TNA Slammiversary PPV results
June 2, 2013
Boston, Mass.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

TNA's anniversary PPV started with a video package documenting TNA history going back to the NWA-TNA history. It was "interrupted" by Aces & Eights. The video then documented the TNA vs. A&E feud over the past year, focusing on Bully Ray.

In the arena, TNA showed the crowd before focusing on announcers Mike Tenay, Taz, and Todd Keneley. Keneley shouted out to the Spanish and French announce teams, then Tenay plugged a Hall of Fame announcement coming up later tonight.

In-ring: Chris Sabin's music played and Christy Hemme introduced Sabin to begin the show. Strong reaction for Sabin, who hit the ring for his latest Ultimate X battle. The masked Suicide character was out next to an apathetic reaction as Tenay noted this is the 30th time they have had Ultimate X in their 11-year history. Out last was X Division champion Kenny King, whose title belt was hanging above the ring.

1 -- X Division champion KENNY KING vs. CHRIS SABIN vs. SUICIDE -- Ultimate X match for the X Division Title

King wanted nothing to do with the match, so he bailed to the outside once the bell sounded. Suicide and Sabin then trapped King on the outside to force him back into the ring. All three men exchanged offense early on, then Sabin took control to the delight of the crowd. Sabin dropped both of his opponents to the mat, then started climbing the Ultimate X structure, but Suicide dropped him to the mat. Of note, hot crowd in the floor seating so far.

King was next to attempt an Ultimate X climb, but Suicide pulled him down. More three-man moves put both men on the floor. Suicide then dropkicked both opponents on the floor, drawing applause. It took a while for all three men to return to the ring, where Suicide tried climbing the structure, but King cut him off. More blockage and all three men were on the mat again.

At 12:30, all three men decided to climb the structure from opposite corners. King and Suicide met in the middle, then King pulled Suicide down from the mask. Sabin then grabbed King and managed to knock down King. Sabin, hanging upside down, then unbuckled the belt and retrieved it. The bell sounded as Sabin hung upside down in the air with possession of the title. King did not steal the belt before Sabin hit the ground, so Sabin gets the clean win.

WINNER: Sabin at 13:40 to capture the X Division Title. The crowd really made this stunt-fest work. Good victory for Sabin, who now gets a chance to cash in for a TNA World Title shot in the near future. (**1/4)

Post-match, they showed Chris Sabin bleeding heavily from the forehead as he posed on-stage. Apparently Sabin was cut during his post-match celebration. Suddenly, Hulk Hogan's music played. Hogan came out on-stage with his injured hand wrapped up in gauze. Hogan shook hands with Sabin, then asked for the Boston fans to give him a shout-out. Hogan gave Sabin props, then talked about the wars he's fought in Boston. He said Boston loves champions, just like Sabin. Hogan said the crowd is going to scream for Sabin just as loud as they did for his battles against Andre the Giant.

Hogan continued that just like last year, the X Division champion is going to have a title shot at Destination X. So, with all the momentum behind Sabin, he's betting on Sabin this summer to have a shot at the TNA Title. Hogan and Sabin shook hands, then Hogan marched down to the ring and offered a random Macho Man shout-out.

Before Hogan could get down to business, Aces & Eights's music played to bring out Mr. Anderson joined by Garett Bischoff and Wes Brisco from the back entrance. Anderson began to talk, but then decided to stop talking. Once in the ring, Anderson mocked Hogan, Boston, and Hogan's connection with Boston. Anderson told Hogan that A&E is going to steal the show, which drew boos.

Hogan replied with more pandering to Boston, before noting that no one in Boston is afraid of "any stinkin' terrorists." Hogan added that they are not afraid of "three pussies wearing leather." The crowd popped, shocked that Hogan dropped the p-word. Hogan then cussed out Bischoff, including calling Bischoff and his old man "a b----." Hogan added that A&E seems to be "foaming at the crotch," before booking the six-man tag match right now. Hogan name-dropped Hogan, then continued talking, but Magnus's music played. Taz noted Hogan has a potty-mouth tonight, then Hogan introduced "the most dangerous man in this company," Samoa Joe.

After Joe hit the ring and chucked a towel toward A&E, Hogan said he wants to let everyone know that with Joe, Magnus, and Jeff Hardy out here, A&E is in a lot of trouble, brother. Jeff Hardy's music then played to bring back a returning Hardy to a huge reaction. Tenay noted they have not seen Hardy in two months. Hardy changed up his look with a full beard and super-slicked-back hair. Hardy did a victory lap, ignoring Taz, then entered the ring after saluting Crazy Uncle Hogan.

2 -- JEFF HARDY & SAMOA JOE & MAGNUS vs. ACES & EIGHTS (MR. ANDERSON & GARETT BISCHOFF & WES BRISCO) -- six-man tag match

The heels jumped Hardy from behind to start the match, but Hardy rallied with successive offense on Anderson. Suddenly, Joe entered and absolutely destroyed Bischoff with about 15 corner kicks and stomps. Joe then smiled to the hard camera before strutting around the ring. Bischoff tried to turn it around with a mid-air attack, but Joe did his classic casual walk-away and Bischoff comically ate the mat.

Anderson entered the ring and took double-team offense from Joe and Magnus, who then silenced Anderson to a big reaction from the crowd. But, Magnus took his eye off the ball and A&E double-teamed Magnus to take control of the match. After a few minutes, Hardy hot-tagged into the match and knocked down Wes with rapid-fire offense. Hardy cleaned house, then dropped Bischoff with Twist of Fate. Next, Brisco took Whisper in the Wind, but Anderson broke up the pin.

The action broke down with all six men in the ring before bodies started flying in and out of the ring. Wes took Twist of Fate, then Hardy climbed to the top rope for a Swanton, but Bischoff cut off Hardy just in-time. Bischoff decided to get his shine playing to the crowd, then Joe suddenly smashed him with a corner splash and enzuigiri. Joe and Magnus then combined for their double-team finisher. Chaos, then Hardy came off the top with a Swanton on Wes. It was good for the pin and the win, setting off a Hardy Party.

WINNERS: Team Hardy at 10:07. Big, feel-good victory following all the big spots from Joe, Magnus, and especially Hardy returning from his TV write-off at the hands of Aces & Eights. Tons of energy in the building so far tonight. (**1/2)

Backstage: Jeremy Borash was standing by to reflect on what has happened since 2002, when TNA started. Now, gas is expensive, American Idol is falling apart, and people are using cell phones to tweet. Joseph Park then walked into the shot to chat with JB. Park took Hogan's cue pandering to Boston before rambling about what he's learned in Boston. Aces & Eights had enough of Park's rambling, so they jumped him at the interview set. Devon and Knox delivered a beat down on Park, putting him at a disadvantage challenging for the TV Title later tonight. Suddenly, the camera showed Park's blood smeared across the wall, indicating he might snap into Abyss Mode.

In-ring: Christy Hemme was standing by to introduce Jay Bradley for the Gut Check tournament finale. Sam Shaw, wearing less-goofy boardshorts, was out next to minimal reaction.

3 -- JAY BRADLEY vs. SAM SHAW -- Gut Check tournament finals -- winner gets BFG Series slot

The two men traded control early on, then Bradley used a headbutt to put Shaw on the mat and begin dominating him. The crowd began looking around the arena at something going on off-camera, then Shaw made a comeback. Bradley cut him off with a thumb to the eyes, then nailed the Boom Stick forearm smash. Bradley pinned Shaw for the win. Bradley has rightfully found his way into the BFG Series.

Post-match, Hemme asked Bradley how it feels to be in the BFG Series. Bradley said it feels good because he's the first one in the Series and he's going to be the last one out. Bradley called himself the next TNA World champ.

WINNER: Bradley at 4:58. Thumbs up for Bradley; Shaw needs a lot of refinement in presentation, presence, look, and in-ring work.

Backstage: JB brought in Austin Aries and Bobby Roode to discuss their Tag Title shot tonight. Aries called them the team to beat tonight in the four-team match, then Roode called out James Storm. He told Storm to remember that Gunner is no Bobby Roode.

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES...

*** LIVECAST ALERT ***

Join Caldwell & PWTorch columnist Greg Parks for the post-Slammiversary show at PWTorchLivecast.com starting at 11:30 p.m. EST. CALL IN/LISTEN HERE

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