This Saturday is IMPACT wrestling’s Slammiversay, their second biggest night of year, second only to Bound For Glory. Slammiversary has been a staple of IMPACT wrestling since 2004 so this is the 16th incarnation of the event, the event was originally known for it’s King Of The Moutain match, which headlined the first five events. As the last IMPACT show prior to the PPV, has come and gone and all matches are set, I thought I’d look at each individual matches to give my thoughts and predictions.
Rascalz Open Challenge
One Match recently added to card was the Rascalz Dez and Wentz who have laid out an open challenge to the tag team division. Who will answer the open challenge? The Deeners, XXXL, Reno Scum, TJ Perkins and Fallah Bah, or possibly a returning or new tag team.
Gauntlet Match to Become The Women’s Championship No. 1 Contendership
Alisha Edwards Vs Havok Vs Kiera Hogan Vs Kimber Lee Vs Kylie Ray Vs Nevaeh Vs Madison Rayne Vs Rosemary Vs Susie Vs Tasha Steelz Vs Taya Valkarie.
There are few different storylines leading into this match, from Kylie Ray defending Susie from the new found team of Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz. During the last IMPACT show we saw Susie seemingly remember something about her past Su Young personality. Recently Havok has found her self an ally in Nevaeh, as well as Taya Valkarie rekindling her friendship with Rosemary. You also have the veteran Madison Rayne and two rookies in Alisha Edwards and Kimber Lee, who could be wild cards of Gauntlet.
I can’t help but feel a little disappointed they’re not doing the first ever Queen Of The Mountain match. Rather than a belt, they could’ve used a briefcase but none the less I am happy with Gauntlet style match and not a multi person scramble match. This match really does show just how stacked the IMPACT female roster really is, anyone one of these girls could easily be a great number 1 contender, for either of the two ladies in the Championship match later in the night.
Prediction Wins: Su Young
IMPACT Tag Team Championship Match
Champions: The North (Josh Alexander and Ethan Page) Vs Ken Shamrock and Sami Callihan
This match has only come about over the last few weeks, with The North not believing they have any credible challengers for their titles so Josh Alexander decided to look at single competitors to face off against. The man to answer that challenge was UFC legend Ken Shamrock, when the North decided to jump Shamrock prior to their match it was Sami Callihan who came to his aid. In the weeks since the unlikely partnership of Callihan and Shamrock stayed strong as they demanded a shot at the Tag Team Championship belts.
The North are honestly one of the most over looked Tag Teams in the industry today, I personally would put them in upper echelon as a top 5 tag team currently, and honestly there is not much competition for them currently. Callihan and Shamrock are an unlikely team to say the least but their combined pedigree makes them worthy of challenging, Shamrock looks incredible shape for his age and I have been a fan of him since his days in the WWF, I am not a Callihan fan and never will be.
Prediction: The North to retain titles
IMPACT X Divsion Championship Match
Champion: Willie Mack Vs Chris Bey
Chris Bey has had a rocket ship strapped to is ass ever since he arrived at IMPACT wrestling, after joining up with Johnny Swinger he’s only become more dangerous, and the two have set their sights on current X Division Champion Willie Mack. Since winning the X Division title Mack has tried to uphold the title with dignity but the combination of Bey and Swinger has had Mack on the ropes.
Prediction: New X Division Champion Chris Bey.
IMPACT Knockout Championship
Jordynne Grace Vs Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo has made quite statement when she debuted on IMPACT, coming out after Jordynne Grace had defended her title, Deonna took a hold of Jordynne’s arm and slapped on a Fujiwa arm-bar causing the champion to tap out. Since then both competitors have had great outings picking up victories ahead of their anticipated clash, with Grace recently attacking Purrazzo durring a contract signing.
Prediction: Jordynne Grace retains title
TNA World Heavyweight Title
Old School Rule Match
Moose Vs Tommy Dreamer
Moose has made it his priority to defeat any and all of the TNA legend alumni he can face off against, at the last PPV he defeated both Hernandez and the recently released Micheal Elgin in a triple threat match. After the match, Moose crowned himself the TNA Heavyweight Champion, bringing back the original title. This is due to the match originally being slated for the IMPACT Heavyweight title but due to COVID 19 the plan had to be changed. I do not know what they mean by old school match but I assume it will be some sort of hardcore match to give Dreamer any chance of looking like a decent challenger.
Prediction: Moose Wins retaining TNA Heavyweight Title
Vacant IMPACT Championship Match
Fatal 4 Way
Eddie Edwards Vs Trey Vs Ace Austin Vs Mystery Opponent
This was originally slated as a 5 man battle that would’ve seen former champion Tessa Blanchard defend her title against Eddie Edwards, Trey, Ace Austin and Micheal Elgin but plans had to change as both Michael Elgin and Tessa were released last month for separate incidents. As such the remaining three, Edwards, Trey and Ace Austin face of against each other with a forth mystery opponent who is likely to be a returning champion. Ace Austin had previously won a tournament to become the No. 1 contender but due to the way he won the tournament taking out Trey prior to the tournament Final. IMPACT management turned the match into a fatal 5 way using all the tournament semi-finalists but again this changed, as discussed above. Ace Austin has made enemies of both Eddie and Trey recently since adding Mad Man Fulton as his muscle, his rivalry with Trey dates back to when Ace was X Division Champion.
Prediction: Eddie Edwards becomes new IMPACT Wrestling Heavyweight champion
Returning Stars
Ever since WWE released many of their stars 3 months ago at the beginning the global pandemic, many have wondered where exactly will these stars end up, coincidently their 90 day no compete clause ends the exact day of Slammiversary. It would also it just so happens that many of these released superstars are former IMPACT superstars, including Mike Bennet, Eric Young and EC3, on top of many others who have not competed on IMPACT. Early last month IMPACT teased many of these superstars possibly turning up at Slammiversary, and its not just former WWE stars either recently Bully Ray became a free agent. So far it has been announced that Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson have signed contracts with IMPACT.
Prediction
Bully Ray will return to help out Tommy Dreamer against Moose, I feel with all the available former TNA champions Bully is biggest name connected to the original TNA.
I would expect Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to make themselves known following the Tag Team Title Match to eventually face the North.
Could we also see Rich Swann make an appearance? he has been out of action since January with bad broken leg but could possibly be recovered enough to make his presence felt in the X division match as possible back up for Willie Mack, maybe costing him the match.
I am 100% Eric Young and EC3 will come back to IMPACT but to which one will join the main event my best guest would be EC3. Eric Young has been heavily hinted which makes me think it’s a total misdirection.
Final Thoughts
This looks to be an excellent card that heavily showcases the Knockout division. I am most looking forward to both of the scheduled women’s match ups. The gauntlet match should help to set up lots of future storylines coming out of it, where as the championship match I expect to be a classic storied match up with a technical heel facing off against the more powerful face, we’ll see Purrazzo work over Grace’s arm. I am sure the North can even make Sami look like a credible challenger, i’m looking forward “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander face off with “The Worlds Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock. The fatal 4 way I am sure will be explosive no matter the mystery opponent, I feel the Moose Vs Dreamer match will just be used to set up a returning TNA champion to face off against Moose in the future. I am sure it will be a great night of wrestling, but my only worry is the whole crowd situation as I have not been a fan of empty arena matches so hopefully they can address this somehow for this PPV.
Don’t forget to check out our latest Talking Trash Pod Cast, where I will be discussing my predictions with Dave and Rory, as they give their thoughts on the upcoming PPV. Also check out our Interview with main event challenger Eddie Edwards on the link below:
Andrew More
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