Impact Slammiversary preview & predictions: Best Bout Machine vs. Death Machine

Boomshakalaka. Slammiversary is here. Tonight is the night for Impact to do it right. Title fights and surprise appearances are the draw. Top bouts include Kenny Omega defending the Impact World Championship against Sami Callihan and Deonna Purrazzo defending the Knockouts Championship against a mystery opponent.

Let’s run down the storylines with predictions for each contest to get you prepared for the evening.

Slammiversary is available on PPV and Fite TV. The main show begins at 8 pm ET, with the pre-show airing at 7 pm ET.

Impact World Championship No DQ: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Sami Callihan

Omega came to make history through the Forbidden Door as the Best Bout Machine. He achieved his goal by winning Impact’s premier championship. The Impact locker room views Omega as an outsider stealing their precious. It is Callihan’s turn to step up to the plate to bring glory back to Impact. The drama lies in Callihan being an unpredictable Death Machine. Impact leaned into his chaos by granting a No DQ stipulation.

Prediction: Kenny Omega retains. Omega has three championship belts in his possession, four if you count the defunct TNA title. I would be shocked if he drops the Impact strap or the AAA gold first before eventually losing the AEW World Championship. AEW needs to protect their investment, and that means Omega will remain Impact champion for the foreseeable future.

Knockouts Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. mystery opponent

Purrazzo has run through the Knockouts division as champ. With no contenders left, Purrazzo boasted about being able to win without knowing who she would face. She proved it against Lady Frost in an open challenge, however, Impact management used that opportunity to take a mile and abuse their authority. Gail Kim informed Purrazzo that she would be competing against a mystery opponent. That’s great for the fans, but it is quite the pickle for Purrazzo.

Prediction: Deonna Purrazzo retains. She has a title versus title match lined up against Faby Apache at AAA Triplemania XXIX on August 14. Dropping the Knockouts belt at Slammiversary would mix things up, but it would only mean a quick recovery for Purrazzo to take back the gold. Unexpected results are a nice swerve, however, this is not the place for that.

X-Division Championship in Ultimate X: Josh Alexander (c) vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju vs. Petey Williams

Ultimate X is back. Allow Rohit to sell you on the importance.

The X-Division has had a bit of muscle lately. Ace and Rohit decided to join forces to produce better odds for victory. They brought Madman Fulton and Shera with them as strongmen. Alexander, Trey, and Little Petey Pump stood their ground as babyfaces. The x-factor was Bey. At first, he decided to stay out of the malarkey. Then, Bey picked a side before a side picked him. On the go-home show, Bey turned on his good guy allies with a chair to show he is only out for himself.

Prediction: Trey Miguel wins. This pick is more about having at least one title change than an indictment against Josh Alexander’s X-Division title run. Alexander is arguably Impact’s best wrestler. That won’t matter much in the chaotic realm of the Ultimate X format. I think Trey is smoother and slicker enough to capitalize at the right moment to shimmy the cables for victory. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Chris Bey attains glory.

World Tag Team Championship: Violent by Design (c) vs. Good Brothers vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. TJP & Fallah Bahh

The contenders bickered about who should be the rightful #1 contender, so Impact determined they all are. Four-way madness for your pleasure.

Prediction: Violent by Design retains. It is too soon for them to lose. Violent by Design hasn’t had a chance to fully blossom yet. Eric Young’s crew needs the belts to symbolize success in his preaching. Dropping the titles would make Young just another blowhard. My backup pick is the Good Brothers. Their purpose in Impact is to be a big deal and take losses for Omega. To overshadow their role as Omega’s goons, it requires gold around their waist.

Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Rosemary & Havok

Fire ‘n’ Flava have dominated the Knockouts tag team division, however, familiar foes united to form a new unit. Rosemary recruited Havok with the intent to become tag champs. Havok is all aboard and even accepted Father James Mitchell’s mojo in becoming an official member of Decay.

This bout is receiving the pre-show slot.

Prediction: Rosemary & Havok win. I think Fire ‘n’ Flava will be victim of their own success. They are the best tag team in Impact hands down. The problem is that they have pretty much cleaned out the division. Aside from any newcomers, a rematch with the rejuvenated Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering is all that remains. On the flip side, Rosemary and Havok have a burgeoning partnership that would be dead on arrival with a loss. The cards predict Decay.

Moose vs. Chris Sabin

Moose has one thing on his mind, the Impact World Championship. Anyone that gets in his way will pay the price of pain. Sabin did just that.

Prediction: Moose wins. The wrestling god is hitting his stride. If not for Omega, he should be Impact champion by now. Defeating Sabin will keep Moose in the conversation as top stud.

W. Morrissey vs. Eddie Edwards

Morrissey doesn’t believe in friendship within the professional wrestling industry. When Morrissey noticed Edwards getting chummy with Satoshi Kojima, he decided to do something about it. Morrissey attacked Edwards in the parking lot to prevent the fantasy fight with Kojima. Edwards wants payback, and Morrissey obliged the opportunity.

Prediction: Morrissey wins. The 7-footer is building a main-eventer résumé. Edwards will be the next notch of Morrissey’s belt.

Brian Myers & Tenille Dashwood vs. Matt Cardona & surprise partner

Cardona has been butting into Myers business for far too long. Cardona claims it isn’t his intent to trifle, but he often finds himself mixed up with Myers. Bad Mood Brian anticipated Cardona’s prying, so he recruited a blast from Cardona’s past. Dashwood moseyed in for a sneaky low blow on her ex-boyfriend. That led to a mixed tag match with a partner of Cardona’s choosing.

To be clear, Cardona is the good guy, and Myers is the bad guy. I framed Cardona as being nosy, because, frankly, he has been. He could easily enough not intrude on Myers, and yet he apparently can’t help himself. Cardona always seems to be around to ruin Myers’ schemes while conveniently portraying himself as Dudley Do-Right.

Prediction: Matt Cardona & friend win. After Dashwood’s inconsiderate actions, comeuppance is coming her way via Cardona’s partner.

Check back with Cageside Seats for live results. Slammiversary begins at 8 pm ET on PPV and Fite TV. Until then, let us know your predictions.