JOEY RYAN VS. AL SNOW

This match was part of TNA's “Open Fight Night” initiative. They would give independent wrestlers a match on Impact and if they won, or the judges thought you were worth a contract, you would be offered one. Al Snow was the deciding judge (after Bruce Pritchard and Taz) that decided Joey would not get the contract. 87% of the fans in an internet poll wanted Ryan to get a contract. He would return to Impact tapings, appearing in the crowd. Al Snow showed Joey Ryan a contract, which was signed. However it was a contract for this match only. If Joey Ryan wins, he gets the TNA contract he's worked for since June.

Before the match, Joey Ryan has an interview with Jeremy Borash. He says he should already be in TNA, the audience thought so but the judges thought they knew what the audience wanted more than themselves so he has to prove himself tonight. He mocks Al Snow for the Head gimmick before saying he has the home field advantage here on the West Coast. Christy Hemme is our ring announcer, Taz, and Mike Tenay are on commentary. Taz is defending his decision, he didn't think Joey Ryan deserved a shot. Joey Ryan enters the match first but gets out of the ring for Al's entrance. Al Snow charges down to the ring and the referee holds him back. The crowd chant for Head before the match starts.

JOEY RYAN VS. AL SNOW

TNA Bound For Glory (14^th October 2012)

Al Snow closes in on Joey Ryan, but Ryan leans out of the ring, so Al can't touch him. Al Snow challenges Ryan, getting in an amateur wrestling position. Joey Ryan grabs a waistlock but Al Snow is immediately out, riding Ryan and slapping him across the head. Joey Ryan cowers in the corner and the crowd chants that Al Snow still has it. He challenges Ryan again and Ryan runs at him, Al Snow grabs a kick and sends Ryan to the mat. Joey Ryan gets to his feet and swings wildly but drops to his knees from a slap to the face. He gets to his feet in the corner, charging again, into a knee to the gut, Al clubs Ryan down to the mat then sends his head into the top turnbuckle. Joey Ryan switches positions in the corner, breaking at 4, he tries to slap Al but it's blocked. Ryan ducks a slap and laughs but is caught with the second one. Joey Ryan runs into a back elbow, Al Snow hits a clothesline and a hip toss. A scoop slam and an elbow drop continue Al's live wrestling seminar, he takes Ryan down with a headlock and avoids a headscissors before rolling into a side headlock on the mat.

They get to their feet in the headlock and Ryan tries to use Al Snow's hair to escape, so Al Snow pulls his hair blatantly in front of the referee, asking what the problem is as he releases. Joey Ryan slams Snow back into the mat by the hair. He fights back with right hands and a kick to the gut, Al Snow tries to fight out of a suplex, but it hits, Joey Ryan covers but only gets 1. Taz says he likes that Ryan isn't rushing here, as he hits a right hand and chokes Snow in the corner with his boot, releasing before he's disqualified. They exchange rights and Joey tackles Al Snow into the corner, then sends him across the ring. Joey Ryan hits another right and tries to send Al Snow back, but Al stops the momentum and clotheslines Ryan down. Joey Ryan runs into a back elbow. Al Snow sends Ryan off the ropes into a back body drop. Al Snow grabs Joey Ryan in a double underhook and headbutts him in the chest and then pulls at his chest hair. Al Snow hits a brainbuster for a nearfall. The crowd chant “we want Head” and Al Snow obliges, retrieving one from under the ring.

Brian Stiffler tries to stop Al Snow using Head as a weapon, giving Joey Ryan the chance to attack Snow from behind. Joey Ryan hits a slap and a right hand then dropkicks Al Snow out of the ring. Joey Ryan grabs Head and makes out with it (the things you think you'll never say reviewing wrestling) and tries to baseball slide Al Snow, but is trapped in the side of the ring. Al Snow takes some free shots to a defenseless Joey Ryan and the crowd eats it up. He grabs Head but Matt Morgan climbs over the guardrail and hits him with a boot in the face, Al Snow is thrown back into the ring, Joey Ryan crawls over and covers for the win as Brian Stiffler wakes up.

WINNER: JOEY RYAN

I liked the match more than I thought I would. Al Snow was in decent enough ring shape, got to control most of the match but the result wasn't in doubt. Matt Morgan interfered just as the match was building to something but hopefully, it leads to more.– [*] match but personally 2.5/10

Matt Morgan stands over Al Snow as he celebrates with Joey Ryan, Ryan hugs Morgan's leg before deciding for a more conventional handshake.