'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary is set to be one of the most exciting pay-per-views of the year. The return of the Ultimate X match for the X-Division Championship, a four-way tag team match for the Tag Titles, a mystery challenger for the Knockouts Title.
All that, along with the IMPACT Wrestling Title bout between Sami Callihan and champion Kenny Omega, makes this a can't miss product.
While IMPACT Wrestling has done a great job building the card for the upcoming event, it's the advertising that got the attention of those who don't regularly follow the product. After WWE's 2021 releases kicked off in April, IMPACT began teasing Slammiversary with the ad below.
IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary 2020 was a huge success thanks to similar advertising highlighting possible returns and/or debuts for the brand. The best talents brought in at the time were The Good Brothers and Eric Young, who have remained major players in the world title and tag team divisions since last summer.
With some major debuts teased and some exciting title matches on the horizon, there's a lot to look forward to with Slammiversary. Today we'll be taking a look at some surprises we'll want to see from IMPACT Wrestling at the pay-per-view.
#5 The IMPACT Wrestling debut of the IIconics
No matter what they're called, Jessie McKay (fka Billie Kay) and Cassie Lee (fka Peyton Royce) would be a perfect fit for IMPACT Wrestling. The company brought back the Knockouts Tag Titles earlier this year, and has turned the titles into one of the most sought after prizes in the company.
The Knockouts Tag Title Division is a hidden gem of the company, and that's thanks in part to Fire 'N Flava. Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz are perfect in their roles and are future mega stars. They'll be defending their titles against two former IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champions in Rosemary and Havok.
Should Fire 'N Flava come out on top, the IIconics would be a great duo to put them up against. That being said, there is another option. There is another Australian Knockout who would be a perfect fit for them, who is currently feuding with another team.
Tenille Dashwood's feud with Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering continues to heat up. Many are predicting a heel turn from Grace in the near future. However, a great swerve would be to have Dashwood find some help from her fellow countrywomen.
But if they decide to do it, if IMPACT Wrestling can bring in Lee and McKay, it would be a major boost to an already stacked women's roster.
#4 Fresh faces for the IMPACT Wrestling X-Division
At IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary, Josh Alexander will defend the X-Division Title in the always exciting Ultimate X Match. Petey Williams, Rohit Raju, Chris Bey, Ace Austin, and Trey Miguel will all challenge The Walking Weapon in what's predicted to be the match of the night.
Alexander said weeks ago, after his phenomenal Ironman Match with TJP, that he was IMPACT Wrestling's top champion, not Kenny Omega. It's been hard to dispute that, as Alexander has been pulling out bangers since his split from Ethan Page earlier this year.
At IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary, Alexander faces his greatest challenge yet. However, should he emerge victorious, he will need a new competitor. The X-Division has been focused around Bey, Raju, Austin, and Miguel for quite some time. As great as the match ups always are, it's time to freshen things up.
While IMPACT Wrestling's Tommy Dreamer made a public offer to recently released WWE Superstar Tony Nese, he's got some time to wait out on his contract. The same goes for the likes of Buddy Murphy, Curt Stallion, Tyler Breeze and others who would make great additions to the division.
However, there's a name that many have seemingly forgotten about that was released along with The IIconics back in April. A former Cruiserweight and United States Champion, Kalisto. Samuray Del Sol was incredibly popular and, at one point, WWE looked to be fully behind him.
For some reason or another, it just didn't work out with him and WWE. Still, he's one of the greatest luchadors on the planet, and would be a great addition to the roster. He was even named by Rich Swann as someone the former world champion was dying to face a few months back.
#3 The addition of more AEW talent
When we learned that AEW and IMPACT Wrestling had formed a partnership, imagination ran wild. Fans and talents of both brands were all over social media throwing up their dream matches. As exciting as that was, we haven't seen a lot of cross-promotion between the two.
Sure, Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers have been on both shows. Matt Hardy and Private Party were early acts that tried to take IMPACT gold back to AEW.
Aside from that, though, it's been an underwhelming partnership. No one, aside from Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, from IMPACT Wrestling has even appeared on Dynamite.
With fans back and Slammiversary turning into one of the most exciting wrestling events of the year, it's time to pump this partnership into the next gear. Let's blend the AEW women's division and the Knockouts a little.
NWA is building an all-women's show, and has been working with AEW for a year. Mickie James has been teased for a return at IMPACT Wrestling. Just imagine the possibilities.
Same goes for people like PAC, Sammy Guevara, the Lucha Bros, Darby Allin and more who could light it up in the X-Division or World Title scenes. Fans are back, let's do something special.
#2 Hot Mess Van Ness returning to IMPACT Wrestling
Former IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Lauren Van Ness was one of the more surprising releases from WWE back in April. Working under her real name Chelsea Green, she seemed poised to be a major player on the main roster.
A series of unfortunate injuries throughout her three-year stint hindered what could've been a run full of titles and other accolades. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
Since her release, though, she's been teasing the return of The Hot Mess Laurel Van Ness. She's also been counting down the days to free agency on social media while sharing some of her favorite moments from her IMPACT Wrestling career.
With IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion facing a "mystery opponent" at Slammiversary, Chelsea Green makes the most sense. There are other options, of course (read that list here) but Green is the best choice. Someone who was pegged as the future of the Knockouts Division, she won the title just as she was leaving the company.
Bringing her in to challenge The Virtuosa and having her pick up right where she left off? It would be a great story to tell.
#1 A major title change
IMPACT Wrestling has done a great job in building up a long line of competitors for Kenny Omega. To IMPACT Wrestling's fans, Kenny Omega and Don Callis are the ultimate villains. It must be great for Omega who's known for using final boss-inspired music during his entrances (Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII and Asriel Dreemurr from Undertale in NJPW).
Callis betrayed IMPACT Wrestling, and Omega has been downplaying everyone on the roster for months. After beating Rich Swann and stealing a victory from Moose at Against All Odds, Omega has found himself a target for Sami Callihan.
The Draw vowed to bash Omega's face in with his bat and make Callis watch, and on the latest episode of IMPACT he left the champion laying. A package piledriver and a powerbomb through a table did the job and saw Don Callis mortified.
As fun as this run has been, it's time to pull the trigger. Slammiversary will more than likely be the most viewed event for IMPACT this year. WIth all the hype surrounding the events and rumored debuts or returns, it's a must-see. It should be the pay-per-view that highlights the signed talent.
Considering that, Sami Callihan should absolutely beat Kenny Omega for the IMPACT Wrestling World Championship. Callihan's been a vital player for them for years now, and it's time he gets his reward. His first title run was incredibly short, so let's make up for it by knocking off Kenny Omega in front of a live audience.
