Jeff Jarrett recently praised the high quality of TNA’s Monsters Ball match, which featured Rhino, Sabu, Abyss, and Jeff Hardy at Bound for Glory 2005, citing the match’s success to the unique chemistry between four distinct performers. Jarrett also credited Abyss with an unbelievable ability to weave a story within the madness and noted that Sabu’s TNA run was some of his best sustained work.
Speaking on his My World With Jeff Jarrett podcast, Jarrett noted that even wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, who is not typically a fan of hardcore-style matches, called the contest a “show stealer” and gave it four stars.
Jarrett said that the match succeeded because it defied a simple category and highlighted four unique characters. “We’ll call it a hardcore type brawl, monstrous ball. Oh, they’re all four. Well, you really had four guys with four. I mean, really distinct personalities,” Jarrett noted. He summarized the strengths of each competitor: “Sabu and abyss, both in their own ways, were just reckless, abandoned. And then you look at Hardy, that enigma that you knew you’re going to see a daredevil spot. It’s just when it’s coming. And then, of course, you got Rhino that that had that, that flavor, if you will, that he’ll run through a brick wall, and he’s going to do some brute force strength”.
The chemistry of the four men ultimately made the match memorable. “I thought the magic of the match was the four guys chemistry. It’s not always the easiest to really put that together. But man, these guys off the charts”.
Jarrett singled out Abyss, a star he believes is worthy of being on the Mount Rushmore of TNA, for his nuanced performance. “I know we sing his praises on here, other than him being a shitty fantasy football player and wanting to marry Joe burrow and his haircut, abyss is ability to really weave a story within all the craziness. He is one of a kind, super talented in that”.
He also praised Sabu’s role in the company, noting that he was used to give him a consistent national platform. “As far as on in presentation to the biggest audience, on a sustained and he was, I’ll call him a TNA regular,” Jarrett said. However, Sabu’s unique style required careful booking to preserve his character. “He is an island unto himself. And so that was always a challenge, but, but, but we really call program and Detroit guy”. Jarrett concluded, “But yeah, I think in a lot of ways, Sabu, I’ll certainly stand on. He did some of his best sustained work in his entire career, and was involved in meaningful stories. I thought that had progression”.
