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Andrew’s Top 5 Matches: Week Ending 3/21/2021

The New Japan Cup ended this weekend, Fastlane happened, NWA came back, AEW had a slightly more special Dynamite; so it was a packed week of stuff. Let’s see if this Top 5 looks anything like yours!

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The New Japan Cup ended this weekend, Fastlane happened, NWA came back, AEW had a slightly more special Dynamite; so it was a packed week of stuff. Let’s see if this Top 5 looks anything like yours!

Not sure if it was pushed by the Meltzer 5 star rating, but the match of last week was; NJC: Zack Sabre Jr vs Will Ospreay.

I know last week I said we might be seeing a Shingo dominated month, but “the month of the Dragon” is getting pressure from the Commonwealth Kingpin. Let’s take a look at what else cracked the Top 5 beyond New Japan Cup matches!

Quick Top 5:

  1. NJC 3.21.21: NJC Finals: Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi
    Rating: *****
  2. NJC 3.20.21: NJC: Will Ospreay w/Bea Priestley vs David Finlay
    Rating: **** ¼
  3. NJC 3.18.21: NJC: SANADA vs Will Ospreay
    Rating: **** ¼
  4. NWA Back for the Attack: NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Aron Stevens vs Nick Aldis (c)
    Rating: ****
  5. NJC 3.16.21: KENTA vs Shingo Takagi
    Rating: ****
  6. AEW Dynamite: Lights Out Match: Britt Baker vs Thunder Rosa
    Rating: ****

Honorable Mentions:

  • WWE Fastlane: No Holds Barred: Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus
    Rating: *** ¾
  • NJC 3.18.21: NJC: Jay White w/Gedo vs David Finlay w/Juice Robinson
    Rating: *** ¾
  • IMPACT!: Sami Callihan vs Trey Miguel
    Rating: *** ½
  • WWE Fastlane: Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura
    Rating: *** ½
  • AEW Dynamite: Angelico vs Rey Fenix
    Rating: *** ½
  • NJC 3.20.21: NJC: EVIL vs Shingo Takagi
    Rating: *** ½
  • WWE Fastlane: WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Daniel Bryan
    Rating: *** ¼
  • NWA Back for the Attack: NWA National Championship: Chris Adonis vs Trevor Murdoch (c)
    Rating: ***
  • IMPACT!: Tenille Dashwood w/Kaleb, Kiera Hogan, Tasha Steelz, Deonna Purrazzo, Susan & Kimber Lee vs Jordynne Grace, Jazz, Nevaeh, Havok, ODB & Alisha Edwards
    Rating: ***
  • NJC 3.21.21: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi vs Bullet Club (Jay White, Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale) w/Gedo
    Rating: ***
  • NJC 3.20.21: Suzuki-Gun (Taichi, ZSJ & DOUKI) vs LIJ (Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI)
    Rating: ***
  • AEW Dynamite: Cody Rhodes vs Penta el Zero M
    Rating: ***
  • NJC 3.21.21: LIJ (Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI & SANADA) vs FinJuice & Toa Henare
    Rating: ***
  • NJC 3.20.21: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada & Kota Ibushi vs Bullet Club (KENTA, Jay White & Yujiro Takahashi) w/Gedo
    Rating: ***
  • NJC 3.21.21: Yuya Uemura, Gabriel Kidd & Yota Tsuji vs Suzuki-Gun (ZSJ, Taichi & DOUKI)
    Rating: ***

5t. AEW Dynamite: Lights Out Match: Britt Baker vs Thunder Rosa

From Mitchell’s Coverage:

Fans are thunderous but Britt has another psycho smile like she did last year from her bloody nose! Rebel gives Britt the latex gloves to put on! And she brings out a bag from under the ring! A black satchel is never good in wrestling, and Britt clears some space to pour out… THUMBTACKS!! Britt drags Rosa up, throws a forearm, then brings her around to FISH- NO! Rosa slips out of the spinning fisherman to reel Britt in! Britt blocks the bomb, Rebel gets in with the crutch, but Rosa dodges that attack to take the crutch and SMACK Rebel with it! Rebel flops out of the ring, Britt stalks up on Rosa, but Rosa SHOTGUNS Rebel off the apron, and Rebel falls through the table!

Rebel is down in the wreckage of the table she and Britt set up themselves, but Britt fireman’s carries Rosa! Rosa slips off, kicks low, reels Britt in, and POWERBOMBS her on the thumbtacks!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Rebel can’t believe Britt survives but fans again say, “This is Awesome!” Rosa drags Britt but Britt grabs Rosa’s hair, takedown! Rings of Saturn in the tacks!! LOCKJAW! But Rosa rolls Britt back! She can’t hold the cover because of all the tacks!! Britt’s wild eyes are still visible through all that blood, and she SUPERKICKS Rosa! Rosa flounders to ropes, Britt stands on her on the apron. Britt goes out to join Rosa, brings her around and goes up the corner. She’s aiming for Rosa’s table!

But Rosa grabs Britt, scoops her to the THUNDER DRIVER THROUGH THE TABLE!!! Cover, Rosa wins!!!

Winner: Rose via Thunder Driver through table

 

5t. NJC 3.16.21: KENTA vs Shingo Takagi

From Mitchell’s Coverage:

Fans are thunderous again as Takagi gets himself to a corner. Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans follow with him! Takagi aims, runs in, LARIAT! Kenta stays up so Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta SLAPS Takagi, but Takagi just glares at him. Kenta SLAPS Takagi again, Takagi laughs to fire boxing elbows! Takagi hits about 10 times, then maybe 15, but Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Kenta fires off slapping strikes but Takagi JABS! Kenta BACK HANDS! Then BACK HANDS! Kenta brings Takagi up to KICK him down! Cover, TWO!! Kenta aims as Takagi slowly rises, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!

Takagi survives but Kenta brings knee pads down and slashes the throat! Kenta drags Takagi up to a fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO!! Takagi blocks, Kenta throws forearms and strikes but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Takagi pops Kenta up for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Takagi drags Kenta up, fans are electric as Takagi runs and builds speed to PUMPING BOMBER!! High stack cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but Takagi fires up more! Takagi drags Kenta up, pump handle and fireman’s carries, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Takagi via Last of the Dragon

 

5t. NWA Back for the Attack: NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Aron Stevens vs Nick Aldis (c)

From AJ’s Results:

The ref counts to nine until they start to strike each other from their knees. Stevens gets the upper hand with the strikes and actually is making Aldis regret the match from Nick’s facial expression, unable to get the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. Stevens is doesing everything, even a Figure Four to take it to Aldis and a Superplex from the top rope. After failing to get another pinfall, Stevens is going for another Superplex but Nick fights it off and drops an elbow for a two. Aldis tries to finish it with a piledriver but Aron Stevens reverses it and does another Discus Elbow for a two. Stevens is getting frustrated and pulls the kneepad down, going for something from the top until it’s countered into the Cloverleaf. Stevens looked to tap but he got a burst of adrenaline and gets to the tops, rolling out after the break to get a separation from the champ.

Aldis tries to snake eyes Stevens on the outside to the post, Steven slips out of it though and pushes Aldis into the post instead but crashes into the podium. The ref counts to nine for Stevens though but, Aron comes in and takes it to Aldis, damaging Aldis’ arm, going for a Crossface. Aldis tries to keep breaking it every time and when all is said and done, Aldis gets a roll up on Stevens and gets the win in….. probably NWA’s best match since returning.

The ref counts to nine until they start to strike each other from their knees. Stevens gets the upper hand with the strikes and actually is making Aldis regret the match from Nick’s facial expression, unable to get the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. Stevens is doesing everything, even a Figure Four to take it to Aldis and a Superplex from the top rope. After failing to get another pinfall, Stevens is going for another Superplex but Nick fights it off and drops an elbow for a two. Aldis tries to finish it with a piledriver but Aron Stevens reverses it and does another Discus Elbow for a two. Stevens is getting frustrated and pulls the kneepad down, going for something from the top until it’s countered into the Cloverleaf. Stevens looked to tap but he got a burst of adrenaline and gets to the tops, rolling out after the break to get a separation from the champ.

Aldis tries to snake eyes Stevens on the outside to the post, Steven slips out of it though and pushes Aldis into the post instead but crashes into the podium. The ref counts to nine for Stevens though but, Aron comes in and takes it to Aldis, damaging Aldis’ arm, going for a Crossface. Aldis tries to keep breaking it every time and when all is said and done, Aldis gets a roll up on Stevens and gets the win in….. probably NWA’s best match since returning.

Winner: Aldis via Cradle

2t. NJC 3.18.21: NJC: SANADA vs Will Ospreay

From My Results:

Things are off quick with SANADA sending Ospreay out, and Ospreay gets a small advantage and starts yelling at the crowd that they should be rooting for him. Ospreay did a good job taking shots at SANADA and then showing he was okay with a Count-Out.

SANADA really pushed the not caring about the nose aspect, even going as far as to position Ospreay in the corner with the Paradise Lock, but positioning his face into the turnbuckle pad. So when SANADA hit the Dropkick, he rammed his face into the turnbuckle pad as well. After Ospreay fought back a bit, we get to a bunch of great counter spots.

Slipping out of the Stormbreaker, SANADA hits a Jumping Sole Butt, then flips back into Dragon Sleeper, locks the Skull End for a little, goes Moonsault…but Ospreay gets the knees up. Things continue to be quick, Hidden Blade from Ospreay, attempts at Oscutters, but SANADA dodges. Then SANADA goes for the Pop-Up Cutter, but Ospreay turns in mid-air for the Poison Rana! Oscutter gives Ospreay the near fall, but we keep going. Great fighting, big attempts from both, but Ospreay finally lands the Stormbreaker and moves on.

Winner: Ospreay via Stormbreaker

 

2t. NJC 3.20.21: NJC: Will Ospreay w/Bea Priestley vs David Finlay

From Mitchell’s Coverage:

Finlay grabs at Red Shoes again, Juice holds up the towel but Finlay tells him not to throw it! Finlay reaches, drags himself over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer Finlay’s heart and Ospreay lets go of the leg. Ospreay is rather shocked, but he rains down jabs on Finlay’s head! Red Shoes wants Ospreay to let off, Finlay’s in the ropes! Ospreay does, pushes Red Shoes aside, Finlay leaps off the good leg! But Ospreay avoids Prima Nocta, and then gives Finlay Kowata Kicks! Finlay flounders and crawls, Ospreay stalks him. Juice and the fans rally up hard as ever for him, and Finlay stands up on one leg, to get the ROLLING ELBOW!

Finlay flops back against ropes, the rallying continues, but Ospreay ROLLING ELBOWS again! Finlay sits in a daze, Ospreay grins as he brings Finlay back up, PRIMA- NO! HOOK KICK! Ospreay springboards, INTO A PRIMA NOCTA!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives but Finlay is in too much pain to be upset. Finlay hobbles up, hobbles over, and brings Ospreay up. But Finlay’s bad leg won’t let him run for the corner! Finlay fires up to fight through the pain, but Ospreay underhooks outta nowhere! FINLAY RANAS?!? Cover, TWO!!!! Ospreay narrowly escapes, but he runs into a LARIAT!! Finlay hobbles around and drags Ospreay up, to ACID DRO-

NO! Ospreay tosses Finlay around to BOMB, then drags him back up to STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Ospreay via Stormbreaker

 

1. NJC 3.21.21: NJC Finals: Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi

From My Results:

Will set up a table, but was almost driven through it by Shingo multiple times. Bea moved it out of the way, and we got much more back and forth. Each man had third, fourth and fifth winds, this was fantastic. The table played a part later when Will got an advantage thanks to Bea again, and then hit a 450 Splash on Shingo, which had him down for a while.

Amazing transition spots, hell Ospreay literally flipped through a Pumping Bomber at one point to keep running to the ropes to hit an Oscutter. Shingo hit Made in Japan, Noshigami, he even busted out a Poison Rana, which we all know Shingo doesn’t do Junior style moves very often.

Thankfully for Ospreay though, the adrenaline wore off, and Shingo eventually succumbed to all the damage, the consecutive elbow strikes and Ospreay even hit the full Hidden Blade for the first time since favoring his shoulder. Stormbreaker won the match for Ospreay, but this was a beautiful war.

Winner: Ospreay via Stormbreaker

 

Thoughts:

Well now I agree with the general consensus that Thunder Rosa vs Britt Baker was brutal, fairly well paced and told a solid story; I wasn’t as blown away as others have been. Rebel is supposed to be awkward, but slow crutch swings and goofy interference seemed to cause a few hitches in the flow, on top of the fact that it was a really good hardcore match, regardless of gender, but I’m not giving it extra points just because we don’t usually see women in matches like this in mainstream promotions.

With that said, Will Ospreay vs Shingo Takagi, was hands down the best match of the week. It built off their previous interactions, told a great story on its own, compounded nicely within the story of the New Japan Cup, and sets up for what could be an entertaining title match at Sakura Genesis.

Lastly, I won’t overlook the fact that Aron Stevens busted his ass to put on a high quality match in memory of his friend. A wrestler known to be more of a character wrestler in the last decade or so, really showed that he can work in the ring if motivated. Hurt a little bit since back to back Cradle/Roll-Up retentions is a little much in 2021 on a PPV. But I’m glad the show in general was pretty solid and punctuated nicely with emotion and a great match.

There we go! A little more diverse, so hopefully everyone found something to scratch their itch!

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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.

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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

 


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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!

All Shows On Demand


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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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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

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Shawn Michaels Kurt Angle WrestleMania 21

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!

All Shows On Demand


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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