Opinion
Andrew’s Top 10 Matches: Week Ending 2/14/2021
It’s a Top 10 this week, so you know things got interesting! NJPW, NOAH, Impact and NXT had big shows. What took home some top spots?

It’s a Top 10 this week, so you know things got interesting! NJPW, NOAH, Impact and NXT had big shows. What took home some top spots?
First things first, it’s time to declare the first match into the MOTY pool. Barely edging out Kazuchika Okada vs Will Ospreay – Shingo Takagi vs Hiroshi Tanahashi is the January winner!
Even though the top two matches were New Japan, I was happy to see every match got a some support. So that’s always nice to see some love for the entire pool. Oh yeah, last week’s winner has to be announced too; NXT: Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs The Undisputed Era, but just like I said last week; there are honorable mentions as good if not better than this one. So a weak first week should make for an interesting pool considering how stacked this week is!
Now let’s get to this week shall we?
Quick Top 10:
- DDT Kawasaki Strong: KO-D Openweight Championship: Tetsuya Endo (c) vs Jun Akiyama
Rating: **** 1/2 - NXT: Vengeance Day: North American Title: Johnny Gargano (c) vs Kushida
Rating: **** 1/2 - NOAH: Return to Destination: GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: Daisuke Harada (c) vs Seiki Yoshioka
Rating: **** 1/4 - NXT: Vengeance Day: NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs Pete Dunne
Rating: **** 1/4 - Impact Wrestling: No Surrender: X-Division Championship: TJP (c) vs Rohit Raju w/Shera
Rating: **** - NXT: Vengeance Day: MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans
Rating: **** - NOAH: Return to Destination: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Go Shiozaki (c) vs Keiji Mutoh
Rating: **** - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima: IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi (c) vs SANADA
Rating: **** - AEW Dynamite: Falls Count Anywhere: Lance Archer & Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega & KENTA
Rating: **** - NOAH: Return to Destination: Jun Akiyama & Naomichi Marufuji vs Kaito Kiyomiya & Yoshiki Inamura
Rating: ****
Honorable Mentions:
- Impact No Surrender: Triple Threat Revolver Match: Trey Miguel vs Ace Austin vs Willie Mack vs Blake Christian vs Suicide vs Chris Bey vs Josh Alexander vs Daivari
Rating: *** 3/4 - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima 2.10: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi (c) vs SHO
Rating: *** 3/4 - NOAH Return to Destination: GHC Junior Tag Team Championship: Kotaro Suzuki & Hidaka Ikuto vs Stinger (HAYATA & Yoshinari Ogawa) (c)
Rating: *** 3/4 - NXT Vengeance Day: Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart
Rating: *** 1/2 - NOAH Return to Destination: GHC National Championship: Kenoh (c) vs Masakatsu Funaki
Rating: *** 1/2 - Impact No Surrender: Impact World Tag Team Championship: Private Party w/ Matt Hardy vs Beer Guns vs The Good Brothers (c)
Rating: *** 1/2 - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima 2.11: NEVER Openweight 6 Man Titles: CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI, Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii) (c) vs Bullet Club (Jay White, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa) w/Gedo & Jado
Rating: *** 1/2 - NOAH Return to Destination: Sugiura-Gun ( Takashi Sugiura, Kazushi Sakuraba, Kazuyuki Fujita, Kendo Kashin, NOSAWA Rongai & Kazunari Murakami) vs KONGO (Masa Kitamiya, Haoh, Nioh, Tadasuke, Manabu Soya & Katsuhiko Nakajima)
Rating: *** 1/4 - IMPACT!: Willie Mack, Trey Miguel, Josh Alexander & Suicide vs Ace Austin, Daivari, Blake Christian & Chris Bey
Rating: *** 1/4 - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima 2.10: Master Wato vs BUSHI
Rating: *** 1/4 - Impact No Surrender: Impact World Heavyweight Championship: Rich Swann (c) vs Tommy Dreamer
Rating: *** 1/4 - NXT Vengeance Day: NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai (c) vs Toni Storm vs Mercedes Martinez
Rating: *** - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima 2.10: Bullet Club (ELP, Taiji Ishimori, EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi & Jay White) vs CHAOS (YOSHI-HASHI, Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii)
Rating: *** - Impact No Surrender: Eddie Edwards & Matt Cardona vs Brian Myers & Hernandez
Rating: *** - NOAH Return to Destination: Shuhei Tanijuchi & Muhammad Yone vs Masato Tanaka & Masaaki Mochizuki
Rating: *** - NJPW New Beginning Hiroshima 2.11: Bullet Club (El Phantasmo, Yujiro Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori) vs LIJ (Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI)
Rating: *** - AEW Dynamite: Leyla Hirsch vs Thunder Rosa
Rating: *** - Impact No Surrender: Susan, Deonna Purrazzo & Kimber Lee vs ODB, Jordynne Grace & Jazz
Rating: *** - NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima 2.10: Yuya Uemura, Gabriel Kidd & Yota Tsuji vs Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Rating: ***
5t. NOAH: Return to Destination: Jun Akiyama & Naomichi Marufuji vs Kaito Kiyomiya & Yoshiki Inamura
Akiyama started off for a while, since he wanted to size up both of these new generation members. NOAH was built around Akiyama, as a protégé of the Four Pillars and the unofficial fifth Heavenly King he is the remaining measuring stick to test the new generation out in the Giant Baba AJPW dojo style. And did he ever put them through their paces. Akiyama’s Sternness gimmick was back in full force as he challenged Inamura’s power and Kiyomiya’s spirit.
Inamura got the first feather in his cap when he was able to win the power struggle with Akiyama, but Kiyomiya wasn’t so lucky. Akiyama dismantled his arms and put him through the paces. Akiyama hinted towards the Exploder a few times, even hitting the normal version, never his signature Wristclutch variation. Marufuji on the other hand felt like he was the guiding hand to see what Akiyama felt. Marufuji’s moves were crisp, and he punished the younger wrestlers at time, but the tension and crowd got audibly excited when Akiyama mixed it up with any of them.
Kiyomiya managed to eat a True Tiger King, Hook Kick and even get out of the Perfect Key Lock before finding his second wind. Coming off the ropes, he connects with a Headbutt to Marufuji and NOAH’s Genius stayed rocked. A German Suplex set the stage and a Tiger Suplex Hold won the match.
Winner: Kiyomiya via Tiger Suplex Hold
5t. AEW Dynamite: Falls Count Anywhere: Lance Archer & Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega & KENTA
Archer drags Omega up, knuckle locks and goes up the corner to walk it Old School! For the MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Omega survives but Archer is just getting angrier! Archer puts Omega in a corner, hoists him up, inverted crucifix, but Omega slips off! The Good Brothers rush out to help Omega but Archer just DECKS them both! Kenta gets back in, spins Archer around, BACK HAND! Archer doesn’t even flinch! Kenta BACK HANDS again, then runs, into a BOOT! Anderson gets in, but Archer choke grips and CHOKE- GUN STUNS!! Anderson hits Archer, but Jake reels him in to SHORT ARM CLOTHESLINE! Gallows gets in, to HELL STAB Jake!
Jake gasps for air against ropes and Omega grins as he takes aim! Omega says BANG, but he runs into Moxley’s BARBED WIRE BAT! Moxley starts swinging for the fences on the Good Brothers!! The refs get Jake away but Kenta fireman’s carries Moxley for GO TO SLEEP! Archer CLOBBERS Kenta! Archer grabs Omega, and then grabs Kenta! But the DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Legal in this match, and then Good Brothers give Archer MAGIC KILLER!! Omega adds on the V-TRIGGER! Omega drags Archer up, Electric Chairs, but Archer is too big! The Good Brothers help him get Archer up, to hit the ONE WINGED ANGEL!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winner: Omega via One Winged Angel
5t. NJPW New Beginning in Hiroshima: IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi (c) vs SANADA
They start off with some slow mat based wrestling, which feeds into Ibushi’s usual style of wanting to wrestle his opponent’s strength. The problem is; that SANADA is a very balanced wrestler. So even if he’s proficient on the mat, he’s still not one dimensional.
After SANADA has a little advantage, then we get into a strike exchange which favors Ibushi. So both men are trading shots. Ibushi tries to end things early after Last Ride and the first Kamigoye attempt, but SANADA counters with his own Knee Strike and then we get a few Skull End attempts. A missed Moonsault gives Ibushi an opening again, so we see the return of the Lawn Dart! Ibushi then goes for the outside in rope assist German Suplex, but SANADA thankfully fights back, gets him on his shoulders and TKOs him onto the floor outside.
There’s a good bit of back and forth, SANADA attempts a few Japanese Leg Clutch variations, shakes off two padded Kamigoyes and looks to be making a surge until Ibushi just catches him, then rocks him with an exposed V-Trigger, followed by the exposed Kamigoye.
Winner: Ibushi via Kamigoye
5t. NOAH: Return to Destination: GHC Heavyweight Championship: Go Shiozaki (c) vs Keiji Mutoh
There were great callbacks from both men in this match. Ironic callbacks when Shiozaki charges Mutoh on the ramp to land a move is cute. Mutoh went after Go’s legs to build off his victory from earlier this month. Shining Wizard stunned Shiizaki in the ropes, and then a Dragon Screw while he was hung up was clever. Mutoh lands an Emerald Flowsion for only two. The previous victories of a Figure Four from Mutoh and Moonsault from Shiozaki weren’t enough to win this match but build well.
Toward the end of the match things did get dicey, but it’s hard to call them botches. Mutoh failed on the first attempt to Emerald Flowsion, but he failed on the initial scoop, so he dropped him and sold exhausted. Shiozaki had a scary Avalanche Brainbuster, but aside from looking dangerous was completely fine. Also we can look at the moment Mutoh half his the backbreaker and looked like he was going to Moonsault, but didn’t pull the trigger. Again, hard to tell if that was him not feeling like he could pull it off, so he audibled, or if it was supposed to get the crowd excited to see a Mutoh Moonsault post knee surgery.
As Shiozaki looked to end things, connecting with a Lariat and then winding up for a Gowan Lariat, Mutoh jumped, Hurricanrana and flash pinfall! Shiozaki’s reign ends to a flash pin from a legend and Shiozaki is beside himself.
Winner: Mutoh via Hurricanrana
5t. NXT: Vengeance Day: MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans
Tag to Carter, he goes up top, and Lee tags back in. SWANTON BOMB and TORNILLO SENTON! Cover, TWO?!?! Drake survives and MSK is in shock! Lee tags Carter, Carter brings Drake back up, and Lee runs, only for Gibson to dump him out! Drake clubs Carter, Gibson Electric Chair lifts Lee on the outside, Drake builds speed! TOPE DOOMSDAY SUICIDA!!! The fans are electric for “NXT! NXT!” again! GYV regroup to go after Carter but Carter ROCKS Drake! Carter DECKS Gibson but Drake CLOBBERS Carter! Tag to Gibson, and he drags Carter up. Carter still fires off fists and CHOPS on GYV!
Gibson ROCKS Carter, hoists him up for Drake, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!!?!? How is Carter doing this?! Drake has to exit but he wants to finish this. Gibson sits Carter up and shouts, “You are in over your head!” Gibson SLAPS Carter, tags Drake, and then feeds Carter to the gut wrench. But Lee pushes Gibson away to save Carter! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Carter tags Lee in, brings Drake up, slingshot for the BLOCKBUSTER HART ATTACK!! Cover, MSK WINS!?!?
Winner: MSK via Blockbuster Hart Attack
5t. Impact Wrestling: No Surrender: X-Division Championship: TJP (c) vs Rohit Raju w/Shera
Rohit took it to TJP early, honestly a little too early. He dove out before TJP came into the ring, and they brawled for a while, and Brian Hebner kept imploring them to get into the ring. After some solid outside the ring work, Rohit did a damn good job.
Rohit had a wonderful counter wrestling strategy. TJP went for a Tornado DDT, Rohit countered it into a Northern Lights. TJP tried his 3 Amgos homage, and Rohit turned them into his own homage with a Perfect Plex for a two count.
Almost everything TJP threw, Rohit had an answer for. The story was gorgeous with how much Rohit knew TJP’s playbook and how well he could counter it. The rub was, when Shera tried to restrain TJP behind the referee’s back, TJP got away and malfunction at the junction. That gave TJP the chance to drop Rohit with a Detonation Kick and then Mamba Splash.
Winner: TJP via Mamba Splash
3t. NXT: Vengeance Day: NXT Championship: Finn Balor (c) vs Pete Dunne
Balor knees low and reels Dunne into the cobra twist! Dunne falls and Balor makes it part crossface! Dunne sees fingers and grabs at them! Dunne SNAPS the fingers!!! Balor clutches his digits but Dunne drags him up. Balor throws forearms with the good arm and he knocks Dunne down! Balor gives those Danielson Stomps back but Dunne won’t let go! Dunne pump handles but Balor elbows Dunne away! Dunne yanks the arm harder for an unofficial low blow! And he hits BITTER END!! Cover, TWO!??! Balor survives Dunne’s best shot?! Fans are thunderous for this match again as Dunne stalks Balor.
Balor sits up, Dunne DOUBLE STOMPS the hands! And then DOUBLE STOMPS again!! BUZZSAW! Powerbomb- DDT COUNTER!! Balor fires up, runs, but into an ENZIGURI! He PELES through! Dunne PENALTY KICKS from behind! Pump handle, BITTER- NO! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives, AND has Balor’s fingers! Balor tries to get away but Dunne rises! Balor stomps the bad foot! Dunne still SNAPS the fingers! Balor DOUBLE STOMPS Dunne on the back! Balor sits Dunne up, and takes his mouth guard away! Balor takes aim, to basement dropkick Dunne in the face! Dunne is down, Balor goes up top, COUP DE GRACE!!!! Balor shows no mercy, he gives Dunne the 1916!!!! Cover, Balor wins!!!
Winner: Balor via 1916
3t. NOAH: Return to Destination: GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: Daisuke Harada (c) vs Seiki Yoshioka
Lightning fast start, counters, attack ducks, rope runs, absorbing a few strikes and just coming back at others. Harada leads Yoshioka into the ropes, hits a Release German Suplex, hits the Release Belly to Belly into the corner, Henkei Knee Upper and even the Turn Over Knee, but only for a 2 count. After the legs started to slow on both, the haymakers flew. A match that went from jumping over leg sweeps and counter wrestling, turned into a war of attrition.
Yoshioka rocks Harada with a Thrust Kick and lands a Pumphandle Side Driver, but only for 2. Styles Clash set up, but instead of the Clash, he jumps and drives the opponent down onto their shoulders, CRASH DRIVER! We have a new Junior champion!
Winner: Seiki via Crash Driver
1t.NXT: Vengeance Day: North American Title: Johnny Gargano (c) vs Kushida
Kushida turns him again, but they’re closer to ropes! Gargano can’t reach, Kushida pulls harder, but Gargano gets the ropebreak by a foot! The ref counts, Kushida won’t let go but Gargano drags him out of the ring! Gargano grabs for fencing but Kushida holds on. Gargano RAMS Kushida into the apron, but Kushida still holds on! Gargano RAMS Kushida into the barriers and is free! Gargano scrambles back to the elevated ramp, and decides to retreat, but Kushida runs from the stage to PENALTY KICK the arm!! Maybe NOW it’s broken! Gargano staggers up, Kushida hops on, HOVERBOARD!!! Gargano stays on his feet to put Kushida in the rope and HOTSHOT him!
Kushida flops to the ramp, fans say “Johnny Wrestling” is back as he slingshots to ONE FINAL BEAT to the RAMP!!! Gargano puts Kushida back in, then crawls after with one good arm. The ref checks on Kushida, he is still okay, and he slowly rises. Gargano aims, slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT AGAIN!! Cover, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Gargano via One Final Beat
1t. DDT Kawasaki Strong: KO-D Openweight Championship: Tetsuya Endo (c) vs Jun Akiyama
After Akiyama won the D-Oh Grand Prix, he declared his challenge for the KO-D championship. KO-D is DDT’s top championship, effectively standing for King of DDT. Endo is the younger bad boy style of wrestler in his second reign after beating Masato Tanaka last year.
Unlike his match in NOAH where he acted more like the invulnerable veteran, much like Kobashi or Misawa would do to younger wrestlers, he sold much more in this match. Early on he out wrestled the younger champion, but once a few of the Damnation seconds got involved, it opened Akiyama up for some punishment. Part of the beauty was that even though Damnation got involved once, it was never again, and made logical sense to help out their stablemate.
I didn’t get a chance to watch the D-Oh Grand Prix, but I found it interesting that Akiyama was focusing on Endo’s neck. Chops, elbows, Knee Strikes, a Front Neck Lock, and even a Butterfly Lock. In AJPW Akiyama tended to finish matches with the Wristclutch Exploder, so I was curious where we were going. Endo focused Akiyama’s knees since that’s a big part of his offense, and even working over the neck, Endo still hit a few Torture Rack Powerbombs.
The fight raged on, we had great near falls, Endo kicked out of the Wristclutch Exploder and missed his Shooting Star Press. So I was curious where we were going, but Akiyama busts out a modified version of the Sternness Driver for the pinfall! This was just a great battle, Akiyama is definitely legit, and as of today, he officially became a full time DDT roster member.
Between Tanaka’s reign, Endo’s second reign, Akiyama winning and the CyberFight money, this does a lot to legitimize DDT beyond the comedy wrestling people associate it with.
Winner: Akiyama via Modified Sternness Driver
Thoughts:
Do I really have to decide this week? This is crazy. Jun Akiyama helps to continue the narrative of 2021 that older athletes are still more than enough of a challenge by appearing twice in the Top 10. Mutoh winning the GHC to cement his place in history helps the narrative as well, but everyone should’ve heard about that by now.
I’m torn between Johnny Gargano vs Kushida and Akiyama vs Endo. Both were great, told different stories and definitely left a mark that could last on some Top MOTY lists. Since I have to decide…I’ll just flip a coin or something. Hold please – OH LOOK, Johnny Gargano vs Kushida gets my vote!
There we go, I decided, now you should as well!
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!