Hard Justice (2005)
Hard Justice (2005) | |||
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TNA Impact! Zone | |||
Attendance | 775[1] | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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Hard Justice chronology | |||
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The 2005 Hard Justice was a
The main event was for the
The event is marked for Styles' winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the third time and for opening with a memorial for
Production
Background
Hard Justice was announced in early March 2005 as taking place on May 15 at the
Storylines
Hard Justice featured eight professional wrestling matches and one pre-show match that involved wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and
The main event was a contest for the
A Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to determine the number contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held at Hard Justice. The match was announced on the April 29 episode of Impact! by DOA Rhodes.
The TNA X Division Championship was defended by Christopher Daniels against Shocker at Hard Justice. At Lockdown, Shocker defeated Chris Sabin, Michael Shane, and Sonjay Dutt to win the first-ever Xscape match.[8] On the April 29 episode of Impact!, it was announced that Daniels would defend the championship against Shocker at the PPV event.[9] The match was promoted on the basis of Shocker having wrestled for numerous promotions across the world, garnering extensive fame in Mexico, and Daniels' having to defend against an international star of this level.[13]
The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship against America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) (AMW) in another featured match on the card. The Naturals, accompanied by Chris Candido, defeated then-tag team champions AMW in a non-title match on the April 22 episode of Impact!.[14] On the April 29 episode of Impact!, The Naturals defeated AMW to win the tag team championship with help from Candido.[9] The match was announced for Hard Justice on the May 6 episode of Impact!.[10]
Raven versus Jeff Hardy in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match was promoted for the event. The feud behind this match began on the March 25 episode of Impact!, when Raven offered Hardy an alliance which he refused.[15] Raven attacked Hardy during a confrontation between Abyss and Hardy on the April 1 episode of Impact!.[16] This led to a Six Sides of Steel Tables match at Lockdown, which Hardy won.[8] It was announced on the May 13 episode of Impact! Raven and Hardy would face in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match at Hard Justice.[11]
Event
Role: | Name: |
---|---|
Commentator
|
Mike Tenay |
Don West | |
Ring announcer | Jeremy Borash |
Referee | Rudy Charles
|
Mark "Slick" Johnson
| |
Andrew Thomas | |
Interviewers
|
Jeremy Borash |
Shane Douglas |
Pre-Show
Prior to the event's commencement, TNA held a thirty-minute pre-show. It featured a six-minute and twenty-eight second bout between Shark Boy and David Young in which the winner earned entry into the Gauntlet for the Gold later in the night. Shark Boy ended up gaining the pinfall in the contest after driving Young into the mat back-first using his signature maneuver the Dead Sea Drop.[17] During the show, it was announced that Sean Waltman would be replacing Jeff Hardy as Raven's opponent in the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match due to Hardy not arriving in time for the event.[5]
On-air employees
The event featured employees other than the wrestlers involved in the matches.
Preliminary matches
The event opened with a ten-bell salute to Chris Candido while a photo of Candido, a pair of boots, and one-half of the NWA World Tag Team Championship positioned on a steel chair sat in the center of the ring.[17]
The first match to take place at Hard Justice involved Team Canada (Petey Williams and Eric Young), who were accompanied by Coach D'Amore, taking on the team of Apolo and Sonny Siaki. The duration of the encounter was eight minutes and six seconds. Team Canada gained the victory after A-1 interfered in the contest and performed a suplex on Siaki while the referee was distracted by D'Amore, then placed an unconscious Williams on top of Siaki for the pinfall.[20]
A
Raven fought Sean Waltman in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. A Clockwork Orange House of Fun match is held under no disqualification rules, involving multiple types of weapons including part of a steel cage. Waltman scored a near-fall after jumping off the pillars holding up the cage and performing a somersault leg drop onto Raven through a table. Raven won the bout after throwing Waltman into the cage causing it to collapse, Raven then followed with a pinfall victory at thirteen minutes.[18]
Main event matches
The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship against America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) in a bout which lasted fourteen minutes and ten seconds. The Naturals retained the title after Stevens scored the pinfall while using the ropes for leverage.[20]
The TNA X Division Championship was defend by Christopher Daniels against Shocker in the sixth encounter. The duration of the match was eleven minutes and fifty-eight seconds. In the final moments, Shocker went for a suplex off the top of a padded turnbuckle, however Daniels countered the move and instead performed his signature maneuver the Angel Wings to retain the X Division Championship.[21]
The Twenty-Man Gauntlet for the Gold to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was held, involving Abyss, Bobby Roode, Zach Gowen, Eric Young, Cassidy Riley, Elix Skipper, Shark Boy, A-1, Chris Sabin, Petey Williams, Sonny Siaki, Lance Hoyt, Michael Shane, Jerrelle Clarke, Mikey Batts, The Outlaw, Trytan, Ron Killings, Apolo, and B.G. James. The first entrant was Roode, while the second was Gowen, who began the encounter. Abyss was the last entrant. Gowen was the first eliminated by Shark Boy. The Outlaw and James were the lasted eliminated simultaneously by Abyss, before it became a standard bout between Abyss and Killings. Killings bashed a steel chair over Abyss' head to gain a near-fall. Abyss went on to win after Killings jumped off the top turnbuckle and Abyss countered it into his signature maneuver the Black Hole Slam to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at twenty-six minutes and forty-five seconds.[20]
The main event was a standard match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, in which then-champion Jeff Jarrett defended the title against A.J. Styles with Tito Ortiz as Special Guest Referee. During the bout, Jarrett tried to use his signature guitar as a weapon, however was stopped by Ortiz. Styles instead tried to use it, but was also stopped by Ortiz. Styles then broke the guitar, preventing it from being used as a weapon. Jarrett earned a near-fall after performing Styles' own signature maneuver the
Reception
A total of 775 people attended the event.
Aftermath
It was reported following Hard Justice that Shane Douglas was originally supposed to handle interview duties for the show, but came down with the stomach flu and was replaced by Terry Taylor.[23] Also, that Jeff Hardy missed multiple flights causing him to arrive after the conclusion of the show. Hardy was subsequently suspended for this and past instances of no-showing events.[24] Abyss and Ron Killings were the only ones to receive injuries at Hard Justice. Abyss was given a fairly deep cut on the top of his head from being bashed with a steel chair by Killings that required stitches. Meanwhile, Killings cracked his front teeth after falling face-first onto a steel chair.[25]
After Hard Justice, Jeff Jarrett demanded a rematch for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at TNA's Slammiversary PPV event on June 19 against Styles on the May 20 episode of Impact!. Director of Authority Dusty Rhodes granted Jarrett his rematch, however made it a King of the Mountain match also involving Monty Brown, new number one contender Abyss, and a mystery "wild card" opponent.[26] At Slammiversary, Jarrett was arrested during the pre-show for assaulting a fan in the storyline and replaced by Raven. Raven went on to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Styles, Brown, Abyss, and Sean Waltman.[27]
Reigning TNA X Division Champion Christopher Daniels went on to Slammiversary to defend the title in a Three Way Elimination match against Chris Sabin and Michael Shane. Shane attacked and demanded a championship match against Daniels on the May 20 episode of Impact!, before Sabin intervened and attacked Shane, leading to a brawl between all three wrestlers.[26] The match was announced on the May 27 episode of Impact!.[28] Daniels retained the championship at Slammiversary.[29]
On the May 20 episode of Impact!, Team Canada (Eric Young and Petey Williams) defeated America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) to become number one contenders to the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[26] The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens) went on to successfully defend the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Team Canada at Slammiversary.[29]
Results
No. | Results special guest referee 19:30 | | |||||
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|
Gauntlet for the Gold entrances and eliminations
1. ^
Entry order | Entrant | Elimination order | Eliminated by[18] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Bobby Roode | 13 | Lance Hoyt |
2 | Zach Gowen | 1 | Shark Boy |
3 | Eric Young | 5 | Lance Hoyt |
4 | Cassidy Riley | 3 | Eric Young |
5 | Elix Skipper | 4 | Bobby Roode |
6 | Shark Boy | 2 | A-1 |
7 | A-1 | 16 | B.G. James and The Outlaw |
8 | Chris Sabin | 7 | Himself |
9 | Petey Williams | 15 | B.G. James and The Outlaw |
10 | Sonny Siaki | 8 | A-1, Bobby Roode and Petey Williams |
11 | Lance Hoyt | 14 | A-1 and Bobby Roode |
12 | Michael Shane | 6 | Chris Sabin |
13 | Jerrelle Clarke | 9 | Petey Williams |
14 | Mikey Batts | 10 | The Outlaw |
15 | The Outlaw | 17 | Abyss |
16 | Trytan | 11 | A-1, Bobby Roode and Petey Williams |
17 | Ron Killings | 19 | Abyss by Pinfall |
18 | Apolo | 12 | Himself and The Outlaw |
19 | B.G. James | 18 | Abyss |
20 | Abyss | Winner | N/A |
References
- Footnotes
- ^ a b "Hard Justice 2005 at Pro Wrestling History.com". Pro Wrestling History.com. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-03-23). "TNA officially announces June PPV Three Year Anniversary event, more". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-04-25). "The latest on Chris Candido's injury, Matt Hardy talk, + Hard Justice PPV". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-14). "Final card for TNA Hard Justice PPV on Sunday, May 15; Orlando, Florida". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
- ^ a b c d Keller, Wade (2005-05-15). "Keller's TNA PPV report 5/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of PPV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
- Discovery Communications. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2005-04-08). "4/8 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Cage announcement, Sabin vs. Shane, torch talk influence". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ )
- ^ a b c d Caldwell, James (2005-04-29). "4/29 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Naturals vs. AMW, Tribute to Candido, Dusty Announcement". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ a b c Caldwell, James (2005-05-06). "5/6 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Shane vs. Sabin, Styles & Jarrett, Konnan vs. Outlaw". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ a b c Caldwell, James (2005-05-13). "5/13 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Gauntlet Match, Styles Video". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-13). "Press Release – Jarrett vs. AJ Styles NWA World Title Match this Sunday". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-06). "Press Release: Daniels vs. Shocker X Title Match at Hard Justice on 5/15". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2005-04-22). "4/22 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Abyss & Raven vs. Styles & Hardy, Lockdown Madness". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2005-03-25). "3/25 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Team Canada vs. AMW & Dustin, Nash vs. Jarrett". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2005-04-01). "4/1 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Amazing X Division shoot out, Abyss vs. Styles". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e Caldwell, James (2005-05-16). "5/15 TNA Hard Justice PPV: Caldwell's "Alternative Perspective" review". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ a b c Martin, Adam (2005-05-15). "Hard Justice PPV results – 5/15/05 – Orlando, Florida (Jarrett vs. AJ)". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- TNA Hard Justice. In Demand.
- ^ a b c Wojcik, Alan J. (2005-05-16). "5/15 TNA Hard Justice PPV report: In-person report and notes from Orlando". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ )
- ^ Ziegler, Jacob (2007-02-07). "TNA – The 50 Greatest Moments DVD review". 411Mania.com. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-16). "What happened after the PPV, Shane Douglas note, & DirecTV oversight". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-17). "Jeff Hardy suspended by TNA for no-showing May 15th Hard Justice PPV". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ^ Martin, Adam (2005-05-19). "TNA Notes – Hard Justice injuries, August PPV name, new DVD's, & more". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ^ a b c Caldwell, James (2005-05-21). "5/20 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Sabin vs. Abyss, King of the Mountain". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ^ Keller, Wade (2005-06-19). "Keller's TNA Slammiversary PPV report 6/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ^ Caldwell, James (2005-05-28). "5/27 TNA Impact on FSN: Caldwell's review of Styles & Waltman vs. Jarrett & Brown on final FSN episode". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
- ^ )
- ^ Cohen, Eric. "TNA PPV results". Pro Wrestling About.com. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- Bibliography
- .
External links