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**Big Z** · 09-20-2010, 06:34 AM

Not often I have a positive review to post when it comes to TNA, but here we are:

AJ Vs Joe - Turning Point 05

Yeah, this is still fucking awesome. I remembered loving it a hell of a lot in the past, but I didn't remember much of the actual match. So I was kinda expecting to see MOVES~! for the most part, which would have disappointed me, but I was extremely surprised when the match not only held up and didn't have MOVES~! for 25 minutes, but actually ended up getting a higher rating from me

.

Simple enough backstory, Joe is undefeated an the new big thing in the X-Division. The X-Division is all about competition, and has a sort of code (like ROH's code of honour), but Joe broke the code and wants to destroy everyone in his path and make the title a trophy rather than a symbol of being the better athlete. Along the way, he takes out Daniels, and out of disrespect, comes out to the ring with a towel around his neck that had some of Daniels' blood on it. AJ, being the X-Division champion, stands up to Joe for Daniels and the rest of the X-Division, even if he doesn't like some of the other guys. This is beyond friends and enemies, this is about respect and about competition, and about someone ignoring all of that and going into business for himself.

AJ starts the match by taking the fight straight to Joe. Joe has crossed the line, and AJ, being the leader of the division feels that it is his job to take care of Joe, and he does a great job early on of doing this. Joe, the big bad Samoan Bulldozer.. wait, wrong Samoan... Samoan Submission Machine is reeling, and the fans believe that AJ had a chance. Until Joe fights back. Then its ALL Joe.

Not big elaborate spots, so crazy bullshit, just Joe kicking and beating the living FUCK out of AJ. I miss this Joe

. I also miss this AJ, you know, when he would sell a beating and not go MOVES~! crazy just for the hell of it?

Joe gives AJ one hell of a fucking beating, and AJ keeps from getting pinned, and makes the occasional comeback, but its largely just Joe on a killing spree. When AJ DOES finally comeback, its pretty great, and he continues to sell the beating he took. The crowd get into the match even more as it looks like AJ might actually be able to topple Joe, but in the end, the Samoan Submission Machine is able to lock in the reverse chokehold and forces the valiant champion (now former) to pass out because he just can't take any more.

Joe then teasing respect for AJ at the end and clocking him with the title belt is great too. As is Daniels' return, which builds up to another great TNA match I love.

Rating: ****3/4

Machismo Fan · 09-20-2010, 06:52 AM

Been going through some BFG matches:

Shelley vs. Dutt vs. Aries vs. Strong Pre-Show '05 ***1/2
Joe vs. Liger ***1/4
The Kevin Nash Open Invitational X-Division Gauntlet Battle Royal For Bound For Glory ***1/4
Styles and Daniels vs. LAX SSS ****1/4
xXx vs. LAX Ultimate X ****

JoeRulz · 09-20-2010, 07:38 AM

Wow, KC wrote something positive about TNA match?

Btw, great review.

**Big Z** · 09-20-2010, 08:28 AM

I'll probably be writing some MOAR positive TNA reviews too! Downloaded all the Joe/AJ/Daniels matches from 05/06, planning to go through them all again since I remember them being awesome. And with AJ/Joe not only holding up, but doing better this time around, I am actually excited to watch some TNA matches!!!

JoeRulz · 09-20-2010, 09:49 AM

Well, you can't miss with Styles/Daniels/Joe stuff from 2005/06.

**BkB Hulk** · 09-21-2010, 10:20 AM

AJ Styles vs. Abyss – Lockdown 2005
I have very fond memories of this match, so I decided to give it a watch tonight. Basically, the feud is all about AJ being gutsy enough to stand up to Abyss, not backing down from the monster, being willing to do anything to win. That was epitomised by how the match started, with AJ diving from the cage to attack Abyss, using his speed to bamboozle him to begin with. Despite it being a cage match, obviously, the two brawl around ringside to start with due to the way the match kicks off, and it’s a great way to show what AJ’s all about by using the environment.

Abyss’ power is utilised in a huge way too, with some very nice spots that make sense, using his power to overcome AJ by doing things like hurling him anywhere and everywhere around ringside, quelling AJ’s brief comebacks that really show his heart. It has to be said too, while AJ’s selling is subpar these days (at least to me), his selling here was wonderful, taking the beating like a champ. It helps that Abyss plays his role pretty much perfectly, making everything look very real, which, well, it actually was, as you can see by AJ’s bruises and marks. The guy actually takes some amazingly gutsy bumps onto the outside and headfirst into the steel cage door, which Abyss swings harder than you’ll ever see any weapon swung in wrestling today. Even a bump from a simple move like a big boot is done very well. The use of blood in this match was done excellently too, as it really showed what Abyss put AJ through, only for AJ to show enough heart to fight back. Add in that Abyss utilised the steel chain, which had been part of the feud before the event too, and all of Abyss’ offense throughout the match really made sense. AJ’s comeback was done fantastically too, with him pulling out everything he can, using both big counters and a German suplex which looks absolutely HUGE in the context of the match, especially when you look at the respective sizes of both men. The nearfalls built up well, again showing AJ’s heart by being able to kick out from the Black Hole Slam, taking all that the monster has to give him, before hitting the fitting desperation counter of a Styles Clash into the thumbtacks. The finish makes great sense too, with AJ going to the top to try to do whatever he can to finish Abyss, only for Abyss to come up, and like on Impact in the buildup to the show, use the chain to hang AJ from the top of the cage. AJ counters the chokeslam though, again doing what he can to get rid of Abyss by biting him, before hitting the sunset flip powerbomb from the top for the win in a finish which told the story of the match perfectly, while being very exciting at the same time.

I probably rate this match higher than most because I’m an absolute sucker for David vs. Goliath type encounters, but this remains possibly my favourite in that style of match along with Cena vs. Umaga from Royal Rumble 2006. Just really, really enjoyable from start to finish, with a simple yet good story being told, some great selling to back it up and a consistently exciting pace throughout.

****1/2

PS: Like Cal, I may go some more stuff from this time period, most likely with Joe. I'll probably watch his debut match with Sonjay Dutt first because I remember that being a hidden gem. Expect either one or two reviews, or maybe a whole bunch on Joe's matches in 2005 soon.