TNA Slammiversary notes: Alex Hammerstone returns, title changes, marriage proposal
Image: TNA Wrestling
After several months away, Alex Hammerstone made his return at Saturday’s TNA Slammiversary in a surprise appearance.
On-screen authority figure Santino Marella announced during the pre-show that he had a surprise for everyone with a new match: that being Hammerstone vs. former TNA World Champion Eric Young. However, Hammerstone took the loss to Young — his first since a defeat to Josh Alexander at April’s Rebellion.
Hammerstone’s last on-screen appearance was on the May 2nd TNA Impact in a street fight win over Deaner. The former MLW Champion was active on the indies throughout his time away, recently filling in for the injured Matt Cardona on an Australian tour. He was scheduled for May’s Under Siege but was pulled due to being medically uncleared to compete.
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For the first time since March, ABC can once again call themselves TNA Tag Team Champions.
Chris Bey & Ace Austin defeated incumbent champions The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) to kick off their third reign with the gold, picking up the victory after ABC hit the 1-2-Sweet on Myers after Edwards tended to his wife, Alisha, after he pulled Myers out of the way of a Bey Art of Finesse that she got hit with instead.
It’s a measure of revenge for ABC as Myers and Edwards defeated them for the title at March’s Sacrifice, successfully defending the titles four times.
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TNA also has a new Digital Media and International Heavyweight Champion as PCO is the double titleholder after defeating AJ Francis. The win came after Francis was chokeslammed onto a pile of chairs and then hit with a PCOsault for the defeat.
Afterward, PCO proposed to recent love interest Steph De Lander who accepted.
It’s PCO’s first-ever title in TNA. Francis recently revived the International Heavyweight title after it was defunct since 1987.
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Rosemary made her return to the promotion during the Knockouts title match between champion Jordynne Grace and Ash by Elegance.
The former Knockouts Champion/Knockouts Tag Team Champion ran off Ash’s second The Personal Concierge, wielding a knife.
She has been off TV since April’s Rebellion but did wrestle a match against Masha Slamovich at June’s TV tapings that has yet to make air.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.