5 Reasons I Chose To Watch WWE SummerSlam 91 Instead Of TNA Slammiversary 2016
An event headlined by a wedding over fresh wrestling? Here's why.
TNA returned to pay-per-view last night with Slammiversary 2016.
The show was headlined by Drew Galloway defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Lashley in a match that could only be won by knockout or tap out. Elsewhere on the card, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy went one-on-one once again, following some of the most ridiculous televised build-up in recent wrestling memory.
Watch wrestling was exactly what I did with my Sunday night, but I wasn't tuning in to see Ethan Carter III take on 'The Miracle' Mike Bennett or to see how The BroMans would get on against The Decay. Oh no, given the choice I decided to delve into the WWE's back catalogue and watch a classic PPV.
My choice? SummerSlam 1991.
For those who don't remember, let me refresh your memory. SummerSlam 1991 was co-headlined by the 'Match Made In Heaven', which saw 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth tie the knot on-screen, and the 'Match Made In Hell', where Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior teamed up to take on Sgt. Slaughter, Colonel Mustafa and General Adnan.
Why? Why would a man choose to watch an event from over 20 years ago, 25 to be exact, instead of watching fresh wrestling? Well, the reasons and results may tell us a little about the modern wrestling fan...
5. The Inevitability Of 'Moments'
In truth, this problem isn't solely a TNA one.
By developing itself as some sort of strange bizarro-world version of WWE, however, TNA finds itself trying too hard to create these moments and then passing them off as organic, life-changing events. WWE does this way too much, especially around WrestleMania season, and it really has cheapened the feeling an audience gets from a title win.
Slammiversary 2016 saw three titles change hands, and two of these saw individuals pick up singles gold in the company for the first time. Eddie Edwards became the X-Division Champion, and Sienna prevailed over Jade and Gail Kim to pick up the Knockouts Championship.
Undoubtedly huge moments for two individuals who deserve all of the success in the world, but the inevitability of a title changing hands has led to title changes that feel somewhat underwhelming.
Now, obviously it isn't fair to truly compare 1991 to 2016. SummerSlam 1991 saw Bret Hart win his first singles title in emotional fashion. and also saw Virgil of all people get retribution against 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase. Moments are what wrestling is all about, but moments for the sake of moments cheapen those moments.