TNA Slammiversary 2016 Predictions

TNA Slammiversary is tomorrow (June 12, 2016) and since it is a live pay-per-view (PPV) and there are no spoilers available, it’s time to get our expert panel together to try to predict the outcome of every match on the card. Aside from past predictors in myself, Sean Rueter, and our live blog man Jardine, we are joined by the women from the Not Your Demographic podcast “Stunning” Stella Cheeks & “The Engima” Erin Cline!

Most of us made these predictions before word that Maria wouldn't be able to compete. With no replacement match announced by the time this posts, and given the fact TNA hasn’t officially said the match is off, we left those in.

Let’s jump in.

Slammiversary Predictions

Drew Galloway (c) vs. Bobby Lashley for the TNA title

Kyle Decker: I'm 50/50 on this one. There’s really nothing hinting which way this will go. Drew Galloway is the younger guy with more of a wrestling future ahead of him. Lashley is the legit MMA guy and they sure like to play that up. I am going to go with Drew, him being the young guy who can represent the company for years to come, but I wouldn't be surprised either way.

Pick: Drew Galloway

Sean Rueter: Was all set to make my pick here, and then Brock Lesnar made a UFC fight and TNA started making comparisons to Lashley. But I still think Drew gets a little bit more time with the title, as there a few up-and-comers it makes more sense for him to face than Bobby (can we still call him Bobby?). Plus, Bellator probably has another can lined up for Lashley to face by now.

Pick: Drew Galloway

Stella Cheeks: Ahhh I can't decide! Probably Drew. On one hand this match was made for Lashley to win. He's been chasing and tearing through the locker room for months plus his MMA background lends itself to the knockout gimmick. If he loses I don't know where his character goes. But it also feels like Drew is the champ they want to push and he hasn't had it for very long. Plus he’s a great champ. It's a good feud but as a frequent watcher I am finished with this feud after Slammiversary so I hope Galloway wins. And I hope he starts wearing a man bun. Mostly I hope for that.

Pick: Drew Galloway

Erin Cline: I also can't decide, but my gut says Drew. The fact that you have to win by KO or tap out makes me think that Drew retains. Though, if Lashley beats Drew now and Drew wins the belt back by pin later they could make that work for both of them.

Pick: Drew Galloway

Jardine: Here’s how I think it goes: Bobby's going to deal Drew a bunch of spears, Lashley's going to get hurt (or maybe fake it if he finds himself in trouble) and when he tries to sneak a knockout spear, Drew will hit him with a Claymore, and break out another move and "surprisingly" knock Lashley out. Won't help Lashley's MMA reputation, but TNA fans don't seem to really mind or even follow that much.

Pick: Drew Galloway

EC3 vs. The Miracle Mike Bennett

Kyle Decker: Bennett has beaten EC3 twice. He’s got his rub. A third win isn't going to help him much more. Because of that, I think Ethan will get his win back and do unto Bennett as was done unto him - pin him for the first time.

Pick: EC3

Sean Rueter: The Miracle is someone I could see challenging Galloway for the top prize in a lengthy program, and Carter can transition into a feud I'd like to see with Matt - now that their alignments are flipped and gimmicks tweaked. Also think this could be a big night for the Kanellis/Bennetts.

Pick: Mike Bennett

Stella Cheeks: I think the clear winner here is EC3. It was such a huge deal for him to get pinned by Bennett, breaking his streak plus the demons from the past angle. EC3 is TNA's Guy and him defeating the smarmy Miracle will only solidify him as not only a top guy, but as a babyface. It’s about how he deals with defeat and comes out on top and all that. But honestly we are the winners here. I could watch this feud forever. The wrestling. The promos. The story. All 100. Also is it just me or do CM Punk and Bennett sound EXACTLY the same? Like some Ursula stealing Ariels voice shit.

Pick: EC3

Erin Cline: Mike Bennett wins. EC3 is one of the only home grown talents that they have and he is in a prime position to put people over. He spent a year on a tear being unpinned, unsubmitted and Mike breaking that streak was a big deal. It would be weird to take that immediately back from him. I also feel like this is a perfect way to pivot EC3 back to a heel - his power is less effective in the ring as a babyface so after being beaten twice by Bennett he returns to the perfect heel we all need. But seriously, we all win here, this feud is gold.

Pick: Mike Bennett

Jardine: I'm a very big EC3 fan, and I really hope this is a brutal match. I think Bennett will get close to getting a pin (with some help from Maria), but as she's about to try to do something nefarious, look for newcomer Braxton Sutter to stop her for the save. EC3 will somehow get DQed, and now we will have a 3 way feud with nothing yet settled. Been awhile since we've seen a good 3-way dance.

Pick: Mike Bennett by DQ

Broken Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy

Kyle Decker: I'm kind of upset that this isn't just a pre-tape that is filmed on Matt Hardy’s front lawn or at least in the Sanctuary of their Genesis. I’m also upset they didn’t go full blast and do Willow vs. Broken Matt. That all being said, Jeff Hardy is still the guy who they can market the hell out of and another loss for Matt is just an excuse for him to tweak his awesome broken character even more.

Pick: Jeff Hardy

Sean Rueter: If Matt wins, does he remain broken? Brother Nero is loss-proof, and if I were TNA, I'd try to ride the weird train with Matt for as long as possible. And, Lord help me, I think there's money in a couple matches up the card for the Broken One.

Pick: Matt Hardy

Stella Cheeks: Well, is it Broken Matt Hardy vs. Willow? Or just regular, lazy face paint Jeff? Unclear. I think Matt wins and Jeff turns full Willow. Then they form an Optimus Prime of zebra print, Tommy Wiseau ridiculousness, and Maxell becomes their manager.

Pick: Matt Hardy

Erin Cline: Jeff wins and Matt Hardy stays broken forever. I don't even care if it doesn't make sense storyline wise but it's what I want because Broken Matt Hardy is somehow perfect.

Pick: Jeff Hardy

Jardine: Broken Matt gets revenge for getting Swantoned from 30 feet above. Afterwards, Willows appear... but both Hardys are in the ring!! Who are the new Willows??

Pick: Matt Hardy

Gail Kim vs. Maria Kanellis

Kyle Decker: Maria still has things to do as the leader of the Knockouts and a loss to Gail would really hinder her ability to get anything done. They set up the knee injury to Gail to give Maria an excuse to win without making Gail look like a chump. Gail has been in TNA for a long time while Maria has just come on. The win will do more to help Maria continue to establish herself as a great, manipulative heel.

Pick: Maria Kanellis

Sean Rueter: While probably the best woman in the promotion's history shouldn't be jobbed out to a non-wrestler, doesn't mean it couldn't happen. I think they book a way for Gail to get the 'W', but with the "head of the Knockouts" or whatever managing to stand tall.

Pick: Gail Kim

Stella Cheeks: This one is tough. My gut says Gail because she's basically the Cena of the Knockouts, but storyline wise a Marie win would be delicious. It would really solidify this new knockouts division. And real talk: The more Queen Maria promos the better. Dirty finish if Maria wins.

Pick: Maria Kanellis

Erin Cline: Is Maria even fighting? Is her broken hand kayfabe? If they do fight and Maria doesn't use a stand in, I imagine when Gail wins Maria will use that as an excuse and use her role as leader of the Knockouts to punish Gail.

Pick: Gail Kim

Jardine: Since this match is probably not going to happen, look for a battle royal to take its place with Mr. Cherry Bomb Braxton Sutter getting the win.

Eli Drake (c) vs. Bram for the King of the Mountain Title

Kyle Decker: I’m going with Drake on this one. When Eli won the belt, it was after Bobby Lashley got himself disqualified in a match against Bram and then beat him up afterward. I think there’s something to the fact they didn't let Bobby Lashley get the win on Bram, and that is that they have plans to move Bram into that main event scene. This will allow Drake to continue his great work as the cocky heel with the title.

Pick: Eli Drake

Sean Rueter: Surely they'd have to be DUMMYs to take such a prestigious belt off of a rising star like Eli so soon. I'm not the only one to make the "dummy" joke, am I? Damn.

Pick: Eli Drake

Stella Cheeks: Eli. Drake. Dummy.

Pick: Eli Drake

Erin Cline: Eli Drake. Because f@!# Bram.

Pick: Eli Drake

Jardine: E Li Drake. He’ll cheat to win, but that's not an insult, that's just a fact of life. If I'm wrong, then well, I'm a Dummy, yeah.

Pick: Eli Drake

Jade (c) vs. Sienna for the Knockouts Title

Kyle Decker: While I think Team Maria is going to win the match against Gail, I don’t think Team Maria is going to be successful here. If someone on Maria’s team is becoming champ, it’s going to be Maria.

Pick: Jade

Sean Rueter: The artist sometimes known as Mia Yim has kind of felt secondary since winning the title, at least to me. Darn shame, too, but then, I don't feel like TNA ever knew what they had here. In order to make the newer woman look strong, and further the Maria story, I think she continues to be unappreciated by their bookers here.

Pick: Sienna

Stella Cheeks: Sienna for sure. Jade has done basically nothing as the KO champ. She's a talented wrestler but seems to be struggling as a soloist in TNA. If Sienna wins, the title goes to Team Maria, bolstering the team. That may even give Jade more of a storyline chasing the belt. Maybe. Plus the win would solidify Sienna as the powerhouse they want her to be.

Pick: Sienna

Erin Cline: Sienna. She's a new face and they need to put her over. If Gail wins her match against Maria (or Maria’s stand-in), that puts the new champ Sienna in a good place in Maria's camp to dole out punishment to Gail and Jade.

Pick: Sienna

Jardine: With the Gail Kim vs. Maria match not happening, I think Sienna has a chance to win this thing. (However, if Allie is shrieking anywhere nearby, Jade holds.) Still, Maria's team could use some gold in their bunch and for that reason, I'm going with Sienna.

Pick: Sienna

Trevor Lee (c) vs. Andrew Everett vs. DJ Z vs. Eddie Edwards for the X Division Title

Kyle Decker: I feel that the Eddie Edwards/Trevor Lee one on one match from last week should have been the PPV match. That is the story they are telling. I think they’ll advance that story in a big way here with Edwards picking up the win. Plus, I don’t think all four titles are staying in the hands of the incumbent and I feel the other three champs will retain.

Pick: Eddie Edwards

Sean Rueter: Eh, let's say they give the old Wolf something to tide himself over, and add more fuel to the fire of a Wolves vs. Helms guys program whenever Davey gets back.

Pick: Eddie Edwards

Stella Cheeks: I want to care about the X Division so much, but I just can't seem to muster up the strength. I don't foresee Eddie with a belt until Davey comes back. And Trevor Lee is so good, plus he has a two vs one with Everett on Lee's side. Oh and there's DJ Z... Trevor retains.

Pick: Trevor Lee

Erin Cline: OMG I do not care about the X Division at all. It has everything I should like but I just can't give a single f@!# about it. So.... Eddie Edwards?

Pick: Eddie Edwards

Jardine: I think it's changing hands, but still staying with Hurricane's faction. TNA seems to enjoy putting belts on relative newcomers lately, so I'm going with Andrew Everett on this.

(Bonus: At some point, Trevor Lee will break out that spinning, gravity-defying powerslam. On who? Anyone's guess.)

Pick: Andrew Everett

Decay (c) vs. the BroMans for the Tag Team Titles

Kyle Decker: There is no reason to take the titles off the Decay here. It feels like they did this match because the BroMans were the only team they could come up with for the tag team match. The tag division is better suited with the Decay having a stranglehold on those titles.

Pick: The Decay

Sean Rueter: Something tell me this program is just getting started. Raquel evens out the sides and her joining Robbie & Jessie should raise their profile. Don't think that begins with a title win, though. Rather, I think Crazzy and the gang do something which pushes the pretty people to raise the stakes later on. Wouldn't be shocked if the heel/face dynamic flips here, too, and the seeds for that could be planted tonight as well.

Pick: The Decay

Stella Cheeks: While I adore the BroMans I can't imagine hiring a Psylocke wannabe as their coach will actually result in a win for the titles. Especially against the ever growing power faction that is Decay. I am excited for some Rosemary v Raquel action and the clash of characters. Regardless, I see this as a growing feud since there are like what? Four tag teams now? #RIPDirtyHeels

Pick: The Decay

Erin Cline: Decay because of Rosemary somehow. They have done such an excellent job of building Decay that I hope it doesn't just go to waste. Also, until just now I honestly thought their name was The Bromance and am really disappointed that it's actually BroMans.

Pick: The Decay

Jardine: Please be Decay, Please be Decay, Please be Decay, Please be Decay, Please be Decay, Please be Decay.

Pick: The Decay

The Tribunal vs. Grado & Mahabali Shera

Kyle Decker: I can’t imagine that the debuting tag team is going to lose to the comedy team of Grado and Shera. I wouldn’t be surprised in this one, but Dax and Baraka should win and my bet is they will.

Pick: The Tribunal

Sean Rueter: Grado and Shera can't beat a middle-aged guy who used to carry mannequin parts around, why should they be able to beat two fellas from the hottest brand in sports entertainment.

Pick: The Tribunal

Stella Cheeks: It's the Tribunal's first big match so I think they come out on top. My love for Grado can't outweigh my indifference to Shera and I'm of French descent so patriotism? I don't know. All I can focus on is Louis/Baron covered in Nair.

Pick: The Tribunal

Erin Cline: MARCUS LOUIS HAS MUSIC FINALLY??????? Them. I vote for the Tribunal. Love you Grado, but you don't need it and I do not care about Shera for reasons I also can't explain.

Pick: The Tribunal

Jardine: I am going with Snow & Co. If there were a date set for the India/Sony6 shows, I'd be banking on Shera, but for now, there's no need for any push, and with Grado being Grado...Nah. I think a tag team that has a real history together does better than the two dudes with accents so thick they need some subtitles.

Pick: The Tribunal

That’s what we’re thinking. Who do you got, Cagesiders?