TNA Wrestling witnessed many setbacks in 2013. The promotion introduced many cost-cutting measures and it transitioned into the post-Hogan and Bischoff era. It took its roster off the road and back to Universal Studios for TV tapings.
Amid this grim reality, the promotion had several bright spots. IMPACT Zone produced some great matches featuring the likes of AJ Styles and Kurt Angle. Let’s look into some of the best TNA Wrestling TV matches of 2013:
Kurt Angle vs. Austin Aries (Submission Match)
Kurt Angle had one of the best IMPACT Wrestling TV matches of 2013 against Austin Aries. Both men met in the quarterfinals of the TNA World Heavyweight Title tournament.
This was a submission match, Angle’s specialty, so his losing to Aries was out of the question. Aries still managed to put up decent offense against the technical maestro. He’d eventually tap out to the crossface submission.
Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson (TNA World Title Last Man Standing Match – IMPACT Wrestling #479)
Bully Ray was arguably the most hated heel on the IMPACT Zone in 2013. The Aces & Eights storyline really let him showcase his potential. The former Bubba Ray Dudley got into a heated feud with Mr. Anderson.
Both men competed for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing match. The match lacked big moves, however, the effective storytelling made for the proverbial OMG moments.
AJ Styles vs. Austin Aries (Bound for Glory Series Match)
Two men with a lot of history between them! AJ Styles and Austin Aries have known each other since their Ring of Honor days. Both went to war with each other multiple times in the past. Giving Styles one of his final IMPACT matches against Aries was a solid move on the part of TNA.
This match had some excellent sequences with plenty of near falls. Their chemistry was evident from the get-go. Both men were able to pull off some solid counters because of their past history. The only bad thing that came off this match was the botched ending. They would collide in another great match just a month later.
Bobby Roode vs. Kurt Angle (IMPACT Wrestling #486)
Bobby Roode and Kurt Angle had a tense feud in 2013. Their first singles match of the year came at Bound for Glory 2013. The pair ran it back at the October 31, 2013 edition of TNA IMPACT. This match picked up from their Match of the Year contender at BFG.
Both men told a fantastic story inside the ring. Angle shined with his amazing technical wrestling. Roode had some pretty good comebacks as well. The former tag team specialist defeated the Olympic Gold Medalist via referee’s decision.
Bully Ray vs. Jeff Hardy (TNA World Title Full Metal Mayhem)
Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray had a lot of history between them in the lead-up to the match. Both men had entertained a generation of fans with their high-risk matches in the Attitude Era. Both left WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era and found themselves in TNA.
The two longtime opponents collided in a Full Metal Mayhem Match at the April 11, 2013, edition of IMPACT Wrestling. This match featured plenty of high-risk spots that made for a gripping viewing experience.
Also read: Best IMPACT Wrestling TV Matches Of 2014
