Back in 2001 Vince McMahon purchased his company’s only rival on television in terms of pro wrestling, WCW. It was the end of an era and there was no real alternative. Then the following year something else was born, something a bit different. It happened when Jeff & Jerry Jarrett created Total Non-Stop Action!
It took awhile to get going but once it settled in TNA was becoming very popular with fans that liked to have another company to watch instead of WWE all the time. They started doing great things from the start with the six sided ring, something a lot of fans still miss. There’s also the X-Division which continually provides TNA with some of its top matches. Over the last 11 years there’s been some fantastic matches and in fairness some very bad ones within the last few years. Most fans understand that WWE is still by far the bigger company and if anything TNA is now worse than it was 5 years ago. However, there’s no denying that when it clicks TNA can put on first class matches, some legendary ones in my honest opinion. For all its faults it still can throw up the odd great match to remind us there is something else we can watch apart from WWE if we wish. I’ve sat and looked back through the years that I’ve been watching TNA and I’ve come up with a top 20 match list that I believe contains not only some of the best matches within the company but anywhere.
Join me now to take a walk down memory lane as I recall the………TOP 20 MATCHES IN TNA HISTORY!!
#20, TNA Weekly Pay Per View. June 25th 2003. Steel Cage Match for the Tag Team Championships – America’s Most wanted (Chris Harris & James Storm vs. Triple X (Christopher Daniels & Elix Skipper)
We start of our countdown with the first ever steel cage match in TNA history. This is from TNA’s first anniversary show, back in the good ol’ “Asylum“ days taped at the Nashville Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Featuring the two best tag teams in TNA at that point. This is a really gritty, blood, sweat and tears type of encounter with some big bumps mixed in. A really impressive showing, even more so when you consider this was Elix Skipper’s first EVER cage match, Christopher Daniels’ second and only the third cage match for Harris & Storm in their respective careers. The finish comes when Skipper gets knocked out of the cage, leaving Daniels to slug it out for himself. Harris goes to the top of the cage and nails the Death Sentence for the win at 17:49. This match was featured as number #32 on the top 50 TNA Greatest Moments DVD. It was also voted as the 2003 TNA match of the year by the fans and deservedly so in my opinion.
#19, TNA No Surrender 2006. September 24th 2006. Ultimate X Match for the Tag Team Championships – Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) vs. AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels.
This is a very good Ultimate X match, however, in saying that I do believe this match is somewhat over-hyped. While it is a lot of fun to watch, there is a lot of fairly standard stuff in this match means it doesn’t warrant a higher ranking, at least in my view. But it was a very good bout nonetheless. As far as matches of this type, this is one of the best I’ve seen. However, for me the Ultimate X concept has been somewhat tarnished over the years, especially when it was used seemingly at random on pointless televised Impacts: The Motor City Machine Guns vs. Beer Money August 5th, 2010, Kazarian vs Mr. Anderson October 21st 2010, Brian Kendrick vs. Abyss July 28th 2011. These are some of the examples that immediately spring to my mind. But moving onto this match, what separates this from the other Ultimate X matches in TNA history is that the wrestlers give the spots that the fans really want to see yet they still find ways to be rather smart and methodical in their workings. Despite it being over-hyped, it is still exceptionally entertaining.
#18, TNA No surrender 2010. September 5th 2010. Semi-Final Tournament match for the World Heavyweight Championship – Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle
Our next match is our first of two offerings from the year of 2010. These two had previously met once before in a King of the Ring quarterfinal match from Raw in June of 2001. With Angle getting the win in little over three minutes. I’m still a little surprised that these two didn’t feud or have any PPV matches while in the WWE, it seems like a rivalry that could have stolen the show on any PPV. But hey-ho. For those who don’t know this match has a controversial ending (the ending stops it from ranking higher up in my list). Basically the match went over the time limit of 20 minutes. So they had two periods of 5 minutes overtime…but yet still no winner. Therefore, at the thirty minute mark Eric Bischoff declares the match a no contest, due to the cut on Kurt Angle’s forehead being too deep (which seemed like a pretty normal cut to me). Nevertheless, despite the controversial ending this was a tremendous match. You have a fantastic contrast of styles on show; the intense mat based mastery of Kurt Angle (who looked really on top form here). Along with Jeff Hardy who in my opinion had one of his best matches in TNA. Definitely worth going out of your way to watch.
#17, TNA Weekly Pay Per View. August 28th 2002. Ladder Match for the X-Division Championship – Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles vs. Low Ki.
This is one of the matches that in my opinion really defined what the X-Division is supposed to be. What I loved about this match is that it lasted a good 6-7 minutes before the first ladder was brought into the match. With matches such as the Money In the Bank or any other ladder match involving more than two competitors, there’s usually no build up towards bringing the ladder into action. All three men bust their assess and try to put each other over. Once the ladder is brought in the three men go all out in a spectacle of crazy (but well executed) spots. Jerry Lynn gets the win in 20 minutes after hitting Low Ki with a cradle piledriver from almost the top of the ladder. One of the best ladder matches I’ve ever seen and arguably the best in TNA history.
#16. TNA Slammiversary 2006. June 18th 2006. Tag Team match for the World Tag-Team Championships – AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels vs. America’s Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris).
This match is a little bit of a forgotten gem in my opinion. Mainly forgotten about due to the epic feud between LAX and AJ/Daniels just a month or two later. Both AMW and AJ/Daniels are just so smooth in the ring and have fantastic chemistry in this match. AJ and Daniels exhibit their creativeness with some of the moves they come up with. These two have had some amazing matches in the past from 2005-2013 and I hope we get to perhaps see them a bit more as a tag team in the future. After 18 minutes AJ and Daniels get the win and the crowd goes mental. The only critique I have with this match is the debut of Sirelda fighting Gail Kim towards the end, which in my opinion disrupted the flow of the match somewhat. Without this interruption this match would’ve gone up a few notches on my countdown, but apart from that no complaints here.
#15. TNA Turning Point 2012. November 11th 2012. Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship – Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries.
This was one of the last Pay per views before TNA announced that they were cutting down their PPV’s from 12 a year to only 4. A freaking insane ladder match, the best ladder match in TNA history. With having two title belts above the ring, I was a bit wary of what the finish was going to be (Hardy grabs one belt & Aries grabs the other), but luckily we didn’t get a cheap finish and the match as a whole was amazing to watch. Some of the bumps were a bit cringe worthy and looked very nasty. Which just goes to show these two put their lives on the line and left it all in the ring. Jeff Hardy gets the win at the 21 minute mark.
#14, TNA Lockdown 2010. April 18th 2010. Steel Cage Match – Kurt Angle vs. Mr Anderson
My personal Match of the Year for TNA in 2010. Mr Anderson had only been in TNA for around three months at this point, already finding himself in a very hot feud with Kurt Angle culminating in this cage match at Lockdown. A fantastic 20+ minute match with some great spots thrown in: Angle giving Anderson a German Suplex from the top rope, followed afterwards by an amazing moonsault from the top of the cage that looked really nasty upon impact. At that time Anderson really proved himself to be one of the very best heels in the company (if not the best). More than anything this was a very intense and emotional fight. The best match I’ve seen Ken Anderson compete in (WWE or TNA) fantastic storytelling from both men, and a great way to end a brilliant feud.
#13, TNA Hard justice 2008. August 10th 2008. Last Man Standing Match – Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles.
These two have had some truly fantastic matches in TNA, a number of which just narrowly missed off making my list for the top 20 TNA matches of all time; Slammiversary 2008, 4th January 2010 Impact, Genesis 2010, Sacrifice 2012, Slammiversary 2013. It should be noted that this isn’t a standard WWE type last man standing match, but they are doing the whole Texas Death Match rules, where you have to pin your opponent and then they have to respond to the count of 10. Any of the previous matches between Angle and AJ have always been top notch. You could realistically put any of these matches in the top 20 TNA matches of all time. However, I chose to focus on this one because of its brutality and the fact it is extremely well paced. AJ defeats Angle at around the 25 minute mark. One of Angle’s and indeed AJ’s best matches in TNA.
#12, TNA Lockdown 2005. April 24th 2005. Steel Cage Match. Number 1 Contenders Match for the World Heavyweight Championship – AJ Styles vs. Abyss.
This was “The Monster” Abyss at his very best in my opinion. Back in the good old days where every match at Lockdown was inside a steel cage (the way it should be). Fantastic start where AJ does a somersault through the opened cage door onto Abyss, followed by sliding under the railings before again jumping onto Abyss. A few minutes later in another crazy spot Abyss ferociously swings the cage door right into AJ’s face, which AJ does a fantastic job of selling. This is one of my all time favourite Steel Cage matches. Again this is a forgotten classic from the early days in TNA.
#11, TNA Final Resolution 2009. December 20th 2009. Three Degrees of Pain (Pinfall, Submission, Escape the Cage) – Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe.
The last PPV before the Hogan era officially begun and what a fantastic PPV it was. I’m a huge fan of Nigel McGuinness and was so excited to see him come to TNA wrestling. They had an amazing match at the Turning Point PPV one month prior to this and I wasn’t entirely sure that they would be able to come anywhere close to it again, but they did. The first fall ended with a Tower of London and Wolfe getting the win at 12:41. The 2nd fall concluded when Wolfe taps out at 20:03. Always really stunned at how good Wolfe’s submission game is. For the third and final fall Wolfe drags himself towards the door but Angle escapes first over the top of the cage at the 26 minute mark. In all honesty I was a bit disappointed that Wolfe didn’t get the win, to set up a potential rematch. I could watch these two wrestle all day.
#10, TNA Turning Point 2006. December 10th 2006 – Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe
This is a rematch from the Genesis PPV one month prior. I’ve heard some people compare this feud to Kurt’s rivalry with Brock Lesnar through 2003. We have Kurt Angle trying to destroy the promising and talented up and comer, before he could gain enough momentum to take Angle’s main event spot. Similarly to their match at Genesis from last month, the build for this PPV was absolutely fantastic and the crowd in the impact zone was red hot. I’m always a fan of when these two wrestle. I’ve been a massive fan of Joe ever since his ROH days. Both of these men worked hard, fought hard and put on the best match of the night. Joe forces Angle to tap in just under 20 minutes. TNA’s best match in 2006 in my view.
#9, TNA Against All Odds 2005. February 13th 2005. 30 Minute Iron Man Match for the X-Division Championship – AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
This was their first encounter ever in TNA I believe. Watching these two wrestle gives me similarities of watching Dean Malenko in WCW 1996/1997, because you always see something a little bit different in every match. This match had just about everything and some would argue this is the rivalry that TNA is built on. Brilliant moment in this match is when Daniels has AJ in a Koji Clutch, the camera then zooms in on the blood trickling down AJ’s face, an image not too dissimilar from when Bret Hart had Austin in the Sharpshooter at WrestleMania 13. The finish comes in overtime when AJ hit’s the Styles clash to win the match 2-1 overall.
#8, TNA Sacrifice 2007. May 13th 2007. Texas Death Match – Chris Harris vs. James Storm
From having one of the worst matches in TNA history last month, to having one of the best in TNA history this month! I must admit I was expecting very little after their appalling “Blindfold match” at Lockdown the month prior (which also featured an equally atrocious “electrified” cage match). So coming into this my expectations were quite frankly minimal….but wow was I wrong. This match had it all: Trash cans, tables, kendo sticks, chairs, lots of brawling through the crowd and buckets of blood. One of the most sickening matches in TNA history. These two worked like madmen to get themselves over and they did some very cool spots. I don’t think Harris ever had a single’s match this good. The ending comes when Storm and Harris both pick up a beer bottle, Harris is able to hit Storm first and gets the three-count. Storm is then unable to answer the 10-count at around the 17 minute mark.
#7, TNA Turning Point 2009. November 15th 2009 – Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe
What’s not to love about this? Intelligent counters and fantastic technical wrestling. Just a fantastic display of pure wrestling by both men. Many nice spots in this match, the spot with Kurt Angle holding on for 6 German Suplex’s in a row being one of my personal favourites. Their styles really blended in well together and the crowd was really into. The end comes when Angle makes Wolfe tap in just over 16 minutes. Quite simply two of the best wrestling technicians in the history of professional wrestling having a match for the ages.
#6, TNA Turning Point 2009. November 15th 2009. Three Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship – AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels
I can’t recall any wrestling pay per view in history which has two matches of this quality next to each other on the card. I don’t think this was better than their encounter at Unbreakable 2005, but it was very close especially when you consider this was over 4 years ago since that match. Daniels was exceptional here, proving he can unquestionably main event pay per views. Which is why I am a little disappointed that he’s not doing a bit more in TNA currently. Joe stood out as a monster as always and Styles is still putting on quality performance after quality performance. What an amazing way to follow Angle vs. Wolfe
#5, TNA Lockdown 2008. April 13th 2008. World Heavyweight Championship – Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle
This match is probably the most controversial on the list. Like marmite…some people love it and some people hate it. I understand why people didn’t like this match and why it didn’t appeal to them, but I personally really enjoyed it. I know a lot of people didn’t like the MMA stuff they had going on but I think it added to that big fight feel on the night. Additionally, Joe & Angle have had many great matches before this and have proven they work exceptionally well together in the ring. Joe gets the win at around the 18 minute mark and wins his first ever TNA World Heavyweight title. Very well deserved.
#4, TNA Weekly Pay Per View. June 26th 2002. Double Elimination Match to crown the first ever X-Division Champion – AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Low Ki vs. Psychosis.
This is just what the X-Division is all about. This was only the 2nd week that TNA had been in existence, it needed a match to solidify what the X-division means and what it stands for, this match did just that. This was 26 minutes of unbelievable high-flying, faced paced action. What makes it even more amazing is that it was rumoured that AJ Styles wrestled this match with a broken foot! I’m not sure if that is entirely true or not. However, regardless this was a fantastic match and exactly what was needed to establish the X Division as a cornerstone in TNA.
#3, TNA Final Resolution 2005. January 16th 2005. Ultimate X Match for the X-Division Championship – AJ Styles vs. Chris Sabin vs. Petey Williams
This was the 6th Ultimate X match ever at this point. This is my favourite Ultimate X match out of the 30 in TNA’s 11+ year history. As I’ve stated earlier this match concept has been somewhat tarnished in my opinion, with almost a third of the Ultimate X’s matches been given away on free TV with no build. But nevertheless this is absolute fantastic. Lots of fast paced high flying action. Williams and Sabin look so smooth in the ring, it’s great to see them both back on Impact Wrestling in recent weeks, both look like they haven’t missed a beat. AJ snatches the belt and gets the win at around the 20 minute mark. I highly recommend you go out of your way to see this match if you haven’t already.
#2, Turning Point 2004. December 5th 2004. Tag Team Steel Cage Match – America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) vs Triple X (Christopher Daniels and Elix Skipper)
This is the final chapter in a 2 year rivalry between these two teams. This match has the added stipulation that the losing team must disband forever. On a side note I really miss the 6 sided ring, I may be alone here but I feel as though going to a traditional 4 sided ring in 2010 was a step back and TNA as a result lost some of it’s uniqueness. AMW come down to the ring with some handcuffs. Daniels is busted open heavily in very quick time (which is kind of the norm when you put these two teams in a cage). After 6 minutes Skipper handcuffs Harris to the cage, then Daniels teases Harris with the key before using it to slice open Storm, which is a nice touch. Then Daniels and Skipper double team Storm, similarly to what AMW did to Daniels in their previous cage match 17 months ago. The crowd is really loving this match and the blood starts to cover the canvas, in a scene not too dissimilar from the JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero match at WWE Judgment Day 2004. This is of course the match with the famous spot of Elix Skipper walking along the top of the cage and hits an hurricanrana. I’ve seen this match many times and yet that spot still amazes me even to this day. AMW win the match at around 21 minutes. The best cage match in TNA history and also one of the best cage matches I’ve seen in professional wrestling history.
#1, TNA Unbreakable 2005. September 11th 2005. X-Division Championship – Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels
This match has received many rave reviews and accolades from fans and wrestlers alike. This match was for the X-Division championship, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles the challengers while Christopher Daniels was the current reigning and defending X-Division champion. This match was the first time they gave the X-Division centre stage, to really let them show what they could do….and they didn’t disappoint. This match genuinely seemed as important as the TNA championship. For those who like this match I highly recommend you go out and watch a match from One Pro Wrestling (A former U.K based wrestling company) at the “No Turning Back 2006. Night One” Event. A four way watch between the three already mentioned and the added addition of Charlie Haas too. Admittedly it’s not as good as the Unbreakable 3-way, but a quality match nonetheless. The Unbreakable three-way was really the beginning for TNA, it revealed the amazing chemistry that all three wrestlers had together. It is widely considered by many to be the best encounter that these three men ever had and in my opinion the best match in TNA wrestling history.
Thank you very much for reading. If you have any feedback or thoughts & opinions I would love to hear them. My twitter is @bcafcmark so feel free to tweet me or give me a follow.
Thanks very much.
– By Mark Hainsworth
