Background: TNA honored and paid tribute to the X-Division as the past, present, and future X-Division stars collided – ending with a clash of the former TNA World Heavyweight champions Samoa Joe and Austin Aries.
One Night Only: X-Travaganza
Orlando, FL
January 12, 2013
Samoa Joe vs. Austin Aries
The battle of the former TNA World champions opened with Joe trying to unsuccessfully corner Aries as his fellow former TNA World champion tried to hit & run. When Joe got his hands on Aries, Austin took a powder and headed to the floor to regroup. Announcer Mike Tenay actually talked about Aries ending Joe’s historic ROH World title reign as Joe used that back elbow-enzuguri combination to put A-Double in position for the Joeism combo. Aries avoided having his face washed with Joe’s boot, but not his chest being blistered with chops. Joe’s chop was so forceful it knocked Aries over the guardrail. Austin was looking for a way to escape Joe’s onslaught, but met the steel ring steps back first instead.
Joe rolled Aries back in, taking his time to reenter. Aries dropkicked Joe’s left leg when Joe stepped through the ropes, leaving “The Samoan Submission Machine” hobbling until Aries kicked him down. KneeDT by Aries set up a failed pin attempt. Another dropkick by Aries set up some kicks aimed at Joe’s rising body. When Joe tried to fire back, Austin Aries clipped him in position for some more leg work. Figure four leg lock by Aries had the fans “whoo’ing” and Joe struggling to get Aries over in an attempt to reverse the hold. Joe’s weight allowed him to be successful in his attempt, sending Aries to the floor soon after. Joe unwisely went for a dive that Aries would avoid. Heat seeking tope by Aries gave Austin a chance to do a victory lap.
Scaling the ropes, Aries missile dropkicked Joe … to his feet! Joe’s fighting spirit allowed him to explode with a clothesline that reset this match. Big boot-senton splash combo by “The Samoan Submission Machine” left Aries with a bloody ear. Joe was shaking the pain out of his leg to power bomb Aries into the STF. A-Double bit his way out of the submission, connecting with a rolling elbow soon after. Another chop block by Aries stopped Joe … or so he thought. Yanking Aries’ tights, Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch. Aries was close enough to the ropes to save himself, but was in a bad way. Gaining some distance between himself and Joe, Aries was able to hit the crucifix driver following the IED.
Kicking Joe on the forehead, Aries laid Samoa Joe in position for the 450 Splash. Joe moved at the last second, but Austin landed on his feet. Aries turned around, running into the STJoe. Joe hoisted Aries onto the top turnbuckle, looking for the Muscle Buster. Aries slipped free before the drop, rolling Joe up for the flash pin victory.
Winner: Austin Aries (18:27)
Is It A Classic: If there’s any reason to see this show it’s the main event. Samoa Joe and Austin Aries tore the house down with a match that perfectly represented everything the X-Division is and should be. The action was intense. The story was smart. And the ending left both men looking strong. The main event was a fantastic way to end this first of many “One Night Only” events for TNA.
