Late 2008 and 2009 TNA would be dominated by the Main Event Mafia faction. A group comprised of former world champions fighting it out with the young guns of TNA. But in order to explain while several high profile talents would join up and work so closely together TNA had to set up for it. So 2008 Slammiversary was one of those shows setting the stage. Samoa Joe remains the TNA world champion going into KOTM a match no other champion has ever retained his title in. Joe actions in the months a head would be seen as part of the reason why Sting would join up with the MEM. So is this show just a steeping stone or can we call it a forgotten classic?
We get a opening video showing case the city of Memphis with a Elvis Impersonator. I always like a video like this that helps to play up the city they are in for such a big show. Plus they come up with some line to work in Elvis songs titles into the video when talking about the matches for tonight.
X-Division Championship Petey Williams © with Rhakah Khan and Scott Steiner vs Kaz- Williams had won the title cashing in the feast or fired case given to him by his mentor Scott Steiner. Kaz had earned his title shot by wining the Terror Dome match the month before. Kaz comes out with a massive elbow pad that is tapped up. At the time he was nursing an elbow injury. Petey was also coming off an orbital bone injury so he's wearing a face mask to protect himself. Tenay and West hype up the fact Kaz also has a shot at the WHC on the next Impact and how it could be X-Division Champion vs World Champion on Impact. Lock up and a go behind by Petey into a wrist lock. Kaz flip free and revers the hold. Petey revers its back. Kaz with another reversal. Petey goes to summersault out but Kaz gets cradle for two. Mexican arm drab by Kaz than a Japanese arm drag. Flying body press by Kaz gets two. Fight over a cradle and watch man gets two. Kaz goes for Wave of the future by Petey cartwheels through. Petey goes for the destroyer Kaz escape.s Running corner clothesline by Kaz than a sling shot dropkick by Kaz. Petey to the floor. Scott give Petey some encouragement. Hip toss by Kaz. Series of kick by Kaz and spin kick puts Petey down. Spring board leg drop by Kaz gets two. Petey rolls back to the floor. Kaz follow him out and hits forearm. Khan gets in Kaz's face distracting him. Twisting DDT by off the apron to the flory by Williams. Back in the ring Petey stomps on Kaz. Kaz whipped hard sternum first into the corner by Williams. Spin kick by Williams puts Kaz down. Petey tears at the eyes and dose some pushups. Petey charges int he corner but Kaz gets a sunset flip for two. O' Conner roll by Kaz gets two. Petey powers out and sends Kaz to the floor. Sling slot rana to the floor by Williams. Stomp to the ribs by Petey. Back breaker by Williams than neck breaker. Petey pounds on Kaz with a closed fist. Petey starts to work over the arm. Williams goes to the eyes when Kaz tries to fire back. Suplex by Williams than he ties up the arm and locks in a chin lock. Kaz gets back to his feet. Bicycle kick by Kaz and both men are down. Forearm and chops by Kaz. Flying forearm by Kaz. Nice cover on a blown spot. Kaz was going for a back body drop but they mistimed it instead they go for an Alabama Slam. Petey misses a running corner fore am. Slingshot DDT by Kaz gets two. Williams rolls to apron. Forearm by Petey Kaz sling shots Petey into the air and hits a Ace Crusher that gets two. Drop toe hold by Petey sends Kaz into the ropes. Running drop-kick to the back by Petey than and side Russian leg sweep. Petey single for the Canadian Destroyer. Kaz escapes it but Petey with a jumping knee to the chin. Head trap suplex by Petey gets two.
Petey to the top rope. Bicycle kick by Kaz knocks Petey out on the ropes. Kaz to the top setting for the Flux Capacitor. Petey elbows free and sets for the destroy off the top. Kaz gets free Petey drops down dragging Kaz's bad arm onto the rope. Back slid by Kaz gets nothing. Petey goes for the Destroyer again. Kaz blocks it mid way through and hits the Fade to Black sadly it wasn't his finisher yet so it only gets two. Khan jumps in the ring. Kaz nails her with a bicycle kick. Steiner pass the pipe to Petey. The referee is getting Khan out of the ring. Pipe shot to the head by Petey. Petey rolls Kaz over and covers. Kaz kicks at two. We also see he has been busted wide open. Kaz is still dazed. Petey goes for the destroyer but Takes to long. School boy by Kaz gets two. Sharp shooter by Williams. Kaz power free . Wave of the future by Kaz. Petey kicks at two. Kaz to the top rope. Steiner up and distract him. But Kaz sees him coming. Shot to Scotty and a shoulder block for Petey. Kick knocks Steiner off the apron. Sunset flip by Kaz but Petey rolls through and hits the Canadian Destroyer for the win. Damn good match. Some amazing high spots in this one.
Post match Steiner, Khan, and Williams put the boots to Kaz. Steiner tells Kaz he was in the wrong place. Steiner demands his title rematch and rants about not being on the show. Steiner says he's going to make sure Kaz doesn't show up for his title shot on Thursday. Music plays and the Monster Abyss who had been off screen for a while makes his return. Steiner tosses Petey into Abyss and Petey takes a black hole slam Black hole slam for Steiner. Khan has pipe to try and defend herself. Abyss takes it from her. Black hole slam for Khan. There was a actually a lot going on in that segment. Steiner would be part of the MEM for the idea was to build a relationship with he and Petey. With Kaz the idea was he couldn't get the job done. He failed to win the world title when given chances, he failed to win the X-Division title and later he would lose the world X-cup for TNA. And Abyss had been off TV for a few months changing him gimmick. He would start to talk for the first time and "resist" his urge to do hardcore.
Don and Mike hype the card and the wedding of So Cal Val and Jay Lethal. Eric Young interrupts them. EY says he's found him. The King is on his way. Elvis is coming and EY even has a chair reserved him. Don and Mike point out Elvis has been dead. We get a video hyping Kevin Nash's role as Enforcer for King of the Mountain and the tension between Joe and Nash. They tease the idea Nash could be in the pocket of someone else. JB is with Nash backstage. JB asks if this is business is personal. Nash says "This is a business and business is about money." Nash says he sees Joe as an investment. Nash says if Joe loses he loses but if he wins than Nash cashes in. Its a good promo by Nash. IT was clear at some point Nash would turn on Joe but we weren't sure when. I also like what they would do through out the night having quick video packages for everyone in the KOTM.
The Beautiful People Angelina Love and Velvet Sky and Moose vs Gail Kim, Roxxi, and ODB-Moose is also known as Mickie Knuckles who has worked for the IWA Mid South, CHIKARA and Jugallo Championship wrestling. She was trained by Ian Rotten and it shows. Moose is basically a female Nerco Butcher she can't wrestle all she does is hardcore stuff and I can't stand her. Also she's an idiot wearing gear that says Mickie Knuckles on it. At this time TNA was always looking for different looking Knockouts while that worked for Kong and ODB it lead to zero talents like Khan and Moose getting jobs. Her role here is to be the muscle for the BP's. Roxxi had gotten her head shaved the month before after Velvet interred in a match since Angelina could have gotten her head shaved instead. Gail and ODB couldn't stand the BP's so they joined with Roxxi in this match. Angelina and Velvet bail out leaving Moose alone trade off of shots on Moose. Triple team assisted whips by the faces. Flying neck breaker by Gail. Moose rolls to the floor. Angelina and Velvet turns to leave. ODB and Gail stop them. Roxxi and Moose brawl on the floor. Roxxi ponds on Moose. Moose runs into boot. Flap jack by Moose. Tag to Velvet who nails Roxxi as Moose hold her. Velvet chokes Roxxi. Tag to Angelina. Running drop kick to the face by Angelina. Tag to Moose. kick to the gut by Moose and than knees face. sloppy looking TKO by Moose and she drops Roxxi on her hip. Tag to Velvet. Octopus stretch by Velvet and she bites Roxxi's hand. Velvet goes for a sunset flip. Roxxi gets up and kicks Velvet in the face. Tag to Gail. Clothesline by Gail than forearms. Crosssbody off the top by Gail gets two. Angelina trips Gail and wraps her knees not eh apron. Knee bar by Velvet. Small package by Gail gees two. Tag to Angelina who nails Gail in the leg. Stomps to the leg. Gail had some kind of knee injury and even has her leg tapped up. Cannon ball onto the leg by Angelina. Angelina ties Gail's leg in the ropes. Single leg crap by Angelina. Velvet and Moose pull the rope back so Gail can't get it. Gail finally yes the ropes for a break. Tag to Moose and Stomps on he knee than a worst looking indian death lock ever. ODB breaks it up. Shitty looking horse collar by Moose. Gail gets the ropes. Hurricanrana by Gail when Mose won't break the hold. Enziquri by Gail misses but she kicks free. Tag to ODB. Over hand chops by ODB. Angelina in and takes a clothesline. Fall alway slam for Angelina. Moose revers a whip but runs into an elbow. OBD with a shot from the flask and she spits in Moose's face. Thez press off the second top by ODB. All six girls into the ring. Angelina sent out by Gail an Velvet sent out by Roxxi. ODB with a running power slam on Moose for the win. OK match they girls with talent did what they good to pull Moose up to there level. Moose's TNA career didn't last that long. Because she' a glorified stunt woman she jumped off a bleacher and landed wrong breaking her leg and putting her out of TNA.
We get Rhino's video package. He promise to led a path of bodies we see him hitting the gore on various guys. Lauren Thompson is with Rhino. Rhino says the past years was the most difficult in his life he admits he had to face his issues. They had done a storyline where Rhino had fallen off the wagon due to James Storm pour beer down his throat. He talks about making peace with Christian. Rhino says he can prove he can sit atop the motion. He says this is his second chance. Its a good promo but if you don't know the history your gong to be a little lost.
TNA World Tag Team Championship LAX Homicide and Hernandez © with Hector Guerrero and Salinas vs Team 3D Brother Ray and Brother Devon- LAX had won the vacant titles at Sacrifice. During the course of the month leading up to this show 3D had laid out LAX a number of times. Hernandez and Devon start us off. Lock up and Hernandez drives Devon to the corner. Quick tag to Homicide and they double team Devon. Devon goes to the eyes of Homicide. Tag to brother Ray. Lock up and Ray power Homicide back. Ray goes for an over hand chop but Homicide moves and arm drags him. Go behind by Homicide reversed into a full nelson by Ray. Snap mare a rolling neck snap by Ray. Power slam by Ray. Elbow misses and arm drag by Homicide into an arm bar. Ray gets the ropes for a break. Poke to the eye by Ray. Ray blocks an attempt at a Monkey flip and place Homicide on the tope rope. Slap to the face by Ray. Drop kick off the ropes by Homicide. Devon in but Homicide side steps him Sling shot shoulder block by Hernandez levels Devon. Double drop kick by Hernandez and 3D rolls to the floor. Air Mexico by Hernandez followed by the Topa Con Helio by Homicide whips out 3D. Ray rolled back in the ring. Flying back elbow by Homicide gets two. Homicide to the top rope but Devon shoves him off to the floor. Homicide hits the guard rail. Salina and Hector check on Homicide. Devon draw Hernandez into chasing after him. Ray kick Salina and decks Hector. Ray sends Homicide into the guard rail.Back into the ring. Devon is in the ring so the ref allows him to be the legal man. Devon chokes Homicide on the ropes. Corkscrew elbow by Devon. Series of right hands by Devon. Cheap shot by Ray and than he uses the ropes to choke Homicide. Tag to Ray. Shoulder blocks the gut by Ray than he snap mares Homicide over and cranks at his neck. High angle side slam by Ray. Tag to Devon who hits a power slam. Second rope diving head butt by Devon misses. Tag to Hernandez but Ray has distracted the referee so he misses the tag. While the referee is with Hernandez Ray gets in the ring and tosses Homicide into a corner. Double team stomps by 3D. Ray stay in no tag but of course the ref allows it. Its a minor thing but it does get annoying when 30 seconds earlier he stopped a tag he didn't see and than he turns around to see a different guy in the ring but doesn't' refuses the tag. Over hand slap by Ray. Tag to Devon. Devon sits Homicide on the top rope. Superplex is blocked. Homicide hits a jaw breaker off the second rope. Tag to Hernandez and tag to Ray. House of fire by Hernandez a big back body drop for Ray than one of Devon. Clothesline for Ray. Delayed vertical suplex for Devon by Hernandez. Corner splash for Ray than a hip toss. Tag to Homicide. Flying cross body by Homicide off the top rope. Ok I get you wan to tag regular but I never get the let a guy get beat down for five minutes than rest for 30. Sadly at tis point that that won't' be out of tag matches any time soon.
Devon breaks up the cover. All four men into the ring. Devon nails Hernandez. Ray tosses Homicide to the floor. Power slam by Ray on Hernandez. What's Up by 3D is cut off when Homicide pushes Devon off the top into the ring. Power slam by Hernandez on Ray. 3D's lackey Johnny Devine runs out and has a kendo stick. Hector pulls Devine out and nails Devine with the kendo stick. The ref has his back turned and Salinas hits Ray with the what's up as Payback for earlier. Devon is up and nails Hernandez and sends him to floor. Homicide in but takes an corner clothesline by Devon. Homicide sat on the top by Devon. Hernandez in and gets Devon in the electric chair. Doomsday Gringo Cutter by LAX. Spine buster by Ray than a frog splash by Homicide. Devon pulls the referee out of the ring before the count of three. Homicide goes for a topa con helio on Devon but he side steps him. Homicide hits the floor hard. Low blow by Ray on Hernandez. Set up for the 3D but Homicide pops into the ring and school boys Ray behinds Devon's back to steal the win. Ok match but I feel like this match was meant to appeal to the "Memphis fans" because this felt very much like a match you would see in late 70's. It felt like it got to the point of over kill.
We than get Robert Roode's video. It points out Roode was the first to qualify for KOTM and thus had time to scout everyone else. JB is with Rode. JB says this is Roode's chance to show he belongs in the main event. Roode says proving he's a main eventer has been the hardest things in this business. He talks about veteran talent in TNA. Roode admits he's done a lot of talking but tonight he proves everyone he is for real. Its a good promo by Roode. For a long time Roode was predicted to be a top level talent and It he was letting the real pressure he was feeling shine through in this promo and I mean that in a good way.
Awesome Kong's $25,000 Challenge Awesome Kong with Raisha Saeed - Because Kong was a such dominate champion she had issues an open challenge for fans to challenge her. It had a few reason one it meant Kong didn't just beat the same group of girls over and over again. And two TNA got a chance to give tryouts to unsigned girls. Instead of playing it up like they were really fans it would be an indy talent and they would acknowledged who it was. The idea being the girl saw this as he chance to get into TNA. JB does the introduction and asks for volunteers. He explains the rules. We get a look Serena Deeb who had been on OVW for years and also worked for Shimmer, WSU, Shine, and Wrestlicous and would get a run in WWE. We also see Josie who would work for TNA as Sojo Bolt. Both Josie and Serena are called to ringside and cut a quick promo both of witch are very bland. We see Kong and Saeed talking and they pick Serena. JB forces her to sign a waver. If there is one issue I had with the Kong challenge its that it always took so long to set up. Kong had to comes out we would see the girls, than they got in the ring. I think after a bout a month of doing it just announce the girl was picked "earlier in the day."
Awesome Kong with Raisha Saeed vs Serena Deeb- Kong looks like a big cat a feeding time. While Serena does a great job of looking nervous. Its that's "What did I get myself into look." Serena goes for a takedown and Kong just tosses her side. Serena ducks a punch and gets Kong's back. Kong tosses her off. Serena rolls to the floor and Kong follows her. Kong picks Serena up and swings her head first into the guard rail. Kong than tosses her into another rail before standing on her. Serena is rammed head first into the steps. Josie is yelling something at Kong so she gets shoved. Slap to the face by Kong. Don West with a good line asking if they can just throw in the towel for Serena. Back into the ring and Kong stomps on Serena. Implant buster by Kong for the win. Ok squad match although I'm not a fan of putting squares on PPV. I get for Debut. I think its as more wanting to get Kong on PPV and the girls that would normally challenge her were tied up in the earlier match. Serena was a very talented girl and I wish TNA had picked her up.
Josie is still yapping and Kong is about tot shove her again. Kong gives Josie the chance to take the challenge. Josie slaps Kong.
Awesome Kong vs Saeed vs Josie- Josie jumps the rail and knocks Kong back onto the steps and beats on her. Kong throws her off and into the guard rail. Big club to the back by Kong and than she rams her into the guard rail. Sadly Josie screw up and stop short so than she had to land more awkward than she should have. Back hand by Kong. Kong goes for another one but Josie ducks and Kong hits the ring post. Josie keeps ducking under the shots and rolls into the ring. Josie kicks Kong when she climbs into the ring. Kong catches a leg and back hands Josie. Kong pulls off her MMA style gloves and than slaps Josie. Corner clothesline by Kong. Awesome bomb for the win. Josie sucked I have no idea why TNA hired her or kept her around as long as she did. I am happy Kong didn't punch with the gloveless hands. Since I know for a fact that gloves protect your hand on a punch than going bear knuckle.
As Kong is still in the ring. Eric Young coms out and says this is the moment we have been waiting for. Eric claims he did it and introduces Elvis. At the time I was hoping this would one of the old Flying Elvis's from TNA's early days. Instead it looks like Brian Lawler's long lost twin in a Elvis get up. "Elvis" says the king is back and than dances down the ramp. Kong is still the ring and looks like she has no idea what to make of this. Elvis gets in the ring and hits on Kong. Kong kick "Elvis' and than hits the Awesome Bomb. Just a waste of time segment. You could have actually done something of value her like have Elvis been a heel that beat EY up.
Time for Christian Cage's hype video. It highlights the potential career ending injures in a match like this. Lauren is with Cage and points out is a two time champion and asks what he has left to prove? Cage talks about how for the past month he has been chasing the title and got his life in order. Cage says he still loves being the best. Cage he has the best win loss record in TNA and his motivations is to make history with the very best. It's a good promo. Cage had just turned face sue he was trying to line everything up.
Its time for a wedding segment. Yeah I hate wedding segments. In this case it was Jay Lethal and So Cal Val. Lethal was still doing the Black Machismo gimmick so Val was his Elizabeth. They were setting up for Sonjay Dutt who also loved Val to turn on Jay. I wish there would have been a better twist because we knew what was going to happen. Sonjay goes heel than later on Val turns on Lethal and joins Sonjay. Also this segment comes at a bad time. We just had a long segment for the Kong Challenge witch were squash match so haven't' had any PPV level in action in a while. I think TNA should have either not done the Kong Challenge or better yet not do a wedding.
We have a Minster in the ring. The groomsmen comes out. One is Ace Young a guy who had been on American Idol I think he was from Memphis and Val and Lethal had appeared in a music video with him. Than its Kamala who comes out in a suit but no shoes. Than its Jake Roberts and Koko B Ware with "Frankie." Finally its' George the Animal Steel so wait TNA your doing a wedding and brining in old guys for no other reason than a nostalgia pop. I love you TNA but this was stupid and a waste of money. We than get Val's maid of honor and Sonjay Dutt who is best man. Sonjay is wearing something that I think is supposed to be Indiana wedding clothes but looks like he stole a cheap motel's bead spread and cut it up. Lethal comes out dressed like the Macho Man was at SummerSlam 91. Val makes her entrance and she wearing the same style dress Elizabeth had a SummerSlam and had he hair in the same style. The minister does the part asking for objections. No one speaks and than he does Jay's vows than he does Val's. Sonjay stoops the wedding. Lethal thinks his buddy is just worried about him. Sonjay confesses his love for Va and says he should be the one marrying Val. Jay starts yelling at SOnjay. Lethal turns his back to check on Val and Sonjay nails him with decoration of some kind. Val and the maid of honor leave as Sonjay pounds on Lethal. Ace Young comes in a pulls Sonjay off and gets nailed. Koko is in the ring and lands one rights on Sonjay. Kamala gets in the ring and he chops Sonjay. Roberts gets in the ring and he has a snake that he got from under the ring. Roberts puts the snake on Sonjay. Meanwhile Steel gears up a turn buckle. This segment sucked its was one boring and had a current roster member get beat up by a legends. If you wanted to turn Sonjay on Jay do it in a match. And don't bring in old guys to beat up Sonjay.
Time for Booker T's KOTM preview. It highlight unexpected of the match and Booker believing he will be king. JB is with Booker and asks about how biter Booker has become lately. Booker says he is bitter because TNA begged him to sign offered him the world to "put TNA on the map." Booker claims he put TNA on the global stage. Booker rants about his looker room smelling like Elephant Urine. Booker says the TNA world title is rightfully his and with it's power he will change TNA forever. Booker says WWE dictated what he could do but he won't let that happen in TNA. Booker claims they will bow down. Sadly Booker was apparently really bitter and never seemed like he cared about making TNA better. Pretty much after the feud with Robert Roode there was nothing great about Booker's TNA run.
Kurt Angle with Tomko vs AJ Styles- AJ and Tomko had sided with Kurt Angle and it was implied that his wife Karen had worked her feminine charms on AJ. And for a while AJ did a puppy dog love thing with Karen but on screen Karen and Kurt separated and it appeared she was staring to return AJ's feeling. Kurt was pissed and started a feud with AJ turning AJ face again. AJ and Karen insisted they were just friends. In a pretty well done segment a group of heels beat AJ down and Karen got Kurt to make a save but when Kurt saw his wife taking care of AJ he snapped and went after AJ as well. Stare down to start. Lock ups and AJ is sent into the corner. The referee Earl Hebner forces the break. Waste lock takedown by Kurt. Amateur style exchange. AJ gets to his feet and gets the ropes. Kurt breaks. Headlock takeover by Angle. Shoulder tackle by Kurt. Arm drags by AJ sends Angle to the floor. Tomko starts climbing up the ring steps blocking AJ from getting after Kurt. Kurt back in the ring. Kick to the gut by Kurt an and club than some upper cuts. AJ with a leap frog on a charge and than hits a drop kick. AJ rams Kurt in the corner than punches him. Tomko distracts AJ allow Angle to rake the eyes. Kicks to the cut by Angle on Styles. Kurt goes for a spear in the corner but Styles moves so Kurt hits the post. Springboard forearm by AJ Styles gets two. Running back elbow by Kurt why AJ is looking on Tomko. AJ Sent to the floor and Tomko stats to walk over towards AJ. The referee comes out of the ring and blocks AJ and than ejects Tomko from ringside. While this is going on Kurt rams AJ into the guard rail. Security comes out to escort Tomko to the back. Kurt argues with Hebner witch lets AJ recover and knock Kurt off the apron to the floor. Flip dive to the floor by Styles. I think Kurt was a little out of position as both he and AJ appear take nasty shots Kurt with the legs of AJ on his head and AJ nearly landing on his own head. AJ sends Kurt back to the ring and covers for a two. Back breaker by AJ gets two. Power slam by AJ followed up by the knee drop. Kurt starts to fire back with punches. AJ gets kicked telegraphing the back body drop. AJ picks up for a modified back body drop. Another back drop by Angle gets two. Chin lock by Angle. Angle slams AJ's face into the mat a couple of times. Ground and pond style punches by Kurt than back to the chin lock. AJ is starling to blew from the noise. AJ elbows free but runs into an over head belly to belly suplex by Angle. Vertical suplex by Angle gets two. Back to the chin lock by Angle and this time he puts the knee in the back. AJ back to his feet and gets free. Running knee to the gut by Angle to shut down Styles again. Gut wrench back breaker by Angle gets two. More punches by Kurt than the upper cut. Angle sits AJ on the top rep and nails AJ. AJ almost falls out of the ring. Kurt to the top with AJ. Exchange of punches on the turn buckle Top rope front superplex by AJ and both men are down. Exchange of punches when they can stand again. Big upper cuts by Angle but he runs into a an AJ spin kick than some clotheslines Pump handle gut buster by Styles gets two. Hangman's neck breaker by AJ gets two. Muay thai clinch by Angle than a knee before whipping AJ into the corner.
German suplex series by Angle. AJ blocks the third one and revers the waste lock and gets a release German Suplex on Angle. Both men are down again. Kurt duck the disco lariat and hits a release German on AJ and gets a two count. Enziquri by Styles catches Angle. AJ charges but gets caught in a bear hug. Release over head belly to belly suplex by Angle sends AJ into the turn buckle. Angle covers and gets another two count. Kurt demands AJ stand up. Olympic slam is counted into a DDT for AJ. Elbow to the head by AJ and he sets for the Styles Clash. Kurt fights out and gives AJ a back body drop. AJ holds on for a sunset flip but Kurt rolls into the ankle lock. AJ flips free and sends Kurt into the turnbuckle. Kurt runs into an elbow. Moonsault press into the inverted DDT by Styles gets two. AJ climbs the ropes. ANgle spring up and his the super Olympic slam but only gets two. Straps are down for Angle and he goes to the ankle lock again. AJ flips into a roll up and gets two. Pelle by Styles connects.. AJ covers but Angle gets the ropes. Styles clash is counted back to the ankle lock. AJ fights to the ropes but Kurt pulls him back before he can get it. AJ flips over and kicks Kurt off but that takes out Earl Hebner. Kip up rana by AJ sends Angle to the floor. Sadly this one was a rough looking one I think again they were a little out of position so they had try to move over closer to the ropes after AJ had his feet around Kurt's head. Karen Angle appears on the ropes ramp and has a chair. Karen walks to the ring. Karen acts like she is going to give Kurt t a chair but won't hand it over. AJ rolls up Kurt and rolls into the Styles Clash for the win. This is a a great match but a few things keeps it from being the classic. There were the rough spots of course witch knock off a few points. Also I think they over did they AJ hits move you think he's taking over and than Kurt takes over again stuff I think you could have cut about five minutes off this match and had a tighter better match. Finally the finish. I think having Karen comes out just killed the momentum.
Post match Karen and AJ embrace and she holds up his hand. Kurt gets a chair and nails AJ in the back. Karen slaps Kurt and scream a thin. Kurt grabs and acts like he is about to punch her. Karen yes free. So Kurt goes back to beating up AJ. Tomko comes out and makes sure security can't break it up. Kurt locks in the ankle lock again. Kurt spits on AJ as we see a very upset Karen backing up the ramp. AJ and Kurt's feud would last one more PPV at which point there one on one feud ended and both becomes the leaders in the MEM vs Frontline feud. Karen would briefly do a segment called Karen's Angle where she would interview talents and than it came out she and Kurt had separated for real and she was removed form TV until the Immortal Days and that's a whole other story.
TIme for Samoa Joe's hype video. It points out how Joe is the champion how Joe is the most vicious in the match. Lauren is Joe and asks him trying to make a difference as champion. Joe talks about how his sport suffers from a sickness. Joe says we stopped rewarding the warrior instead the opportunist. its a good promo by Joe and sets up the feud with Booker. Joe says the TNA fans are sick of the politician they want a man that will beat someone into the ground. Joe also points out he will be the first man to retain the title he will lead the new era.
King of the Mountain Match Samoa Joe © vs Christian Cage vs Rhino vs Booker T vs Robert Roode- Same rules as the other times. Must pin or submits someone to qualify to win. The loser of the fall must spend two minutes in the penalty box. Falls count anywhere first man to climb the ladder and hang the belt wins. Everyone is tentative to start off. Finally Christian nails Roode while Joe and Rhino go after Booker. Jabs by Joe to Booker than he rams Rhino's head into the turnbuckle. Christian and Roode to the floor . Rhino follows out to help Cage. Booker and Joe trade chops. Booker and Joe to the floor. Booker sends Joe into the announces table. Joe and Booker fiber up the ramp. Rhino and cage give Roode a double team hip toss in the ring. Assisted shoulder block by Rhino and Cage on Roode than a double team suplex. Booker sends Joe into the guar rail and stomps hi ahead. Cage to the top rope. Booker sees this and shoves him off. Cage hits the top rope than goes to the floor. Cage clutches his leg. Rhino takes a Booker T side kick and Booker covers and gets two. Booker punches at Rhino in the mount position. Ax kick by Booker misses but he hits a knee lift. Rhino ducks the Booker side kick and than clotheslines line Booker over the top rope. Joe back up and gets into the ring. Atomic drop than the flying big boot by Joe. Senton by Joe but Roode breaks up the pin fall. Chops and kicks by Roode to Joe. Roode with a move off the second rope but Joe moves. Chop to the back, kick to the chest and a knee drop by Joe on Roode gets two. Cage back up and nails Joe than roode. DDT by Cage on Roode. Palm strikes by Joe on Cage. Running back elbow and than a flip kick. Joe sets for the muscle buster but Christian fight off. Snap power slam by Cage gets two. Snap slam for Booker T by Joe. Joe runs into the cage back elbow. Christian follows up with the diving upper cut off the second rope and gets two. We see Rhino and Roode fighting on the floor. Christian goes for mounted punches on Joe who escapes and flips kicks Christian in the head. Cage is hung in the ropes. One legged hesitation drop kick by Samoa Joe. Cage to the floor. Booker trips Joe on the dive pulls him to the floor and rams Joe into the penalty box. Booker rams Joe's head into the announcer table again and boots him in the head. Joe is down not eh floor. Booker End by Booker oh Rhino in the ring to become the first man that can win. Booker gets a ladder. Cage whips Roode into a guard rail on the floor. Booker stomps on Christian. Booker takes the belt from Nash and even bumps Nash. Booker goes to set up the ladder. Joe hooks the ladder. Booker and Joe both have the ladder. Christian is up and base ball slides into the ladder knocking both men down. Roode with a block buster on Cage in the ring. Cage blocks something and is able to catapult Roode over the top to the floor.
Rhino's time is up and he is free. Rhino and Cage slap hands and exchange. Cage goes for the unprettier but Rhino counters into back drop suplex. Christian lands on his feet. Belly to belly suplex by Rhino. Rhino sets for the gore but Joe pulls him back into the ring post and crotches him. ST Joe on Christian. Joe puts the boots to Christina. Joe dives over the top rope to the floor taking out Booker, Roode, and Rhino who were fitting. Cage is up and climbs on to of the penalty box. Cross body by Cage takes the other four. Everyone is down on the floor. Christian pulls a table out from under the ring. Roode sent back into the ring by Cage. Rhino rammed into the guard rail by Cage than he hits Joe with the ladder. Roode has a chair. Cage has the ladder and Roode hits it with the chair. Roode covers and can now win the match. Roode sets up the ladder and goes to the the belt. School boy by Rhino to pin Roode. Roode argues and shoves one of the referees. Nash pulls Roode to the floor and nails him before putting him in the box. Rhino starts to climb up the ladder with the belt. Booker is up and shoves over the ladder. Rhino hits the ropes on his way down. Joe is up and exchange with Booker. The clutch is locked in but Booker grew free. Ax kick misses. Back to the Coquina clutch by Joe. Cage is free and climbs up the box .Frog splash by Cage to break up Joe's choke. Cage covers Booker and pins him. Roode is free. Tenay points out Joe is the only man that can't win the match. Christian climbs but Roode cuts him off. Roode goes to climb but Joe with a German suplex off the ladder. Cage back up the ladder. Joe up the ladder and hits a crusher off the ladder. Gore by Rhino on Joe. Rhino sets up the ladder but no one can climb. Booker is free but is still hurting. Booker sees Nash is about to hand Rhino the belt. Booker grabs the belt and nails Nash with it than Rhino and than Joe and Roode and finally Cage. Booker is all alone and can win. Booker takes time to pose. Nash is up and climbs over the ropes and hits Jackknife off the ladder on Booker. Joe is up and sits Cage on the ropes. Cage escapes the muscle buster and is on the apron. Rhino goes for the Gore on Joe again. But the champions side steep and Rhino nails Cage sending him flying off onto the table from earlier.
Roode with Northern Lariat to Joe. Rhino sent to the floor by Roode. Roode and Joe fight over the belt. Roode goes to climbs. Roode goes to nail Joe with the belt but Joe ducks and hits a enziquri. Muscle Buster on Roode and Joe pins him. Joe grabs the belt and start to climb. Joe hangs the belt and retains his title. Dear TNA please bring this match back. I alway enjoyed these. The year before there had been a controversy over Joe never getting eligible to win the KOTM and I felt TNA was playing into that with Joe becoming the last guy to score a fall this time. They also had done a great job hyping "No champion has ever retained." There were some great hight spots here as well and I could call it the last real highlight reel of Christian's TNA career with some of the bumps he took. Joe celebrates and Nash comes into the ring and shakes his hand. Joe walks off with out Nash again teasing here on going tension. We end with Tenay reminds up "Joe made history."
Slammiversary 2008 starts off with a great opener and closes with two very strong matches. Sadly the middle of the show lets it down. The Kong Challenge and the Wedding grind the show to the dead stop. The wedding is so tough to et through. It was clear Sonjay was going to wreck it. It would have been bad enough on Impact but for a PPV its even worse. I wish TNA had tried some kind of twist like having another wrestler show up wreck it and than later on reveal Sonjay was behind it. But if you can get through that stuff the last two matches are fun to watch. Sadly this marked a down turn in TNA's booking and Joe's title reign. Booker became his rival and TNA held a PPV in Booker's home town of Houston and of course Booker got cheered even as the heel. They had Sting return and attack Joe "for going to far." But Sting never went full heel. It felt like the longer than needed feud with Booker and Sting not going heel hurt Joe standing with the fans. I would have done one match with Booker not in Houston had Nash turn on Joe to blow that up since everyone saw it coming. And had Sting go full heel and if he wasn't willing than he never joins the MEM he instead becomes the vet standing up for the younger generation. Please don't think I'm saying everything in 2008 TNA sucked after all we got some great stuff like Beer Money, The return of Jeff Jarrett and his feud with Kurt Angle, Madison Rayne would join TNA. Magnus wold come to TNA and form the ver underrated British Invasion team with Doug WIlliams and Rob Terry. As for this show its worth seeing but only if you can find it for ten bucks or less.
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