[2012-02-12-TNA-Against All Odds] A.J. Styles vs Kazarian

[Superstar Sleeze]

Don't worry, I am not going to make everyone watch this match.

 

AJ Styles vs Kazarian - TNA Against All Odds 2012

 

It is my least favorite storyline, wrestler A forces wrestler B to wrestle wrestler C against his will. Why should Kaz be reluctant to wrestle AJ? The objective of wrestling is not to hurt your opponent just pin or submit him. If you respect someone, just wrestle a clean match. It is the stupidest storyline in wrestling. Lets try to get past that. Oh by the way, Daniels is back from his pathetic exit at Bound for Glory and he is forcing Kaz to wrestle AJ because he has something on him. Eventually Kaz just joins him outright and this becomes the Claire Lynch saga. Cant say Im too excited for that, but hey I just watch PPV matches for a reason!

 

The beginning of the match is by far the best part. AJ wrestles like a man possessed. He sets the tone that he is pissed at Kaz & Daniels. He rips Kaz's shirt (it is a Fallen Angel shirt) right off his body. Credit where it is due, Daniels gets a ton of heat throughout this match (lots of Daniels Sucks chants throughout). AJ wrestles this like a blood feud match, snug headlock, chucks Kaz, always has a mean glare towards Daniels and then will rifle Kaz with a stiff shot. Kaz needs to wake the fuck up because he is in a fight. Kaz is actually really good at bumping and selling for AJ. His offense later on is way too 2000s for me (everything is "modified"), but taking moves he is quite good. Actually his best spot went nowhere, which was a same. AJ charged into the corner and Kaz floated over, but on his way down he grabbed AJ's chin and yanked him down. It was very violent and sudden! Should have been the transition, but alas AJ made a quick comeback. The real transition to heat was a MONSTER MONKEY FLIP! AJ GOT SOME SERIOUS AIR! I thought Kaz's gutwrench looked good really threw him down, but he kinds ran out of stuff to do. Once AJ started his comeback via forearms, I thought they had a hard time moving to the next level. Just lots of move trading. Stuff like Kaz hitting a big time DDT on the apron, only to then to slingshot AJ in to hit a Diamond Cutter and neither move finishes him. It did not feel like the moves had weight. I will say the actual finish was fucking awesome.

AJ is ready to hit the springboard forearm. He gets on the ropes, hesitates, and hits a fucking moonsault on Daniels. HOLY SHIT! One of the coolest, most athletic things I have ever seen. Totally had me faked out. The balance that takes and mental concentration is phenomenal (literally the first word that came into my head). Daniels selling of this top notch. Styles gets a modicum of revenge, but because he took his eye off the prize it leaves him prone to Fade To Black.

I liked the finish a lot. AJ gets to look good by getting one up on Daniels physically, but it costs him the match so everyone looks good. The beginning of the match was really strong, but they just kinda trade moves in the middle. That moonsault was pretty nutty. I say it was probably 3.5, but damn that moonsault was so awesome so lets go ***3/4.

 

[G. Badger]

This felt anemic especially once Frankie was in control. Then much like the Shelley vs Aries match this was a house show match. They did some cool moves but this was just directionless and long at around 20 minutes. Immediately afterwards was a promo from Eric Bischoff and ahem...Gunner for a match with Eric Bischoff's son...absolute resurrected WCW pap. So Kaz vs former NWA champ, X division champ, tag champ AJ Styles is Eric Bischoff Jr. & late stage WCW tattooed jobber. Oh but Hulk Hogan is gonna be there too...Hulk calls Bischoff's son "the future of this business." The fans were eating it up at the entrances chant "Hogan! Hogan!" Morons...

I would have put on a house show match too.