It's Slammiversary! TNA's biggest - is it? - premium live event of the year!
I know it's really Bound For Glory...so the company says. But historically, Slammiversary has the better record, so whatevs...
Regardless, TNA has had an interesting build to this show and while I wasn't too crazy about the funky way that we got here, it didn't deter me from being excited for the show, the expectations, and overall, the anticipated fun the company has been providing.
TNA's premium live events haven't been much of a letdown (sans Under Siege) and this is surely no different. Slammiversary was great wrestling, with great moments, and in many ways, very unpredictable.
Like, the kind of unpredictable that truly leaves you like - oh, ok! Sooooo, where are we going next?
My biggest gripe with this event was the length. Man, this was long! I found myself doing the internal concern over the 11:00pm hour approaching, and even once they passed it, I was zapped.
I'm all for plenty of matches and giving the consumer, especially those in attendance their money's worth, but I'm also all for letting things breathe and allowing the consumer to digest what they just watched and re-engage properly for the next context. Maybe that's just me...
Some quick thoughts on Slammiversary 2024:
COUNTDOWN TO SLAMMIVERSARY
Xia Brookside vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Faby Apache
I had to quickly Google Faby Apache. After doing so, it was cool that she was apart of it. It gave the vibe that we would be getting more surprises and special guests throughout the night, but that just wasn't the case.
Travel issues suck.
I'm just not really into Gisele Shaw as a babyface but I'm willing to give it some time. I thought she was great in the heel role with the Shaw-tourage.
Xia Brookside has a lot of potential, I just wish she had more to dive into other than the young wrestler with potential.
Glad Steelz got the win here - always a fan of the Boricua Bad Ass
Kushida vs. Rich Swann
I'm really digging Kushida's new look and feel. He needed a refresh in a bad way and the feud with Gresham gave way to that new character for him. Total Hakushi vibes.
Unfortunately, Gresham couldn't be there which led us to this match.
I'm all for Swann filling in, and he typically does. Great company guy. But even in this role, and his role with Firt Class, it doesn't feel like he's a former TNA World Champion.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed this a lot.
Knockouts World Tag Team Championship Match: The Malisha (Alisha Edwards & Masha Slamovich) (c) vs. Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat)
It feels like all companies have settled on the Women's Tag Team Championship match as a draw for the pre-show of some sort. It's rather weird and is indicative of all companies trying to figure out this newly created space in wrestling.
I do like Spitfire. Women's Tag Team wrestling needs more true tag teams.
Good to see the Malisha hold on here. I'm truly happy for Alicia Edwards. She's been good thus far in the role with The System.
Eric Young vs. Hammerstone
This felt awfully close to "go-time" for the big show and Hammerstone returning and losing felt like the first of those "uh, okay" finishes.
I'm not disliking it, it just felt, well, out of nowhere. The match. The finish. All of it.
SLAMIVERSARY MAIN CARD
“Broken” Matt Hardy vs. JDC
I know how we got here, but this one kicking off the show felt like we had to squeeze this in. Quick victory for Matt Hardy who I haven't hated as much in his return as the internet summoned it would be.
I'll say it again (ad naseum) - I need a purpose for The System, which would lead me to understand why JDC wants to role with them. But, eh...
TNA World Tag Team Championship Match: The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) (c) vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
Myers and Edwards really have been great as a tag team. I've enjoyed the circle we've seen ABC go on culminating in another tag team championship reign.
Mike Santana vs. Jake Something
I'm a big fan of both of these guys. I've loved what they've done with Santana and the renewed energy he's had since his return.
But this could've been on Impact.
I'm lost on where they are going with Something.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel, Wes Lee & Zachary Wentz) vs. No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)
If there is one thing I've noticed about the NXTxTNA working relationship is that TNA's value in the wrestling marketplace is severely underrated and underappreciated. Their talent feels like stars, where I've been interested in the NXT talent, but need some runway to get used to. The No Quarter Catch Crew required a rather loooooonnnng runway.
Good match. It's hard to understand the Rascalz as heels, then sudden faces within the transfer of universes...eh it's wrestling in 2024.
TNA Digital Media & Canadian International Heavyweight Championship Match: A.J. Francis (c) (w/Rich Swann) vs. PCO
Because of everything AJ Francis does outside of wrestling, I'm able to tolerate his actual in-ring wrestling. The dude is a great character that truly makes you care to see him get his ass kicked.
PCO continues to be the most loveable (and strangest) character for me since Mic Foley as Mankind.
This one was all sorts of weird, and messy, and chaotic, and overwhelmingly...fun.
Great hometown win for PCO. I'm very much looking forward to the wedding. Steph De Lander has to turn on him, no?
TNA Knockouts World Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Ash by Elegance (w/Personal Concierge)
Speaking of characters, the Personal Concierge is great. And so has ASh By Elegenace. I just didn't think it was her time. Let Jordynne run with it! And it seems like they will.
Low key, this was a great match. Coming off of the chaos we just see, it was tough to appreciate this one.
I don't think this one is over just yet with Grace picking up the win.
TNA X Division Championship Match: Mustafa Ali (c) (w/Campaign Singh) vs. Mike Bailey
This was my favorite match of the night.
I honestly was one of those people who was VERY curious about what Mustafa Ali can do outside of the WWE and he's grown into a favorite on TNA television. The political gimmick, the in-ring work, and the entire package with the secret service and Campaign Singh (much better role than Champagne in my opinion) has been entertaining.
Great wrestling all-around and it was good to see Earl Hebner finally (please!) close the book on the Montreal Screw Job.
Does Ali now move into the World Title picture? I hope so.
As a Bret Hart fan, it's great to see the sharpshooter back to being used as a finisher by Ali. I hope that sticks around.
TNA World Championship Six-Way Elimination Match: Moose (c) vs. Josh Alexander vs. Steve Maclin vs. Nic Nemeth vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Joe Hendry
First - I like the six-man elimination concept. It's a rarity, and it evokes big-time matchups.
Selfishly - I was hoping for a King of The Mountain match. I just don't think TNA utilizes (or creates) more signature matches for itself.
Moose's entrance felt big-time.
This was a great match and things really picked up once Moose was eliminated. My mind and fandom went straight in overdrive as I had no idea where this was headed. For me, I had Moose retaining, somehow.
Then! Josh Alexander low-blowed Hendry! I LOVED it. If we get Alexander vs. Hendry going into BFG, that would be awesome. I guess we'll see.
Now, at this point, I really had no idea what was happening. Will Josh regain the title he never lost as a heel? Do they go the Nemeth route which feels like it's coming at some point? Is this (finally) Kazarian's night?!!
Then Josh is gone!
What. Is. Going. On?!
I'd be lying if at this point I wasn't all in on this aura and wanted to break the entire space and say you know what? Let's get it, Kaz!
Call me crazy, but that would've been a peek "we're throwing things against the wall" feels. But, Nemeth wins. Eh...I'm really not sure how that moves me. We're guaranteed some great in-ring work, but I need more from Nemeth in regard to "character and story". He still feels like the former WWE guy looking for redemption rather than newly re-invented - if that makes sense.
One quick note on Hendry, I'm all for the slow burn with him. If this thing is real, it'll run the course and get him some real equity with a genuine story/chase to the title. If it isn't and it flames out, then he wasn't the guy.
Nonetheless, great main event. Very much enjoyed it.
--
Before I wrap this up, it should be noted that this was TNA's biggest crowd in almost ten years. This company and it's fandom really is something to behold. Congratulations to all within the company, and so many diehards who have followed this brand through some tumultuous times.
Photos courtesy of TNAwrestling.com