Opinion
Mathew’s Top Matches of 2020: Honorable Mentions
End of every year brings lists and rankings! Check out the list of matches that missed Mathew’s Top 25 this year!

As the year is slowly coming to a close, it’s time to get ready for my Top 25 Matches of 2020 but before I do that, we’re going to list the honorable mentions that happened this year. These matches are some I’ve enjoyed or considered great but were, unfortunately, unable to make the cut with the official list. Doesn’t mean they’re bad, just can’t cram them all.
Let’s take a look down below.
WWE:
- Tyler Bate vs. Jordan Devlin (NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool 2 1/12/2020)
- Keith Lee vs. Roderick Strong (NXT 1/22/2020)
- DIY vs. Mustache Mountain (World’s Collide 1/25/2020)
- Daniel Bryan vs. The Fiend (Royal Rumble 1/26/2020)
- Men’s Royal Rumble (Royal Rumble 1/26/2020)
- Becky Lynch vs. Asuka (Raw 2/10/2020)
- Johnny Gargano vs. Finn Balor (NXT Takeover: Portland 2/16/2020)
- Undisputed Era vs. Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne (NXT Takeover: Portland 2/16/2020)
- Adam Cole vs. Tomasso Ciampa (NXT Takeover: Portland 2/16/2020)
- Dominik Dijakovic vs. Keith Lee (NXT Takeover: Portland 2/16/2020)
- Ilja Dragunov vs. A-Kid (NXT UK 3/6/2020)
- Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak (Elimination Chamber 3/8/2020)
- Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks (NXT UK 3/26/2020)
- Jimmy Uso vs. John Morrison vs. Kofi Kingston (WrestleMania 36 4/4/2020)
- Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair (WrestleMania 36 4/5/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 36 4/5/2020)
- Rey Mysterio vs. Murphy (Raw 4/20/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins (Money in the Bank 5/10/2020
- Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak (SmackDown 5/15/2020)
- AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (SmackDown 5/22/2020)
- Matt Riddle vs. Timothy Thatcher (NXT 5/27/2020)
- Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano (NXT Takeover: In Your House 6/7/2020)
- Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest (NXT Takeover: In Your House 6/7/2020)
- Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair (Raw 6/8/2020)
- Isaiah Scott vs. Tony Nese (205 Live 6/26/2020)
- Io Shirai vs. Sasha Banks (NXT Great American Bash 7/1/2020)
- Adam Cole vs. Keith Lee (NXT Great American Bash 7/8/2020)
- Asuka and Kairi Sane vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley (Raw 7/13/2020)
- AJ Styles vs. Drew Gulak (SmackDown 7/3/2020)
- Bronson Reed vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Roderick Strong (NXT 7/15/2020)
- Io Shirai vs. Tegan Nox (NXT 7/15/2020)
- Asuka vs. Sasha Banks (Extreme Rules 7/19/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler (Extreme Rules 7/19/2020)
- Kairi Sane vs. Bayley (Raw 7/20/2020)
- Timothy Thatcher vs. Finn Balor (NXT Takeover: XXX 8/22/2020)
- Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee (NXT Takeover: XXX 8/22/2020)
- Bronson Reed vs. Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Cameron Grimes (NXT Takeover: XXX 8/22/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (Summerslam 8/23/2020)
- Adam Cole vs. Finn Balor (NXT 9/8/2020)
- Ilja Dragunov vs. Noam Darr (NXT UK 9/17/2020)
- Bronson Reed vs. Cameron Grimes vs. Kushida vs. Kyle O’Reilly vs. Timothy Thatcher (NXT 9/23/2020)
- Jey Uso vs. Roman Reigns (Clash of Champions 9/27/2020)
- Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy (Clash of Champions 9/27/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (Clash of Champions 9/27/2020)
- Finn Balor vs. Kyle O’Reilly (NXT Takeover: 31 10/4/2020)
- Big E vs. Sheamus (Smackdown 10/9/2020)
- Alexander Wolfe and WALTER vs. Pete Dunne and Ilja Dragunov (NXT UK 10/15/2020)
- Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (Hell in a Cell 10/25/2020)
- Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso (Hell in a Cell 10/25/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (Hell in a Cell 10/25/2020)
- Bayley vs. Sasha Banks (SmackDown 11/6/2020)
- Mustafa Ali vs. Ricochet (Raw 11/9/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton (Raw 11/16/2020)
- Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley (NXT 11/18/2020)
- Seth Rollins vs. Murphy (SmackDown 11/20/2020)
- Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre (Survivor Series 11/22/2020)
- Street Profits vs. New Day (Survivor Series 11/22/2020)
- Matt Riddle vs. Sheamus (Raw 11/23/2020)
- Kushida vs. Timothy Thtcher (NXT 11/25/2020)
- Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne (NXT 11/25/2020)
- Trent Seven vs. A-Kid (NXT UK 11/26/2020)
- Undisputed Era vs. Team McAfee (NXT Takeover: Wargames 12/6/2020)
- Tomasso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher (NXT Takeover: Wargames 12/6/2020)
- Kyle O’Reilly vs. Pete Dunne (NXT 12/16/2020)
- Drew McIntyre vs. The Miz vs. AJ Styles (TLC 12/20/2020)
- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens (TLC 12/20/2020)
- Sasha Banks vs. Carmella (TLC 12/20/2020)
- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens (SmackDown 12/25/2020)
AEW:
- Cody vs. Darby Dallin (1/1/2020)
- Nyla Rose vs. Riho (Dynamite 2/12/2020)
- Cody vs. Wardlow (Dynamite 2/19/2020)
- Kenny Omega vs. PAC (Dynamite 2/26/2020)
- Jon Moxley vs. Chris Jericho (Revolution 2/29/2020)
- Cody vs. MJF (Revolution 2/29/2020)
- Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin (Revolution 2/29/2020)
- Lance Archer vs. Dustin Rhodes (Dynamite 4/29/2020)
- Jungle Boy vs. MJF (Double or Nothing 5/23/2020)
- Lance Archer vs. Cody (Double or Nothing 5/23/2020)
- FTR vs. SCU (Dynamite 6/24/2020)
- Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford (Fyter Fest 7/1/2020)
- MJF and Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus (Fyter Fest 7/1/2020)
- Cody vs. Eddie Kingston (Dynamite 7/22/2020)
- Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin (Dynamite 8/5/2020)
- FTR vs. Kenny Omega and Adam Page (All Out 9/5/2020)
- Brodie Lee vs. Dustin Rhodes (Dynamite 9/9/2020)
- Adam Page vs. Frankie Kazarian (Dynamite 9/16/2020)
- Best Friends vs. Santana and Ortiz (Dynamite 9/16/2020)
- FTR vs. SCU (Dynamite 9/30/2020)
- Cody vs. Brodie Lee (Dynamite 10/7/2020)
- Cody vs. Darby Allin (Full Gear 11/7/2020)
- Kenny Omega vs. Adam Page (Full Gear 11/7/2020)
- FTR vs. Young Bucks (Full Gear 11/7/2020)
- Serena Deeb vs. Thunder Rosa (Dynamite 11/18/2020
NJPW:
- Lance Archer vs. Jon Moxley (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/4/2020)
- Will Ospreay vs. Hiromu Takahashi (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/4/2020)
- Jay White vs. Tetsuya Naito (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/4/2020)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Jericho (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/5/2020)
- Hirooki Goto vs. KENTA (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/5/2020)
- Hiromu Takahashi and Ryu Lee vs. Jushin Thunder Liger and Naoki Sano (Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/5/2020)
- Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii vs. EVIL and Shingo Takagi (New Year’s Dash 1/6/2020)
- EVIL vs. Tomohiro Ishii (New Beginning in Sapporo 2/1/2020)
- Hirooki Goto vs. Shingo Takagi (New Beginning in Sapporo 2/1/2020)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Taichi (New Beginning in Sapporo 2/2/2020)
- Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr (New Beginning in Sapporo 2/2/2020)
- Jon Moxley vs. Minoru Suzuki (New Beginning in Osaka 2/9/2020)
- Tetsuya Naito vs. KENTA (New Beginning in Osaka 2/9/2020)
- Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryu Lee (New Beginning in Osaka 2/9/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (New Japan Road 2/20/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata (New Japan Cup 6/17/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. SHO (New Japan Cup 6/22/2020)
- Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hiromu Takahashi (New Japan Cup 7/2/2020)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiromu Takahashi (New Japan Cup 7/3/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. SHO (Dominion 7/12/2020)
- Golden Ace vs. Dangerous Tekkers (Dominion 7/12/2020)
- EVIL vs. Hiromu Takahashi (Sengoku Lord 7/25/2020)
- Monoru Suzuki vs. Yuji Nagata (Summer Struggle 7/31/2020)
- Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI vs. Kazuchika Okada, SHO and Toru Yano (Summer Struggle 8/9/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Minoru Suzuki (Summer Struggle in Jingu 8/29/2020)
- Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori (Summer Struggle in Jingu 8/29/2020)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi (G1 Climax 9/19/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 9/19/2020)
- Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi (G1 Climax 9/23/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Taichi (G1 Climax 9/23/2020)
- Will Ospreay vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 9/23/2020)
- Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr (G1 Climax 9/24/2020)
- Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 9/27/2020)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White (G1 Climax 9/27/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Will Ospreay (G1 Climax 9/27/2020)
- Jay White vs. Will Ospreay (G1 Climax 9/30/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 9/30/2020)
- Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA (G1 Climax 10/1/2020)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI (G1 Climax 10/1/2020)
- Taichi vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 10/5/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Will Ospreay (G1 Climax 10/7/2020)
- Shingo Takagi vs. Kota Ibushi (G1 Climax 10/7/2020)
- Taichi vs. Will Ospreay (G1 Climax 10/10/2020)
- Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki (G1 Climax 10/10/2020)
- Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 10/10/2020)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 10/13/2020)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA (G1 Climax 10/14/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi (G1 Climax 10/16/2020)
- Kota Ibushi vs. Taichi (G1 Climax 10/16/2020)
- Jay White vs. Tomohiro Ishii (G1 Climax 10/16/2020)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr (G1 Climax 10/17/2020)
- Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA (G1 Climax 10/18/2020)
- DOUKI, Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI (Road to Power Struggle 10/23/2020)
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Shingo Takagi (Power Struggle 11/7/2020)
- Jay White vs. Kota Ibushi (Power Struggle 11/7/2020)
- Taiji Ishimori vs. Hiromu Takahashi (BOSJ 11/15/2020)
- Robbie Eagles vs. SHO (BOSJ 11/20/2020)
- Robbie Eagles vs. Hiromu Takahashi (BOSJ 11/29/2020)
- Hiromu Takahashi vs. SHO (12/2/2020)
Stardom:
- Arisa Hoshiki vs. Utami Hayashishita (19th Anniversary 1/19/2020)
- Kagetsu vs. Tam Nakano (19th Anniversary 1/19/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe (19th Anniversary 1/19/2020)
- Jungle Kyona and Momo Watanabe vs. Kagetsu and Mayu Iwatani (1/26/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Takumi Iroha (The Way to the Major League 2/8/2020)
- Arisa Hoshiki vs. Bea Priestley (The Way to the Major League 2/8/2020)
- Giulia, Himeka, Maika and Syuri vs. Mayu Iwatani, Saya Iida, Starlight Kid and Tam Nakano (Stardom is Again 6/21/2020)
- Konami vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Momo Watanabe (New Summer 7/12/2020)
- AZM, Momo Watanabe, Saya Kamitani and Utami Hayashishita vs. Giulia, Himeka, Maika and
- Syuri (Cinderella Summer 7/24/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Jungle Kyona (Cinderella Summer 7/24/2020)
- Utami Hayashishita vs. Jungle Kyona (5Star Grand Prix 8/8/2020)
- Giulia vs. Mayu Iwatani (5Star Grand Prix 8/8/2020)
- Jungle Kyona vs. Syuri (5Star Grand Prix 8/9/2020)
- Konami vs. Mayu Iwatani (5Star Grand Prix 9/5/2020)
- Momo Watanabe vs. Utami Hayashishita (5Star Gran Prix 9/12/2020)
- Tam Nakano vs. Giulia (5Star Grand Prix 9/13/2020)
- Utami Hayashishita vs. Syuri (5Star Grand Prix 9/19/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Tam Nakano (5Star Grand Prix 9/19/2020)
- AZM, Momo Watanabe and Utami Hayashishita vs. Mei Hoshizuki, Rin Kadokura and Takumi Iroha (5Star Grand Prix 9/28/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Syuri (Yokohama Cinderella 10/3/2020)
- Giulia vs. Tam Nakano (Yokohama Cinderella 10/3/2020)
- Giulia vs. Konami (Sendai Cinderella 11/15/2020)
- Mayu Iwatani vs. Utami Hayashishita (Sendai Cinderella 11/15/2020)
- AZM vs. Mei Hoshizuki (Osaka Dream 12/20/2020)
- Syuri vs. Giulia (Osaka Dream 12/20/2020)
- Utami Hayashishita vs. Momo Watanabe (Osaka Dream 12/20/2020)
AJPW:
- Susumu Yokosuka vs. Hikaru Sato (New Year’s Wars 1/3/2020)
- Kento Miyahara vs. Jake Lee (New Year’s Wars 1/3/2020)
- Ayato Yoshida vs. Naoya Nomura (New Year’s Wars 1/19/2020)
- Susumu Yokosuka vs. Akira Francesco (Excite Series 2/11/2020)
- Kento Miuahara vs. Yuma Aoyagi (Excite Series 2/11/2020)
- Suwama vs. Shotaro Ashino (Triple Crown of Wilderness 6/30/2020)
- Yusuke Kodama vs. Koji Iwamoto (Triple Crown of Wilderness 6/30/2020)
- Suwama vs. Shuji Ishiawa (Summer Action Series 7/25/2020)
- Susumu Yokosuka vs. Koji Iwamoto (Summer Action Series 7/25/2020)
- Suwama vs. Jiro Kuroshio (Champion Carnival 9/13/2020)
- Shotaro Ashino vs. Yuma Aoyagi (Champion Carnival 9/13/2020)
- Kento Miyahara vs. Shotaro Ashino (Champion Carnival 9/15/2020)
- Kento Miyahara vs. Yuma Aoyagi (Champion Carnival 9/21/2020)
- Koji Iwamoto vs. Ikuto Hidaka (Champion Carnival 9/21/2020)
- Kento Miyahara vs. Shuji Ishikawa (Champion Carnival 9/26/2020)
- Yuma Aoyagi vs. Koji Doi (Champion Carnival 10/5/2020)
- Suwama vs. Zeus (Raising an Army Memorial Series 10/17/2020)
- Shotaro Ashino and Kuma Arashi vs. Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa (RWTL 11/18/2020)
- Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi vs. Shotaro Ashino and Kuma Arashi (RWTL 11/22/2020)
- Jake Lee and Koji Iwatmoto vs. Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa (RWTL 11/23/2020)
- Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi vs. Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa (RWTL 12/4/2020)
- Alejandro vs. Akira Francesco (RWTL 12/5/2020)
NOAH:
- Go Shiozaki vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (NEW SUNRISE 1/4/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Michael Elgin (NEW SUNRISE 1/4/2020)
- Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Naomichi Marufuji and Masaaki Mochizuki (REBOOT 1/5/2020)
- Daisuke Harada vs. Dick Togo (Global Junior League 1/30/2020)
- Daisuke Harada vs. Hajime Ohara (Global Junior League 1/30/2020)
- Takashi Sugiura vs. Minoru Tanaka (The Chronicle 3/29/2020)
- Go Shiozaki vs. Kazuyuki Fujita (The Chronicle 3/29/2020)
- Yoshinari Ogawa vs. Daisuke Harada (The Chronicle 3/29/2020)
- Takashi Sugiura vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima (GHC National Championship 5/9/2020)
- Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Rene Dupree (New Hope 5/24/2020)
- Go Shiozaki vs. Akitoshi Saito (Go Forward 6/14/2020)
- Kotaro Suzuki vs. Atsushi Kotoge (Go Forward 6/14/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Manabu Soya (Go Forward 6/21/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kenou (Departure 8/4/2020)
- Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Keiji Muto (The Chronicle 8/10/2020)
- Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Takashi Sugiura and Kazushi Sakuraba (Kawasaki Go! 8/30/2020)
- Kotaro Suzui vs. Seiki Yoshioka (Kawasaki Go! 8/30/2020)
- Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Masaaki Mochizuki (N1 Victory 9/18/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kenou (N1 Victory 9/18/2020)
- Naomichi Marufuji vs. Takashi Sugiura (N1 Victory 9/22/2020)
- Go Shiozaki vs. Masaaki Mochizuki (N1 Victory 9/23/2020)
- Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Go Shiozaki (N1 Victory 10/4/2020)
- Kenou vs. Takashi Sugiura (N1 Victory 10/4/2020)
- Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima (N1 Victory 10/11/2020)
- Kenou vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (The Chronicle 11/22/2020)
- Kenou and Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Kaito Kiyomiya and Daiki Inaba (Kongo Produce 12/26/2020)
DDT:
- Daisuke Sasaki and Soma Takao vs. Naomi Yoshimura and Yuki Ueno (New Year’s Special 1/3/2020)
- Masato Tanaka vs. HARASHIMA (Sweet Dreams 1/26/2020)
- Masato Tanaka vs. MAO (Into the Fight 2/23/2020)
- Chris Brookes vs. Konosuke Takeshita (Into the Fight 2/23/2020)
- Naomichi Marufuji and HARASHIMA vs. ASUKA and MAO (Wrestle Peter Pan 6/7/2020)
- Naomi Yoshimura and Yuki Ueno vs. T-Hawk and El Lindaman (Wrestle Peter Pan 6/7/2020)
- Masato Tanaka vs. Tetsuya Endo (Wrestle Peter Pan 6/7/2020)
- Tetsuya Endo vs. Yuki Ueno (Summer Vacation 7/23/2020)
- ASUKA vs. Hagane Shinnou (Ganbare Wrestling Heavens Door 8/22/2020)
- Tetsuya Endo vs. T-Hawk (King of DDT 8/23/2020)
- Kazusada Higuchi and Yukio Sakaguchi vs. Naomi Yoshimura and Yuki Ueno (Road to Ultimate Party 10/25/2020)
- Tetsuya Endo vs. Daisuke Sasaki (Ultimate Party 11/3/2020)
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Jun Akiyama (Ultimate Party 11/3/2020)
Dragon Gate:
- Naruki Doi vs. Kzy (Truth Gate 2/7/2020)
- Naruki Doi vs. Susumu Yokosuka (Champion Gate 3/1/2020)
- YAMATO vs. Ryo Saito (King of Gate 5/15/2020)
- Kaito Ishida vs. Naruki Doi (King of Gate 5/30/2020)
- Eita vs. Naruki Doi (King of Gate 6/7/2020)
- Jason Lee and Kota Minoura vs. Dragon Kid vs. Susumu Yokosuka (Dangerous Gate 9/21/2020)
- Big R Shimizu vs. KAI vs. Masato Yoshino vs. Eita vs. YAMATO vs. BxB Hulk (Dangerous Gate 9/21/2020)
- Eita vs. Kzy (Gate of Destiny 11/3/2020)
- Keisuke Okuda vs. Kaito Ishida (Gate of Destiny 11/3/2020)
- Kaito Ishida vs. Keisuke Okuda (Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 11/15/2020)
- BxB Hulk and KAI vs. YAMATO and Kota Minoura (Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 11/15/2020)
- Eita vs. Shun Skywalker (Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 11/15/2020)
- BxB Hulk and KAI vs. YAMATO and Kzy (Gate of Origin 11/28/2020)
- Keisuke Okuda vs. Kagetora (Final Gate 12/20/2020)
- Shun Skywalker vs. Ben-K (Final Gate 12/20/2020)
Misc:
- Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr (RevPro High Stakes 2/14/2020)
- Allysin Kay vs. Thunder Rosa (NWA Hard Times 1/24/2020)
- Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuka Sakazaki (TJPW 1/4/2020)
- Natsumi Saki vs. Sareee (TJPW 1/4/2020)
- Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mizuki (TJPW Wrestle Princess 11/7/2020)
- Aja Kong and Miyu Yamashita vs. Sareee and Maki Ito (TJPW Wrestle Princess 11/7/2020)
- Shigehiro Irie vs. Daisuke Kanehira (HEAT UP Burning Delivery 6/24/2020)
- Daiki Inaba vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima (W-1 Sunrise 1/12/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Shotaro Ashino (W-1 W-Impact 2/12/2020)
- Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kaz Hayashi (W-1 Wrestle Wars 3/15/2020)
- Shotaro Ashino vs. Seigo Tachibana (W-1 Trans Magic 3/25/2020)
- El Soberano Jr vs. Titan (CMLL 87 Aniversario 9/25/2020)
- Kenny Omega vs. Laredo Kid (AAA Triple Mania XXVIII 12/12/2020)
- Aereo vs. Villano III Jr (AAA 3/1/2020)
- Maya Yukihi vs. Suzu Suzuki (Ice Ribbon #1057 8/9/2020)
- Hiragi Kurumi and Mochi Miyagi vs. Tsukushi and Tsukasa Fujimoto (Ice Ribbon #1057 8/9/2020)
- Risa Sera vs. Syuri (Ice Ribbon #1071 9/20/2020)
- Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs. Wentz and Dez (Impact Slammiversary 7/18/2020)
- Eric Young vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Rich Swann vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey (Impact Slammiversary 7/18/2020)
- Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace (Impact Emergence 8/25/2020)
- Eric Young vs. Eddie Edwards (Impact Victory Road 10/3/2020)
- Yuji Okabayashi vs. Tank Nagai (2AW Grand Slam 5/23/2020)
- Ayato Yoshida vs. Yuji Okabayashi (2AW Grand Slam in TKP 7/5/2020)
- Daisuke Sekimoto and Kohei Sato vs. Yuji Okabayashi and Shigehiro Irie (BJW Strong Climb 3/3/2020)
- Daichi Hashimoto vs. T-Hawk (BJW Strong Climb 3/21/2020)
- Yasufumi Nakanoue vs. Yuya Aoki (BJW Strong Climb 3/21/2020)
- Daichi Hashimoto vs. Shigehiro Irie (BJW Last Buntai 8/29/2020)
- Daichi Hashimoto vs. Yuji Okabayashi (BJW Death Match, Strong, Junior 3 Major Title Matches 10/21/2020)
- Yuji Okabayashi vs. Daisuke Sekimoto (BJW 25th Anniversary 11/23/2020)
- T-Hawk and El Lindaman vs. Fuminori Abe and Takuya Nomura (BJW 25th Anniversary 11/23/2020)
- Isami Kodaka vs. Yuki Ishikawa (BJW 11/26/2020)
- Arisa Nakajima vs. Yoshiko (SEAdLINNNG 5th Anniversary 1/24/2020)
- Arisa Nakajima vs. Yoshiko (SEAdLINNNG Close to You 7/13/2020)
- Arisa Nakajima and Tsukasa Fujimoto vs. Yoshiko and Hiroyo Matsumoto (SEAdLINNNG 5th Anniversary 8/26/2020)
- Yoshiko vs. Sareee (SEAdLINNNG Fall in Love with D! 9/24/2020)
- Sareee vs. Yoshiko (Diana 2/22/2020)
- Ayako Sato vs. ASUKA (Diana 7/24/2020)
- ASUKA vs. Ayako Sato (Diana 8/30/2020)
- ASUKA vs. Ayako Sato (Diana 10/11/2020)
- Yuji Hino vs. Yuji Okabayashi (ZERO1 Happy New Year 1/1/2020)
- Yuji Hino vs. Kohei Sato (ZERO1 19th Anniversary 3/1/2020)
- Daisuke Sekimoto and Yuji Okabayashi vs. Takashi Sugiura and Masato Tanaka (ZERO1 19th Anniversary 3/1/2020)
This will conclude the honorable mentions part of my list and stay tuned as tomorrow, we start the countdown with the first five matches!
Hope you all enjoy.
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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.

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!
- 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
For the latest, greatest and up to datest in coverage, opinions, and podcasts ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit TheCharishot.com
Prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot plenty of GREAT t-shirt designs! Makes an awesome gift!!
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 – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast / The Oddity… Keeping the news ridiculous!
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
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Blog
DeMarco: Top 5 Non-Title WrestleMania Matches In WWE History
Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show & defined legacies. #WrestleMania #WWEHistory

Not all WrestleMania classics had titles on the line. Dive into the top 5 non-title matches that stole the show and defined legacies.
WrestleMania is the Showcase Of The Immortals, but it’s not always the championship matches that steal the show—or define careers. In fact, some of the most iconic, business-defining, and emotionally resonant contests at the Grandest Stage of Them All didn’t feature a title at all. These matches succeeded because of character work, in-ring execution, and the kind of storytelling that sells tickets and moves merch.
Here are the five best non-title matches in WrestleMania history—at least, according to me!
5. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan – WrestleMania X8 (2002)
This was never going to be a five-star technical clinic—but it was always going to be the moment. “Icon vs. Icon” was a tagline, sure, but it was also the reality: the biggest star of the ‘80s vs. the biggest star of the Attitude Era. And Toronto turned it into magic. Hogan walked in a heel but walked out immortal (again), with the SkyDome shaking on every punch, every look, every gesture.
What made this work was its self-awareness. Rock and Hogan read the crowd and flipped roles mid-match—Rock became the arrogant aggressor while Hogan Hulked Up to thunderous applause. It’s not often a non-title match headlines a card emotionally the way this one did, but it dominated every headline and highlight reel.
4. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart – WrestleMania X (1994)
Sibling rivalries don’t usually lead to technical masterpieces, but then again, this wasn’t your average family drama. Owen and Bret opened WrestleMania X with a wrestling clinic that stood tall over a night packed with title changes. Owen needed to prove he was more than Bret’s little brother, and he did it by out-wrestling the best wrestler in the company. Clean. One-two-three.
It wasn’t just a great match—it was perfect storytelling. Owen’s victory, contrasted with Bret’s later world title win, set the tone for an entire year of brother-vs-brother tension. Bret became champion, but Owen had the moral victory—and all the bragging rights. This is proof that opening matches can steal the show.
3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 25 (2009)
If WrestleMania moments could be trademarked, this match would be the reason why. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels wasn’t about championships—it was about legacy. Michaels wanted to be the man who ended The Streak. The build was steeped in biblical imagery: light vs. dark, heaven vs. hell. And the match? Pure perfection. Each man brought everything they had—near-falls, psychology, reversals that had 70,000+ people gasping in unison.
It was 30 minutes of generational storytelling that transcended pro wrestling. And here’s the kicker—it wasn’t even the main event. Yet it dwarfed everything that followed. Meltzer gave it 4.75 stars, fans gave it their hearts, and WWE gave it a sequel the next year. A match so good it forced the company to run it back—because lightning actually struck.
Now, if THIS MATCH is #3, what could possible be #2 and #1…
2. Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – WrestleMania 13 (1997)
This wasn’t just a match—it was the turning point of an era. The Submission Match between Bret Hart and Steve Austin was as violent as it was poetic, with Ken Shamrock enforcing the rules and the Chicago crowd growing more frenzied by the second. The brilliance? The shift. Bret Hart, the traditionalist hero, grew darker and more self-righteous by the second, while the disrespectful anti-hero Austin refused to quit, even when drowning in his own blood. There was no title on the line, but the stakes felt bigger than gold.
The infamous double turn changed the business. Austin’s defiance turned him into the voice of a new generation of fans—blue collar, anti-authority, Attitude Era. Meanwhile, Bret would go on to lead the heel Hart Foundation. WWE didn’t need a championship to create a moment that catapulted Austin into superstardom and ignited the company’s hottest era. This match is business-first booking at its absolute best.
1. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 21 (2005)
Dream matches often disappoint. This one didn’t. At WrestleMania 21, Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle went hold-for-hold and spot-for-spot with Mr. WrestleMania himself, and together they delivered a masterclass in in-ring psychology. Every sequence had stakes, every near-fall had meaning. It was a stylistic war: Michaels’ heart vs. Angle’s intensity.
Angle forcing Michaels to tap was a statement—it told fans that pure wrestling, not just spectacle, could still main-event caliber storytelling without any need for a title. Michaels sold the ankle lock like death, and Angle’s post-match collapse sold the moment as a hard-fought war. This is the kind of match that keeps purists up at night, smiling, and leaves the storytelling fans like myself as happy as can be!
10 Honorable Mentions (Not Honorable, Just For The Heck Of It)
-
Edge vs. Mick Foley – WrestleMania 22 (2006)
A hardcore war that solidified Edge as a top-tier main eventer. That flaming table spear is still played in every Edge highlight reel. -
AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon – WrestleMania 33 (2017)
Everyone expected smoke and mirrors—what they got was a surprisingly technical, high-energy opener that kicked off the show right. -
The Undertaker vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 28 (2012)
“End of an Era” wasn’t just a tagline. The Hell in a Cell match, with HBK as referee, was a brutal epilogue to a generation’s legacy. -
Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho – WrestleMania XIX (2003)
A student-teacher battle of wills. Jericho’s low blow post-match was the perfect heel punctuation to a career-defining contest. -
Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins – WrestleMania 31 (2015)
The greatest RKO of all time. That curb stomp reversal belongs in a museum. -
Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show – WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
More sports-entertainment than wrestling, but a crossover moment that made mainstream headlines and paid off with a great finish. -
Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis – WrestleMania III (1987)
A retirement match with big heat, a hot crowd, and Piper walking off into the sunset (for a minute). -
The Firefly Funhouse Match – John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt – WrestleMania 36 (2020)
Cinematic weirdness at its best. A meta masterstroke that broke Cena down in layers. -
Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison – WrestleMania 37 (2021)
Bad Bunny stunned everyone. He didn’t just belong—he elevated the show. -
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio – WrestleMania 39 (2023)
Father vs. son in a grudge match that played perfectly off real-life drama and Hall of Fame weekend emotions.
Some of these matches shaped legacies. Others shifted eras. But all of them proved that the most memorable moments at WrestleMania don’t need a title—they just need truth in the storytelling and fire in the execution.
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/1/25)
-
Coverage7 days ago
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/29/25)
-
Entertainment5 days ago
Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
-
AEW Coverage6 days ago
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/30/25)