ABYSS VS. SABU

 In the video leading into the event, it focuses on the barbed wire massacre between Abyss and Sabu, they used the Undertaker opponent strategy of spontaneously making Abyss scared of barbed wire. This is the culmination of a feud that started in September. Mike Tenay runs down some of the top matches tonight, he’s on commentary with Don West for this match. We go through the crowd shots and opening pyro. Jeremy Borash is here to introduce Abyss and James Mitchell for the first match. Sabu enters with a chair but Abyss stomps on him and stands on the chair before Sabu can cross the barbed wire threshold.

 

ABYSS VS. SABU (Barbed Wire Massacre)

TNA Turning Point 2005 11^th December 2005)

  Sabu grabs a barbed wire baseball bat and swings for the fences but gets it tangled in the barbed wire across the ring. He locks up with Abyss but is caught in a waistlock. Abyss lifts Sabu close to the barbed wire but a few back elbow shots cuts him off. Sabu tries to force Abyss into the barbed wire but is sent across the ring with a back elbow. Sabu grabs the chair and throws it into Abyss’ face. Sabu staggers Abyss with a right hand, then hits him with a chair shot. Sabu sets up the chair for a double jump senton but Abyss catches him, they get close to the barbed wire again, but Sabu takes Abyss down with right hands, getting a nearfall, Abyss throws Sabu off the cover and into the barbed wire! James Mitchell laughs in Sabu’s face before Abyss chokes him on the mat. They both stop the barbed wire going into their faces as Sabu is already busted open. He hits Abyss with right hands but Abyss shakes them off and knocks Sabu down.

 

  Sabu gets some more shots in and runs across the ring before having to turn around, Abyss lifts him up in the air as Sabu makes his limited attempt at a charge and Sabu is dropped onto the barbed wire! The cameraman misses it thanks to walking around a barbed wire board and the ring post. Sabu has to detach himself from the barbed wire and he has a spike in his hand! He mule kicks Abyss with a low blow and jams the spike into Abyss’ arm. Sabu sets up a chair and jumps from the floor to the chair, Abyss moves and Sabu jumps hamstring first into the barbed wire! Abyss knocks Abyss back into the barbed wire as he unhooks himself, with a series of right hands. Abyss charges but is sent into the barbed wire with a drop toehold. Sabu hits Abyss across the back with the chair for a nearfall.

 

  Sabu hits Abyss with right hands, but has to stop his momentum as he can’t run off the ropes,  he runs into a right hand, knocking him down. Abyss chokeslams Sabu on the chair and covers for 2. James Mitchell slides another chair into the ring, but this one’s wrapped in barbed wire. Abyss lays it across Sabu before doing the stupid running thing and having to stop, Sabu turns the chair into Abyss’ crotch! Sabu lays in two shots to the head with the barbed wire chair and Abyss rolls to the floor. Personally, I’d go one step further and fuck off home, but that probably wouldn’t be good for the “Monster” image. Sabu sets up the chair next to the barbed wire and dives over the top onto Abyss! Sabu sends a barbed wire board into the ring but is draped over the top of the barbed wire by his midsection. Abyss sets up the barbed wire board, Sabu fights off the powerbomb and runs into a goozle. Sabu bites at Abyss’ hand but tries a run-up again. Abyss lifts him overhead and drops him on to the barbed wire board. James Mitchell helps Abyss get a second board in the ring and it gets set up in the corner as Sabu unhooks himself and gets to his feet. Sabu gets in some right hands, he counters an irish whip, dodging the plunder in the ring and almost gets sent into the referee. He spends an annoying amount of time making sure he’s OK before shoving the referee down and moving away from a charging Abyss. Abyss staggers back, stuck to the barbed wire board and Sabu dropkicks him so Abyss is sandwiched between them. Sabu jumps on Abyss in a cover for the win.

WINNER: SABU

There were some real and obvious limitations in the match. The lack of space being the biggest. They teased the barbed wire well at the start before it got too boring, they didn’t bring anything else in except one chair so the barbed wire was still the focus of the match, not just any hardcore elements. Abyss seemed to get over his fear rather suddenly too, that aside it built nicely to

Sabu getting his first win over Abyss. [*¾] 4/10.

After the match Sabu lays the boots to Abyss before letting the referee and security free Abyss from the barbed wire, and we see most of the barbed wire spots again.