TNA Wrestling arrived on the wrestling map in 2002. While on a fishing trip with the Jarretts, Bob Ryder pitched a wrestling promotion to counter WWE’s growing influence following Vince McMahon’s purchase of WCW.
The earliest business model for TNA saw the the promotion rely on a weekly PPV model as opposed to the traditional monthly pay-per-view show. The nascent company would join forces with the National Wrestling Alliance to produce PPVs under the NWA-TNA branding.
This alliance with the once-fabled wrestling promotion allowed the new company to use NWA’s world and tag team titles in addition to their wrestlers. TNA in its formidable years focused on in-ring booking. It also offered a mix of the old NWA stars and the rising indie movement.
Let’s take a look at some of the best PPV matches the promotion gave fans in its first year of existence:
Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper & Low-Ki vs. The Amazing Red & The SAT (Six-man Tag Team Match – NWA-TNA PPV #26)
This multi-man outing featured six of the best cruiserweights in the world at the time. Also, this marked the first-time Daniels and Skipper worked together in a multi-man match. They’d soon become the formidable Triple X.
All six men had the crowd on their feet with their extremely fast-paced in-ring style. The Amazing Red was such a special talent during TNA’s early days. Don West (rest in peace) was excellent on commentary as well.
AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn (X Title Match – November 6)
AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn had been partners-turned-rivals in the build to this match. Both men had known each other to the point they were able to pull off some solid counters to each other’s moves.
Lynn had the veteran’s advantage while Styles was TNA’s fastest rising star at that point. Together, they delivered a great singles contest for the coveted X Division Championship. The distraction and outside interference was another example of early TNA’s overbooking.
AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Low-Ki (X Division Title Triangle Ladder Match – August 28)
Low-Ki had defeated AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn in an excellent triple threat outing to become the second NWA-TNA X Champion. The future Kaval would put his title on the line against his two bitter opponents in a Triangle Ladder Match (the first of its kind in company history) at NWA Total Nonstop Action #11.
The stipulation called for all three men to show creativity and innovation they’d show from bell to bell. There were some brutal spots, including the cradle piledriver off the ladder, complemented by some fantastic in-ring psychology from the competitors. Jerry Lynn would walk out of the TNA Asylum with the title around his waist that night.
AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Low-Ki (X-Division Title Match – August 7)
This is the match I was referring to above. All three men were responsible for giving TNA some of its greatest PPV matches in 2002. These three pro wrestlers had a series of excellent matches for the X Division Championship during the early days of the promotion.
Styles would put his title on the line against Lynn and Low-Ki at the NWA-TNA PPV #8. This three-way encounter featured some brilliant exchanges between the competitors. Lynn showcased his veteran instinct, Low-Ki displayed his aggressive brilliance, and Styles delivered a great combo of ferocious offense at lightning-fast speed.
AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Low-Ki vs. Psicosis (NWA TNA X Title Fatal Four Way Double Elimination Match – June 26)
All four men had traveled different paths prior to their arrival in NWA-TNA. Whereas Jerry Lynn and Psicosis gained recognition for their work in major wrestling promotions, Styles and Low-Ki honed their craft on the independent scene.
All four men would meet to determine the fate of the inaugural X Championship. It is worth mentioning that this match was contested under double elimination rules. This was a unique stipulation for a major title match in company history.
The action these four men produced made the main event feel like a completely different show from the undercard. Just the sheer quality of their exchanges, spots, and everything in between made it a fantastic outing.
Styles would go on to make history by becoming the first NWA-TNA X Champion. He’d drop the title to Low-Ki a couple of weeks later.
Honorable Mentions
- AJ Styles vs. The Amazing Red (October 30)
- Jeff Jarrett vs. Ron Killings (NWA-TNA PPV #22)
- American’s Most Wanted vs. The Disciples of The New Church (November 20)
Also read: Best TNA Wrestling PPV Matches Of 2003
