Instant Classic! The Christian Cage Story

[@CmdrUD87]

I found TNA when Christian was in his first title reign, and I have very fond memories of that. Probably one of the best champions/contenders they ever had

[@Markyd123]

It’s the only time any of my mates even realised tna existed

[@MikeJr9284]

It's quite the coincidence that Edge and Christian went from midcarders to main eventers around the same time.

[@vik24oct1991]

because the previous main eventers left or grew too old, its not very easy to get new main eventers like brock and angle in a small time frame, its a good thing that both edge and christian had the personality to become main eventers unlike the other midcarders.

[@nicholashurst780]

The whole Brood was created because VKM saw Edge as a future main eventer. It was originally gonna be the Vampire Warrior (renamed Gangrel), Edge, and... some other guy. But Edge had the stroke to get some other guy replaced with his best friend, even as a rookie because the group existed for his benefit and VKM figured it was worth it to make his future star as comfortable as possible as he broke in

[@Kalel2.0]

Apparently many in the back absolutely loved having Christian around especially due him being so easy to work with and his willingness to put others over. His TNA run showed that he could be just as good if not better than Edge. Another big reason he left WWE was because Mcmahan had apparently offered significantly less pay than what he was already making

[@pleaseshutup7053]

The only person who doesn’t like Christian is Vince

[@IamMichael365]

​@@pleaseshutup7053He wanted to put a blue dot over his face. Vince really didn't rock with Christian 😅

[@dustinsonnier5602]

@@pleaseshutup7053I’ve always wondered if Vince hated him that much and didn’t like him why would he hire and pay the man

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@dustinsonnier5602 because he’s edges best friend and a wrestler he likes

[@jamalwalker04]

I got love for Christian but nothing he did between 05-08 in TNA was better than what Edge was doing in WWE during the same period

[@jimbo_1312]

Christian is arguably one of the most underrated wrestlers of his generation. His work outside WWE has been amazing, and his current heel run is some of his best work. You can't beat cheap heat when it's done right.

[@ReFLexX_ii]

It's just sad Vince couldn't see his talents were just as high as edge and deserved a WWE title reign. Him and Punk made ECW return worth something and worked the best they could with what they had

[@ShiningJudgment666]

Cheap heat only he's got the flame on full.

[@Flickydicky]

Christian is the reason i got back into wrestling, Growing up, WWE stopped airing on tv in my country around 2004, and i had nothing to watch, until a tv channel here started airing TNA, and my first match that i ever saw back was TNA, It was Abyss Vs Christian Cage, and it helped to have a recognizable face "Hey, that's the guy!" and i became an instant fan, and TNA will always be some of my favorites, especially around that time! Edit: The match gets mentioned at 7mins, nostalgia!

[@quentinkaasa47]

What kinda mythical country is this?

[@nandov1831]

@@quentinkaasa47finland

[@markula_4040]

My favorite Christian moment from TNA is an interview segment with AJ where he subtly took credit for AJ's 3 world title reigns in TNA before Christian even joined the company. It was such a heel thing to do even though AJ was a heel with him at the time.

[@Markyd123]

Il have to keep my eye out for that as I think I’m going to make that video on AJ’s bad times.

[@TheElusiveMann]

Oh, it wasn't subtle. Christian blatantly took credit for AJ's title reigns before he was even in TNA. When AJ asked how Chrisitan replied. "I'll explain that later." Brilliant stuff.

[@IncredibleFulk1]

I’m sorry but I hated that, it made Aj look like a total fool.

[@605guy]

Christian is doing his absolute best work right now. I'm glad people are able to see how talented he truly is

[@kennycai8695]

I know it has been mentioned a lot of times, but the reason Christian added the Frog Splash to his moveset was a direct tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero. In a very unfortunate coincidence, Christian's TNA debut happened right on the same day Guerrero passed on: November 13, 2005 (the Genesis PPV that year also paid tribute to Guerrero, since many TNA personnel either were personal friends with Guerrero, or worked with him at some point in their careers).

[@quentinkaasa47]

Eddie himself took the Frog Splash as his finisher after the tragic passing of his former tag partner and innovator of the move, Art Barr.

[@Huncho410TV]

This generations kids won’t know the excitement of Christian’s TNA-NWA Heavyweight Championship reign🥺

[@arostwocents]

People don't understand just how great TNA was, all the kids and smarks just talked smack but it was a great product and a way better tv show than WWF, not being designed for little children

[@michealhill7275]

In AEW, he has evolved into one of the greatest talkers of all time.

[@YoureNotReet]

It’s always amazed me how Vince claimed Christian is ugly and not Edge 😂

[@savage751]

"Don't piss me off, wow that'll make money"...that had me lol'ing

[@keironhiggspoet]

great guy. never was just living in edge/adam's shadow, as his current heel persona is brilliant. if you haven't heard the "but your father's dead" version of his theme tune that's doing the rounds, i recommend.

[@LuisFelipeFelipe808]

In my opinion, Christian managed to show much more in TNA and AEW than in her time in WWE, his current heel turn is a good example

[@RGF91]

Father of the year

[@LuisFelipeFelipe808]

​@@RGF91Christian is best FATHER and not dead 👌

[@Markyd123]

It’s possibly because he’s getting to show an edge? In the wwe he was entertaining but he was just kind of slimey?

[@gatchywatchyentertainmentb2090]

Her?

[@shadoekim]

​@@Markyd123I read that as smiley. But then again bland smiley babyfaces used to be WWE's trademark

[@radandpaisley]

The Impact Zone bouncing when Christian won the NWA title is so memorable. I miss this era of TNA.

[@JudasThundersteel]

I started watching TNA in January 2008, so during Christian's final year in the company. Not on top, but still entertaining enough to win me over by the time he went back to WWE. He was my number 1 guy by 2011, so I enjoyed the too-brief main event run on Smackdown. I haven't been watching AEW, but all the clips I've seen of Christian have been very entertaining. The guy's a legend, no question about it.

[@Kalel2.0]

His feud with Randy in 2011 was legendary and he genuinely should've gotten a much better booked Reign with the title however it was the last great feud involving the WHC at the time

[@rayhoyer4829]

​@@Kalel2.0 yep.

[@Ultriac301]

I'm happy to have witnessed the rise and greatness of Christian Cage over the years. One of the greatest Grandslam Champions of all time. He really is an...INSTANT CLASSIC!!!😊

[@TimTE01]

I randomly found 2 TNA DVDs in a Thrift store years ago. One was on Christian and the other was The MCMG/Beer Money. I still have them.

[@GleeChan]

I think Rhyno, The Dudleys, and Christian all showed they could do and be more in TNA. I do think dumb booking got the better of Rhino, but Team 3D was always written like a big deal and Christian was doing main event matches most of the time. I do think that Angle and Sting's signing somewhat hurt Christian's push a bit, but not by too much.

[@Markyd123]

Rhino did pretty good for a year or so before the bad booking got him. Not sure why.

[@quentinkaasa47]

Well yeah, all those guys were big fishes in a small pond. Of course they could do more. They were name talent that came from the big leagues.

[@Hunty_Mo]

My friends and I were all so invested in TNA for this whole era. Great memories

[@alaooooy7]

Christian Cage has the most iconic run ever in TNA! Others stayed there longer but the quality of his work from start to finish was next level. Long live The Instant Classic!

[@daschwah]

Man, and we thought he’d peaked in terms of reinvention with this stint. Man’s longevity and consistency is unreal.

[@therealjd4life]

Gail Kim back in 2005...holy f*ck🔥🔥

[@TeamTowers1]

The frog splash off the cage literally made Abyss shit himself lol.

[@grimlochvolek666]

You mean literally? Literally?

[@TeamTowers1]

@@grimlochvolek666 Yeah Abyss himself said in an interview. The impact of Christian landing on him just force the contents of his bowels out.

[@bradley5431]

@@TeamTowers1yo wtf 😂😂😂

[@fuzion7905]

The fact that he is one of the top heels in the business in 2023 says so much about his talent inside and outside of the ring

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Christian tagging with sting is what got me to watch Tna

[@BourbonJazzyLife]

I started watching TNA right after he went there. The promos had me hooked instantly & pretty much stuck with TNA since. Excellent subject matter & video. Someone asked me who my favorite wrestler was the other day. It kind of depends on the era & my age for me personally but when Christian was my favorite he was my favorite very hard…

[@Markyd123]

Thanks my friend

[@Ultriac301]

​@@Markyd123My favourite match of Christian's in TNA is the Steel Cage match between him and Angle which he won with a Frog Splash as a tribute to the late, great Eddie Guerrero who was a good friend of his and also as a refference to the Eddie VS Kurt 2004 rivalry.

[@Markyd123]

@@Ultriac301 yes that was a beautiful moment!

[@clarencegutsy7309]

Always been a big fan of Christian. Thought he was the coolest guy in The Brood because he was always silent, loved his E&C run and those ridiculous sunglasses he'd wear and his "At Last" heel turn with the overproduced entrance and opera lyrics on the titantron. A very amusing wrestler both in and out of the ring that has a surprising amount of range. Always felt like he made whatever was given to him gold.

[@marcelthorsen]

I think people get tripped up on Edge/Adam Copeland being the bigger star and the better wrestler but in reality Christian was always the MVP of the duo. Christian came back after his forced retirement to do the best work in his entire career in his late 40s. Edge has had some great moments but has floundered since joining AEW and I believe that’s because he was a WWE lifer whereas Christian had experience with other styles and in other promotions.

[@Izaan2810]

I don't think Edge has really "floundered" since joining AEW, RATHER he has been floundering ever since Judgement Day Breakup.... Even post that, his face run in WWE in his last few months in the company had been lackluster. There's not a lot, you could do with his character at this point in his career other than what he has already been doing.

[@Venemofthe888]

I think Christian going to TNA was a risk but i think he knew he wasnt going to get anywhere staying in the WWE especially since he was moved away from John Cena, a rivalry that had been building. He bet on himself and proved that in TNA he could handle himself well and showed he belonged in the main event scene. Him beating Jarrett was a very good way of showing he could hang especially going above Jarrett's stupid antics for so long although i want a fan of him losing the title to Jarrett in a King of the Mountain Match. He got 2 reigns as NWA Champion and while he was stripped of the title (due to NWA ending business with TNA). I do wish he was in TNA longer tbh like how he would have factored into the MEM storyline although maybe he got out just in time with Hawk Hogan coming in 2010. Monty Brown was the only one to really suffer due to Cage coming in getting pushed down the card but otherwise i think Cage was a really benefit to the company

[@TerryB01]

Awesome! Christian is doing great now and this was the proof he can thrive in the main event. Perfect video to ask for a Ring of the Hawk for Christian's original solo run all the way back in 2001? I think it was good but what do the matches say?

[@DeathSongoftheThreeStorms]

Christian's current run in AEW is almost similar to his TNA run. Has a faction where the big guy member is at odds with him? ✅️ Playing a father figure role with the other member? ✅️ Champion as he leads the faction? ✅️ Feuding with a childhood friend? ✅️

[@Markyd123]

Wow that is parallel

[@Ultriac301]

Tony Kahn: If it ain't broke, why fix it?😅

[@claukhatib]

That Bangkok line is funny af

[@colinmx.]

To this day 😂

[@Sammalkives]

I still remember one guy in our school watched the episode and started doing "the bangkok thing" in school.. about a week later every boy in our school knew what is the capital of Thailand.

[@jabbarmuhammad8804]

Love him or hate him I really did enjoy Christian Cage's time in TNA wrestling

[@arostwocents]

Monty Brown was awesome and its a shame a lot of guys who were becoming stars were pushed aside for temporary signings rather than establishing as many TNA loyalists as possible

[@quentinkaasa47]

Monty Brown is the biggest missed opportunity of his generation. He had all the tools to be as big as Batista or Randy Orton.

[@scottfitzgerald5309]

Unfortunately we never got a Christian Cage vs Wes Briscoe or Glen Gilberty but he did help end the wild slapnuts reign of terror

[@donzellmccalipp8510]

His run in tna really showed if you bet on yourself it'll pay off,sure it wasn't perfect but it showed he can be a main event guy if given the chance,he's killing it in aew right now

[@Markyd123]

It was a huge risk but he had the confidence in his abilities

[@donzellmccalipp8510]

@@Markyd123 Exactly he had a chip on his shoulder but a good chip, he didn't take himself to serious,his promos we're good i still watch his promos with monty to this day,and my favorite match of his tna run was the triple threat with booker t and aj styles really underated match in my opinion

[@ryandavis4448]

Christian may low key go down as one of the greats, considering hes done something not many (if any) have done. Become larger OUTSIDE of wwe. His first TNA and current AEW runs are phenomenal

[@bradley5431]

He is always a goat outside of wwe. Thanks to TNA and AEW.

[@alaooooy7]

Christian Cage is definitely one of the greats.

[@ricardonb6375]

I feel ya with how AJ Styles was treated when he was with Christian Cage. It feels like that spot was supposed to be given to Eric Young but someone behind the scenes (possibly RUSSO) must've not felt the same and put Styles in that spot.

[@YourOnceAndFutureFangirl]

Christian was always one of my favorites, still is, and hearing him leave WWE for TNA was the final thing that got me to watch the company. His ability to get you interested in both the in- & out-off ring parts of the show is one that a lot of the guys in the industry lacked or hadnt learned yet at that time, something that i feel is still true today. One one side you have guys like Hogan, all about promo and presentation but couldnt wow you with great in-ring matches. On the other, you have the (too many to mention) guys who was all about the in-ring with little ability to sell you on why the match matters to their character or why the viewer should be invested past the athelism & epic moves. Christian is a hybrid, a potential 5-talent player, that should be remembered in the same line as the Rock, great on the mic both as heel and face, naturaly funny and quick witted, and can work in the ring while telling a story. I acctually thinks he is better in-ring than Rock and is more creative with his spots. He is also more willing to be the butt of the joke and fully take the L to put someone over. I might be giving him too much praise, but I've never had a moment where I knew a segment or match with Christian was coming up and thought "eh, im not interested/ im tempted to fast forward", while other great preformers have given me that feeling at times. He's not my favorite wrestler, thats been Bryan Danielson for almost 20 years now, but he is one i could rank in my top 5, or at least top 10 if i took the time to sit down and seriously put a list together.

[@quentinkaasa47]

Are you willing to admit that Danielson has given you that feeling? Because this AEW run has been a disaster since his first year in the company.

[@royshaheer]

His TNA run was perhaps helped him a lot more then usual.

[@gakk8658]

I watched TNA during this time, and even though I wanted to hate Christian because he was another WWE guy coming in, I ended up loving him. His promos were amazing, and while he definitely was best playing the cowardly heel, he had a ton of incredibly entertaining matches.

[@ilikethecokev2]

5:10 one of my favorite TNA segments to this day. It was the hardest I'd laughed watching wrestling until Braun Strowman broke the cello on Raw.

[@Nessrox444]

It’s also odd. I know for sure Monty Brown was cut off at the legs when Christian arrived. But I feel like if he stuck around for a year or two, Angle would’ve put him over like a million bucks. Sad what happened to his family and I respect him for making the decision to walk away for her kids.

[@125henni]

It's really interesting to kind of see the foreshadowing with Christian's TNA run with his current AEW run. His character is really similar

[@james_the_animator]

6:00 TNA did a shit-ton of stalking angles around this era. They did it with Abyss & Christian, they did it with Jarrett & Sting a few months later, and Alex Shelley did it to somebody else. Russo didn’t even write the shows at this point! He came back in September ‘06.

[@TimTE01]

James Storm to Mickie James too.

[@alaooooy7]

Christian Cage is truly one of the best wrestlers ever! He didn't always get pushed on top in WWE but his quality was always second to none. In the ring and on the mic the man always produces gold. Hope he gets a run as the AEW World Champion while still at the very top of his game. He's by far the best thing about AEW.

[@hezekiahthomas837]

I have been a Christian mark since i was a kid. And i have to agree with most people that his work outside of the WWE are his best and his current run in aew is goat level

[@slimmcharles]

This run locked me into TNA and solidified my young mind forever that the Cage was meant for the main event stage

[@lexion8152]

I really like how this video came out. Nice job man!

[@Markyd123]

Thanks my friend

[@ningboy3274]

When dude said “and I’m gonna knock your brains out” i had headphones in and just started hysterically laughing in public. “Now that’s money” 😆

[@syahminorizan8064]

"Don't piss me off! Wow! That's money!"

[@ErikLarson-l9k]

I’m a huge Christian mark. He is the very definition of an underrated wrestler. Always had some kick-ass entrance music too. I was at Bound for Glory 2007 when he faced Samoa Joe, a very good match. It was also a thrill to see him finally win the WWE title, though he was essentially a storyline replacement for Edge after his abrupt retirement.

[@alonemax2912]

At least now he gets deserved recognition with that hilarious father gimmick.

[@axdambient]

I had stopped following TNA for a bit and did some time in the can, so I come back and I'm told...CHRISTIAN IS THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION?! Took one show to get me hooked. He had a great run and I even liked all the silly stuff. Great to see more love for it

[@quentinkaasa47]

Did your pod not have TV privileges? 😕

[@peace1177]

Great video! His jump to TNA was great.

[@sethamphetaminess]

Christian is so underrated in my mind. So so good, especially out of the fed

[@justinmichaels7856]

Father of the Year Christian best heel in the wrestling business right now 💯

[@paulishomealone8149]

I absolutely adore Christian. He really is an instant classic.

[@NWOtion]

It's ARGUABLY the number one moment in TNA history because it is the debut of Sting and was meant to be a turning point in TNA's trajectory. It largely was tbh

[@Markyd123]

It actually wasn’t stings TNA debut. It was just the start of his full time run. Sting appeared in 2003 and 2004z

[@damiancurran1762]

Shoot em Up is such an underrated movie! Easily an awesome cult classic! I still don't know how the baby is deaf by the end with all the gunfire though.

[@machuz607]

He was the reason I got back into wrestling. Loved his TNA run, then AJ opened my eyes to what wrestling could reallly be

[@melquanoneal3869]

Thanks MarkyD been waiting on this one

[@whisperienced]

He's from my home town of Orangeville Ontario. He's been my favourite wrestler for decades. Thanks for giving me a full rundown of his TNA career because life took me away from wrestling between 2000 to 2012.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Canada produces the best wrestlers

[@whisperienced]

@@pleaseshutup7053 Well I love Canadian wrestlers but I think Wrestling is the one industry where nationality can only enhance the greatness that is there. Are you Canadian or if not may I ask your country?

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@whisperienced I’m American but Canada for such a small country the amount of Legendady wrestlers. Bret i believe is the Goat. Christian is my all time favorite wrestler love Jericho Benoit and edge. Sami and Owens killing it right now omega is considered the best by many And they got the Goat women’s wrestlers trish and Gail Kim I was shocked that Angelina love was from Canada. I don’t know what they doing in Canada but they a pro wrestling factory

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@whisperienced I hope the hart family home is still there and gets preserved into a landmark I would love to come to the dungeon and see where all these wrestlers got trained

[@whisperienced]

@@pleaseshutup7053Not sure about the Hart dungeon that's in Calgary I'm a long way away from that. Just remember the USA helps Canada keep our culture. Stone Cold, Sting, The Rock, Flair, Booker T, Hogan, Sammartino, MJF, Ron Simmons to name a few show how great Americans are at producing talent.

[@richevans609]

50 years old!!!! Bravo Sir! 👍

[@rl-fq9lz]

As a youngin, I was already a huge Christian fan during his intitial Captain Charisma run in the WWE, and getting quite bothered by his lack of push. This TNA run was glorious for me as a 13ish year old Peep.

[@benbaker7440]

*Wrestling show is gaining momentum *JJ wants the title “Well that show’s dead”

[@italexs_]

Christian would have to be in my top ten heel

[@Nessrox444]

I always wanted Christian to break out. I stopped watching smack down until he finally got the belt and I was SO EXCITED to see him as the title holder… and then I shut it off right away when Orton beat him immediately. I think Christian Cage is doing good work in AEW and did great work in TNA

[@JeffreyMarksWorld]

I'm pumped for this one. I'm surprised you haven't done a video on him already

[@Markyd123]

Trust me I was surprised too!

[@DaveFu]

The Patriarch won't discuss Slapnut's father, because Slapnut's father IS DEAD!

[@bzilla-d4i]

😂😂😂😂

[@michaeleaton5824]

christian doing his best work of his career right now

[@Ninjaswithipods]

Christian is totally an instant classic.

[@NoName-cz3wn]

He should've beaten Cena for the title after Jericho left. I realize that this would mean that Edge probably doesn't get his title win in Jan 06, because they weren't gonna let Cena lose the title twice in 6 months back then, but idc. 1. Edge held that title for 3 weeks. 2. Christian >>> Edge. 3. His "Close Your Eyes" theme was such a banger (even the 2009 version).

[@jennybyford8071]

This is a little bonus find. Have a good Christmas dude.

[@kclink1579]

18:02 Is it that his dad is dead.

[@nineteeneightynine432]

Coolest nick name in wrestling instant classic. I wish he would had a longer run in tna though.

[@stevenb427]

😂😂 lots of pics from their childhood! Then proceeds to put up a picture of Christian in his 20s 🤣🤣

[@KingToll]

Christian was the reason I started watching TNA back in the day, I bet I'm not the only one.

[@internationalfailure9997]

Cody Rhodes also doesn't think a cage match is complete without someone jumping off the cage.

[@Matthew-dz9ew]

That ending was great. "If you don't like it i'll recycle you like plastic". 🤣🤣

[@JC-rr5kk]

Honestly he had a great he proved his worth and his value he was Main event drawer but his promos are still gold he has right mentality to get peoples attention

[@primokk4669]

Christian is such a awesome wrestler, and for me he is the best run of his life right now, I'm really liking his run with Luchassaurus

[@philiphunn194]

Shoot 'Em Up is one of my absolute favourite movies but I don't recall ever seeing Christian in it. Maybe he ended up on the cutting-room floor...

[@Markyd123]

I googled it. He’s one of the guards towards the end of the movie.

[@philiphunn194]

@@Markyd123 Cheers - guess that gives me another excuse to watch it again 😀

[@TimTE01]

He’s mostly cut, yes.

[@savage751]

Also I'm 80% sure in the movie...which is pretty awesome btw lol....that Christians part got cut from the final film

[@deandavis4766]

AEW's TOP heel

[@Senseismoke777]

Definitely need a AJ STYLES Christian's kid video 😅😅😅

[@KamiKazeD]

so christian's first son was AJ STYLES, the more you know

[@grimlochvolek666]

Great job on this !... Marky., you did Christian Cage Justice and I believe this is the first legitimate documentary on Christian I would love to see a follow-up on his aew run.

[@Markyd123]

Thanks my brother

[@Phoneybeetlemaniacxs]

Christian cage in tna was so bloody good

[@coreythompsonTheOneandOnly]

You kept it real and you kept it true, Chicago Illinois rocks with you.

[@willnicklen4196]

Love it great upload

[@Browncurse]

Christian singlehandedly made TNA for me (yes I did watch it weekly after it moved to spike not just the whatculture "x person signed with Impact" and that is it.) I was such a fan of his tna run that he was the reason I enjoyed WWECW when he joined more than main roster.

[@faceurhell]

Christian is the best kind of wrestler, one who has every psychological tool in the bag and knows how to use them to keep the audience captivated. An underrated legend of the industry.

[@mikebottomlesspitdunham2954]

Christian Cage, becoming wrestlers' father since 2007.

[@texascreekcowboy1587]

Christian will never be talked about how great he was. He's reinvented himself almost as much as Jericho. In better shape than Jericho and still putting out some of the promos of his career

[@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl]

Great video

[@daniellewolf3697]

It's Funny He Face Chris Not One But Twice,And It Was A Good Match

[@funwithcaws]

Christians attires were so 🔥

[@coreythompsonTheOneandOnly]

These cutscenes are awesome 👍🏻😎, i love 💕 it