Victory Road 2011: A Strong Undercard Is Overwhelmed by a 1:28 Main Event

Tommy Dreamer defeated Bully Ray. The bout is presented as falls count anywhere match on the main card and runs 10:44. With no championship changing hands, the bout has to earn its position through the matchup, stipulation, finish and the momentum it creates for the rest of the card. The falls count anywhere match format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 10:44, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The bout is worthwhile and purposeful, although it stops short of being one of the night's defining performances. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 1 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 7.2 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Rosita and Sarita defeated Angelina Love and Winter (c). The bout is presented as tag team match for the tna knockouts tag team championship on the main card and runs 4:56. The title change gives the finish direct consequence and makes the bout more important than a similarly placed non-title match. The tag team match for the tna knockouts tag team championship format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives.

At 4:56, the wrestlers have a relatively compact window, which puts extra pressure on the finish and pacing. The match has clear limitations in time, finish or structure, so its value comes more from the result than from sustained wrestling. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 2 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 5.6 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Hernandez defeated Matt Morgan. The bout is presented as first blood match on the main card and runs 13:31. With no championship changing hands, the bout has to earn its position through the matchup, stipulation, finish and the momentum it creates for the rest of the card. The first blood match format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 13:31, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The match is functional but limited, contributing to the card more through placement and story than standout bell-to-bell value. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 3 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 6.2 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Kazarian (c) defeated Jeremy Buck, Max Buck, and Robbie E (with Cookie). The bout is presented as ultimate x match for the tna x division championship on the main card and runs 14:18. The championship stakes give the bout an immediate purpose, and the successful defense provides a clear result. The ultimate x match for the tna x division championship format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 14:18, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The match delivers enough substance and consequence to stand out clearly above routine card material. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 4 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 8.4 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode) (c) defeated Ink Inc. (Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore). The bout is presented as tag team match for the tna world tag team championship on the main card and runs 12:33. The championship stakes give the bout an immediate purpose, and the successful defense provides a clear result. The tag team match for the tna world tag team championship format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives.

At 12:33, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The result is a strong piece of the card, with enough time and purpose to reward a full viewing. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 5 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 7.6 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

A.J. Styles defeated Matt Hardy (with Ric Flair). The bout is presented as singles match on the main card and runs 17:36. With no championship changing hands, the bout has to earn its position through the matchup, stipulation, finish and the momentum it creates for the rest of the card. The singles match format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 17:36, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The combination of time, placement and stakes makes this one of the event's clearest full-match attractions. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 6 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 8.5 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Mr. Anderson vs. Rob Van Dam ended in a double countout. The bout is presented as singles match on the main card and runs 12:51. With no championship changing hands, the bout has to earn its position through the matchup, stipulation, finish and the momentum it creates for the rest of the card. The singles match format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 12:51, the wrestlers have enough room to establish a complete match and a meaningful finish. The match is useful supporting material, doing its job without becoming a major destination on its own. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 7 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 6.5 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.

Sting (c) defeated Jeff Hardy. The bout is presented as no disqualification match for the tna world heavyweight championship on the main card and runs 1:28. The championship stakes give the bout an immediate purpose, and the successful defense provides a clear result. The no disqualification match for the tna world heavyweight championship format gives the match a specific framework, but that framework still has to justify the time and card position it receives. At 1:28, the wrestlers have a relatively compact window, which puts extra pressure on the finish and pacing. The bout is so brief or unsatisfying that it provides little complete-match value, regardless of the names or stakes involved. Within Victory Road 2011, it functions as match number 8 of 8, so its value is judged against both its own proposition and the momentum it gives the matches around it. The 1.5 score reflects the complete package: stakes, placement, time allocation, stipulation, finish and how effectively the result contributes to the event rather than any outside rating.