Opinion
The First Ever Year End Mitchell Medal Mania!
Let’s remember what was GOOD about 2020!
I’m practically GIVING these away! (Okay not really)
It’s as obvious as the sun in the sky that 2020 has been an awful year for many different reasons. But as the year is ending, I want us all to look back and remember the things that were actually GOOD! Specific to wrestling, of course.
As with when I gave the first ever “Mitchell Medal” to AEW for winning the first year of the Wednesday Night War, these medals aren’t outright for “The Best [category]” winner or even “The Worst [category]” winner here. These will be for the people, moments and more that were worth honoring. And speaking of, the first medal of Mitchell Medal Mania goes to the Wednesday Night War itself!
Mitchell Medal for Year-Defining Achievement:
The Wednesday Night War
Yes, I’m just reusing the same image. The Wednesday Night War started in 2019 but the obvious majority of it was in 2020, and both NXT and AEW were doing incredible work the entire time because of it. AEW was mostly just trying to establish themselves in the world of wrestling, but they were also trying to stick it to WWE. There was counter programming from both sides in those attempts to outdo the other, and the real winners were all of us, the fans. The second year of the “war” is already through its first quarter, but both companies are definitely keeping their momentum going. I already can’t wait to give out another medal to year two’s winner.
Mitchell Medal for Innovation and Improvisation:
WWE Money in the Bank 2020
Something that was also year-defining but in a horrible way was, of course, COVID-19. And many, many, many people were worried about our American wrestling companies continuing on to entertain us, or at least attempt to in some cases. But one thing that WWE definitely does well is pull off improvising.
Now, WrestleMania 36 did great in following the philosophy of, “The show must go on,” and had two nights capped off with great moments, including two different yet equally amazing cinematic matches. The Boneyard Match and the Firefly Fun House Match definitely deserve awards, but I’m giving one to MITB 2020 because how both the Men’s and Women’s MITB matches went to new levels by becoming a cinematic crossover extravaganza. There were gags, special guest appearances, and even a massive food fight. Things may have worked out very differently for each winner, such as Asuka immediately becoming Raw Women’s Champion from Becky Lynch’s maternity leave while Otis was slowly robbed of everything he had in WWE, but the event itself was good stuff, as I rated it 8.5 out of 10.
Mitchell Medal for Brutally Raising the Bar:
NXT UK Championship – WALTER VS Ilja Dragunov
The Moscow Madman promised us his match with the Ring General would “redefine violence,” and did it ever! It was certainly the best match Walter has had since joining NXT UK, the best match Dragunov had since joining NXT UK, probably the best match that title has seen in its short life. It was NXT UK’s perfect follow-up to NXT USA’s Halloween Havoc, because there was blood and bruising rarely seen, but not in such a way that it was outright horrifying or unsettling. It was good, old fashioned fighting, in the way that only pro-wrestling can do. Dragunov sold it like he actually needed medical attention afterwards, elevating both himself and Walter together in that match.
I still question if Walter retaining was the right move, but maybe it was to set Dragunov up for a heroic journey back up from the bottom to become the man that truly and definitively dethrones Walter from the top of the brand. He hadn’t been seen for over a month on the brand because to be honest, he believably could’ve been recovering that entire time. Then, his promo from December 17th was quite the surprise. A reinvented Dragunov? I can’t even fathom it.
Mitchell Medal for Historic Achievement:
Kota Ibushi
As you can tell from the image, this is specifically for The Golden Star’s win at G1 Climax 30. He achieved two different accomplishments this year in regards to NJPW’s premier singles tournament: first, he went three in a row for G1 Climax finals appearances with 28, 29 and 30; second, he went back-to-back in winning the G1 Climax 30 Finals, as pictured on the medal. That is astounding, because it shows NJPW has acknowledged Ibushi’s incredible athletic talent.
Of course, Ibushi also made history this year at Power Struggle by being the first G1 Climax winner ever to lose his Right to Challenge contract. This was probably so that Ibushi wasn’t an invincible juggernaut going into WrestleKingdom 15, since World Tag League x Best of the Super Juniors was a long period of downtime for him. But at the same time, Tetsuya Naito used the fact that WK15 was another two-day event to give Ibushi his shot at the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships anyway. We’re just days away from that, so who knows if Ibushi wins the titles so that he gets his revenge on Jay White on January 5th. If he does, he might end up winning another Mitchell Medal for just general badass awesomeness.
Mitchell Medal for Unique Facial Expression:
Kenny Omega
Smug, vindicated, and perhaps a bit bored. These were perhaps just a few of the emotions on the face pictured there, from the night Kenny Omega CRUSHED Sonny Kiss in the opening round of the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament. It is such a great expression, it needed to be celebrated and remembered. It and that first long winded introduction for Omega also signaled the beginning of The Cleaner returning to his true form, and how he would win the entire tournament to be Jon Moxley’s challenger, and the battle they had for AEW “Winter is Coming” that turned into a shocking title change and crossover project with Impact Wrestling! And the start of all that, in my mind, will be signified by that face right there.
Mitchell Medal for Perfect Pacing:
Hangman Adam Page
No, “pacing” is not for how Hangman drinks. Though I’m sure real-life Adam Page drinks at a much more moderate and responsible rate than kayfabe Hangman does. I’m talking about the pacing of Hangman’s story ever since AEW started as a company. Honestly, this could even apply to Hangman’s entire career from the moment I first saw him in ROH as BJ Whitmer’s sidekick. Hangman has fought his way up from that, to establishing himself through NJPW and the Bullet Club, to joining The Elite and helping create AEW.
Then there’s basically everything he’s done in AEW. He battled Chris Jericho but lost in that inaugural championship match. He teamed with Omega out of neither of them having much, and turning it all into an AEW World Tag Team Championship reign, that then became a heart wrenching loss and break-up. That break-up then became a stellar 1v1 at Full Gear, which again, Omega won. And having it framed around how he drinks, without it being too real or depressing, has worked perfectly for him in drawing us fans in.
While Cody Rhodes was first to do a story of, “If I don’t win this world title now, I’ll never challenge for it!” far too early, and while the Young Bucks did their own as year two of AEW got started, Hangman Page is on the right track to do that story right. If he were to do go past AEW Revolution in February, and perhaps the third round of summer events in 2021, and then, for the third-ever AEW All Out, he says “If I don’t win this title now, I’m never challenging again,” THAT would be the perfect way to do it. His struggles have been THE perfectly executed, perfectly paced story telling I have seen perhaps ever.
Mitchell Medal for Breakout Badass:
Shotzi Blackheart
Shotzi Blackheart first showed up in NXT on January 15th in the Women’s Championship Contender Battle Royal, and immediately made an impression as she took it to established veterans and was the one to eliminate two-time NXT Women’s Champion, Shayna Baszler. Shotzi would then build momentum slowly but surely, got to have a very unique entrance riding in on the toy tank she’s pictured there with, and would get high profile rival after high profile rival. Also RIP Shotzi’s original tank, 1/29/20 – 11/4/20. Her new tank from WarGames 2020 is awesome, though.
Shotzi also got another unique and impressive distinction by being the host of the first ever NXT Halloween Havoc! Shotzi killed it right down to her costumes, though I still wish she got to do more then. And it was the part she played in Candice LeRae’s story that night that then propelled them both into this year’s TakeOver: WarGames, which had a tank on the logo because it was all about Shotzi! Shotzi being the team captain of a team that had Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley and Io Shirai, that itself is huge!
The match was great stuff, but sadly Team Shotzi didn’t win. Perhaps Shotzi would have become too powerful if her team won in Shotzi’s first WarGames, even though Rhea and Candice won their match when it was just two of them. But with 2021 literally just a day away, Shotzi is going to make it her year.
Mitchell Medal for Masterful Storytelling:
The “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns story
I for one definitely acknowledged Roman Reigns as the Tribal Chief, the head of the table, etc. for what he’s been doing since he returned at SummerSlam this year. He did as his first new shirt said, “Wreck Everyone & Leave” in a very Stone Cold way, but then immediately started morphing his character by revealing he had Paul Heyman as his “Special Counsel.” Then adding in Jey Uso, who became singles wrestler because Jimmy was injured, things took on amazing new depth we hadn’t yet seen from either of them. Clash of Champions, Hell in a Cell, and even Survivor Series all had outstanding builds and incredible matches because of both Roman, Jey, and Drew McIntyre.
Jey increased his own character development after Survivor Series, that brutality against Otis and Kevin Owens, great stuff. And then we got Roman VS Kevin at TLC in a TLC match, and they did a great job teasing us into thinking Kevin was going to win, because he was so close to getting the belt with both hands at one point. Honestly, how much better could they have done? Everything about this story has been superb, and you’d have to be a complete anti-WWE type to not like this.
Another Mitchell Medal for Masterful Storytelling:
Bayley and Sasha Banks
This one should be as obvious, maybe even more so, than the Reigns story. Bayley and Sasha were always on again, off again frenemies, and as you can see in the picture, they reunited shortly after WrestleMania 36 with the mission to win all of the gold in WWE. They succeeded short of one of them having the NXT Women’s Championship (and technically NXT UK’s title would be on the table, too), and then they found a way to steer things back to them being enemies, but with Bayley going Heel instead of Sasha and having a great Hell in a Cell match in which Sasha became the third-ever Women’s Grand Slam Champion. Whether fighting against each other or together, Bayley and Sasha are definitely going down as two of the greatest women in this generation, and they’re still in their primes.
Mitchell Medal for Incredible Musical Promo:
Chris Jericho & MJF, “Me and My Shadow”
The Dinner Debonair did not disappoint! In fact, it blew all expectations out of the water and is the most unique segment this year and from the last several years. And “musical” isn’t just for the fact they were singing. It was like something out of a musical, as in a play or film with singing and dancing. Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman are both charismatic and entertaining, it was only natural that they’d interact in AEW, but their entire story together has continued to go above and beyond. But specifically, this segment was like the catalyst that really got things going, and there’s just not enough I can really say about it.
Mitchell Medal for Legacy and Longevity:
Chris Jericho
And of course, Jericho himself gets a medal all his own for what he’s done in AEW. That picture right there is of course from the hilarious moment during his feud with Orange Cassidy where actual orange juice is dropped on him, The Inner Circle, and Jericho’s supposed $7000 white suit jacket. While Jericho continued to transform his character by becoming a team leader, while he continued to be hilariously obnoxious, and while he reveled in fans singing along with his theme song, Judas, Jericho also made sure to do the best thing any 30 year veteran of pro-wrestling could do, and that is put the new generation over.
He and Jungle Boy went to the end of a 15 minute time limit. He of course founded the Inner Circle, the avenue upon which newer stars like Sammy Guevara, Santana and Ortiz could shine, and of course he put Cassidy over in their eventual blow-off, the first-ever Mimosa Mayhem match. And of course, Jericho’s work with MJF has been incredible, as the previous medal indicates. Jericho is perhaps the actual GOAT of his generation because he’s stuck with pro-wrestling, he’s never gotten stale, and he’s apparently modest enough behind the scenes to know who the gems of this generation are and shines them up even more. Jericho wanted fans to say it all along, and fans have been saying it more lately, so I’ll say it, too: #ThankYouJericho, here’s a PNG file I made, hope you like it. Actually, he kinda looks like the MGM lion, doesn’t he?
Another Mitchell Medal for Legacy and Longevity:
The Undertaker
While The Undertaker didn’t do a lot this year, I did mention the Boneyard Match being a great cinematic match for WWE, and a great farewell for him as far as “in-ring” action. This year was also his 30th anniversary, as the WWE made sure we understood with Survivor Series 2020. If that tagline of #TheBestoftheBest was for nothing else, it was for him, as we all bid him a #FinalFarewell on the exact night that was his 30th anniversary. Taker’s legacy, 11/22/1990 to 11/22/2020, is filled with memorable moment after memorable moment, and I think those fans who have only been aware of Taker for the last 5 years can understand how momentous that final night was. Though it was said so much leading up to that night, let’s say it again truly one last time: #ThankYouTaker.
Mitchell Medal for Someone We All Miss:
Jon Huber, aka Brodie Lee, aka Luke Harper
There has already been a great outpouring from fans, wrestlers and promotions for a man we lost over the holidays and far, far too soon. It only made sense to honor him further with the last but far from least Mitchell Medal. A great wrestler, a great presence backstage and a great man up and down, with AEW even changing their year-end plans to give him a proper tribute show where kayfabe was put aside for just a lot of fun matches best featuring those who knew him, worked with him, and loved him. On behalf of the fans, including us fans here at The Chairshot, #ThankYouBrodie.
So there you have it. A baker’s dozen of medals for 2020, a great start to what might become a tradition, though maybe not yearly. It might become even more frequent that that if more awesome things happen and I just can’t wait to talk about them for the whole year. Only time will tell. I hope you guys like the ones given out here, and feel free to comment about wrestlers, moments, etc. that happened in 2020 that you felt should’ve been recognized.
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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!
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