IMPACT Wrestling was in a weird place in 2014, to say the least. First, the promotion parted ways with its top babyface, AJ Styles. The exit, however, was less than amicable. The Phenomenal One would soon make waves in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
While Styles left for greener pastures, Bobby Lashley made his return to IMPACT in March 2014. The Destroyer quickly solidified himself as a main event player with a dominant performance on weekly shows and at pay-per-view events.
The most consistent in-ring work, perhaps, came courtesy of The Wolves, Hardys and the Dudleys. The three teams kept the momentum rolling with some great matches. That being said, let’s take a look at the best IMPACT Wrestling TV matches of 2014:
Three-Way Tag Team Ladder Match (No Surrender)
The Wolves put their IMPACT Wrestling World Tag Team Championship on the line against The Hardyz and Team 3D at No Surrender. All six men thrived in an environment that was originally thought to have benefitted the two veteran tag teams.
Jeff Hardy took some high-risk moves, especially the crash through the ladder. The Wolves retained their titles to keep the series fresh. They’d have another great match that you’ll find on this list soon.
Bobby Roode vs. Kurt Angle (Genesis)
Kurt Angle never disappointed inside a steel cage in TNA. The Olympic Gold Medalist had some fantastic outings inside the brutal structure during his time in the promotion. He had one of the best IMPACT Wrestling TV matches inside the cage.
Angle squared off against Roode at the Genesis taping. Genesis was normally a pay-per-view event, but the company ran matches over two weeks of TV for the occasion in 2014.
This match had a great variety of moves and high intensity sequences. The moonsault off the cage was inarguably the biggest highlight of the match.
Gunner vs. James Storm (March 27)
Gunner and James Strom had one one of the most intense feuds on the IMPACT Zone in 2014. The former tag team partners first collided in singles competition at IMPACT Genesis. Their second meeting came inside a steel cage with a Last Man Standing stipulation.
The best match of the series came at IMPACT Wrestling #507. This was a violent brawl with some brutal trash can shots. Gunner really improved his game through his feud with Storm. They’d meet again one last time at Sacrifice.
Bobby Lashley vs. Bobby Roode (No Surrender)
Bobby Lashley’s world title run was one of the few better things to come out of IMPACT Wrestling in 2014. The Destroyer won the top title in June. He embarked on an unstoppable run that saw him put down every challenger that stepped up to him.
Lashley’s reign was challenged by one of TNA’s originals in Bobby Roode. Both men squared off against each other at IMPACT No Surrender taping on August 7. The crowed was invested heavily in this match-up.
Roode pulled off a huge powerbomb on the outside to a huge pop from the crowd. The final 10 minutes of the match went without interruptions and interferences. In the end, Lashley retained his with a vicious spear.
The Wolves vs. Team 3D vs. The Hardyz (October 8)
The Wolves had a fantastic run on the IMPACT Zone in 2014. Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards gave fans Match of the Year contenders with their incredible work. The duo had some great matches against the Hardyz and Team 3D.
The six men met in a three-way ladder match at IMPACT Wrestling’s September 16 taping. The match aired on Spike TV October 8. The Hardyz and the Dudleyz had the clear advantage due to their experience with ladder matches.
The Wolves, however, proved no slouch and use the environment to their advantage. The three teams brought literal mayhem to the ring. There were some great spots, especially toward the end, that played to the strengths of the three teams.
Also read: Best IMPACT Wrestling TV Matches Of 2015
