"Olympic Hero" Kurt Angle (8) vs. "Super Mex" Hernandez (7)

This is another first time ever matchup and it pits the #7 contender Hernandez against the #8 contender Kurt Angle. Just a reminder, technically Hernandez still has a guaranteed Title shot in his back pocket (though I doubt TNA will ever mention it again). Hernandez and Angel circle each other and then they lockup and Hernandez powers Angle into the corner. Hernandez releases Angle and then they circle each other again. Angel shoots in and gets a takedown on Hernandez. Angle then transitions into a Front Chancery. Hernandez fights up to his feet and Hernandez forces Angle into the corner again. Hernandez releases it but then eats a nasty European Uppercut from Angle followed by another! Angle hits a third one but that just seems to wake Hernandez up as he comes to life and levels Angle with a Forearm Smash! Hernandez then charges Angle but Angle backdrops him over the top rope. Hernandez lands on the apron and then hits a shoulderblock through the ropes. Hernandez follows up with the Slingshot Shoulder Block! Hernandez grabs Angle but Angle comes out of nowhere with a series of right hands. Angle then comes off the ropes but east a big shoulder block from Hernandez. Hernandez grabs Angle and locks him in an Overhead Gutwrench Rack! Hernandez then drops it into a Backbreaker! 1...2...NO Angle kicks out! Hernandez picks Angle up but again Angle answers with a series of right hands on Hernandez. Angle then whips Hernandez into the corner and charges in with a stiff Running Clothesline! Hernandez drops down in the corner in a heap. Angle goes to pick him up but Hernandez kicks him in the gut and then grabs the top rope and pulls himself up onto the top rope! Angle then leaps up quickly to the top but Hernandez just shoves him off! Hernandez sets up for a Splash but again Angle gets to the top quick as hell and hits the Bell-to-Belly Superplex! 1....2...NO Hernandez kicks out! That move looked really good. Both men fight to their feet and Hernandez gets there first so he goes for a clothesline, but Angle ducks and hits the German Suplex! Angle rolls over and connects with a 2nd one and then a third! Angle holds on and hits a fourth German! 1...2...NO Hernandez kicks out again! Angle gets to his feet and goes for the Angle Slam but Hernandez blocks it and then connects with a gorgeous looking Overhead Gutwrench Slam! 1...2...NO Angle kicks out! Hernandez grabs Angle and sets up for the Border Toss but Angle blocks it and then hits the Angle Slam! 1...2...NO Hernandez still kicks out as the fans are rocking now! Angle can't believe that Hernandez kicked out and then he begins climbing to the top. Angle goes for the Moonsault but Hernandez rolls out of the way! Hernandez then levels Angle with the Running Shoulder Block! Hernandez grabs Angle and goes for the Delayed Vertical Suplex but Hernandez seems to have held Angle up there for a hair too long, as Angle was able reverse into a rollup and Angle grabs the ankle and locks in the Ankle Lock! Angle scissors the legs and lays back and starts twisting that ankle! Hernandez kicks out! Excellent match.

Winner: Angle via submission (Ankle Lock)