Since No Surrender last month, TNA feels like it's really it's stride, especially on a weekly level. All four episodes of Impact! were consistently entertaining, even at the main event scene, which is traditionally TNA's weakest area, both in terms of workrate and characters. Jeff Jarrett and Rhino have been running roughshod over NWA World Champion Raven, which led to the champ forming an alliance with rival-turned-tag team partner Sabu, who hadn't appeared in TNA since August of 2004, dealing with a crippling back injury and some sort of virus. TNA presented both Rhino and Sabu as nuclear threats in this feud, with Raven routinely getting bludgeoned by the Gore at every turn, and Sabu turning the tides by throwing chairs at people and diving onto crowds of bodies. It's been a whole lot of simple but entertaining shtick, though nothing going on at the top of the card can compete with the glorious Super X Cup, which has gone through two rounds of competition in the last four weeks. The single-elimination tournament has been loaded with entertaining matches involving the biggest stars of the X Division, and steadily picked up in quality after the final match of the first round between Chris Sabin and Petey Williams, culminating in a highly engaging technical battle in the semi-finals involving Williams and AJ Styles, as the two picked each other apart. AJ and the still dominant Samoa Joe have made their way through to the finals, setting up what should be an absolute classic here at Sacrifice.
- TNA Sacrifice 2005 comes to you from the Impact Zone in Orlando, Florida, with Don West and "Iron" Mike Tenay on the call. Sacrifice, in a rarity for a pro wrestling supercard, has no championship matches on the billing, as this is clearly intended to just be "setting the table" for future events. We'll see how it goes.
- Our opening contest is a six man tag, as Simon Diamond adds "Primetime" Elix Skipper to his "Diamonds in the Rough" stable, with the two teaming up alongside fellow Simon student David Young to take on Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, and Shark Boy. This is a solid opener, as Sabin and Skipper, the two most versatile workers, handle the bulk of the match, leaving the other four to run through each of their signature offensive moves in short spurts. Diamond does his Simon Series suplexes, Shark Boy chomps on David Young's backside, Young showcases his power with a gutwrench facebuster and a big spinebuster, and Dutt provides a few highlights with an impressive slingshot back elbow and diving crossbody. Skipper, Young, Dutt, and Shark Boy combine for an entertaining spot, as Dutt gets caught attempting a dive by Skipper and Young, only for Shark Boy to take all three down with a dropkick. Skipper and Sabin provide an excellent scramble at the finish, as the former looks for the Sudden Death and the latter attempts the Cradle Shock, but neither gets close to hitting their finishing move. Instead, Sabin fluidly takes down Skipper and scores the win with a jackknife cover, getting an important W after two narrow losses to Samoa Joe and Petey Williams.
- Alex Shelley and Shocker have stayed in each other's orbit for the past few months, with the Mexican luchadore scoring a win at Slammiversary, and Shelley trading back by eliminating Shocker in the first round of the Super X Cup, setting up a rubber match here at Sacrifice. Even though this is the most basic pro wrestling booking around, I did appreciate that TNA gave a reason for a third match, as Shocker mentioned that all matches in Mexico are two out of three falls, tying this rematch into tradition, which was clever. The two have picked up some chemistry after their two previous encounters, with this being the most fluid and visually impressive bout of their trio. I liked a lot of the mat work from both men, and Shocker looked the best he has in his TNA tenure, breaking out a Stretch Muffler and a few gorgeous dives. Shelley's standing tornado DDT connected well, and the sequence where Shelley delivered a twisting Dragon Screw legwhip, only for Shocker to almost steal the win with a small package really escalated the tension. I do wish TNA had actually provided a decisive ending to this feud, as Shelley won cheaply by gaining rope leverage while Shocker attempted the La Magistral cradle pin. It didn't make much sense to protect Shocker, as he wasn't going to be significantly impacted by taking a clean loss, and felt like an inconclusive ending to this midcard feud.
- Abyss has been on a rampage since losing to Raven in the main event of No Surrender, lashing out in fits of violence at the behest of James Mitchell, which ended up putting Abyss in the sights of fan favorite Lance Hoyt after Abyss bludgeoned Hoyt during the latter's match with David Young. A hoss fight was set up for Sacrifice, with an obvious end result, as there was simply no way Abyss was taking two losses on pay-per-view in consecutive months. Despite Hoyt never standing a chance of actually winning this match, TNA still has some investment in protecting him, since the crowd has taken to the big man from Dallas, and wouldn't take kindly to Hoyt becoming a squashee. Hoyt stays with Abyss the entire way, unleashing a tirade of right hands early on, and using his athleticism to string together a big comeback later, springing off the middle rope to nail a clothesline and leaping into the air for a shoulder block. The crowd is electified in the closing stretch, as both men start kicking out of everything. A moonsault from Hoyt isn't enough to end it, and neither is the Black Hole Slam. Hoyt takes a page out of Rob Van Dam's playbook, flying through the air to nail a Van Terminator, dropkicking a chair into Abyss' face, but that still won't do it. A second Black Hole Slam shortly afterward does, though, as Hoyt eats a clean pinfall loss. It was a cheap trick on the part of TNA to go down the big move spam and kick out route, but damn if it didn't work like a treat.
- After that blistering brawl, the crowd cools down like a griddle on a glacier for yet another tag match between Konnan and Ron "The Truth" Killings of the 3 Live Kru against Kip James and Monty Brown, as these four just can't get out of each other's way. This month, at least there's an added wrinkle, as BG James is the guest referee, with all other TNA officials refusing to call the match after Kip laid several of them out at No Surrender. BG's presence provides actual story advancement for the first time in months, as after a relatively dull 7 minutes of competition, he finally makes his choice, lighting up Kip with right hands, allowing Konnan to bash his former tag partner with a chair and pick up the win. The 3 Live Kru are back on the same page, and again, it's just a relief to see something actually happen involving BG, it's been a long time of milling about for all of these characters. Outside of Killings' acrobatic display, and Konnan throwing his shoe around, there wasn't much to say about the actual wrestling though.
- Christopher Daniels hasn't had much to do recently in TNA, as the Super X Cup won't crown him a challenger for his X Division title until after tonight, so in the meantime, he's taken up guest commentator duties for tournament matches throughout the last four weeks. Daniels seemed initially uncomfortable in the role, but has quickly found his voice as a cocky champion and a knowledgeable wrestling analyst. For tonight, though, TNA puts Daniels back into the ring in non-title action, as the company held a poll on their website to find him an opponent for a "Internet Dream Match". That moniker was certainly accurate on this occasion, because the masses choose the hottest indy name on the circuit at this time, future TNA World Champion, Austin Aries. Aries hasn't quite hit his peak as a performer yet, but his blazing speed and precise ring work are a joy to behold, and the crowd is psyched to see him. Aries might just be a better pure wrestler than Daniels, both in an out of kayfabe, and the champion is forced to get nastier and nastier in pursuit of the win. Daniels viciously works over Aries' back, standing on it, nailing Aries with a big backbreaker, and breaking out a gorgeous slingshot moonsault to the back. Aries pushes Daniels to his limit, almost upsetting the X Division food chain after nailing his jaw-dropping 450 Splash, but Daniels, despite bickering with the ref over his usage of rope leverage, scores chessmate by hooking Aries' arms and planting him with the Angel's Wings. It's very clear by this performance that Aries has a bright, bright future ahead of him in this or any promotion, at least as long as he can avoid Twitter.
- I love TNA's usage of Sean Waltman, as they seem to understand his importance as a pioneer of X Division wrestling and are running through all the dream matches they can find on their roster. Last month, Waltman took on AJ Styles, and this month, they pit him against Jerry Lynn, which did result in a awful backstage promo from two of the least charismatic men in wrestling, but it's still worth it to get this match. Waltman and Lynn have history in the Minnesota independent scene, and work together to tell a very different story than Waltman's match with AJ, which was centered around one-upsmanship between the veteran and his younger foe. This is a more soulful and emotional encounter, two former friends that hate what the other represents, and want nothing more than to prove that their approach to the sport is the superior one. Waltman batters the shoulder of Lynn, exploiting an injury that had put Lynn on the shelf for the past year, forcing Jerry to dig deep and find that extra gear. Lynn brings the crowd to their feet by overpowering Waltman for a crunching suplex to the floor, but the damage done to his arm almost costs him, as he can't get the devastating Cradle Piledriver and falls prey to a low blow and an X-Factor for a near fall. Lynn fights back to hit an impactful Tornado DDT, but again can't get the Cradle Piledriver, as Waltman reverses and spikes Lynn with a Tombstone Piledriver that somehow isn't enough to end it. With frustration building, Waltman takes a second too long lifting Lynn back to his feet, as the wise veteran capitalizes with a victory roll for the shocking triumph. I didn't love TNA's usage of the flash pinfall as a finish for the third time on the night, but it made sense here, as Lynn surprised Waltman by persevering and earned the win through cunning rather than sheer dominance, which suits his character well. After being played like a fool by Lynn in the ring, Waltman outsmarts Jerry after the bell, raising his arm before again battering the shoulder, ramming it off the mat and punishing the arm with a barricade-rattling chair shot. Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, and Shark Boy run down to make the save, as Waltman is clearly a heel now, setting up for a heated grudge match with Lynn in the future that unfortunately would never be booked (more on that in a future review).
- America's Most Wanted and The Naturals have engaged in vicious warfare in the past, especially when Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens were aligned with Jeff Jarrett, but the two teams have agreed to abandon past issues to team together against their common enemy, Team Canada. TNA are steadily pushing Bobby Roode to take over a larger role in the faction with Scott D'Amore still absent, which I'm in total support of, as his dastardly heel persona clearly has room to grow. Roode is consistently a thorn in the side of the babyfaces throughout this eight-man tag, sneaking in whenever he can for a cheap shot, and proving his grit by kicking out of the vaunted superkick from James Storm. Chris Harris is also being put over strong, and he has a fiery stretch of offense, bringing the audience to a fever pitch with a big dive into a crowd of both friends and foes, before stopping an avalanche German suplex by Roode on Stevens, sending both men flying with a crazy powerbomb. But despite that awesome show of power, it's Roode's quick thinking that proves to be the difference, as he whips Stevens into Storm, then rolls Stevens up for the win, adding in a tight grab for extra leverage. It remains frustrating to see TNA refuse to end a match with a big move, but again, this finish does add to the larger story, as Storm and Stevens get into after the bell, resulting in a shoving match between both babyface tandems.
- There has been so much incredible action throughout this night, but everything we've seen beforehand pales in comparison to what comes next, as AJ Styles and Samoa Joe square off in the Super X Cup finals. This wasn't the same sort of unexpected delight I felt watching Joe's match with Chris Sabin last month, because these two men are legends at the peak of their powers, so a classic was always anticipated. What I didn't see coming was just how good they would be, because this, at least for now, takes the cake as my favorite pro wrestling match I've ever seen. I have a feeling I might be amending that statement in the future, but for now, that's where I stand. Man, this was great, neither man put a foot wrong throughout. AJ's speed is unreal, and even a crowd that had seen Joe perform multiple times by this point were still flabbergasted at what he could do. Joe's deadlift powerbomb and deep double leg Boston Crab both looked awesome, but AJ topped him with his always amazing springboard backflip inverted DDT. A little move I really popped for was AJ leaping over a leg sweep by Joe to connect with a Pele Kick, demonstrating AJ's intelligence in nuanced fashion, well done. Joe following up by leaping over AJ for an effing sunset flip is as crazy as it sounds, and Joe then rolls around with AJ trapped in a leg vise grip. Both men put Japan on notice with one of the greatest strong style exchanges ever, as AJ bludgeons Joe with a vicious lariat and lights the big Samoan up with forearms and knees, only for Joe to loosen all of AJ's teeth with wincing palm strikes. AJ, cause f*** it, why not, gets Joe up in a Torture Rack after countering a Muscle Buster, eat your heart out, Lex Luger. The only real blemish on this spectacle was the ref bump that occurred after this point, which allowed Christopher Daniels, stationed on commentary, to run in, attacking and distracting Styles, who can't avoid the Muscle Buster this time. That cheap interference was redeemed, slightly, by a brilliant piece of camera work as AJ is trapped in the Coquina Clutch, desperately fighting to the ropes, a perfect visual interpretation of AJ's fighting spirit. With mere inches to spare, the pressure on AJ's neck becomes too great to bare, as he's forced to tap, achingly short of survival. I think everyone knows where this is going and what Daniels' involvement represents, so it's impossible to truly hate this finish, as it foretold greatness to come.
- Main event time, as Raven teams with Sabu to battle Jeff Jarrett and Rhino, in what isn't booked to be a hardcore match, but becomes one anyway, and we're all better for it. This was pure chaos, start to finish, as the opening minutes see Jarrett come away with a crimson mask, courtesy of Raven, a pizza cutter, and a garbage can. Sabu, fresh off battling Rhino at the first One Night Stand, is still somehow in his prime despite everything he's put his body through, and puts together one of his most impressive performances. That man is in elite form, leaping off of chairs with reckless abandon and landing every move in his ridiculous arsenal. Rhino is also great here, as TNA book him as the monster he was always meant to be, nailing Sabu with a vicious snap headbutt and biting him in the forehead, while also saving Jarrett's behind time and time again, just like he was instructed to. The back half of the match is run-in central, as Cassidy Riley, an obsessed fan of Raven, saves the NWA Champ from a guitar shot, Abyss press slams Sabu through a table, and Jeff Hardy returns to take out the monster and cement himself as the one true Jeff of professional wrestling, nailing Jarrett with a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb. This is revenge for Jarrett cheating Hardy out of the gold in the past, as Hardy seems to be here to ensure that Jarrett won't challenge for the prize again, as per the stipulation (if Jarrett is pinned by Raven, he can't challenge for the NWA title for a year). But Rhino, once again, has Jarrett's back, making the save. However, with "Double J" still not fully recovered, Rhino goes into business for himself, Goring Raven through a vertical table, then making the pin on the champion, leaving Jarrett without his prized title shot. I love how much shine Rhino has gotten in TNA, and I'm so excited to see him challenge Raven, their Backlash 2001 match was a highlight of that card for me. What a night.
10/10
You might scoff at a perfect rating for a TNA show, but in my opinion, it's well deserved for this incredible card. The usage of cheap finishes was excessive, sure, but the main event ended clean, so it's easier to stomach. Every match elevated at least one performer, which is exactly what I want out of my wrestling, and the lack of championships on the line never lessened the stakes, especially for the final two bouts, which had plenty of title implications of their own. I don't think there's one match on this card that can't be recommended for one reason or another, which is one of the few times I can ever honestly write that. When it's great, there's few things better than wrestling.
- Henry
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