Opinion

Mathew’s Top Matches of 2020: #5-1

Mathew caps off his Top 5 with his first ever allowed Top 5 Hat Trick! I think we all know who deserves the honor, but the fun is seeing the match order! Check out 5 through 1!

Published

4 years ago

January 3, 2021

Mathew Sarpraicone

This is it, everyone. It’s time to bring this countdown to a close with our final five matches. It’s been a fun ride but now we gotta bring this to a close. So many great matches this year but these five are what I considered the best for the year. What are they? Let’s find out.

Previous Lists

5. Go Shiozaki vs. Kenou (NOAH The Chronicle Vol.3 8/10/2020)

– Go and NOAH makes their return to the list as we had a big match for the final show in Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium as he takes on GHC National Champion, Kenou. Six days before the event, Kenou defeated Go’s partner, Katsuhiko Nakajima to win the championship, he would then make a challenge to Go, telling him that he wants to have a winner take all match. With both the GHC Heavyweight and National Championships on the line, a lot of fans were speculating what the outcome would be since it would’ve been too son for Kenou to drop the belt and people were enjoying Go’s reign that they didn’t want it to end just yet. A lot of possible outcomes can happen and just that alone was to make fans excited to see what would actually happen.

The match itself was another excellent title match for both of them as this screamed a big main event match even with the six days of hype in between them, it made it seem like it’s been going on for months. The match itself ended in a sixty-minute draw, meaning no titles changed hands and this was the best possible outcome of this match. It protected both of them without losing, made them both look credible, and gave the fans a fantastic match to close out the venue. Both of them are still their respective champions and this match made them come out as bigger stars that day than they already were. A fitting chapter for 2020 and these two men,

4. Kento Miyahara vs. Zeus (AJPW Champion Carnival 10/5/2020)

– Once again, All Japan Pro Wrestling would make its way into my top five and for the second time, it’s the finals of the Champion Carnival. The finals this time around is between Kento Miyahara and Zeus. These two also made it into my top 5 two years ago, and it’s no surprise to see them on here once again since they always work so well together. Neither of them was the Triple Crown Champion this time around but the two would fight in this Champion Carnival to find out who would face the champion. Kento trying to reclaim his title to get back on top and we have Zeus wanting to get gold back after two years.

Their match was just as good as their big match two years ago but this one was slightly better in a story perspective of things. This was a new side of Zeus that we’ve seen as he was more aggressive in this match, which was something we’ve seen during the whole tournament but this was kicked into a higher gear. Kento also held his ground to send both Zeus and himself to their limits. Zeus would also kick out of the Shutdown German Suplex Hold, one that not many have done in All Japan, leaving Kento shocked. Zeus would eventually hit a Jackhammer onto Kento, winning the Champion Carnival while defeating his rival. While Zeus failed to win the title from Suwama, he still gave us another memorable Carnival and the best All Japan match this year.

3. Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 1/5/2020)

– Of course, this match was going to make it to my list, this was still the best match New Japan produced this year and it was only on their second show. I will admit that this probably would’ve been lower to 5 or 6 but since I was there for this match live, the experience for it was indescribable. There was a lot of long-term storytelling involved in this match as this was the third time they fought at Wrestle Kingdom, with their big main event match happening two years ago with Naito losing and leaving a lot of fans outraged due to how popular he was. Naito would be stuck with the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and would eventually decide to make the belt useful as his next goal was to be the double gold champion. This was when they decided to do a winner takes all type of match at Wrestle Kingdom for the second day where the winners of their respective title matches would fight for both titles, leading to Kazuchika Okada defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Tetsuya Naito.

We finally get the rematch that fans wanted and Naito getting to be apart of the Tokyo Dome main event once again, the story they’ve built for years was all coming down to this specific match. There were a lot of close calls in the match, fans getting worried that Naito might lose once again but suddenly, the crowd would erupt when Naito finally defeats Okada at the Tokyo Dome and won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the event. His dream was finally realized and his celebration wouldn’t last long as KENTA knocked win out, getting mega heat for ruining Naito’s moment. While the booking of the double gold has declined but this is the match that people will remember when it actually mattered.

2. Go Shiozaki vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima (NOAH The Chronicle Vol.4 11/22/2020)

– Go appearing twice in the top 5? Well, he’s earned it and I did say there was someone that was an exception to the two-match rule, and can you blame me? The man has had an incredible year with each match topping his previous match. This was a match that had a long time coming. Once Axiz failed to win the GHC Tag Team Championships, Nakajima would betray his partner by attacking him after the match, dissolving Axiz and would align himself with Kongoh. The last time they fought in singles action was last year with Go defeating Nakajima, which was what lead to him to challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, and even winning it on January 4th, 2020. Nakajima wanted to take the belt from him but for him to do that, he would need to win the N1 Victory, which he would be able to, and one of the more anticipated matches this year would happen.

This match was absolutely brutal, Nakajima made sure that his former partner would suffer in this match from how stiff he was. Go has been banged up from all the big title matches he’s had that it even lead to people being concerned for his health and to take a break. Go wouldn’t resist as he would also deliver a stiff contest to Nakajima, a lot of tension built up here during the match and it was to show that Nakajima deserves to be back in the main event scene. However, Go would pull through and delivers a Gowan Lariat to Nakajima, retaining the title for the 5th time by barely surviving. People thought Nakajima would finally win the belt but it seems like his time to get it is not right just yet. This would’ve been my number one match if this next one didn’t happen down below.

1. Go Shiozaki vs. Takashi Sugiura (NOAH The BEST 12/6/2020)

– That’s right, for the first time on my countdown list, a single wrestler has appeared on my Top 5 three times with two of their matches being back-to-back. Remember how I said Go’s title matches keep elevating in quality and storytelling with each defense? Well, this was his next defense after the one with Nakajima and this happened about two weeks later. Go’s story during this year was talking about how he is NOAH, defeating the biggest names NOAH had to offer and he would have one more test to solidify that claim, having to defeat Takashi Sugiura as this one final test. This was another match that hasn’t happened in over a year but this time, it would be for the GHC Heavyweight Championship with Go’s story coming to full circle and Sugiura wanting to reclaim the title again.

The striking in this match was incredible, Sugiura is still one of the best wrestlers over 50, showing he can go as if he was fifteen years younger. The two would destroy each other just as much as the match between Go and Nakajima but this kicked it up to eleven. Just seeing Sugiura going full-on killer mode near the near towards Go made people think that his reign could be in jeopardy. Go would find the fighting spirit when he hits multiple Gowan Lariats with Sugiura not falling, not going down without a fight but Go delivers one more Lariat, sending him down and getting the victory. This match showed that he is NOAH like he has claimed to be during 2020 and he has absolutely earned it with the incredible year has had. NOAH was my promotion of the year and it also had my favorite match, wrestler, and title reign with all in one person, Go Shiozaki.

That will conclude our Top 25 Best Matches list, I am thankful that you all took the time to share this journey with me as we now head into 2021. Let’s see who will make it in next year’s list.

Expect more coverage this year since the Covid era made it difficult for me to write but now with things possibly slowing down, time to get back into the swing of things.

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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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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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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