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TNA Slammiversary PPV Evaluation By Nathan Kyght, PWTorch PPV specialist
BEST MATCH – BULLY RAY VS. EC III
This was a really entertaining TNA show, and while there were several good matches on the card, I think that this was the match of the night. The match started with an awesome promo from Bully Ray to set the stage ("Tonight, Ethan, I'm going to crucify you for the sins of your Aunt Dixie. And then baptize you in blood.") What followed was a really good Texas Death Match in front of a hot Dallas crowd. Ethan looked good here as well, and the two worked well together.
My only gripe is that they made the decision to use a cheese grater, but then had no blood. To clarify: I'm not saying that someone needed to have a cheese grater used on them, just that the spot seems silly after you run the weapon over Carter's chest over and over again and it doesn't do any damage. Just don't use cheese graters.
WORST MATCH – ANGELINA LOVE VS. GAIL KIM
Another lousy Knockouts match. Kim is awesome, but nothing here worked, and it seemed to be the backdrop to a referee heel turn. Yep. A referee heel turn. That should sell out crowds.
BIGGEST SURPRISE – SLAMMIVERSARY OVERALL
I had no expectations going into this show. The product has felt really flat as of late, there was virtually no buzz for the card, and I actually forgot that the show was on. And I was wrong to be so dismissive. Easily one of the best pay-per-views TNA has put on in a long time, with a ton of great wrestling and some fun moments. Check this show out if you get a chance.
BEST MOVE – LADDER INSANITY
The opening X Division ladder match was a spectacle, and a great way to start the show. Manik sunset flip powerbombing Davey Richards from a ladder onto a bridged ladder was a highlight in a match full of them.
BEST MATCH FINISH – VON ERICHS VS. BRO-MANS
After a so-so match made interesting by a Dallas crowd that was into it, the moment of the night happened: Kevin Von Erich hit the ring and applied THE CLAW on Zema Ion. The crowd went bananas. A truly memorable end to a forgettable match.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Samoa Joe and Lashley had a short but physical match. The crowd badly wants to see Joe get a sustained push.
- Team 3D into the Hall of Fame? Huh. Nothing wrong with it, but now the TNA Hall of Fame features Sting, Kurt Angle, and Team 3D - none of who had their greatest success in TNA.
- Willow vs. Magnus was fine. Now, with WIllow losing and the news that Matt Hardy is coming in for the NYC tapings, please let this be the end of the Willow experiment. Please.
Austin Aries and Kenny King had a short but fun match. The two worked well together and I'd be interested in seeing the feud continue.
- James Storm and Ken Anderson had a sports entertainment segment more than a match. It got the Dallas Cowboys involved, though, and probably got some media attention, so no harm done.
- The main event seemed to be a bit rushed and I wonder if the even was running long. Still, it was a good match and (temporarily) kept the TNA Title on Eric Young to send the crowd home happy. Side note - a cage match with no outside interference!
WHAT IT'LL BE REMEMBERED FOR
I can't believe how many times I've said this, but hopefully as a turning point. TNA had a miserable start to the year and a dreadful Sacrifice pay-per-view. Everything about Slammiversary was a step in the right direction.
UPDATED 2014 PPV EVALUATION RANKINGS
1 - WWE WRESTLEMANIA XXX (2014-04-06) 2 - WWE PAYBACK (2014-01-06) 3 - WWE EXTREME RULES 2014 (2014-05-04) 4 - TNA SLAMMIVERSARY (2014-06-15) 5 - WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER (2014-02-23) 6 - WWE ROYAL RUMBLE (2014-01-26) 7 - TNA LOCKDOWN (2014-03-09) 8 - TNA SACRIFICE (2014-04-27)
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