TNA Slammiversary Review 07.20.25

So, we come to this, TNA’s Slammiversary from Long Island at the UBS Arena. I spent my early childhood at the old Nassau Coliseum watching the New York Nets. But enough reminiscing, we have a Pay-Per-View/Premium Live Event to watch and some Impactful Discourse to cover. So, let’s get to it, shall we? We shall.

Pregame festivities as we get panels and Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rewholdt to keep on focused on the task at hand. Speaking of which:

Iinspiration vs. …by Elegance brand

Here to get us in a good mood is the Personal Concierge who refers to Backstage Interviewer Gia Miller as “toots.” Points for the old school sexism. He is here to insult the “Desperation (Ddesperation?) In fact, he wondered how they were able to cross the border and called them migrants. Nice. He said they, like the audience, are disgusting, grotesque and degenerates. He also said all the good looking women come from New Jersey. Speaking of Good looking, two of the sexiest are here and are proud to be American….By Elegance.

All three come out in Statue of Liberty cosplay.

Heather and Jessie McKaY start the match and Jessie dwarfs Heather. Heather chops away on McKay to no effect. McKay throws Heather to the corner and stomped away. She stopped to pull Ash into the ring. Jessie comes into the ring and the Iinspiration hit stereo kicks and STRIKE THE POSE! Jessie is officially tagged in and starts to beat on Ash as the Personal Concierge throws a shoe into the ring. As the referee admonishes the heels and removes the shoe, Ash cheap shots Jessie. Ash is tagged and the Elegancers mockingly STRIKE THE POSE!!

Heather is tagged and the Elegancers double whip Jess to the turnbuckle. Ash hits the handspring elbow and Heather connects with the running seated dropkick. Ash puts the boots to Jessie while Heather and M choke Jess on the ropes. Ash chopped away at Jess. Heather is tagged in but Ash missed a charge and the Elegancers hit each other. Heather is tagged but McKay booted Heather. McKay runs to the corner and Cassie gets the hot tag and hits a series of clotheslines and spin kicks on the champs. Both Iinspirations hit flying knees and Casie hits the fisherman suplex on Heather for two. Heather ducks a charge by Cassie and Heather puts Cassie on the top rope and tags Ash.

However, Cassie blocks a Wrecked attempt and hits a hurricnarana on Ash and followed with a spin kick. Casie hits a superplex from the top. However, M put Ash’s foot on the rope. All four Elegancers are together giving McKay a chance to do a body press from the apron. When the recover, Cassie hits a body press from the second turnbuckle for the tope. An Iidolizer attempt is stopped by a spear by heather. Ash whipped Jess into the ropes and M hit Lee with the torch which dropped her. This givesAsh the opportunity to hit the Rarified Air for the victory.

Along with Miller, we have a panel that includes Tommy Dreamer, Dave LaGreca and Snake Sabo from Skid Row. It’s too true to be good. As the talking heads talk, the Northen Armory come out with their masks and ponchos. Eric Young removes his clothing and is in wrestling gear. Heat will served cheap as Young insult New Yorkers, the sports teams and the hockey team suck. We are looking at three Canadian thoroughbreds from the superior country.

He calls out Marella (and a raucous “shut the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge up” chant starts.) It’s a conspiracy and Young gets thrown out of every arena but Deaner is allowed to compete and is a fraud. Maybe, Young asks, one of the Long Island losers wants to challenge him and starts to call out fans. But fret not, the Home Town man appears (in Brian Trottier Islanders jersey) with a referee in tow. Pops will also be served cheap. If the jersey is correct, we can assume it is Trottier under the mask and is remarkably spry.

Hometown Man vs. Eric Young

Trottier takes out the armory and knocks down Young and clotheslines him out of the ring to the floor. Young misses a clothesline and Trottier hits a backdrop on the rebound. Trottier gets the 10-punch corner spot but stops twice to knock out the Armory but Young takes the distraction to Hot shot Trottier on the turnbuckles. Young rips off the Trottier jersey and HTM is clotheslined down for two. Young hits the chinlock as the Armory causes heat with the fans. HTM fights out and jaw jacks Young to break the hold. Young blocks a punch and hits a series of punches to a series of clotheslines. HTM/Trottier now gets the nine punch count to land an emphatic 10th shot.

HTM/Trottier puts Young on the turnbuckle but Young headbutts him down and hits the elbow drop for two as Young is incensed with the referee and threatens violence. Young and the Armory go after the fans and yell at the announcers. Meanwhile, HTM gradually recovers, and reverses a piledriver into a sit-down cradle pin for three and escapes through the crowd.

Steve Maclin, Mance Warner and Jake Something vs. Real 1, Zilla Fatu and John Bishop

First out is Steve Maclin who gets a good pop as Hannifan and Rewholdt tout Maclin’s philanthropy. Warner is out next with Steph DeLander in tow and PDA aplenty. Something is out next.

And now fourth rope, is out with Zila Fatu, Real 1 and Josh Bishop. Hannifan and Rewholdt go over, in an AEW manner, what fourth rope is. Oh, good, Enzo has a mic. I wonder what catchphrases he’ll rehash? The answer is all of them. “How ya doin’’ chant breaks out. Enzo goes over Zilla’s lineage and is the son of Umaga who gets a good pop and most dangerous Samoan in wrestling. Bishop, looks like Sid Eudy (he really does,) he, like his taller doppelganger, is psycho and vicious

This doesn’t bode well for Capt. America, because he more like Sid from Toy Story (huh?) and tells “the winter soldier that his services are no longer required. He turns to Warner and calls him a Looney Toon and makes a Warner Brothers and an inbred joke. He also said the only things to say about Something is nothing and we finish off with the “sawft” catchphrase and Hannifan says:

“That man is never economical with words.”

Fatu and Warner start. They trade forearms shots as Warner hits an eye poke but Fatu changes the tune with a Samoan drop. Fatur to the top turnbuckle but misses a flying splash. Maclin tagged as is Real 1. Maclin hits a clothesline and then hits a Thesz press Bishop enters and eats a dropkick and Fatu charges but Maclin moves so Fatu hits Bishop. Maclin puts him in a tree of woe, tags in Something and Maclin hits the Crosshairs. Bishop comes in and boots down Maclin and hits a chokeslam on Something. Warner enters the ring and hits an elevated DDT off Something’s back.

Meanwhile, Maclin dove through the ropes to nail Bishop with a dive. Meanwhile, Fatu runs the ring and hits a flying forearm off the ring steps. Something hits a spot in as he dives over the top rope. Real 1 is thrown in the ring but Warner and Something miscommunicate and Warner clotheslines Something. Real 1 throws Warner out of the ring and Real One hits the EAT DEFEAT on Something for the win.

Psot match Maclin is on the floor and looks frustrated whilst Fourth Rope celebrate and real one does a close facsimile of dancing.

And now the main show. ..

Highlights package galore for the main event and the return of Styles.

Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander

Order Four enter with color guard and extra security and Order four in tow as Ali enters the ring with a Ming The Merciless inspired robe. Every one is adorned or accessorized in green – it’s a good look. Alexander out next and gives a shoulder bump to one of the Servicemen.

Both stare at each other as the two lock up and trade arm drags. Ali ducks an Alexander dive and hits an armbar which is also reversed. Ali gets to his feet and trade flip up reversals and armdrags. Alexander hits a shoulderblock for two but Ali gets the Matrix escape.

The two stare again and have a chop off in the middle of the ring, Ali grabs a headlock and a shoulderblock and a quick roll up for two. Alexander gets his own rollup for two. Ali chops away at Alexander but Alexander hits a side kick that drops Ali on the ropes. Alexander to the floor and hits a German suplex on the floor for Ali. Alexander throws Ali into the ring and but hits another German suplex the Great Hands and servicemen distract Alexander and gives Ali chance to hit a dive on Alexander but came in too fast and Ali hits his head on the ramp on a potentially scary spot. Alexander is down and Ali gradually and eventually gets to his feet but favoring his neck. Ali goes to the top rope for the 450 but Alexander bails and Ali rolls through.

Alexander then sent a charging Ali and threw him hard into the turnbuckle. The Four check on Ali as Alexander yells at the collective. Alexander to the top rope but Ali chops away at him after more Interference. Alexander recovers and hits a Falcon’s arrow on Ali into the battalion of serviceman and Hands.

Alexander garbs Ali and throws Ali into the ring and gets a two and a fraction count. Alexander stands over Ali picks him up but a powerbombis reversed into a jumping spin kick and a tilt-a-whirl DDT. Ali, though, missed a standing twisting phoenix press. Alexander grabs Ali and launches a facelock suplex into the turnbuckles for two. Alexander picks Ali up but a Lumbar Check is reversed, into a hair take down and a sharpshooter (secret alliance with Hart?) Alexander crawls to the ropes to break the hold.

Ali chokes Alexander with the ring apron. Ali grabbed the ring steps and set Alexaner up for a move but Alexander kicks out but Ali connects with a superkick. Ali charged Alexander but Alexander backdrops Ali on the steps. Alexander garbs Ali and threw in the ring. But Ali rolled out as Steelz distracted the referee. Ali gets time to recover but Alexander chases Ali aback out of the ring. John Skyler grabbed Alexander and hits a DDT on the floor. He threw Alexander into the ring and Ali hits the 450 for two (I bit on that one.)

Now, Steelz is in the ring and has words with the ref and bumps her. That gets an ejection. Crowds serenades with the “hey, hey goodbye” chant. Ali recovers but a rolling neckbreaker through the ropes is reversed to a stunner. Alexander hits two German suplexes and an overhead suplex into the turnbuckles.

Skyler back into the ring but Alexander slugs him, Jason Hotch comes in and is thrown out and clotheslined on the apron by Alexander. Alexander charges at Ali but ducks. Skyler gets on the apron to get Alexander but Alesander moves and Ali dropkicks Skyler. Alexander gets Ali and hits the lumbar check for two-and-a-fraction. Alexander continued to beat on Ali but Ali threw Alexander into the turnbuckle and drops him. Ali to the top but is crotched on the m by Alexander. Alexander goes to the second turnbuckle but Steelz returns with a chair but Alexander saw her and kicked away the chair (shouldn’t the ref do something?) Alexander hits the Lumbar Check on Steelz (with a good bump) but Ali regains his senses goes to the top and hits the 450 for the win.

Post Match: Skyler grabs Ali and helps up the ramp. Hotch grabbed Steelz and the Great Hands carry Steelz up the ramp as Ali grimaces and but walks up the ramp triumphant.

Now we have a throw to the French announce table with Handsome JF (in a Jimmy Hart 1983 jacket) and Marc Blondin speak French.

Hannifan and Rewholdt run down the rest of the card and throw it to Gia Miller and Joe Hendry. Hendry says he respects Santana, hates Williams but the weight of the world is on his shoulders and the world believes in Joe Hendry.

Eight man tag match

The System and (and Matt Cardona) vs. Dark State

System out first, with JDC, Myers and Edwards and Alicia adorned in red and yellow. Cardona comes out last to a good pop not in red gold but blue and gold makes the LI symbol on his hands. Rewholdt goes over the history of Myers and Cardona coming from NY to big time.

Dark State come down the ramp, interestingly. We start with a schmozapalooza and Myers hits an elbow drop to drop the Dark State. JDC stands in the ring and Alicia gives him a chair, Hits the Sabu pose and hits the Sabu chair dive over the rope to Dark State. However, everyone recovers and we got another schmozapalooza. Edwards is thrown into the ringpost and we get the bell. Saquan Sugars and Myers in first. Myers gets a two count from a flatliner DDT btu misses a spear to the turnbuckle and eats a spear by Osiris Griffin. Griffin runs Myers into the two turnbuckles and gets him on the rope and does the old school face drag. Dion Lennox is tagged and hits and boots to Myers.

Myers tries to fight out of it but Lennox continues to pound away. Lenox hits a suplex toss on Myers and knocks the other Systemites into the floor. However, Myers hits a Pele kick but all the Systemites are on the floor so no hot tag. Sugars hits a knee on Myers and then hits an elbow and kick to Myers and JDC on the floor. Sugars gets two and stomps on the hand whilst Cutler James puts the boots to him and hits a chinlock.

Myers fights up but James knocks down the other members of System again to the floor. However, Myers rebounds with a spear. Myers gets the hope crawl and tries to reach for Cardona who gets the hot tag. Cardona floors all Dark Staters and blocks a Sugars dive to the turnbuckles with his knees and a dropkick. Cardona pounded away on Sugars and drops Griffin while Edwards and JDC take him out to the floor via a clothesline. Cardona steps up the running reboot for two. Sugars reverses a Radio Silence and tosses Cardona over to a big boot by James. He promptly tags in Lennox as the white guy and Lennox hold Cardona and Sugars comes down with an elbow into a powerbomb. However, Edwards comes in and breaks up the pin and two and a fraction. They set up for the high hopes powerbomb but Myers climbs to the top. Lennox saw him and attacked Myers. Cardona tossed the James as Sugars goes to the top to attack Myers. However, Cardona and Edwars grab Sugars and powerbomb him, giving Myers a chance to hit an elbow from the top rope and JDC to hit the down and dirty. However, A dog pile by Figures breaks it up at two-and-a-fraction.

We get another schmozapalooza as JDC sent James to the ring post, Lennox hit a shoulerblock to remove JDC, Myers superkicks Lennox out of the ring, Griffin bodypresses Myers but Edwards hits a blue thunder bomb on Sugars on top of Griffin. This sets up Radio silence on Sugars to the Boston Knee Party for the win.

Post match: The System and Cardona stand triumphant as Rewholdt said they sent the wild dogs licking their wounds back to NXT (points for imagery.)

Speaking of wounds; hey, let’s do a Bioflex injury report. Trey Miguel is still out with a hernia (no Yankovic jokes, I promised last week the final one) but Navarro still cleared. Elijah still recovering from triceps tear. ‘

Gia miller interviews the guy from 90-day fiancée. Really, this guy? He has been watching TNA for twenty years. So much more to get to, he is hyped for the rest of the card and the return of AJ Styles.

We get a recap Of the Blanchard Hartwell feud since they are next.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Indi Hartwell

Question, she is the champ; so, why is Blanchard coming out first? But, she is with Crawford in tow. Hartwell out next to a decent pop.

Blanchard taking her time as Hartwell shows laser focus. Blanchard arrogantly looks at Hartwell and haws at her. Blanchard SHOVES Hartwell which earns a series of punches and shoulderblocks by Hartwell. Hartwell throws Blanchard into the corner and stomps her down. Harwell setup and charges Blanchard but Blanchard gets out the way as the two chase each other around the corner which leads to Blanchard hitting a dropkick as Hartwell sprawls out of the ring. Blanchard beats on Hartwell but Indi gets a should block into the apron.

Hartwell sets up a powerbomb spot but Blanchard gets her feet on the mat and grabs the ropes to set up a bombs away which she didn’t get all of but Hartwell sells the chest. Blanchard stomps away on Hartwell but Hartwell grabs the leg. However, Blanchard wraps her leg around the neck and drives Hartwell into the apron. Hartwell was thrown back into the ring and a kick to the head gets a series of two counts.

Blanchard grabs the leg and hits the leg DDT and an elbow drop on it for two. Hartwell selling the leg in the corner as Blanchard drapes the leg around the turnbuckle and slaps Hartwell, grabs the leg and drops the leg to the mat (Hannifin and Rewholdt tried to define it as either an leg DDT attempt or a variation on a dragon screw.) Blanchard sets up a fisherman suplex but drops the leg on the mat. Blanchard continues to slug away at the knee.

Blanchard hits the back of the knee and soaks in the boos. Hartwell gets up and tries to slug away but Blanchard kicks the leg for two. Blanchard drives Harwell to the turnbuckles and foot choked her. Blanchard slugs way again but Hartwell tries to stem the tide by elbowing about Hartwell puts Blanchard onto ropes for a superplex abut Blanchard flips off and kicks the knee But, Hartwell grabs BALNCHARD and slammed Blanchard’s face into the turnbuckle. However, Blanchard recovers and hits repeated kicks to the leg. Blanchard goes to the top rope but Hartwell again meets her with a fist. Hartwell again to the second rope and NOW hits the superplex form the top rope.

Both combatants are down. But they arose to slug away at each other with the “yeah/boo “ spot. Hartwell goes to the ropes but Blanchard meets her there with a knee to the gut but Hartwell recovers with series of clotheslines. Hartwell threw Blanchard into the ropes, leaps over the apron and hits a forearm and a big boot. Hartwell goes to the top and hits an elbow drop for two-and-a-fraction. Hartwell grabbed Blanchard to set up a Hurts Donut but Blanchard grabs the leg and kicks it. Blanchard hits a superkick and Harwell went out the ring and Blanchard hit a twisting trope over the top rope.

Blanchard sets up for Magnum but Hartwell reversed it and gets a spinebuster for two. Hartwell trying to set up the Hurts Donut again but Blanchard muscles out and flips over with a headscisosrs and hits a clothesline. Blanchard floats over and hits a tiger driver for two as we get shocked face. Blanchard goes up top for Magnum but instead aims for the leg(?) and rolls through. Hartwell grabbed Blanchard and hits the Hurts Donut for two.

Hartwell throws Blanchard to the turnbuckle and puts Blanchard on the top turnbuckle and gets on the turnbuckle. Blanchard however this a cutter from the top and NOW we get Magnum for two (shouldn’t this be over?) Blanchard beats on Hartwell and slaps her after yelling how she wanted to make this personal, Blanchard hits the ropes but Hartwell hits a Hurts Donut into a hot shot and then Another Hurts Donut gets the victory.

Post Match: Miller interviews Hartwell and asks what’s next? Before she can answer, Blanchard attacks Hartwell. Miller tries to intervene but Blanchard slaps Miller. Blanchard beats on her while holding her head on the ringsteps. Hartwell was contained by Crawford. Security comes to break up the beat down as Rewholdt also checks on Miller as the security separates the two.

Hartwell and the refreee help the Miller on the ramp. After a Zoneify ad, Rewholdt is genuinely incensed and needed a moment as Hannifan throws it to backstage with the for further developments. Santino Marella is there is angry. Blanchard gets in his face. Blanchard mocks Marella’s threat of consequences and security carries Blanchard and Crawford out of the arena.

Hannifan and Rewoldt are still incensed by what happened and try to regain order. So, we take it to a recap of some of the pregame matches with the …..By Elegance Brand beating the Iinspiration.

We get a weird moment as we go backstage and (maybe too soon as they count down and the Concierge makes the action clap.) When we are running(?) the concierge and the By Elegance brand are celebrating with the Concierge promising some caviar and some champagne but the Iinspirations come from off camera and argue with the Elegancers. Ash calls for security and luckily everyone has loud voices as it is not miced well. But McKay said she had it up to here with the Elegancers and requests a trios match. The Iinspsriation walk off camera and the Concierge threatens to talk to Marella as Ash screams why this always happens to her.

Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich: Title vs Title

But first, we get a highlight package

Jayne out first with Influence in tow in black and gold (subtle, I like it.) we get somewhat seductive dancing as Jayne poses with the title. But next is Slamovich who is in no mood for dancing. Hanifan goes over Slamovich’s back story as an immigrant from Russia and training from Rodz, who gets a cutaway cameo.

Jayne gets a loud pop and boo being hailed from New Jersey. Slamovich gets a pop for being from New York. We get two quick “NXT” and “TNA” chants. Hannifan did a nice job going over the luminaries who held both titles. Jayne and Slamovich square up. Slamovich bocks a boot to ta gist. Slamovich blocks a crucifix, but Jayne turns it into an arm drag. Jayne hits the ropes and hits a huricarnara and a flying forearm. Slamovich trips Jayne into the ropes, goes to the apron and hits a running boot and a clothesline.

Slamovich gets the crowd going and attempts to dive out of the ring but catches herself, goes to the apron and hits a cannonball on Jayne and Henley. Nyx garbs Slamovich to prevent her from going to the ring but Slamovich knocks her down. Jayne and Slamovich have a tug of war with arms around the ring post but Henley gives Jayne an extra boost and pull Slamovich into the ringpost and on the floor.

Jayne hits a running cannonball to the floor of her own. Jayne starts to jaw with Rodz and then throws Slamovich into the ring and hits a back splash for two. Jayne boots down Slamovich in the turnbuckle and then uses her boot to choke her. When the referee pulled them apart, Henley grabbed Slamovich to choke her. Jayne hits a cannonball in the corner for two.

Jayne continues to boot and bad mouth Slamovich but Slamovich recovers with a series of chops but Jane verses a clothesline into a rock-bottom for two and we hit the chinlock. We cut to an insert and we see TNA wrestlers watching whilst Slamovich powers out and then slams Jayne to the mat.

Jayne and Slamovich slug away on the mat and a dueling “let’s go Masha/ let’s go Jayne” chant emerges. Slamovich hits a series of clotheslines and a back kick followed by a running knee and kick and a rolling kick gets two for Slamovich.

Slamovich tries to setup for Requiem but is blocked. Jayne tried to hit a knee strike but Slamovich gets a knee of her own. Slamovich puts Jayne on her shoulders and an air raid crash into the unbuckles. Slamovich puts Jayne on the turnbuckles but a superplex is blocked but a powerbomb blocked by Slamovich. Jayne lands a kick to the head and Jayne goes up to set for a hurincanrana and a running knee strike gets two-and-a-fraction. Nyx jumped on the apron and the referee tried to get her back on the floor; meanwhile, Henley grabs the NXT title and slid it to Jayne. The ref caught Jayne and removed the title but Jayne then grabbed the TNA title and hit Slamovich for two-and-a-fraction (the belt was right there. The ref didn’t see it?) Jayne dragged Slamovich to the corner and choked her.

Jayne with the taunt but an cannonball is missed and Slamovich hits the psycho knee. Nyx and Henley are back on the apron but Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Lee even the odds finally and contain the influence. Meanwhile Jayne sets up for a super kick but Slamovich ducks and the ref eats the kick. Meanwhile, Slamovich hits the Snow Plow in futility because of the ref being down. A second ref comes in but Jayne kicks out at two (the crowd counted to eight on the count.)

Slamovich gets to her feet, but requiem is reversed to a rollup by Jayne for two. Slamovich then reversed a to two the rolling encore is reversed to a rollup for two. Jayne kicks out and Slamovich hits the turnbuckle. NOW, the Roling encore is hit and we get three and Jayne is the first woman to hold the NXT and TNA Knockouts title simultaneously.

Hannifan utters that the Worst kind of history just repeated itself as both titles are now in the hands of NXT. TNA President Carlos Silva reluctantly gives Jayne both titles as Jayne taunts Silva and the crowd.

We go back to pregame festivities as The HTM beats Young. Backstage, Young dresses down the Armory that they had one job. Young said things will change and they can either get onboard or get lost.

Hanifan and Rewholdt try to bring up the mood and announce tonight’s attendance of 7263 is the greatest single attendance of any TNA event, breaking a record from 12 years ago

Leon Sla.er vs. Moose

The stats that Slater is just about two-and-a-half months younger than Red should he take the title and Moose is chasing Austin Aries record of 298 days as x division champ. The internet tells me he is at 254 days. Slater comes out first and gets a decent pop and some neat purple lighting. Moose emerges seated on a throne with the crowd chanting his chorus of “Moose” despite being heel.

Both combatants try to gain the advantage but Moose uses his strength to push slater to the corner but Slater escapes and chops away to the ire of Moose. Moose reverses an Irish whip a and throws Slater to the turnbuckle and Moose hits a powerbomb for two.

Moose sets up for another powerbomb but Slater escapes and ducks a charge as Moose goes sprawling to the floor. Slater joins him but Moose hits a big chop. Slater hits a kick but a hurincanrana is reversed and Moose is sent to the ring steps.

Back in the ring, Slater tried to get Moose on his shoulders but Moose gets to his feet . Slater tried a suplex but Moose revered that and rag dolls Slater to the turnbuckle. Moose routinely chopped Slater to the mat. Slater tried to recover but Moose kicked him to the mat. Moose tried for a body slam but that is reversed. However, Slater is caught with an Urinagi. Both are on the apron and Moose tried for a powerbomb but slater drops to his knees. Moose continued to chop away at Slater. Slater counters Moose to a hurincanrana to the mat. Slater tries another flip over the ropes but Moose catches him and carries him partially up the ramp. However, Slater reverses that into another hurincanrana on the ramp. Moose throws slater into the ramp but Slater recovers to hit a 360 flip dive over the ringpost on Moose.

Back in the ring, Moose reversed a dash to the ropes into a pop up powerbomb for two-and-a-half. Moose chops away on slater (with the full flip sell to the mat.) Moose continues to chop as Slater powers up . Slater caught a chop and hits series of chops of his own. A discus clothesline drops Slater and Moose tossed Slater to the turnbuckle via buckle bomb. However, Slater recovered with a leg lariat to drop Moose.

Slater walked over to Moose who pulled him into the turnbuckles. Slater reversed a spear attempt to a jumping side kick. Slate goes to the top but Moose hits the ropes and crotches Slater to the mat. Slater sets up for the spear again but Slater catches him with a rollup for two. Slater charges Moose and Mose hits a shot and a Spear for two-and-a-fraction.

Moose is back up for another spear but Slater moves and hits the turnbuckle. Slater now gets Moose on his shoulders and hits the spinning Blue Thunder Bomb (he calls it Utopia.) Slater hits the spear and goes to the top for the 450 Swanton but gets two-and a-fraction. Hanifan and Rewholdt are now actively cheering for Slater and it’s adorable.

Slater starts to look doubtful. Slater to the topes and lands a kick. Moose beckons Slater and slater obliges with a kick and a side kick. Slater gets hyped but a springboard dive is matched with a spear as Slater goes to the floor. Moose charges at Slater but Slater gets a Code Red on Moose on the floor. Slater back up on the top turnbuckle. Moose rolls out the way and flips off Slater. Slater, though, hits the senton from a great distance and NOW we get the Swanton 450 for the title. The crowd loves this as Slater goes to his family an celebrates with them as they are in tears.

Silva enters the ring to give the title Slater but Moose grabs it. He puts the title on Slater for a feel good moment. Nicely done. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING. To top it, we get AJ Styles as Slater celebrates. And the place comes unglued.

Styles goes to Slater and shakes his hand and hugs him. Styles gets the mic and asked If we missed him. He is glad to be back where he built his name and then says it. He said the lights are little brighter and the crowd is louder and the talent is better than it ever has been and looks at Slater. Slater gets the “you deserve it” treatment. Styles said Slater doesn’t deserve it, he earned it.

Slater made Styles realize why he loves the business. Slater is the kind of people that makes Styles love what he does. Styles goes over the past champs who started the title. He said for slater tonight is history, the rest is his legacy.

Slater heads up the ramp as Styles soaks in the cheers from the crowd and heads up the ramp.

We get another celebrity cut away to a man bunned Johnny Damon.

Ladder Match for TNA Titles: First Class vs. Nemeths vs. Rascalz vs. Hardys

Rascalz enter first with Myron Reed again filing in for Miguel. Next out is First Class and we get our first custom entrance as 3ohBlack raps them into the ring and we get a toast at First Class’ table. Hardys out next to a huge pop. Nemeths are announced last with ladders in tow as Hannifan goes over Nick’s ladder match prowess and Ryan has never been in one (funny moment as Ryan has a bit of difficulty getting his ladder into the ring.)

And the schmozapalooza begins as the Hardys grab a ladder and run Ryan out of the ring and then hit Francis and then hit the Rascalz and knock them out of the ring. Matt suplexes Nick on a ladder draped on the ropes. Jeff sets up a big ladder and both Hardys climb the rungs but Francis and Navarro stop him and knock the ladder over and send Hardys into the ropes. Navarro charges at Reed but gets guillotined on the ropes. Reed to the top but Francis throws a ladder at him to stop. Francis whips Navarro into Reed in the corner (and a ladder.) Francis avalanches Reed, picks up reed and a ladder and run them into the Nemeths and the Hardys. He then slammed the ladder and Reed to the mat.

Navarro gets on Francis’ shoulders to reach for the titles but Wentz dropkicks Navarro. Reed ducks a clothesline, hits an enziguri and then Wentz hits a code breaker on Francis. Reed hits another codebreaker on Francis on the turnbuckle. Both Rascalz ascend to the top turnbuckle with a ladder and hit a diving slam off the ladder on Francis.

Reed then makes running jump over the ropes to hit a cutter on Ryan to the floor (called Flame On as I am told.) Wentz climbed a ladder and then jumped to the floor and sandwiched Navarro who was on the ladder. Francis then made an ascension but Hardy knocked out Francis with a ladder. Matt hits a twist of fate and jeff hits a Swanton on Francis. Hardys now start to climb the ladder but the Nemeths knock them from the ladder. Ryan hits the Big Hollywood Ending on Jeff and Nick hits the Dagner Zone on Matt. Ryan takes time to jaw at Damon who shoves Ryan but Nick breaks up the fracas to get him to the ladder and climb it.

They reach it but the Rascalz catch them and head to the top. Navarro pushes the ladder down and knocks down the foursome. Navarro gets a chain and goes to town on the foursome. Navaro poses and points and grabs the ladder. Meanwhile Francis is setting up ladders on the apron and barricade as Navarro is visibly limping. Francis is nowhere near the titles but sets up a ladder. Climbs to the top and…sort of hits a moonsault. Francis gets a ladder and correctly positions it as he and Navarro climb. The Rascalz again push the ladder and First Class hits the ladders Francis previously set and the collision was not pretty. You don’t see them pretty much for the rest of the match.

Rascalz and Hardys fight for the ladder. They hit dual twists of fate on Reed and Matt gets a Side Effect on Wentz. They set Wentz on a ladder and run Reed into the ringpost. They put Reed on the same ladder as Wentz and Jeff hits a Swanton bomb on both Rascalz. Jeff runs to the other side and hits another Swanton bomb on the Rascalz.

Now we have a curious dilemma. All the ladders are broken but Jeff has an idea as Matt runs to the back to look for another ladder. Jeff asks a stage guy to hit the button and a ladder falls from the sky. Jeff starts to climb that ladder but the Nemeths try to stop Jeff and pull him from that ladder. Nemeths beat down Jeff but Matt clocks Ryan with a chair. Nick hits Matt with a superkick and now Ryan makes his ascent.

Jeff garbs Nemeth and throws him to the turnbuckle and Matt attacks him with a chair. The Hardys hit stereo twists of fate on the Nemeths with chairs. Jeff climbs the ladder and grabs the titles.

Post match: The Hardys celebrate but we get a familiar noise as Bubba Ray Dudley arrives. Dudley purposefully walks to the ring as The Hardys look at him. Dudley grabs the mic. Congrats them on the title “now you’re catching up.” They are one of the reasons why there is a record attendance. A record the Dudleys help set in 2013.

Dudley is here for a reason and people know why he is here. 25 years ago, the Hardys and Dudleys made history with a tables match for the titles in new York. Since then, they both went onto greatness but still talk who is the best team of all time. Everyone can agree the best team was….the Road Warriors. This is about giving the fans the last best tag match in history and can never happen again

Dudley offers a match at Bound For Glory between Dudleys and Hardys for one last match in October. The crowd chants “where is devon?” They are going to hear one last time “get the tables.” The Hardys shake on it and…I guess, we’re on.

Hannifan and Rewholdt throw to the panel with Santino Marella. Marella announced that Miller is not here due to the attack on Blanchard and Blanchard is now suspended indefinitely. He then sets the stage for the main event as Tricky Williams and Joe Hendry and Mike Santanana will face off. He gets the panel’s opinion on who will win but Kazarian comes in and runs down the panel.

We are celebrating the king of TNA, Kazarian. No one has done more for this company than he has. He is going to walk down to the announce table and join Hannifan and Rewholdt. Meanwhile, Marella gets us ready for the main event with a highlight package.

Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana vs. Trick Williams: TNA Title

Hendry is out first and the crowd gets a huge pop and everyone sings the theme. The fans wave the hands and Hendry hits the pose. Meanwhile, Santana gets rapped into the ring by someone I don’t recognize. Santana works his way through the fans and has difficulty as the fans mob him during his ascent. Not to be undone, but the Harlem Gospel Ensemble gets a whoop that Trick chant going. Um…but the phrase means…you know what, I will just that imagine they are singing a comma between “that” and Trick.” Williams makes his way to the ring and the buzz is palpable for the match.

Williams starts to bad mouth both Hendry and Santana who slug away at Williams and hit the double flapjack on him and throw him out of the ring. Hendry and Santana Square off as series of takeovers and reverses are chained together and we are back to squaring off with the other. Both hit the ropes and try a shoulderblock to no avail. Hendry finally takes down Santana with a shoulder block but Santana hits two armdrags. Hendry gets a hiptoss of his own and ducks an early Spin the Block and STRIKES THE POSE.

Williams comes in and clothesline both. Wiliams then starts to beat Henry and then does the same to Santana on the other side of the ring. Ac hare to the ring is blocked with an elbow as Hendry knocks down Santana. However, Hendry tries to slingshot Santana but Williams kicks Hendry and then slams Santana from his shoulders. Williams throws Santana out of the ring and hits an urinagi on Hendry for two.

Hendry and Williams trade chops but Williams gets the advantage with a chop to the throat and then guillotine sleeper hold. Hendry manages to pick up Hendry and suplexes him. Williams ducks a Santana charge and Santana manages to hit a German suplex on Hendry. Santana then starts to chop away at Williams.

Santana catches a boot and hits and hits an enziguri. However, Willams hits a side kick on Santana as he charged the champion. Williams dumped Santana face first on the mat and hits the chinlock. Williams beats on Santana and puts Santana on the top turnbuckle. However, a superplex attempt is foiled but Williams tries again but Hendry holds Williams and Santana and Hendry hit a powerbomb/blockbuster combination.

All three are on the mat trading forearms and then trade kicks. Santana gets the advantage but a Spin the Block is reversed to a Trick Kick. Hendry recovers and attempts a Standing Ovation which is reversed but a second attempt is successful for two but Kazarian leaves the announce table and pulls the ref from the mat. The referee promptly expels Kazarian from the table.

Meanwhile, Santana dives over the top rope on Williams. Hendry does the same on the other two. And, Williams is down with an injury. Oh, boy. Meanwhile, Hendry throws Santana into the ring as the referee beckons for staff to help Williams. Meanwhile Santana tied to help Spin the block but is reversed but a Rolling Block 50 is successful. Santana hits an OIC and a turnbuckle cannonball gets two. Williams is getting help back on his feet as Hendry reverses a Spin the Block into a pop up powerbomb and Hendry HITS THE POSE.

Hendry hits the Standing Ovation for two-and-a-fraction. Hendry faces is a mask of frustration. Santana beckons Hendry to for more and the two trade European uppercuts. Santana comes off the ropes with a Spin the Block. Santana gets another Spin the Block and goes to pin Hendry. However, Williams comes hurtling back to the ring throws Santana to the floor and gets the pin.

Post Match: Silva has to give Williams the title. Williams walks up the ramp and Hannifin disgustedly has to say that both TNA titles are in the hands of NXT wrestlers.

Impactful Ruminations:

In my reviews, I kept saying TNA could not be that foolish to let Williams walk away with the belt. (Cue Ron Howard Narration) They were that foolish. The Cody Rhodes story and chase is great but it has been done. TNA has serious momentum right now – see the attendance figures. This could have been an easy lay up and let one of the faces win the title and if the other face goes to WWE, so be it. You still have a marketable champion in your company. One upside was Williams’ ring psychology as I bit on the leg injury only for him to get the win. That was nicely done.

Secondly, this was Jacy Jayne’s best match…ever. She delivered a stellar performance and showed the in-ring product can match the mic skills. Again, we have another chase storyline to undergo but that was a stellar performance by Jayne – and Slamovich. We just love heel champs, don’t we?

Third, Slater delivered the goods. I am not a superfan of “Flip-a-dip-dip” wrestlers but Slater ties in the psychology needed to make it work. The rocket is strapped to the back, that is for sure. They may need it after the main event to elevate a face. One small note, Moose was solid in his role but it seemed like his offense was spear after spear after spear. Of course, it nurtured Slater’s spots so it can be forgiven but the spear reliance became noticeable.

Fourth, I really liked the Ali vs. Alexander match. That was good, solid wrestling, even with the excessive spots. Also, credit to Steelz for the bump she took.

Fifth, I don’t see it with Hartwell. In the ring, she is okay but she only has one look and one nonverbal style. That was a hard match to watch. Blanchard struggled in this match, too. I had my first doubts about her. Crawford is a lost cause. Even worse, my biggest fear is we are getting an angle with Gia Miller and somehow, it ends in the ring.

Sixth, can we put a kibosh on ladder matches, please? I am generally worried about First Class and, particularly, KC Navarro. That landing was rough to see. Speaking of rough, do we need A. another Hardys win and B. another match with the Dudleys? Those member berries have to have a shelf life, right?

Seventh, I learned Dark State’s names just in time for them to job. Awesome.

Lastly, I did not like TNA’s handling of Fourth Rope’s introduction. It was way too much like an AEW introduction.

P.S. Rewholdt and Hannifan are becoming one of my favorite announcing teams. They were awesome selling the stories and the indignation of the NXT interlopers holding titles in TNA.

Keep fighting the good fight everyone. We’ll engage in more discourse on Thursday.