We’re heading back Into the Vault with some more Impact Wrestling in 2005. This time it’s TNA Lockdown 2005!
The concept here was that every match was a steel cage bout—the infamous Six Sides of Steel. Also featured was a Lethal Lockdown match.
Low-Tier
I really hate putting the final match of Chris Candido under here but the match was hindered by him getting injured during the bout. In 2005, Candido was still very capable in the ring and was the lynchpin here.
With him suffering an injury, it was going to be hard for Apolo and a young Lance Hoyt to really deliver the sauce to make this anything beyond a decent at the best match.
Something about Dustin vs. Roode just didn’t do it for me entirely. I just don’t think I needed a 2 out 3 falls match inside a cage. As a result, this went a little longer than necessary.
I understand the decision to do it—every match is a cage match and you need to mix it up with more stipulations. However, I don’t think these two should’ve drawn the 2 out 3 falls straw.
Mid-Tier
America’s Most Wanted vs. Team Canada was one of Impact Wrestling’s best tag team feuds. The match at TNA Lockdown 2005 wasn’t bad at all but it should’ve been much better.
I want to put it down to Team Canada’s inexperience in a cage as a unit but at one time AMW were inexperienced in the cage and were together as a team shorter when they delivered with Triple X.
That said, this wasn’t a lousy match by any means. Who knows, it probably would’ve been better if this was the 2 out of 3 falls match and Dustin vs. Roode was the strap match.
In another adjustment to the cage match formula, the Xscape match with Shocker, Sabin, Matt Bentley, and Sonjay Dutt was pretty damn fun.
I have problems with the ending and the breaking up pins in an elimination match but it’s TNA. Sometimes, they will have a match with stipulations and even the wrestlers just act on instinct.
Shocker was being pushed at this time but I feel it should’ve gone to Sabin or Dutt. Oh well.
The Lethal Lockdown match was enjoyable and had guys who could deliver in such a chaotic match. This was the bout that established a blueprint for how it should go.
Now, that map can and has changed over time but as the first in many, it was pretty good. At the minimum it was enjoyable.
Exotic-Tier
Jeff Hardy’s run in Impact Wrestling during this time was pretty damn epic. When it came to PPVs, he delivered. The same goes for Raven when he was actively in the mix of things.
Hardy is often put out there as risk taking high flyer, the guy was at home in a brawl. His matches against Abyss were some of my favorites in TNA. This match had the odd stipulation of being a tables match.
I don’t know why you’d need to settle a feud in a cage and make it a table match but this is Lethal Lockdown 2005. It doesn’t matter—plus, this was a dope, shortish match.
Daniels vs. Skipper for the X Division title was also a really good match but it smacked of trying to top AMV vs. Triple X—which was just not going to happen in this case.
That said, both guys put on one hell of a dangerous and athletic match. It’s second only to the Styles vs. Abyss main event. This was just a regular cage match, no stipulations and both were at home here.
First off, can I just say that for someone who was a TNA lifer for most of his career, Abyss has never been handled that well in TNA? He could’ve at least gotten that one PPV or match type where he’s undefeated.
You know, a little Undertaker nod or even the high win percentage Sting had at Starrcade. Anyway, this was for an NWA World Title opportunity at Hard Justice—which seems excessive for a shot at the belt.
That aside, this match rocked the hardest on Lethal Lockdown. If you skip or scrap most of the matches on this show, this is definitely the one to watch.
TNA Lockdown 2005 Verdict: 8/10
This show rocked, pure and simple. There were a lot of good matches, several great bouts, and a few that could’ve been improved with different stipulations or by just being a cage match.
The show had a nice flow with added stipulations to mix things up. There were also enough exciting matches that the team of Mike Tenay and Don West were working overtime!
TNA Lockdown 2005 was one of the crown jewels of 2005 for Impact Wrestling.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit YouTube
and Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
