Written by: Greg Ledson
Slammiversary 2007 was the match that was to decide the ‘first’ TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Up until only a few week before TNA was in a contract with the NWA and therefore had the NWA World Heavyweight Title and the NWA Tag Team Titles under the control of TNA, but after the then Champion Christian Cage refused to wrestle in the NWA territories, the NWA ended their partnership with TNA and therefore stripped both Christian Cage and the Team 3D (NWA Tag Team Champions) of their respective belts.
On the same day TNA was holding their annual Sacrifice PPV and both titles were scheduled to be defended. During Christian Cage’s entrance he was announced as the ‘World Heavyweight Champion’ making no mention to any organisation, the match was a 3-way dance between Cage, Kurt Angle and Sting, Angle was victorious. The following Impact taping Angle was announced as the ‘TNA World Heavyweight Champion’. TNA commentator Mike Tenay announced when Angle made his way to the ring that Management Director Jim Cornette, TNA's on-screen authority figure at the time, "made the decision that due to TNA's growing worldwide exposure, the company needed to have its own TNA title belts"; there–by not acknowledging the NWA ending their agreement with TNA. Cornette later stripped Angle of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship due to a controversial finish to the match at Sacrifice, making the King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary for the vacant TNA Heavyweight Championship.
Slammiversary started with a Tag team match, Rhino and Senshi (with Hector Guerrero) vs. The Latin American Xchange (Homicide and Hernandez) (with Konnan), with Rhino getting the victory for his team.
Next up was a great X Division Title match, Chris Sabin (C) vs. Jay Lethal, after and solid match showing of just how good the X Division is it was Jay Lethal who won the title.
Next was a tag team match, Frank Wycheck (NFL Star) and Jerry Lynn (with Kyle Vanden Bosch) vs. James Storm and Ron Killings (with Jackie Moore) this match came about because of an altercation between Wycheck and James Storm. Wycheck, with the help of Jeff Jarrett, delivered a guitar shot to James Storm after the "Tennessee Cowboy" spat beer in the former Tennessee Titan's face. TNA Wrestling would then announce that Wycheck has agreed to a match with James Storm. The match was later changed to a tag match. It was Wycheck that would get the victory on Storm using Lynn’s finisher.
Following this ring legend Bob Backlund defeated Alex Shelley in less than four minutes, as you can imagine this was a fairly one sided match.
Next up, The Voodoo Kin Mafia (B.G. James and Kip James) vs. Basham and Damaja (with Christy Hemme). The Voodoo Kin Mafia or VKM a play on Vince McMahon’s initials got the win.
Then it was former Team Canada members, Eric Young vs. Robert Roode (with Ms Brooks) after a one sided match in Roode’s favour, it was Young that got an upset victory pinning the future TNA World Champ Robert Roode.
Next up was the TNA Tag Team Titles match, Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) (C) vs. Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal. Team D were out to prove that they were the greatest tag team in wrestling history and who better to beat than two half of maybe two of the best. Rick Steiner of The Steiner Brothers and Animal of The Road Warriors and Legion of Doom (LOD). Team 3D didn’t disappoint getting the win over the tag team dream team.
Next Sting defeated Christopher Daniels, and The match before the main event was a No Disqualification Match, Abyss vs. Tomko. Abyss won a hard fought victory against Tomko.
Finally we come to the main event of the evening, a King of the Mountain match for the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles vs. Christian Cage vs. Chris Harris
Prior to the main event, Jeff Jarret (TNA founder) held a shoot interview where he discussed the recent death of his wife Jill, who died on May 23, 2007 of breast cancer. Jarrett discussed how she influenced the company during the "early days" followed by saying he doesn't know when or where he'll wrestle again. Jarrett then concluded by thanking the fans for their support on his and his wife's behalf. The fans responded by chanting Jill's name as well as "Thank you Jeff".
Regardless of your thoughts of TNA as a promotion or Jeff Jarrett as a man, it’s hard not to feel for him after watching the previous video. Below is the full King of the Mountain match from Slammiversary 2007.
With the TNA World Heavyweight Championship being vacant, it was a match to decide who would be the first ever ‘TNA Champion’ I think with that knowledge it was obvious to me that the only two stars TNA would have as their ‘first ever champion’ would be Kurt Angle or AJ Styles. Angle is still, in my opinion the greatest accusation TNA have ever made, that includes Hulk Hogan. AJ is the face of the company, he’s TNA’s blue chipper, so it was obvious the belt was going on one of them. I really liked this match, everyone involved deserved to be there, I particularly like the huge dive AJ takes of the penalty box through the table. As I said I think the ending of the match with Angle winning the title was a little obvious but the journey getting there was pretty good.
Hope you enjoyed reading and watching leave me a comment tell me your thoughts and check back tomorrow for more Slammiversary history.
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