Hard Justice (2005)
Encyclopedia
Hard Justice was a professional wrestling
pay-per-view
(PPV) event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA) promotion
, which took place on May 15, 2005 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida
. It was the first event under the Hard Justice chronology and the fifth event in the 2005 TNA PPV schedule. Eight professional wrestling matches
and one pre-show match were featured on the event's card
.
The main event was for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
between then-champion Jeff Jarrett
and the challenger A.J. Styles
with Tito Ortiz
as Special Guest Referee. Styles ended up winning the bout, thus winning the championship for the third time. TNA held a Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold
to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The match came down to Abyss and Ron Killings
, with Abyss coming out as the victor. The TNA X Division Championship
defense by Christopher Daniels
against Shocker was another highly promoted match for the event. Daniels won the bout, successfully retaining the title. The Naturals
(Andy Douglas
and Chase Stevens
) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship
against America's Most Wanted
(Chris Harris
and James Storm
; AMW) on the card. The Naturals ended up retaining the tag team championship over AMW.
The event is marked for Styles' winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the third time and for opening with a memorial for Chris Candido
, who died prior to the show. Jason Clevett of the professional wrestling section of the Canadian Online Explorer
felt the event was the "most entertaining pay per view from TNA since January's Final Resolution
."
. A section covering the event was created on TNA's official website prior to the show. TNA released a poster promoting the event featuring Jeff Jarrett
at some point beforehand. TNA planned a thirty-minute pre-show prior to the event, featuring Shark Boy
versus David Young
for a spot in the Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold
to take place during the telecast. TNA opened the show with a ten-bell salute to TNA wrestler Chris Candido
, who passed away on April 28, 2005 due to a blood clot from a surgery he had to fix an injury sustained at TNA's previous PPV event Lockdown
on April 24, 2005.
. Wrestlers portrayed villains
, heroes
, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches.
The main event was a contest for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
between then-champion, Jeff Jarrett, and the challenger, A.J. Styles
, with Tito Ortiz
as Special Guest Referee. On the April 8 episode of TNA's television program TNA Impact!, Director of Authority (DOA) Dusty Rhodes
announced that the winner of the planned bout between Styles and Abyss in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match at TNA's Lockdown PPV event on April 24, 2005, would earn a championship match at Hard Justice. Styles went on to defeat Abyss at Lockdown, thus becoming the number one contender. On the April 29, 2005 episode of Impact!, DOA Rhodes announced that the match was official and that Ortiz would be special guest referee for the bout. TNA held a sit-down interview conducted by TNA commentator Mike Tenay
between Styles and Jarrett on the May 6 episode of Impact!. The match was hyped heading into the event with a video package highlighting the strengths of Styles' in-ring ability against Jarrett's history as champion on the May 13 episode of Impact!.
A Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to determine the number contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held at Hard Justice. The match was announced on the April 29 episode of Impact! by DOA Rhodes. In a Gauntlet for the Gold, two wrestlers start the bout, with more entering at time intervals, in which the point is to eliminate the opponent by throwing them over the top rope and to the floor. When the match is down to two wrestlers, a standard match is held, with the winner being the one to gain the pinfall or submission. On the May 6 episode of Impact!, Abyss was announced as a participant in the match. TNA held a Ten-Man Gauntlet on the May 13 episode of Impact! to determine the first and final entrants in the match, with the first eliminated in the match entering first while the winner being the last entrant. Abyss, Bobby Roode, David Young, A-1
, Chris Sabin
, Petey Williams
, Lance Hoyt
, Michael Shane
, Trytan
, and Apolo
all participated in the bout, with Roode being the first eliminated and Abyss winning the contest.
The TNA X Division Championship
was defended by Christopher Daniels
against Shocker at Hard Justice. At Lockdown, Shocker defeated Chris Sabin, Michael Shane, and Sonjay Dutt
to win the first-ever Xscape match. On the April 29 episode of Impact!, it was announced that Daniels would defend the championship against Shocker at the PPV event. The match was promoted on the basis of Shocker having wrestled for numerous promotions across the world, garnering extensive fame in Mexico, and Daniels' having to defend against an international star of this level.
The Naturals
(Andy Douglas
and Chase Stevens
) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship
against America's Most Wanted
(Chris Harris
and James Storm
) (AMW) in another featured match on the card. On the April 22 episode ofImpact!, The Naturals, accompanied by Chris Candido, defeated then-tag team champions AMW in a non-title match. On the April 29 episode of Impact!, The Naturals defeated AMW to win the tag team championship with help from Candido. On the May 6 episode of Impact!, the match was announced for Hard Justice.
Raven versus Jeff Hardy
in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match was promoted for the event. The feud behind this match began on the March 25 episode of Impact!, when Raven offered Hardy an alliance which he refused. On the April 1 episode ofImpact!, Raven attacked Hardy during a confrontation between Abyss and Hardy. This led to a Six Sides of Steel Tables match at Lockdown, which Hardy won. On the May 13 episode of Impact!, it was announced Raven and Hardy would face in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match at Hard Justice.
would be replacing Jeff Hardy as Raven's opponent in the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match due to Hardy not arriving in time for the event.
and Don West
were the commentators for the telecast. Jeremy Borash
and David Penzer
were ring announcers for the event. Andrew Thomas, Rudy Charles
, and Mark "Slick" Johnson participated as referees
for the encounters. Terry Taylor
and Tenay were used as an interviewers during the event; Taylor was also used during the pre-show. Besides employees appearing in a wrestling role, Coach D'Amore
, A-1, Tito Ortiz, David Young, Phi Delta Slam
(Bruno Sassi
and Big Tilly
), and Dusty Rhodes all appeared on camera, either in backstage or ringside segments. Borash, West, Tenay, Taylor, and TNA ring girl SoCal Val all appeared during the pre-show for the event.
The event opened with a ten-bell salute to Chris Candido while a photo of Candido, a pair of boots, and one-half of the NWA World Tag Team Championship positioned on a steel chair sat in the center of the ring.
The first match to take place at Hard Justice involved Team Canada
(Petey Williams and Eric Young
), who were accompanied by Coach D'Amore, taking on the team of Apolo and Sonny Siaki
. The duration of the encounter was eight minutes and six seconds. Team Canada gained the victory after A-1 interfered in the contest and performed a suplex
on Siaki while the referee was distracted by D'Amore, then placed an unconscious Williams on top of Siaki for the pinfall.
A Mixed Tag Team match between the team of Michael Shane and Trinity
and the team of Chris Sabin and Traci
was held next. The match lasted ten minutes and nineteen seconds. In the final moments of the bout, Traci hit Sabin in the groin and Shane kicked Trinity in the face, which allowed Traci to gain the pinfall on Trinity. After Traci and Shane betrayed their partners, they united an alliance of their own.
Raven fought Sean Waltman in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. A Clockwork Orange House of Fun match is held under no disqualification rules, involving multiple types of weapons including part of a steel cage. Waltman scored a near-fall after jumping off the pillars holding up the cage and performing a somersault leg drop onto Raven through a table. Raven won the bout after throwing Waltman into the cage causing it to collapse, Raven then followed with a pinfall victory at thirteen minutes.
Monty Brown
and The Outlaw
fought Diamond Dallas Page
and Ron Killings
in the fourth match of the night. This was originally promoted with B.G. James
as Page's partner, however prior to the contest it was announced during a interview with Page that James was having travel issues and Killings offered to be his replacement, which Page accepted. The encounter lasted eight minutes and fifty-five seconds. Brown gained the pinfall after performing his signature maneuver the Pounce following interference from Phi Delta Slam (Bruno Sassi and Big Tilly).
The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship against America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) in a bout which lasted fourteen minutes and ten seconds. The Naturals retained the title after Stevens scored the pinfall while using the ropes for leverage.
The TNA X Division Championship was defend by Christopher Daniels against Shocker in the sixth encounter. The duration of the match was eleven minutes and fifty-eight seconds. In the final moments, Shocker went for a suplex
off the top of a padded turnbuckle
, however Daniels countered the move and instead performed his signature maneuver the Angel Wings to retain the X Division Championship.
The Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held, involving Abyss, Bobby Roode, Zach Gowen
, Eric Young, Cassidy Riley
, Elix Skipper
, Shark Boy, A-1, Chris Sabin, Petey Williams, Sonny Siaki, Lance Hoyt, Michael Shane, Jerrelle Clarke
, Mikey Batts, The Outlaw, Trytan, Ron Killings, Apolo, and B.G. James. The first entrant was Roode, while the second was Gowen, who began the encounter. Abyss was the last entrant. Gowen was the first eliminated by Shark Boy. The Outlaw and James were the lasted eliminated simultaneously by Abyss, before it became a standard bout between Abyss and Killings. Killings bashed a steel chair over Abyss' head to gain a near-fall. Abyss went on to win after Killings jumped off the top turnbuckle and Abyss countered it into his signature maneuver the Black Hole Slam to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at twenty-six minutes and forty-five seconds.
The main event was a standard match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, in which then-champion Jeff Jarrett defended the title against A.J. Styles with Tito Ortiz as Special Guest Referee. During the bout, Jarrett tried to use his signature guitar as a weapon, however was stopped by Ortiz. Styles instead tried to use it, but was also stopped by Ortiz. Styles then broke the guitar, preventing it from being used as a weapon. Jarrett earned a near-fall after performing Styles' own signature maneuver the Styles Clash. Later, Styles also gained a near-fall after performing Jarrett's own signature maneuverThe Stroke. In the final minutes, Monty Brown interfered in the contest, performing the Pounce on Jarrett after Styles pushed him into Brown's path. While Ortiz was distracted by Brown, Styles covered Jarrett for a pin. Another referee came to make the count, however was stopped by Ortiz. This allowed Jarrett to hit Styles in the groin and place him on the top of a padded turnbuckle. A few moments later, Ortiz knocked Jarrett out after Jarrett shoved Ortiz, which allowed Styles to move from one turnbuckle to another, he then performed his Spiral Tap maneuver. Styles followed with the pinfall victory at nineteen minutes and thirty seconds to become the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion for the third time.
writer Jason Clevett felt the event was the "most entertaining pay per view from TNA since January's Final Resolution
." Clevett rated the main event, the X Division Championship match, and the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match each an 8 out of 10. The Gauntlet for the Gold and the NWA World Tag Team Championship defense were each rated a 7 out of 10. Wade Keller
of the Pro Wrestling Torch rated the main event and the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match 3 and a fourth stars out of 5. Regrading the main event, Keller felt it was a "PPV main event worthy match, the best of the night, but when a 20 minute Styles main event PPV match isn't four stars, it's not Styles's fault." As for the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, Keller felt it was a "good garbage match" and that Waltman was a "suitable substitution for the Hardy no-show." Keller rated the Gauntlet for the Gold and the X Division Championship match each 2 and three-quarter stars out of 5. He stated that the Gauntlet for the Gold was "above-average", but that it felt "clogged with undersized wrestlers who didn't look like legit contenders, exposing TNA's roster depth limitations in the heavyweight division." While reporting on the X Division Championship bout, that it "never felt special, but it was always good." On July 4, 2006, TNA Home Video
released the event on DVD. TNA released a DVD counting down the top 50 moments in their history in 2007, with Styles defeating Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at number 7.
also involving Monty Brown, new number one contender Abyss, and a mystery "wild card" opponent. At Slammiversary, Jarrett was arrested during the pre-show for assaulting a fan in the storyline and replaced by Raven. Raven went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Styles, Brown, Abyss, and Sean Waltman.
Reigning TNA X Division Champion Christopher Daniels went on to Slammiversary to defend the title in a Three Way Elimination match against Chris Sabin and Michael Shane. Shane attacked and demanded a championship match against Daniels on the May 20 episode of Impact!, before Sabin intervened and attacked Shane, leading to a brawl between all three wrestlers. The match was announced on the May 27 episode of Impact!.Daniels retained the championship at Slammiversary.
On the May 20 episode of Impact!, Team Canada (Eric Young and Petey Williams) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) to become number one contenders to the NWA World Tag Team Championship. The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) went on to successfully defend the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Team Canada at Slammiversary.
Gauntlet for the Gold entrances and eliminations
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
(PPV) event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA) promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
, which took place on May 15, 2005 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. It was the first event under the Hard Justice chronology and the fifth event in the 2005 TNA PPV schedule. Eight professional wrestling matches
Mock combat
Mock combat involves the execution of combative actions without intent to harm. Participants can engage in such sparring for ritual, training, recreational or performance reasons...
and one pre-show match were featured on the event's card
Card (sports)
In sports, a card comprises a listing of the matches taking place in a title-match combat-sport event. Organizers divide overall cards into a main-event match and the undercard, which encompasses the rest of the matches. One can also further subdivide the undercard into midcard and lower card,...
.
The main event was for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
between then-champion Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
and the challenger A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
with Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz
Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
as Special Guest Referee. Styles ended up winning the bout, thus winning the championship for the third time. TNA held a Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold
Gauntlet for the Gold
The Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold...
to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The match came down to Abyss and Ron Killings
Ron Killings
Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik...
, with Abyss coming out as the victor. The TNA X Division Championship
TNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
defense by Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
against Shocker was another highly promoted match for the event. Daniels won the bout, successfully retaining the title. The Naturals
The Naturals
The Naturals were a professional wrestling tag team made up of Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens. They are best known for their work in TNA, where they are multi-time former tag team champions.- History :...
(Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas is a retired American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Chase Stevens.-Career:...
and Chase Stevens
Chase Stevens
Chase Stevens is an American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Andy Douglas.-Career:...
) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship
NWA World Tag Team Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Championship is the professional wrestling world tag team championship within the NWA framework.-History:...
against America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted (professional wrestling)
America's Most Wanted was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of "Wildcat" Chris Harris and "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm, who competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
(Chris Harris
Chris Harris (wrestler)
Christopher Eric "Chris" Harris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was formerly one-half of the tag team America's Most Wanted along with partner & Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm.-World Championship...
and James Storm
James Storm
James Allen Cox is an American professional wrestler who competes under the ring name "The Cowboy" James Storm. Since 2002, Storm has been employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he, along with A.J...
; AMW) on the card. The Naturals ended up retaining the tag team championship over AMW.
The event is marked for Styles' winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the third time and for opening with a memorial for Chris Candido
Chris Candido
Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido...
, who died prior to the show. Jason Clevett of the professional wrestling section of the Canadian Online Explorer
Canadian Online Explorer
Canadian Online Explorer is a bilingual online news and information site from Canada.A subsidiary of Quebecor Media, Canoe.ca is a leading local and national interactive media provider of news, entertainment and services, helping to inform and connect Canadians...
felt the event was the "most entertaining pay per view from TNA since January's Final Resolution
Final Resolution (2005)
Final Resolution was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on January 16, 2005 from the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. It was the first annual event under the Final Resolution chronology...
."
Background
Hard Justice was announced in early March 2005 as taking place on May 15 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. A section covering the event was created on TNA's official website prior to the show. TNA released a poster promoting the event featuring Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
at some point beforehand. TNA planned a thirty-minute pre-show prior to the event, featuring Shark Boy
Shark Boy
Dean Mathew Roll is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Shark Boy and his experience in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .-Early career:...
versus David Young
David Young (wrestler)
David Williams , better known by his ring name, David Young, is an American professional wrestler. Though he has mainly appeared with NWA Wildside and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Young has also competed for Ring of Honor, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and ZERO-ONE...
for a spot in the Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold
Gauntlet for the Gold
The Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold...
to take place during the telecast. TNA opened the show with a ten-bell salute to TNA wrestler Chris Candido
Chris Candido
Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido...
, who passed away on April 28, 2005 due to a blood clot from a surgery he had to fix an injury sustained at TNA's previous PPV event Lockdown
Lockdown (2005)
Lockdown was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on April 24, 2005 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. It was the first event under the Lockdown chronology and the fourth event in the 2005 TNA PPV schedule...
on April 24, 2005.
Storylines
Hard Justice featured eight professional wrestling matches and one pre-show match that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylinesNarrative thread
A narrative thread, or plot thread , refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters rather than to relate a matter in a dry 'All knowing' sort of narration...
. Wrestlers portrayed villains
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
, heroes
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
, or less distinguishable characters in the scripted events that built tension and culminated into a wrestling match or series of matches.
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
between then-champion, Jeff Jarrett, and the challenger, A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, with Tito Ortiz
Tito Ortiz
Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars...
as Special Guest Referee. On the April 8 episode of TNA's television program TNA Impact!, Director of Authority (DOA) Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
announced that the winner of the planned bout between Styles and Abyss in a Six Sides of Steel Cage match at TNA's Lockdown PPV event on April 24, 2005, would earn a championship match at Hard Justice. Styles went on to defeat Abyss at Lockdown, thus becoming the number one contender. On the April 29, 2005 episode of Impact!, DOA Rhodes announced that the match was official and that Ortiz would be special guest referee for the bout. TNA held a sit-down interview conducted by TNA commentator Mike Tenay
Mike Tenay
Michael William "Mike" Tenay is a professional wrestling play-by-play announcer currently employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Prior to signing with TNA in 2002, he had a notable tenure with World Championship Wrestling from 1994-2001...
between Styles and Jarrett on the May 6 episode of Impact!. The match was hyped heading into the event with a video package highlighting the strengths of Styles' in-ring ability against Jarrett's history as champion on the May 13 episode of Impact!.
A Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to determine the number contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held at Hard Justice. The match was announced on the April 29 episode of Impact! by DOA Rhodes. In a Gauntlet for the Gold, two wrestlers start the bout, with more entering at time intervals, in which the point is to eliminate the opponent by throwing them over the top rope and to the floor. When the match is down to two wrestlers, a standard match is held, with the winner being the one to gain the pinfall or submission. On the May 6 episode of Impact!, Abyss was announced as a participant in the match. TNA held a Ten-Man Gauntlet on the May 13 episode of Impact! to determine the first and final entrants in the match, with the first eliminated in the match entering first while the winner being the last entrant. Abyss, Bobby Roode, David Young, A-1
Alastair Ralphs
Alastair Charles Ralphs , better known as A-1 , is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder.-Early life:...
, Chris Sabin
Chris Sabin
Joshua Harter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he currently teams with Alex Shelley as The Motor City Machine Guns.After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for...
, Petey Williams
Petey Williams
Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA...
, Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
, Michael Shane
Matt Bentley
Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on...
, Trytan
Ryan Wilson
Ryan Wilson is an American professional wrestler who formerly worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental promotion as Jacob Duncan where he was a former OVW Heavyweight Champion...
, and Apolo
Germán Figueroa
Germán Figueroa is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, better known as Nuevo Gran Apolo, or simply Apolo. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's independent circuit, before entering the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council...
all participated in the bout, with Roode being the first eliminated and Abyss winning the contest.
The TNA X Division Championship
TNA X Division Championship
The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
was defended by Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
against Shocker at Hard Justice. At Lockdown, Shocker defeated Chris Sabin, Michael Shane, and Sonjay Dutt
Sonjay Dutt
Retesh Bhalla is an American professional wrestler of Indian Punjabi descent, better known by his ring name, Sonjay Dutt. He is best known working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and is also known for his stints with Combat Zone Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and other various independent...
to win the first-ever Xscape match. On the April 29 episode of Impact!, it was announced that Daniels would defend the championship against Shocker at the PPV event. The match was promoted on the basis of Shocker having wrestled for numerous promotions across the world, garnering extensive fame in Mexico, and Daniels' having to defend against an international star of this level.
The Naturals
The Naturals
The Naturals were a professional wrestling tag team made up of Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens. They are best known for their work in TNA, where they are multi-time former tag team champions.- History :...
(Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas is a retired American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Chase Stevens.-Career:...
and Chase Stevens
Chase Stevens
Chase Stevens is an American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Andy Douglas.-Career:...
) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship
NWA World Tag Team Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Championship is the professional wrestling world tag team championship within the NWA framework.-History:...
against America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted (professional wrestling)
America's Most Wanted was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of "Wildcat" Chris Harris and "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm, who competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
(Chris Harris
Chris Harris (wrestler)
Christopher Eric "Chris" Harris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was formerly one-half of the tag team America's Most Wanted along with partner & Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm.-World Championship...
and James Storm
James Storm
James Allen Cox is an American professional wrestler who competes under the ring name "The Cowboy" James Storm. Since 2002, Storm has been employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he, along with A.J...
) (AMW) in another featured match on the card. On the April 22 episode ofImpact!, The Naturals, accompanied by Chris Candido, defeated then-tag team champions AMW in a non-title match. On the April 29 episode of Impact!, The Naturals defeated AMW to win the tag team championship with help from Candido. On the May 6 episode of Impact!, the match was announced for Hard Justice.
Raven versus Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy
Jeffrey Nero "Jeff" Hardy is an American professional wrestler, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is a former two–time TNA World Heavyweight Champion...
in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match was promoted for the event. The feud behind this match began on the March 25 episode of Impact!, when Raven offered Hardy an alliance which he refused. On the April 1 episode ofImpact!, Raven attacked Hardy during a confrontation between Abyss and Hardy. This led to a Six Sides of Steel Tables match at Lockdown, which Hardy won. On the May 13 episode of Impact!, it was announced Raven and Hardy would face in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match at Hard Justice.
Pre-Show
Prior to the event's commencement, TNA held a thirty-minute pre-show. It featured a six minute and twenty-eight second bout between Shark Boy and David Young in which the winner earned entry into the Gauntlet for the Gold later in the night. Shark Boy ended up gaining the pinfall in the contest after driving Young into the mat back-first using his signature maneuver the Dead Sea Drop. During the show, it was announced that Sean WaltmanSean Waltman
Sean Michael Waltman is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE in their developmental program. He wrestled there under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac off and on from 1993–2002, World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ...
would be replacing Jeff Hardy as Raven's opponent in the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match due to Hardy not arriving in time for the event.
On-air employees
The event featured employees other than the wrestlers involved in the matches. Mike TenayMike Tenay
Michael William "Mike" Tenay is a professional wrestling play-by-play announcer currently employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Prior to signing with TNA in 2002, he had a notable tenure with World Championship Wrestling from 1994-2001...
and Don West
Don West (sportscaster)
Donald "Don" West is an American pitchman, television personality and wrestling broadcaster currently working as an on-screen talent for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and also as a pitchman for WildWestDeals.com, an internet marketing website...
were the commentators for the telecast. Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash , is an American professional wrestling play-by-play commentator, announcer, ring announcer, booker, interviewer, producer and website designer...
and David Penzer
David Penzer
David Penzer is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, most recently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1995 and 2001....
were ring announcers for the event. Andrew Thomas, Rudy Charles
Rudy Charles
Daniel Engler is an American professional wrestling referee, better known by his ring name, Rudy Charles, best known for his time as a referee in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he was the promotion's senior referee...
, and Mark "Slick" Johnson participated as referees
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
for the encounters. Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
and Tenay were used as an interviewers during the event; Taylor was also used during the pre-show. Besides employees appearing in a wrestling role, Coach D'Amore
Scott D'Amore
Scott Francis D'Amore is a Canadian professional wrestler, manager, promoter, booker and entrepreneur. He formerly managed Team Canada in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He was also the former head of the creative team...
, A-1, Tito Ortiz, David Young, Phi Delta Slam
Phi Delta Slam
Phi Delta Slam is a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Big Tilly and Bruno Sassi. They wrestle principally on the Floridian independent circuit.-History:...
(Bruno Sassi
Bruno Sassi
Bruno Sassi is an American professional wrestler best known for being a member of the tag team Phi Delta Slam, as well as his appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Big Tilly
Big Tilly
James Tilquist is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Big Tilly. He is best known for being a member of the tag team Phi Delta Slam as well as his appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
), and Dusty Rhodes all appeared on camera, either in backstage or ringside segments. Borash, West, Tenay, Taylor, and TNA ring girl SoCal Val all appeared during the pre-show for the event.
Preliminary matches
The first match to take place at Hard Justice involved Team Canada
Team Canada (TNA)
Team Canada was a heel professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, which was active from 2004 to 2006.-2004 X-Cups:In 2004, wrestling promoter and personality "Coach" Scott D'Amore brought together fellow Canadians to form his own incarnation of Team Canada in Total Nonstop...
(Petey Williams and Eric Young
Eric Young (wrestler)
Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks....
), who were accompanied by Coach D'Amore, taking on the team of Apolo and Sonny Siaki
Sonny Siaki
Sonny Siaki is a retired American professional wrestler. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family.-Early life:...
. The duration of the encounter was eight minutes and six seconds. Team Canada gained the victory after A-1 interfered in the contest and performed a suplex
Suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
on Siaki while the referee was distracted by D'Amore, then placed an unconscious Williams on top of Siaki for the pinfall.
A Mixed Tag Team match between the team of Michael Shane and Trinity
Stephanie Finochio
Stephanie Finochio is an American stuntwoman and retired professional wrestler and valet better known by her ring name Trinity...
and the team of Chris Sabin and Traci
Tracy Brookshaw
Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
was held next. The match lasted ten minutes and nineteen seconds. In the final moments of the bout, Traci hit Sabin in the groin and Shane kicked Trinity in the face, which allowed Traci to gain the pinfall on Trinity. After Traci and Shane betrayed their partners, they united an alliance of their own.
Raven fought Sean Waltman in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. A Clockwork Orange House of Fun match is held under no disqualification rules, involving multiple types of weapons including part of a steel cage. Waltman scored a near-fall after jumping off the pillars holding up the cage and performing a somersault leg drop onto Raven through a table. Raven won the bout after throwing Waltman into the cage causing it to collapse, Raven then followed with a pinfall victory at thirteen minutes.
Monty Brown
Monty Brown
Monty Brown is an American professional wrestler and former National Football League linebacker, also known as Marcus Cor Von. He is best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled on its ECW brand under the ring name Marcus Cor Von...
and The Outlaw
Monty Sopp
Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James...
fought Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page
Dallas Page , better known by his ring name "Diamond" Dallas Page , is an American retired professional wrestler, fitness instructor and actor...
and Ron Killings
Ron Killings
Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik...
in the fourth match of the night. This was originally promoted with B.G. James
Brian Gerard James
Brian Gerard James is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE as an agent and producer. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation as "The Road Dogg" Jesse James or simply Road Dogg...
as Page's partner, however prior to the contest it was announced during a interview with Page that James was having travel issues and Killings offered to be his replacement, which Page accepted. The encounter lasted eight minutes and fifty-five seconds. Brown gained the pinfall after performing his signature maneuver the Pounce following interference from Phi Delta Slam (Bruno Sassi and Big Tilly).
Main event matches
The TNA X Division Championship was defend by Christopher Daniels against Shocker in the sixth encounter. The duration of the match was eleven minutes and fifty-eight seconds. In the final moments, Shocker went for a suplex
Suplex
A suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
off the top of a padded turnbuckle
Turnbuckle
A turnbuckle, stretching screw or bottlescrew is a device for adjusting the tension or length of ropes, cables, tie rods, and other tensioning systems. It normally consists of two threaded eyelets, one screwed into each end of a small metal frame, one with a left-hand thread and the other with a...
, however Daniels countered the move and instead performed his signature maneuver the Angel Wings to retain the X Division Championship.
The Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held, involving Abyss, Bobby Roode, Zach Gowen
Zach Gowen
Zach Gowen is an American professional wrestler. Gowen has competed for World Wrestling Entertainment on their SmackDown! brand, as well as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, Eric Young, Cassidy Riley
Cassidy O'Reilly
Cassidy Riley is an American professional wrestler, also known as Cassidy Reilly and Cassidy O'Riley best known for work with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment....
, Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team...
, Shark Boy, A-1, Chris Sabin, Petey Williams, Sonny Siaki, Lance Hoyt, Michael Shane, Jerrelle Clarke
Vincent Clark
Vincent Jerrelle Clark is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:...
, Mikey Batts, The Outlaw, Trytan, Ron Killings, Apolo, and B.G. James. The first entrant was Roode, while the second was Gowen, who began the encounter. Abyss was the last entrant. Gowen was the first eliminated by Shark Boy. The Outlaw and James were the lasted eliminated simultaneously by Abyss, before it became a standard bout between Abyss and Killings. Killings bashed a steel chair over Abyss' head to gain a near-fall. Abyss went on to win after Killings jumped off the top turnbuckle and Abyss countered it into his signature maneuver the Black Hole Slam to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at twenty-six minutes and forty-five seconds.
The main event was a standard match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, in which then-champion Jeff Jarrett defended the title against A.J. Styles with Tito Ortiz as Special Guest Referee. During the bout, Jarrett tried to use his signature guitar as a weapon, however was stopped by Ortiz. Styles instead tried to use it, but was also stopped by Ortiz. Styles then broke the guitar, preventing it from being used as a weapon. Jarrett earned a near-fall after performing Styles' own signature maneuver the Styles Clash. Later, Styles also gained a near-fall after performing Jarrett's own signature maneuverThe Stroke. In the final minutes, Monty Brown interfered in the contest, performing the Pounce on Jarrett after Styles pushed him into Brown's path. While Ortiz was distracted by Brown, Styles covered Jarrett for a pin. Another referee came to make the count, however was stopped by Ortiz. This allowed Jarrett to hit Styles in the groin and place him on the top of a padded turnbuckle. A few moments later, Ortiz knocked Jarrett out after Jarrett shoved Ortiz, which allowed Styles to move from one turnbuckle to another, he then performed his Spiral Tap maneuver. Styles followed with the pinfall victory at nineteen minutes and thirty seconds to become the new NWA World Heavyweight Champion for the third time.
Reception
A total of 775 people attended the event. Canadian Online ExplorerCanadian Online Explorer
Canadian Online Explorer is a bilingual online news and information site from Canada.A subsidiary of Quebecor Media, Canoe.ca is a leading local and national interactive media provider of news, entertainment and services, helping to inform and connect Canadians...
writer Jason Clevett felt the event was the "most entertaining pay per view from TNA since January's Final Resolution
Final Resolution (2005)
Final Resolution was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on January 16, 2005 from the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. It was the first annual event under the Final Resolution chronology...
." Clevett rated the main event, the X Division Championship match, and the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match each an 8 out of 10. The Gauntlet for the Gold and the NWA World Tag Team Championship defense were each rated a 7 out of 10. Wade Keller
Wade Keller
Wade Keller is a wrestling columnist. He runs the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter, which is regarded as one of the most influential newsletters in professional wrestling....
of the Pro Wrestling Torch rated the main event and the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match 3 and a fourth stars out of 5. Regrading the main event, Keller felt it was a "PPV main event worthy match, the best of the night, but when a 20 minute Styles main event PPV match isn't four stars, it's not Styles's fault." As for the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, Keller felt it was a "good garbage match" and that Waltman was a "suitable substitution for the Hardy no-show." Keller rated the Gauntlet for the Gold and the X Division Championship match each 2 and three-quarter stars out of 5. He stated that the Gauntlet for the Gold was "above-average", but that it felt "clogged with undersized wrestlers who didn't look like legit contenders, exposing TNA's roster depth limitations in the heavyweight division." While reporting on the X Division Championship bout, that it "never felt special, but it was always good." On July 4, 2006, TNA Home Video
TNA Home Video
TNA Home Video is a division of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that releases TNA's PPV events & other TNA produced compilations on DVD. TNA Home Video was formed in 2005 to partner with Navarre Corporation to distribute and produce TNA's expanding video library...
released the event on DVD. TNA released a DVD counting down the top 50 moments in their history in 2007, with Styles defeating Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at number 7.
Aftermath
After Hard Justice, Jeff Jarrett demanded a rematch for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at TNA's Slammiversary PPV event on June 19 against Styles on the May 20 episode of Impact!. Director of Authority Dusty Rhodes granted Jarrett his rematch, however made it a King of the Mountain matchKing of the Mountain match
The King of the Mountain match is a professional wrestling match exclusive to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . It consists of five competitors competing for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship or the TNA X Division Championship as of Slammiversary 2009...
also involving Monty Brown, new number one contender Abyss, and a mystery "wild card" opponent. At Slammiversary, Jarrett was arrested during the pre-show for assaulting a fan in the storyline and replaced by Raven. Raven went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Styles, Brown, Abyss, and Sean Waltman.
Reigning TNA X Division Champion Christopher Daniels went on to Slammiversary to defend the title in a Three Way Elimination match against Chris Sabin and Michael Shane. Shane attacked and demanded a championship match against Daniels on the May 20 episode of Impact!, before Sabin intervened and attacked Shane, leading to a brawl between all three wrestlers. The match was announced on the May 27 episode of Impact!.Daniels retained the championship at Slammiversary.
On the May 20 episode of Impact!, Team Canada (Eric Young and Petey Williams) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) to become number one contenders to the NWA World Tag Team Championship. The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) went on to successfully defend the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Team Canada at Slammiversary.
Results
| # | Results | Stipulations | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Boy Shark Boy Dean Mathew Roll is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Shark Boy and his experience in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .-Early career:... defeated David Young David Young (wrestler) David Williams , better known by his ring name, David Young, is an American professional wrestler. Though he has mainly appeared with NWA Wildside and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Young has also competed for Ring of Honor, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and ZERO-ONE... |
Standard wrestling match for entry in the Gauntlet for the Gold Gauntlet for the Gold The Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold... |
06:28 | |
| 1 | Team Canada Team Canada (TNA) Team Canada was a heel professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, which was active from 2004 to 2006.-2004 X-Cups:In 2004, wrestling promoter and personality "Coach" Scott D'Amore brought together fellow Canadians to form his own incarnation of Team Canada in Total Nonstop... (Petey Williams Petey Williams Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA... and Eric Young Eric Young (wrestler) Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks.... ) (with Coach D'Amore Scott D'Amore Scott Francis D'Amore is a Canadian professional wrestler, manager, promoter, booker and entrepreneur. He formerly managed Team Canada in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He was also the former head of the creative team... ) defeated Apolo Germán Figueroa Germán Figueroa is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, better known as Nuevo Gran Apolo, or simply Apolo. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's independent circuit, before entering the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council... and Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki is a retired American professional wrestler. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family.-Early life:... |
Tag Team match Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... |
08:06 |
| 2 | Michael Shane Matt Bentley Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on... and Trinity Stephanie Finochio Stephanie Finochio is an American stuntwoman and retired professional wrestler and valet better known by her ring name Trinity... defeated Chris Sabin Chris Sabin Joshua Harter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he currently teams with Alex Shelley as The Motor City Machine Guns.After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for... and Traci Tracy Brookshaw Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a... |
Mixed Tag Team match | 10:19 |
| 3 | Raven defeated Sean Waltman Sean Waltman Sean Michael Waltman is an American professional wrestler currently signed with WWE in their developmental program. He wrestled there under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac off and on from 1993–2002, World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ... |
Clockwork Orange House of Fun match | 13:00 |
| 4 | Monty Brown Monty Brown Monty Brown is an American professional wrestler and former National Football League linebacker, also known as Marcus Cor Von. He is best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled on its ECW brand under the ring name Marcus Cor Von... and The Outlaw Monty Sopp Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James... defeated Diamond Dallas Page Diamond Dallas Page Dallas Page , better known by his ring name "Diamond" Dallas Page , is an American retired professional wrestler, fitness instructor and actor... and Ron Killings Ron Killings Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik... |
Tag Team match Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... |
08:55 |
| 5 | The Naturals The Naturals The Naturals were a professional wrestling tag team made up of Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens. They are best known for their work in TNA, where they are multi-time former tag team champions.- History :... (Andy Douglas Andy Douglas Andy Douglas is a retired American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Chase Stevens.-Career:... and Chase Stevens Chase Stevens Chase Stevens is an American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Andy Douglas.-Career:... ) (c) defeated America's Most Wanted America's Most Wanted (professional wrestling) America's Most Wanted was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of "Wildcat" Chris Harris and "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm, who competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... (Chris Harris Chris Harris (wrestler) Christopher Eric "Chris" Harris is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he was formerly one-half of the tag team America's Most Wanted along with partner & Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm.-World Championship... and James Storm James Storm James Allen Cox is an American professional wrestler who competes under the ring name "The Cowboy" James Storm. Since 2002, Storm has been employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he, along with A.J... ) |
Tag Team match Tag team Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name... for the NWA World Tag Team Championship NWA World Tag Team Championship The National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Championship is the professional wrestling world tag team championship within the NWA framework.-History:... |
14:10 |
| 6 | Christopher Daniels Christopher Daniels Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also... (c) defeated Shocker |
Standard wrestling match for the TNA X Division Championship TNA X Division Championship The TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling... |
11:58 |
| 7 | Abyss defeated Bobby Roode, Zach Gowen Zach Gowen Zach Gowen is an American professional wrestler. Gowen has competed for World Wrestling Entertainment on their SmackDown! brand, as well as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... , Eric Young Eric Young (wrestler) Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks.... , Cassidy Riley Cassidy O'Reilly Cassidy Riley is an American professional wrestler, also known as Cassidy Reilly and Cassidy O'Riley best known for work with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.... , Elix Skipper Elix Skipper Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team... , Shark Boy Shark Boy Dean Mathew Roll is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Shark Boy and his experience in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .-Early career:... , A-1 Alastair Ralphs Alastair Charles Ralphs , better known as A-1 , is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder.-Early life:... , Chris Sabin Chris Sabin Joshua Harter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he currently teams with Alex Shelley as The Motor City Machine Guns.After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for... , Petey Williams Petey Williams Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA... , Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki is a retired American professional wrestler. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family.-Early life:... , Lance Hoyt Lance Hoyt Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner... , Michael Shane Matt Bentley Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on... , Jerrelle Clarke Vincent Clark Vincent Jerrelle Clark is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:... , Mikey Batts, The Outlaw Monty Sopp Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James... , Trytan Ryan Wilson Ryan Wilson is an American professional wrestler who formerly worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental promotion as Jacob Duncan where he was a former OVW Heavyweight Champion... , Ron Killings Ron Killings Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik... , Apolo Germán Figueroa Germán Figueroa is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, better known as Nuevo Gran Apolo, or simply Apolo. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's independent circuit, before entering the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council... , and B.G. James Brian Gerard James Brian Gerard James is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE as an agent and producer. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation as "The Road Dogg" Jesse James or simply Road Dogg... |
Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold Gauntlet for the Gold The Gauntlet match as defined by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, is a battle royal-style match. When it involves title implications, such as a title on the line or contendership for a title, it is called a Gauntlet for the Gold... to become number contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship NWA World Heavyweight Championship The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and... |
26:45 |
| 8 | A.J. Styles A.J. Styles Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... defeated Jeff Jarrett Jeff Jarrett Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control... (c) |
Standard wrestling match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship NWA World Heavyweight Championship The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and... with Tito Ortiz Tito Ortiz Jacob Christopher "Tito" Ortiz is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from April 14, 2000 to September 26, 2003. Along with fighters like Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, he was one of the sport's early stars... as Special Guest Referee |
19:30 |
Gauntlet for the Gold entrances and eliminations
| Entry order | Entrant | Elimination order | Eliminated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booby Roode | 13 | Lance Hoyt |
| 2 | Zach Gowen Zach Gowen Zach Gowen is an American professional wrestler. Gowen has competed for World Wrestling Entertainment on their SmackDown! brand, as well as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .... |
1 | Shark Boy |
| 3 | Eric Young Eric Young (wrestler) Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks.... |
5 | Lance Hoyt |
| 4 | Cassidy Riley Cassidy O'Reilly Cassidy Riley is an American professional wrestler, also known as Cassidy Reilly and Cassidy O'Riley best known for work with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.... |
3 | Eric Young |
| 5 | Elix Skipper Elix Skipper Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team... |
4 | Bobby Roode |
| 6 | Shark Boy Shark Boy Dean Mathew Roll is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Shark Boy and his experience in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling .-Early career:... |
2 | A-1 |
| 7 | A-1 Alastair Ralphs Alastair Charles Ralphs , better known as A-1 , is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder.-Early life:... |
16 | B.G. James and The Outlaw |
| 8 | Chris Sabin Chris Sabin Joshua Harter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he currently teams with Alex Shelley as The Motor City Machine Guns.After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for... |
7 | Himself |
| 9 | Petey Williams Petey Williams Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA... |
15 | B.G. James and The Outlaw |
| 10 | Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki Sonny Siaki is a retired American professional wrestler. Unlike many Samoans in professional wrestling, he is not part of the large Anoa'i or Fatu family.-Early life:... |
8 | A-1, Bobby Roode, and Petey Williams |
| 11 | Lance Hoyt Lance Hoyt Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner... |
14 | A-1 and Bobby Roode |
| 12 | Michael Shane Matt Bentley Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on... |
6 | Chris Sabin |
| 13 | Jerrelle Clarke Vincent Clark Vincent Jerrelle Clark is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:... |
9 | Petey Williams |
| 14 | Mikey Batts | 10 | The Outlaw |
| 15 | The Outlaw Monty Sopp Monty Kip Sopp is an American professional wrestler, best known as Billy Gunn during his tenure for World Wrestling Entertainment. He is probably best known as one of the members of the New Age Outlaws. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Kip James... |
17 | Abyss |
| 16 | Trytan Ryan Wilson Ryan Wilson is an American professional wrestler who formerly worked for World Wrestling Entertainment in the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental promotion as Jacob Duncan where he was a former OVW Heavyweight Champion... |
11 | A-1, Bobby Roode, and Petey Williams |
| 17 | Ron Killings Ron Killings Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik... |
19 | Abyss by Pinfall |
| 18 | Apolo Germán Figueroa Germán Figueroa is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler, better known as Nuevo Gran Apolo, or simply Apolo. Figueroa began performing in Puerto Rico's independent circuit, before entering the International Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Council... |
12 | Himself and The Outlaw |
| 19 | B.G. James Brian Gerard James Brian Gerard James is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE as an agent and producer. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation as "The Road Dogg" Jesse James or simply Road Dogg... |
18 | Abyss |
| 20 | Abyss | Winner | N/A |
See also
- List of TNA pay-per-view events
- Hardcore Justice