This column looks at some of the forgotten concepts from TNA's past. I will look at the history of the concept and then break down if it could be recycled for today's product.
In 2008, TNA was in the middle of some of their greater years. With those years came strong ideas and terrible ideas. During a "This is TNA" special, TNA announced the creation of a new match type that would debut at that May's Sacrifice PPV.
It was later revealed that this match would be called the TerrorDome. It was based off of AAA's domed cage match. It would feature a plethora of X Division Talent looking to escape a giant red, domed cage through a hole on the top. This match bred chaos as things never slowed down and bodies fell from the cage continuously. Eventually, due to legalities, the TerrorDome Match was renamed the Steel Asylum.
It was later revealed that this match would be called the TerrorDome. It was based off of AAA's domed cage match. It would feature a plethora of X Division Talent looking to escape a giant red, domed cage through a hole on the top. This match bred chaos as things never slowed down and bodies fell from the cage continuously. Eventually, due to legalities, the TerrorDome Match was renamed the Steel Asylum.
The first Steel Asylum Match showed TNA fans what to expect from this steel spectacle. It saw Kazarian (who was on the rise at the time) come out on top. With this victory, Kaz not only earned an X Division Title shot but he would also replace Kurt Angle in the World Title Main Event Match at Sacrifice.
The Steel Asylum match returned at the crown-jewel of TNA PPVs, Bound for Glory 2008. On the show featuring the best and brightest competing, Jay Lethal was able to escape the structure. The first victim of the dangerous Steel Asylum Match was Johnny Devine, who took an awkward landing on his neck.
The third Steel Asylum saw Daniels come out the winner. Daniels was undergoing a self-doubt storyline with his victory here putting him back into contention for the X Division Title. He would challenge then X Division Champion, Samoa Joe in a losing effort for the X Division Championship. The third iteration of the match also saw the TNA debut of "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero.
The final Steel Asylum Match could be one of the most memorable. With all eyes on TNA, on January 4th, 2020, the Steel Asylum kicked off the show. On the live episode of Impact, Homicide struggled to escape the structure. The match would culminate with Jeff Hardy returning to TNA and sitting atop the big, red dome.
That night was the last we saw of the Steel Asylum Match. The struggle of Homicide and the gaze from Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan put the match on the chopping block. Unfortunately, even after they left, it wasn't a match that ever returned.
The Steel Asylum match returned at the crown-jewel of TNA PPVs, Bound for Glory 2008. On the show featuring the best and brightest competing, Jay Lethal was able to escape the structure. The first victim of the dangerous Steel Asylum Match was Johnny Devine, who took an awkward landing on his neck.
The third Steel Asylum saw Daniels come out the winner. Daniels was undergoing a self-doubt storyline with his victory here putting him back into contention for the X Division Title. He would challenge then X Division Champion, Samoa Joe in a losing effort for the X Division Championship. The third iteration of the match also saw the TNA debut of "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero.
The final Steel Asylum Match could be one of the most memorable. With all eyes on TNA, on January 4th, 2020, the Steel Asylum kicked off the show. On the live episode of Impact, Homicide struggled to escape the structure. The match would culminate with Jeff Hardy returning to TNA and sitting atop the big, red dome.
That night was the last we saw of the Steel Asylum Match. The struggle of Homicide and the gaze from Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan put the match on the chopping block. Unfortunately, even after they left, it wasn't a match that ever returned.
This match is not one that long-term fans have been asking for but was one of the more interesting things that they took from AAA. I remember the sheer chaos connected with each one. It was a barrage of X Division spots. This match didn't give the wrestlers or the fans time to breathe.
Impact has since dropped the six sided ring and therefore this structure would need to be re-designed. It is a structure that would complement the current X Division. Most notably, the Scramble Matches that we see on the TV product today would be enhanced by the match. Unfortunately, I am not sure the company would be willing to spend the money to re-design and rebuild this gimmick match from TNA's past.
Impact has since dropped the six sided ring and therefore this structure would need to be re-designed. It is a structure that would complement the current X Division. Most notably, the Scramble Matches that we see on the TV product today would be enhanced by the match. Unfortunately, I am not sure the company would be willing to spend the money to re-design and rebuild this gimmick match from TNA's past.
