10 Moments When TNA Was The Hottest Wrestling Company In The World
9. Man In The Middle
Now something of a footnote in the company's history after an ill-advised return as part of the Aces & Eights stable in 2013, it shouldn't be underestimated how big a deal it was for Tito Ortiz to grace TNA with his presence as a special guest referee for Jeff Jarrett's NWA World Heavyweight Title defence against AJ Styles.
One of the original mixed martial arts celebrities, Ortiz alongside Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Forrest Griffen was one of the sport's breakout stars during a meteoric rise to prominence for the Ultimate Fight Championship.
Best of all, Ortiz' position in the match made complete sense. Agreeing to officiate the Hard Justice pay-per-view clash, Tito was called upon by Director of Authority Dusty Rhodes in an effort to subdue the level of interference usually saved for Jarrett's title defences.
The persistent run-ins and screwjobs had had a cancerous effect on TNA's main event scene, with countless company up-and-comers and WWE castoffs downed in battles against 'Double J', or forced to turn heel and side with 'Planet Jarrett' just to avoid relentless beatings.
Styles represented a last gasp for the company, liberating the title from Jarrett after a near-year run with the belt. Ortiz performed diligently, running off Monty Brown and eventually subduing the beliigerent Champion with a right hand to allow AJ to hit the Spiral Tap for the victory.