AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode (TNA - 12/11/2011)
Mar 11, 2019 11:00:20 GMT -5
Post by superstarsleeze on Mar 11, 2019 11:00:20 GMT -5
The match I lost my mind over and forced a bunch of people to watch. Now I am going to force all of you to watch. 
Seriously, if you have not watched this match, WATCH THIS MATCH! This is why AJ Styles is a GOAT Contender. Absolutely tremendous selling performance. If we were giving out a "Best Actor Oscar" for wrestling 2011, AJ would win for this match. It is truly unbelievable. I originally gave this *****, but I think maybe the match as a whole is not that good, but AJ's performance is *****. Whether, it makes people's list or not is immaterial. I would much rather people watch and enjoy this. I think this is such a great examples that AJ was a superb wrestler before 2014.
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs AJ Styles - TNA Final Resolution 2011 30 Minute Iron Man
The video package before the match was fantastic. I loved Roode's parents condemning Roode's actions and that they did not raise their child to be like this. I loved Roode's wife staying he is not the one here at home that has to explain to their children why their daddy is a cheater. Great touch. Spitting on Dixie and then taking on AJ's knee. Hell they are trying to get Roode over as the top heel I will give them that!
First ten minutes: AJ Styles gives a ***** sell job of his knee. Maybe the greatest ten minute selling of the knee I have ever seen period. What makes it so great? We all know Kawada in 12/3/93 and Savage from SNME 11/87 against Bret, those are great "my knee is totally fucked, I cant do anything performances". AJ puts a twist on this. This is a great "my knee has been injured before the match and it is affecting every single thing I do" performance. They trade waistlocks at the beginning Roode gets a drop toehold and AJ scrambles and immediately favors the knee. Every single time he runs; he runs with a limp. The way he throws chops and shouldertackles he favors the knee. He is using side headlocks to control the match because it is the one thing he can do that does not hurt his knee. When he needs to escape out of a headscissors, he bridges on ONE LEG and then kicks out in such a way that his left leg feels no impact. Taz points this out too and kudos to him. To paraphrase Taz, this selling has been simply phenomenal pun intended. We saw in the last match AJ constantly being on the attack and suffocating Roode. Here Roode can take walks and AJ does nothing about it because he does not want to risk his leg. Another way Roode can dictate the match now. I am not exaggerating or kidding when I say literally ever MOVEMENT that AJ does that could affect the leg he sells. In the corner, Roode crowds and picks the leg so AJ clamps on a front chancery. The tension is so high in this match because you know AJ's knee is going to get fucked, but you don't know when and as a big AJ fan you don't want it to happen. They have been teasing it, but he is still standing. Nice nearfall barrage, AJ favors knee on hiptoss and armdrag, but his hesitation costs him as Roode gets a shoulder tackle. Roode hits a kneecrusher, fuck...AJ avoids elbow on knee...AJ clamps on side headlock, but is in visible pain. He is a gamer and is trying to fight through it. Roode chopblocks the knee while AJ is in the ropes and Roode picks up the win. To go up 1-0.
The first fall was ten minutes. The greatest ten minute match I have ever seen. I would give it ***** without a doubt. I am actually scared to watch the next twenty minutes because AJ wrestled at such a high level for the first ten minutes.
Next Five Minutes: WHO AM I TO DOUBT AJ STYLES? We are halfway through and still totally at the ***** clip! AJ fights through the pain roaring back with vicious punches and chop. Roode is totally overwhelmed in the corner and goes to the eyes. AJ is a sitting duck and Roode clips the leg and AJ is down in pain. Roode tortures AJ. I love AJ's selling mixed with his fighting spirit. He never drops the selling for one second, but he never dies either. He fighting back with chops and punches but through the pain. You can see that pain etched on his face. Roode always has the ability to stymie AJ with a knee attack. AJ goes for the rana off his back, but has no strength in his knee and this leads to a Single leg crab...so dramatic watching AJ make the ropes. Only for him to succumb to the figure-4. Incredible, incredible, incredible. This is the pro wrestling I live for! I am excited for the next fifteen minutes!
Next Five Minutes: So you know something had to break AJ's way otherwise this was just going to be a blowout. AJ kicks Roode off with his good leg and Roode hits the turnbuckle and comes up favoring his shoulder!!!! AJ SINGLE ARM DDT! Landing completely on his back! It is the little things people! Crippler Crossface! Tap out. 2-1 Roode!
Go AJ GO! He goes for a Nagata Style armbar, Roode counters using the tights into a single leg crab and AJ reaches back and rakes the eyes! AJ is going to destroy this arm. He wrenching it in every way and just teeing off on Roode. He is selling his leg like a million bucks. Roode hits a clothesline, but his shoulder is shot and he cant follow it up. Cradle by AJ, 1-2-3! It is all knotted up! Ten minutes to go! WOW! I am shocked at how good this is.
Next Five Minutes: They trade shots at each other's weaknesses, great selling all around. AJ hits the enziguiri, but he is stuck writhing in pain by the time he gets up Roode is able to hit a spinebuster for two. Roode back to the leg, but AJ kicks his bad shoulder with his good leg. Then the greatest thing ever happens.
Roode catapults AJ who LANDS ON ONE FREAKING LEG ON THE TURNBUCKLES COMES OFF WITH A QUEBRADA LANDING ONE FREAKING LEG TO HIT THE INVERTED DDT!!! THAT'S COMMITMENT!!! GREATEST SELLING PERFORMANCE EVER! AJ puts it all on the line hits a Springboard 450 to complete the rally and go up 3-2!!!! Holy Shit! AJ's reaction to this is incredible. You feel like he is in the worst agony imagaineable. AJ fires off headbutts and goes for an armbar takedown, but Roode squirms out and he goes for a single leg. AJ wrenches the arm against the apron and slingshots in for a sunset flip, but Roode drops down and gets the ropes for extra leverage to knot it up at 3-3. Cant wait for the last 5 minutes!
Last Five Minutes: AJ IS PISSED! He lunges at Roode and beats the holy hell out of him. Once that burst of anger wears off, his pain in his knee overtakes him. Tries Superplex, but settles for an armdrag off the top. Goes for a suplex, but Roode kicks him in the bum knee. Fisherman's Suplex Attempt-cradle-KICKOUT, PELE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! GO AJ GO! Styles Clash and OH MY GOD AJ'S KNEE BUCKLES! Like I literally gasped the way he buckled his knee. Holy shit. Roode says fuck this noise with 90 seconds left and heads for the outside. AJ says Fuck it too and just dives out onto him. The way he sells the impact is just money. Holy shit great! The finish is Roode stalling for a draw with AJ chasing after him more like limping after him. Tie goes to the champion, Bobby Roode retains.
Not for one second in a thirty minute match did AJ let up on selling his leg. AJ worked a completely different match doing almost ZERO of his typical spots. Relying completely on selling, punches and what the match gave him. Total pro. Honest to God, one of the top tier individual performances I have ever seen in a pro wrestling match. Greatest TNA match in history and one of the greatest matches in history. *****
Seriously, if you have not watched this match, WATCH THIS MATCH! This is why AJ Styles is a GOAT Contender. Absolutely tremendous selling performance. If we were giving out a "Best Actor Oscar" for wrestling 2011, AJ would win for this match. It is truly unbelievable. I originally gave this *****, but I think maybe the match as a whole is not that good, but AJ's performance is *****. Whether, it makes people's list or not is immaterial. I would much rather people watch and enjoy this. I think this is such a great examples that AJ was a superb wrestler before 2014. TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs AJ Styles - TNA Final Resolution 2011 30 Minute Iron Man
The video package before the match was fantastic. I loved Roode's parents condemning Roode's actions and that they did not raise their child to be like this. I loved Roode's wife staying he is not the one here at home that has to explain to their children why their daddy is a cheater. Great touch. Spitting on Dixie and then taking on AJ's knee. Hell they are trying to get Roode over as the top heel I will give them that!
First ten minutes: AJ Styles gives a ***** sell job of his knee. Maybe the greatest ten minute selling of the knee I have ever seen period. What makes it so great? We all know Kawada in 12/3/93 and Savage from SNME 11/87 against Bret, those are great "my knee is totally fucked, I cant do anything performances". AJ puts a twist on this. This is a great "my knee has been injured before the match and it is affecting every single thing I do" performance. They trade waistlocks at the beginning Roode gets a drop toehold and AJ scrambles and immediately favors the knee. Every single time he runs; he runs with a limp. The way he throws chops and shouldertackles he favors the knee. He is using side headlocks to control the match because it is the one thing he can do that does not hurt his knee. When he needs to escape out of a headscissors, he bridges on ONE LEG and then kicks out in such a way that his left leg feels no impact. Taz points this out too and kudos to him. To paraphrase Taz, this selling has been simply phenomenal pun intended. We saw in the last match AJ constantly being on the attack and suffocating Roode. Here Roode can take walks and AJ does nothing about it because he does not want to risk his leg. Another way Roode can dictate the match now. I am not exaggerating or kidding when I say literally ever MOVEMENT that AJ does that could affect the leg he sells. In the corner, Roode crowds and picks the leg so AJ clamps on a front chancery. The tension is so high in this match because you know AJ's knee is going to get fucked, but you don't know when and as a big AJ fan you don't want it to happen. They have been teasing it, but he is still standing. Nice nearfall barrage, AJ favors knee on hiptoss and armdrag, but his hesitation costs him as Roode gets a shoulder tackle. Roode hits a kneecrusher, fuck...AJ avoids elbow on knee...AJ clamps on side headlock, but is in visible pain. He is a gamer and is trying to fight through it. Roode chopblocks the knee while AJ is in the ropes and Roode picks up the win. To go up 1-0.
The first fall was ten minutes. The greatest ten minute match I have ever seen. I would give it ***** without a doubt. I am actually scared to watch the next twenty minutes because AJ wrestled at such a high level for the first ten minutes.
Next Five Minutes: WHO AM I TO DOUBT AJ STYLES? We are halfway through and still totally at the ***** clip! AJ fights through the pain roaring back with vicious punches and chop. Roode is totally overwhelmed in the corner and goes to the eyes. AJ is a sitting duck and Roode clips the leg and AJ is down in pain. Roode tortures AJ. I love AJ's selling mixed with his fighting spirit. He never drops the selling for one second, but he never dies either. He fighting back with chops and punches but through the pain. You can see that pain etched on his face. Roode always has the ability to stymie AJ with a knee attack. AJ goes for the rana off his back, but has no strength in his knee and this leads to a Single leg crab...so dramatic watching AJ make the ropes. Only for him to succumb to the figure-4. Incredible, incredible, incredible. This is the pro wrestling I live for! I am excited for the next fifteen minutes!
Next Five Minutes: So you know something had to break AJ's way otherwise this was just going to be a blowout. AJ kicks Roode off with his good leg and Roode hits the turnbuckle and comes up favoring his shoulder!!!! AJ SINGLE ARM DDT! Landing completely on his back! It is the little things people! Crippler Crossface! Tap out. 2-1 Roode!
Go AJ GO! He goes for a Nagata Style armbar, Roode counters using the tights into a single leg crab and AJ reaches back and rakes the eyes! AJ is going to destroy this arm. He wrenching it in every way and just teeing off on Roode. He is selling his leg like a million bucks. Roode hits a clothesline, but his shoulder is shot and he cant follow it up. Cradle by AJ, 1-2-3! It is all knotted up! Ten minutes to go! WOW! I am shocked at how good this is.
Next Five Minutes: They trade shots at each other's weaknesses, great selling all around. AJ hits the enziguiri, but he is stuck writhing in pain by the time he gets up Roode is able to hit a spinebuster for two. Roode back to the leg, but AJ kicks his bad shoulder with his good leg. Then the greatest thing ever happens.
Roode catapults AJ who LANDS ON ONE FREAKING LEG ON THE TURNBUCKLES COMES OFF WITH A QUEBRADA LANDING ONE FREAKING LEG TO HIT THE INVERTED DDT!!! THAT'S COMMITMENT!!! GREATEST SELLING PERFORMANCE EVER! AJ puts it all on the line hits a Springboard 450 to complete the rally and go up 3-2!!!! Holy Shit! AJ's reaction to this is incredible. You feel like he is in the worst agony imagaineable. AJ fires off headbutts and goes for an armbar takedown, but Roode squirms out and he goes for a single leg. AJ wrenches the arm against the apron and slingshots in for a sunset flip, but Roode drops down and gets the ropes for extra leverage to knot it up at 3-3. Cant wait for the last 5 minutes!
Last Five Minutes: AJ IS PISSED! He lunges at Roode and beats the holy hell out of him. Once that burst of anger wears off, his pain in his knee overtakes him. Tries Superplex, but settles for an armdrag off the top. Goes for a suplex, but Roode kicks him in the bum knee. Fisherman's Suplex Attempt-cradle-KICKOUT, PELE FROM OUT OF NOWHERE! GO AJ GO! Styles Clash and OH MY GOD AJ'S KNEE BUCKLES! Like I literally gasped the way he buckled his knee. Holy shit. Roode says fuck this noise with 90 seconds left and heads for the outside. AJ says Fuck it too and just dives out onto him. The way he sells the impact is just money. Holy shit great! The finish is Roode stalling for a draw with AJ chasing after him more like limping after him. Tie goes to the champion, Bobby Roode retains.
Not for one second in a thirty minute match did AJ let up on selling his leg. AJ worked a completely different match doing almost ZERO of his typical spots. Relying completely on selling, punches and what the match gave him. Total pro. Honest to God, one of the top tier individual performances I have ever seen in a pro wrestling match. Greatest TNA match in history and one of the greatest matches in history. *****
