When I first saw Samoa Joe compete, I instantly became a fan. His style is unlike no other. He can compete with cruserweights and heavyweights. He can compete in high flying matches and he can grapple with the best of them. Joe is a hybrid of technical, submission, and MMA.
This DVD showcases Joe at his best in his early days in TNA. It features matches during 2005-2006 when he was undefeated for 18 months. It features numerous bouts against the likes of AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Amazing Red, Jushin Liger, and many others.
Samoa Joe vs. Sonjay Dutt - Slammiversary 2005
This was Samoa Joe's debut match in TNA. They noted Joe's dominate reign as ROH World Champion as well as his vast offense of submissions. While this was a rather quick match and basically a squash, it was fun to watch. Joe got to showcase what makes him so great.
Match rating - 6/10
Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin
This is the good stuff right here. The first two matches on here were pretty one sided, but Sabin mounted some offense and gave Joe a good fight. It was an outstanding back and forth contest with some awesome spots. Sabin and Joe are two of the best of this generation and they reminded everyone of that in this match.
Match rating - 9/10
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles - Sacrifice 2005
Here we find Joe facing AJ Styles to determine the number one contender to Christopher Daniels' X Division Championship. Joe and Styles threw every thing they had at each other in a classic match up. These guys tore down the house in a hard hitting bout. Daniels was on commentary and ended up interfering in the match, which sets up the next match on this set.
Match rating - 9.5/10
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels - X Divison Championship Match - Unbreakable 2005
Where do I start with this match? If you don't already know, this is the legendary three way that put TNA and the X Division on the map. It has won numerous awards including being the first match in the United States in near 10 years to be rated at 5 Stars by Dave Meltzer. These guys performed on a whole new level. They were in the main event slot of this PPV and proved they deserved to be there and then some. The combination moves and counters in this match were incredible. It was 30 minutes of amazing action between three outstanding athletes.
Match rating - 10/10
Samoa Joe vs. Jushin Liger - Bound For Glory 2005
These guys opened the show and did so in excellent fashion. It was Liger's debut match in TNA and the crowd met him with a standing ovation. This wasn't a showstealer, but it was certainly a good match. It did its job as the opening match by getting the show off to an awesome start.
Match rating - 8/10
Samoa Joe, Roderick Strong, Alex Shelley, & Christopher Daniels vs. Austin Aries, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt, and Matt Bentley - Elimination X Match - Genesis 2005
Multi-man elimination matches like this are normally either really good or really bad. This was indeed REALLY good. I'm not gonna even try to name all of the amazing moves these guys pulled off because there's no way I'd ever be able to. You just need to see it for yourself. Plus the beatdown Joe gives Daniels afterwards is brutal and solidifes Joe as a beast.
Match rating - 9/10
Samoa Joe vs. Amazing Red - Impact
Just like the other TV matches on this set, it was basically a squash match with Red barely getting any offense in.
Match rating - 5/10
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles - Turning Point 2005
This was the match in which Joe finally won the X Division Championship. Just as they did at Genesis, Joe and AJ tore the house down. However, it was a much more physical bout then their previous encounter. Both Joe and AJ were bleeding from the mouth in this one, most noticeably, AJ. It was a physical, hard hitting encounter. Great match.
Match rating - 9/10
Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels - Final Resolution 2006
Joe and Daniels went after each other in this outstanding contest. As expected, they put on a really good match with alot of awesome spots. Daniels hit an amazing slingshot elbow drop over the top rope to the floor onto Joe. It was probably the stiffest elbow drop I've ever seen. Joe came back with an ole kick into the railing which busted Daniels open. Joe targeted the previously concussed head of Daniels and delivered a series of brutal kicks. AJ Styles came to the ring and threw in the towel for Daniels safety.
Match rating - 8.5/10
Overall thoughts: This DVD is worth buying for the matches with Styles and Daniels alone. The three way at Unbreakable and the singles matches. Joe's match with Sabin is awesome as well. The matches from Impact are nothing, but squash matches. I only reviewed one of them on here (vs. Red). Apart from that, this is an outstanding DVD. Possibly my favorite one that TNA has ever released. I recommend.
Overall rating - 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment