Welcome to another entry in my ongoing quest to provide you guys with notable wrestling DVDs and Blu-Rays worth (or not worth) adding to personal collections. This entry is the first non-WWE review when we take a look at TNA Wrestling: The Best of The Asylum Years, Volume 1.
Impact Wrestling.com describes this set as follows:
"TNA Wrestling has opened the vault and now you can see some of the best matches from the early days that helped shape TNA into the wrestling phenomenon it is today! The double-disc DVD contains over 20 rare matches from TNA's events at the Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee, from 2002-2004.
Witness the rise of TNA Wrestling, the start of the X Division with AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn, the emergence of tag teams like America's Most Wanted and Triple X, the war between Jeff Jarrett and Raven, Jeff Hardy's TNA debut, hardcore action with Sabu and Abyss and much, much more!"
Overview:
Note: This is one of the DVD reviews where I will NOT use my 5 star rating per match. There's a LOT of matches to cover on this set, so it's not going to hurt you to watch the ENTIRE thing. Most of these matches aren't present in their full glory, so take that into consideration as well. I didn't think it was fair to grade incomplete content.
Disc 1
MATCH #1: JULY 24, 2002
TNA-NWA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - SABU VS KEN SHAMROCK (c) - LADDER MATCH
This was a spot-heavy affair to the enjoyment of the crowd, but sadly, this DVD only includes partial footage to this match as the finish was cut out completely.MATCH #2: AUGUST 28, 2002
THREE WAY LADDER MATCH - AJ STYLES VS LOW KI VS JERRY LYNN
Before the match, former X-Division stars and talent weigh in on how the X-Division pout TNA on the map and how it changed the landscape of what a main eventer looks like in this profession.Unlike the first match on this DVD, this match is here in its entirety. This is a perfect example of what the X-Division is known for - high caliber performances.
For example, that crazy ladder piledriver spot to Low Ki by Jerry Lynn is a must-see spot.
You definitely won't be disappointed here.
MATCH #3: APRIL 30, 2003
RAVEN VS JEFF JARRETT
Alexis Laree (Mickie James) accompanies Raven to the ring with fellow Gathering member, Julio Dinero.I found myself laughing as I totally forgot how Raven looked like before he allowed himself to get out of shape in the later years of TNA.
This is one of the rare occasions where TNA audiences were treated to Jeff Jarrett doing high-flying moves consistently, while Sabu falls onto a random fan.
As for the finish, just watch this shit. Mere words won't do this justice.
MATCH #4: MAY 7, 2003
TRIPLE X (ELIX SKIPPER AND LOW KI) VS AJ STYLES AND D'LO BROWN
This marks a time when TNA gave D'Lo Brown a big push after WWE neglected him after the height of his Attitude Era run. D'Lo Brown formed a dynamic tag team with a young AJ Styles to challenge the rising stars known as Elix Skipper and Low Ki.Nothing really out of the norm here from these four men, but great match nonetheless. I loved the Double Sky High finish.
MATCH #5: JUNE 11, 2003
JEFF JARRETT VS RAVEN VS AJ STYLES
By this point, you're possibly getting sick of AJ Styles and Raven matches, so don't expect anything new from this one.Vince Russo screws Jeff Jarrett out of the title for AJ Styles to pick up the win after "The Franchise" Shane Douglas took out Raven.
This match marks the rise of AJ Styles as a main event player in TNA.
MATCH #6: JUNE 25, 2003
TNA-NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - TRIPLE X VS AMERICA'S MOST WANTED - STEEL CAGE MATCH
This was TNA's first ever steel cage match.AMW defy the odds and emerge as the NEW tag team champions.
There's far too many insane spots to list, but if you're a fan of tag team wrestling or just love steel cage matches, then you're going to love this match.
MATCH #7: SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
HAIR VS. HAIR MATCH - RAVEN VS SHANE DOUGLAS
For the most part, TNA treats this match as mostly a traditional Street Fight from how much time Raven and Douglas are brawling outside of the ring and among the crowd. I personally suggest NOT to eat anything during or before this match because at one point Shane Douglas just starts randomly vomiting in the ring. Commentary tries to play it off that he's vomiting from the brutality of this match, but Douglas looked like he was legit sick to me. It grossed me out even more to see them still doing bumps and spots in the ring with the man's vomit right there on the canvas.Sinn (WWE's Kizarny) and Slash come to Douglas' aid near the end, but Raven's Gathering (Julio Dinero and CM Punk; more on them later...) make the save. Raven has the match won with a top rope Raven Effect through a table but the lights go out just as the referee was about to make the three count. Vampiro (with Father James Mitchell) screws Raven out of the win to force Raven to get his head shaved.
MATCH #8: NOVEMBER 12, 2003
JEFF JARRETT AND LEX LUGER VS AJ STYLES AND STING
This match is used as the "rise" of Sting in TNA and I have to thoroughly disagree that this was NOT the most influential moment for Sting being in TNA. That goes to Sting's return at Final Resolution 2006 to his full-on "resurrection" at Bound For Glory that year.If I'm completely honest, this match isn't really worth watching as it's false advertisement. Build-up to this chapter in the introduction makes you believe that it's about Sting, but it's more about "accepting" AJ Styles as a main event player and Sting putting him over to hang with the likes of Lex Luger and Double J.
That being said, Sting has VERY little involvement in the physicality of this match outside of the finish.
MATCH #9: FIRST EVER FANS' REVENGE MATCH - JEFF JARRETT VS "AMERICAN DREAM" DUSTY RHODES - JIMMY HART AT RINGSIDE W/ HAND-PICKED FANS AS LUMBERJACKS
This was rather strange that they would include this match on the DVD but don't have the full match in its entirety here. The match just ends abruptly before the closing narration of Disk 1. I personally got a good kick out of the irate fans beating the piss out of Double J with those leather straps though.Imagine if TNA brought this match type back at the top of Dixie Carter's heel run or during the Aces & Eights storyline. I'm sure people would have been tearing down the ticket booths to come into their arenas and lay their hands on them.
BONUS MATCH:
AUGUST 6, 2003
AJ STYLES VS D'LO BROWN
What most people don't know about D'Lo Brown after he left WWE was that he had a VERY successful career in TNA. One of his stand-out feuds of the NWA-TNA years was against AJ Styles. They would act as rivals and even acted as a tag team for a while as well (as seen earlier on this disk).Disc 2
MATCH #1: FEBRUARY 18, 2004
JULIO DINERO AND CM PUNK VS TERRY FUNK AND RAVEN
The first thing most people are going to notice here is a VERY young CM Punk, showing the seeds of what he is going to become in the future of this sport. For those so-called "fans" of CM Punk's fan base who aren't aware of his non-WWE exploits, will be shocked to see him continuously cursing and swearing at the top of his lungs from bell to bell of this contest.
The focal point of this chapter was hitting home the fact that TNA Wrestling wasn't regarded as an indy promotion any longer. They were attracting big names and Legends, such as Terry Funk, at this point. This match is more about Terry Funk helping put Raven and more importantly, TNA, at this point in their history. Terry Funk blades early into this contest to hit the point home on a physical level to sell the beating from Dinero and Punk and add to his noble sacrifice to take the taser shot from James Mitchell's stungun.
Keep in mind that CM Punk and Raven would have a lengthy feud in Ring of Honor a few years later that stemmed from their hatred for each other here.
MATCH#2: MARCH 17, 2004
LADDER MATCH FOR #1 CONTENDER SPOT - AJ STYLES VS ABYSS
Abyss credits AJ Styles to being one of his favorite opponents, due to their amazing chemistry together. This match was a perfect example of that. To say that this was still in the early stages of both of these wrestlers' careers, it was pure money to watch.There's a lot crazy spots in this match, including a 450 Splash from the top of the ladder by Styles, a rolling powerbomb onto to steel chairs to Abyss, a running bulldog onto the railing of the ladder by Styles, and a crazy spill to ringside that causes AJ Styles to lose the match.
MATCH #3: APRIL 14, 2004
FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE - SABU VS MONTY BROWN
From bell to bell, this was a great match. It's spot-heavy, but you should know that going into a Sabu match, especially one in a hardcore environment.MATCH #4: APRIL 21, 2004
STEEL CAGE MATCH FOR NWA-TNA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - JEFF JARRETT VS AJ STYLES
This match was pretty much Jeff Jarrett passing down his veteran experience to the rising stardom of AJ Styles. I wouldn't be doing this match justice if I didn't give props to Vince Russo for his promo that put AJ Styles into this match in the first place as NO ONE saw this coming at the time.
This match also serves as one of the perfect examples of Jeff Jarrett's bag of tricks to cheat his way to retain the gold. AJ Styles manages to survive everything Jeff Jarrett threw at him, including the kitchen sink
MATCH #5: JUNE 9, 2004
X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - KAZARIAN VS AJ STYLES
This was a great match, despite the slow start, but the finish was botched big time. If you're interested in seeing these guys in the early stages of their careers, this match is a good sample of what what they could do.MATCH #6: JULY 28, 2004
#1 CONTENDER'S MATCH FOR NWA-TNA TITLE - MONTY BROWN VS JEFF HARDY
This match brought back fond memories for me as this was the time frame where I REALLY marked for TNA's product. In terms of matches for highlighting Jeff Hardy's "impact" (no pun intended) on TNA at the time, I would have selected AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy (it's in the Bonus matches though) or Abyss vs. Jeff Hardy. As much as I enjoyed the action here, I have to admit that the finish was weak with Jeff Hardy pulling out a win with a rollup to counter The Pounce.MATCH #7: AUGUST 18, 2004
X-DIVISION STREET FIGHT - KID KASH VS AJ STYLES
In the DVD commentary before this match started, AJ Styles mentions that the balcony spot was VERY stupid to do in this match, especially when it wasn't the finish. I'm inclined to agree as it was a bit unnecessary to take that risk.For the most part, this match is treated like an old school bawl throughout the arena among the live crowd.
The post-match attack is cut from this match.
MATCH #8: SEPTEMBER 18, 2004
NWA-TNA CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH - JEFF HARDY VS JEFF JARRETT
This was the last match at the Asylum, with several stars watching this match transpire from the top of the stage, including Abyss, Vince Russo, Monty Brown, Dusty Rhodes, and Raven. You've seen about a million of these Jeff Jarrett title matches on this DVD set and this one is no different. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but if you've watched this entire DVD set up to this point you know what to expect.
BONUS MATCHES:
April 28, 2004
SABU VS ABYSS
Seeing these two guys go at it is always a treat to watch, especially in a hardcore environment.June 9, 2004
MONTY BROWN AND ABYSS VS AMERICA'S MOST WANTED
This was a weird pairing, but the duo managed to make it work with the natural excitement that AMW brought to TNA's tag team division at the time. For those wondering, this was set during the time where Goldy Locks was still manipulating Abyss to do her bidding.June 23, 2004
AJ STYLES VS JEFF HARDY
This was a HUGE dream match for a LOT of people at the time. Jeff Hardy had left WWE by this point while AJ Styles has grown into TNA's hottest commodity. This first meeting between the two put even more eyes on TNA Wrestling as they were able to draw in yet another big name onto their roster.July 7, 2004
MONTY BROWN VS D'LO BROWN
Much like D'Lo Brown's match against AJ Styles on the Bonus content of the first disk, this match serves as another example of D'Lo Brown's excellent post-WWE run in TNA.The Verdict:
The Best of the Asylum Years, Vol. 1 serves as a refresher course for the days of yore in TNA's early years at the fabled Asylum. Is it the best collection of matches from this time period? No, but it's the best you can get if you're merely starting a collection of DVDs from TNA's early years. I would have loved a bit more commentary and insight from some of the competitors who were in the matches on this DVD on how it felt to compete for TNA at this crucial time, but it was the same few guys commenting about it on every few matches. My main gripe with this DVD set is that it tends to gloss over the historical aspect of this time period, but I think the TNA Wrestling: Year One DVD covers that aspect MUCH better. Don't worry, I plan on covering that DVD at a later date.
As for this DVD set, you can find it easily online for roughly $8-10. That's more than fair for this content, despite the fact that this DVD set doesn't focus on all of the topics that it covers and subjects that it presents. Fortunately, if you're new to TNA's history in the Asylum or just a long-time fan looking to refresh your memory, this DVD set serves as a good entry point to start before moving onto TNA's other themed DVD releases, such as Best of the X-Division Vol. 1 & 2 and KNOCKOUTS: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling, Vol. 1 (this review is coming soon) or the wrestler-focused DVDs, such as Unstoppable: The Best of Samoa Joe, Phenomenal: The Best of AJ Styles, or The Best of Raven: Nevermore.
I'm giving The Best of the Asylum Years, Vol. 1 a 7.75 out of 10.
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