervert. Impact also got rid of Michael Elgin & Dave Crist after previous allegations surrounding them resurfaced. Will Ospreay got accused of blacklisting people to protect perverts he was friends with, but his employers protected him. WWE protected Matt Riddle & some other NXT UK folks that denied allegations. They did fire Jack Gallagher after he admitted to allegations. As long as WWE independent contractors denied allegations, WWE was happy to defend & push them. Velveteen Dream continues to be a featured act in NXT and a reason why I don’t watch the full show. What can I say, I try not to watch known sex perverts.

It might be impossible to get rid of all the sex perverts in the wrestling business. At least the #SpeakingOut Movement got rid of a good chunk of them.

1. COVID-19

Pro wrestling as a whole seemed to be in a good place heading into 2020. WWE was doing their thing. AEW was solidifying itself as a competitor on some level with widespread availability. New Japan was making noise about expanding their reach. Perhaps more importantly than all that, the independent wrestling scene was looking very healthy. Multiple feds were getting buzz. It was easier to access various brands of pro wrestling than it ever had been. For the first time in a long time, being a talented independent wrestler could provide a solid living if you knew how to work it.

Then, a global pandemic happened. Everything shut down, including most of pro wrestling. Non-American talent have a tough time getting here now. Non-Japanese talent has a tough time getting to Japan. WWE & AEW took their shows into empty facilities. Impact followed course not too long after. Feds like CMLL & ROH would do so later on. GCW & some other indy feds would run some socially distanced events with varying levels of success, but the demand for tickets isn’t what it was 12 months ago. Mexico had tons of lucha promotions running shows, now they don’t. Rinse & repeat for other countries.

We can talk about WWE’s product this year. We can talk about what AEW’s been doing. There’s so much that hasn’t been able to happen this year due to the coronavirus. It’s a minor concern compared to the deaths and possible future health problems we’ll be facing, but since we’re talking about wrestling it’s what we’re addressing here. We can hope that people will be in the right place at the right time to capitalize once we get to a point where we can have large attendances for wrestling shows again.

The game changed in 2020. All we can hope is that it hasn’t changed for too long, because it’s a game that many of us are losing. Hopefully we can make it a win in 2021.

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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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Related Topics:2020 COVID-19 Featured Featured Big Speaking Out Steve Cook The Undertaker Top 5 WrestleMania

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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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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

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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)

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