Tna Wrestling: Sacrifice 2012 [DVD]

After the abysmal crowd and bad outcome of Lockdown's main-event, TNA nevertheless rebounded for Sacrifice 2012. The high-quality programming of Impact Wrestling thrived and led to a great pay-per-view here. The highlights this-time-around were of course World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, with the legendary Rob Van Dam being the next in line for a title shot. Then there was X-Division Champ Austin Aries booked against Bully Ray in a fantastic feud that had real heat going for it.Other superb talents were also on the rise, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles were still tearing the house down, and despite some really daft booking/tedious storylines, the booking/direction for TNA was perhaps better than it had ever been for the company. Of course, the Impact Zone crowd sure help make for a fun-filled night! As usual!TNA World Tag Team Championship MatchSamoa Joe & Magnus (Champions) vs. Christopher Daniels & KazarianTake two great teams that both work harmoniously as units, and what do you get? A GREAT opener, that's what! Solid action, terrific chemistry, ace double-teaming, the right length and outcome make this a brilliant way to kick off the evening. The rise of Bad Influence starts here, ladies & gentlemen! (8/10)TNA Knockout's Championship MatchGail Kim (Champion) vs. Brooke TessmacherA great competitive bout between the Knockouts, and one that's been built-up well. The future `Miss' Tessmacher's improvement justified her being promoted to title-contendership, and she works really hard in matching-up against the expert Gail. A fine-feud and a fine women's bout, better than even their match at Slammiversary. Just a shame about the cheap finish, but hey...at least Tess would get her due eventually! (6/10)Three-way TNA Television Championship MatchDevon (Champion) vs. Robbie E vs. Robbie TOh, the Robbies and their stupid gimmick. The fact that neither are really any good means that this should be avoidable at all costs. However, due to the short length, Devon doing well with the TV title and the arena's great crowd, the result is actually better than it should be! Yes, it's essentially a glorified handicap match, but the bout's actual structure makes this not only watchable, but entertaining. Just forget the ridiculous aftermath, and you'll be perfectly fine watching this. (6/10)Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. AndersonI've always believed in the chemistry between Jeff and Mr. Anderson, ever since their WWE days, and they've both proven plenty of times that they can have outstanding matches together. This, alas...is not one of them. The build-up could've been better, and the action doesn't seem to `click' like it has between them in the past. Nevertheless, both guys TRY to have a great match and the end-result remains solid. Shame about the botched finish. (7/10)Crimson vs. Eric Young (w/ODB)Meh...Crimson's undefeated streak. Did it achieve greatness? Does it have a legacy? Did it `make' him like those undefeated streaks made Samoa Joe, Goldberg or the Undertaker? NO. However, Crimson's character interacts well with Eric Young and ODB, but this comes across as more of a segment than an actual match. Entertaining in places, but ultimately filler. (4/10)Austin Aries vs. Bully RayDespite Bubba Ray Dudley making his legacy as a true tag-team specialist in ECW and WWF/E, I never pictured him as a singles-wrestler, let alone main-event material. However, like JBL, the former Dudley Boy has really done well for himself by getting into shape, cutting great promos and reinventing his character. This is without doubt the greatest single's match Bully Ray has ever had, due to the sublime psychology & storytelling, and the perfect foil in Austin Aries. The X-Division Champion gives the Bully every bit as much as he takes in a bout that successfully elevates BOTH men as worthy (inevitable) candidates for the TNA World Title. Even Joseph Park's interference is welcome here! Brutal, fantastic, match of the night...a pivotal classic. (9/10)Kurt Angle vs. AJ StylesIt's TNA, it's Angle, it's Styles...THIS is the kind of exhilarating bout we just can't get enough of! Sadly, there are a few key things going AGAINST this latest go-round on pay-per-view. Namely the tedious storyline between AJ and Daniels/Kazarian, the fact that the audience had already been blown away by Aries/Bully Ray, and that at it's too long at twenty-minutes. Despite all this, the two TNA veterans still tear the house down in yet another excellent encounter. This is indeed wrestling, and the aftermath leads to the Slammiversary classic! (8/10)TNA World Heavyweight Championship Ladder MatchBobby Roode (Champion) vs. Rob Van DamA main-event of great quality. In both hype and the match itself, RVD seems more motivated than he's been in years. It's certainly his best outing in recent memory, and the best you'll see from him at this stage of his career. It won't take your breath away or break new ground like more famous ladder matches, but it'll certainly satisfy! Some sick spots and yet more exceptional work from Roode make this ladder bout a terrific way to close the show. Dodgy finish, but correct outcome. (8/10)Two special features on hand, here. The `Before the Bell' documentary lasts half-an-hour and goes over the build-up/participants for the main-event with a fine-tooth comb. Roode naturally continues to thrive as the `IT Factor', but the `Whole F'N Show' deserves just as much props for his intelligent, confident interviews. RVD's promo-work is very overlooked at times, and this method of promoting the main-event is most refreshing indeed. The collection of post-match interviews are fab, also.Whilst TNA Sacrifice is surpassed by the more unforgettable shows of 2012 (i.e. Slammiversary, Destination X and Bound for Glory), this nevertheless remains a high-quality purchase for TNA fans, and wrestling fans in general. One to fit on your shelf!

happy to see it for the first time it was fun to watch all the match aging and see the w how sure to be with the c