Impact Wrestling Shows It Is ‘For Real’ After Slammiversary Is One Of 2018’s Best Shows

Going into Sunday, many wrestling fans knew to expect a great show from Impact Wrestling at Slammiversary 2018, simply because the card itself was absolutely loaded. By the end of the night, it became clear that not only was Slammiversary one of 2018’s best shows, but it also became clear that Impact is “for real” as a legitimately great wrestling product.

From start to finish, Impact Wrestling overdelivered, producing a show that had something for any wrestling fan. The main event between Moose and Austin Aries showcased two of the most athletic performers in wrestling laying it all on the line for the Impact World Championship.

Aries’s arrogance and underhanded tactics, juxtaposed with Moose’s toughness and heart, caused many of us to root for the babyface with everything we had.

So when Aries hit that final brainbuster for the three-count, we were left deflated but still in awe at the in-ring action that transpired in front of our very eyes.

The scary thing is that for as good as Aries vs. Moose was (it showed the whole world that Moose is one of wrestling’s most underrated talents), it was likely “only” the third-best match of the night. Sami Callihan vs. Pentagon Jr. was one of the most electrifying matches of 2018, pitting a sick, twisted Callihan against a man who proved to be even more twisted than him.

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There’s a reason why Pentagon screams that he has “cero miedo” (meaning zero fear), as he outlasted everything Callihan threw at him before finally breaking “The Draw’s” arm and hitting a Pentagon Driver.

But while Callihan lost his hair, he didn’t exactly lose his dignity. No image from tonight’s show will hang in my memory more than Callihan, foaming at the mouth after kicking out of a Fear Factor onto four (!) chairs, absolutely begging for more pain.

Prior to the Callihan vs. Pentagon match that set the arena ablaze, LAX put together a brilliant first chapter in their faction war. Santana and Ortiz, led by a focused Konnan, went blow-for-blow with the OGz, proving to Homicide and Hernandez that they have the hunger and the skills to be the future.

Simply one of the best tag teams in the world, LAX put their bodies on the line in this match, pulling out feats of athleticism that caused us to reassess the laws of physics. And that thumbtacks spot at the end…fantastic.

Clearly, this story isn’t over, as the war within LAX has just begun. But tonight’s bout was a reminder that breathtaking, intense tag team wrestling is very much alive, and LAX are among the teams setting the standard in this regard.

One of the most haunting images of the night involves Su Yung, of course, whose submission victory over Madison Rayne was just beyond chilling. Rayne’s sell of Yung’s disgusting finishing maneuver only added to the moment.

I’ll never forget how Yung posed on the ramp with the Knockouts Championship, the Undead Brides behind her and Rayne safely tucked away inside of a casket. Yung was almost begging anyone else in the Knockouts Division to take a look at the scene in front of them and go, “Do I really want some of that?”

Brian Cage and Matt Sydal was the best straight wrestling match on the show, and I can’t wait to see how the Swolverine revolutionizes the X Division Championship. That is a title that has undergone plenty of changes during its time as one of the most valuable belts in high-flying wrestling.

Cage is just something else as an athlete, and the counters he and Sydal whipped out were unbelievable. They more than delivered, with Cage’s strength and Sydal’s flexibility being perfect foils for each other.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Allie is another match that deserves praise, and it will be interesting to see the next chapter in Tessa’s career with Impact Wrestling. She’s only recently inked a long-term deal with Impact, so she’ll have quite the road to the Knockouts Championship ahead of her. Avenging two losses against Madison Rayne will be a priority after defeating the inspiring and resilient Allie.

I thought Tommy Dreamer vs. Eddie Edwards was a better match than it had any right to being, with Edwards earning Dreamer’s respect at the end of his victory. Edwards repented what he had done, and Dreamer seemingly forgave him by handing him the kendo stick, almost passing the torch. Of course, Edwards must do far more to win over his wife Alisha, whom he has treated awfully these past few months.

I’d also be remiss to neglect mentioning the Fatal Four-Way that kicked off the show, which only cements my belief that this was a near-perfect show from top to bottom. Each match was worth your time, each match made all the competitors involved look better, and there were no stupid shenanigans. In my humble opinion, this was one of the most enjoyable shows of the year, and I’d rank it second to only NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.

In one night, Impact Wrestling showed the world that they aren’t just a rising brand or a rebuilding brand, which is what Redemption was all about. No, they showed that they are “for real” as one of the best promotions in wrestling. Without a shadow of a doubt, Impact is back, providing edgier content and entertaining wrestling that the fans crave.

All of the goodwill Impact has built up with its fanbase has paid dividends, too. Impact/TNA fans have always been among the most passionate, diehard fans in wrestling, and now that they are mobilized behind a product that is quite good, they’ve made their voices heard each and every week.

Those collective voices were boisterous tonight, as the hot crowd greatly supplemented each match. Their reactions and “This is Impact!” chants were heart-warming, as they reminded me that there’s nothing more powerful in wrestling than a unified audience.

Impact knows that their work is far from done, because “complacency” or “satisfaction” are two words that cannot exist in a promoter’s vocabulary. They will continue to push the envelope, build momentum, challenge the status quo that other wrestling promotions have established, and provide the best product possible to their fans.

Slammiversary 2018 was an outstanding effort, and I am excited to see how they follow it up. For as much praise as I’ve given Impact, I also understand that there’s a difference between winning the Super Bowl once and repeating as champions. For Impact, consistent excellence is the key in this saturated climate in professional wrestling, so repeating with a brilliant build to Bound For Glory and a breath-taking BFG Pay Per View is the first long-term goal following tonight’s success.

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Think about it in these terms. Redemption put Impact back on the map, Slammiversary showed that they are legit, and subsequent Pay Per Views will be their chance to prove that they are ready to be staple viewing for the majority of passionate wrestling fans.