This is one of the most famous matches in the extraordinary oeuvres of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. It’s easy to forget that Christopher Daniels’ X-Division title is on the line.
You’ve probably heard of this match.
The “Unbreakable” three-way is a gateway drug for pro-wrestling fans who are fortunate enough to escape the WWE bubble. It’s a window into the wider world of the sport of kings and its endless possibilities.
Dave Meltzer awarded this match the five-star seal of approval in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, back when the distinction still carried real weight amongst the sycophants. It’s also been canonized as THE match in TNA history, that every fan points to as the company’s zenith.
Fortunately, the match itself lives up to its critical acclaim. Most of it, anyways.
Video: AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels
Generally speaking, three-way matches can be difficult. They’re often a crutch for bookers that inadvertently diffuses tension – as opposed to creating it. In lesser hands, the format often feels convoluted, suffering from the overused “two wrestlers in the ring, one on the floor” structure that results in monotonous interruptions. And, while Styles and Joe managed to conjure a better singles performance several months later at “Turning Point,” it’s miraculous that this match doesn’t suffer from those common criticisms.
The buffer here is the sheer talent involved. Daniels is the conniving heel champion, Styles is the franchise player, and Joe is an inviolable monster. That dichotomy is what fuels the airtight action in this match—performed at the accelerated pace that was customary in TNA’s vaunted X-Division. No weight classes. No limits.
The unsung hero of this match is the “Fallen Angel.” Daniel’s performance as a weaselly heel tethers Styles and Joe’s preternatural athleticism, creating contrast and giving this match discernible weight. His desperate attempt to retain the X-Division championships highlights the 35-year-old’s plight – trying to out maneuver two legitimate phenoms in Styles and Joe.
At its core, this is the prototypical go-go-go fireworks extravaganza. Not to belabor the expression, but it’s the sort of affair that can become mind-numbing in lesser hands. The saving grace is that the wildly conceptualized highspots are layered with vicious physical exchanges. From Joe’s ferocious kicks to Styles elbow strikes, the violence is palpable—creating even more contrast in the contest.
There’s a fine line between intricacy and intemperance. Styles, Joe, and Daniels managed to walk the line with alarming confidence—creating something that is efficient, exhilarating, and endlessly rewatchable.
Rating: ****¾
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