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Mike Bailey Wins TNA X-Division Title With A Sharpshooter As Earl Hebner Redeems Himself In Montreal At TNA Slammiversary

Wrestling
Robert DeFelice Jul 20, 2024 11:03PM

Shenanigans were the name of the game during the TNA X-Division Title Match between Mike Bailey and Mustafa Ali at TNA Slammiversary. Fear not, however, because all's well that ends well. TNA Hall of Famer Earl Hebner was even given the opportunity to redeem himself in Montreal 27 years after the Montreal Screwjob at WWE Survivor Series 1997.

At first, Mike Bailey appeared to have defeated Ali by pinfall with Ultima Weapon, but referee Frank Gastineau declared that the TNA X-Division Champion had his foot on the ropes as he counted to three. When the match restarted, Ali pulled the referee in front of himself and allowed him to take a kick from Mike Bailey, knocking him out for almost the rest of the match. This allowed Ali's Secret Service to attack Bailey, and Ali would hit two 450 Splashes and nearly got the win. Still, Trent Seven revealed himself to be a mask member of Ali's security squad, and he pulled out Frank Gastineau, taking him out for the rest of the match.

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Seven then took out the security, but he would be attacked by Ali, who hit him with a chair. Ali would then use a chair on Bailey and signal to the back where Earl Hebner would arrive on the scene. Hebner was initially greeted by boos as the crowd would not let him forget what he did to Bret Hart at WWE Survivor Series 1997. Ali tried to reenact this moment by putting Bailey in the Sharpshooter. However, showing that people do change, Hebner refused to call for the bell. Ali became incensed with the Hall of Famer, and that caused him to lose focus. This allowed Bailey to take out Ali with a kick and put him in his own Sharpshooter as Ali officially tapped out and lost his first singles match in TNA.

Finally, vindication for Earl Hebner as Mike Bailey returned home to win his second X-Division Title, ending Mustafa Ali's 148-day run with the championship.

Check out our live coverage of TNA Slammiversary here. Also, be sure to check out our review podcast on YouTube.

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