TNA Slammiversary XI Preview

TNA Wrestling – Slammiversary XI Preview

On Sunday night, one of the biggest pay-per-view events on the 2013 wrestling calendar takes place at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts when TNA Wrestling presents Slammiversary XI. This event signifies TNA Wrestling’s birthday as they celebrate 11 years in business. Not bad for a company that has suffered from ignorant wrestling fans declaring they would be out of business in “two to three weeks tops” for almost 11 years now. 

This is the third of four major pay-per-view events for TNA Wrestling in 2013 and the first pay-per-view event since TNA took Impact on the road full-time. After I felt outrage in the aftermath of March’s Lockdown, I quickly changed my tune thanks to TNA doing what it does best in the wrestling business – offering excellent storytelling. The TNA World Heavyweight Championship reign of Aces and Eights leader Bully Ray has been an excellent reign. Victories over Jeff Hardy in televised title defenses and wins in some big tag team matches have continued to right the ship on the entire TNA vs. Aces and Eights storyline. The angle will play a huge role at Slammiversary XI but is not the entire show. This card is loaded from top to bottom with some of the best in professional wrestling.

In this edition of The Highlight Reel, I am going to preview the card for tomorrow night’s huge pay-per-view spectacular. Who will win? Who should win? All of that and more in the Slammiversary XI preview.



AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle – One of the greatest in-ring rivalries in professional wrestling history writes another chapter on Sunday when AJ Styles and Kurt Angle do battle in a good old-fashioned grudge match. Since returning to TNA Wrestling in March, AJ Styles has shown no allegiance to either TNA or Aces and Eights. In a similar vein to Sting’s saga with WCW and the nWo 16 years ago, Styles is his own man. Angle is tired of the silence – taking it as a sign of disrespect. A year after winning the tag titles at this event, Styles and Angle do battle against one another. Frankly, I believe the result of this match is a no brainer – AJ Styles wins. With Aces and Eights targeting both men, it would be foolish to say they will not play a role in this match. Ken Anderson has beef with both men. I would love seeing the match changed into a Triple Threat after early interference by Anderson but that is just me. In the end, Styles wins and gains more momentum for this lone wolf persona.

 

Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim in a Last Knockout Standing Match – These two women will offer a more hard-hitting Last Person Standing match than John Cena and Ryback delivered at the WWE Extreme Rules event in May. That is just a fact. I am not a big Gail Kim fan but she has really won me over in the last two months with her in-ring work and heel persona. Taryn is showing great promise in the ring in her own right. The rivalry between these two, which exploded at Lockdown, comes to a head in this brutal environment. It would not surprise me if TNA gives Taryn Terrell the win to help build her rising star status. However, if I were booking the match, Kim looks strong and dominant. Ultimately, I think Gail Kim and her ring post assisted-figure four leg lock do in the Hot Mess at Slammiversary.

 

Jeff Hardy / Magnus / Samoa Joe vs. D.O.C. / Garret Bischoff / Wes Brisco – This six-man tag team match between TNA and Aces and Eights could be one of the surprises of the night. All of these men can go in a six-man environment (even Bischoff). I believe the TNA squad of Hardy, Magnus, and Joe will win. Jeff Hardy is returning and sure to be in the championship hunt again quickly while both Magnus and Joe are preparing for sure spots in the Bound for Glory Series. I do not see TNA bookers dumb enough to job the three out to three of Aces and Eights’ lesser members. However, a good outing by D.O.C., Bischoff, and Brisco – even in a loss – would be huge for their careers.

 

Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw in the Gut Check Tournament Finals – I do not expect much from this match. Both are young, hungry, and are not established talent. However, one man will be among the 12 in the 2013 Bound for Glory Series with a win here. I think that Jay Bradley and his “boom stick” lariat clothesline are due for a push and a lot of television time. I believe Bradley will score the win and earn the opportunity. As long as TNA does not do something stupid with this like have it end with an Aces and Eights beat down of either competitor or some nonsense like that, I will be happy.

 

Devon (champion) vs. Joseph Park for the TNA Television Championship – Considering Devon never defends this title on television; I would love to see Park win the gold just for some fresh life into the championship. I am amazed with how much the Joseph Park character is over. It is funny but not in an annoying way; it is actually quite enjoyable. The flashes of Abyss we all see in Park only add to the character as you know it is only a matter of time before the Monster is unleashed full-time. I think TNA will have Devon retain his gold. However, if it was up to me, Joseph Park would gain his first championship gold at Slammiversary.

 

Kenny King (champion) vs. Chris Sabin vs. Suicide in an Ultimate X Match for the X-Division Championship – This match could steal the show as the match of the night. All three of these men can go among the best in the business. The only issue I have with the match is that it is an Ultimate X match when these three could have stolen the show in a simple Triple Threat match. The threat for injury is tremendously elevated in the Ultimate X environment and that is not a good thing for Chris Sabin – a man coming off two ACL injuries in the last two years. If injury does not play into the equation, I think Chris Sabin’s comeback story ends with gold at Slammiversary. Suicide – now with former Ring of Honor competitor TJ Perkins under the mask – will deliver some breath-taking moments while Kenny King’s natural athleticism will shine in this match. If I booked the match, King would retain via a shady manner so both opponents remain strong. However, I believe TNA pulls the gun on the title change and Chris Sabin wins his fifth X-Division title.

 

Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez (champions) vs. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs. James Storm and Gunner in an Elimination Match for the TNA World Tag Team Championships – Without a doubt, this is the match I am most looking forward to seeing. This should be the match of the night. Gunner’s return to TNA and union alongside James Storm looks like a formidable pairing. While none of the teams fit the traditional mold of matching outfits and a team gimmick, three of the teams work wonderfully together and I have no doubts about the Storm/Gunner team doing so as well. I believe we will see new tag team champions at the end of the night. I would not be surprised to see one of the heel teams pick up the belts. However, when Slammiversary ends, I believe the “Cowboy” James Storm and “Mr. Intensity” Gunner will walk away with the TNA World Tag Team Championships. Storm has nothing going on in the single ranks currently while Gunner could blossom alongside the veteran. A run as World Tag Team Champions would only benefit both men.  This will be a frontrunner for match of the night.

 

Bully Ray (champion) vs. Sting in a No Holds Barred Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship – While this is the main event match, I think this is sixth in terms of matches I want to see on the card. There is one reason for that: Hulk Hogan. I have no doubts that TNA General Manager Hulk Hogan will have himself or that Neanderthal daughter of his, Brooke, booked as the center of attention for this championship match. I think this match will be a great brawl. Bully Ray is one of the great brawlers of all-time and a deserving world champion. Sting, even at 54 years old, is still one of the best in-ring competitors in the big game environment of pay-per-view main events. Sting can go with the best of them and elevates talent greatly. Knowing that, I hope that TNA does not allow the added stipulation of Sting never receiving another world championship match as justification to have Sting defeat Bully Ray. Sting needs to do for Bully Ray what he has done for Jeff Hardy, Ken Anderson, AJ Styles, and Bobby Roode. Sting needs to become the biggest victory yet for a new champion establishing his legacy. That is what I think will happen ultimately. Bully Ray retains. Sting puts him over. Hulk Hogan and Brooke Hogan somehow become the final story though in a move that steals the spotlight from the champion and tarnishes another TNA event.

Slammiversary is tomorrow night on PPV. If you consider yourself a professional wrestling fan, you will find a way to watch the biggest pay-per-view of the summer. Four championship matches. Ultimate X. The renewal of one of wrestling’s great rivalries. In addition, so much more. Slammiversary XI is going to be an outstanding par-per-view event. For the love of your wrestling soul, do not miss it.