What are the Top-5 best TNA matches of all-time?

[It's Damn Real!]

Eight years may not be a very long time when you compare this companies history to the likes of WCW, NWA or WWE, but in that short time we've been privy to see a lot of fantastic wrestling matches, some of which I think would/should highly be considered as some of the best of all-time. That's basically what this thread is for...

Concept is simple – what are the top-5 best TNA matches of all-time? NWA-TNA are absolutely acceptable, as are all matches that were held over the NWA title(s).

If you don't care to order them, that's fine, just provide five examples and why you feel they are the best.

For me, it's like this:


5. Jeff Jarrett v. AJ Styles v. Raven for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship – [June 11th, 2003]

Spoiler

Following his refusal to join the Sports Entertainment Xtreme (SEX) stable led by Vince Russo, Jarrett was attacked by a debuting Raven and the members of SEX and Raven's Nest repeatedly. The match lead to what eventually became a three-way match between Jarrett, Styles and Raven for the title in what was a fantastic match that saw AJ win after Russo hit Jarrett with his own guitar.


4. Kurt Angle v. Samoa Joe – [Turning Point 2006]

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]e6ft6r0jaQI[/YOUTUBE]

Following his very first loss in TNA to Kurt Angle at Genesis 2006, Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle locked horns for a re-match at Turning Point in what was one of the best show-casing matches for both Angle and Joe in both men's history. For one reason or another, both men seemed to bring out a tremendous intensity from the other, and when Joe made Angle tap to the Coquina Clutch, it set up one of the best on-going feuds TNA had going for them at the time, and one of the best feuds in company history, too.


3. AJ Styles v. Chris Sabin v. Petey Williams for the TNA X Division Championship in an Ultimate X match – [Final Resolution 2005]

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]hYhojbmK6fw[/YOUTUBE]

If you had no idea what the X Division was, or hadn't seen an X Division match in your life, this would probably be the first match I'd show you that would do better visually then I could do verbally. To me, this match epitomized what it meant to be an X Division wrestler (at the time), and the fact it's featured as one of the Classic Matches in company history is no stretch. This match also features one of the most prominent AJ Styles/X Division highlights when Styles was drop-kicked in mid-air by Sabin and did a front-flip off the cable, lading on his back in the middle of the ring.

2. Kurt Angle v. Mr. Anderson in a Steel Cage match – [Lockdown 2010]

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]TfdMXsW-2-E[/YOUTUBE]

Quite easily the best feud of 2010, the re-match of Angle/Anderson that took place this past April at Lockdown was in my opinion, not only one of the best matches in TNA's history, but one of the greatest in the history of Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson respectively. The build to this feud was astoundingly successful (with Anderson spitting on Angle and his warrior medal), and though this match was the last in the feud, the payoff was as perfect as I could have imagined.

1. AJ Styles v. Christopher Daniels v. Samoa Joe – [Unbreakable 2005]

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]X64B7SK4-XQ[/YOUTUBE]

You knew it was coming...

By default, AJ/Joe/Daniles I at Unbreakable was the greatest match in TNA history by no stretch of the imagination, as it pit three of the biggest young stars in the company at the time against one another in what is highly touted as the greatest match in company history by a number of critics & fans alike.

To be honest, there's no need for an explanation for this one at all – just watch it. You'll understand once you've done so (or done so again).

 

[klunderbunker]

I made sure not to read any of your picks so if I repeat them I'm sorry.

This is from memory and without any real thought put into it. Also the matches are pretty much interchangable as far as rankings go.

5. XXX vs. AMW - Turning Point 04. DAMN good match here that made TNA look different. The cage walk is still one of the damndest things I've ever seen. This was about showcasing new guys and that TNA was different from WWE and that's exactly what it did. The match rocked too.

4. AJ vs. Angle - Impact 1/4/10. This was just a classic. These guys beat the hell out of each other and made each other look great. The stupidity of having it again 6 days later on PPV aside, this match absolutely stole the show and is probably a match of the year candidate still.

3. Angle vs. Anderson - Lockdown 2010. I just had a blast watching this. It showed that Angle still had it and it ended a feud. This also is a match of the year candidate and absolutely stole the show that night. It felt like a match that belonged in a cage, which helped the gimmick out a lot.

2. AJ vs. Joe vs. Daniels - Unbreakable. I know it's a cliche but there's a reason it is. The match is one of the few triple threats that truly works for me. I normally can't stand them but in this you actually didn't know who was going to win. That's the biggest sign of a great match for me and this was just great. ALl kinds of action and they beat the hell out of each other.

1. AJ Styles vs. Abyss - Lockdown 05. Just DAMN. This is what you call a fight. AJ and Abyss beat the HELL out of each other in this and it's by far Abyss' best match ever. They put this on last which is the best thing they could have done that night as the rest of the show was only ok. AJ looked like a star and there was never a dull moment in this. I love this match and it's one of the best in company history.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

5. AJ Styles vs Daniels - Against All Odds 2005 - This was an iron man match, very good start to finish!!

4. Kurt Angle vs Mr. Anderson - Lockdown 2010 - This match was amazing, the stunt Angle did in the end won it all for me..another true great TNA match..Match of the year 2010 candidate!!

3. Kurt Angle vs Jeff Jarrett - Bound For Glory IV - I think match was really good, mostly because of the background story, arguably TNA best grudge match ever!! if not best match ever!! 2 all-time greats getting in the ring and destroying each other with Foley as special enforcer...I pick this over the match at Genesis...

2. Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe - Lockdown 2008 - This was like martial-arts, never mind wrestling, these 2 were going out straight fighting!! A great technician match!!

1. AJ vs Daniels vs Joe - TNA Unbreakable 2005 - This match was and still is the only TNA match to get a 5-star rating, start to finish, amazing!!

Although it never made it to my top 5, I have to mention AJ Styles vs Abyss at Lockdown 2005...
and...Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles - iMPACT 4/1/10

 

[Live2inspireX386X]

In No Particular Order.

-Chris Sabin vs Senshi
Very High pace X Division Match Ending with Sabin winning the Match and jump starting his career to this day.

- Styles & Daniels vs LAX Ultimate X
Great Back and Forth High Flying Match, Seeing it live I can honestly say I have never seen a better Tag Match.

- Hardy vs Abyss vs Sabu vs Rhino: Monsters Ball
Great Talent great Hardcore Action, Jeff Hardys Spot from the roof was insane!

- The Joe vs Angle Series
Any Given Match of the 3, At least 1 of them will fit in here

- Styles vs Joe vs Daniels
5 Stars..Nuff Said

 

[BK Styles]

Most of mine have been said, but here goes...


5. AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy - Second Anniversary Show 2004

A high-flying dream match for me. I never thought it would happen. It wasnt the best match either guy has had, but purely for how it felt to see Hardy and Styles in the same ring, its worthy of my top 5.

4. AJ Styles vs Chris Sabin vs Petey Williams - Final Resolution 2005

My favorite ultimate X match, and definitely one of TNA's best matches period. Lots of high risk spots, topped by AJ landing on his spine, it just felt unmissable. Awesome match

3. AJ Styles vs Abyss - Lockdown 2005

My favorite Abyss match, AJ took everyone by suprise to begin with, taking the fight to Abyss, then the amount of abuse he took was just inhumane. Then somehow, AJ walks away with the win. Truely brilliant match.

2. Amazing Red vs Low-Ki - NWATNA 2002

Might stretch people here (back in the days of black and yellow ropes) but this match was a masterpiece. This was the first TNA match I'd ever seen and it blew me away. Red's best match in my opinion; the martial arts spots with Low-Ki were breathtakingly well worked. Youtube it if you haven't seen it, and you won't be dissapointed.

1. AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels Vs Samoa Joe - Unbreakable

Easiest match to place. Theres an argument for this being one of the matches of the decade, and for that to come from TNA is saying something. Breathtaking from start to finish, with some awesome spots (AJ's Shooting Star Splash to the outside is a pick for me).

Honourable mention to:
AJ vs Daniels - Iron Man Match 2005
XXX vs AMW - Lockdown 2004
AJ vs Jarrett - Hard Justice 2005

 

[Judah's Lion]

tough call as there have been some amazing ones. please forgive my memory as i can't remember the dates or venues for most of them.

1. AJ vs. Daniels vs. Joe -- everyone has already listed this, and there is a reason why. great match and very deserving on this list.

2. Angle/Joe -- pick one. great feud. a bit of a rip-off of the Angle/HBK and the whole "dream match" gimmick, but whatever. it was a dream match and it delivered. plus, the "headbutt heard 'round the world" was so cool. great debut and great feud!

3. Angle vs. Anderson in a steel cage -- the moonsault of the top was even more amazing than the one Angle did on Raw a decade ago against Benoit. an unbelievable match that told a great story. plus i like both wrestlers and really respect their abilities.

4. Angle vs. AJ, 1/4/10 -- stellar match. it's not often that i think the title will change hands on tv, especially the world title, but this one had me on the edge of my seat very literally. i'm starting to notice that either AJ or Angle are listed a lot on these.

5. AJ vs. Abyss -- so extreme and so good. these guys stole the show, as AJ is very capable of doing any time he wants. great story telling and great to see two young bucks doing what they do and love best.

honorable mentions: anything between Christan Cage and either AJ, Sting, Angle and Rhyno. call me crazy, but i just love all things Christian Cage... in a purely non-prison movie way.

also, Angle vs. Lethal. go figure. Angle can make anyone look good and this was amazing for both men. Lethal got a great win and this was a very pleasant surprise of a match.

 

[realdealasshole]

Some of these may not be the best, but they are my most memorable for sure:
5. LAX v. Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles in an ultimate x match
This wasn't as good as the lockdown match these two teams had IMO but it was still incredible. Great high spots and great wrestling.
4. Sting v. Jeff Jarrett at bound for glory
Honestly, Sting's comeback to TNA made me laugh a lot cuz the guy's mic skills were so rusty it was ridiculous. I never watched WCW so I never really saw sting fight. Never cared to either. But when he came to TNA I was ecstatic to see what made him so great. He was sloppy at first, but he came to Bound for Glory more than prepared. He and Jarrett both brought their A games. The ending was nuts cuz everyone thought Jarrett was gonna retain yet again when he pulled out the guitar. And Sting just absorbed the blow and unleashed hell on him to win it. Awesome finish.
3. AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels v. LAX at Lockdown
This match was great from start to finish. These teams had an awesome rivalry. Very memorable. Great high spots, but more than that, great wrestling.
2. XXX v. AMW in a steel cage.
This is undoubtedly the best tag team match I've ever seen. Albeit the cage helps make the match better, but I even mean I liked it more than the first TLC matches with the Hardyz, E & C, and the Dudleyz
1. Mr. Anderson v. Kurt Angle at Lockdown
I saw this one in person and it was awesome. Back and forth action throughout. Even knowing Angle was supposed to win going into it, they were still able to make everyone scared to death that Anderson might take the victory. It had it all.

 

[goodlay]

5. Monsters Ball 2 - Bound for Glory 2005 - Holy shit. I still can not get over the spot that Hardy did where he jumped off the top of the iMPACT set. Dream hardcore match here with Abyss/Rhino/Sabu/Hardy and there was just constant action.

4. Anderson vs Angle - Lockdown 2010 - Both men at the top of their game here. My favorite feud so far this year, and it all culminated into one of the best steel cage matches you can do. Plus, Angle's moonsault off the cage was easily the coolest fucking thing I have seen in pro wrestling in 2010.

3. AJ/Daniels vs LAX in an Ultimate X Match - No Surrender 2006 - My favorite match with LAX and AJ/Daniels. Just loved this, what Ultimate X is all about.

2. Angle vs Joe - Turning Point 2006 - They put on an awesome match at Genesis just a month before this. How could they possibly top it? Well, they did. One of the best rematches I have ever seen.

1. Joe vs Daniels vs AJ - Unbreakable 2005 - This is the match I want to show to people when they ask me why I watch pro wrestling. This is what it's all about right here. If you watch TNA and you don't know about this, there's something wrong with you. Anyone who likes pro wrestling and have never seen this one should stop what they are doing right now and watch this match. Do it.

 

[ABMorales787]

Most of mine have been mentained, so I'll just add to the list here:

AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels 30 Min Iron Man Match for the X Division Championship
(Against All Odds 2005)

Great match which gave a great blend of X Division-styles wrestling with great storytelling. Daniels is a 10 year indy veteran who was overshadowed by his younger best friend, AJ. AJ goes on to become the posterboy of TNA while Daniels still looms in the lower indies. Eventually he joins TNA and looks to proof his superiority to AJ by becoming the oldest TNA X Division Champion:

Spoiler

[YT]2OF1emd2TgQ[/YT]

AJ Styles vs Kurt Angle (non-title)
(Super iMPACT!)
After Angle lost the title to AJ Styles, he failed to get an imitiate rematch due to Matt Morgan. He did, however get a chance to show that he didn't lose to AJ, but was screwed by Matt Morgan. Setting up the main event for this 3 hour iMPACT! just 3 days before Bound For Glory. The match showed tremendous action and gave an ending that left the fans drooling for more. Buy would they get it too.
{No video found}

AJ Styles vs Kurt Angle For The TNA World Championship
(TNA Monday Night iMPACT! Jan/04/2010)

The first great match of 2010 and the decade. The two picked up where they left off in Super iMPACT! delivering a show that had the roof of the iMPACT! Zone flying. AJ Styles finally showed he was among the elite and Kurt's face turn was well in place here. Phenomenal match that also set in motion many of TNA's current stories.

{NO VIDEO Found}