TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Sting
Jeremy Borash did ring introductions for the challenger Sting and champion RVD.
The bell rings and we have a lock up right away. Sting pushes the action to the ramp and then to the ringside area. Sting drops RVD face first into the steel guard railing and then tosses him over into the crowd. RVD fights back sending Sting repeatedly into a wall near the rafters. RVD then tosses Sting over the railing and drops a leg over his back. Sting responds giving RVD a high back body drop into the concrete floor. Sting then goes to work on RVD sending him repeatedly into the wall near the rafters. Sting tosses RVD back over the railing and hits RVD with some right hands. Sting tosses RVD back in the ring and connects with a Stinger Splash. Sting with a second splash in the corner on RVD. Sting applies a headlock on RVD. RVD fights back to his feet and drops Sting with a big side kick to the face. Clotheslines from RVD to Sting and additional kicks that drop Sting. Sting misses a clothesline and RVD hits a springboard dropkick that results in a two count. RVD plants Sting down near the corner and hits a split leg moonsault for another two count. Sting charges at RVD and sends him into the corner.
RVD ends up taking out referee Earl Hebner in what has to be one of the most telegraphed ref bumps in history. RVD took out Hebner with a crossbody when Sting moved out of the way. Sting grabs his bat with the referee down and starts chopping away at the legs of RVD. Jeff Jarrett then walks down the ramp and hits the ring. Jarrett takes the bat away from Sting and hits Sting in the gut with it. Jarrett then hits Sting right in the jaw with the bat and yells at the referee to get back on his feet. Jarrett leaves the ring with the bat in hand. RVD hits the Rolling Thunder on Sting, hooks the leg and Sting kicks out after two with force. RVD misses a charge in the corner. Sting backs up and attempts a Stinger Splash. RVD moves, trips up Sting and connects with the Five Star Frog Splash. RVD hooks the leg of Sting…1…2…Sting almost kicks out…3…RVD retains.
Winner & STILL TNA World Heavyweight Champion: Rob Van Dam
After the match, we see highlights leading to the finish. Back live, Rob Van Dam jumps up on the corner with the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder. We go off the air with RVD celebrating and Mike Tenay thanking everyone for supporting and celebrating TNA’s eight year anniversary tonight.
* Thanks for joining us tonight!