1. Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Christopher Daniels – Unbreakable 2005 & Turning Point 2009
Okay so we can call this a “top 11” list because these two classic triple threat matches with Joe and Daniels both deserve the #1 spot for so many reasons. For one, they’re both absolutely incredible clashes. They’re two of the best triple threat matches of all time with three of the most immensely talented superstars in the history of the wrestling industry.
The first match, set during the glory days of TNA’s X-Division, found all three men in the throes of the championship scene and all continued to run into each other time and time again. First it was Styles meeting Daniels in February of 2005 at Against All Odds (#10 on this list). That was followed up by Daniels beating AJ for the belt the following month in an Ultimate X match at Destination X. Then, in August, just two months after being signed to TNA, Joe defeated Styles in the finals of the Super X Cup making “The Samoan Submission Machine” the #1 contender to Daniels. However, Styles refused to go away and it only made sense to put all three men together in a match that had TNA fans foaming at the mouth to see.
The match, which took place at October’s Unbreakable was everything that everyone thought it would be and would become known as TNA’s most legendary match of all time. For three guys who always had great chemistry while battling each other, this classic was a testament to that as they, for nearly 23 minutes went back and forth with action that left fans unable to take their eyes off. The fans seem to know what they were witnessing and they basked in the moment through non-stop ups and downs. Styles would walk out with the belt that night but that didn’t really matter. There was so much more going on this match then just winners and losers.
Guess what? Over four years later the trio would do it all over again. And was the second time around as good as the first? Not quite, but it was very close. And on that night at Turning Point 2009, the fans got to see a return to “The Golden Era” of TNA, something that was slowly but surely going away as the company tried to become more mainstream.
Next: NJPW 10 Greatest Wrestlers of All Time
These matches and the feuds with both Joe and Daniels defined what Styles would eventually become. And that is quite possibly the greatest professional wrestler to ever grace the ring. And when it’s all said and done, it was these wars that changed Styles career immeasurably and he may not be where he is now without them.