Casey's "Verbal" Commentary: TNA Wrestling's 'Slammiversary 2007

Wade will have a more play-by-play oriented post here but I'll be here with my written version of an audio commentary starting at 7 PM CT. See our predictions: here

Results are behind the cut:



Notes from the pre-show. The tragety of it all is the Steiners-3D video was awesome. Alas, it isn't happening. Also, they confirmed the change from Harris to Senshi without explaining why. Alex Shelley was funny in his promo about the match with Backlund.

We start the show with an evolution of TNA video and then as we cut to the arena, we get the ending of the Slammiversary theme played live. Pyro goes off and we head to the ring.

1. The Latin American Xchange W/Konnan Vs. Senshi and Rhino W/Hector Guerrero
   The LAX hit the ring for the opening match, hopefully we find out why it was Harris and is now Senshi.
   
   No reference to the change yet and I don't expect one will come.
   
   I'm not sure how big the crowd is but they're hot for the opener anyway. Senshi is being all Senshi like to start.
   
   Rhino hits a gore, gore, gore and 5 of us are 0 for 1.
   
   Winners: Rhino and Senshi
   
   Apparently, there are such things as Phillie Cheese stake pringles.
   
   It is time for that time-honored tradition of running down a card I've already paid for, yay TNA!
   
   We're getting the recap that led to KOTM and the rules always make me laugh in their complication.
   
   Breaking News: Pizza's here!
   
   Gail Kim, you break my heart. She kissed Eric Young, I'm weeping like a woman.
   
   
2. TNA X-division Title: Black Machismo Jay Lethal Vs. Chris Sabin
   Kevin Nash is going to join the commentary team, that's awesome.
   
   Why is Sonjay Dutt coming out? He's now called Guru Sonjay Dutt and has new music.
   
   MMM, Pizza.
   
   I love how they credit Nash for giving Lethal a personality...even though its Randy Savage's personality.
   
   Funny bit as Tenay Nash and West discuss how long it took for Nash to beat Backlund in 94. Nash says 8 seconds, Tenay says 9 and West being West decides on 8.8.
   
   TNA is so much easier to watch when they're not in Orlando.
   
   Big elbow from Macho-Lethal and we've got a new champion in a fun match.
   
   Winner: Black Machismo Jay Lethal
   
   I'm happy to be back on the winning track.
   
   Wycheck and Storm video plays leading in to our next match. TNA would've gotten sooo much more mainstream coverage had they gotten Rey Lewis to be on Storm's team. As I noted before, Lewis agreed but the Baltimore Ravens put the nicks on it.
   
   James Storm offers to give Frank Wycheck the last concussion he'll need in his life. I was unaware you need concussions. Funny that with the NFL getting serious on concussions and prevention, both TNA and WWE would make light of them.
   
   
3. Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn Vs. Cowboy James Storm and Ron 'The Truth' Killings
   Wycheck doesn't get the reaction I would've thought given his status in Nashville.
   
   Killings still plays to the crowd as a face, even doing the "What's Up", bit. No, I don't understand it.
   
   Tenay is in his full glory rattling off history like there's no tomorrow involving Ron Killings and Jerry Lynn and respective title wins, dates, opponents and partners.
   
   James Storm making fun of the NFL does turn the crowd in full support of Wycheck.
   
   Wycheck is far from the worst worker you are ever going to see, especially for having 0 matches.
   
   As you'd expect, Wycheck and Lynn got the win.
   
   Winners: Frank Wycheck and Jerry Lynn
   
   We're now moving to Backlund-Shelley.
   
   Backlund video package airs, he's crazy or something.
   
   
4. Alex Shelley Vs. Mr. Bob Backlund
   
   I've got very little to say about this match. Although Sabin interferring led to a drop toehold in to Sabin's groine.
   
   Backlund wins.
   
   Winner: Bob Backlund
   
   Scott takes the early lead with that one.
   
   There's some extra activity after the match but whatever. Basically, Sabin and Shelley attacked Backlund. Lynn came for the save, but Nash booted him down. Lethal made the save. Yes, it is as complicated as it sounds.
   
   Christopher Daniels comes out and cuts a promo on Sting. Daniels brings up religion and I'm reminded of the old saying, Religion and Wrestling don't mix.
   
   Video package airs for VKM Vs. Damaja and Basham w/Christy Hemme.
   
   
5. Basham and Damaja W/Christy Hemme Vs. Voodoo Kin Mafia
   
   Thought that this would follow the Eric Young match, but better to get this out of the way. Actually, getting the EY match out of the way is also fine.
   
   Please don't let them do their spiel before the match. Yay, Damaja and Basham wouldn't let it happen, they are my new heros.
   
   After about a minute of action, the bell rings. Eugene does double duty as TNA timekeeper.
   
   VKM wins a short, useless and very not good match.
   
   Winners: Voodoo Kin Mafia
   
   After the match, Lance Hoyt turns on VKM. I knew that was coming and not just because West and Tenay foreshadowed it big time, which they did.
   
   Backstage with Latisha and Cornette. Rick Steiner says that he's got a partner, and Cornette is impressed when he whispers it in his ear.
   
   We've back out and LAX attack Hector Guerrero at the Spanish announce table.
   
   Robert Roode and Eric Young video package airs. Nice to just cut away from LAX and that situation cause it means nothing.
   
   
6. Freedom Match: Eric Young Vs. Robert Roode
   I can't believe the "Don't Fire Eric", thing has been going on for more than a year.
   
   yawn.
   
   The crack TNA cameracrew missed a nearfall to show the crowd.
   
   Roode wins and Eric Young is fired. Art is the only one that predicted this.
   
   Winner: Robert Roode
   
   As Roode fires Eric, Cornette comes out and is going to over-turn the decision.
   
   Instead of reversing the decision, he restarts the match.
   Gail Kim comes out and attacks Ms. Brooks, I'm disappointed about what she did earlier.
   
   Young is playing possom and you can see the finish coming from a mile away.
   
   I think that's 3 in a row in terms of matches that ends with an inside cradle.
   
   Winner: Eric Young
   
   Team 3-D interviewed by JB.
   Brother Ray says Scott Steiner punked out of the match.
   
   
7. TNA World Tag Team Titles: Rick Steiner and ??? Vs. Team 3D
   Guesses around the room were Luger and or Buff as partners for Steiner. Both would be a huge letdown, especially Luger.
   
   The crowd starts chanting "animal" and sure enough, the partner is Road warrior Animal.
   
   Animal gets a big pop when he tags in.
   
   Team 3-D managed to get the win.
   
   Winners: Team 3-D
   The crowd made the match worthwhile at least.
   
   Video package for Sting-Daniels.
   
   
8. Sting Vs. Christopher Daniels
   Sting repells from the rafters down to the ring for the match to a jufustitastinormous pop.
   
   Match is technically fine, but I just don't have a lot to say at this point of the evening.
   
   Sting hits the Scorpion and nobody in our group saw that coming.
   
   Winner: Sting
   
   Video package for Abyss Vs. Christian's Coalition.
   
   Christian is interviewed w/AJ Styles by Latisha who can barely get 5 words out. It is better this way.
   
   Penzer flubs TNA...calling it TMA. We know this for sure since he corrected himself.
   
   
9. No Disqualification: Tomko Vs. Abyss
   
   Funny bit as a section of the crowd chants "over here" when Abyss and Tomko fight at ringside.
   
   We were wondering who has the worst record when it comes to bringing in thumbtacks and having it backfire on them. I nominate Abyss but Mick Foley is also recommended.
   
   Abyss brings in glass and that also works against him just like the thumbtacks earlier. Abyss is now being beaten with the barbed wire bat.
   
   An absolutely freaking insane jump by Abyss on tomko. Holy Shit!
   
   Abyss hits a black hole slam in the tacks and that's all she wrote.
   
   Winner: Abyss
   
   A interview with Joe and Angle airs. I don't know if it is the mics or what, but I've had a hard time hearing certain things tonight.
   
   Tenay directs the crowd to a video interview with Jeff Jarrett as a crew works to clean the ring after the last match.
   
   
   
10. King of the Mountain for the Vacant TNA Title: Christian Cage Vs. AJ Styles Vs. Kurt Angle Vs. Samoa Joe Vs. Chris Harris
    
    Well, we now know why Harris was pulled from the opener.
    
    Funny sign: "Joe killed McMahon". Oh, how I wish it were so.
    
    AJ lays down so that Christian can pin him and be allowed to hang the belt, but Angle broke it up.
    
    Chris Harris scores the first pin, so he's legal to hang the belt.
    
    AJ Styles has educated feet, hopefully he'll get one for the rest of his body someday.
    
    We got our first ref bump of the night in the main event. Soooo close to a whole show without one.
    
    For a match where falls count anywhere, they really need more than one referee.
    
    Angle and Christian also were legal, and Angle ended up getting the win. AJ and Joe never even got pinfalls.
    
    Winner: Kurt Angle
    
    Joe offered his hand to Angle but got an Olympic Slam for his trouble.