My Take On 12.19.05: The TNA Top 10 Of 2005
Posted by Larry Csonka on 12.19.2005
The best of TNA in 2005!
Welcome everyone to a special edition of My Take On. In this edition I will look at what is in my opinion the top 10 matches from TNA this year. TNA had their ups and downs this year no doubt, but the one area they seem to continue to be strong in is their PPV's. Especially delivering very good PPV matches. I don't go "December to December" I use the calendar year for this. Remember this is in my opinion, and of course I am sure some will disagree. Feel free to drop me an email and let me know your top 10.
AMW attacks Team Canada as they talk with Coach! They fight on the ramp and Harris levels Roode! Young with a suplex to Storm on the ramp. Harris rams Roode to the railing and Storm with a swank head scissors on the ramp to Young! Coach is pissed as Harris drops Roode throat first on the railing. Rams Roode head first onto the railing and Storm has control on Young and rams him to the steel! Young in the ring and Harris waits for him. Harris repeatedly levels Young who has a big knot on his head and Harris tosses Young to the floor! Young in, clothesline by Harris and Young wants no more as he rolls to the floor and they get a close up of Young's big ass knot! Harris goes outside and brings him back in. Left hands by Harris and tag to Storm…double toss on Roode onto Young! Team Canada to the floor and they pick up Young and toss him crotch first onto Roode on the floor! Roode back in as Storm tossed Young into the rail again, but Roode in control now. Storm with a backdrop though and gets a roll up for 2. Young nails Storm and Roode drills him and Team Canada slows it down and gets control as Young comes back in. Crowd HOT AS HELL for this match! Young chokes out Storm, and then the Coach gets a cheap shot. Roode sneaks in without the tag and gets a 2 count on Storm. Suplex by Roode and he gets another 2. Storm fights up, but Roode pulls him down again and then tags Young. Double-team kicks to Storm, and he is in trouble as Young lays in some stiff right hands. Side back breaker by Young gets 2. Tag to Roode, and he brutally clubs away at Storm. Harris rushes in, but that allows Team Canada to double-team Storm. Chops by Rude, but Storm gets a kick in and then an ENZIGURI! One to Young on the apron and a FLAIR FLOP TO THE FLOOR! Roode takes out Harris and NO TAG for you! Young with the elbow from the top for 2! Snap mare to Strom then a side headlock on the mat by Young. Storm with elbows, sunset flip gets 2 for Storm. Tag to Roode, and a high knee drop gets 2. Rear neck vice by Roode, and Coach sings OHHHHHHHH CAAAAAAAAANNNNNNADA! Roode pulls back and the crowd is behind Storm. Slam by Roode, and Storm reverses a back suplex, then Roode misses a charge and eats the steel post! TAG TO HARRIS! Left hands for Team Canada! Bulldog to Young! Roode in, and he throws Roode into Young, full nelson slam to Rude! Lariat to Young! Stalling suplex on Young…down and Harris covers for 2! Storm with a power slam to Roode for 2! Harris goes up top…they set for the Death Sentence… Young up top with Harris…Storm over now…TOWER OF DOOM and they nail Rude! All 4 men are down! Storm covers Roode and gets 2. SUPER KICK TO ROODE! Cover 1…2...D'AMORE BREAKS IT UP! AMW corners Coach! They handcuff him to the steel posts! COACH IS CRAZY PISSED! Young off the ropes…HEART ATTACK! 1…2…NO! Young kicks out! They set for the Death Sentence again…Devine is out! Harris chases him and Roode nails Harris! Devine KILLS Storm with the Hockey Stick! Young covers 1…2…KICK OUT BY STORM! Devine has what is left of the stick…SPINE BUSTER ON DEVINE! Roode in…AMW WITH THE POWER PLEX! 1…2…NO! ROODE KICKS OUT! Young takes Storm to the floor as the crowd chants BULLSHIT! CATATONIC TO YOUNG! Devine slides a chair in…NORTHERN LARIAT TO HARRIS and he eats chair…1…2…FOOT ON THE ROPES! Team Canada is PISSED! Devine has the chair, reversal in the ring and DEVINE NAILS YOUNG! Harris covers...1…2…3! NEW CHAMPS!
Winners: and NEW Tag Team Champions America's Most Wanted 19:10 ****
#9. From No Surrender (July 2005): Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin
Lock up and chops by Joe. Sabin backs off, and then kicks away at Joe, but Joe kicks him and Sabin is down. Joe grabs him and Sabin escapes. Take down by Joe, and Sabin escapes again. Single leg takedown by Joe and Sabin escapes again. Off the ropes and a shoulder block by Sabin has no effect. Dropkick by Sabin and Joe is rocked. Forearms by Sabin, off the ropes and a corner clothesline by Sabin. Tries the Cradle shock, but Joe just tosses him down. Chops by Joe and off the ropes and a LEAPING leg lariat by Joe! Head butts by Joe and off the ropes and the running knee charge of death by Joe! Face wipe and OLAY, OLAY, OLAY, OLAY! Poor Sabin, the crowd is into Joe big time. Sick kick and the high knee drop by Joe gets 2. Neck voce by Joe now, and Sabin to his feet, off the ropes and Joe levels him with a charge. Neck vice again by Joe, Sabin tries to escape and gets to his feet. Sabin escapes and Joe just slams him down. Suplex by Joe and he covers for 2. Joe with rights and chops to Sabin and he falls to the mat. Sabin with rights, starts to rock Joe. Off the roes and Joe backdrops Sabin to the apron. Slingshot dropkick by Sabin! Basement dropkick and Joe to the floor. Joe rammed to the steel railing. Back in and Sabin covers for 2. Chops by Sabin, and off the ropes and a double foot stomp to Joe's back takes him down. Leg drop gets 2. Sabin tries the shock…can't get him up. DRAGON SUPLEX by Joe for 2! Off the ropes and a SWANK powerslam by Joe for 2. Off the ropes, kick by Sabin. TORNADO DDT to Joe gets 2! Sabin grabs Joe, chops and off the ropes corner whip… Sabin with a top rope dive but eats a knee. Powerbomb by Joe gets 2! STF by Joe! Sabin fights…and Joe into the crossface! Sabin tries for the ropes…Joe into a half nelson variation! Sabin finally gets the ropes! Joe is PISSED! Joe picks him up and sets him up top… Sabin fights…Joe up top… Sabin slips down and gets a running LYGER BOMB for 2! Sabin is shocked. He calls for the shock…Joe up! Escape…ENZIGURI to Joe! Sabin up top…Joe kicks his legs out from under him. MUSCLE BUSTA! Chris Sabin was 23. Joe locks in the "you're my bitch" and Sabin is out of it and the ref calls for the bell.
Winners: Samoa Joe @ 14:12 via tap out ****
#8. From Bound for Glory (October 2005): Monster's Ball II: Abyss w/James Mitchell vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Rhino vs. Sabu
Rhino brings some nice toys to the ring in a trashcan of fun! Abyss has his chain and thumbtacks. Sabu has his chair of course. Jeff has his freak paint.
They start to brawl, and Sabu tosses a chair into Abyss' face. Rhino to the floor and AIR SABU onto Rhino. Jeff leaps off the chair onto Abyss. Abyss to the floor, triple jump dive by Jeff onto Abyss. Rhino and Sabu brawl through the crowd. Abyss and Jeff do as well. Abyss rammed into the bleachers and Sabu is busted open over the eye. Jeff with a dive off the bleachers onto Abyss. Sabu kicks the hell out of Rhino as Jeff and Abyss exchange rights. In the ring Jeff gets some toys and Abyss attacks. Sabu in the ring, sets the chair…triple jump dive onto Rhino. Jeff gets the run up Moonsault and did it well! Abyss snatches him up…SHOCK TREATMENT! Sabu covers Jeff for 2. Rhino in and he nails Sabu. NASTY chair shots by Rhino to all! Poetry in motion by Jeff off of Sabu! Standing Arabian Face Buster to Jeff by Sabu! Rhino goes bat shit with the kendo stick! Abyss is killing Abyss. Sets, but Abyss with the choke slam for a close 2. Sabu decides to grab a table. Sets it up on the floor and Jeff chokes out Abyss. He grabs a ladder! Abyss nails him as Rhino whips Sabu with a weight belt. Rhino to the floor and Abyss and Jeff battle back by the ramp. Abyss sets up a table. And now another. Sabu sets up a table between the ring and barrier. Jeff with chair shots to Abyss and he is on the tables. Rhino on the table at ring side…AIR SABU kills Rhino! Jeff has the ladder on the ramp! He goes up top of the set! SUPR SWANTON TO ABYSS!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FAR! Sabu in the ring works over Rhino. But Rhino nails him with the kendo stick. Off the ropes…and a reversal and Rhino eats the chair placed in the corner. Triple jump moonsault to Rhino! 1…2…NO! Abyss crawls back to ringside. Sabu up top…SUPER ARABIAN FACE BUSTER TO RHINO! Jeff is up and Sabu covers for 2. Jeff looks hurt and Abyss has a table set in the corner. Sabu with a chair and nails Abyss. Abyss catches Sabu…and tosses him belly first through a table at ringside! THUMBTACK TIME! GORE GORE GORE THROUGH THE TABLE by Rhino! Jeff is back in and battles Rhino. Rhino up top…Jeff follows, SECOND ROPE RHINO DRIVER and that's all!
Daniels attacks at the bell. Forearms to AJ and Daniels is in early control. Chops by Daniels, then head butts. Press slam by Daniels. AJ battles back, but Daniels back with rights. Reversals and rights by AJ. Arm drag by AJ. Side back breaker to Daniels. Daniels rolls to the floor and AJ runs, Daniels catches him with a right and levels AJ. Off the ropes, reversal and a dropkick by AJ. Daniels on the apron and kicked into the railing and over. AJ with forearms on the floor and the ref then checks on Daniels. AJ runs, off the steps and over the railing with a flying forearm to Daniels. Chops by AJ and Daniels falls to the floor. Back in the ring and AJ covers for 2. Headlock by AJ now… Daniels to his feet, but AJ keeps the hold. Off the ropes, but AJ holds on. Daniels tries a back suplex, but AJ holds on still. Daniels escapes and AJ back to the headlock take over. Daniels escapes again, but AJ back to the hold. Daniels escapes and gets an arm bar on the mat. AJ to his feet and Daniels rips at the arm. AJ with a neat escape and gets a wristlock. Reversals and another headlock take down by AJ. Off the rope snow and Daniels misses the leg lariat and AJ covers for 2. Forearm by AJ and a cover for 2. Chops to Daniels now and then AJ rams him to the corner. Then another. A 3rd! A 4th. A 5th! Then finally the 6th corner! AJ covers for 2. Rights by AJ and then boots to Daniels. Rear choke in the corner by AJ, and he breaks. He grabs Daniels leg and pulls at it. Reverse Indian death lock with the bridge by AJ. Daniels reaches for the ropes… Daniels bites his hand to escape!
10:00 in now. Daniels sent to the apron, AJ over as well and tosses Daniels in the ring. AJ off the top…Rock Bottom by Daniels as he caught AJ! Both men are down now…back up, off the ropes and Daniels with a clothesline. Snap mare and Daniels twists the neck of AJ. Again Daniels twists the neck of AJ. Cover by Daniels gets 2. Tilt a whirl back breaker by Daniels gets 2. AJ battles back, AJ rolls him up for 2. AJ tries again…KOJI CLUTCH on AJ! AJ is trapped mid-ring. He gets on all fours but falls down. Tries again…and gets the ropes. Elbow by Daniels. Slam by Daniels, split legged moonsault gets 2 for Daniels. Daniels is frustrated now and clubs away at AJ. Picks him up…reversals and ASAI DDT by AJ! Both men are down again and the ref counts. To their feet and AJ kills Daniels with a lariat. Spin kick and Daniels flops down. AJ with a SICK back drop suplex with the arm hooked gets a close 2. Pump Handle slam by AJ into a gut buster gets 2. AJ to the ring apron…springs in Daniels snatches him up…DVD and covers for 2! AJ set up top…rights by Daniels. Splash Mountain by Daniels gets another close 2! Daniels tries a neck breaker, reversal and a suplex/neck breaker combo by AJ gets 2. AJ tries the Asai DDT again, BLUE THUNDA DRIVA by Daniels gets another 2! BEST MOONSAULT EVER! 1…2…NO! Daniels picks AJ up, go behind, AJ elbows out…boot to Daniels. Back Breaker by AJ! Slams him down and covers for 2.
20:00 in now and both men are struggling to their feet. Irish whip, AJ misses the charge and flies over the ropes and crashes into the steps on his way down. SUICIDE DIVE BY DANIELS! Back in the ring…PELE by AJ and Daniels flies to the floor. AJ off the ropes…SWANK PLANCHA by AJ! AJ crawls back in the ring as does Daniels, but AJ grabs him…tries to suplex him in, Daniels fights…BACKDROP SUPLEX FROM THE APRON TO THE FLOOR BY DANIELS! Both men down again and they pull themselves up.
Back in the ring and we have 5:00 left. Daniels kicks AJ to the floor and he struggles to get back in. Daniels tells AJ to bring it! Chops by Daniels, shops by AJ! Forearms exchanged. AJ with repeated shots, roll up by Daniels gets 2. AJ had a huge bruise on his leg from the fall on the steps. AJ with a quick roll up for 2. Roll up with a bridge by Daniels gets 2. Back spring elbow by AJ into a GERMAN by Daniels! Daniels picks him up…CLOTHESLINE BY AJ and both are down. AJ with a desperation cover for 2.
2:00 left in the match. Irish whip and AJ skips over the ropes…Cross body and Daniels rolls through for 2! Forearm shots by AJ, then by Daniels. AJ with a suplex try… Daniels fights but AJ gets an Enziguri for 2! Running Enziguri by Daniels, Angels Wings, countered and AJ gets 2. Roll up counters…STYLES CLASH! 1…2…3! @ 29:59.
Winner: AJ Styles @ 30:00 via pin 1-0 ****
#6. From Lockdown (April 2005):For a shot at the NWA Title: AJ Styles vs. Abyss
AJ with a no hands plancha though the cage door to Abyss before he got in the ring! Right hands to Abyss and AJ tries to whip him, but it's reversed and he slides UNDER the steel railing! Spring board to Abyss and a RANA! Abyss rammed off of the announce table and AJ is possessed! Abyss gets control and whips him, but AJ skips over the steps and the guardrail and the fans. Springs in with a flying forearm to Abyss! AJ MISSES a splash and flies over the guardrail! Abyss stalks him as AJ holds his side. Abyss chases AJ up the steps and then clubs away at him. AJ fights back with right hands and then Abyss GOOZLES HIM! He tosses him up the steps and AJ is down. Abyss beats on AJ and sends him down the steps now. AJ tossed over the railing and to ringside. Elbow by Abyss and AJ is down. Big right hands by Abyss and AJ is rocked. AJ rammed into the cage now. Chops by AJ and now right hands. AJ rams Abyss into the railing. AJ back with right hands on Abyss and then opens the cage door. Abyss slams the cage door into AJ! AJ turns and RAMMED INTO HIS FACE! SICK! AJ gets up and Abyss swings it into his face again! Abyss has a chair and AJ is BUSTED OPEN! Abyss beats on him and opens him up more. AJ into the ring and Abyss grabs his chain and tosses it in. Abyss looks for and GETS THE THUMB TACKS! Abyss into the ring and AJ is pouring blood! The cage is closed and Abyss stalks AJ. Clothesline to AJ. Abyss has the chain and wraps it around AJ's throat. He pulls but AJ fights him. BIG BOOT by Abyss that levels AJ. Abyss puts the chain in the corner and wraps it around the turnbuckle. AJ with a right hand and another but Abyss clubs him down. He tries to ram him into the chained corner, but Abyss flap jacks him into that corner! Press slam by Abyss and he spear tosses him into the cage! Again Abyss tosses him into the cage and covers for 2. Abyss with a neck vice and AJ is bleeding real good now. AJ elbows out and kicks away at Abyss. Off the ropes and a press slam into a flapjack by Abyss. Abyss gets the chain and lays it on the mat. AJ off the ropes, reversal into a DDT ONTO THE CHAIN! AJ tries to get up and so does Abyss. Right hands to Abyss…ENZIGURI! Tilt a whirl head scissors to Abyss! AJ up top and flies into the Asai DDT but crotches himself on Abyss's head. Abyss charges AJ and misses and eats the chair! GERMAN SUPLEX TO ABYSS gets 2! Goes for the clash… Abyss escapes and GOOZLE! Choke…NO! Roll up for 2 by AJ! Forearm shot to Abyss. AJ charges him…BLACK HOLE SLAM TO AJ! Cover 1…2…NO! Abyss gets the tacks! He pours them out! He grabs AJ, off the ropes…Black hole slam reversed and forearms to Abyss. Abyss grabs him though…tries a power bomb, escape…STYLES CLASH ONTO THE TACKS! ABYSS IS COVERED IN TACKS! 1…2…NO! Right hands by AJ as the crowd chants "THIS IS AWESOME!" AJ all the way up top… Abyss choke slams the ref into the cage and AJ is crotched! He hangs now on the outside and Abyss rams the cage trying to knock him off. Abyss goes up top with the chain. He wraps it around AJ's throat! He's hanging AJ! AJ tries to climb in and gets the chain off. AJ still on the outside of the cage, Abyss GOOZLES HIM! AJ bites his hand! SUNSET FLIP POWER BOMB INTO THE TACKS! 1…2…3!
Winner: and #1 Contender for the NWA Title AJ Styles @ 20:00 ****¼
They circle to begin, lock up and Daniels takes AJ to the ropes, they jockey for position and then go into some nice mat reversals. AJ in control with a front facelock, Daniels to his feet and gets a single leg take down on AJ and a single leg lock. Daniels into a headlock now, AJ to his feet and AJ escapes and gets a wristlock. AJ with a go behind, Daniels escapes and gets a roll up for 2. A nice series of reversals now and Daniels finally stops AJ with a stiff clothesline. Side headlock by Daniels now, AJ off the ropes, leap frog, drop down and MISSES the trademark dropkick as Daniels held onto the ropes. Slaps by Daniels, hits the ropes and AJ connects with the dropkick this time. Daniels to the floor and AJ follows him and gets a RANA off the apron. Chop battle on the floor, but Daniels with a nice forearm. AJ retaliates now and then chops away. Back and forth and then into the ring. Deep arm drag by AJ into the arm bar. Daniels to his feet and, off the ropes and AJ with another arm drag. Daniels reverses it into a head scissors, but AJ springs out and gets another arm bar. Daniels escapes but AJ with more arm drags and into another arm bar to keep Daniels on the defensive. Daniels sneaks out to his feet and AJ nails some stiff kicks. Kick to the head and AJ covers for 2. Another cover for 2. And a third for 2. Another arm bar by AJ now and Daniels is to his feet, elbows by Daniels and then forearm smashes. Arm drag by AJ and Daniels to the floor. Baseball slide by AJ and Daniels is down. AJ with a springboard cross body to Daniels on the floor! Both men are down and the ref is out to check on them. Back in and AJ goes for a springboard, but Daniels pulls the ref in front of him and he stops and then Daniels knocks him off the apron to the floor. Daniels rams him into the steel railing and then back into the ring. Boots by Daniels and then shoulder thrusts in the corner. Kicks by Daniels now and he is in control. Knees by Daniels now and AJ tries to escape, but Daniels has another knee for him that drops him. Elbow drop by Daniels and a cover for 2.
10:00 in and AJ fights back with rights, but Daniels drops him again with a shot to the ribs. Shoulder thrust as AJ comes off the ropes and then a split legged moonsault by Daniels gets 2. Off the ropes and a spinning clothesline by AJ. Clothesline by AJ and he is on fire now. Spin kick to Daniels! Asai DDT by AJ gets 2. Suplex into the neck breaker by AJ gets 2. Off the ropes and Daniels reverses but AJ with aback suplex. AJ goes up top… Daniels up as well and grabs onto AJ. AJ with rights to Daniels, AJ knocks him off…450 SPLASH by AJ EATS KNEES! Daniels is up…ANGELS WINGS! 1…2…3! Daniels is up 1-0 @ 14:26.
Daniels talks smack to AJ as he lays on the mat. Daniels with another quick cover for 2. Gut buster by Daniels. Daniels yells "SCORE BOARD" at the crowd and then opens up with rights on AJ. Elbow drop and Daniels with more celebrating. Daniels continues to work the ribs of AJ, and covers for 2. They exchange rights and forearm smashes, and AJ then gets a backdrop. Abdominal stretch by Daniels, as he continues his assault on the ribs cage of AJ. AJ tries to battle out and does with a hip toss. AJ charges but gets the hot shot by Daniels. Cover and a 2 count for Daniels. Daniels celebrates again and picks AJ up. Suplex into a gut buster by Daniels gets another 2 count. AJ reverses a back suplex and gets a handspring back elbow! Daniels to his feet and AJ with kicks to Daniels. DVD into a back breaker by AJ gets 2! AJ to the apron…Springboard forearm slash! 1…2…NO!
20:00 in now and Daniels gets the ASAI DDT! Cover by Daniels and he gets 2. BLUE THUNDA DRIVA by Daniels gets 2 again! Daniels grabs AJ and tries a suplex…AJ fights…reversals and PELE KICK by AJ! Both men are down and battle up to their feet. Forearm smashes by both now. AJ off the ropes…but Daniels with a Samoan Drop. Daniels with the BME, lands on his feet and AJ with a GERMAN! To their feet, ANGELS WINGS BY AJ 1…2…NO! AJ sets for the clash but Daniels rams him to the corner. Back suplex by Daniels reversed into a roll up for 3! It is tied 1-1 @ 24:05.
Daniels is pissed and tosses AJ to the floor. Daniels goes after him and the ref checks on AJ. Daniels grabs the X Title, says it is his and then puts it down and rams AJ to the steel post! AJ is busted wide open now! Daniels goes after him and rolls him back into the ring. Cover and a 2 count by Daniels. Vicious rights by Daniels now and he opens up AJ some more. Head butts by Daniels and AJ is down. Knee drop by Daniels and we have 3:00 left. Rights by Daniels, he then licks the blood off his hand and fires away on AJ some more. Running STO by Daniels gets 2! More head butts by Daniels and then a plethora of rights. A cover and Daniels gets 2. Angles Wings try, but AJ fights it off and Daniels clubs him down. AJ fires back again and off the ropes…FLARTLINER! KOJI CLUTCH BY DANILES! AJ fights as blood pours from his head! AJ tries to fight…he is out….and the bell rings!
Daniels thinks he has won the match and celebrates! The ref says AJ didn't tap and Daniels grabs the house mic and says NO! He tells Dusty he wants sudden death because he had AJ beat, and not to protect AJ anymore! Dusty agrees!
Here we go again! Daniels back to work on AJ now. More rights by Daniels and AJ is down and still bleeding badly. Daniels crosses himself with the blood and gets a reverse twist of fate for 2. Daniels has AJ in the corner and sets him up top…rights by Daniels. Daniels climbs up…RANA try but AJ shoves him off! AJ flies with a RANA, rolls through and gets the CLASH…NAILS IT! 1…2…3!
Winner: "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles @ 31:40 via pin: 2-1 ****½
Here we go! They stare down, and wild rights by all 3 men. Williams with a right hand to Sabin, and then to AJ. Williams off the ropes, then goes to the floor. Sabin chases, Williams back in and AJ with a right hand, now Sabin and Williams to the corner. Double-team by AK and Sabin…fore arm in the corner by AJ to Williams. Drop kick by Sabin to Williams! AJ and Sabin lock up and reversal series, AJ down, kip up, Sabin tries to climb but AJ pulls him down. Boot to Sabin by AJ, and AJ springs in to grab the cables and misses. Sabin to the floor, works on Williams and AJ runs and DIVES onto both men! AJ back in the ring and climbs up to the cables. Sabin in and up top as well. They duke it out and they stand up top…DROP KICK TO AJ who bounces off the steel guard! Sabin lands safely and climbs up top. He scales the cables and Coach is in to stop him! Williams in and crotches Sabin, Ref Mike Posey KICKS OUT COACH D'AMORE! NA NA NA NA! NA NA NA NA! HEY HEEEEEEY HEY! GOOOOOOOD BYE! Williams and Coach are pissed and he is gone now. Williams back to the ring and pulls AJ out and rams him into the rail. Suplex to Sabin, rolling into another and Triple chants now! Williams knocks AJ back down, and Sabin now fights back. Chops to Williams, but Williams takes out his knees and SHARP SHOOTER! SHARP SHOOTER ON SABIN! AJ in and climbs up and scales the cables but Williams is up and pulls him down. Williams knocks Sabin to the floor, and grabs AJ. Right hands to AJ and TREE OF WOE! Williams climbs up and stands on AJ's balls! Sabin crawls back in but Williams keeps him on the apron and kicks away at him. AJ with right hands to Williams, PELE KICK to Williams! Sabin climbs up the structure and AJ pulls him off and tries, Sabin pulls him back off and he is up and climbs. AJ grabs him…Sabin is on his shoulders…. Williams scales the cables...RANA ON SABIN WHO WAS ON AJ'S SHOULDERS! Russian leg sweep on AJ by Williams, and he goes to the corner to climb. AJ in an opposite corner. They climb across and meet in the middle. Williams wraps his legs around the cables…Sabin pulls AJ down and Williams is hanging there…AJ with a spring board and barely gets Williams who falls down! Sabin climbs now…starts to scale across…AJ up as well…Sabin gets the SUPER RANA on AJ! This is awesome chants now. Williams tries a reverse DDT, AJ flies and gets the Asai DDT! DOUBLE DDT! SWEET! AJ climbs now, he goes across…MISSILE DROP KICK BY SABIN WHO TURNS AJ INSIDE OUT! HOLY SHIT! Williams with a Foley like clothesline to Sabin and they go to the floor. AJ tries to get up and he looks hurt. Williams climbs…AJ is up and they climb the structure. Williams rams AJ's head off the steel and then wraps his arm up and rams it repeatedly! AJ GOT STUCK! HE WAS STUCK and looks really hurt! Sabin up, and in the ring as is Williams. CRADLE SHOCK TO WILLIAMS! Sabin climbs…he scales across…AJ in and pulls him off…tries the Styles Clash…TRIANGLE CHOKE ON AJ! He powers him up...power bomb on Sabin! One armed Styles Clash to AJ who really looks hurt. AJ climbs up…and has trouble reaching the cables. He goes across…he is close and FALLS OFF! The right arm is too hurt… Williams up…CANADIAN DESTROYER ON AJ! Williams and Sabin are up and DDT ON SABIN! Williams sets for the Destroyer…then climbs. Sabin pulls him down and a RUNNING POWER BOMB INTO THE CORNER! Sabin climbs as AJ is dazed. Williams climbs…Sabin is further across…and is upside down trying to get the belt…they both have it…they tug at it…AJ SPRINGS OFF THE ROPES ACROSS THE RING AND SNAGS THE BELT OUT OF MIDAIR! AJ WINS! NEW CHAMPION!
Winner: and NEW X Division Champion AJ Styles @ 19:52 ****½
#3. From Sacrifice (August 2005): Super X Cup Finals: Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles
AJ tries to take Joe down, and they break. Dueling chants as Joe throws a wild kick at AJ. Kicks by Joe rock AJ. AJ kicks at Joe and he takes him down and throws wild kicks. Shoulder charges in the corner by AJ and a SLAM to Joe! Knee drop by AJ and cover for 1…yes 1. Snap mare by AJ and a kick to the back. Forearm shots to Joe and then Joe just jacks him with a right and then KILLS AJ with a charging knee and AJ FLIES to the floor. Joe in the ring and charges and FLIES with the Elbow Suicida to AJ and AJ flies back about 10 feet! AJ battles back and gets a forearm to Joe off of the security railing. Back in the ring "This is awesome chants" now. AJ tries a suplex and does and gets a 2 count. Reverse bridging Indian death lock into a chin lock by AJ. Joe escapes now and gets to his feet. Shoulder charge by Joe. RANA by AJ and then a dropkick, no AJ back flips and they stand off. AJ charges and Joe grabs AJ and gets a spine buster! AJ whipped to the corner and the running knee of DOOM! Face wash! OLAY pretty boy! Rights by AJ and a leg sweep by Joe and covers for 2. Daniels puts over that both men have wrestled hour draws, and they have great conditioning. Chops by Joe and the knee drop to AJ for 2. Rear choke by Joe now, and AJ tries to battle out and does. Elbows out and Joe just levels AJ. POWERBOMB by Joe! ANOTHER into a weird ass Boston crab. AJ fights but Joe gets an STF! Joe breaks and stalks AJ. Joe charges but AJ with the sweet dropkick. Asai DDT to Joe gets 2! Crowd loving the match. AJ goes up top…Joe up and they battle. Joe has AJ but AJ with rights and Joe is down. AJ with the springboard senton for 2! Reversals and AJ with the PELE! AJ with the roll up and bridge into the clash…but Joe kicks him in the head. Sunset flip by Joe into the Terry Funk Texas Tumble weed for 2. Joe turns AJ inside out with the lariat of doom for 2! Joe boots AJ in the head a few times and AJ fires back. They exchange rights and forearms and AJ in now on fire. Joe back with the open hand palm thrusts but AJ charges and LEVELS Joe and they are both down! They get to their feet and kicks by Joe. Sets AJ on top…AJ escapes the muscle buster and Joe into the corner…TORTURE RACK BY AJ! AJ swings him and Joe hits the ref by accident. AJ covers while the ref is down. Daniel sin and LEVELS AJ with the STO. Joe stares down Daniels. Joe after Daniels now and AJ levels Daniels! Joe has AJ and slaps the piss out of him! Sets him up top…MUSCLE BUSTA! Joe locks in the YOU'RE MY BITCH! AJ fights…but taps!
Winner and NEW SUPER X CUP CHAMPION: Samoa Joe @ 15:15 via TAP OUT ****1/2
Daniels talks shit and AJ and Joe kick the shit out of him! Chops by Joe and then forearms by AJ. Slam by Joe and a stiff kick. AJ says he will show him and kicks Daniels! They play one-ups-man-ship and beat the holy hell out of Daniels! The crowd loves it. AJ gets a quick roll up on Joe for 2. And again for 2. Crazy rings of Saturn variation by Joe and Daniels is back in. Leg lariat by Daniels to AJ. Joe over to beat down Daniels and gets a swank Enziguri to Daniels! Daniels to the floor and Joe works over AJ. DEAR LORD he kicked AJ in half. Daniels trips up Joe and works over AJ. Then a right to Joe and a bulldog/spin kick combo to AJ and Joe and Daniels covers AJ for 2. Joe back in control on Daniels and has AJ and Daniels in opposite corners. Whips AJ and Daniels moves, and tries to chop away at Joe. Forearms by Joe and Daniels charges and eats a ST JOE! Tilt a whirl head scissors by AJ to Joe. Kick by AJ to Joe, forearms and then Joe kills him with a belly to belly into the corner! Face wash by Joe. OLAY is broken up by Daniels and Joe to the floor. Split legged moonsault to Joe on the floor. Daniels and Joe battle and AJ is up…SPRINGBOARD SHOOTING STAR PRESS TO BOTH MEN ON THE FLOOR! SWEET JESUS! Crowd going wild! AJ and Joe back in the ring and AJ covers for 2. Off the ropes and Joe refuses, AJ with the swank dropkick sequence gets 2. Daniels back in as AJ picks Joe up. Daniels nails AJ and Whips him to the corner. He whips Joe, reversal and Daniels monkey flips AJ into Joe and AJ gets a RANA out of it! Daniels rolls up AJ for a quick 2. Daniels tosses AJ and he FLIES to the floor! Daniels with a high knee to Joe. Rights to Joe now and Joe fights back rapid fire! Knees of death! Daniels with a roll up…REAR NAKED CHOKE BY JOE! AJ up top…SPIRAL TAP TO BOTH MEN to break it up! AJ covers Joe for 2. Covers Daniels for 2. Daniels tosses AJ back to the floor and focuses on Joe. Knees to Joe, and the STO by Daniels. AJ back in…BME, but AJ crotches Daniels. Tree of Woe on Daniels, and AJ Kicks away at him...RUNNING KNEE OF DOOM by Joe! Running basement dropkick by Joe to Daniels! "This is Awesome" chants. Dropkick by Joe, running senton to AJ and Joe gets 2! Knees by Joe to Daniels. Daniels has Joe up…DEATH VALLEY DRIVER TO JOE…1…2…AJ breaks it up. Chops by AJ to Daniels. Suplex try, reversal and AJ to the apron. On the floor, AJ misses a moonsault, to his feet and JOE WITH A NO HANDS SPINNING PLANCHA TO BOTH MEN! HOLY SHIT! AJ and Daniels look dead. Daniels tossed back in and Joe follows. Joe has him in the corner… Daniels set up top…Muscle Buster try, AJ in…he and Daniels fight up top…Joe up…DOUBEL BACK BODY DROP by Joe! Joe has AJ and they exchange forearms. AJ on fire, Joe fights back! SICK release German by Joe! AJ set up top…MUSCLE BUSTA TO AJ! POWERSLAM to Daniels who had the title belt! Joe has the belt and the ref tries to take it and Daniels gets an Enziguri to the belt to the head of Joe! Joe to the floor and Daniels has AJ up. Forearms to AJ. AJ fights back and Daniels tries a German, reversal and a BLUE THUNDA DRIVA BY DANIELS gets 2! Uranage by Daniels to AJ and BEST MOONSAULT EVER to AJ! 1…2…JOE IS BACK! Killer kicks to Daniels. Jawbreaker by Daniels to Joe. Last Rights to Joe who falls to the floor. Rights by Daniels to AJ. Off the ropes, boot by AJ, Asai DDT to Daniels gets 2! AJ is up, Joe climbs back in and AJ up top… Daniels up and nails him. Daniels up top with him…SUPERPLEX to AJ! Everyone is down. Joe covers Daniels and gets 2. Covers AJ and gets 2. Joe with a powerbomb to Daniels, into the STF! Daniels gets the ropes and AJ gets to his feet. Joe has Daniels, jabs away at him. Forearms to AJ. PELE kick to Joe! Torture Rack by AJ to Joe! AJ slams him down and gets 2! Daniels with head butts to AJ now. AJ slammed onto Joe by Daniels. Reversal and a roll up into the CLASH by AJ to Daniels! 1…2…NO! Joe saves the match! Joe tosses AJ to the floor and Joe charges, but Daniels moves and Joe flies to the floor. AJ back in and Daniels has him. Rights to AJ. AJ fires back. Rapid fire by AJ, and an eye poke by Daniels. Off the ropes and Angels Wings reversed and AJ gets a roll up and WINS!
Winner: and NEW X Champion AJ Styles @ 23:00 via pin ****¾
AJ attacks as the bell rings! He has Joe rocked, and then gets a suplex! AJ talks shit and kicks away on Joe. Forearm shots by AJ, snap mare and kicks by AJ. Knee now and Joe is down. He yells at Joe about respect and whips him off the ropes and Joe fires back with a stiff knee. Off the ropes and AJ with the dropkick rocks the shit out of Joe! Forearms again by AJ, but Joe back with Chops. Joe misses the knee charge, and they stand off. They exchange forearms, but Joe kicks the living shit out of AJ! Running boot and AJ flies to the floor. Joe follows him out to the floor and rams AJ into the steel railing. Back to the ring, AJ tries to suplex Joe in…then stuns him off the ropes. Joe pulls him out with a powerbomb looking hold and spins and rams AJ into the steel railing! Dear god! Joe rams him to the railing again…Joe is set…RUNNING YAKUZA KICK! Joe tosses AJ back in the ring and stalks him. Kicks by Joe again. Snap mare, chops and kicks and then the high knee drop! Joe picks him up again and then chops AJ down. More kicks and drops AJ like a bad habit. AJ gets an Irish whip, tries the leap frog but Joe with a flapjack! Standing Senton by Joe gets 2. Rear chinlock by Joe. AJ battles up…forearms to Joe now. Irish whip, reversal and running knee of doom by Joe! Face wash by Joe…AJ fights out of it but Joe slaps the piss out of him and gets the running boot in the corner and AJ Styles looks out. Dayum! Joe with more kicks to AJ and AJ is down. Chops by Joe now. Off the ropes…reversal and AJ to the apron. AJ tries to get back in and Joe kicks his head off. Forearms by Joe. AJ is down on the apron…but is up and gets an Enziguri! AJ springs in…POWERBOMB BY JOE! 1…2…NO! Into the Boston Crab now! Joe sits back, AJ fights and finally escapes. Forearm shots by Joe in the corner. Irish whip…Joe charges and AJ backdrops him to the floor! Joe gets to his feet and AJ is up now…SASUKE SPECIAL TO JOE! Back into the ring now. AJ on the apron…springboard forearm smash to the back of Joe's head. AJ covers for 2. Full nelson by Joe, escapes by AJ and Asai DDT to Joe 1…2…NO! Forearm shots by AJ, off the ropes…SNAP powerslam by Joe gets 2! Joes' mouth is busted open as we get the "This is awesome chant" now. Kicks by Joe as he lights up AJ and AJ calls him on! AJ tries to rope a dope now. Joe lights him up with rights and lefts. AJ back with a spin kick. Joe is rocked now and AJ is bleeding from the mouth as well. AJ sets Joe up top…Joe fights down, AJ tries the clash…wait, no…POWERBOMB to Joe 1…2…NO! Forearms and rights by AJ. AJ off the ropes…JOE FLIPS HIM INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT! Joe covers and pulls AJ up? TIGER DRIVER by Joe gets 2! AJ is pissed and both men are wanting more! Joe off the ropes…sleeper to AJ. Head butts now to AJ and chops as well. PELE DOWN GOES JOE…DOWN GOES JOE! AJ sets Joe up top…AJ up top as well…Joe nails him, Joes grabs him but AJ escapes. AJ tries for a clash…gets it! 1…2…NO! JOE IS NOT HUMAN! AJ goes up top…Joe shoves the ref, AJ down with a roll up…NO Joe has the tights…rolls through…Kokina Clutch aka "YOU'RE MY BITCH!" AJ fights…he rolls…he can't break it…that's all! AJ passes out!
Winner: and NEW X CHAMPION Samoa Joe @ 19:05 via submission ****¾
There we have it for the best that was in the year 2005 for TNA. Here is a little breakdown of the men that were a huge part of making these great matches:
AJ Styles – 7 Matches
Samoa Joe – 4 Matches
Christopher Daniels – 3 Matches
Chris Sabin – 2 Matches
Abyss – 2 Matches
AJ Styles clearly earns his stripes as Mr. TNA by virtue of the performances he put on here. Joe should not be ignored either, as he has only been with TNA since June and roared into TNA like no other with outstanding performances. Christopher Daniels had 3 big matches here, and a lot of others that could be considered "honorable mentions" as he truly had a break out year in TNA. Chris Sabin is also another who always has good matches, but is underutilized in my opinion. Abyss to me keeps proving that he is a great big man, and also makes his presence known.
What will 2006 hold for these men and TNA as a whole? Tune in next year at this time to find out!
