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EditorialImpact Slammiversary XVII Review & Play-By-Play

Impact Slammiversary XVII Review & Play-By-Play

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Hi folks! This is an article reviewing the matches and key moments of Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary XVII event; along with play-by-play. If you’re looking for the results with no fluff? You can find them at the following link: Slammiversary XVII Results

I believe Impact did a great job building this card. Almost every match had something attached to it, so there was positive hype going in that persuaded some to give the show a chance. Was Slammiversary XVII good enough to keep them watching? Let’s find out. The card featured eight matches, with all four championships on the line.

Introduction

The idea of Slammiversary has always been good to me. Like a wrestling anniversary, the show’s introduction took us back to the ol’ TNA days, showing us the likes of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Sting, and many others who helped build the company. But yet, they quickly moved on to talk about the next generation of talent.

They want us to know that while looking back is fine, it’s the future we should be appreciating. “Legacies being written”, is a line which tells me Impact wants to rely on new stars, instead of what got them here. The opening match was apparently announced over social media only a day or two before the event, with no stipulations added.


#1: TJP vs. Trey vs. Jake Crist vs. Willie Mack

Thrown together last minute to get these guys on the card. Apparently it was because TJP issued an open challenge, so officials slotted in this four-way. TJP and Trey don’t like Jake much, so they double superkicked him to start off. Ultra quick action between Trey and TJP, showing us what the X-Division could be like if Impact focused on it more. Don Callis made a good point about all four of these guys starting their careers in their early teen years.

Trey gets the upper hand and is fired up after losing The Rascalz triple threat last week. But he’s stopped in his tracks with a surprise punch to the head from Willie. And err .. is he defying the laws of gravity, being able to pull off a standing moonsault? You can be the judge. Jake returned from selling the early offense, and the fans are all over the oVe guy. He asks the fans “Who Sucks?” and they chant back “You Suck!”.

Pre-planned spot #1: TJP has Jake’s legs hooked around one of his own, Willie comes in and TJP grabs his head with his arm. Trey grabs TJP, but he struggles, so Trey kicks him and follows up with a neckbreaker, which also happens to DDT Willie and pull on Jake’s legs at the same time!

Pre-planned spot #2: TJP gets Jake in an Octopus Stretch, while also having Trey in a variation of the Abdominal Stretch. Willie breaks it up by running full force in to them with a stiff strike to the back of TJP’s head.

TJP hits his springboard dropkick on Willie. Mack recovers and suicide dives TJP, and Jake quickly follows up with a dive to the outside, grabbing Willie’s head in to a DDT on the floor. Trey takes to the sky, with a spinning corkscrew suicide dive on everyone! After some messing around in the corner (like they were setting up a triple/quadruple superplex), TJP gets Trey in the Mexican Surfboard. While doing this, Jake goes for a pin cover on TJP! Willie jumps off the turnbuckle and stomps Trey in to Jake and TJP, breaking up the pin and submission! Nice spot guys.

Trey flips and dives all over the ring, til Jake powerslams him in to the turnbuckle. Jake goes on a kicking frenzy to stop TJP in his tracks. TJP later counters with some punches and kicks of his own, before taking Jake on a ride with a version of the Tazplex. Jake misses a kick, and TJP takes advantage by locking in the reverse figure four. Trey misses the falling double knees, but TJP sells it anyways and breaks up the hold. Jake joins Trey on the top rope, and super cutters him to the mat! Willie hits the 6-star Frog Splash on Jake! And it’s all over. Winner: Willie Mack

The X-Division has been effectively dead for a long time, due in part to Impact officials booking Swann against non X-Division guys. This was a glimpse of how competitive the X-Division could be if used, but sadly the match had nothing on the line other than bragging rights. Considering it was thrown together last minute, it wasn’t bad at all, and I particularly enjoyed the surfboard/pin/stomp spot. A good way to start Slammiversary, although some fans were more bothered by the production values.

Before the next match, we are shown how The North won the Impact World Tag Team Championships at Bash At The Brewery. I found it strange that they won the titles so soon before Slammiversary. Found it even stranger that the three-way tag match, which I assumed would steal the show, was scheduled so early in the night.

In a backstage interview, Melissa Santos asked The North if they were surprised to pick up the win, but Josh Alexander takes offense to her question. Ethan Page takes over and cuts a heated promo on how “surprised” LAX and the fans were. They literally said out loud, that they are the best tag team in the world, so it’s silly that anyone was surprised by this. When Slammiversary’s all said and done, you’re looking at the World Tag Team Champions.


#2: The North (c) vs. LAX vs. The Rascalz for the Impact World Tag Team Championship

LAX start off by knocking The North off the ring apron. Seems this match is tornado style (no tags needed) as everyone can enter the ring whenever they like. LAX Irish whip The Rascalz in to a suicide dive on The North. Rascalz and LAX brawl in the ring as The North sell on the outside. LAX hit a double team backbreaker on Dez, as the crowd shows their support. The fast paced action continues, as The North recover and Josh Alexander catches Wentz, turning it into a spinning powerbomb pin as Ethan shoulder blocks Ortiz.

Alexander gets Wentz in the ankle lock as Ethan defends him. Wentz manages to roll out and send Alexander in to his tag team partner. Dez literally launches like Wentz like a cannon ball at Ethan in the corner. The Rascalz tee off on Josh with kicks and stomps, but a pin isn’t enough as Josh kicks out. LAX drops Alexander with a double team move as Ethan fends off Dez on the turnbuckle. As Santana pins Alexander, his partner Ethan throws Dez a long way down on to the pin, breaking it up. He blows a kiss to the crowd, and they reciprocate by booing.

What a move! Alexander does like .. a moonsault version of the Spanish Fly on Dez. Ethan follows up with a picture perfect Swanton Bomb. But he only gets 2 as Josh holds back others from breaking it up! LAX hit more double team moves and regain control. As LAX set up for their finisher, Alexander knocks Santana off the turnbuckle, which sends him bouncing off the ropes. It seems he’s in serious pain, as he rolls to the floor and the referee quickly checks on him.

Commentary notes Santana’s injury, and The North take advantage of it by teaming up on Ortiz. They hit a double team move and both go for the pin, but Wentz breaks it up. He tries taking The North on by himself, but it’s too much .. Dez runs down the ramp and flies over the top rope into them! The Rascalz set up a prone Ortiz in the middle of the ring for their special pushing standing moonsault. Ethan gets in and grabs Dez, as Wentz goes for the pin .. and he powerbombs Dez into them to break it up. Both Josh & Ethan pin Wentz for the victory. After the match, officials and The Rascalz help Santana to his feet, who looks visibly hurt and upset by his knee injury. Winners: The North

– A good match, but something tells me Santana worked the match injured, and this was a way to protect him without removing the match from the card. Having The North win the titles a couple days before, meant they could do much of the work with The Rascalz to give us something. It would’ve been miles better had LAX been at 100% condition.

Sami Callihan cuts a promo about his match with Tessa Blanchard, announcing that the intergender match is making history tonight in the main event. He points out the hypocrisy in fans cheering Tessa for using a baseball bat, and booing him when he uses it. The fans can’t handle equality, and they should consider him a hero. The only people messed up in all this are the keyboard warriors wanting to see it. He says society has become about people enjoying other’s failures.


#3: Eddie Edwards vs. Killer Kross in First Blood

Killer Kross is sporting gray face paint with a big X on his forehead, and a priest’s collar. Just when you thought he couldn’t be anymore bizarre. Eddie Edwards enters with Kenny 2.0, and Kross is quick to go after him, but is struck in the stomach by Kenny. Kross fights back and Eddie drops Kenny. They get in the ring and brawl, as Callis makes the point that pin falls do not matter in this match.

Eddie sends Kross falling to the outside, and follows with a suicide dive. He chops and headbutts Kross. Eddie gets a chair, but Kross desperately grabs him, picks him up, and throws Eddie back first in to the edge of the ring apron. Kross goes looking for a chair on the other side of the ring, and slides it across the mat to fall through the other side. He’s really picky on where he wants the two chairs, but it makes sense later.

Back in the ring, Kross walks in to a belly-to-belly suplex. He responds with an overhead suplex of his own, but Eddie isn’t down, as he hits him with a release German suplex. Kross no sells it and they slug it out with forearms. Kross rolls to the outside, so Eddie goes for the suicide dive. But Kross is ready for it, as he throws a steel chair at Eddie’s head! Luckily he is not busted open. Kross picks Eddie up on the apron, and sadistically throws him off it on to the steel chairs. He wastes a lot of time gloating about it, as commentary sells Eddie as a guy who reminds them of “Rocky”; too much overselling there Josh.

Eddie gains the advantage after they throw chairs at each other. Kross hides his face from the ref, as he thinks there’s a possibility he may be busted open. He’s fine though, and all it’s doing is giving Eddie the chance to get his breath back. They fight hard in the middle of the ring, til Kross grabs Eddie by the head and spins him in to the turnbuckle. Kross hits Eddie as he’s down, while asking where his stick is. He teases Eddie by putting Kenny close to his hand, only to throw it away. Kross gets a sick thought, to suplex Eddie off the turnbuckle on to the side of the entrance ramp, but luckily Eddie gets out of it. Kross is caught straddled on the top rope, and Eddie knocks him off with the Boston Knee Party.

He grabs Kenny 2.0 and swings for Kross. Eddie misses and Kross locks in the Kross Jacket. He keeps it applied as Eddie swings Kenny wildly. Eddie rolls out of the ring and the hold is broken. On the outside, Eddie hits the Tiger Driver. Back in the ring, Eddie downs Kross again with a running knee. Eddie picks up Kenny again, as Kross slowly gets to his knees. As Kross waits to be hit, Eddie decides to split Kenny in half across his knee! He sacrifices Kenny to use the splintered wood on Kross’ head, and is busted open immediately. Also, he apparently sticks it in Kross’ mouth, and blood pours down his face and body. Not a pretty sight, as the referee ends the match. Winner: Eddie Edwards

– Killer Kross should have won here, but I think him wanting out of the company means he’s being used to enhance others who are committed to the long term. Wasn’t as brutal as expected, and Eddie’s obsession with Kenny was completely destroyed by the ending. This should mark the end of their feud, and there’s not much chance we’re going to see a push for Kross while Impact has him sit out the rest of his contract.

Investigative reporter Rolando Menendez is on hand to get an interview with Tessa Blanchard. She enters the backstage area and he cuts her off. He asks her about the main event tonight, but she’s angry and forces Rolando against the wall. She walks away without saying a word.

The Whole “Friggin” show is here, says Melissa. RVD shares his thoughts on Moose. Not losing any ego, he understands Moose wanting to target a big name like him. He intends to show Moose the consequences to his actions. There’s a special place in his hearts for bullies, and Moose is going to find that out tonight, because he’s Mr PPV Rob! .. Van! .. Dam!


#4: Rob Van Dam vs. Moose

Moose jumps RVD before the bell. He gets in some offense, but RVD kicks him to halt the momentum. Rob kicks him while he’s down, and signals for the Rolling Thunder. It’s too early in the match, so Moose easily rolls to the outside. RVD flips to the outside on top of his opponent. He plays to the crowd, which gives Moose the chance to recover with a big boot. Moose goes for a powerbomb, but is countered with a hurricanrana.

In the ring, RVD continues playing to the crowd. After working Moose over in the corner, he’s cut off by a dropkick after running across the ring. Moose takes control, working Rob over with a methodical pace. Moose mocks Rob with his own taunt. He tells Rob he’s the whole F’n show while holding on to the rope. Moose runs at him, but Van Dam counters and back body drops him on to the entrance ramp. Some quick clotheslines by RVD. Moose interrupts Rob showboating again with a punch to the head. Split legged moonsault gets Rob a 2 count.

Crowd chants “You still got it!”. Rob gets on the turnbuckle, but Moose cuts him off with a high standing dropkick. Moose grabs him by the throat and slams him down with the Go to Hell; only 2 though. They exchange punches in the middle of the ring. Moose DDTs Van Dam and nips up. He goes up top for the Frog Splash, but Rob moves out of the way. RVD gives him a DDT of his own. For some reason, the ref does not disqualify Moose for holding him as a shield in the corner. The ref gets out of it, and Moose (knowing the ref can’t see it) uses this moment to low blow his opponent.

Moose gets a chair and threatens to hit Rob with it. He lifts it high in the air, but the ref sneaks up and tries taking it from him .. but Moose lightly pushes him off. Moose turns around and gets hit with the Van Daminator! He goes for the cover, but the long legs of Moose gets him the rope break. Rob has the chair now, and suckers Moose in to a drop toe hold, sending him face first in to the chair. RVD goes for the 5-star Frog Splash, but is sent flying in to the steel chair as Moose escapes in time. Spear! 1-2-3. Winner: Moose

As good as it could be between Moose and an aging RVD. Not much to say about it, other than the right man won. Had Rob won, it would’ve told fans the ECW legends have influence over the booking. Moose is likely to head to the main event scene soon, which could mean a feud with the World Champion. He’s improved so much since joining Impact.

Meliissa Santos is with Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie, and again her mic is snatched out of her hand. Santos doesn’t like it and walks away, as Taya mentions her having to plan a wedding? I don’t know enough about Melissa to get the reference. Taya doesn’t say anything noteworthy. She simply claims there’s no need to worry, as she’ll still be champion after Monster’s Ball.


#5: Taya Valkyrie (c) vs. Rosemary vs. Su Yung vs. Havok in Monster’s Ball for the Knockouts Championship

The four women start the match brawling. This is kind of like a tag team match, as Su Yung and Havok are working towards the common cause of making the latter Knockouts Champion. Taya almost sends Havok into Su, but Mitchell’s monster puts on the brakes in time. They start looking for weapons, like chairs and garbage cans. Valkyrie’s got a staple gun, and wants to staple Havok’s head.

Rosemary throws a garbage can at Havok’s face. Su clotheslines her to the floor. The champ delivers some stiff kicks to Su, before stapling her back. She staples Su a few more times, in the back and arm. Taya pulls out an Impact promo sheet she has stashed around her right breast. She staples it to Su Yung’s head! And knees Su in the face, who goes rolling out of the ring. The champ plays to the crowd, as Havok enters the ring behind her with a big smile.

Havok hangs Valkyrie in the tree of woe, places a chair under her, and elbow drops her through it. The chair is dead, and may never be sat on again. Havok continues the onslaught with running knees to Taya’s head. Rosemary’s back and hits the missile dropkick on Havok. Rosemary uses the baking tray, but Su is back in and clocks her from behind. Su puts a dog collar around her own, and Rosemary’s necks, and they are now linked by a chain. Josh telegraphs Su running up the turnbuckle and kicking Rosemary while upside down.

Su puts on the smelly, putrid glove. She tries fighting Rosemary, but the champs here to knock them down with a ladder. Havok surprises Taya, and goes to chokeslam her on to the ladder, but is instead sent crashing in to it via Taya’s counter. The crowd wants tables. Taya places Havok on top of some baking trays on a ladder, and climbs the turnbuckle. Su pushes her, and ties the champion up in the turnbuckle. Both Rosemary and Su climb the same turnbuckle, and they scrap while Taya grabs one of them, who grabs the other, resulting in Rosemary and Su crashing down on to Havok below!

Definite “Holy Shit” moment. Rosemary spears Taya. She gets a little bag from under the ring, and reveals the thumbtacks all over the mat. “You Sick F**k!”. Taya tries to slam Rosemary in to them, but it’s not paying off. She gets Rosemary on the floor, and arches her body up while her foot is pressed in to her back; stomping Rosemary’s face hard in to the tacks. The pin cover is broken up by Havok. Su Yung and Havok start arguing, and Su spits the red mist .. but it misses and hits Mitchell. Su has the Mandible Claw on Havok! But she powers her way out.

A table is set up at ringside. Both Rosemary & Taya try to put each other through it. Taya hits the Side Effect on Rosemary through the table! Meanwhile, in the ring, Su has the Mandible Claw again and is forcing Havok to climb the turnbuckle where the thumbtacks are laying below. Havok counters .. and oh my god, it’s a Super Tombstone Piledriver on to the tacks! Havok pins Su, but Taya gets up and throws a steel chair at Havok’s head! Taya pins Su and retains the Knockouts Championship in this barbaric Monster’s Ball. Winner: Taya Valkyrie

– Strange dynamic to this one, because Taya worked almost like a face, while Su could be considered a face when put against Havok. Despite being the biggest babyface in the match, Rosemary was an afterthought. Still, we have to appreciate what the girls delivered here, as you rarely see women in hardcore style matches.

There were some really good spots, and I think it would be remembered more had Rosemary or Su picked up the win. Not the right time for Havok though, she’s only been back five minutes. Taya’s looking unbeatable at this point. Not the most brutal Monster’s Ball ever, but it was good enough.

Johnny Impact interrupted Rich Swann’s interview. Again, they’re not adding much to it. The only good part was the end, when the Johnny’s sang “All Night Long”. Swann was more serious about it, simply claiming he will be the only one partying all night long.


#6: Rich Swann (c) vs. Johnny Impact (w/ John E. Bravo) for the X Division Championship

How classy of John E. Bravo to throw streamers at Impact during his entrance. The Johnny’s taunt some fans, as the champ dances in the ring. Johnny & Rich lock up in the middle of the ring, and Rich takes him down with a hip toss in to a headlock. They shoot off the ropes and Johnny escapes, much to Swann’s disappointment. Johnny gets back in, and some quick action follows. Rich evades with flips, and Johnny rolls to the outside again. Bravo fans him off and polishes his abs with his red flannel.

Back in the ring, Johnny misdirects Rich enough to go for a leg take down, and arm drags are exchanged. Hurricanrana and drop kick by Swann sends Johnny reeling. Bravo throws some of the thumbtacks from the last match in to the ring where Johnny is. The referee notices and brushes them away. As he does, Impact takes advantage by slapping Rich in the face with his bandana. Rich retaliates, but Johnny lifts and straddles him on the top rope. Springboard kick to the face.

On the outside, Johnny drops Rich face first in to the steel barrier. Johnny throws Rich back in the ring, and hits a combo of kicks. Swann kicks out at 2. Johnny throws Rich out, and grabs the X Division title. While the ref’s distracted, Bravo puts the boots to Swann. They put the title back, and Johnny takes down Rich with a flying kick. He pans to the camera and asks if the cameraman caught it. After a long arm lock, Rich fights back and rolls to the apron. He gets back in, rolls along the mat, and jumps in to a big time spike DDT.

Rich is on the turnbuckle, and Johnny cuts him off with an attempted Spanish Fly. Rich escapes and pulls the legs out from under Impact, sending him back first in to the turnbuckle. He follows with a flurry of kicks, and a standing 450 splash! Only 2 though. Johnny escapes to the outside, but he’s caught by a cockscrew suicide dive. Back in the ring, Rich gets another 2 after an elbow drop. Johnny fights back with a knee to the face. He picks Rich up in a very unique way, lifting the champ over his head, bringing him back down to earth with a rotated Johnny’s Edge. 2 again, and the challenger is in disbelief.

What I cannot describe is all the unique evasive moves in this match, both men being able to move out of the way of the other with ease. Johnny jumps from the second rope at Rich with a fist, but gets hit with an uppercut to the gut instead. The fans are firmly behind the champion. They meet on the turnbuckle and fire punches at each other, til they fall to the floor. Bravo comes to Johnny’s aid, cooling him off again with the flannel. He helps Johnny in to the ring, and Rich barely makes it back in to avoid being counted out. On the turnbuckle again, Johnny hits the Spanish Fly from the second rope .. and transitions straight in to another Spanish Fly!

Johnny’s pin gets 2 .. what’s it gonna’ take to put the champ away!? Crowd chants “Johnny Sucks”. Rich recovers and chops Johnny’s chest. He whips off the ropes, and barely escapes Bravo’s attempt at grabbing his leg. Swann goes around Johnny and takes out Bravo at ringside with a leg lariat. Impact attempts a dive, but crashes to the floor due to Rich moving out of the way. Johnny outsmarts Rich with a springboard kick, and follows up with a (botched) Starship Pain. The champ kicks out at 2. Somehow, Rich comes back from this with a combo of eight punches and kicks, ending it with a springboard cutter! Phoenix Splash! 1-2-3. Josh immediately calls it a “5-Star Classic”, while Don says it was more like 7 stars. Winner: Rich Swann

– Arguably match of the night. They used all their athleticism to showcase a match filed with combos and unique evasive maneuvers. John E. Bravo played a part, but he didn’t interfere enough to help his idol pick up the win. The pace remained throughout; albeit one rest hold in the middle.

Didn’t see much selling from either of ’em, so it felt like much of the offense had little meaning. And yeah, Josh has an annoying ability to oversell things that don’t deserve it. Despite the small flaws, both men over delivered in my opinion, so I have to give them a thumbs up for doing right by the X Division title. Swann’s had this title for what feels like forever.


#7: Brian Cage (c) vs. Michael Elgin for the Impact World Championship

Big match feel. The two bulls collide in the middle of the ring and brawl. Cage uppercuts Elgin, fires off the ropes and eats three big boots in succession. Elgin fires off the ropes and eats a shoulder block. The champ tells the challenger to bring it, as he absorbs the strikes. Cage whips Elgin in to the corner, and hits him with an uppercut + kick combo. A quick release German Suplex out of the corner, leaves “The Machine” in full control.

Elgin rolls to the outside, but there is no escape .. because the champ can roll himself over the top rope like a cruiserweight. He’s enjoying the advantage. Back in the ring, Cage goes for a discus clothesline, but Elgin counters in to a release Dragon Suplex! He aggressively clotheslines Cage twice in the corner. Elgin forces him up the turnbuckle, and takes him for a giant superplex from the top! The challenger targets the back as he knows it was previously injured.

Elgin rolls Cage to the outside, and runs his back in to the steel barrier. He drops Cage on to the ring apron. The champ rolls back in to the ring, and Elgin climbs the turnbuckle. He goes for a twisting senton dive, but Cage moves out the way. The Machine fights back, but is stopped in his tracks by a back breaker.  Cage counters a superkick in to one of his own. He jumps off the rope for a Tornado DDT! That looks amazing. 619! Pumphandle release drop follows, and he picks up a 2 count. Cage cuts Elgin off on the turnbuckle, hoists him on to the shoulders, and drops him with the Electric Chair. “Terminator Clap”

Elgin fights back and hits a powerbomb. The two heavyweights exchange heavy kicks and punches in the middle of the ring, and Elgin almost rips off The Machine’s head with a clothesline. And another one. Elgin Bomb! Yet Cage kicks out at 2! Elgin powerbombs Cage in to the turnbuckle, but he no sells it and drops him with a huge lariat! Both men are down. They get to their feet at the same time. Don calls them a couple of rhinos (telegraphing!) .. couple of elephants fighting it out. Elgin takes Cage down with some super kicks.

Cage counters an Elgin Bomb in to a power bomb in to the turnbuckle, immediately converting it in to an F-5 .. but no, Elgin counters with the Canadian Destroyer! Didn’t see that coming. How did he only get 2 from that?? Cage comes back, hits him with a knee, a power bomb, and the F-5! But again there’s a kickout. Crowd chants “Fight Forever”. Cage’s back gives out going for the Drillclaw, and Elgin capitalizes. Josh Mathews botches, as he calls Brian Cage “Johnny Impact” .. quickly correcting himself. Big Mike goes for another Elgin Bomb, but Cage counters with a back body drop, sitting down in to a pinning predicament. The challenger isn’t able to escape, and the champion retains. Winner: Brian Cage

Elgin attacks Cage and grabs the title. Callis tells him to stop, so Elgin grabs him instead and drags him in to the ring. Before he can Elgin Bomb Callis, a mystery figure appears in the ring with a bag over his head. It’s clearly Rhino, but the commentary don’t let on because he’s still under WWE contract til July (according to the news). Mystery Rhino GORRRES Elgin. The crowd chant “Gore” as well. Callis returns to the commentary table in pain.

– Another possible match of the night candidate. There was so much athleticism to go with the power, and I think Elgin brings the best out of Cage. I think if Elgin took the title it would’ve been too soon, as he’s another who hasn’t been around long enough. Cage deserved this win on a big stage, and in the process, they made each other look amazing. Looking forward to more encounters between ’em. Also Rhino getting involved in the end? Could be fun seeing him have one last run on TV.


#8: Sami Callihan vs. Tessa Blanchard

Callihan looks really confident. Loving Tessa’s gold attire with matching golden baseball bat. Sami looks bemused during her entrance, like it’s insulting she even showed up. The fans love Tessa, which makes Callihan smirk. There’s an uneasy stare down, as the crowd chant “Tessa’s gonna’ kill you!”. They stick Thumbs Up’s in each other’s faces, before they come to blows. Tessa speeds past Sami, runs the ropes and twists around his body for the hurricanrana.

Springboard dropkick sends Callihan to the floor. Tessa dives and connects with Sami on the outside. She goes for it again, and hits him for a second time. The third time, Callihan catches her and swings her upside down, and head first in to the steel barrier. Death Valley Driver. He gets back in the ring and grins mercilessly. On the other side of the ring, Sami grabs Tessa and powerbombs her in to the ring apron. She screams in pain, like it really hurts.

Callihan showboats in the ring as Tessa writhes in pain on the outside. Tessa manages to get back in before the count out, but she’s in no condition to go straight after him. He kicks her while she’s down and talks trash. Tessa fights back and hits a running neckbreaker. She runs off the rope, right in to a stiff kick to the sternum. Callihan takes a bow. He stomps the ankle, just to punish the former Knockouts Champion. He throws her out and she falls on to the entrance ramp. Sami tells fans to move, as he plans to power bomb her to the floor.

Tessa escapes and hits the cutter, but lands on her back. As the ref counts, they both crawl to the ring, doing everything to stop the other. They barely make it back before the count out.  Callihan invites Blanchard to hit him, so she does .. repeatedly in the face. After going wild on Sami, he stops her flurry with a punch to the stomach. He bounces off the rope and she lifts him up for the Samoan Drop. She follows with a tilt-a-whirl tornado DDT, spiking Sami on his head. Tessa must be injured as she’s wincing with every move.

Callihan comes back with a shoulder breaker and running knee. Powerbomb pin gets 2, and he quickly transitions in to the STF. She powers through it and crawls to the rope for the break. Tessa is either selling big time, or she’s really suffering. Sami disrespectfully drags her across the ring by her hair. He has her up on the turnbuckle, attempting a super Cactus Jack special piledriver. She rolls out of it and kicks his legs out. Tessa jumps off the rope and hits the Magnum! She checks her nose right awa .. the camera didn’t catch it, but there could’ve been a collision on the way down. Callihan kicks out at 2.

Tessa goes to town on Sami with forearms and strikes. He’s defenseless, so the ref tries breaking it up, but she elbows him in the head by accident. Callihan grabs his baseball bat and hits her in the head with it! He goes for the cover, as another referee shows up to take over. Blanchard kicks out at 2! Callihan’s not happy, so he wipes out the replacement ref. His patience has ran out. He demands she quits, and her answer is to spit at him. Sami goes to hit her, but she low blows him! Tessa grabs her golden bat and swings hard at his stomach. Her nose is bleeding, so it’s probably broken.

Tessa hits another Magnum! The original referee recovers as she goes for the pin, but it’s not enough. She quickly switches in to a crossface. Callihan is so close to tapping out, but his pride won’t let him. Sami powers out and sends her crashing to the mat with a package Tombstone Piledriver. Due to a poor, rather lewd pin, Tessa kicks out before 3; Callihan can’t believe what’s going on. She gets up and gives Sami the thumbs up, thumbs down, but Sami’s had enough. He drops her quickly with the Cactus Jack special, and all the air is sucked out of the building as the ref counts 1-2-3. Winner: Sami Callihan

Callihan does not look happy having survived that. Tessa is crying in pain, she must have several injuries. Sami goes up the entrance ramp and looks back at her. He comes back to the ring with both baseball bats, hitting them together as he scares the ref away. Sami extends the gold bat to Tessa, and she accepts it. That’s as close to a handshake as anyone will get from him. Callihan celebrates his win on the entrance ramp, as the show comes to an end.

Watching it back, wow .. what a crazy match. Tessa either sold like no one has before, or she worked through injuries to put on a classic. It was one of the best intergender matches I’ve seen, and it was difficult to hold anything against Sami. The match took a more disturbing turn after the powerbomb to the apron, which is when Tessa began wincing and crying.

Have to go it to Callihan, for making her look so tough. At only 23-years-old, Tessa Blanchard is bound to be a huge star. But where does she go from here? Does this mean she’s done wrestling men? Will she return to the Knockouts Division and put an end to the reign of Taya Valkyrie? And what does a main event win mean for Sami? Who has been vocal about his lack of title opportunities. Either way, both Tessa & Sami delivered a memorable main event worthy of their talents.


Conclusion

There was nothing flashy about Slammiversary XVII. It was all about the wrestling, and management got the match order right. Before the show, I had no idea they would decide to make Callihan vs. Blanchard the main event over the World title. We could question their priorities, but we must consider the historical significance. No other Intergender match has ever had the build to main event a PPV like this, so it makes sense to take a chance. And boy were they right, I don’t think anything could follow it.

Some of the matches were nothing better than what we see each week on TV. No titles changing hands made it feel like nothing progressed. There’s very little news to take from it, other than Rhino’s run in and Tessa’s loss. The venue was dark, and production wasn’t at the level some would like .. but at least the crowd enjoyed it. Having lost The Lucha Brothers, and possibly LAX (if Santana is injured), I believe the roster did everything they could to put on a good show. And that’s what it was, a good wrestling show.

Would’ve been sweet to see at least one title change hands, but it goes to show they are content with the champions they have. It cemented them as the standard bearers. If I had to pick a match of the night? I’d probably say Cage vs. Elgin, although Blanchard vs. Callihan is a very close second. I wouldn’t be upset if you thought Swann vs. Impact was better. And that’s all I can say really, the show could’ve been better, but they’re doing everything they can without overspending. Thanks for joining me for this review of Impact Wrestling Slammiversary XVII. See you on Friday for the next episode of Impact.

Aftermath

Is Rhino in Hot Water with WWE Following Slammiversary Appearance?

LAX Done with Impact Wrestling

New Details Regarding the Tessa Blanchard vs. Sami Callihan Match

Johnny Impact Finished With Impact Wrestling

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