The history of TNA provided many strong matches as arguably the biggest success for the company. Poor booking and business decisions often played the biggest roles in the negatives that ultimately harmed TNA’s upside. The strong matches were a testament to the talents giving it their best despite hit or miss creative decisions.
Each of the matches in question provided a unique ending that wasn’t as obvious as the average good match. TNA would see the performers stepping up to deliver good outings before hitting the ending that was outside of the box. Without further ado, let's find out just which talents were able to make the most of their finishes with great matches before the unique endings.
10 Jeff Hardy Vs Kurt Angle Vs Mr. Anderson (Bound For Glory 2010)
The main event of Bound for Glory 2010 is remembered for the big reveal of the Immortal faction forming. However, fans were strongly invested in the triple threat match between Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, and Mr. Anderson for the TNA World Championship.
Each wrestler stepped up for the match quality as they told a superb story until the end. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff entering the ring after a referee bump saw it ending with Hardy using Hulk's crutch to turn heel for the huge moment. The finish of the match was used to start Immortal above all else.
9 Christian Cage Vs Samoa Joe (Destination X 2007)
The momentum for Samoa Joe was strong from 2006 to 2008 with many TNA fans wanting him to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Christian Cage winning the title from the heel side would see him forced to defend the gold against Joe at Destination X 2007.
The back-and-forth action had a hot crowd for the reaction to add to the match atmosphere. Joe dominated towards the end until Christian used his leverage for a flash roll-up finish with his legs on the ropes. The cheating tactics of Christian worked perfectly to end the outstanding match with both wrestlers playing their roles effectively.
8 Kurt Angle Vs Samoa Joe Vs AJ Styles Vs Mick Foley Vs Jeff Jarrett (Slammiversary 2009)
TNA’s concept of the King of the Mountain ladder match created a scenario for great matches with unique finishes. The stipulation saw wrestlers having to hang the belt above the ring to win with the opposite rules of the typical ladder match.
Slammiversary 2009 featured a unique ending no one predicted. Kurt Angle won the ladder match between five top talents when Samoa Joe gave up the match to hand him the belt. Joe joined the Main Event Mafia in a manner that was unlike anything else in TNA by sacrificing his title shot.
7 Chris Harris Vs James Storm (Sacrifice 2007)
America’s Most Wanted was the first great TNA homegrown tag team with Chris Harris and James Storm working well together. TNA eventually decided to split them up as part of a match stipulation when hoping to build both into top singles stars.
The Texas Death Match at Sacrifice 2007 was the best memory of the breakup when stealing the show. Former partners bloodied each other in the violent matchup heading into a unique ending. Harris and Storm both had beer bottles in their hand with Harris drawing first to knock out Storm for the big win.
6 Bully Ray Vs Jeff Hardy (Lockdown 2013)
The hype for the Aces & Eights faction led to many disappointing moments in TNA. Fans were expecting major signings or heel turns when the group of bikers attacked top faces for months without revealing their identities.
Most of the wrestlers involved flopped, but the group had one final chance at Lockdown 2013. Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy had a strong main event for the TNA World Championship until Aces & Eights got involved. D-Von threw a hammer to Bully who used it to turn on everyone by beating Jeff with help of the group. Bully was revealed as the Aces & Eights leader to give them life for a few more months.
5 Sting Vs Jeff Jarrett (Bound For Glory 2006)
Bound for Glory 2006 was one of the first highly successful PPVs for TNA with everyone thriving from top to bottom. Sting and Jeff Jarrett were tasked with following a night of classic matches in the main event for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
The rare moment of a wrestler no-selling can work perfectly with the adrenaline and storytelling adding to the results. Sting did this well when no-selling a guitar shot to the head by Jarrett to mount his comeback and win the title for the first time in TNA.
4 Kurt Angle Vs Samoa Joe Vs AJ Styles Vs Christian Cage Vs Chris Harris (Slammiversary 2007)
The transition from the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to the TNA World Championship came at Slammiversary 2007. Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Chris Harris, Kurt Angle, and Christian Cage were the five wrestlers competing for the new prize in a King of the Mountain ladder match.
The match was an instant classic with fascinating moves and counters utilizing the ladder and other weapons. All five guys stepped up for a huge performance with a wild ending. Christian and Angle were the two men on the ladder within reach when Harris picked Cage as the person he’d hit with a spear. Angle was left alone and enjoyed the unintentional favor from Harris to win the belt.
3 Bobby Roode Vs James Storm (Lockdown 2012)
The end of Beer Money made for an emotional storyline when Bobby Roode betrayed James Storm to win the TNA World Championship. Beer Money was arguably the greatest TNA tag team in the company’s polarizing history and the end added deeper storytelling.
Lockdown 2012 was the huge night where Storm tried to collect his rematch for a title win in his hometown. Roode retained in a great match when falling out of the cage after getting hit by Storm’s superkick.
2 Gail Kim Vs Taryn Terrell (Impact: July 11, 2013)
TNA found great results from the Knockouts Division whenever Gail Kim was the top star. One of the women to benefit most from working with Gail in TNA was Taryn Terrell. WWE released her following a forgettable authority figure role in the ECW brand as Tiffany.
The gamble by TNA to sign Taryn paid off huge following a few superb matches against Gail. An episode of Impact would see the two ladies tearing it up in a ladder match. Kim won with the unique finish of tying Terrell’s hair to the ring ropes and climbing up the ladder while she was restricted.
1 AJ Styles Vs Petey Williams Vs Chris Sabin (Final Resolution 2005)
The creation of the Ultimate X match was meant to give the X-Division wrestlers a new way to showcase their incredible in-ring work and athleticism. AJ Styles, Chris Sabin, and Petey Williams had one of the best matches for stipulation at Final Resolution 2005.
TNA loved the work of all three wrestlers and gave them enough time to steal the show. Fans loved the shocking finish of Williams and Sabin each having a hand on the X-Division Championship hanging over the ring. Styles leaped to the top rope to hit his springboard, knocking the belt down for him to grab and win to a huge ovation.
The 10 Most Unique Match Finishes In TNA History | TheSportster - TheSportster
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