WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray described TNA’s Slammiversary as a "great night" and a "record-setting event" for the promotion but raised concerns about the controversial ending of the main event. In an interview with Bust Open Radio, Bully Ray shared insights behind the scenes, discussing the tough choices TNA faced in the main event between Trick Williams and Mike Santana.
Slammiversary marked a historic milestone for TNA, attracting over 7,600 fans to UBS Arena in New York, a record attendance. Bully Ray praised the positive atmosphere and the buzz on social media generated by the event. "I loved seeing all the photos from inside the arena that showed how packed it was," he mentioned. "Before the show started, I was in a private room talking with Ross Forman, one of the senior managers."
A Disappointing Finish for an Enthusiastic Crowd
Despite the event’s overall success, Bully Ray noted that the ending of the TNA World Championship match left many fans unhappy. NXT star Trick Williams retained his title against hometown favorite Mike Santana, which did not sit well with the crowd. "Last night was amazing for TNA, but the finish didn’t excite the fans. Many were disappointed," he said.
Co-host Dave Lagureka echoed this sentiment, expressing surprise at the outcome. "I thought the night was destined for a big moment since Trick Williams held the championship, but it ended on a down note," Lagureka said. "The crowd was ready to erupt for Mike Santana’s victory."
Balancing Professionalism and Fan Expectations
Bully Ray admitted he wanted a feel-good moment but argued from a business perspective that postponing Santana’s big win would build towards even greater moments at the next major pay-per-view, Bound for Glory. "You can’t just play by emotion. Sometimes you have to take off your fan hat and put on your professional hat," he said. "If we had to bet, I’d say Trick Williams will headline with the title at Bound for Glory."
He gave an example, suggesting it’s better to have a huge win in front of a bigger audience later, asking, "Do you want to see it now in front of 7,600 people in New York or wait for 10,000 in Boston?" He noted that the goal is to break even bigger attendance records at Bound for Glory.
Lagureka acknowledged that TNA faced a difficult choice between pleasing the live crowd and developing the long-term storyline. "I’m all in for Mike Santana. That moment could have been one of the biggest in TNA history," he said. "But the story with Trick Williams is important, and the title needs to keep moving forward."
If using quotes from this article, please credit Open Radio Bust Open with AH/T to WrestlingNews.co for transcription.
Fan Take: This news matters to TNA Wrestling fans because it highlights the delicate balance between storytelling and fan satisfaction in wrestling promotions. The controversial finish at Slammiversary could set the stage for a bigger payoff at Bound for Glory, promising exciting developments that keep fans eagerly anticipating what’s next in TNA’s evolving championship saga.
