Original Airdate: September 2014
Before the Road To Slamnual begins, it's best to learn the whole story behind the championships that will be competed for. For these titles have a history behind them that stems beyond the AES. These titles are from a past long since buried, and have been resurrected to be held by new superstars and lasting legends.
It's best to learn about the prestige of the TIA Championships in the only possible way. Through combat. Through blood and sweat and tears. Like the Ink Spots once sang, "this is worth fighting for."
The Extreme Title has been held by the most badass, borderline psychopathic, or a mixture of both. And through its resurrection, it will stand as a pinnacle of the toughness of whoever will be bold enough to hold it once more.
To be a tag team champion, you need to trust your partner implicitly. To be in sync with your partner and to entrust them with your very life, if need be. There's been many tag team championships in the past and in the present in AES, but in TIA, they're especially special in the stories that they once held. Only the best can hold these particular titles.
The Triple Crown title is a belt that holds something special with me, as I've held it myself on two separate occasions. Whoever holds that title is only a step below holding the the World Title, and I mean that... to hold that title means you can be good enough to hold the World Title, if you can beat the champion. And speaking of the World Title...
Only the best can hope to hold the World Championship. But holding that title is always a double-edged sword; it means you're the best, but those who seek the title will always target you and do their damnedest to beat you to obtain it for themselves. It's always been the case for any World Championship, and this is no exception.
... yeah, they're not signed up to TIA, they just wanna spar with each other in front of an audience so I figure yeah sure why not