Slammiversary 2014: Young's Three-Way Defense and EC3-Bully Ray Carry a Deep Arlington Card

Sanada (c) defeated Manik, Tigre Uno, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards and Crazzy Steve. This is the opener at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Ladder match for the TNA X Division Championship, and it runs 9:40. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. The successful defense gives the result clear championship purpose while preserving the existing title direction. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 8.5 evaluation, making the bout one of the event's clearest attractions. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Lashley defeated Samoa Joe. This is the match 2 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Singles match to qualify for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match later in the night, and it runs 8:52. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 8.2 evaluation, making the bout strong supporting material. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Magnus (with Bram) defeated Willow (with Abyss). This is the match 3 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Singles match, and it runs 9:57. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 7.6 evaluation, making the bout useful middle-card material. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Austin Aries defeated Kenny King. This is the match 4 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Singles match to qualify for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match later in the night, and it runs 10:00. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 8.1 evaluation, making the bout strong supporting material. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross Von Erich) (with Kevin Von Erich) defeated The BroMans (Jessie Godderz and DJ Z) by disqualification. This is the match 5 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Tag team match, and it runs 5:13. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 7.4 evaluation, making the bout useful middle-card material. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Angelina Love (c) (with Velvet Sky) defeated Gail Kim. This is the match 6 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Singles match for the TNA Knockouts Championship, and it runs 6:46. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. The successful defense gives the result clear championship purpose while preserving the existing title direction. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 7.0 evaluation, making the bout one of the more optional parts of the card. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Ethan Carter III (with Rockstar Spud and Dixie Carter) defeated Bully Ray. This is the match 7 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Texas Death match, and it runs 17:10. The time allocation is large enough for the match to develop as a complete attraction. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 8.7 evaluation, making the bout one of the event's clearest attractions. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Mr. Anderson defeated James Storm. This is the match 8 at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Singles match, and it runs 5:28. The tighter time window puts more pressure on the match to establish its purpose quickly. Without a championship change attached, the bout has to earn its value through placement, stipulation, pacing and how well it supports the larger card. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 6.8 evaluation, making the bout one of the more optional parts of the card. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.

Eric Young (c) defeated Lashley and Austin Aries. This is the main event at Slammiversary 2014, presented as Three-way Steel Cage match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and it runs 12:11. The time allocation is large enough for the match to develop as a complete attraction. The successful defense gives the result clear championship purpose while preserving the existing title direction. Its placement also affects the score because the match has to either build momentum, deepen the middle of the show or justify a featured position near the finish. On this card, those factors combine into a 8.8 evaluation, making the bout one of the event's clearest attractions. The verdict reflects what the match contributes here, not reputation detached from the event.