[2000-09-02-NWA Wildside-TV] A.J. Styles vs Lazz

[soup23]

Lazz kisses the referee and Styles takes him down. Unfortunately for AJ, Lazz likes this and invites him to do it again. AJ hits a nice dropkick onto the arm of Lazz that was propped on the top rope. AJ does a good job as a heel working that arm and mixing in his flashier offense in a heel mannerism. AJ does a springboard flip floatover into a Northern Lights that poor Lazz has no idea how to bump for. Lazz gets some hope spots hitting a headbutt to the balls of AJ but Bailey trips up Lazz. Lazz teases kissing Bailey but gets hit with a tope con hilo from AJ. Lazz continues to be worked over and we head to break with Lazz getting out of a sunset flip by biting AJ in the nuts. We come back from break with Lazz hitting a missile dropkick. Good job by commentators bringing up the competence Lazz has in the ring. Lazz does a jump up springboard rana that he almost wipes out on but hits well enough. Britney Spear takes out the referee and Onyx does the run in. Big springboard splash from AJ gets him the win. Perfectly fine and fun tv match. Lazz revives himself by kissing the referee. **1/2

[AstroBoy]

Lazz is a fun character. AJ really pulls off slimy heel pretty well and shows some of the type of heeling that the Young Bucks would perhaps be inspired by, adding athleticism to certain spots just to show off and be annoying. I liked this just fine but thought maybe it meandered just a bit much.

 

**

[Tim Evans]

Lazz's entrance is something else. I didn't realise he was so jacked. Match was fine and I love AJ's show off gimmick. Lazz even goes after Jeff G Bailey.

[GSR]

Lazz’s entrance is so entertaining and the fans are wonderful the way they play into it.  As the match is about to begin they start a “kiss the ref” chant, luckily for Andy Thomas though A.J. comes to his rescue moments before Lazz lays one on him.  Styles hits a beautiful leg sweep early and they mix in some comedy with the wrestling until A.J. dumps Lazz with a belly to back suplex.  As Lazz gets to his feet, grabbing hold of the top rope for balance, Styles with a missile dropkick to the arm.  That’s the start of A.J. going to work on that arm, showing aggressiveness and athleticism as he does so.  Double leg take down by Lazz followed by a pair of headbutts to the groin.  Bailey hooks Lazz’s ankle as he runs the ropes and he sets off after Jeff G. eventually getting hold of him.  Missing out on smooching the official he’s about to plant one on Bailey when Styles wipes him out with a somersault flip dive over the top rope to the floor.  A.J. slams his head into the ring apron before throwing Lazz back inside.  We return from a commercial break to see Lazz level Styles with a missile dropkick.  After kicking out of the pin A.J. returns to working on that arm.  He interlaces the fingers when Lazz runs up the turnbuckles, bounces off the top rope and takes Styles down with a huracanrana.  ‘Brittney Spear’, but A.J. avoids it with a leapfrog and Lazz connects with referee Thomas instead.  The official KO’ed, Onyx runs out to help his fellow member of the NWA Elite as the two of them double team Lazz.  Jumping DDT by Onyx, Styles with a high top rope splash and A.J. gets the three.  The American Males save Lazz from a post-match beating, although not before Styles gets a piledriver in.  As Thomas checks on Lazz, he grabs hold of him and finally gets that kiss.

Lazz showed here that he’s clearly more than an entrance and is a decent wrestler too, although I do wish he hadn’t blown off that arm work on his comeback.  I doubt A.J. was too keen on those “A.J.’s gay!” chants as well that permeated at the start of the match!