By Joe Puccio

Total Nonstop Action has had several incarnations since its launch nearly a quarter century ago (2002) following the demise of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Initially known as NWA: Total Nonstop Action (NWA-TNA) and affiliated with the historic National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) governing body, the company dropped the “NWA” name from its moniker in 2004, rebranding as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Founded by legendary father/son professional wrestling duo Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, the promotion was purchased by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company, in 2017, and along with the acquisition came a name change to Impact Wrestling, before returning to the more familiar TNA branding last year.  

In its 23 years of existence, TNA has seen its share of ups and downs, highs and lows, and arrivals and departures, and more specifically, creative triumphs as well as inevitable slumps. But following its action-packed pay-per-view (PPV) Slammiversary on Sunday, July 20, its current status is perfectly clear – and it’s overwhelmingly positive.

Headlined by a three-way match for the TNA World Championship, Trick Williams successfully defended the coveted prize by pinning Scottish star Joe Hendry in a match which also featured ex-All Elite Wrestling (AEW) standout Mike Santana. Although both challengers are fan favorites, it was distinctly evident that the Puerto Rican New York City born Santana was the crowd’s choice to dethrone Williams, a storyline outsider, who is currently signed to NXT, the semi-developmental organization owned by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

The recent TNA/NXT partnership, which officially began at the start of the year, has proven to be a fruitful relationship for both sides, allowing for talent exchanges that previously would have been impossible. Besides Williams becoming a key member of the TNA roster, pulling double duty, the NXT faction known as DarkState (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars, and Cutler James) appeared, albeit in a losing effort, against TNA’s Matt Cardona and The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, and JDC) in a massive eight-man tag team affair, while NXT’s Jacy Jayne defeated TNA’s Masha Slamovich in a Winner Takes All bout for the TNA Knockouts World Championship and the NXT Women’s Championship.

In another female contest, former WWE competitor Indi Hartwell got her hand raised in victory over third-generation prodigy Tessa Blanchard in somewhat of an upset, especially according to the daughter of Tully and granddaughter of Joe as she attacked onscreen interviewer Gia Miller at its conclusion.

While major names such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, and Kurt Angle have all performed for the group throughout its history, perhaps its most impressive achievement is the formation of the X Division, lauded for its high-flying, high-risk, acrobatic style matches. Initially known for primarily featuring cruiserweights, the division’s modern slogan of “It’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits” couldn’t have been truer as the nearly 300 lb. X Division Champion Moose dominated his encounter with Leon Slater, 60 lbs. lighter, until Slater scored the pinfall and thus, the treasured belt.

While in-ring action was naturally what the almost 8,000 in attendance at the UBS Arena on Long Island, New York were predominantly looking for, it was the return to the promotion of AJ Styles which received the most attention. The “Phenomenal One,” as he is called, last appeared for the company over a decade ago. Presently one of the most popular performers in WWE, Styles gave a rousing speech following Slater’s win, giving his full endorsement to the incredible 20-year old from England, while simultaneously reveling in all of the support he himself received from the adoring crowd.

Rounding out the evening was a high-stakes four-way tag team ladder match between champions The Nemeths (Nic and Ryan), The Rascalz (Myron Reed and Zachary Wentz), Fir$t Cla$$ (A.J. Francis and KC Navarro), and perennial favorites The Hardys (Jeff and Matt), which saw Jeff and Matt capture the gold to become 13-time World Tag Team Champions between TNA, WWE, and Ring of Honor (ROH), while Mustafa Ali kicked the festivities off defeating Cedric Alexander in an excellent “curtain jerker.”