On October 8, 2005, TNA Impact delivered an intense night of wrestling at Universal Studios Orlando, as Jeff Jarrett and Team 3D played pivotal roles in energizing the show. The event, aired on Spike TV, proved crucial for TNA as they built anticipation for their upcoming Bound for Glory pay-per-view, with storylines converging and new rivalries emerging amidst explosive in-ring action.
Team 3D Makes an Explosive Statement and Raven Gets Banned
The show opened with a dramatic video package recapping Team 3D’s arrival in TNA, using powerful imagery that underscored their determination to claim the tag team crowns. Backstage, Ray and Devon’s confidence was evident as they declared their mission to take the championships. Meanwhile, in a significant development, Raven found himself handcuffed and removed from the Impact Zone, establishing early stakes and tension for the episode.
3 Live Kru Triumphs Amidst Chaos Against Team Canada
The opening contest featured the trio known as 3 Live Kru—BG James, The Truth (Ron Killings), and Konnan—facing off with Team Canada’s A1, Bobby Roode, and Eric Young, flanked by Coach Scott D’Amore. Team Canada’s antagonistic entrance set the stage, with D’Amore even berating the cameraman before reaching the ring. The energy in the building surged as Konnan amped up the crowd, quickly followed by BG James’ classic promo style.
After the opening bell, Team Canada launched a flurry of underhanded tactics against their adversaries, taking control early as Roode worked over BG James. Notably, D’Amore joined the commentary team to announce his role in getting Raven banned, a move met with disgust by Mike Tenay. The match veered into mayhem, typical of TNA’s frenetic style, with frequent interruptions and mass brawling.
The Truth’s agility helped him regain control, leading to a chaotic sequence with all six men clashing. Ultimately, The Truth delivered his signature spinning axe kick to Eric Young, scoring the decisive pinfall. The aftermath saw Team Canada retaliate, with Kip James emerging to make a dramatic save, his history with BG James injecting fresh intrigue into the ongoing feud.
Psychologically, the match played on the audience’s expectations—emphasizing both teams’ penchant for rule-bending. Despite lackluster action, particularly moments like Konnan’s showboating shoe toss, the segment succeeded as a story-builder. The true highlight was Kip James’ timely intervention, hinting at unresolved alliances.
The X Division Electrifies: Christopher Daniels Tops Aries and Bentley
A triple threat featured former champion Christopher Daniels taking on Austin Aries and Matt Bentley, accompanied by Traci. Daniels’ entrance was understated, but Aries received positive crowd support. The matchup quickly settled into an exhilarating rhythm, with each competitor exchanging rapid-fire arm drags and high-impact maneuvers, showcasing the technical prowess and acrobatics typical of TNA’s X Division.
Daniels demonstrated his ring savvy with innovative double-team counters, while Aries shined with his athleticism—his reverse hurricanrana a standout moment. Bentley also impressed, utilizing suplexes and a daring suicide senton dive. Ringside involvement escalated, as Petey Williams and Chris Sabin’s interference spilled into the match narrative, increasing the stakes and complexity.
The climax saw Daniels capitalize on the chaos, using his finisher The Angel’s Wings on Aries for the victory. The match was a creative highlight, praised for its inventive psychology and pace, even if Aries and Bentley lost focus momentarily during ringside distractions. Daniels’ win further established his credibility heading into the Bound for Glory event.
Abyss Dominates Sonny Siaki in Monster Showcase
After a compelling video package cementing his status as TNA’s resident monster, Abyss, escorted by James Mitchell, squared off against Sonny Siaki. The imposing Abyss, standing 6’8” and weighing 350 pounds, overwhelmed his opponent from the onset. Siaki’s offense, including a brief flurry capped by a hurricanrana, proved futile. With Mitchell providing a distraction, Abyss seized control with brutal efficiency, finishing the match with his Black Hole Slam. The squash bout—with the crowd firmly backing Abyss—served to reinforce his role as a dominant force in the company.
Despite the brief action, Abyss was framed as a unique threat, standing out among wrestling’s “giants.” His status as TNA’s singular monster added credibility and potential as a future main event attraction, especially as WWE at the time featured an abundance of towering figures, thereby diluting their individual impact.
Samoa Joe’s Reputation Grows with Compelling Video Focus
A subsequent promo segment focused on Samoa Joe, highlighting his penchant for dominating matches and inflicting punishment with his iconic Muscle Buster finisher. The montage helped build anticipation for his involvement in future high-profile bouts, aligning with TNA’s strategy of bolstering their roster with dangerous and credible contenders.
Jeff Jarrett, Tito Ortiz, and Nash Escalate the Title Picture
Back in the ring, Mike Tenay introduced Larry Zybysko, representing TNA’s Title Committee, to address controversy around Jeff Jarrett winning the TNA Title in Canada. Zybysko conceded that the result stood but assured fans that Bound for Glory would go ahead as planned, with a unique twist: MMA legend Tito Ortiz would serve as special referee for the upcoming title match, enforcing strict rules for both Jarrett and challenger Nash.
Ortiz emphasized his authority as official, warning,
“From this night on, he is respected as ref in the ring. And, that they cannot lay a finger on him. Ortiz says, in a nutshell, that breaking the rules will lead to an ass kicking of the highest order.”
The presence of a high-profile enforcer added gravity to the championship scenario, amplifying tensions between Jarrett and Nash.
The drama intensified as Jeff Jarrett entered, confronting Ortiz and threatening retribution if Ortiz interfered. Kevin Nash’s music hit, sparking a heated exchange as Jarrett attacked, only to find himself overpowered and restrained by Nash. Ortiz swiftly intervened, separating the combatants with a rear naked chokehold as security poured in, reinforcing the unpredictable, volatile atmosphere.
Christopher Daniels Calls Out AJ Styles, Sets Iron Man Challenge
Backstage, Shane Douglas interviewed Christopher Daniels, who touted his dominance over the X Division during his championship reign and promoted his upcoming Iron Man rematch with AJ Styles. Daniels threw down a challenge, inviting Styles to select three opponents for an upcoming gauntlet, pledging to defeat them all in under 15 minutes. AJ Styles appeared, immediately accepting, suggesting formidable competition—including potential inclusion of Samoa Joe—awaited Daniels.
Main Event Chaos: Team 3D Faces America’s Most Wanted, Interference Ensues
The much-anticipated main event saw Team 3D (Devon and Ray) clash with America’s Most Wanted (James Storm and Chris Harris), who entered to a chorus of jeers. Team 3D received a heroic welcome, setting the stage for a competitive, high-stakes tag team battle.
Devon and Storm launched the match with forceful exchanges, Devon quickly gaining momentum before Harris intervened. The teams alternated control, isolating Ray at one point as Harris and Storm tried to wear him down. Amidst escalating physicality, Ray landed his sit-down bomb, and a crucial tag brought Devon back in, sparking a flurry of offense, including the signature 3D Device.
The match’s conclusion was abrupt and dramatic: as Team 3D prepared to finish off Storm, Gail Kim raced in, levelling Ray with a low blow to cause an immediate disqualification. Chaos erupted as Devon threatened to retaliate against Kim, only for Jeff Jarrett to storm the ring and assault Devon with the championship belt. AMW and Jarrett executed a vicious post-match beatdown, culminating in Jarrett smashing a guitar over Ray’s head—leaving Team 3D bloodied and humiliated as the broadcast ended.
The psychology of the main event centered on even competition, with Team 3D’s experience clashing with AMW’s cunning and Jarrett’s strategic interference. Although the match was short, the energy and stakes remained high; the chaotic aftermath, with excessive bloodshed, set a visceral tone for future episodes and the looming Bound for Glory event.
TNA’s Intense Storytelling Sets the Stage for Bound for Glory
Throughout the night, TNA jammed storylines and explosive action into one hour, weaving together ongoing feuds, personal vendettas, and championship pursuits. The strong focus on building toward Bound for Glory was apparent as the show highlighted its array of personalities—wrestlers like Jeff Jarrett, Team 3D, Christopher Daniels, and Samoa Joe stood out, each with compelling subplots. The episode demonstrated TNA’s commitment to less talk and more action, giving fans matches with narrative weight and a blend of technical, high-flying, and powerhouse wrestling.
Even matches that scored less favorably on technical execution contributed to the broader storytelling and character development. The X Division in particular delivered the most exhilarating sequences of the night, while the Abyss showcase and the chaotic main event provided memorable moments that resonated with the live audience.
As TNA positioned itself against established competitors like WWE, these powerful, intense, and sometimes overwhelming shows were crucial for setting the company apart. The involvement of figures like Tito Ortiz outside traditional wrestling, the use of video packages, and the relentless advance of ongoing rivalries all pointed to bigger things ahead. In the wake of a night filled with drama and violence—most notably the role played by Jeff Jarrett in the final sequence—the path toward Bound for Glory had never felt more unpredictable or compelling.
