My TNA Destination X 2012 Recap

Mason Andrews defeated Lars Only, Rubix and Dakota Darsow in a Fatal Four Way to qualify for the X Division title tournament. It was a blistering match for the most part until the final few minutes. Unfortunately because of the sheer pace they all impressively kept up there were a few mistake here and there, but on the whole I very much enjoyed the opener. Exciting way to start the show and get the crowd going.

Mason Andrews defeated Kid Kash in an X Division title tournament match up. It was a decent if fairly unmemorable bout, with both wrestlers looking solid enough. As the typical heel Kash had the majority of the offense as Andrews made his heroic comeback towards the end, applying a quick roll up for the one-two-three.

Kenny King defeated Doug Williams to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. It was an enjoyable contest, with both men giving a solid effort in the deliberately slow paced match up. It made a nice change from most X Division bouts with the more technically based wrestling from the talented Doug Williams too. King received a good backing from the fans.

Sonjay Dutt defeated Rashad Cameron to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. Again it was another good display from both participants involved. Both Dutt and Cameron rarely let up at all in this red hot contest, with Dutt eventually gaining the winning pin after a brilliant twisting two footed stomp from the top rope onto Cameron's torso.

We were shown a VT displaying the awful injury that Jesse Sorensen suffered to his neck months ago and his progress to the present. Jesse himself then came out to the ring and stated that it was the fans support that motivated him to come back and do what he believes he was meant to do and wrestle. He also warned Zema Ion that he hopes he wins the X Division title so he can take it from him when he returns, then cash in the title at next years Destination X and become World Champion.

Zema Ion defeated Flip Cassanova to qualify for the X Division title Ultimate X match. Flip looked a lot more competent and less reckless here then he did on last weeks Impact in my opinion. It was a good bout, with the charismatic Ion being the predictable victor.

Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle via referee stoppage in a Bound For Glory Series match. It was, as expected, a superb and thrilling contest. Angle (for my money the top talent in the company) and Joe once again put on a display that brought the divided fans to their feet in respect and captivation of the action happening in front of them. The referee called for the bell after Angle had failed to move for a while while in the Cocina Clutch.

AJ Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in a Last Man Standing match. And what a match this was. Both AJ and Daniels majorly surpassed my expectations here (and I had high hopes) and put on the match of the night and one of the finest and dramatic PPV bouts of the year so far. It was truly a war as both men bled, threw each other onto the ramp, stage and through a table for an epic finish as AJ used the Styles Clash on Daniels to put him through it. Kazarian also attempted to help out 'The Fallen Angel' but failed as he was taken out by Styles. Honestly, if you weren't planning on checking out this event then at least do yourself a favour and watch this one match.

Zema Ion defeated Sonjay Dutt, Kenny King and Mason Andrews to win the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X match. While for the majority of the bout it was entertaining enough, it also felt fairly disappointing considering the huge build up and quality of matches leading into it. For me it certainly isn't up there with the top Ultimate X matches of the past. I do whole heartily agree with the victor and new champion though, Ion has shown his charisma and skill in the ring and proven his worth as the successor to Aries as the top X Division wrestler. I'm personally also really hoping that Sonjay Dutt sticks around.

Austin Aries defeated Bobby Roode (c) to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in an extremely feel good main event. The first half of the contest was admittedly quite drab for me, the action was slow and there were a few sloppy moments. But fortunately the second half of the bout really started to gain some steam as the intensity increased and both men had some very effective near falls, including one after Roode had struck AA with the title belt. Aries then managed to apply his signature Brainbuster for the one-two-three, causing the fans to jump up in excitement as it settled in that Aries had really just toppled the seven month long reign of Roode and won a World Championship after all his hard work and dedication to professional wrestling. 

As Aries stood there with his newly won title, confetti falling around him, it really was the perfect ending to yet another solid pay-per-view from TNA. From start to finish this was a show worth watching (with some very rare exceptions) and proof that the company, its roster and its bookers can do it right and pull it off when they really want to. Perhaps the future, like the new World Champion's, is bright for TNA after all?