5 rare matches of Samoa Joe outside WWE you might not have seen (with videos)

#4 Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles, TNA Turning Point 2005

This X-Division match was an outstanding grappling contest during, what many call, the peak years of TNA wrestling. Styles was a fast high-flyer and Joe was arguably the best worker in the world in 2005. When these two men clashed, it was a classic match filled with drama and excitement.

The crowd was fully immersed in every move, and though it was a smaller venue than your average WWE event, the audience’s (positive) reaction to the match gave it more of a big-match feel. Styles and Joe worked incredibly well with each other, reversing each other’s signature moves many times while also taking full advantage of TNA’s unique six-sided ring.

While a lot of credit goes to Styles for showing his dynamism in the ring, it was Joe who won the bout and managed to find a clever and logical way to out-work the now-legendary Styles. 2005 was arguably the best year of Samoa Joe’s career, and this match is but one of many reasons why that is the case.