Impact Wrestling Slammiversary Preview
In its last show ever before being re-branded fully as Global Force Wrestling, Impact celebrates its 15 years in business with one of its two big pay per views of the year, Slammiversary. This card features mostly GFW and TNA title unification matches as well as some well built stories in what is shaping up to be a very solid card.
Match 1: TNA WORLD TAG TEAM AND GLOBAL FORCE WRESTLING TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS:
LAX (ORTIZ AND SANTANA) (c) VS. NAOMICHI MARUFUJI AND TAIJI ISHIMORI VS. DRAGO AND EL HIJO DE FANTASMA VS. LAREDO KID AND GARZA JR
With LAX missing from the India tapings leading into this show Impact couldn’t build to an actual match so instead are showcasing their new international relationships by bringing in teams form three different companies. We have the legendary Marufuji with Ishimori from NOAH, Drago and King Cuerno from AAA/Lucha Underground and Laredo Kid and Garza jr. from CRASH. With LAX being presented as the main act of the division being dethroned by debuting acts would really hurt their momentum. This should be a pretty good match with a lot of talent on display but ultimately the lack of a storyline is going to hurt this match.
Predictions: LAX to win
Match 2: UNIFICATION MATCH – TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP AND GLOBAL FORCE WRESTLING WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
ROSEMARY VS. SIENNA
With Maria Kanellis gone Sienna an Laurel Van Ness have taken over as the main heels of the division. While LVN and Sienna were taking advantage of the numbers game in their feud with Allie Rosemary decided to even up the odds. Ever since Allie and Rosemary have enjoyed an uneasy alliance fending of the heel duo and it has all led to here as Sienna the GFW women’s champion looks to unify the belts against Knckouts champion Rosemary. With Rosemary being the moist over and entertaining act in the company she should win here with a potential feud with Allie looking likely heading into Bound For Glory. Hopefully we get a Rosemary win to relive the Courtney Rush vs Cherry Bomb feud that lit up the indies.
Predictions: Rosemary to win
Match 3: 2 OUT OF 3 FALLS MATCH FOR THE TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP:
SONJAY DUTT (c) VS. LOW KI
This is one of the best built matches on the card. After 15 years and multiple opportunities Dutt finally won the X-Division championship in his home country of India. A sour Low Ki attacked him and laid out both Dutt and Shera the next week to mega heat. Both men have spilled blood in this feud, they have had the crowd eating out of their hands and we have a well built story that is easy to get into. Both of these guys are superb in the ring and this match could just steal the show.
Predictions: Sonjay Dutt to win
Match 4: JEREMY BORASH AND JOSEPH PARK ESQ. VS. SCOTT STEINER AND JOSH MATHEWS
Matthews has been stinking up the joint for most of the year as an obnoxious heel commentator, Borash a TNA guy through and through is sick and tired of Matthews attitude and behaviour, Borash has had the returning Parks (he’s actually Abyss) on his side so Matthews decided to recruit some help in the form of “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner. This set up a tag match between the two teams. If there is a God this will be short and sweet and we will see Abyss unleashed.
Predictions: Joseph Parks and Jeremy Borash to win
Match 5: MOOSE AND DEANGELO WILLIAMS VS. ELI DRAKE AND CHRIS ADONIS
With Cody leaving Impact out of the blue Moose was left without a storyline, Drake picked up the mantle and he and Adonis were attacking Moose, realizing he needed help Moose hyped up a mystery partner which turned out to be Deangelo Williams a former football player like Moose who is making his debut in Pro Wrestling. Williams has yet to appear on screen and this will be Moose’s chance to beat Drake and Adonis in a fair fight. It will be interesting to see how well WIlliams does as he seems to be an athletic guy who likes wrestling so hopefully isnt too bad.
Predictions: Moose and Deangelo Williams to win
Match 6: FULL METAL MAYHEM
DAVEY RICHARDS AND ANGELINA LOVE VS. EDDIE AND ALISHA EDWARDS
This is the longest built match on the card with the American Wolves breaking up all the way back in February and ever since have made this a personal grudge match involving both mens spouse. Their Last Man Standing match was a brutal affair that showed just how much these two hate each other and this match should take it up another notch. With Richards winning the Last Man Standing match I expect the Edwards’ to come out on top.
Predictions: Eddie & Alisha
Match 7: STRAP MATCH
ETHAN CARTER III VS. JAMES STORM
This feud has been a return to form for both men with them being put into positions in which they excel. EC3 as the nasty arrogant heel against the veteran, Cowboy James Storm is one of the best feuds Impact could put on and the build here hasnt disappointed with EC3 whipping people with his belt every chance he gets and generally being an arrogant ass***e. Storm has stood up to him and looked as good as he has since his 2012 main event run which was a masterclass in how to be a babyface. This match is an opportunity to showcase two of the best in Impact and set EC3 up as the number one heel in the company.
Predictions: EC3 to win
Main Event: UNIFICATION MATCH – TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AND GLOBAL FORCE WRESTLING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
“The Destroyer” LASHLEY VS. ALBERTO EL PATRON
This is the big money match that TNA have built to since El Patron debuted. El Patron won the title on his first night in the company but had the win rescinded and has since won the GFW title from Nick Aldis (Magnus) and has been gunning for Lashley’s title. Lashley has been the dominant heel champion in Impact for the last year or so and usually doesnt spend very long without his title. Is El Patron the man to finally top Lashley or will he fall like many others before him. With Lashley having Bellator commitments he hasn’t been performing as much as usual lately but should he win the Bellator title as well then Impact Wrestling could get some crossover publicity. They have a tough decision to make and hopefully they make the right one.
Predictions: Alberto El Patron to win
Here we are the last ever TNA/Impact PPV before the rebranding and a chance to put on a really good show with a strong card and well built storylines coming to a head. This is the chance for GFW to remove some of the negative stigma around the company and create some much needed buzz.
