[2011-11-13-TNA-Turning Point] Bobby Roode vs A.J. Styles

[Superstar Sleeze]

TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs AJ Styles - TNA Turning Point 2011

 

When I used to watch TNA, I did not think Roode was a particularly interesting pro wrestling and hey what do you know he was not in this match! I actually remember the angle he did when he bashed Storm with the beer bottle to win the title. Strong angle. AJ Styles is out for revenge against Roode on Storm's behalf. Good booking, giving Roode a credible series of victories of a very established babyface before going into the blood feud with James Storm.

 

AJ Styles gave a typically excellent performance in this match, but it was not carry it over the hump. Roode reminds me a lot of HHH. Mechanically fine, knows what he is supposed to do, but does not do it in a particularly compelling way. AJ started off red hot with lots of wicked fists and chops. He was all about that full court press and falling Roode. I really liked Roode trying to get the cheapshot out of the corner look for AJ to shake it off and punching him. Then he complained to the ref about AJ's punch when he did it first. That was probably the best thing he did in the match. As AJ was trying to get back in the ring after kicking some ass Roode dropkicked him out and then slammed him into hard objects. Choking. Cutoffs. Everything was the ring thing to do well I could have done without the Kan Snuggle, but it was just done without emotion. Superplex jumpstarts the AJ comeback.

 

This brings me to the point I really wanted to make. AJ was really good at covering up miscommunications in this match. On a torture rack that failed and then Roode being out of position for the Springboard forearm AJ compensated in ways that made sense in Kayfabe without repeating the spot or losing that rhythm. Yes, it looked awkward because I have been watching wrestling for almost twenty years so I notice these things, but from a kayfabe point of view everything still made sense.

 

The finish stretch was a bit move-tradey at first. The Styles Clash->Crossface->Styles Clash was bit convoluted. The crowd did not seem very hot for it. Once they got back to face/heel dynamics the match got its heat back. Roode ballshotted AJ and hey he sold it! One thing 2011 TNA does better than 2002 TNA! He even got the ref with that ballshot. AJ decks him out of desperation. Roode begs for forgiveness and AJ lets him have it, middle finger and just beats the shit out of him 2002 AJ Styles style! He goes for the dive and crashes and burns. AJ's saw red and seemingly lost because of it. AJ does a great job selling and fisherman suplex 1-2-NO!!! WTF?!?! That would have been a great finish. Styles Clash attempt, but Roode grabs the tights for the win.

 

That finish does set up the rematch better. I think you combine the ballshot with the tight grab for the win. When the match relied on face/heel dynamics, it was pretty damn good and AJ has proven to be a damn good fiery, asskicking babyface. When it was move trade-y, it faltered because Roode is not very good at that. I thought they crammed too much stuff in the finish stretch. There were like three possible great finishes in there. ***1/2 mostly because I could watch AJ punch and chop for days and his ability to hold this together was pretty superb.