5 Controversial Impact Wrestling Finishes That Actually Worked (And 5 That Didn't)

Impact Wrestling/TNA always was known for having more controversy than the average wrestling promotion. The idea of using that for a finish to create a wild reaction can lead to mixed results. TNA’s best-case scenario showcased the audience caring and wrestlers building more interest moving forward. Unfortunately, there were also the negative instances of fans hating the finish.

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The creative side of TNA was what caused the most issues for the company’s growth. Fans often gave up or lost interest in the product when feeling let down. The finishes in question provided reasons why the audience would either invest more or lose faith in the company. TNA witnessed the controversial finishes here that worked or flopped.

10 Worked: Jeff Hardy Vs Mr. Anderson Vs Kurt Angle (Bound For Glory 2010)

The controversy surrounding Bound for Glory 2010 featured a tease of something big happening on the 10/10/10 date. Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson faced off in a triple threat for the vacant TNA World Championship in the main event.

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A shocking heel turn saw Hardy using the help from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff to win and form Immortal. Jeff may not have worked out well as a heel in the long term, but this night did create interest as a short-term success.

9 Did Not: Kurt Angle Vs Samoa Joe Vs AJ Styles Vs Mick Foley Vs Jeff Jarrett (Slammiversary 2009)

TNA’s bizarre King of the Mountain ladder match was one of the most confusing match stipulations ever. Wrestlers having to score pin falls, avoid going into a penalty box, and having to hang a belt above the ring rather than pull it down already made it a strange concept.

Slammiversary 2009 featured TNA adding more to the confusion with an overbooked swerve.

Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle were the last two wrestlers with a chance to hang the belt for the win. The turn saw Joe handing the belt to Angle to give him the win and join the Main Event Mafia. It essentially killed Joe’s chances at having a credible singles main event run in the future.

8 Worked: Christian Cage Vs Samoa Joe (Destination X 2007)

A cheap finish of a heel cheating isn’t always a bad thing if it doesn’t ruin the match and plays into the characters. TNA proved this by having an underrated all-time great company main event at Destination X 2007 involving Christian Cage and Samoa Joe.

The story of Joe trying to win the NWA Heavyweight Championship saw him finally getting a singles title shot on PPV. However, Christian used the ropes to sneak a counter pin and run away with the gold. The finish didn’t take away from the great work, protected Joe and added to Christian’s heel character.

7 Did Not: Sting Vs Abyss (Destination X 2007)

Destination X 2007 featured the best and worst of TNA with the booking of their finishes. Sting faced Abyss in the semi-main event of the night in a Last Rites match. TNA’s ridiculous concept saw the wrestlers having to place their opponent in a casket above the ring for it to float in the air.

Fans rejected the match with loud jeers towards the second half of realizing how badly it was going. Sting bled for no reason as the match benefited no one. The ending of the casket raising above the ring with Abyss in it just incited more boos.

6 Worked: Gail Kim Vs Taryn Terrell (Impact: July 11, 2013)

The Knockouts division has consistently been one of the stronger areas for TNA throughout its history. Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell delivered some of the better matches for the division during their 2013 rivalry that grew quite personal.

TNA booked a ladder match between the two on television to follow up a classic PPV bout. Gail won this one by tying Taryn’s hair to the bottom rope and climbing the ladder to receive a contract. The finish was creative enough to make fans enjoy it as another great outing between the two.

5 Did Not: Jeff Jarrett Vs Christian Cage Vs Abyss Vs R-Truth Vs Sting (Slammiversary 2006)

TNA ran into trouble with multiple King of the Mountain ladder matches leading to controversy. Slammiversary 2006 showed this when Christian Cage defended the NWA Heavyweight Championship against four other challengers.

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Earl Hebner tipped the ladder over with Christian and Sting each trying to win the match. Jeff Jarrett won the match before running out of the venue with Hebner as fans threw trash at them. The idea to use Hebner for another screwjob finish just felt cheap and lazy in the worst ways.

4 Worked: Bully Ray Vs Jeff Hardy (Lockdown 2013)

The Aces & Eights faction became the top heel group in TNA for almost two years. Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy were face characters fighting against them to defend TNA for months heading into their Lockdown 2013 match against each other.

TNA ran a relatively predicable swerve to have Bully revealed as the Aces & Eights leader. The big masterplan ended with him winning the TNA World Championship when his faction helped him defeat Jeff. This finish worked in creating productive controversy to better the overall storyline.

3 Did Not: AJ Styles Vs Abyss (Destination X 2010)

AJ Styles and Abyss were two of the most successful TNA homegrown stars to deliver many memorable moments. The duo had some good matches against each other, but Destination X 2010 may have been the worst of them all in the biggest spot.

TNA used this PPV main event for the world title to showcase Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair more than them. Styles fell through the ring to end the match in a non-finish, but it was followed up with Hogan forcing Flair into the ring to fall into the hole as well.

2 Worked: Bobby Roode Vs James Storm (Lockdown 2012)

TNA added a lot of emotion into the storyline between Bobby Roode and James Storm to end their Beer Money tag team. Roode betrayed his best friend Storm by cheating him to win the TNA World Championship and instantly turn heel to start his own dominant title reign.

Lockdown 2012 was Storm’s big rematch looking to gain revenge against his former teammate in a cage match. Roode however retained in improbable fashion by falling out of the cage after Storm super kicked him for an exciting finish.

1 Did Not: Kurt Angle Vs Samoa Joe (Hardcore Justice 2007)

Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe arguably had the greatest rivalry in TNA history, but there were some negative moments along the way. Hardcore Justice 2007 saw them facing off in a winner takes all main event with every major TNA male title on the line.

Karen Angle claiming to be fed up with Kurt saw her managing Joe, but it was the most painfully obvious swerve building. Kurt manipulated Joe when Karen helped him steal the victory to become the dominant champion. Joe looked foolish and needed many months to rehab from this embarrassing loss.