This Day In Wrestling History - June 10

Date: June 10, 2012 (2 years ago)

Feature: TNA's Slammiversary PPV two years ago featured Bobby Roode defeating Sting to retain the TNA World Title. Plus, an opener of Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe for the X Division Title, and Hulk Hogan as the host. The PPV was held at the same venue in the Dallas, Tex. market that this year's PPV will be held.

Torch Back-Issue: PWTorch Newsletter #1258.

Not a VIP member? Find out how to access over 1,000 PWTorch Newsletter back-issues right now by CLICKING HERE - PWTorch.com/GoVIP.

TNA Slammiversary PPV Report
June 10, 2012
Arlington, Tex.
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

-Hulk Hogan stood center ring and announced that Samoa Joe vs. Austin Aries would be for the X Title because he “decided to go old school.”

(1) Austin Aries pinned Samoa Joe in 12:00 to retain the X Title. Battle chants of “Au-stin Aries!/Let’s Go Joe!” rang out after 5:00 of really good action. At 8:00 Aries hit a 450 splash for a believable near fall. In the end Aries escaped a Muscle Buster and then crucifix dropped Joe hard to the mat. He followed up with a series of rapid-fire moves including a his brainbuster suplex finisher. (***1/4)

-Tenay and Taz at ringside said they’d find out together later who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

(2) Hernandez pinned Kid Kash in 6:00. (*1/2)

(3) Devon & Garett Bischoff beat Robbie E. & Robbie T. when Devon pinned T. in 6:00. Madison Rayne came out to watch and flirt. (3/4*)

-Borash interviewed Daniels & Kaz backstage. Kaz talked about his big moments in TNA history, a list of gimmick matches. Daniels had a cocktail.

(4) Mr. Anderson beat Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy to become no. 1 contender for the World Title in 11:00. Some nice spots, as you’d anticipate from this mix of wrestlers, In the end, Anderson countered Rolling Thunder with a Mic Check on RVD. (**3/4)

-Borash interviewed Crimson who said it doesn’t matter who has accepted his open challenge because he’s been undefeated for over 470 days. Crimson went to the ring and acted cocky about his streak.

(5) James Storm pinned Crimson in 3:00 to end Crimson’s undefeated streak.

-Dixie Carter entered the ring and thanked her parents and Jeff & Jerry Jarrett along with all of the wrestlers. She called the wrestlers onto the stage. Then she announced Sting for the Hall of Fame. A video aired of wrestlers complimenting Sting, then Dixie gave a speech showing appreciation for him. She said the formal induction celebration will be at Bound for Glory this fall. Sting said he wasn’t prepared for this and gave a “speech,” using that term loosely.

(6) Miss Tessmacher pinned Gail Kim in 6:00 to capture the Knockouts Title. Tessmacher countered Kim’s roll-up with her own for a pin after Kim dominated the match otherwise. (*1/4)

-Christy Hemme interviewed Tessmacher at ringside. She said it’s epic that it happened in her home state. “God bless Texas!” she exclaimed.

Borash interviewed Bully Ray who promised an all-out assault on Joseph Park.

(7) Joseph Park pinned Bully Ray in 11:00. The crowd shouted “Let’s Go Rangers! Yankees suck!” at Bully Ray before the bell. Ray offered Park the first shot. Park took off his glasses, then swung and missed. Ray tripped bringing a chair into the ring. Abyss grabbed it. Ray backed off, but then hit Park from behind and beat him up for a few minutes. Ray missed a senton splash, so Park hit Ray with a barrage of punches. Ray brought a table into the ring, then a kendo stick. Park punched Ray and took the stick, then bashed Ray with it leading to a two count. Park disappeared under the ring. Out came Abyss! Abyss came up behind Ray and chokeslammed him through the table. He went back under the ring, and seconds later Joseph Park came back out and scored the pin. That was fine for what it aimed to accomplish. The costume changes were fast enough to keep a slight air of mystery about the whole thing. Park played his role well, as this easily could have gotten too corny. It was just the right amount corny mixed with credible.

Borash interviewed Robert Roode backstage. He talked about being the “It Factor” and ending Sting’s career tonight. He said tonight will be remembered for his ending Sting’s career rather than the Hall of Fame announcement.

Hogan walked onto the stage again. He congratulated Park for his win. He said he has one more surprise for the fans. “I’d like everyone to give it up for Christian Cage,” he said. The crowd greeted Christian with a weak “Welcome back!” chant. Christian opened with, “Can you guess the question I was asked the most this week?” He told fans to drink it in. He joked about how there were a couple more corners in the ring since the last time he was there. He said some things have changed, but one thing hasn’t, and that’s the fans. He said they have allowed TNA to be in existence for ten years and beyond. He asked the fans to stand up and give themselves a round of applause. He said even fans at home should do it. He introduced the no. 1 moment in TNA history, as voted by the fans. It was the arrival of Sting in 2006.

(8) Kurt Angle & A.J. Styles beat Christopher Daniels & Kazarian in 14:00 to capture the TNA Tag Team Titles. Good tag match with Styles hitting some big athletic spots and Angle hitting his strong signature spots. In the end, Angle forced a tapout by Kaz as Styles knocked Daniels out of commission at ringside. They aired a nice video package of highlights afterward. The announcers put it over as nearly a match of the year. It was good, but not at that level. Styles and Angle embraced in the ring as they celebrated the win. (***1/4)

(9) Robert Roode pinned Sting in 11:00 to retain the TNA World Hvt. Title. Tenay said Sting is “totally re-entergized” at this point in anticipation of this match. After some back and forth action early, Sting applied the Scorpion Deathlock at 8:00. Roode teased tapping the announcers played it up as a big near finish. They took it to the broadcast table at 10:00. Sting set up a Scorpion Deathlock there. Roode tapped, but it didn’t count because it wasn’t in the ring. Back in the ring Roode then KO’d Sting with a beer bottle and scored the pin. The crowd reacted as flat as they have for almost all of the Roode-era PPV main events. (**)

Afterward Sting stood up with a trickle of blood on his forehead. He clotheslined Roode over the top rope, then punched the ref. Taz said Sting was snapping. Sting suplexed Roode on the rampway, then moved to the edge of the stage off of which he dropped Roode with a Scorpion Death Drop through a table below. Sting didn’t hit his head, but he sold it like he did. That was the sign-off moment for the show.

[Torch photo credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

We suggest these recent related articles...

WRESTLING PODCAST LOG: Patrick from Tough Enough on Ross & Booker's shows, Austin talks hot topics, Jericho/Mr. Belding, Flair/Madden, Taz, Cabana, more

WRESTLING PODCAST LOG: Heyman talks to Chael Sonnen & Austin, Flair & Steamboat, Cornette to Jim Ross & Roddy Piper, Cabana, Jericho, Taz, more

WRESTLING PODCAST LOG: Jericho talks to Ventura, Cabana to Hawkins, Austin/Barnett, Ross/Danny Davis, Booker/Vickie, Piper/Valentine, Flair, Taz, more