Joe Alonzo walked into TNA Lockdown with his AAW Heavyweight Championship and a massive opportunity hanging over his head, and he walked out with both after catching Home Town Man with a roll-up to officially earn a TNA Wrestling contract.
The match went down ahead of the August 23 Lockdown pay-per-view in Chicago after TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella announced the bout one night earlier at AAW. The stipulation gave Alonzo plenty to lose and even more to gain, because his AAW Heavyweight Championship was on the line while a victory would lock up a contract with TNA.
Alonzo found a way to get it done. He caught Home Town Man with a roll-up for the three-count, retained his championship and officially secured his place on the TNA roster.
There was one unusual wrinkle to the match. Lockdown was built around matches taking place inside the steel cage, but the in-arena exclusive bout between Alonzo and Home Town Man did not take place inside the cage.
Alonzo was hardly a stranger to TNA before this moment. He has already worked matches for the company, including a TNA Xplosion appearance in April where he defeated Eli Isom. He has also stepped into a TNA ring against Trey Miguel and Steve Maclin.
Joe Alonzo didn’t need a dominant finish or some huge statement to get the job done. He needed three seconds, and that roll-up was enough to change the direction of his career.
What do you think about Joe Alonzo earning his TNA contract with a roll-up at Lockdown? Let us know what you think in the comments.
