Opinion

NXT Minus 6: Year End Awards, Part II

Bradley Jay offers up his non-traditional awards for a very non-traditional year. But would you expect anything else from your resident WWE NXT expert? NeXperT?

Published

4 years ago

December 30, 2020

Brad Abel

Bradley Jay offers up his non-traditional awards for a very non-traditional year. But would you expect anything else from your resident WWE NXT expert? NeXperT?

These are the traditional superlatives. In a non-traditional year, we have some non-traditional winners.

New WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Crowned Thanks To A Surprise Return - ProWrestling.com

Tag Team of the Year: Brit-Am Brawlers

This award is bittersweet. It’s been a down year for the NXT tag team division. Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch have always been good together. I’m not saying they don’t deserve this, because they have had a great year and their title win was long overdue. Burch in particular has elevated his game. I just wish they had more competition for it. And I wish they had a proper tag name that they actually used.

Kay Lee Ray Reaches New Milestone As NXT UK Women's Champion, Priest/Gargano - eWrestlingNews.com

Most Improved Female Wrestler: Kay Lee Ray

When I first saw KLR, she was a hot sloppy mess. I thought it was a matter of time before she killed herself or her opponent in the ring. Now, she’s not just a big fish in a small pond. She’s a world class talent who would be at the top of any woman’s division anywhere. And if you want to see a master class in selling, watch her falls count anywhere match against Piper Niven. Ever-Rise-Chase-Parker-Matt-Martel - eWrestlingNews.com

Most Improved Male Wrestlers: Ever-Rise

Their name is horrible. They share their music with Jack Starz. Everything about them is generic. They deserve an award just for overcoming all of that. I don’t know if they’ve been given more freedom in the ring, or if they are putting in overtime at the Performance Center. Whatever it is, they’ve gone from “bathroom break” to “I could see them as tag team champions.”

Spin The Wheel Make The Deal Back For WWE NXT Halloween Havoc | TBEN | The Bharat Express News

PPV/Special of the Year: Halloween Havoc

This was the most consistently excellent show of the year. Amazing wrestling with just the right amount of Halloween ambiance. Ripley versus Gonzalez was a great hoss fight. Shirai and Lerae tried to murder each other. Lumis and Grimes had my favorite cinematic match of the year. There was a Pete Dunne heel turn. A themed show like this had the potential to be a bowl full of stale raisins and rock candy. Instead, we got dark chocolate and Skittles!

WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne def. Kyle O'Reilly | WWE

Feud of the Year: Kyle O’Reilly versus Pete Dunne

It started in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. After a pandemic layoff, the rivalry kicked into high gear. O’Reilly thought Dunne had his back; instead he got a chair shot to the back. They battled in the War Games advantage ladder match. They started War Games. They fought to be the number one contender. Every time O’Reilly and Dunne were in the ring together, it was nothing less than 4 stars, usually closer to 5. Right now they are tied at 2 wins a piece. I need a tiebreaker. We need a tiebreaker. Wrestling needs a tiebreaker. Fight Forever.

Male Wrestler of the Year: Leon Ruff

If a year ever needed a wrestler, 2020 needed Leon Ruff. His smile is electric. His energy is infectious. His athleticism is abundant. I have no data to back this up, but I’m guessing he was told hundreds of times he’d never make it as a wrestler. His North American Title victory was easily the feelgood moment of the year. Anyone who says Ruff is a joke is 100% missing the point. If Leon Ruff’s story doesn’t bring a smile to your face, you have no soul. And the icing on the cake? He got engaged! Leon Ruff is proof that 2020 wasn’t as bad as we thought it was.

Female Wrestler of the Year: Dakota Kai

I’m a Dakota Guy. Since her epic turn on Tegan Nox at War Games 2019, Kai has been untouchable. She’s great on the mic. She’s great solo. She’s half of the best female tag team. She can kick your face off. She can twist you into a knot and make you tap. I’ve been saying for months that she is the best female wrestler in the best female division, so that makes her the best female wrestler on the planet. In 2020 Kai has been the most consistently entertaining wrestler in all of NXT. In a normal year, she would easily be the overall wrestler of the year, but this is no normal year.

Wrestler of the Year: Every wrestler on the NXT roster

As I was reviewing matches of the year, one thing became clear to me: the rest of the world fell into chaos, but NXT never missed a beat. Wrestlers talk about the rush of stepping through the curtain to the roar of the crowd. The instant feedback and gratification of the cheers and boos. They didn’t have that this year, but that never stopped them. If for only a few hours a week, they made sure we had something to think about other than toilet paper shortages, forest fires and murder hornets. From all 3 brands, NXT, 205 Live, and NXT UK, there isn’t enough space to highlight every wrestler who turned in special performances, breakout performances or improved by leaps and bounds. It wasn’t a perfect year, but I’ll overlook the duds to say “Thank you NXT for continuing to be the Black and Gold Standard of professional wrestling.”

Coming next week: The Top 6 Pre-Quarantine Matches

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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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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