Excitement was brewing for a new world champion to be crowned at Slammiversary (July 20, 2025). Trick Williams has been a disrespectful outsider from NXT with the TNA world title. The storyline odds didn’t look good for him to retain. Joe Hendry is still running hot, and this was his chance for redemption to bring the strap home to TNA. Mike Santana has the fan support to become the next face of TNA, and the PPV was in his hometown of New York City. Unfortunately, there would be no happy ending.
Trick Willy outsmarted his challengers to leave with the win.
The energy was crazy for the entrances and introductions. Williams had a unique twist on his theme song with an a cappella choir style from the Harlem Gospel Ensemble. Whoop that trick!
TNA World Champion @_trickwilliams has arrived and the energy is off the charts!
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 21, 2025
Watch #TNASlammiversary LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/bUyG5ln9JT pic.twitter.com/XjJeak9lkT
Hendry was on point to win after the Standing Ovation slam on Williams, however, Frankie Kazarian reared his ugly mug to spoil the moment by pulling the referee out of the ring.
Joe Hendry had it, and that damn Kazarian pulled out the referee!! #TNASlammiversary pic.twitter.com/f6FUtlW1nA
— (@WrestlingCovers) July 21, 2025
Later in the match, the action spilled outside. Hendry leaped over the ropes to land on Santana and Williams. It looked like Williams twisted his knee on the catch. Williams couldn’t stand up when Hendry tried to shove him into the ring. The medical team tended to the champ. Meanwhile, Hendry and Santana duked it out toe to toe. Hendry ducked the Spin the Block lariat to counter for a pop-up powerbomb. Hendry hit the Standing Ovation finisher. Santana wasn’t staying down like that.
.@joehendry found his moment but the Standing Ovation wasn't enough to keep @Santana_Proud down!
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 21, 2025
Watch #TNASlammiversary LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/bUyG5ln9JT pic.twitter.com/7LtV9u3vYX
Santana rallied to uncork two Spin the Block lariats on Hendry. It felt like this was his moment. That’s when Williams ran back into the ring to dump Santana out and steal the pin on Hendry. And still...
#ANDSTILL TNA World Champion@_trickwilliams
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 21, 2025
Watch #TNASlammiversary LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/bUyG5ln9JT pic.twitter.com/tRUjJES5hv
That fake injury was executed well. It’s the little details of how Hendry tried to pick up Williams that blurred the line between real and part of the act. I think it was so convincing that it deflated the arena a little. As much as the TNA fans want Williams to lose, nobody wants him to suffer a legit injury.
Trick Willy’s reign over TNA continues. He has beaten the best TNA has to offer. If Williams didn’t drop the title here when the circumstances were right, one has to wonder who will be the chosen one to finally dethrone Williams.
Share your thoughts on Trick Williams retaining the TNA World Championship. Catch up on full results for Slammiversary here. The PPV is available for streaming through TNA+ (annual subscription or single event), TrillerTV, and other providers.
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