Date: 11/07/2019 | Written By: Jack Williams
For the first time in a good while, This year's Slammiversary Pay-Per-View got me really excited, So much so that I actually ordered the PPV on Fite whilst also having the Impact Plus Subscription. I couldn't wait a few months to see it on the network, I had to see it instantly. It was really one of the first PPV events in years that had a complete card I was looking forward too. That said, in No order, Let's start off this review with Moose vs. Rob Van Dam.
Moose vs. RVD: I hate to use this term, But it was a solid and consistent match. Moose was the perfect heel and RVD was just like... Well... RVD! Who was fighting for and defending the honour of the ECW alumni. Moose came out victorious in typical Moose fashion, a low blow behind the referee's back, and a 'No Jackhammer Needed Spear', and the 1, 2, 3! But I did fear that with RVD back in the Impact ranks in a permanent position, We'd see RVD overcome Mr. Impact Wrestling and have another ECW highlight moment, But we didn't, Moose came out looking strong and looking credible as the challenger to the World Title.
First Blood Match: Eddie Edwards vs. Killer Kross: From the unexpected look of Killer Kross (Which was awesome and scary!), to the vicious and brutal war that followed, This was the best first blood match I've ever seen. It was hardcore, But not over-the-top hardcore that has swept the sport in recent years. It was done perfectly, with brilliant storytelling and great action. While I do prefer technical wrestling, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The conclusion was brilliant, With Eddie breaking his friend (Kenny the Kendo Stick) to ram the broken shards into the mouth of Kross to get the maniacal Kross to bleed first. However, It must be said that I watched the match with a fear that we'd see the dreaded first blood match botch where one of them would bleed early and spoil the match as past first blood matches have seen, But even with the brutal moves and attacks used, Neither man bled until it was time, leading to a classic bout that I'll remember for many years to come!
Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard: We learnt early in the show that Sami vs. Tessa would be our new main event match, replacing Cage vs. Elgin. When it was revealed, I thought something had happened regarding the injured Cage, and he wasn't going to be able to put on a good show-closing match, However, I'll get to that in a moment. Now, I will be the first to say that some intergender matches don't look legit or look believable, I've said this once already for the first blood match, But this was the greatest intergender match I've ever seen. The way it was presented, The passion from both stars, and just every detail. It was superb and believable. The ending too was a surprise, I expected Tessa to win, But the loss may have been even better for her in the longrun, as it kept Sami looking strong, and made Tessa all the more stronger for being able to go to the wire and almost beat him in an absolute classic that I'm looking forward to watching again down the line. I think it's up there in the top 3 main events in Slammiversary history. Then to conclude, Sami showing respect for the first time in his impact career, Just made Tessa look all the more admirable.
World Tag Team Championships: The North (Alexander & Page) LAX (Santana & Ortiz) vs. The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz): Coming into Slammiversary, It was expected that the Rascalz and LAX would compete in a standard tag match with high expectations, But when Santana and Ortiz would lose the belts at Bash at the Brewery to The North, The whole match expectation changed. While it was still a good match, It solved numerous problems. As now a three way match, LAX and the Rascalz were both placed in a position where one team was going to come out looking weak, But the booking in this one made sure that all teams looked good and strong. Firstly, The North won, and with dominant fashion on Ortiz of LAX, But even then, LAX didn't look weak as Santana went down halfway through with a leg injury, Leaving Ortiz to fend for himself. And with Ortiz taking the pin, It meant that Dez and Wentz of the Rascalz didn't come out looking bad either, So they can continue where they left off and challenge the North down the line.
Four Way Knockouts Monsters Ball Match for Knockouts Championship: Taya (c) vs. Havoc vs. Rosemary vs. Su Yung (Didn't Watch This One)
X-Division Championship: Johnny Impact vs. Rich Swann (c): Johnny Impact is just the perfect blueprint of wrestler, and with an opponent like Rich Swann, It gave him the opportunity to mix it up with someone like him. The match was very enjoyable, with Johnny doing things that you would only normally find in a video game or an animation. The antics of Johnny and his manager John E. Bravo during the early stages of the match were solid gold. Then the high flying hard hitting collision that followed was without doubt a classic bout for Johnny Impact to leave Impact Wrestling on should he not re-sign with the company. Swann's reign as X champion goes on and this will be a highlight of his time in Impact Wrestling for sure.
Impact World Championship: Brian Cage (c) vs. Michael Elgin: It had big expectations to reach, and by god it reached it and thensome. It was everything you would expect and more from two bulls like Cage and Elgin, Who have the skillsets of cruiserweights in their arsenals. It was on-the-edge of your seat action from the first to the last bell, and main event pro-wrestling at it's very best. Both men looked incredible, and either one would be a good world champion, But Brian Cage with a cheeky roll-up got the pinfall and the win, Recertifying his reign as World Champion, But even then, Elgin ambushed Cage following the bout, But an amazing comeback of Rhino under a mask made the save for Cage and gored Elgin before leaving as quickly as he arrived.
In Conclusion:
This was every bit of PPV greatness that I expected it to be and moreso. It is most definitely an event that I would recommend to any wrestling and even non-wrestling fans!
10/10 or *****/*****
