The 50 Greatest Moments in TNA History
As a Thanksgiving gift to you, I'm going to look at this DVD which was released just yesterday. If you wish to order it, click the link above.
Hosted by Mike Tenay and Don West who hardly say anything throughout the whole thing just at the beginning and the end.
We’re going to take a look as TNA counts down the 50 Greatest moments in company history as chosen by someone.
50. Rowdy Roddy Piper humiliates Chris Rose.
Ah for the dark ages of FSN. Shane Douglas makes a comment that anyone on TNA’s roster might’ve done what Piper did.
49. Chris Rock comes to the TNA Asylum.
Borash talks about Chris Rock being the biggest celebrity they had in TNA. Rock was there and it looked half-hearted but that could just be me.
48. The Debut of Diamond Dallas Page.
He interfered in a match between Raven and Monty Brown. Raven is on camera and is in character and is making age jokes about DDP.
47. Jeff Jarrett Brawls with the Tennessee Titans.
Its telling that the early part of this disc has been centered around celebrities. Its like look who’s been here. Now Jarrett is talking about the angle.
46. Jim Cornette joins TNA management.
I’m sure Cornette would redo this one if he could, especially knowing Russo’s involvement would come later. Clips of his Slammiversary 2006 promo air.
45. The Gore from hell. Jan 28, 2006.
A match between Rhino and Abyss on iMPACT ends with a gore through the stage wall. Jim Mitchell is on talking about the gore, in character of course.
44. The return of Senshi.
They show clips of the Lockdown 06 match between Senshi and Christopher Daniels. The announcer guy mentioned that the match was originally to be Daniels and Jushin Liger.
43. The Roadwarriors come to TNA. 12/18/2002
They come to the aid of America’s Most Wanted. The honorary speaker this time is Jeremy Borash talking about “The Roadwarrior Pop”. Now Chris Harris is talking about the moment.
42. Joe Vs. Liger
I must have accidentally switched this DVD with the 50 most underwhelming moments in TNA history. A 7 minute match? This would have been better if these interview clips didn’t alternate between in and out of character. They showed about a minute of the match and that’s like 40 percent of it.
41. The Team 3D funeral.
This segment stired a lot of debate after it aired. A lot of people hated it, but a lot of people also loved it. I’m in the camp that loved it. Abyss crushing the clean-x box, AMW’s over-acting and Team Canada banging the hockey sticks. 10 thumbs up! Probably the best skit TNA ever has delivered. America’s Most Wanted cut the promo explaining this one, in the heel characters. Actually, Harris is pretty honest.
40. Toby Keith makes his TNA in-ring debut. 6/19/2002, on the first TNA Pay Per View. First they show clips of him singing his song “Angry American”, and Stone Cold Jeff Jarrett attacks him mid-song. I’ve got a funny feeling Keith will get revenge. Yup, he comes out during Gauntlet for the gold and gives Jarrett a suplex (I hope Jarrett is embarrassed by this one) and Jarrett was eliminated. Borash calls this one of his favorite moments in history. Apparently, when Toby Keith goes on stage they show that suplex in the video introduction.
39. Team NWA wins the world’s X Cup in 2004.
Chris Sabin, Hector Garza and Petey Williams meet in an Ultimate X match. Sabin and Chris Daniels talk about the dominance of Mexico and that Sabin was chosen for his Ultimate X experience. Then clips of the match and Sabin’s victory.
38. The Hard Justice Fire on 8/13/2006.
I haven’t watched this show fully since that night but I have watched bits and pieces, and the fire was definitely the best part. Surprisingly, this gets no video interviews.
37. Raven gets scalped by James Mitchell.
This is on the “Nevermore, Best of Raven” DVD. This is pretty disgusting actually, and Don West tosses his eadset down. Mike Tenay: “This is B.S., this sucks, I’ve lost my objectivity and I don’t give a damn.” There are no words. Raven talks about the moment, as douse Shane Douglas. Raven says its not his favorite moment in TNA, but its not his least favorite. Mitchell calls Raven an ass hole but hole is bleeped, that’s weird.
36. Rhino debuts for TNA Wrestling.
A mistake is made as the announcer says it was at the September 2005 No Surrender Pay Per View. You’d think that TNA would know that No Surrender 05 was held on July 17, 2005. Interesting we don’t get any quotes from Rhino about his debut.
35. The debut of Team 3D. This was on the first edition of iMPACT on SpikeTV.
Jarrett of course gets the most face time cutting his boring promo about how good he is, and now Konnan and the 3 Live Krew come out. Comments from 3D would’ve been nice but they are missing.
34. Samoa Joe wins the X-division Title. 12/11/2005 Turning Point.
Highlights of the match are shown, I’ve got the whole thing on DVD and it’s the typical awesome between these 2. This match reminds me that I have to finish the Samoa Joe DVD, as I left off with this particular match. Comments from Joe and Styles air.
33. Abyss attempts to drown Christian Cage.
They show the skit and I actually enjoyed this when it aired. Some of the people speaking on this don’t make sense to me like Elix Skipper and Christopher Daniels but there were some people who it did make sense to have speak, Alex Shelley and Mitchell were 2 of them. Highlights are shown of the entire skit including: “That’s enough Abyss, you can’t win the title from a dead man.” Now Christian is talking about how its not often that you see segments like this showing a character’s real life.
32. The first Steel Cage match in TNA. June, 2003.
Ah, back before the Cage had been overdone. XXX Vs. America’s Most Wanted. I liked 6 sides of steal better but this was pretty good. Storm calls it an honor for TNA to trust them to put them in the company’s first cage match, and Harris doesn’t disagree.
31. Ken Shamrock is crowned NWA World Champion – 06/19/2002.
They cut to the end of the match with Ken Shamrock and Mallice. This was from the first TNA weekly PPV if you couldn’t figure it out.
30. Cookie Gate December 2004.
This is from when the WWE filmed the Royal Rumble 2005 commercial. Traci doesn’t want to talk about it, and I don’t want her to talk about it. Shane Douglas says things that aren’t controversial in the least. Now they show the lame B.G. James portion of the video. Now they make jokes about Vince McMahon sitting down to urinate. Now Traci is disappointingly talking about how the WWE guys turned down her cookies. I’ll make her a deal, if she gives them to Gail Kim and Gail brings them to me then I’ll take them. I’m shocked TNA didn’t want this hire. Speaking of which, who decided how to rank these moments and what moments were included? I need to know these things.
29. Ron Killings wins the NWA title.
This match could have been a recent TNA match based on the number of people that have run out during this short clip.
Controversy in Canada 09/15/2005.
This event was noteable for being the night America’s Most Wanted turned heel. I’m reminded that Raven never got a rematch out of this angle and a lot of it ended up going no where. Symbolizes a lot about TNA quite frankly.
27. Jeff Hardy’s insane leap 10/23/2005 Bound for Glory.
Monsters Ball, I liked this match and the leap was pretty cool.
26. Brian Urlacher is called out on Pay Per View.
This took place during Superbowl week and involved Don Kallis and Johnny Fairplay so it must’ve been 2004. Borash talks about this segment and so does Alex Shelley. It had been awhile since a celebrity had been featured.
25. Victory Road 2004 11/07/2004.
This is the only TNA Pay Per View event I did not order in the monthly era. They showed clips of 3LK winning the tag titles and of Monsters Ball, as well as Scott Hall’s appearance and the World Title ladder match between Hardy and Jeff Jarrett.
24. A freak unleashed on TNA: 03/12/2006.
Scott Steiner debuts at Destination X 2006 attacking Sting. Scott Steiner has had a brief run in TNA but in a lot of ways for me he was the highlight of iMPACT from March until probably the end of July. The announcer said: “It’s rare that Sting is 1-upped in wrestling”. I beg to differ, how many people have turned on an unsuspecting Sting?
23. Lockdown 2005, First Ever All Steal Cage Pay Per View. 04/24/2005
Lockdown was quite the pay per view, and it was quite the day for me but not because I got to watch this show. I don’t want to get in to it but this was one of the most emotionally stressful days of my life.
22. Basebrawl 12/08/2005-12/11/2005.
The best part of this angle for me was the involvement of Bobby the Brain Heenan. It’s a regular secret Santa exchange of gifts until the Diamonds in the Rough come out to interrupt. I’ve never been so happy to see them.
21. Rhino gores his way to the Gold. 10/23/2005 Bound for Glory.
This moment is way too high considering that he lost the belt in television terms, 2 weeks later. The XXX Vs. AMW original cage match had more of a lasting impact than this moment for example.
20. Raven debuts and steals the world title. 01/22/2003.
Jeff Jarrett was a babyface at this time which looks kind of weird even though its about to happen again. This night would lead to one of the better buyrates for their weekly Pay Per View. In retrospect that’s when Raven should’ve won the world title.
19. Nash, Hall and Savage debut at Victory Road 11/07/2004 Victory Road.
Never mind that Hall and Nash had been on TNA TV for weeks before this show, god I miss Nash’s fat theme music. Nash Hall and Jarrett go for a 3-on-1 beatdown of Jeff Hardy with guitars and they intend to celebrate. AJ Styles tries to help out but it doesn’t go well for him after initial success. Next out are the 3LK and they get beaten down until a 100 year old Randy Savage comes out to make the save.
18. First 6 Sides of Steal 07/21/2004: America’s Most Wanted Vs. The Naturals
This time AMW treats their comments as more of a shoot saying it was an honor to work with the Naturals, whom they like working with. They also talk about how there isn’t much difference between a 4 and 6 sided ring, but that a 6 sided cage has less give to it. The Naturals win the match and Don West calls it the biggest upset of all-time. Oh, please.
17. Jeff Jarrett becomes King of the Mountain 06/02/2004.
Ah, King of the Mountain. The most convoluted gimmick match in TNA until the Fight for the Right tournament dethroned it late last month. Yeah, it had been a couple of moments since Jarrett was featured, it was clearly time. A guitar shot leads to the win.
16. Raven Fulfills his destiny. 06/19/2005, Slammiversary.
Noteable for being the match Jarrett didn’t want to job in feeling it was his match. Also noteable for me for taking place during Jessica’s first visit, but I was way more interested in her than in this crappy match. Raven wins the title about 2 years too late in my book.
15. First Ultimate X Match: 08/20/2003
Chris Sabin Vs. Kazarian Vs. Matt Bentley. This is a moment with which I can agree. I am a big fan of the Ultimate X match as I think there is an element of psychology you can have in this kind of match that isn’t present in say a ladder match.
14. Alex Shelley films Sting February/March 2006.
This could’ve done so much more to get Alex Shelley over. He was elevated by these segments but it wouldn’t last very long. I feel it important to mention that Alex Shelley in talking about this used the word “Firstly”
13. AJ Styles crowned first X-division Champion 06/26/2002.
It was double elimination with AJ, Jerry Lynn, Psychosis and Low Ki’ although the DVD refers to him as Senshi.
12. The debut of Jeff Hardy. 06/24/2004.
Jeff Hardy comes out to what I guess is supposed to fit the definition of a big pop. If it was a really big pop when it happened, thumbs way down for whomever is responsible for making sure crowd audio comes across on television.
11. The inception of TNA Wrestling: 06/19/2002.
I can’t believe that there are 10 moments that the company believes is more important than the debut of the company. It’ll be interesting to see what all of them are. We see the attack on Toby Keith for the second time on this DVD.
10. Candido leads the Naturals to tag team gold. 04/30/2005.
This is just so surreal. Candido is still missed, he was making a strong comeback in TNA before his premature death. The final image of iMPACT that day is one we won’t soon forget. The Naturals, AMW, Shane Douglas and others comment in what is a nice tribute to Candido.
09. Christian Cage becomes NWA World Heavyweight Champion: 02/12/2006 Against All Odds
This would also be the peak of Christian’s title reign. I love how the stipulation was that anyone that interfered would be fired, Gail Kim interfered and the fans chanted fire Gail and nothing happened to her. She should’ve had to spend a weekend with me as punishment but that would actually be a gift to her.
08. Barbed wire Massacre: Abyss Vs. Sabu, 12/11/2005
This is like the third moment just from Turning Point 2005. It is clear that TNA sees the years of 2002-03 as the dark ages as it looks like most of these moments come from the monthly PPV era from late 2004 to the present day. This was voted by fans as TNA’s 2005 match of the year, the people that voted for that as match of the year ahead of the Unbreakable 3-way are crazy.
07. AJ Styles ends Jeff Jarrett’s world title reign: Hard Justice 05/15/2005
Yes, it had been a couple of moments since Jarrett had been the focal point so we got this one. Now, why this ranks higher than Christian’s win gets beyond me considering the reaction Christian got compared to Styles and considering that Styles only had the belt for a month. I would reverse these moments and quite frankly drop this further down the list if it were my choice, but if you think I’m making my own list you’re freaking crazy.
06. AMW Vs. Triple X, 6 sides of steal 12/05/2004 Turning Point
I’m stunned that this didn’t rank higher. This is personally 1 of my favorite matches in company history. I know that we have yet to see the Unbreakable 3-way and Christian’s debut in TNA but I’m at a loss for what the other 3 moments will be. Elix Skipper’s cage walk reminds me of how far his career has fallen since that point.
05. Christian Cage arrives: 11/13/2005 TNA Genesis
I liked his promo that night. Ok, so I have no idea what’s what anymore, I figured this would’ve been in the top 3. So I know for sure we’ve got the Unbreakable 3-way yet to come and Sting’s return to wrestling but am still at a loss for the next couple. Irony, Christian said he didn’t come to TNA to see the same guy come out and say the same thing week after week. He did know Jarrett was in the company right? Now Christian is speaking in I guess the present day and he says the same things that Kurt Angle has said in his interviews, company on the rise and all that stuff. Kurt Angle must’ve gotten the talking points from Christian.
04. Unbreakable 3-way AJ Styles Vs. Christopher Daniels Vs. Samoa Joe 09/11/2005 Unbreakable.
This is in my view the best match in company history as those that read my Samoa Joe review would know. I love the “Stop Kicking Me” spot from this match. The announcer says that many consider this to be the greatest match in TNA history. Yet, it didn’t freaking get voted the best match in 2005 in TNA’s own year-end awards, so figure that one out.
03. Jeff Jarrett attacks Hulk Hogan in Japan, 10/2003.
Oh, I knew this moment was coming but its presence had slipped my mind. Jarrett hadn’t been featured in 3 moments or so, its good to have him back, I missed him. This was quite the attack. Hogan sounds like he’s constipated which I’m sure you’re all glad to know.
02. Sting returns to Wrestling 01/15/2006 Final Resolution.
Oh, I now know what the top moment is, it will be iMPACT coming to SpikeTV. This moment on its own however, well I don’t know. Sting has been for TNA everything I thought he’d be, which means I didn’t think he’d make that much of a difference.
01. The debut of TNA iMPACT on SpikeTV: 10/01/2005.
Its Darth Vader, I think this is his first appearance on the DVD. This was the original video to kickoff the debut episode of iMPACT. Vader says these stars will toil in anonymity no more. Guess he hasn’t seen the ratings.
Overall: I thought this DVD was fine. It was a nice look at some of the high-points in tNA history. I’ve got to question how some of these moments were picked and who ranked them, but really its just subjective list making anyway. If you’re new to TNA and missed the weekly PPV era you’ll get glimpses into it but its not a great overview of that time period. You’ll get some of the highlights but that’s about it and given the quality of those PPV events its probably for the best. Recommended to people looking to catch up on things they missed.
Score: 7/10
Hosted by Mike Tenay and Don West who hardly say anything throughout the whole thing just at the beginning and the end.
We’re going to take a look as TNA counts down the 50 Greatest moments in company history as chosen by someone.
50. Rowdy Roddy Piper humiliates Chris Rose.
Ah for the dark ages of FSN. Shane Douglas makes a comment that anyone on TNA’s roster might’ve done what Piper did.
49. Chris Rock comes to the TNA Asylum.
Borash talks about Chris Rock being the biggest celebrity they had in TNA. Rock was there and it looked half-hearted but that could just be me.
48. The Debut of Diamond Dallas Page.
He interfered in a match between Raven and Monty Brown. Raven is on camera and is in character and is making age jokes about DDP.
47. Jeff Jarrett Brawls with the Tennessee Titans.
Its telling that the early part of this disc has been centered around celebrities. Its like look who’s been here. Now Jarrett is talking about the angle.
46. Jim Cornette joins TNA management.
I’m sure Cornette would redo this one if he could, especially knowing Russo’s involvement would come later. Clips of his Slammiversary 2006 promo air.
45. The Gore from hell. Jan 28, 2006.
A match between Rhino and Abyss on iMPACT ends with a gore through the stage wall. Jim Mitchell is on talking about the gore, in character of course.
44. The return of Senshi.
They show clips of the Lockdown 06 match between Senshi and Christopher Daniels. The announcer guy mentioned that the match was originally to be Daniels and Jushin Liger.
43. The Roadwarriors come to TNA. 12/18/2002
They come to the aid of America’s Most Wanted. The honorary speaker this time is Jeremy Borash talking about “The Roadwarrior Pop”. Now Chris Harris is talking about the moment.
42. Joe Vs. Liger
I must have accidentally switched this DVD with the 50 most underwhelming moments in TNA history. A 7 minute match? This would have been better if these interview clips didn’t alternate between in and out of character. They showed about a minute of the match and that’s like 40 percent of it.
41. The Team 3D funeral.
This segment stired a lot of debate after it aired. A lot of people hated it, but a lot of people also loved it. I’m in the camp that loved it. Abyss crushing the clean-x box, AMW’s over-acting and Team Canada banging the hockey sticks. 10 thumbs up! Probably the best skit TNA ever has delivered. America’s Most Wanted cut the promo explaining this one, in the heel characters. Actually, Harris is pretty honest.
40. Toby Keith makes his TNA in-ring debut. 6/19/2002, on the first TNA Pay Per View. First they show clips of him singing his song “Angry American”, and Stone Cold Jeff Jarrett attacks him mid-song. I’ve got a funny feeling Keith will get revenge. Yup, he comes out during Gauntlet for the gold and gives Jarrett a suplex (I hope Jarrett is embarrassed by this one) and Jarrett was eliminated. Borash calls this one of his favorite moments in history. Apparently, when Toby Keith goes on stage they show that suplex in the video introduction.
39. Team NWA wins the world’s X Cup in 2004.
Chris Sabin, Hector Garza and Petey Williams meet in an Ultimate X match. Sabin and Chris Daniels talk about the dominance of Mexico and that Sabin was chosen for his Ultimate X experience. Then clips of the match and Sabin’s victory.
38. The Hard Justice Fire on 8/13/2006.
I haven’t watched this show fully since that night but I have watched bits and pieces, and the fire was definitely the best part. Surprisingly, this gets no video interviews.
37. Raven gets scalped by James Mitchell.
This is on the “Nevermore, Best of Raven” DVD. This is pretty disgusting actually, and Don West tosses his eadset down. Mike Tenay: “This is B.S., this sucks, I’ve lost my objectivity and I don’t give a damn.” There are no words. Raven talks about the moment, as douse Shane Douglas. Raven says its not his favorite moment in TNA, but its not his least favorite. Mitchell calls Raven an ass hole but hole is bleeped, that’s weird.
36. Rhino debuts for TNA Wrestling.
A mistake is made as the announcer says it was at the September 2005 No Surrender Pay Per View. You’d think that TNA would know that No Surrender 05 was held on July 17, 2005. Interesting we don’t get any quotes from Rhino about his debut.
35. The debut of Team 3D. This was on the first edition of iMPACT on SpikeTV.
Jarrett of course gets the most face time cutting his boring promo about how good he is, and now Konnan and the 3 Live Krew come out. Comments from 3D would’ve been nice but they are missing.
34. Samoa Joe wins the X-division Title. 12/11/2005 Turning Point.
Highlights of the match are shown, I’ve got the whole thing on DVD and it’s the typical awesome between these 2. This match reminds me that I have to finish the Samoa Joe DVD, as I left off with this particular match. Comments from Joe and Styles air.
33. Abyss attempts to drown Christian Cage.
They show the skit and I actually enjoyed this when it aired. Some of the people speaking on this don’t make sense to me like Elix Skipper and Christopher Daniels but there were some people who it did make sense to have speak, Alex Shelley and Mitchell were 2 of them. Highlights are shown of the entire skit including: “That’s enough Abyss, you can’t win the title from a dead man.” Now Christian is talking about how its not often that you see segments like this showing a character’s real life.
32. The first Steel Cage match in TNA. June, 2003.
Ah, back before the Cage had been overdone. XXX Vs. America’s Most Wanted. I liked 6 sides of steal better but this was pretty good. Storm calls it an honor for TNA to trust them to put them in the company’s first cage match, and Harris doesn’t disagree.
31. Ken Shamrock is crowned NWA World Champion – 06/19/2002.
They cut to the end of the match with Ken Shamrock and Mallice. This was from the first TNA weekly PPV if you couldn’t figure it out.
30. Cookie Gate December 2004.
This is from when the WWE filmed the Royal Rumble 2005 commercial. Traci doesn’t want to talk about it, and I don’t want her to talk about it. Shane Douglas says things that aren’t controversial in the least. Now they show the lame B.G. James portion of the video. Now they make jokes about Vince McMahon sitting down to urinate. Now Traci is disappointingly talking about how the WWE guys turned down her cookies. I’ll make her a deal, if she gives them to Gail Kim and Gail brings them to me then I’ll take them. I’m shocked TNA didn’t want this hire. Speaking of which, who decided how to rank these moments and what moments were included? I need to know these things.
29. Ron Killings wins the NWA title.
This match could have been a recent TNA match based on the number of people that have run out during this short clip.
Controversy in Canada 09/15/2005.
This event was noteable for being the night America’s Most Wanted turned heel. I’m reminded that Raven never got a rematch out of this angle and a lot of it ended up going no where. Symbolizes a lot about TNA quite frankly.
27. Jeff Hardy’s insane leap 10/23/2005 Bound for Glory.
Monsters Ball, I liked this match and the leap was pretty cool.
26. Brian Urlacher is called out on Pay Per View.
This took place during Superbowl week and involved Don Kallis and Johnny Fairplay so it must’ve been 2004. Borash talks about this segment and so does Alex Shelley. It had been awhile since a celebrity had been featured.
25. Victory Road 2004 11/07/2004.
This is the only TNA Pay Per View event I did not order in the monthly era. They showed clips of 3LK winning the tag titles and of Monsters Ball, as well as Scott Hall’s appearance and the World Title ladder match between Hardy and Jeff Jarrett.
24. A freak unleashed on TNA: 03/12/2006.
Scott Steiner debuts at Destination X 2006 attacking Sting. Scott Steiner has had a brief run in TNA but in a lot of ways for me he was the highlight of iMPACT from March until probably the end of July. The announcer said: “It’s rare that Sting is 1-upped in wrestling”. I beg to differ, how many people have turned on an unsuspecting Sting?
23. Lockdown 2005, First Ever All Steal Cage Pay Per View. 04/24/2005
Lockdown was quite the pay per view, and it was quite the day for me but not because I got to watch this show. I don’t want to get in to it but this was one of the most emotionally stressful days of my life.
22. Basebrawl 12/08/2005-12/11/2005.
The best part of this angle for me was the involvement of Bobby the Brain Heenan. It’s a regular secret Santa exchange of gifts until the Diamonds in the Rough come out to interrupt. I’ve never been so happy to see them.
21. Rhino gores his way to the Gold. 10/23/2005 Bound for Glory.
This moment is way too high considering that he lost the belt in television terms, 2 weeks later. The XXX Vs. AMW original cage match had more of a lasting impact than this moment for example.
20. Raven debuts and steals the world title. 01/22/2003.
Jeff Jarrett was a babyface at this time which looks kind of weird even though its about to happen again. This night would lead to one of the better buyrates for their weekly Pay Per View. In retrospect that’s when Raven should’ve won the world title.
19. Nash, Hall and Savage debut at Victory Road 11/07/2004 Victory Road.
Never mind that Hall and Nash had been on TNA TV for weeks before this show, god I miss Nash’s fat theme music. Nash Hall and Jarrett go for a 3-on-1 beatdown of Jeff Hardy with guitars and they intend to celebrate. AJ Styles tries to help out but it doesn’t go well for him after initial success. Next out are the 3LK and they get beaten down until a 100 year old Randy Savage comes out to make the save.
18. First 6 Sides of Steal 07/21/2004: America’s Most Wanted Vs. The Naturals
This time AMW treats their comments as more of a shoot saying it was an honor to work with the Naturals, whom they like working with. They also talk about how there isn’t much difference between a 4 and 6 sided ring, but that a 6 sided cage has less give to it. The Naturals win the match and Don West calls it the biggest upset of all-time. Oh, please.
17. Jeff Jarrett becomes King of the Mountain 06/02/2004.
Ah, King of the Mountain. The most convoluted gimmick match in TNA until the Fight for the Right tournament dethroned it late last month. Yeah, it had been a couple of moments since Jarrett was featured, it was clearly time. A guitar shot leads to the win.
16. Raven Fulfills his destiny. 06/19/2005, Slammiversary.
Noteable for being the match Jarrett didn’t want to job in feeling it was his match. Also noteable for me for taking place during Jessica’s first visit, but I was way more interested in her than in this crappy match. Raven wins the title about 2 years too late in my book.
15. First Ultimate X Match: 08/20/2003
Chris Sabin Vs. Kazarian Vs. Matt Bentley. This is a moment with which I can agree. I am a big fan of the Ultimate X match as I think there is an element of psychology you can have in this kind of match that isn’t present in say a ladder match.
14. Alex Shelley films Sting February/March 2006.
This could’ve done so much more to get Alex Shelley over. He was elevated by these segments but it wouldn’t last very long. I feel it important to mention that Alex Shelley in talking about this used the word “Firstly”
13. AJ Styles crowned first X-division Champion 06/26/2002.
It was double elimination with AJ, Jerry Lynn, Psychosis and Low Ki’ although the DVD refers to him as Senshi.
12. The debut of Jeff Hardy. 06/24/2004.
Jeff Hardy comes out to what I guess is supposed to fit the definition of a big pop. If it was a really big pop when it happened, thumbs way down for whomever is responsible for making sure crowd audio comes across on television.
11. The inception of TNA Wrestling: 06/19/2002.
I can’t believe that there are 10 moments that the company believes is more important than the debut of the company. It’ll be interesting to see what all of them are. We see the attack on Toby Keith for the second time on this DVD.
10. Candido leads the Naturals to tag team gold. 04/30/2005.
This is just so surreal. Candido is still missed, he was making a strong comeback in TNA before his premature death. The final image of iMPACT that day is one we won’t soon forget. The Naturals, AMW, Shane Douglas and others comment in what is a nice tribute to Candido.
09. Christian Cage becomes NWA World Heavyweight Champion: 02/12/2006 Against All Odds
This would also be the peak of Christian’s title reign. I love how the stipulation was that anyone that interfered would be fired, Gail Kim interfered and the fans chanted fire Gail and nothing happened to her. She should’ve had to spend a weekend with me as punishment but that would actually be a gift to her.
08. Barbed wire Massacre: Abyss Vs. Sabu, 12/11/2005
This is like the third moment just from Turning Point 2005. It is clear that TNA sees the years of 2002-03 as the dark ages as it looks like most of these moments come from the monthly PPV era from late 2004 to the present day. This was voted by fans as TNA’s 2005 match of the year, the people that voted for that as match of the year ahead of the Unbreakable 3-way are crazy.
07. AJ Styles ends Jeff Jarrett’s world title reign: Hard Justice 05/15/2005
Yes, it had been a couple of moments since Jarrett had been the focal point so we got this one. Now, why this ranks higher than Christian’s win gets beyond me considering the reaction Christian got compared to Styles and considering that Styles only had the belt for a month. I would reverse these moments and quite frankly drop this further down the list if it were my choice, but if you think I’m making my own list you’re freaking crazy.
06. AMW Vs. Triple X, 6 sides of steal 12/05/2004 Turning Point
I’m stunned that this didn’t rank higher. This is personally 1 of my favorite matches in company history. I know that we have yet to see the Unbreakable 3-way and Christian’s debut in TNA but I’m at a loss for what the other 3 moments will be. Elix Skipper’s cage walk reminds me of how far his career has fallen since that point.
05. Christian Cage arrives: 11/13/2005 TNA Genesis
I liked his promo that night. Ok, so I have no idea what’s what anymore, I figured this would’ve been in the top 3. So I know for sure we’ve got the Unbreakable 3-way yet to come and Sting’s return to wrestling but am still at a loss for the next couple. Irony, Christian said he didn’t come to TNA to see the same guy come out and say the same thing week after week. He did know Jarrett was in the company right? Now Christian is speaking in I guess the present day and he says the same things that Kurt Angle has said in his interviews, company on the rise and all that stuff. Kurt Angle must’ve gotten the talking points from Christian.
04. Unbreakable 3-way AJ Styles Vs. Christopher Daniels Vs. Samoa Joe 09/11/2005 Unbreakable.
This is in my view the best match in company history as those that read my Samoa Joe review would know. I love the “Stop Kicking Me” spot from this match. The announcer says that many consider this to be the greatest match in TNA history. Yet, it didn’t freaking get voted the best match in 2005 in TNA’s own year-end awards, so figure that one out.
03. Jeff Jarrett attacks Hulk Hogan in Japan, 10/2003.
Oh, I knew this moment was coming but its presence had slipped my mind. Jarrett hadn’t been featured in 3 moments or so, its good to have him back, I missed him. This was quite the attack. Hogan sounds like he’s constipated which I’m sure you’re all glad to know.
02. Sting returns to Wrestling 01/15/2006 Final Resolution.
Oh, I now know what the top moment is, it will be iMPACT coming to SpikeTV. This moment on its own however, well I don’t know. Sting has been for TNA everything I thought he’d be, which means I didn’t think he’d make that much of a difference.
01. The debut of TNA iMPACT on SpikeTV: 10/01/2005.
Its Darth Vader, I think this is his first appearance on the DVD. This was the original video to kickoff the debut episode of iMPACT. Vader says these stars will toil in anonymity no more. Guess he hasn’t seen the ratings.
Overall: I thought this DVD was fine. It was a nice look at some of the high-points in tNA history. I’ve got to question how some of these moments were picked and who ranked them, but really its just subjective list making anyway. If you’re new to TNA and missed the weekly PPV era you’ll get glimpses into it but its not a great overview of that time period. You’ll get some of the highlights but that’s about it and given the quality of those PPV events its probably for the best. Recommended to people looking to catch up on things they missed.
Score: 7/10
Labels: DVD Reviews, OCC Opinion, TNA
posted by Casey Trowbridge at 11/22/2006 08:51:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home