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Much like WrestleMania resets the landscape in WWE, this year's Slammiversary did the same for IMPACT Wrestling. With so much roster upheaval due to various circumstances, the landscape of the company is vastly different from what the promotion put forth even six months ago.
Gone are Michael Elgin and Tessa Blanchard while the likes of EC3, the Good Brothers, Heath, and Eric Young are all now a part of IMPACT. Some returned to the company while others joined the promotion for the first time. Rich Swann, someone who seems like a good bet for any of the titles in the company, is apparently injured again, at least in storyline.
If that wasn't enough, all of the major titles in IMPACT also changed hands between Slammiversary and the following episode of IMPACT last week. Eddie Edwards is the new IMPACT World Champion and Chris Bey is the new X-Division Champion.
Deonna Purrazzo wrested the Knockouts title from Jordynne Grace while the Motor City Machine Guns ended the historic IMPACT Tag Team title reign of the North. The North retained the belts at Slammiversary against Ken Shamrock and Sami Callihan but lost them two days later on TV.
Moose retained "his title" against Tommy Dreamer, but other than that, every Champion in IMPACT is different from the holder of each belt from last month. So who seems like the logical bets to be next in line for the titles in IMPACT Wrestling? Here are my predictions.
#5 The next TNA World Heavyweight Champion - EC3
Moose has been walking around as TNA Champion ever since the IMPACT Champion was absent due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19. He initially started to battle former stars from the TNA days like Chase Stevens, Kid Kash, Suicide and most recently, Tommy Dreamer.
The storyline essentially called for him to become the self-appointed TNA Champion and is something that has helped to integrate former TNA stars from the past. Well, perhaps one of the most successful stars from the last decade in IMPACT/TNA reappeared on the show's most recent episode.
EC3 attacked Moose after warning the entire world in a pre-taped promo to open the show. With such a turnover of the roster due to recent additions and subtractions for various reasons, EC3 is one of the names that make the most sense. He's already targeted Moose on IMPACT programming so it would make sense to target the former NFL player. If the former two-time Heavyweight Champion isn't going after the IMPACT World Championship, he should be going after a title he made prestigious during his first run in the company.
#4 The next IMPACT Tag Team Champions - Ace Austin and Madman Fulton
Ace Austin has been positioned as one of the top stars of IMPACT for the better part of the last two years. He's a former X-Division Champion and has challenged for the IMPACT World title a handful of times over the last nine months. While he has failed to capture the belt on any of those occasions, he is a persistent presence in the title scene.
Since he didn't win the major prize in IMPACT, he might have his focus directed elsewhere for the next few months. He and Madman Fulton have "welcomed" the Good Brothers to the company and are starting a program with the former WWE stars.
The Motor City Machine Guns returned to IMPACT at Slammiversary and went on to win the Tag Team titles two days later on IMPACT television. They could be heels or faces, but since they are revered veterans, they'll likely be faces for the duration of this title run. Since Austin is one of the top stars and Madman Fulton needs some validation as a dangerous star (he lost most of his matches as a part of OVE), it makes sense to have this pair be the next IMPACT Tag Team titleholders.
The tag team scene is prospering in IMPACT but the likes of XXXL and The Deaners don't seem like threats for the time being. The Rascalz are also overdue for a title run but they lost at Slammiversary. For that reason, it seems like IMPACT might put some tag team gold on Austin before they put the IMPACT World title around his waist.
#3 The next IMPACT X-Division Champion - Trey Miguel
Much like Ace Austin, Trey Miguel has been one of the young stars that has been heavily pushed this year. While the Rascalz are a trio and Dez was technically the first member to be featured in IMPACT, it has been Miguel that has been pushed as the singles star.
He has fought Austin for much of 2020 and battled him for the X-Division title. Miguel has also been in World title programs at different points this year and he was a part of the five-person elimination match earlier this month at Slammiversary. With Chris Bey as the new heel X-Division Champion, a face star will have to be the one to dethrone him.
Willie Mack might get a rematch and Swann might get a shot when he returns from his injury. But just like giving Austin some mid-card titles first, it would do some wonders for Miguel if he won the X-Division belt first. He's clearly someone backed by management and he's a popular young star for the promotion to build around. The Rascalz need some gold since they have helped to carry IMPACT for the last two years. It will start with Miguel as X-Division Champion.
#2 The next IMPACT Knockouts Champion - Kylie Rae
Taya Valkyrie set the record for being the longest-reigning Knockouts Champion in IMPACT history and she was defeated by Jordynne Grace. Grace, in turn, was defeated by Deonna Purrazzo at Slammiversary earlier this month.
While the Virtuosa picked up the Knockouts title, according to some reports, she's not signed to an official deal with IMPACT but to a "pay-per appearance" contract instead. That means that she only gets paid for when she shows up on TV. The same thing happened before Grace was officially signed to an IMPACT contract, so the same could be in the future for Purrazzo. She may still, however, want to keep her options open.
AEW still needs named Superstars for its women's division. It also announced a 16-woman tournament for Women's Tag Team titles. If Purrazzo isn't under an iron-clad deal, then she might just be a transitional Champion. She could easily defeat Grace in a rematch, but if an agreement isn't reached, she could drop the title to one of her first challengers and leave IMPACT.
Kylie Rae is someone that is clearly talented and a star of the future. Her character and energy is infectious and she won the No. 1 Contender's Gauntlet match at Slammiversary. It might not be right away but it makes sense for Rae to become the Knockouts Champion.
While others like Kiera Hogan, Rosemary, and Havok have been around IMPACT longer, they are currently embroiled in the blossoming women's tag team scene. Hogan is the only one of the three who has not had a run as Knockouts Champion, but she is a heel. For that reason, and the fact that her work with Tasha Steelz is more highlighted lately, Rae seems like the logical choice as next Champion.
#1 The next IMPACT World Champion - Moose
I will personally say that I'm not a fan of Moose but I can see why he could very well be the next IMPACT World Champion. He'll likely be battling EC3 for the TNA Heavyweight title and may lose it. That would then open him up to pursue another title, the IMPACT World Championship.
He and Eddie Edwards have a history of being allies and enemies. A lot changed around the World title scene in the month leading up to Slammiversary. It might have forced the decision of the bookers to have the most trusted name (Edwards) win the title in the five-way elimination match.
It seemed logical that Ace Austin win the title but he is a star of the future. He's already won the X-Division title and has been a presence in the World title picture for the last few months. It might not have been his time just yet, but don't be surprised if he wins the title within the next year or so.
With the departure of Michael Elgin and Sami Callihan walking the thin line as Ken Shamrock's sometimes ally, sometimes enemy, there is a void for top heel at the moment. Moose has been the arrogant and self-entitled heel for the last year or so and he has been very loyal to the promotion. He may be rewarded with an IMPACT World Championship run sometime soon and it might be as the man who dethrones Edwards.
