The infamous ending to TNA’s Victory Road pay-per-view in 2011 could have been dramatically different, according to Bully Ray.
For those that don’t remember, the main event of that show saw Sting defeat Jeff Hardy to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Title in less than two minutes. This was due to Hardy appearing on the show intoxicated, stumbling to the ring and barely standing, not in a position to do a wrestling match.
After Eric Bischoff made an unannounced appearance in the match to make it a No DQ match and to have the match end as soon as possible, Sting quickly pinned Hardy. Bully Ray told Chris Van Vliet that prior to the match, he offered to go in Hardy’s place and do a quick segment with Sting where it would have ended in Ray being put through a table, sending the fans home happy.
“I remember being in the Gorilla Position and Eric was flipping out and I told Eric, ‘Let me go out and I’ll save this for you.’ And he goes, ‘What are you going to do?’ I say, ‘I’ll slide in, attack Sting, pull out a table and I’ll have Sting put me through the table.’ I said as long as that table breaks and that’s the last thing people see, they’ll go home happy. Eric said no. No big deal. He made a judgment call at the time. I don’t even remember how that show went off the air. No grudges. I was just stepping up to the plate and doing something at the last second and trying to help save the show. I remember him coming to me the next day or next week and saying, ‘I really appreciate that. Thanks for stepping up to the plate.’ He was acknowledging me and the willingness to go out there and allow myself to go through the table and help the show out,” Ray said.
Although Ray never factored into the ending of the show, he ended up being a part of the Aces & Eights stable the following year.
The full interview with Chris Van Vliet can be seen in the video at the top of the page. If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Fightful for the transcription.
