TNA Wrestling Presents: Slammiversary LIVE Play by Play Coverage

TNA Wrestling presents Slammiversary on pay per view, live tonight beginning at 8 p.m. EST from Arlington, Texas. Tonight, I will have live play by play coverage right here on Bleacher Report. 

Slammiversary opens with a video package recapping the past ten years of TNA Wrestling. The pay per view is live with Hulk Hogan making an appearance. 

Cameras pan around the arena, which shows a sell out crowd. Fans begin to chant "Hogan, Hogan." Hogan welcomes everyone to Slammiversary and says tonight is a celebration. Hogan announces the first match between Samoa Joe versus Austin Aries and that is for the X Division title.

Samoa Joe versus Austin Aries for the X Division Championship

The crowd is mixed to the start, chanting both names. Aries begins with some kicks until Joe fights back with kicks of his own. Joe is dominating in the early parts of the match. Aries comes back with a leaping spear from the second rope and hitting Joe on the railing. Momentum begins to build back to Aries but Joe stops it with a power slam. 

Joe puts Aries is a boston crap then with a cross face submission hold in the center of the ring. As Joe puts Aries up on the turnbuckle for a muscle buster, Aries fights backs. Aries hits an impressive 450 moonsault on Joe. Joe fights back and attempts a muscle buster but Aries reverses it. Aries hits a drop kick and spine buster for the win. 

Your winner and still X Division Championship, Austin Aries. A very solid and entertaining opening match with lots of in ring action and hard hitting moves. The big crowd was very much into it.

Match Rating: 3.5/5

The cameras go to announcers Mike Tenay and Tazz. Ring announcer Christie Hemme announces the next match.

Kid Kash versus Hernandez

Hernandez begins to dominate in the early going by throwing around Kash in the ring. Kash makes a comeback with technical moves and slaps to the chest on the turnbuckle. Kash begins to have momentum in the match, including hitting an impressive DDT. Hernandez ends that all with a leaping move off the top ropes. 

Hernandez hits a top rope splash for the win. 

Your winner, Hernandez.  A pretty good second match of the night. Again, it had the crowd into it and featured some good in ring work by two wrestlers who have been off TV for a while.

Match Rating: 3/5

Robbie E and Robbie T versus Devon and Garrett Bischoff

Robbie E begins to attack Bischoff but Garrett returns the favor. However, the crowd is not into Bischoff, chanting "you can't wrestling" and "we want Devon." Bischoff begins to struggle against Robbie T. Madison Rayne, all dressed in red, makes her appearance on the entrance way. 

Bischoff fights off a hold from Robbie E to tag in Devon. Devon energizes the crowd with some hard hitting moves. Robbie T breaks up a pin count but gets thrown outside the ring by Bischoff. Devon is able to land the 1,2,3 for the win.

Your winners, Devon and Bischoff. A decent tag match but the fans were not in favor of Bischoff, who did not display much potential in the ring. Devon was the reason behind the crowd's energy.

Match Rating: 2.5/5 

Jeremy Borash brings in Kazarian and Christopher Daniels for an interview. 

Mr. Anderson versus Rob Van Dam versus Jeff Hardy

This match will determine who will face the depending TNA champion at the end of the show on Impact! next week. Hardy gets the early going against both Anderson and RVD. Anderson tries a first time to get Hardy up for a superplex but RVD interferes. Anderson, the second time, is able to land it after fending off RVD. RVD was looking to hits a splash but both Hardy and Anderson moved out of the way.

A small "this is wrestling" chant begins. RVD begins throwing Anderson and Hardy around the ring, being the only man standing at one point. Anderson pins Hardy for a near three count after taking RVD outside of the ring. RVD and Anderson fight outside. Hardy goes on the top rope and plunges on RVD and Anderson outside the ring. Hardy almost nails the victory but RVD just kicks out.

Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on RVD and as he was going for the win, Anderson pulls the ref out of the ring. Hardy is then tossed out by Anderson. Anderson hits a mic check and pins RVD to become the new number one contender. 

Your winner, Mr. Anderson. A very fun three way match. Mr. Anderson earned a well deserved victory. All three wrestlers brought their best to tonight's Slammiversary. 

Match Rating: 4/5

Borash is again backstage with Crimson. He asks who accepted his open match but Crimson says he does not matter. He says nobody will ever beat him.

Crimson versus James Storm

James Storm gets off to an electric start by forcing Crimson out of the ring. Storm continues his hot start with ten consecutive punches. Crimson fires back from attacking while Storm was looking away. Storm hits the Last Call on Crimson and defeats him with the crowd well behind him. 

Your winner, James Storm. The fans chanted for Goldberg but overall, it was a nice return for Storm. Crimson's winning streak finally concludes in rather a quick match.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Borash is backstage with Aries. He asks what is next for Aries. Aries says he has passed the test every month and wants to be the man who sets the bar. He also wants to be the main event of TNA.

Another Slammiversary Greatest Moments video aired with the signing of Hulk Hogan. 

TNA President Dixie Carter comes out to the ring. She announces tonight is the largest crowd in the United States in TNA's history. She thanks everyone who was involved in TNA and the fans who made it happen. Carter brings out all the TNA roster to the ringway entrance. Carter introduces the first inductee in the TNA Hall of Fame, which is "The Icon" Sting.

The crowd begins to chant, "thank you Sting." A "Yes" chant emerges on Sting. Carter talks about Sting's history with TNA and says at Bound For Glory, he will get an informal induction. Sting thanks everyone and says tonight will be showtime for him. 

Miss Tessmacher versus Gail Kim for the TNA Knockouts Title

Gail Kim gets off to a good start by attacking Tessmacher outside the ring. Kim applies the head scissors in the center of the ring. Tessmacher gets to the bottom rope for the break as Kim plays around with the crowd. Tessmacher hits a neck breaker and begins to regain momentum. Kim shoulders Tessmacher to the railing. Kim brings Tessmacher back to the ring and scores a counter pinfall for the win.

Your winner and new TNA Knockouts champion, Tessmacher. A pretty decent title match. Good to see a new title holder after Kim dominated the Knockouts scene for months.

Match Rating: 3/5 

Borash is backstage again and Bully Ray interrupts his segment. Ray says he is from God's city, New York City. Ray says he plans to assault Joseph Park and has the contract to support it. Ray continues and says if Abyss shows up, he will leave him dead.

A video package is shown recapping the Ray and Park feud. 

Bully Ray versus Joseph Park

Fans begin to chant loudly for the Texas Rangers, making fun of Ray's New York Yankees hat. Ray slaps Park in the face. Park takes some wild swings but badly misfires. Ray puts his hand behind his back, then slaps and spits in Park's face. Ray misses attacking Park in the corner and Joseph slaps him on the face. Ray then quickly takes down Park.

Ray begins to totally dominate the match. The crowd again begins to dismantle the New York name. Park picks up a chair and backs Ray into a corner. Ray then attacks Park when he is looking away. As Park gets up, Ray hits him with the chair. He repeats it again. Park gets his face slammed on the announcer's table and a bottled glass to his head. 

Ray goes to the top rope but failed to connect. Park gets up with energy and begins punching Ray. Ray gives Park a big boot to the face. Bully makes his way outside and grabs the fans favorite, a table. An "EC-dub" chant begins. Park hits Ray in the mid section and slaps Ray in the head with a kendo stick. 

Park exits the ring and Abyss returns under the ring. Abyss choke slams Ray through the table and goes back under the ring. Park returns under the ring and scores the pin.

Your winner, Joseph Park. An interesting match to say the least. It was a pretty fun storyline to watch and a decent match to say the least.

Match Rating: 3/5 

Borash brings on Bobby Roode, the TNA Champion. Roode says people should be celebrating him and claims to be the most dominant wrestler in the business. Roode also mentions he will end Sting's career tonight. 

Hulk Hogan comes out to the ring. Hogan says he has one more surprise and Christian Cage comes out to join him. Christian stands in the center of the ring to a "welcome back" chant. A "please come back" chant then emerges. Christian tells the fans it is them that kept TNA running for 10 years and beyond. He introduces the number one moment in TNA history. 

Sting's return to TNA was number one. We then get a video package of the AJ Styles and Dixie Carter storyline. 

Christopher Daniels and Kazarian versus AJ Styles and Kurt Angle for the TNA Tag Team Titles

Styles begins to dominate Kazarian in the early going. Angle gets into the act by slamming Daniels on the outside. Angle and Daniels then begin to battle in the ring, with Kurt getting the better of it. Styles is tagged in and attacks Daniels with authority. Kazarian gets tagged in next and reverses the momentum. 

After complete domination on Styles, AJ hits a reverse neck breaker and tags Angle in. Angle is off to a hot start, giving Daniels a belly to belly suplex. Kurt hits the Angle Slam on Daniels but Kazarian breaks it up. Angle gives both Daniels and Kazarian a German suplex. After applying the Ankle Lock, Kazarian breaks it up. 

Styles is back in and hits a flying spring board on Kazarian. Styles hits a DDT on both Kazarian and Daniels. Daniels returns the favor but Angle hits a suplex. Styles slams Kazarian but can not complete the pin fall. The crowd chants, "this is awesome!"

Angle hits an amazing suplex off the top turnbuckle on Kazarian but Daniels quickly takes him out. Angle hits a splash on Kazarian but Daniels pulls out the referee. Styles goes over the top with a back flip on Daniels outside the ring. 

Angle has the Ankle Lock on Kazarian and he taps out for the win.

Your winners and new TNA Tag Team champions, Angle and Styles. Just an unbelievable match by all four wrestlers. So far, this best of the night. Plenty of action both inside and outside of the ring, energy from the crowd and a great result. Terrific outing!

Match Rating: 4.5/5

A video package is shown setting the stage for Sting and Bobby Roode. 

Sting versus Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

Borash introduces both wrestlers again in the ring for the main event. Roode teases Sting by going back and forth into the ring. Roode runs around and attack Sting in the ring. Roode hits some chest slaps before Sting gives Booby a boot to the face. The match is taken outside and Sting slams Roode into the steel rail. Sting is dominating in the early goings with attacking Roode outside the ring.

Roode regains control in the ring but Sting fights back. Roode again gets momentum with a boot on the turnbuckle to Sting. Roode hits a sleeper hold on Sting. Sting reverses it, then hits a super-plex on Roode. Sting then has Roode in a Scorpion Death Lock but Bobby just gets to the bottom rope. 

Sting takes Roode again to the outside. Fans show their appreciation with a "you still got it" chant to Sting. Sting hits a Stinger Splash on the steel rail to Roode. Roode crawls on the announcers table and Sting has the Scorpion Death Lock on. Roode taps out but Sting can not win because it is not in the ring. Roode gets into the ring and hits Sting with a beer bottle to knock him out for the win.

Your winner and still TNA Heavyweight champion, Roode. After the match, Sting hits Roode out of the ring and knocks out the referee. Sting continues his assault, hitting Roode with a suplex on the entrance way. Sting hits a Scorpion Death Drop to Roode off the entrance way to the ground.

Sting is shown walking back to the ring as TNA Slammiversary ends. 

Match Rating: 3.5/5

Overall TNA Slammiversary PPV Rating: 3.5/5

REACTION TO SLAMMIVERSARY:

In the end, I give TNA Slammiversary a thumbs up. With a very lively and large crowd on hand, TNA gave back with some very exciting and entertaining matches. Despite that the fans did not go home happy with the Roode victory over Sting, TNA put on a very pleasant PPV to watch.

Most of the matches were very thrilling to watch. The X Division title opener got the show off the right foot and it appeared to have stayed that way. The Hernandez and Kash showing was decent and the Ray and Park outing was passable. The TNA Tag Team and Knockouts Title switches were just fine (did I mention that the tag team match was the best showing of the night? That it was). And the main event worked by keeping the title on Roode. TNA appears to be committed to giving long range title runs after a back and forth run in 2011.

The Christian Cage return was a nice feature and Hulk Hogan added a positive vibe to tonight's show.

Overall, if you may be thinking of ordering a replay, I would suggest it if you are a wrestling fan. This was TNA's best pay-per-view in 2012. Although it is critical topic among people, but this company is heading into the right direction with its story lines after tonight's Slammiversary.