Opinion

Andrew’s Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 1/31/2021

With WWE having one of the Big Four PPVs and New Japan chime in with some New Beginning; there may be some show overlaps. Does anything else fill out the Top 5?

Published

4 years ago

February 1, 2021

Andrew Balaz

With WWE having one of the Big Four PPVs and New Japan chime in with some New Beginning; there may be some show overlaps. Does anything else fill out the Top 5?

Last week we had a solid AJPW Triple Crown title match, and a #1 contender’s match for the Impact Tag Titles…but they didn’t win. Ricochet vs AJ Styles, took home the votes for last week.

Either way, let’s get to the Top 5 for the last week of January so we can get that January Pool finalized!

Quick Top 5:

NJPW New Beginning Nagoya: NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi
Rating: *****
WWE Royal Rumble: Men’s Royal Rumble
Rating: ****
NJPW New Beginning Nagoya: Satoshi Kojima vs Will Ospreay
Rating: *** 3/4
WWE Royal Rumble: Universal Championship: Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns (c) vs Kevin Owens
Rating: *** 3/4
AEW Dynamite: Dax Hardwood vs Jungle Boy
Rating: *** 3/4

Honorable Mentions:

NJPW Road to New Beginning: SANADA, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi vs SHO, Kota Ibushi & Hiroshi Tanahashi
Rating: *** 1/2
NXT: Kushida & Leon Ruff vs Grizzled Young Veterans
Rating: *** 1/2
NJPW New Beginning Nagoya: Loser Can No Longer Use Mongolian Chops: Great O-Khan vs Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Rating: *** 1/4
NXT: Finn Balor & Kyle O’Reilly vs Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
Rating: ***
WWE Royal Rumble: SmackDown Women’s Title: Sasha Banks (c) vs Carmella
Rating: ***
IMPACT!: Moose, Sami Callihan, Ken Shamrock & Chris Bey vs Rich Swann, Tommy Dreamer, Willie Mack & Trey Miguel
Rating: ***
WWE Raw: Sheamus vs John Morrison
Rating: ***
NXT: MSK vs Drake Maverick & Killian Dain
Rating: ***
WWE Royal Rumble: Women’s Rumble
Rating: ***
IMPACT!: Matt Cardona & Josh Alexander vs Ace Austin & Madman Fulton
Rating: ***
NXT UK: Elimination Tag:Wild Boar & Primate vs Lewis Howley & Sam Stoker vs Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews vs Oliver Carter & Ashton Smith
Rating: ***
AEW Dynamite: Good Brothers & Young Bucks vs Dark Order
Rating: ***

3t. AEW Dynamite: Dax Hardwood vs Jungle Boy

From Mitchell’s Coverage:
JB drags Dax back up, suplexes but Dax slips out to spin him around. Both men bob ‘n’ weave, Dax fakes JB out and DDT’s! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally but Dax grits his teeth as he drags JB up. Dax puts JB in a corner and up on top. Dax climbs up but JB CHOPS him! And CHOPS and headbutts! Dax falls, JB adjusts, and JB leaps to crossbody! But Dax rolls through to a cover, TWO!! JB has the cover, TWO!! JB runs in, goes up Dax to victory roll but Dax sits on it! TWO and JB has the cover, TWO! JB ducks to crucifix takedown, TWO!! Dax has the Oklahoma, TWO! Dax trips and jackknifes, TWO as JB bridges up! JB spins it around, back slides but Dax turns that into a knee!

Dax waistlocks, O’Conner rolls, TWO! JB rolls Dax up, TWO! But JB has the legs! SNARE TRAP!! Dax is caught, Luchasaurus is holding FTR back as hard as he can, but JB shifts! DAX TAPS! JB WINS!

Winner: Jungle Boy via Snare Trap

3t. WWE Royal Rumble: Universal Championship: Last Man Standing: Roman Reigns (c) vs Kevin Owens

From Greg’s Review:
Now, I know Roman Reigns hit Kevin Owens with a golf cart, and Matt Hardy did it to Sammy Guevara. But keep this in mind: Roman and Kevin did it better, and Matt Hardy just stole the spot from WrestleMania 17.

Kevin Owens hitting the Swanton off of the forklift, and it (legit) looked really safe. I also loved Owens rolling off of the staging to his feet to break the count. Roman Reigns taking out the official because he was handcuffed and couldn’t physically stand was outstanding. Of course Reigns standing while Heyman was taking his Jack Swagger sweet time to unlock the handcuffs kinda ruined it.

Guillotine Choke and it’s all over, #LOLROMANWINS. But that was a DAMN GOOD MATCH.

Winner: Roman Reigns

3t. NJPW New Beginning Nagoya: Satoshi Kojima vs Will Ospreay

From My Results:
A big story through this match was really every time Ospreay tried to introduce new weapons, they got turned around on him more often than not. Early on getting Backdropped through a trash can, then Kojima lariated Ospreay off the top rope through a broken ladder he had draped earlier in the match.

The ladder spot was huge since Ospreay wasn’t moving even at 12, but Kojima stopped the count because he wanted to inflict more punishment. Kojima with a Brainbuster on chairs, a Koji Cutter, but every time he went for the Cozy Lariat without the elbow pad, Ospreay found a way to duck it. Ospreay finishes his dodging with throwing a chair at Kojima, then running his elbow into the chair, following with Hidden Blade and then Stormbreaker.

Ospreay bumped hard, this was a really fun match and the fact that Ospreay won off of a last second surge of adrenaline after getting screwed by his own match stipulation made for an entertaining story.

Winner: Ospreay via Stormbreaker

2. WWE Royal Rumble: Men’s Royal Rumble

From Adam’s Review:
Bryan and Riddle take shots at each other as the first ones up and Daniel wins his brawl as Edge comes in and tries to fight Bryan, getting a knee in and nearly eliminating Edge. Christian comes in and fights for a bit until he gets a dropkick in his face. Riddle and Daniel have a technical matchup in the ring after and takes down Riddle with a diving dropkick. Rollins on the outside comes in and takes Daniel Bryan out of the rumble match. OHHHHH AND NOW RIDDLE AND ROLLINS AT IT. MA GET THE CAMERA! Riddle jumps over and Rollins stomps him out of the rumble. Rollins tries to recruit Braun to his side but he refuses as E&C try to take out Braun after but taking a beatdown of their own. Braun and Christian get eliminated from behind as Seth comes in to do it. Seth gets thrown over by Edge so Edge wins?

Nope Randy returns, RKO time! RKO out of nowhere and goes to toss Edge out but Edge reverses it and takes Orton out of the Royal Rumble! January 31^st must be Edge’s lucky number on Royal Rumbles for his second Rumble win!

Winner: Edge

1. NJPW New Beginning Nagoya: NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi (c) vs Hiroshi Tanahashi

From My Results:
This had a great build with Tanahashi employing his strategy early. He started chipping away at Shingo legs with Dropkicks, Dragon Screws and generally trying to take away the power base of Takagi. In typical Shingo fashion though, he remains defiant and stubborn. Going for Death Valley Drivers, Made in Japan, Pumping Bombers and continuing his power game, hampered however, not ineffective.

Shingo sells his legs wonderfully with hitches in the giddy up, stumbles and double clutches on catching Tanahashi. Tana almost had Shingo dead to rights when he locked in the Cloverleaf, but hitting the High Fly Flow to the prostrate Takagi jarred some life back into him, so the Ace missed the second High Fly Flow.

This was a war, also the longest NEVER championship match in the history of the title. Lariat trades, strike trades, great fighting spirit and strong style from both men. Tanahashi counters Last of the Dragon with a Slingblade, hits one High Fly Flow followed by a Dragon Suplex Hold, but Shingo kicks out. So the Ace goes up once more, hits the finish and wins the NEVER Openweight Championship!

Winner: Tanahashi via High Fly Flow

Thoughts:

Oh – this is the point where I usually try to make a point for a few of the matches, but yeah, not today. Shingo versus Tanahashi was a display of two masters of their craft in a classic that told a story throughout even without context of the lead up. This is currently my Match of Year (I know it’s barely February and those words pop up), so nothing will touch it right now.

Rumble was really good show and Dax helped to legitimize Jungle Jack, but #LOLTanahashiWins.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 week 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

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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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

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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