TNA Wrestling brings its 'Slammiversary' event to UBS Arena
Bronx native Mike Santana will be part of TNA Wrestling's "Slammiversary" at UBS Arena in Elmont. Credit: TNA Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling turns 23 this year, and it’s holding its birthday party on Long Island.
On Sunday, UBS Arena will host TNA’s annual Slammiversary event, which the company expects will be the biggest in its history.
When TNA last ran on Long Island in 2013, it was at the Westbury Music Fair, a venue far smaller than the 19,000-seat Elmont arena. But the pro wrestling company, owned by Toronto-based Anthem Sports and Entertainment, has recently been in an expansion mode, buoyed in part by a budding, and unlikely, partnership with former rival, World Wrestling Entertainment.
“I think we’ve made great strides, and I think part of it was that we were shooting for UBS,” said TNA President Carlos Silva, who expressed confidence in selling out, at least, the lower bowl of the arena. “I think sometimes you do need to put a stake in the sand and say, ‘We can get there.’ ”
The main event of the show, which will also air on pay-per-view television, is a three-way bout featuring WWE star Trick Williams defending his TNA world championship against breakout TNA sensation Joe Hendry and Bronx native Mike Santana.
“This moment right here, I feel like is the culmination of all the sacrifices, all the dedication, all the hard work, all the years, all the miles," Santana said. “Right now, I feel like we’re so hungry and so determined to prove that we’re the best. And I think, coming to this show, you’re going to see exactly that.”
Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.
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