Hard Justice opens with a 10-bell salute to Chris Candido, who passed away two weeks ago after suffering from complications stemming from his match at last month at Lockdown. A photo of Candido is in the ring as well as one of the NWA Tag Team Championship belts and his trademark white towel.
We are treated to a video package narrated by the TNA voiceover guy that talks about human passion that separates us from the other animals in the world. This passion also creates conflict, yet without it, there would be no humanity. Footage of wrestling highlights are shown with scenes of violence and war as we are welcomed to Hard Justice, live from the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL.
The pyro goes off at the entrance and around the ring as Mike Tenay and Don West hype tonight’s card where MMA fighter, Tito Ortiz, will make sure justice is served as the special guest referee in tonight’s main event.
Match 1: Team Canada vs. Apolo & Sonny Siaki
Team Canada attack Apolo and Siaki as they pose for the crowd, but Apolo and Siaki quickly power them around as Team Canada retreats to the floor. Petey Williams enters the ring and squares off against Apolo but Williams has little effect on the big man. Apolo picks up a pin attempt after slamming Williams down to the canvas and tags in his partner. Siaki continues to wear down Williams but Williams is able to take Siaki down with a drop toe hold and make the tag to Eric Young.
Young comes in and Siaki quickly takes him down and begins to work him over with a couple of chops before he tags Apolo back into the match. Apolo sends Young out to the floor but Williams comes in and takes Apolo down with a springboard leg drop to turn the tide of the match. Young tags Williams back into the match and starts to choke Apolo in plain view of the referee. Team Canada isolates Apolo in their corner and work him over until Apolo nails Young with a superkick.
Both wrestlers begin to crawl to their corners to tag in their partners and Siaki powers both members of Team Canada around and picks up a near fall on Williams with an impressive slam. Scott D’Amore stalls Siaki’s momentum by tripping him up and Williams sets up for the Canadian Destroyer but Siaki counters and takes Williams down with a swinging neckbreaker. D’Amore then distracts the referee as A1 slides in and nails Siaki with a brainbuster and puts Williams on top get the pin fall and steal the victory.
We see footage from earlier in the day where Tito Ortiz arrived to the Impact Zone in a stretch limo. AJ Styles is also shown arriving to the applause of the crowd and Jeff Jarrett is seen holding the NWA World Championship over his shoulder and is surrounded by security guards. Mike Tenay and Don West discuss the main event and how Tito Ortiz will be a factor in the match as the special guest referee.
Match 2: Michael Shane & Trinity vs. Chris Sabin & Traci (Mixed Tag Team Match)
Trinity and Traci start this match out as Traci chases her around the ring but Michael Shane is able to cut her off. Chris Sabin is then tagged into the match and Sabin picks up a near fall after hitting a hurricanrana on Shane. Shane retreats to the floor and Traci is tagged in and brings Trinity in the hard way. The two roll around the ring and Traci is able to pick up a couple of near falls in the process but Trinity is able to escape and tag in Shane.
Shane begins to walk towards Traci but is taken down with a missile dropkick by Sabin. Sabin sets up for the Cradle Shock but Shane is able to escape. Shane then takes Sabin down with a suplex off of the top rope and picks up a near fall in the process. Shane then wears Sabin down as he works together with Trinity to keep the match in their favor. Shane begins to work Sabin over with a head lock as Traci paces on the ring apron. Sabin fights his way out and the two exchange blows in the ring until Sabin catches Shane with an enziguri.
The two are laid out in the ring but manage to tag in both of the partners. Traci comes in and takes Trinity down with a shoulder block before picking up a near fall after driving her face into the canvas. Traci then tries for a high risk move but Trinity pushes her down to the floor. The two then begin to battle around the ring and up the entrance ramp and Trinity slams Traci down to the floor. Sabin and Shane also fight around the ringside area as the fans being a “TNA!” chant.
The action returns to the ring and Trinity catches Sabin with a hurricanrana as Shane joins in on the attack. Sabin fights his way back into the match but Traci turns on Sabin and nails him with a low blow. Shane then takes Trinity out with a superkick before giving Sabin a superkick to pick up the pin fall. Shane and Traci then celebrate in the ring as they are back together again.
We join the announce table where Mike Tenay and Don West talk about what just happened and how Michael Shane and Traci swerved everyone. The two then talk about TNA’s short history and how TNA will be celebrating their three year anniversary next month and will be celebrating with Slammiversary. A video package hyping next month’s Slammiversary pay-per-view is aired and will take place on June 19th.
Terry Taylor is backstage with Team Canada where Petey Williams and Scott D’Amore talk about getting back on track and how this night will only get better with Team Canada dominating the 20-man gauntlet. Bobby Roode steps in and talks about being the first entrance in the gauntlet but Taylor shows him the second entrant and Team Canada are giddy over who it is.
Dusty Rhodes meets up with Tito Ortiz and Rhodes tells him how much of an honor it is for him to be in TNA tonight. Rhodes says he found the baddest man in the universe to officiate the match tonight and hands Ortiz the referee shirt. Rhodes tells him to call the match down the middle but take care of business if things get out of hand. Ortiz says he will serve hard justice Tito Ortiz style.
Terry Taylor is with Raven and tells him that Jeff Hardy is not here for the House of Fun match. Raven says he is disgusted with Hardy and calls him a coward, however, his replacement is X-Pac and he will hurt him tonight and make sure he is stretchered out and then blow up the ambulance. Quote the Raven, nevermore. We then see the ring is set up for the House of Fun match as we head into the next match of the night.
Match 3: Raven vs. Sean Waltman (Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match)
Sean Waltman sneaks in from the other side of the ring and attacks Raven to get this match started. Waltman grabs a trash can and nails Raven over the head as the fight spills out to the floor. Waltman begins to rake Raven’s face over the steel cage wall and Raven is already busted open. Waltman then goes for a Bronco Buster but Raven throws a trash can in his face before he can do it. Raven then nails Waltman with a trash can before tossing him out to the floor.
Raven begins to dig his fingers in Waltman’s’ eyes before raking his face across the steel cage wall. Raven then sends Waltman into the steel steps before rolling him back into the ring as Waltman has been busted open. Raven grabs a pair of trash can lids and begins hitting Waltman with a series of shots before wedging a trash can into the corner. Raven tries to whip Waltman into the corner but Waltman counters and sends Raven into the trash can.
Raven is quick to recover and puts Waltman in an ankle lock but Waltman fights his way out. Raven then grabs a steel chair and Raven tries to send Waltman into it with a drop toe hold but Waltman is able to stop himself and throw the chair into Raven’s face. Waltman then connects with a series of kicks before hitting Raven with a Bronco Buster. Waltman tosses Raven out to the floor and puts Raven on top of a table before jumping off the top rope and sends Raven crashing through the table.
Waltman rolls Raven back into the ring and Raven is able to counter with a Raven Effect DDT but Waltman surprisingly kicks out. Raven then grabs Waltman and walks him up the ramp before tossing him off the stage and through a table. Raven drops down and covers Waltman but Waltman is able to still kick out. The two head back towards the ring where Raven grabs a pair of handcuffs and locks him around a ring post. Raven begins to lace Waltman with shots from a kendo stick but Waltman wont give up.
Dusty Rhodes comes out and orders a referee to unlock Waltman from the handcuffs but Raven is unaware of it and Waltman is able to kick a steel chair into Raven’s face. Waltman nails Raven with a chair before he grabs the kendo stick and nails Raven repeatedly with strikes to the back. Waltman then grabs a staple gun and staples Raven’s forehead three times. Waltman then charges at Raven but Raven is able to back drop Waltman into the cage wall, which falls down to the floor. Raven then covers Waltman for the three count.
Tito Ortiz is in the locker room and is talking with AJ Styles. The two shake hands as Ortiz leaves. We are treated a video package of the tension between the members of 3Live Kru since the Outlaw arrived in TNA. Focus is also put upon Monty Brown selling out to Jeff Jarrett and turning on DDP. Terry Taylor is seen backstage with DDP and doesn’t know where his partner, BG James, is at. DDP thinks James’ travel problems is a bunch of crap and Ron Killings steps in and offers to take James’ place.
Match 4: Monty Brown & the Outlaw vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Ron “the Truth” Killings
DDP and Monty Brown start off and go back and forth in the opening moments of the match. DDP picks up a few quick near falls over Brown before they both tag in their partners. Ron Killings takes the Outlaw down with a series of flashy moves but the Outlaw slams Killings and the Outlaw and Brown isolate Killings and work him over with tags in and out.
Killings finally slows the momentum by hitting the Outlaw with a boot in the corner. Killings follows with a side kick and makes the hot tag to DDP. Brown is tagged in and DDP goes after both Brown and the Outlaw and takes them both out with clotheslines. DDP then picks up a near fall on Brown with a sit-out powerbomb but the Outlaw breaks up the pin attempt. Phi Delta Slam then interfere in the match as they attack DDP in plain view of the referee. DDP fights back and hits them both with a Diamond Cutter but Brown comes in and hits DDP with the Pounce to pick up the pin fall.
A sit down interview conducted between Mike Tenay and the Naturals is aired. Tenay talks about the passing of Chris Candido and how he helped them in winning the NWA Tag Team Championship and how they will be able to go on without him. Chase Stevens says they know he is looking down on them and Andy Douglas talks about being humbled by all of the support they have gotten from the fans and TNA. Douglas talks about a legend helping them out but won’t reveal who it is.
Match 5: America’s Most Wanted vs. the Naturals (NWA Tag Team Championship)
Prior to the match, Andy Douglas sets up a chair next to the ring and puts a towel over it in memory of Chris Candido. As the match starts, the fans begin a “Chris Candido” chant as Chase Stevens and James Storm lock up. The two teams go back and forth and pick up a series of near falls after hitting double team moves from both sides. The match begins to break down as all four go out to the floor to battle it out.
Harris sends Douglas into the guard railing and fight up the ramp as Storm sends Stevens hard into the railing. Storm hits a suplex on Stevens on to the entrance ramp as Douglas is sent into the side of the ring and the ring post by Harris. Harris tries to send Douglas into the ring post once again but Douglas counters and sends Harris shoulder first into the post. Meanwhile, on the other side of the floor, Storm sends Stevens into a chair that was being held up by a fan.
Douglas finally rolls Harris into the ring and tries for a high risk move but Harris counters and turns it into an atomic drop. Stevens comes into the ring and takes Harris down but Storm is behind him and hits Stevens with the Eye of the Storm. Douglas and Storm then take each other out with cross body blocks as all four wrestlers are laid out in the ring. All four get up and hit a Tower of Doom in the corner with Stevens taking the brunt of the fall.
All four are slow to recover and begin to trade blows once the get to their feet. Both teams pick up a series of near falls over each other and the Naturals tries for the Natural Disaster but it is broken up Harris. Storm then connects with a superkick on Stevens and AMW sets up for the Death Sentence but Douglas knocks Harris off the top rope. Stevens then rolls up Storm from behind, uses the ropes for leverage, and picks up the pin fall to retain the NWA Tag Team Championship.
Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens celebrate their victory and point up to the sky as AMW looks on in disbelief that they lost once again to the Naturals.
Tito Ortiz is outside Jeff Jarrett’s locker room but he is stopped by security that tells him to move along. Ortiz then begins choking him out as Jeff Jarrett and Monty Brown come out of the dressing room. Brown steps out as Jarrett invites Ortiz into the room and tells him that they have a lot to talk about.
A video package highlighting how Shocker won the opportunity to take on Christopher Daniels for the X Division Title. The announce team runs down the bullet points of the match as the second title match of the match is up next.
Match 6: Shocker vs. Christopher Daniels (X Division Title)
Daniels toys with Shocker in the opening moments of this match as Shocker takes Daniels down a couple of times before hitting a hurricanrana from the ring apron that sends Daniels crashing down to the floor. Shocker then dives through ropes and takes Daniels out before rolling him into the ring. Daniels is able to take control by hitting a neckbreaker on Shocker while he is entering through the ring ropes. Daniels then begins to wear him down and picks up a near fall after landing a back drop.
Daniels then locks in a submission hold and continues to wear down his opponent until Shocker is able to counter Daniels with a powerbomb. The two then trade a series of chops in the middle of the ring with Shocker ending it with a couple of clotheslines and a big boot. Shocker then climbs to the top rope and hits a frog splash that picks up a near fall. Shocker picks Daniels up and Daniels counters and sends Shocker down to the canvas.
Daniels climbs the ropes and tries for a BME but Daniels over shoots Shocker. Daniels then springs to his feet and goes for a split leg moonsault, this time connecting and picking up a near fall. Shocker is quick to counter Daniels offense and scores a near fall with a small package. Shocker then connects with a seated dropkick before setting up for a tornado DDT, but Daniels is able to block the attempt. The two then fight it out on the turnbuckle and Shocker is able to send Daniels crashing to the canvas with a face first suplex.
Shocker then locks Daniels in an STF as Daniels breaks the hold by biting Shocker’s hand. Shocker then puts Daniels in a camel clutch and Daniels again bites his hand. Shocker then slams Daniels in the turnbuckle and Shocker goes up after him but Daniels crotches him on the ropes. Daniels then hits the Angel’s Wings from the top rope to finally pick up the pin fall and retains the X Division Title.
After the match, Daniels grabs a microphone and says that Mr. TNA just defeated Mexico’s best luchadore. Daniels then calls himself the best X Division wrestler in the world today.
A video package hyping the 20-man Gauntlet for the Gold is aired. Footage is aired that shows how Abyss won the opportunity to be the final entrant in the match, while Robert Roode was awarded the unlucky first spot.
Match 7: 20-Man Gauntlet for the Gold
Bobby Roode and Zack Gowan are the first two in the ring for the first minute of the contest. Gowan removes his prosthetic leg in the ring and Roode grabs it from him. Gowan fights back and takes Roode down with a dropkick and an inverted DDT. The countdown runs down as Eric Young comes out to help his Team Canada partner. Young and Roode lay into Gowan with a series of boots before Cassidy Riley comes out. Riley shows off some flashy offense against Team Canada before he tries to send Young over the top rope.
Elix Skipper is the next one in and takes both members of Team Canada down with some fast moves as time expires. Shark Boy is the sixth competitor in the match and takes out Team Canada before Gowen levels him with a clothesline. Shark Boy comes back by giving Gowan a shark bite and eliminates him from the match. A1 is the seventh wrestler in the match as Team Canada’s numbers grow. Chris Sabin is the next one out and takes out every guy in the ring by using Roode as a top and kicking everyone around him.
Petey Williams is the ninth one in the match and the fourth and final member of Team Canada in the match. A1 finally eliminates Shark Boy as Young and Riley fight on the ring apron. Williams finally dumps Riley down to the floor to make the third elimination. Sonny Siaki is the next one out and sets his sights on A1, meanwhile, Skipper tries to walk the ropes but Roode pushes him as Skipper falls to the canvas. Roode then clotheslines him over the ropes and out to the floor to eliminate Skipper from the match.
Lance Hoyt is the next one out and quickly press slams Young over the top rope and out to the floor. Hoyt then goes after A1 as Michael Shane is the next one in the match. Sabin then charges after him and clotheslines him over the top rope as both Sabin and Shane fall out to the floor. Meanwhile, Siaki is knocked down to the floor by Williams and Roode as Shane and Sabin continue to fight on the floor.
Jarrell Clark is the next on in the match but quickly falls prey to Team Canada. Roode and A1 assist Williams with a Canadian Destroyer that sends Clark quickly out to the floor. Mikey Batts comes in and takes out both Williams and A1 as Batts and Hoyt decide to team together against Team Canada. The Outlaw is the next one in the match and goes after Hoyt before he slams Batts hard down onto the mat. The fans begin to chant “one more time!” as the Outlaw gives in to their wishes and slams Batts down once again.
Triton is the next one out and he powers Team Canada around before driving the Outlaw down with a chokeslam. Triton finally takes Hoyt down with a spinebuster as he takes out every wrestler in the ring. Ron Killings is the next one in the ring and is quickly taken down with a slam by Triton. Team Canada then team together to eliminate Triton from the gauntlet. Apolo is out next and sets his sights on Team Canada before he takes Hoyt down with a superkick. Apolo and the Outlaw then exchange chops in the corner but the Outlaw outsmarts Apolo and drops the rope down to send him out to the floor.
BG James is the next competitor and has finally arrived to the Impact Zone after missing his first match due to travel issues. BG James and the Outlaw share a glance as Hoyt sends Roode out to the floor with a big boot. Roode then helps A1 eliminate Hoyt from the match as James and the Outlaw work together to take out the rest of Team Canada. They then dump A1 and Williams out to the floor and stare at each other for a moment as Abyss comes in and eliminates them both.
Abyss and Killings are the final two left standing in the ring as the over the top rope gauntlet turns into a regular match. Abyss sends Killings out to the floor and throws him into the steel steps. Abyss then grabs a steel chair but referee Rudy Charles takes the chair away from him. The match returns to the ring as Abyss continues to work over Killings. Killings finally catches Abyss with a kick and picks up a near fall in the process.
Abyss stops his momentum with a big boot as he grabs his chain and wraps it around his fist. Charles again stops him from using it as Abyss grabs another chair but Killings kicks him in the midsection and nails Abyss with the chair a couple of times while Charles is occupied with the chain. Abyss is able to kick out of a pin attempt and Abyss crashes into Charles in the corner and takes him out. With the referee down, Killings gives Abyss an axe kick into the steel chair but the referee is out and cannot make the pin count.
Killings tries to revive the referee as Abyss grabs Killings and chokeslams him into the steel chair. Abyss covers and picks up a slow two count from the referee. Abyss then tries to squash Killings but Killings is able to grab the chair and crotch Abyss in the process. Killings then heads to the middle turnbuckle and dives at Abyss but is caught in midair as Abyss takes him out with a Black Hole Slam to pick up the pin fall and win the 20-Man Gauntlet for the Gold. Abyss becomes the #1 Contender to the NWA World Championship and we will find out who he faces in the next match.
A video package highlighting AJ Styles and what he went through to get to this match and how he is able to improvise on the fly against any opponent. TNA wrestlers and talent talk about Styles and what he can do in the ring and how Tito Ortiz will be the great equalizer in this match. The announce team then looks at the tale of the tape and the bullet points as we head into the main event of Hard Justice.
Match 8: AJ Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett w/ Tito Ortiz as special guest referee (NWA World Championship)
Tito Ortiz shows off the NWA World Championship before calling for the bell to get this match underway. Jarrett and Styles lock up a few times in the opening moments of the match with Ortiz getting between them when they are backed up in the ropes. The two then grapple back and forth around the ring and feel each other out. Jarrett finally slides out to the floor to regroup and begins walking up the ramp as Ortiz begins counting him out of the match.
Jarrett returns to the ring at a count of nine and goes on the offensive until Styles is able to take him down with a dropkick. Styles continues on the attack but Jarrett hits a gutbuster before Jarrett starts working over Styles’ leg. Jarrett then puts Styles in a figure four leg lock but Styles refuses to submit. Styles tries to make his way towards the ropes but Jarrett drags them back to the middle of the ring. Styles is finally able to reverse the hold but Jarrett is able to grab hold of a ring rope.
Styles finally gains control of the match by taking Jarrett down with a tornado DDT and dumps him out to the floor with a clothesline. Styles follows Jarrett to the floor but Jarrett is able to knock him off the apron and onto the floor. Jarrett then connects with a baseball slide dropkick as Ortiz begins another ten count. Jarrett tries for another baseball slide but Ortiz stops him and backs Jarrett into the corner. Styles then pulls Jarrett out to the floor and Jarrett sends Styles into the ring post.
Jarrett then heads to the announce table and grabs his guitar as Ortiz runs out to the floor and stops Jarrett. Styles grabs it from Jarrett but Ortiz makes him drop the guitar but Styles instead smashes it across the ring post to take it out of play. Styles and Jarrett then fight around the ringside area before Styles rolls Jarrett into the ring. Styles then connects with a flying forearm before picking up a near fall after hitting an inverted DDT.
Styles then sets up for the Styles Clash but Jarrett counters and takes Styles down with a powerbomb for another near fall. Jarrett then tries for the Stroke but Styles counters it and Jarrett takes Styles down with a snap slam for another near fall. Styles then tries for a couple of quick pins with a back slide and a small package but Jarrett is able to kick out. Styles then takes Jarrett down with a Pele kick, but Styles is too tired to do anything afterwards.
They both get up and Jarrett tries for another Stroke but Styles again counters. Jarrett then takes Styles down with a sunset flip and turns it into a Styles Clash on Styles, however, Styles is able to kick out of his own move. Styles then regains control of the match and hits Jarrett with the Stroke for yet another near fall. Styles then sets up for another Styles Clash as Monty Brown runs into the ring and goes for the Pounce but Styles pushes Jarrett in the way as he crashes into Jarrett.
Ortiz runs Brown out of the ring and sends him to the back as Styles covers Jarrett in the ring. Rudy Charles runs out to make the count but Ortiz pulls him out of the ring. Styles argues with Ortiz about what he just did as Jarrett lands a low blow on Styles. Jarrett then puts Styles on the turnbuckle as Ortiz tries to pull them off down Jarrett shoves him away. Jarrett then shoves Ortiz as Ortiz answers back with a right hand on the champ. Styles then hits the Spiral Tap as Ortiz makes the three count and we have a new NWA World Champion – AJ Styles.
Tito Ortiz puts the championship around AJ Styles’ waist as we are treated to some replays of the finish of the match. Styles and Ortiz shake hands as Monty Brown comes out to check on Jeff Jarrett. The new champion then plays and poses for the crowd as Hard Justice comes to a close.
Quick Results
- Team Canada defeated Apolo & Sonny Siaki by pin fall.
- Michael Shane & Trinity defeated Chris Sabin & Traci by pin fall.
- Raven defeated Sean Waltman by pin fall in a House of Fun match.
- Monty Brown & the Outlaw defeated Diamond Dallas Page & Ron “the Truth” Killings by pin fall.
- The Naturals defeated America’s Most Wanted by pin fall to retain the NWA Tag Team Championship.
- Christopher Daniels defeated Shocker by pin fall to retain the X Division Title.
- Abyss won the 20-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to become the #1 Contender to the NWA World Championship.
- AJ Styles defeated Jeff Jarrett by pin fall to become the new NWA World Champion.
