“Come celebrate this union,
Come holy and unchained
How do you know, stay or go,
Keep riding on the train
What does it take beneath the skin,
To keep from letting go?
Some moments burned into the storm,
And some you’ll never know…”
Here is the case. The Future is now. And to make it great, take the best of the past, enjoy the present times, and move forward. TNA/Impact Wrestling is turning 20, on the same day and almost at the same arena it was born, and it may not be the best moment to remember the dark clouds, the bad moments, the Paper Gods, or the junk heroes. This company has been gambling for 20 years when betting on young talents, creating some new stipulations for the matches, and being way before others did a door wide-open for talents from all around the world. Tonight is Slammiversary XX and a whole roster is looking forward to stealing the show. And if you remember an old PPV review title, Devil is a Gambler… The case is meant to continue, more than ever.
20 years ago today, we held our very first event from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Since then we've had over 2,800 events with over 12,000 matches featuring thousands of wrestlers.
And it's all led to #Slammiversary TONIGHT LIVE on PPV as we celebrate it all! pic.twitter.com/dRe6i2pYjG
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 19, 2022
The major question of this PPV is: is there a place in this card for the past, the present, and the future to coexist? Will we fall into unnecessary nostalgia? I say it again, the Future is Now and the sun has never shined so bright on the Impact Zone… I’m sure the fans from Day One like the “newest fans” will agree with me, we love TNA/Impact Wrestling. Take the best of the past, and enjoy the present to build a magic future…
As always, a lot of question marks on the menu. Who are the survivors and the winners of that great night, from Nashville? How many “I told you” and “I saw it coming”? It’s time to find out, but your French Enygma Steph way… (I apologize again for being one day late again but your Nygma has personal obligations in her “normal” life…)
Tonight, a very special evening, it’s an evening that revolves around history and history on so many fronts.
We celebrate everything that brought us to this point and spotlight everybody that will take us into the future. THIS is #Slammiversary! pic.twitter.com/2MOlODRVVT
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
- Live Countdown to Slammiversary – IMPACT Digital Media Championship Match: Rich Swann (c) vs Brian Myers
Hannifan said this was the first time that Swann and Myers met in a singles match. I will say I believe him… The Most Professional Wrestler Brian Myers previously stole the title belt from Swann and brought it to the ring with him despite being the challenger. Swann took the fight to Myers early on. The challenger slammed him on the apron and took control. He looked at the camera and said, “This one’s for you, Matt,” in honour of the former champion, Matt Cardona. Myers grounded Swann, but the champion rallied with some punches. A series of strikes rocked Myers. The challenger slammed Swann and blasted him with a Spear. Swann fought back with some kicks and dropped Myers with a neckbreaker. Myers planted Swann with an elevated DDT and went for another Spear, but Swann countered and hit a back handspring cutter. He pinned Myers with the 450 Splash.
Digital Media Champion @GottaGetSwann stepped into the ring with @Myers_Wrestling on #CountdownToSlammiversary!
Watch #Slammiversary Replay on FITE: https://t.co/WPz8W4dDad#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/OgnfcYnngg
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Myers hit a back suplex onto the apron on the outside, then started working a chinlock in the ring. Swann fought back with strikes but he was tripped up, trying to run the ropes. Another chinlock from Myers, Swann again tried to fight back but was cut off with a blow to the back. Boot from Swann, then a rolling clothesline. Swann went to jabs, then a series of rights and a buzzsaw kick. Myers avoided a second rope Phoenix Splash and hit a Flatliner. Myers hit another Spear, then yelled at Swann, but he ran into a series of kicks, then a swinging neckbreaker from Swann. A back kick from Swann connected but couldn’t keep Myers down yet. Myers hit an enzuigiri, then a gut kick and a swinging DDT. Swann landed more kicks, then hit the Lethal Injection. Swann then headed up to hit a second rope 450 Splash for the win.
.@Myers_Wrestling connects with a Spear but it's not enough. #CountdownToSlammiversary pic.twitter.com/8xxPNwkgUY
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 19, 2022
The Nygma Says: I’ve been a fan of Rich Swann since Day One. I’ve seen the guy become one of the top stars of this company and show match after match his World Championship potential. I know he’s as good as a human being as he can be in a ring. I would love to see him back in the World Championship race, and that will happen, but if right now he is happy with the Digital Media title, I’m ok with that. When it comes to Brian Myers, you know what I think of his “professionalism,” I joked enough on that before, but we can’t deny how good he is too. So we started on a good note with a nice match…
AND STILL IMPACT Digital Media Champion – @GottaGetSwann! #CountdownToSlammiversary pic.twitter.com/TCEFfQ3jix
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 19, 2022
Tom Hannifan and Drama King Matthew Rewholdt presented the French announcers, Marc Blondin and Handsome JF (I told him, not that shirt again…). Ok, Rehwoldt said Blondin the English way… But, Mesdames, Messieurs, he is forgiven…
- Live Countdown to Slammiversary – Reverse Battle Royal
Participants: Johnny Swinger, Zicky Dice, Chris Bey, David Young, Mahabali Shera, Raj Singh, Bhupinder Gujjar, Steve Maclin, Mike Jackson, Shark Boy, Aiden Prince, Slash w/ Father James Mitchell, Crazzy Steve, Shogun, Chase Stevens, and Nate Webb.
From the Gauntlet For The Gold on our very first show to now, EVIL returns to IMPACT as Slash has entered Reverse Battle Royal. #CountdownToSlammiversary pic.twitter.com/ld5wJtxHWn
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 19, 2022
Slash went right for the violence as everyone tried to get into the ring. We needed 8 men to get into the ring of the 16 that are around it before we moved on to the next portion of the match. The usual wild brawling before Chris Bey got into the ring over the top rope and waited for everyone else. David Young and Johnny Swinger shook hands and climbed in, then Steve Maclin followed. Chase Stevens winded up legally in the ring, we didn’t see how he did it. Shark Boy flipped in too. On the outside, Mike Jackson messed around with Shera, he got an arm tied up and was walking around the barricades with the Taker’s Old School way. Eventually, Jackson dropped onto Shera’s arm. The last competitor was not in yet and Shera jumped into the ring. Now, we had a traditional battle royal until we were down to the last two men.
72 year old Mike Jackson brings a new school touch to a rail walk Old School. #CountdownToSlammiversary pic.twitter.com/QKW2ay2JAr
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 19, 2022
Chase got kicked off the apron by Shera. Maclin and Shera started trading strikes. Bey and Maclin now squared off and Bey avoided some offence before running into a back elbow. Maclin tried to toss Bey over the top rope, Bey tried a counter with a headlock and they both winded up on the apron. They traded blows on the apron, and Bey winded up, hitting a Cutter and they both fell to the floor eliminated. Johnny Swinger and Dave Young tossed Gujjar. We missed an elimination but came back to Swinger and Young working over Shark Boy. Shark Boy fought back with strikes but ran into a spinebuster from Young. Swinger took the chance to toss Young and we were down to pinfall or submission between Shark Boy and Swinger. Swinger tossed Shark Boy over the top rope, thinking he won but the ref explained the rules to him. They headed back into the ring and Swinger messed with the crowd but Shark Boy hit the Stunner and pinned him to win.
The Reverse Battle Royal returned on #CountdownToSlammiversary!
Watch #Slammiversary Replay on FITE: https://t.co/WPz8W3W2iF#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/wzh6XvyFyQ
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 21, 2022
The Nygma Says: When I think about all the controversy the announcement of this match made on social media… Ok, that may not have been the sexiest match on the card but that was funny. I was pretty surprised to see Bey and Maclin in it but I feel like there’s something in the making here, with the double-elimination… Then, Johnny Swinger was, as always, completely out of it, it was cool to see The Naturals, Father James Mitchell, and other talents back. Shark Boy picked up the win. Ok, that wasn’t breaking the 3 legs of a duck (French way to say that was not extraordinary) but that was funny…
OH SHELL YEAH! @SharkBoy24_7 has won the Reverse Battle Royal. #CountdownToSlammiversary pic.twitter.com/sPg8dFHCcE
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
“And how does it feel like to wake up in the sun?
And how does it feel like to shine on everyone?
How does it feel like to let forever be?
And how does it feel like to spend a little lifetime,
Sitting in the gutter screaming symphony?
How does it feel like to sail in on the breeze?
And how does it feel like to spend a little lifetime,
Sitting in the gutter screaming symphony?”
- Ultimate-X Match for the X-Division Championship – Ace Austin (c) vs Kenny King vs Speedball Mike Bailey vs
Jack EvansAndrew Everett vs Alex Zayne vs Trey Miguel
A former IMPACT star, Andrew Everett, was taking the place of the injured Jack Evans. Ace Austin started off with some cane shots but he was floored by Zayne. King and Everett climbed towards the ropes but changed their mind. Everyone winded up on the outside, where Everett hit a dive and Zayne hit a moonsault onto the pile on the floor. Bailey and Zayne climbed the cables, but King and Trey pulled them down, then laid in corner offence before King laid out Trey with a heel kick and dropped Zayne with a spinebuster. Trey countered a Royal Flush into a hurricanrana, then hit a dive onto King on the outside. Ace started climbing the ropes but Trey cut him off with kicks. Knee from Ace to Trey, then he laid in kicks to Trey and Everett before hitting a Fosbury Flop onto Trey and Everett.
Huge dive from @_AndrewEverett!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/jiBrULobTq
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Ace connected with a punt kick to Bailey on the apron but Trey headed to the apron with him and dropped him with a neckbreaker on the apron. Everett then hit a German suplex to Trey on the apron. Everett then hit a springboard corkscrew plancha onto the pile of bodies. Back in the ring, Bailey and Everett fought over who got to climb to the ropes, then Zayne took them both out. Trey climbed to the ropes, but Zayne pulled him down and hit a powerbomb as King assisted with a blockbuster. Bailey ended up climbing while King and Ace were dealing with Zayne, then Bailey dropped onto those 3 men to drop everyone. Everett and Bailey fought on the top rope, Trey joined them as did Ace. King headed over as well, and this ultimately allowed Zayne to hit a Tower of Doom spot, but Trey held onto the scaffolding and didn’t go.
He mocked Zayne, then kicked him on the top rope and hit a top rope Canadian Destroyer. Ace, Trey, and King were to their feet first and started trading strikes. Trey got the better of this, including dropping Ace with a tornado kick, then he climbed to the ropes as did King and Ace. Bailey took the fourth path to the belt and all four men moved to the belt. Bailey kicked King down as Ace Air-NutCracked Trey to drop him as well. Ace and Bailey both reached for the belt and traded strikes while doing so, but here came Everett who moved on top of the ropes and yanked at the belt. Bailey took him down with the head scissors, leaving Bailey and Ace again to fight over the belt. Zayne interrupted things, he climbed behind Ace but Ace kicked him down. The distraction allowed Bailey to kick Ace down, then pulled himself on top of the ropes and grabbed the belt to win the title.
#ANDNEW @IMPACTWRESTLING X Division Champion!@SpeedballBailey #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/wt2IUqKT0L
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
The Nygma Says: The question was not, will it happen but when will it happen? Speedball Mike Bailey was meant to win the X-Division title one day and he did it on the most important day. I wasn’t betting on him, to be honest, as the 6 guys involved are so damn good. And because of that, the match was fantastic. You know me by heart, there’s no better opener than an X-Division match. An Ultimate-X, even better…
Meanwhile, at ringside…
Brief Memoriam segment to Bob Ryder who passed in 2020 and was one of the founding members behind the scenes for TNA/Impact, Hannifan and Rehwoldt said the show is dedicated to his memory.
Tonight's event is dedicated to the memory of Bob Ryder #Slammiversary #IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/oTkIpShFoE
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Meanwhile, backstage…
Scott Hudson, a former backstage interviewer, welcomed The Impact Originals, the Motor City Machine Guns, Frankie Kazarian, and Nick Aldis. Hudson announced to the MCMG that they were voted by the fans the most Impactful team in TNA/Impact Wrestling history. Alex Shelley talked about how the MCMG redefined tag team wrestling. Chris Sabin talked about issues with Honor No More. Kazarian talked about being in a celebratory mood, but also in a fighting mood, and mocked the members of Honor No More. Aldis said this lineup of talent only makes sense to those who know they take pride in wrestling and in this company, and how this company gave them the opportunity to make a name for themselves. They were asked who the fifth member of their team is, Aldis said a lot of people applied but their selection was a no-brainer and didn’t tell us who it is.
Meanwhile…
Video from Sting talking about TNA being his way back into the wrestling industry and reliving a bit of his history with the promotion. His highlight memories included Joker Sting for being a way to allow him to step into a new version of his character, plus his matches with Samoa Joe, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, and Kurt Angle. He wished everyone well and encouraged everyone to tear it up.
Check out what @Sting had to say about @IMPACTWRESTLING celebrating 20 Years!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/gA9arhlAso
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
- IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: The Influence (c) vs Rosemary & AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Taya Valkyrie
Madison and Taya started us off, Taya easily overpowered Madison and hit a mat return. Taya landed a clothesline, then grabbed a front headlock. Rosemary tagged in and went nuts on Madison with strikes and bites. Madison got free and tagged out. Tenille got tossed into the wrong corner and Taya tagged in, then chopped the heck out of Tenille. She fought out of the corner but ate a kick from Taya, a sliding German suplex before Rosemary tagged in. Madison pulled Tenille away from a Rosemary Spear and the Influence took over. Madison and Tenille isolated Rosemary in their corner and worked her over with strikes. Tenille hit a facebuster, and elbows then grabbed a chin lock. Rosemary fought to her feet and hit a back suplex. Rosemary crawled for a tag, but Tenille pulled her away, then got kicked off and both women tagged out.
Here comes @thetayavalkyrie!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/AfKJG7hRc4
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Taya ran wild on Madison first, then laid in kicks to Tenille. She hit a Blue Thunder Bomb to Madison before Rosemary tagged back in and hit an Xploder suplex to Madison. Tenille intercepted a Rosemary Spear with a Spotlight Kick and Taya had to break up the pin. Things broke down as all four women started fighting, Taya and Rosemary got the better of things at first, they went for 10 stereo punches but were cut off. Taya and Rosemary avoided being sent into each other, then both hit Spears for stereo near-falls. Madison strangled Rosemary’s eyes and shoved her into Taya, who then took a neckbreaker through the ropes from Tenille. The Collab connected on Rosemary, but Taya tossed Tenille out of the ring. Madison kicked Taya down, but Rosemary rose from the dead, Taya hit Madison with a knee to the face, and Rosemary hit a sit-out powerbomb for the win.
The Nygma Says: These eyes… We know they could kill and they ended up the Influence’s reign. I was suspecting this win and I’m more than happy about it. I’ve known Rosemary ever since I started to do this review, there’s nowhere here in the wrestling business you can find a character like her. I love her madness, her difference, her style… And I also love Taya Valkyrie because she is a reason for any young female wrestler to think that’s possible. Taya overcame every possible difficulty on her road and she became a Legend in Mexico, in the USA, in the UK, well everywhere. The match was a celebration of the chemistry of these two ladies. Now, what about Havok?
Meanwhile, backstage…
Video of Kurt Angle congratulating Impact Wrestling on 20 years. He reminded us of his feuds in TNA and wished for Impact Wrestling to keep going for another 20 years.
Check out what @RealKurtAngle had to say about @IMPACTWRESTLING celebrating 20 years! #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/PE3Pja9g8T
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
- Monster’s Ball Match: Sami Callihan vs. Moose
Sami jumped on Moose during his entrance and we got to brawling right away. Both men traded strikes on the floor and Sami sent Moose into the barricade. Sami landed a couple of trashcan shots and then started tossing weapons into the ring. A couple of cookie sheets for Sami who whacked Moose repeatedly in the head with them, but Moose got a trashcan lid and brained Sami with it after Sami spent a bit too much time playing with the crowd. Moose got a hotdog and water bottle from a friend, he consumed both then went back to stalking Sami.
.@TheSamiCallihan using the trash can lid to his advantage! #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/uqpT61rgqc
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Sami was bleeding now and Moose started laying in punches, targeting the wound. Sami fought back by strangling Moose’s eyes but Moose was able to hit a uranage onto the apron and another. The third involved a table and Sami went through it. Moose started tossing chairs into the ring, and he and Sami finally headed between the ropes. Moose set a chair against Sami’s ankle and then went to hit it with a chair but Sami avoided it and then tossed the chair into Moose’s head.
Chokeslam through the table!@TheMooseNation @TheSamiCallihan
#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/xntYStsVP1— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Moose tossed his chair as well and both men were down. Moose wanted the Spear but Sami sidestepped and Moose went face-first into the trashcan. Sami whacked the trashcan with a chair a few times, then set the trashcan up with Moose’s legs kicking out of the top of it. Now Sami went under the ring again, he found a door with barbed wire on it and put that into the ring. Moose finally got out of the trashcan as Sami set the door up in a corner. Sami went to toss Moose into the door, Moose put on the brakes, then botched trying to climb the ropes.
Moose climbed again anyway, but Sami shoved him off over the corner and through a table on the floor. Sami followed Moose to the floor and dragged him back into the ring, but before he joined him in the ring he got a bag of tacks which he poured into the ring. Sami wanted a tornado DDT onto the tacks, but Moose grabbed him and hit a Sky High onto the tacks for a near fall. Moose pulled tacks out of his seat as he stood, then dragged Sami through the pile of tacks for a bit. Moose wanted the Spear again, but Sami caught him with a Death Valley Driver into the barbed wire door.
TACKS!!!@TheMooseNation @TheSamiCallihan #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/BMFIneFj2v
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Sami got a couple of trashcan lids and tossed one to Moose inviting him to trade blows. Moose obliged and they took turns, blasting each other in the head with the lids until we got stereo shots and they both dropped. Both men fought to their feet and they traded strikes, with Sami getting the better but he ran into a pump kick, then came back with a clothesline. Sami hit the Cactus Driver but only got a near fall, went for another but Moose NutCracked him to cut him off. Moose got a trashcan and set it up on one end, then put Sami on the top rope only for Sami to slip out from under him. Sami landed kicks on Moose, then hit one hell of a powerbomb onto the can. Cactus Driver ’97 again but Moose kicked out and fired up. Sami pulled a Barbie out of a trash can, well a barbed wire bat, whacked Moose a few times with it, hit another Cactus Driver’97, and finally got the win.
Lid Shot for Lid Shot!@TheMooseNation @TheSamiCallihan #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/mkHJZK8T0k
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
The Nygma Says: The Monster’s Ball was Abyss’ playground, we can say it is now Sami’s garden. I love everything hardcore, Full Metal Mayhem, Barbed Wire Massacre… You wouldn’t be surprised to read this match was fantastic, mostly because it was the first time for both men. Like Rosemary, Moose has a special place in my heart because he has been there even before I started the reviews. And Sami Callihan is probably one of the best wrestlers Impact Wrestling has ever signed over the last five years. I couldn’t explain how close I feel to this man and how important he has been to me as a writer. Moose and Sami have been on a mission, putting the company on their shoulders and making it reach new heights. They have never failed and they will never fail. Moose is our Mr. PPV, I couldn’t say it enough. It was Callihan’s first match since back from injury. Seeing him bow down at the end of the match was cool because we missed him as much as he missed the Impact Zone. Because of that, it’s us who have to bow down…
- IMPACT World Tag Team Championship Match: The Briscoes (c) vs The Good Brothers
All four men went at it to begin, Mark attacked Anderson while Jay clotheslined Gallows out of the ring. NJPW’s NEVER Openweight Champion Karl Anderson winded up isolated and took a double shoulder block to send him out of the ring. Stereo dives from Jay and Mark onto both Gallows and Anderson, then Mark hit a Cactus Elbow to Gallows. Gallows started fighting back and abused Mark with strikes while Jay took Anderson up onto the entrance stage and hit him with a Scoop Slam. Gallows booted Jay, Jay then booted him back but Gallows cut him off with a body blow. Anderson and Mark traded hands and we missed Jay tossing a chair into Gallows. Jay tossed the chair to Mark in the ring, Mark set the chair up and used it to dive onto Gallows and Anderson. Back in the ring, Anderson finally cut off Mark and took over with kicks. Anderson set the chair in the corner but Mark booted him and tagged in Jay.
Rough Scoop Slam on the ramp!@SussexCoChicken @jaybriscoe84 @The_BigLG @MachineGunKA #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/ix93P908n1
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Jay got his eyes strangled and then Anderson tossed Jay into the chair before throwing the chair out of the ring. Gallows tagged in and laid in body blows to Jay before Anderson tagged back in. Anderson grabbed a headlock, Jay fought to his feet and hit a hangman’s neckbreaker. Anderson tagged out and Gallows ate a superkick before Mark tagged in. Mark ran wild with strikes, and Anderson was back in as well. More strikes from Mark, then a flying forearm. Gallows tried to cheap shot Mark, but Mark hit him with an enzuigiri. Mark headed up top and hit a flying chop to drop Gallows then a belly-to-belly suplex for Anderson. Anderson got set on the top rope and Mark took him down with a cross wrist slam. Mark then went up top for the Froggy Bo’, but Anderson cut him off with a blow and then headed up there with him.
They fought up there, Mark headbutted Anderson down but missed a flying nothing then at a spinebuster from Anderson. Gallows tagged back in and Mark ate a back suplex/neckbreaker but when they set for the Magic Killer Jay came in and Speared Anderson. Gallows landed a kick and tagged out. Anderson and Mark started trading strikes until Anderson dropped Mark with an uppercut. Back elbow from Anderson but Mark sent him into the corner and Jay flew behind him with an avalanche then took out Gallows. Mark hoisted Anderson up, and they hit a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo. Jay tagged in, he wanted the Jay Driller but Anderson fought free only to eat a clothesline. Now they set for the Doomsday Device but Anderson fought off Jay’s shoulders and caught a flying Mark with a Gun Stun. Gallows and Anderson wanted the Magic Killer again, Jay fought them both off but Gallows dropped him with a super kick. Magic Killer to Jay while Gallows intercepted Mark, allowing Anderson to get the pin.
Wait, wait…
They all stared down, but the music for America’s Most Wanted hit, and here came James Storm and Chris Harris. All three teams were in the ring now and Storm said everyone here is just like them, they only know fighting and drinking. And since the fighting’s happened, now it’s time for drinking. Storm handed out beers to all of them except Harris who they joked is the designated driver. Storm put over tag team wrestling in Impact’s history and they shared a toast, Storm reminded us that for 20 years people have been doubting Impact’s ability to succeed and stick around, well to the haters and doubters, “Sorry about your damn luck”.
WE FIND THE DEFENDANTS GUILTY! @AMWwildcat and @JamesStormBrand – the ICONS America's Most Wanted ARE AT #Slammiversary! pic.twitter.com/axM0Hlp5k3
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
The Nygma Says: It was a bit more than a classic wrestling match but it was a classic, in the sense of a very good match. No Bullet Club, no distractions or interferences, it was really a great bout. Then, I wish we could have more than this staredown. I love America’s Most Wanted, I was pleading for James Storm to be on Team Impact, but the celebration prevented us from imagining a possible rematch or brawl or anything else. Because, as of today, The Briscoes remain free agents and The Good Brothers’ contract is up in one month…
Meanwhile…
Video package for the original commentary team for TNA, Mike Tenay, and Don West.
Two voices you could trust, two voices that made every single second they called better with their passion, enthusiasm and knowledge.
On this special night, we pay tribute to our original announce team – the legendary @DonWestDeals and @RealMikeTenay. #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/NeyVX2T9pq
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
“And how does it feel like to make it happen?
And how does it feel like to breathe with everything?
And how does it feel like to let forever be?
And how does it feel like to spend a little lifetime,
Sitting in the gutter screaming symphony?
And how does it feel like to be a Crystal Fiend?
And how does it feel like to spend a little lifetime,
Sitting in the gutter screaming symphony?”
- 10-Team Tag Team Match: Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, PCO, Mike Bennett, and Vincent) w/ Maria Kanellis vs. Impact Originals (Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Frankie Kazarian, Nick Aldis, and ??)
.COACH @ScottDAmore has arrived at #Slammiversary and is joining @TomHannifan and @DramaKingMatt at the commentary table!#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/MiSzCvAY24
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Christy Hemme was the ring announcer and Scott D’Amore came out in his Team Canada t-shirt and joined the commentary table. Frankie Kazarian’s wife, former Knockouts Traci Brooks, and their son Rebel were in the front row, as was TNA/ Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer Earl Hebner. Former TNA President Dixie Carter showed up to introduce the last man. She started by thanking everyone for any and all support that’s been given over the years and introduced the other half of The Wolves, Davey Richards.
.@TNADixie is at #Slammiversary and just announced @RichardsWesley is the last member to join The IMPACT Originals!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/pyldhRG1KT
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
We got a wild brawl to start, the MCMG took out Taven and Bennett in the ring. Sabin hit a Hesitation dropkick. Edwards cut off Shelley and Bennett dropped Sabin with a brainbuster. Sabin grabbed a backslide but Bennett cut him off with another suplex. Aldis tagged in and got a thumb to the eye. Chops from Bennett, then he hit the ropes but Aldis caught him and hit a slam, then tagged in Frankie. Frankie connected with strikes but Bennett tagged in Vincent. Running Russian leg sweep from Frankie connected. Vincent drove Frankie into his corner and tagged in Edwards. Edwards landed a headbutt but Frankie got free and tagged in Richards. Richards and Edwards stared off, but Edwards tagged in Taven who just smacked around with kicks. Shelley tagged in and floored Taven with kicks, then Aldis hit a Hart Attack and Taven took a ton of tandem offence. Things broke down again and Benett ate a double suplex from Shelley and Sabin, then Richards hit a punt kick to Bennett. Springboard leg drop from Frankie and the Originals posed.
Excellent teamwork from The IMPACT Originals!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/ZWcg6uchTY
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Taven took some corner offence but fought back and now it’s time for Honor No More to gang up on Shelley. Vincent landed a knee, then a back suplex and a kneeling Flatliner to Shelley. Russian leg sweep from Vincent to Sabin. Bennett tagged in and he and Taven abused Shelley with strikes. Bennett connected with a spinebuster to Shelly and Taven hit a Lionsault. Shining Wizard from Taven and he tagged in Edwards. Edwards laid in a headbutt, then booted Richards off of the apron. PCO tagged in and they continued isolating Shelley. Shelley was dragged to the apron, and PCO climbed up top but Shelley avoided the De-Animator. Taven and Bennet cleared the Originals but Shelley fought back and hit the Slice Bread onto Edwards and Vincent. Frankie tagged in and ran wild for a bit, including hitting a slingshot Cutter onto Vincent.
The Wolves are EYE TO EYE at #Slammiversary!@RichardsWesley @TheEddieEdwards #IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/I5MWvKtybr
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Bennett took out Shelley, Frankie hit a DDT on Bennett and everyone was getting their stuff in. Edwards looked to isolate the Guns but they responded with some of their signature spots. Sabin connected with a suicide dive onto Bennett, then Taven dove onto a pile of humans. This left Richards and Edwards to finally square off. They started trading blows and Richards hit kicks to Edwards’s chest. He got the better of things and kicked Edwards into the corner. Richards hit a Dragon Screw leg whip through the ropes as Edwards tried to beg off. Richards headed up top for the double stomp, but Edwards avoided it. Sharpshooter attempt from Richards, he switched to the Trailer Hitch but Taven tried to break it up and Richards caught him with an Ankle Lock. Shelley grabbed Bennett in the Border City Stretch, everyone was getting a submission but PCO threw off Sabin and Frankie to then break up everything.
.@TheTraciBrooks is here!, @PCOisNotHuman just got dropped by @FrankieKazarian! #Slammiversary is INSANE!#IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/LNZFKLCYHz
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Aldis and PCO squared off, PCO dropped Aldis with a DDT, then Taven hit a Frog Splash and Vincent followed up with a Swanton Bomb. Scoop Slam from PCO to Aldis, then he climbed up top but ate the mat as Aldis avoided the moonsault. Shelley and Sabin connected with kicks to PCO and Aldis hit a Michinoku Driver. Richards went up top and hit the double stomp onto PCO. Sabin tagged in, he wanted to Future Shock on PCO but Maria distracted things and PCO clubbed Sabin, only for Traci Brooks to show up and take out Maria. PCO dragged Brooks into the ring but Frankie saved his wife.
You're lookin at the real deal! @dlobrown75 with a Sky High at #Slammiversary!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/uxlmQymYJA
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
PCO again climbed the ropes, Frankie met him there with strikes and hit the Flux Capacitor. Kenny King then showed up to fight with Sabin, but here came D’Lo Brown and he wiped out King with a Sky High. Brown climbed up top for the Low Down and hit it to King. PCO staggered to his knees, Shelley and Sabin unloaded kicks, then Taven and Bennett ran into super kicks from Frankie and Shelley as Sabin hit the Cradle Shock on PCO. Earl Hebner was here and in a referee shirt, he counted the win.
.@TheEarlHebner is back!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/46UWRkdHdL
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
The Nygma Says: You know I’m not a fan of that kind of match. I said earlier I was not in nostalgic mode. BUT that was a great match, a real feel-good moment. Having Earl Hebner here knowing his son Brian is about to retire and just 2 days after his brother Dave died… Traci and D’Lo cameos… We could argue about Nick Aldis and Davey Richards being really TNA Originals, but that wouldn’t change what happened in the ring and the celebration aspect of it.
Meanwhile…
Video from AJ Styles who wished Impact Wrestling a happy anniversary and talks about wrestling the Flying Elvises in the first match for TNA. He waxed nostalgic about all the crazy stuff he did in TNA/Impact, but the one match that changed everything was him, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels in 2005. They weren’t 6’5 and jacked, but they changed things and transcended wrestling. The fans voted Styles the most impactful wrestler in TNA/Impact Wrestling history, and he said AJ Styles wouldn’t quite be phenomenal without TNA/Impact. He thanked WWE for letting him do this because they know this means something to him, and he virtually toasted to the next 20 years of Impact Wrestling.
Check out what @AJStylesOrg had to say about being voted the most IMPACTful X Division wrestler of the past 20 years!#Slammiversary #IMPACT20 pic.twitter.com/8uIK0Dhhty
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
- Queen of the Mountain Match for the IMPACT Knockouts Championship: Tasha Steelz (c) w/ Savannah Evans vs Mia Yim vs Jordynne Grace vs Deonna Purrazzo vs Chelsea Green – Special Guest Enforcer: Mickie James
Everyone eyed Tasha to start, so she powdered and let everyone else fight. Yim and Green fought while Grace took on Purrazzo. Tasha and Evans set up a table outside of the ring. Purrazzo and Green take out Yim for a bit, and Yim then dives onto Evans and Grace. Tasha connected with a cannonball senton onto the other three, then Green hit a cross body onto the pile and Purrazzo capped off the dive fest with a cannonball from the top rope onto everyone. Green covered Tasha in the ring and got a pin, so Green could win and Tasha went to the penalty box. Tasha refused to get into the box, so Mickie tossed her into Evans and locked both of them in the box. Green missed a belt shot to Yim who laid her out with strikes and covered but Purrazzo broke up the pin. There was a ladder in the ring now as well. Grace started stomping on Purrazzo, then held her for Yim to kick. More double-team work to Purrazzo, then a double suplex to Purrazzo.
.@ImChelseaGreen and @DeonnaPurrazzo are in control!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/C4YEotpi8g
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Grace and Yim started trading words but remained on the same page for a bit. Purrazzo booted Yim, then hit an elbow to Grace as Tasha and Evans were let out of the box. Tasha hit a pump kick to Purrazzo, then a Codebreaker to Grace. Stratusfaction from Tasha to Yim. Mickie got after Evans for her interference and ejected Evans. Tasha got after Mickie. Uppercut from Tasha to Green, then a punt kick. Yim landed a head kick to Tasha, then a bridging back suplex to Green that got a 3-count. Green headed to the box and Yim could now win. Green kicked the door of the box into Mickie but did go into the box. Yim set up the ladder and started climbing with the belt but Purrazzo cut her off. Grace attacked Tasha on the top rope as Yim whacked Purrazzo with the belt to knock her off the ladder, but Tasha jumped off Jordynne’s shoulders to hit Yim with a Cutter.
.@ImChelseaGreen may have just knocked @MickieJames out cold!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/aTTAKzfsFq
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Purrazzo covered different women but couldn’t get a pin. Grace and Purrazzo squared off and Purrazzo got her in the Fujiwara armbar, then switched to grab Tasha in one as well. Green was out of the box and attacked Grace as Purrazzo switched to yank Tasha’s arm around the ladder and Tasha had to tap. Back to the box for Tasha and Purrazzo could now win. Green and Purrazzo teamed up to attack Grace but Jordynne fought back and smacked Purrazzo out of the ring, then dropkicked her but was caught with a lungblower from Green. Green dropped Yim with a forearm, then hit a Curb Stomp into the bottom turnbuckle but she couldn’t pin Yim. Yim fought back with strikes and they separated. Green got the belt, sent Yim into the corner, then posed with the belt. Tasha got out of the box, but Green cut her off with a Curb Stomp into the ladder, only for Yim to come off of the penalty box and dropkick Green into the ladder as well.
.@MiaYim nailed @ImChelseaGreen with a Dropkick off of the cage!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/LcjsgtufXx
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Yim then ran up the ladder and hit a dive onto Purrazzo and Grace on the outside of the ring. Package Piledriver to Grace on the floor from Yim, then she pinned Grace who had to go to the box. Now Yim set up the ladder and started climbing, but Tasha cut her off and hit a superkick. Green headbutted Tasha down and started climbing with the belt, Mickie cut her off because they hate each other and Mickie laid out Green with a kick. Yim got the belt and climbed again, but Purrazzo cut her off and powerbombed her onto a second ladder. Tasha slammed Purrazzo onto the ladder, then Green took her out with a Flatliner onto the ladder. Green and Purrazzo both climbed, Green had the belt though. Grace was out of the box but Yim shoved the ladder over and sent Green and Purrazzo all the way to the floor through a table.
.@ImChelseaGreen and @DeonnaPurrazzo just took a HUGE fall through tables thanks to @MiaYim!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/jZ6gPXJ24b
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Grace hit Yim with a bridging German suplex, and Tasha got on top of both of them as the 3-count was official, so the ref said they were both able to win now. Tasha hit a neckbreaker onto Grace, then set the ladder back up. Tasha started climbing with the belt, Grace cut her off though and drilled her with a Muscle Buster, then pinned her to send Tasha back to the box. Grace now climbed with the belt and hung it for the win.
The Nygma Says: Only one Knockout could make history tonight. I was honestly thinking about Mia Yim. It’s Jordynne Grace. Again, look at these eyes… For nearly 4 years, Jordynne Grace has done so much for this company. She has set the bar so high, the same way Gail Kim or Mickie James did before. Inaugural Impact Digital Media Championship, 2- time Impact Knockouts World Championship, Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship, First Knockouts Triple Crown winner, and now 2022 Queen of the Mountain, that’s huge. She is also set to become the first-ever Knockouts to become X-Division Champion. When it comes to the match, it was a stunning boot. Hats off, ladies…
Meanwhile, backstage…
Gia Miller let the first-ever TNA backstage interviewer Goldy Locks conduct Gail Kim’s interview. Kim was voted the most impactful Knockout. Kim thanked the fans and everyone who came before her, as well as the chance TNA/Impact Wrestling has given to women. She put over the match we just saw and added she’s excited about what the future holds for Impact Wrestling for the next 20 years.
The next PPV will be “Bound For Glory” in October 2022, day (not the 8th) and location TBC.
- IMPACT World Championship Match: Josh Alexander (c) vs Eric Young w/ Violent By Design
They tied up a few times and quickly broke, neither man getting an edge. Another tie-up, they fought into a corner with a clean break from Young. They tied up again, Young got Alexander into the corner, then missed a punch. Now they traded slaps, Young smiled at Alexander. Alexander hit a hip toss to Young but EY then kicked him off and hit a hip toss of his own only for Alexander to kick him off and they stood off. Young went to strikes as they fought in the ropes but Alexander landed a kick, then a Finlay Roll, but when he went for the Best Moonsault Ever, Young moved and tried his own moonsault but neither landed.
This is already shaping up to be a #Slammiversary Main Event to remember!@Walking_Weapon @TheEricYoung pic.twitter.com/2QGggzDASr
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Both men hit the ropes and we got a double clothesline but they came up immediately and were trading strikes. They just kept trading blows, then went to chops, and back to punches. Alexander landed a boot, then avoided a clothesline and unloaded a flurry of strikes, then hit Samoa Joe’s boot scrapes in the corner. Young caught Alexander with a high-angle Death Valley Driver. Now Young looked to work on Alexander’s neck as Deaner set up a table on the outside. Alexander fought back with strikes, he sent Young to the apron and tried to knock him through the table but Young held on and landed a right of his own. Young went up top, but Alexander met him and they traded blows. Young knocked Alexander down then hit an elbow drop.
"@SamoaJoe would be proud!"@Walking_Weapon @TheEricYoung #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/QQJPGl2MAh
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Young headed out of the ring and began undoing the canvas and the padding on the top of the ring. Back in the ring, Alexander landed a kick, then a back elbow and a belly-to-belly suplex. Another back elbow from Alexander, and he landed a Gordbuster, then a folding powerbomb into a Boston Crab. Deaner got on the apron, Alexander knocked him down, then headed to the other side and took out Doering before flying back into the ring with a crossbody. Alexander looked for the C4 Spike but Young countered into The Stroke/The Shades of Jeff Jarrett for a near fall. Young tried the Piledriver, Alexander countered into the Ankle Lock but Young quickly rolled through and sent Alexander into the buckles. They hit the ropes and Young hit a Black Hole Slam.
"Shades of @RealJeffJarrett!"@Walking_Weapon @TheEricYoung #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/Kb0Gxytc0L
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Young landed another right hand, they were in the corner that was partially undone now and Young kept laying in punches, then posed for the crowd. Alexander came out of the corner with an STO, and he wanted the Best Moonsault Ever, he hit it for a near fall. Young avoided a C4 Spike with a backdrop then they traded punches but Alexander was still upright. Alexander tried the C4 Spike but transitioned into a Styles Clash for another near fall, but he switched to the Ankle Lock on the kick-out. Young writhed in pain, and Alexander pulled him back and then hooked the leg. Deaner tossed powder into the eyes of the ref as Young was tapping out.
.@TheEricYoung tapped but @babyhebner didn't see it!#Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/dsXudOi15i
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Deaner was in the ring, Alexander dropped him with a German suplex, then a boot to Doering, and he hit a dive onto Young. Doering got in the ring, but Alexander hit him from the apron, then hoisted him up for an Angle Slam through the table on the floor. Back in the ring, Deaner had the VBD flag and looked to clock Alexander with it, but Alexander pulled out the Team Canada flag on a hockey stick and snapped it over Deaner’s back but Alexander turned into a freaking guitar shot from Young.
?? vs ?!!!@Walking_Weapon @TheEricYoung #Slammiversary pic.twitter.com/vWdDJkDqVf
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 20, 2022
Now Young pulled up the canvas that he’d loosened earlier, then pulled the padding up as well to expose the wood. Young set for the Piledriver on the wood and hit it but only a near fall. Young was beside him and set Alexander on the top rope for a second rope Piledriver, but Alexander slipped free and grabbed the Ankle Lock again. Alexander cranked on the lock but Young kicked Alexander off, only to run into an STJoe in the corner onto the wood. Alexander hit the C4 Spike on the wood and pinned to win.
The Nygma Says: This match was supposed a love letter to the greatest TNA wrestlers in the company. Those moments and callbacks didn’t prevent from keeping the physical issue between Alexander and Young. This match was amazing, I would be a liar if I was saying the opposite.
“… Celebrate with silver, oak, and bone
Celebrate with paper, gold, and stone
It may not seem like much,
It may not seem like much at all
It may not seem like much,
But it’s everything to us.”
Following an unforgettable main event at #Slammiversary Violent By Design attacked Josh Alexander but the energy of the Asylum and some IMPACT Originals saved the IMPACT World Champion! @bigjoedoering @CodyDeaner @TheEricYoung @Walking_Weapon #Slammiversary #IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/3aYk6CEvwb
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) June 21, 2022
*****
Slammiversary XX Full Results:
- Countdown to Slammiversary – Rich Swann (c) defeated Brian Myers to retain the IMPACT Digital Media Championship
- Countdown to Slammiversary – Shark Boy won the reverse Battle Royal
- Speedball Mike Bailey defeated Ace Austin (c), Kenny King, Jack Evans, Andrew Everett, Trey Miguel, and Alex Zayne in the 47th Ultimate-X Match to become the 99th X-Division Champion
- Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie defeated The Influence (c) to become the 16th IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Champions
- Sami Callihan defeated Moose in the 54th Monster’s Ball Match.
- The Good Brothers defeated the Briscoes to become the 61st IMPACT World Tag Team Champions
- Impact Originals (Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Frankie Kazarian, Nick Aldis, and Davey Richards) defeated Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, PCO, Mike Bennett, and Vincent) w/ Maria Kanellis in a 10-Man Tag Team Match
- Jordynne Grace defeated Tasha Steelz (c), Chelsea Green Deonna Purrazzo and Mia Yim in the first-ever Queen of the Mountain Match to become the 60th IMPACT Knockouts Champion
- Josh Alexander defeated Eric Young to retain the IMPACT World Champion
Very Nygma Thanks to Mr Deathman – All pics, screenshots, and videos courtesy of Impact Wrestling, AXS TV, and Fite TV. All photocollage by @frenchnygma exclusively for @steelchairmag. Song Quotes from Duran Duran and The Chemical Brothers.
You read the intro, so you might be suspecting what I’m about to say. I would have preferred all the “nostalgic” segments in a dedicated show or in a larger Countdown. The Future is now, isn’t it? Like I said you can’t deny the past but you can take the best of it in order to build a better present and a brighter future. Does that mean I hated that PPV? Absolutely not. It was a pure blast to watch.
Like I said to Eric Young and Josh Alexander in last week’s press pass, I can’t imagine TNA/Impact Wrestling turned 20 because we had it on TV from time to time in France. The last episode that aired was involving Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero… If I was less aware of the 20th anniversary, I was absolutely aware of my 5th anniversary at the helm of the review. I put a lot of pressure on myself in order to make sure I would not disappoint you and it would be 150% Nygma.
So yes, the Future is now, its name is Impact Wrestling and Josh Alexander is its flagbearer. Impact Wrestling is not just a company, it’s a family, a whole. That’s what the roster, the Creative, the production team and the announcers showed the world with this PPV. They are amazing, so the PPV is amazing, and so Impact Wrestling is amazing.
I feel very lucky to be able to write about this company week after week… As Sami Callihan did, I will bow down and go backstage, but I will tell you I see you on Thursday for IMPACT (if Impact Wrestling is still there in 20 years, I won’t bet on myself when it comes to the next 20 years…). ENYGMAtically yours…