2012 brought a lot of highs for TNA Wrestling. The promotion bounced back from terrible creative decisions to focus on in-ring booking. The product drastically improved, and homegrown stars such as Bobby Roode and James Storm made for compelling storylines.
While Vince McMahon was busy bringing stars from the Attitude Era to sell tickets, TNA creative invested in their homegrown stars to deliver arguably the most consistent storyline in years. PPV action witnessed an uptick thanks to ring-based booking.
Let’s take a look at some of the best TNA Wrestling PPV matches of 2012:
Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe (X Division Title Match – Slammiversary)
This match is on par with the best TNA PPV openers. It is a hard-hitting match at a non-stop pace. Aries was starting to get comfortable in his X Division Title run when he found himself up and against the Samoan Submission Machine.
The crowd only made the atmosphere better. Tazz provided some great wisdom into the action that went down inside the ring. A brutal brainbuster from Aries helped seal the win against Joe.
Bobby Roode vs. James Storm (Street Fight – Bound for Glory)
James Storm’s rise to world title glory was simple yet beautiful storytelling. TNA, however, pulled the ultimate swerve by having Roode betray his tag team partner and win the title. This led to one of the most violent feuds in company history.
After failing to beat Roode for the world title, Storm met his arch-nemesis in a Street Fight at Bound for Glory. Roode had dropped his title to Austin Aries in the lead-up to BFG. This match didn’t have any flash moves but some extreme spots.
The crimson mask on Storm made for a compelling visual in this extremely personal match-up. Storm picked up the win following a Last Call that sent the IT Factor crashing onto thumbtacks.
Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy (TNA World Heavyweight Championship Ladder Match – Turning Point)
Jeff Hardy had toppled Austin Aries for the world title at Bound for Glory 2012. Aries would invoke his rematch clause for Turning Point. The rematch, however, ended up being contested with ladders surrounding the ring.
The action started off slow but picked up momentum after Hardy went rib-first through a ladder. Some clever spots and non-stop action that capped off with a vicious Twist of Fate on a ladder in the corner.
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels (Last Man Standing Match – Destination X)
AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels had one of the worst programs in TNA at the time. The blow-off to the feud was one of the best matches of 2012 at Destination X. This bout was contested under Last Man Standing rules.
This match featured some brutal bumps from both men. While this may not be the best AJ Styes versus Christopher Daniels match, it achieved its intended purpose and that was to deliver a Match of the Year contender.
Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode (TNA World Title Match – Destination X)
Austin Aries had run roughshod over the entire X Division in the lead-up to his world title bout against Bobby Roode at Destination X. Aries quite simply was operating at a different level by the time he and Roode met in singles competition.
What followed was one of the most compelling stories told inside the ring. The formula was simple: push a rising star in the face of the most hated heel in the company. The in-ring action was fantastic, with some well-executed spots.
In the end, Aries did the unthinkable by toppling Roode for the richest prize in the company.
Honorable Mentions
- AJ Styles & Kurt Angle vs. Bad Influence (TNA Tag Team Title Match – Slammiversary)
- Austin Aries vs. Bully Ray (Sacrifice 2012)
- Austin Aries vs. Alex Shelley (Against All Odds)
- Bobby Roode vs. James Storm (TNA Lockdown 2012)
Also read: Best TNA Wrestling PPV Matches Of 2013
