Best Specialty Match in TNA

[IrishCanadian25]

One thing that nobody can argue TNA wrestling has brought to wrestling fans over the last 5 years is a very innovative bunch of new specialty matches. From Ultimate X to Elevation X, Monster's Ball to King of the Mountain, things are tried and executed in TNA that only a few indy promotions and overseas promotions have even attempted. It may even be safe to say that a huge reason TNA is able to compete with WWE is because of the ability to take risks and feature innovative matches.

I want to know: whaich match is your favorite, why, and what specific matches make it the best. I'd also like to know who you'd like to see in that particular match in the future.

 

[xxCM_PUNKxx]

To me the specialty matches in tna are usually shit. Except for ultimate x and KOTM. The specialty matches are 1 reason why tna CANT compete with the wwe right now, they have too many concept matches. Dumb concept matches like 8 mile street fight, i dont remember what they called it but whatever the match was called with team 3D and LAX,and Elevation X was really dumb. If you want to say that your promotion focus's on wrestling, FOCUS ON THE WRESTLING, not dumb concept matches

 

[caifanes]

For me, my favorite one is the King Of The Mountain Match, the first time that I see it, it was when I was sick of WWE, so I watch the match and it was something fresh and new. Also the Ultimate X is a good one.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

To me the specialty matches in tna are usually shit. Except for ultimate x and KOTM.

CM, I have agreed with some of your points in the past, but you do realize that you just called TNA's specialty matches "shit" and then proceed to say that only half of them were "shit." Kinda self-contradictory, no?

The 8-mile street fight is not a concept match. It's hardly a specialty match. It's a no-holds-barred match with a funky name to lend creedence to the story line. WWE has done that for years with: "Chicago Street Fight, Come as you are Street Fight, etc." Sometimes it just is a vain attempt to connect hometown fans with a match, but it isn't a concept match.

What about the other matches did you think weren't good, and why do you think that will keep them from competing with WWE? If WWE is touting its' ladder matches, how come TNA can't take it one step further?

Also, remember, those concept matches are few and far between. Too many too often and the concept gets watered down, as has been the case with the WWE ladder match. It's good that the Elimination Chamber and Hell in a Cell aren't more than once-per-year events, so they mean more.

 

[ol49er]

the best specialty match in TNA is the Ultimate X, even the wwe superstars can't compete in this match at all. if you closely watch the ultimate x matches its very tiring. hardly any of the wwe concept matches are tough as this with the exception of maybe the TLC or even HITC......

 

[ExtremeRage81]

though hardly specialty, surprised you left out six sides of steel. Next level cage match, few bad matches in that cage. disregard this past lockdown because to me, that wasn't the six sides

 

[IrishCanadian25]

I was waiting for someone to bring up six sides of steel. Much like the "8-mile street fight" I felt it was a cage match with another name. The rules are generally the same as with any cage match - pin, submission, escape. But if you feel the SSOS match is a specialty match, I totally respect that and see that at the time I am writing this, we have 2 votes for "other" perhaps meaning the new-age-cage is turning heads.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Oh, as a side note, I enjoyed the Elevation X between Styles and Rhy/ino, but wasn't sure how that played into the storyline. I'd like to see Daniels vs Sting in an elevation X match, with one being "The Fallen Angel" and the other entering the ring from the rafters. They'd put on a great Elevation X match.

 

[Shocky]

Well I'll start with the first matchup.

Monster's Ball: Too me, it's no more then a Street Fight by another name. The whole aspect of "These Guys haven't slept, haven't ate, haven't drank in 24 hours" is kinda lame and unbelievable.

Ultimate X: I like it, but it's a glorified Ladder Match. The first one was hilarious with the X not staying on the rope. It is a very unique match, I'll give them that, but there is something about it that hasn't sunk with me yet.

King Of The Mountain: I know people are against the Idea of Why would you want to hang the belt up? For me, I think it's TNA's best gimmick match. 5 guys, a penalty box, and a ladder. For me I would put that you must remove the belt instead of hang it. Other then that, I think this match is very solid.

ElevationX: Will reserve judgment when I watch this match. I am very leery of Scaffold Matches myself, and haven't heard too many good things about the first one, but I'll judge when I see it.

Honorable Mentions: While these aren't exclusive to TNA, I like their twist.

Six Sides of Steel: The Cage just looks menacing, and awfully high. It's probably just an optical illusion created because the arena is so small. Anyways, that cage doesnt' give, and doens't have the platforms to walk on top of. When guys hit moves off of that thing, it's skill.

Last Man Standing/Death Match: I'm Glad they are sticking with how the match was intended to be done. A pinfall, then a ten count to avoid those damn annoying WWE Last Man Standing double countouts. TNA has brought this match back, and Harris and Storm delivered the goods.

Lethal Lockdown: Finally, someone had the balls to bring back Wargames in one shape or form. This is where I get pissed off that another company has decided to bury the legacy of another, just for shits and giggles. Kudos to TNA to have the balls, and the wrestlers to pull this match off. One word FRANKENSTEINER!!!

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

Well I'll start with the first matchup.

Ultimate X: I like it, but it's a glorified Ladder Match. The first one was hilarious with the X not staying on the rope. It is a very unique match, I'll give them that, but there is something about it that hasn't sunk with me yet.

Actually Shockmater, it was I believe the third Ultimate X match where the X fell down. That was the one where Petey Williams won. But the other two were just plain sick. That high spot that they show repeatedly where AJ Styles gets dropped kicked and lands back first into the ring was from the second. The earlier matches were very much must see and no hold barred.

But if you want to talk about a classic concept match, then we need to talk about the World X Cup. The wrestling on the two I saw were the shit and I hope that when TNA gets it's second hour that it will revive this classic.

 

[ExtremeRage81]

it was bound for glory in 2005 where the x fell and Petey won. But they had more Ultimate X matches than that. I know this because they said at Final Resolution in 05 that Chris Sabin had won 3 Ultimate X matches before the one between Sabin, AJ and Petey.

 

[Chazmaster69]

Ultimate X or King of the Mountain both original and unique. Anyone could really go in both of them for instance Joe in Ultimate X

 

[aRush]

For their best match, there is only one possibilty ---> Six Sides of Steel Blindfold Match!! lol...

seriously though, Ultimate X and King of the Mountain are both really great concept matches that I think are as good as anything the WWE or anyone for that matter has come up with.

I actually kind of liked Elevation X, though I do wish the platform would have been made wider than it was to walk on. Having room for wrestlers to go into the scaffold was something new for me and overall it was very intriguing and the wrestlers did the best they could though I still say Rhino didnt belong in that type of match.

 

[RVDgurl]

I think TNA comes up with some very innovative matches, although, sometimes they do rely on them a little too much. Ultimate X is probably one of the best specialty matches ever. The only drawback is that TNA needs to be careful which wrestlers are used in a match like that. I can't image that Abyss would be very successful in an Ultimate X match.
As for Monster's Ball, King of the Mountain and Elevation X- they are all very cool concepts as well. I think TNA does a very good job in booking these types of matches sparingly so that they remain special.

 

[souldaddy81]

I definately agree that TNA puts on WAAAAAAAY to many concept/speciality/gimmick matches. I think they should do away with so many, so that you give the originals and most liked meaning. Its like "Hey, you guys are gonna wrestle in Ultimate X, but right before your match, its gonna be This guy vs This guy in an Hang Your Opponent From The Entrance Way match."

TNA's best speciality match is a tie......

Ultimate X- obvious reasons. these matches are kick ass even the one where the X fell and petey williams caught it. give me an instance of a bad Ultimate X match, cant can ya?

Any gimmick match with Abyss- I love Abyss! He's hardcore AND he can wrestle, Full Metal Mayhem, Monsters Ball, Six Sides of Steel, they've all been awesome!

 

[RKO369]

I would say hands down that its Ultimate X...there is no other match in all of professional wrestling that is a test of strength than Ultimate X....its not that easy to pull yourself across those wires

 

[Hillmania]

well ultimate x is the best by far of course, but the majority of the others are really good too. now the problem ppl have with tna's concept matches are that they just invent matches on a whim like the prison yard and last rites matches, yet build up something like elevation x as their newest concept match. so basically it gets irritating the way they throw titles onto matches like that, like the 8 mile, little italy ang ghetto street fights. as well as the texas death match and last man standing matches that are the same. then theres things like the electrified cage that are just dumb, but they had to do something for lockdown. so its understandable. but when it comes to the basic concepts, nothing beats tna, and nothing beats the ultimate test, the ultimate x.

although, i hafta say, i was dissappointed in the gauntlet, prob for the use of the elevation setup.

 

[ACTAFOOL]

i love their gimmick matches, sure they have 50 types of no DQ but still i enjoy it much more than a singles match

i like the fact that TNA almost always has a good gimmick match for a ppv, they dont need it but it makes it much more entertaining IMO and i dont get tired of them, WWE only has singles nowadays =/... its rare to see a good gimmick match, SS and WM thats about it

i remember when WWF did some crazy ladder matches on Raw or smackdown!, why stop?

anyways, best match i think it would be KOTM, cuz this match istn only for heavyweights, neither only for x division, every1 can have an amazing moment in this match, its a great concept IMO, the x division does some crazy things in it, so does the heavy weights/main eventers, so its just a solid good match for any1

ultimate X is sick, i really enjoy it, has to happen every year without a doubt, but since only x division can shine in this match, it makes the concept limited, thats the only reason why i didnt pick it, but no doubt its freakin amazing also

the six sides of steel is amazing, sure its just a cage, but what those guys do on that cage is incredible O.O, pure skill, im just amazed as of what they've done with that match

PS: any abyss match is awsome lol, he can take some serious bumps but can also wrestle, great big monster guy

 

[The_Rocket]

I think Ultimate X match is the best match they got, that match has been voted match of the year of many different occasions, many great wrestlers have been in this match

 

[attila]

Lets see, best gimmick match. Geez there's just so many to choose from. Seriously I was the biggest TNA mark this time last year, and all these specialty matches have made me the biggest TNA basher. This company has gone down the proverbial shitter coz of all this crap. Ultimate X, Monsters Ball and SOS are the only concept matches worth having. Full Metal Mayhem is the same thing as Monster's Ball, KOTM is the dumbest, messiest concept match in the world. But I'll admit it has potential. Just take that stupid penalty box out of the equation and you have a pretty cool concept. You have to pin before you can win. Why do you need the penalty box. Just makes the whole thing look like a cartoon.

Earth to TNA!! A street-match is a street-match. Stop giving it a different name every time you fucking use it. The simple fact that TNA has so many concepts makes them irrelevant. There is a reason there are so many colors that a Ferrari is available in. Because once you start offering it in every flavor nobody cares and the car becomes less unique. Similarly, there is a reason that Apple computers only come in 4 different configurations. Because when you overpopulate your product range you become Dell.

This brings me to my next point. Apple is successful because it has identified a gap in the market. A gap that TNA once filled in the wrestling industry. They were different. Apple does not compete for the same market that HP does. They target a sub-market. Its the same industry but a different audience. TNA enjoyed much success under this same model. They went from a 0.4 rating on FSN to a 1.0 rating on Spike using this approach in less than 6 months. Since then they have reached a 1.2 rating as WWE-lite. Yes it is higher than before, but look at the rate of growth. A gain of 0.6 in 6 months versus a growth of 0.2 in almost 2 years, and most weeks Impact garners a 1.0 rating anyways.

Now this could be for other reasons. Maybe they hit a plateau and are stuck at that 1.0-1.2 range. Or maybe the change in their approach has in fact hindered their growth. I personally believe the latter is true. There is a reason I haven't watched WWE in six months and a reason I now haven't watched TNA in a fortnight. Both organizations are feeding me the same meal. And it tastes like shit. Sorry I know I went off topic here, WAY off topic. But I had to let it out.

 

[TheOneBigWill]

I voted for King of the Mountain, because its a reverse ladder match. How many people would've told you, you were crazy, if you explained to them you thought of having a main event gimmick match being a reverse ladder match?!

As for the others, Ultimate X is the second closest to me, just because its truly unique.. but its kinda similar to a ladder match, just with wires instead of ladders. (so in other words, they got no gimmick weapon to fight with - its a normal match, that only ends by climbing/crossing wires)

Elevation X was nothing more than a glorified Scaffolding match - & just as stupid. I'm not a fan of those types of matches, cause they can't wrestle much on them. The objective is to throw someone off.. & all you can more or less do is punch, kick & maybe a couple throws that get the crowd going.. but thats it.

Monster's Ball is similar to Elevation X IN THE UNDERSTANDING that its a rip-off to a match that was already around.. just with a glorified name to it. Monster's Ball is a glorified hardcore match. (the only exception - the wrestlers "supposedly" get locked up for 24 hours prior to the match.. yeah.. I'd truly like to see them get locked away, alone, without anything, including food & drinks & then wrestle.. you'd possibly be looking at more media coverage on wrestlers dying.)

By the way, why wasn't Six Sides of Steel mentioned? Its a better cage match than normal ones, as it offers 2 extra sides.. hahahaha

I personally liked "others" too. Like the Prison Yard match Sting & Abyss had, & the Last Rites match by the same two.. they were kinda corny, but fun none the less.

 

[Garrett]

Its got to be Ultimate X what other match has grasped the attention of all wrestling fans and shown more innovation,from Daniels lenghtly leap,Kaz's diamond cutter,Daniels moonsault,LAX v Styles and Daniels,Joe v Styles v Daniels or the original Kaz v Bentley v Sabin,these matches have never EVER failed to impress and be innovative in their ability to entertain and keep the fans seeing quality wrestling along with death defying stunts in an effort to keep us happy.

Ultimate X all the way.

 

[JuggaloNinja666]

Honestly I Think That The Ravens House Of Fun Match. It's Amazingly Hardcore From The Hardcore Icon Himself And Really Who Dosen't Love To See Someone Have To Climb On The Turnbuckels To Get A Weapon. And There All So Completley Random.


RAVEN ROCKS!

 

[|ronM|ke]

I was debating between King of the Mountain or Ultimate X. I had to go with Ultimate X, only because it's something never seen before. KOTM is also different since it is a reverse ladder match, but it's still a ladder match. I'm also a huge X Division mark, so had to go with Ultimate X. Best one was at Bound For Glory 2005 I think it was.

 

[Papa Shango]

I picked the Ultimate X match. Every single one of them has been amazing, it's one of the things I actually enjoy about TNA. King of the mountain's good too, but it's never had the Wow factor of the X match. Plus I don't really like the fact that u have to HANG it rather than retrieve. Besides, WWE has the MITB match, which has expanded into an 8-man ladder match.