Impact Slammiversary delivered a show that as a whole really only had one downside. We saw a match that could have stolen the show end in a squash match? Everything else was done well. The show built solidly towards the main event and flowed nicely with Match quality being consistent aside from the squash match. Enough angle's were done to prepare the viewer to want to tune in on the next show for storytelling. The crowd definitely was hotter for Rebellion but the crowd was very consistent for the rating it is worth. Solid show, but there have been better special events from Impact this year.
Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary on July 15 2023 is headlined by two marquee matches. Nick Aldis attempts to win the world championship once again, but this time against the champion Alex Shelley. Trinity gets her first championship opportunity in IMPACT as she faces The Virtuosa Deonna Purrazzo. Chris Sabin looks to continue his historic X-Division championship win as he faces Lio Rush. Ace and Bey defend against three other teams. And Bully Ray teams with Deaner to face Scott D’Amore and a mystery partner.
Countdown To Slammiversary Pre Show:
Gisele Shaw, Jai Vidal and Savannah Evans Vs Jody Threat, Courtney Rush and JesSICKa:
Results: Death Dolls and Jody Threat won the match
Joe Hendry Vs Kenny King with Sheldon Jean – Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Results: Kenny King Won the match.
Main Show:
GREAT Alan Angels Vs Kushida Vs Kevin Knight Vs Jonathan Gresham Vs Mike Bailey Vs Special Entrant Jake Something – Number One Contender for X Division Championship, Ultimate X Match: Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary July 15 2023 Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
This match is what you want from an ultimate x match. With innovative spots including the number of different types of low blows Alan Angels gave in this environment. The spots acknowledged Gresham and Bailey’s issues and Kushida and Kevin Knight being partners. And overall continuing Angels storyline arch of leaving The Design.
Results: Kushida by Retrieving the X via Landing on the floor.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD The Coven, Kilynn King and Taylor Wilde Vs Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich – Knockouts World Tag Team Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.50
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
This match was a good quality tag team match, with good tag team psychology. The crowd gets behind the face team by the end of the match. I was a fan of the dog collar match and I am a fan of the team of Kelly and Masha. Both teams got good team spots including the hot tag. I was a fan of Masha getting the win for the team since Masha has been built stronger than Kelly.
Results: Masha Slamovich by Pinfall via Snowplow on Wilde.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT Bully Ray and Deaner Vs Scott D’Amore and Returning to Impact, Eric Young – Special Guest Enforcer Darren McCarty:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
What more can you want from a match that is meant to be lighthearted and fun. From Scott’s mother being in attendance and Bully Ray making fun of Scott in front of her. As well as using the Team Canada history and the violent by design history. The match was solid for what it was. The table spot was smooth and Bully Ray selling his balls is always magic.
Results: Eric Young by Pinfall via Elbow Drop on Deaner
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
SQUASH Chris Sabin Vs Lio Rush – Impact X Division Championship:
Before the bell, Lio hits both a handspring kick and big dive to the outside. Sabin ends up starting the match but Lio makes quick work. Chris kicked out of one final hour frog splash before losing to a second one. Odd booking but they might have had to scramble with a legit injury.
Results: Lio Rush by Pinfall via Final Hour Frog Splash
GREAT Rich Swann and Sami Callihan Vs Brian Myers and Moose Vs Subculture Vs Ace and Bey Connection – Impact World Tag Team Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
Overall the weird move of the previous match kinda took away from this match. But the match had solid pacing, good psychology, great spots and everything looked great. The crowd was great for the match while also advancing the new story of the Rascalz vs ABC. Shock result as well.
Results: Subculture with Mark Andrews by Pinfall via Shooting Star Press On Brian Myers
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
AMAZING Eddie Edwards with Alisha Edwards Vs Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks: Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
This match had a lot of great selling from both men, including the call back to their matches already. The teasing of each other’s moves was great also. There were sorta two stories being told, both being trained by Kowalski and both having wrestling wives. This match was just very well done and one of the top matches of the show.
Results: Eddie Edwards by Pinfall via Boston Knee Party
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
AMAZING Deonna Purrazzo Vs Trinity – Impact Knockouts World Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
This match had great stuff which was a Deonna heavy and dominant match. Deonna doing great work as she is a technical wizard, Great crowd was some great spots and sequences. My question is what is next for Purrazzo as Trinity won the title.
Results: Trinity by Submission via Leg Captured Star Struck
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
AMAZING Nick Aldis Vs Alex Shelley – Impact World Championship Match: Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary July 15 2023 Main Event
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 0.75
Aldis and Shelley deliver a fundamentally amazing and psychological match. Shelley worked on Nick’s fingers and worked on his wrist for the majority of the match. The crowd was solid for the match and everything else was really good. This was a main event that I was nearly skeptical about how they would work together. But they did.
After the match, Josh Alexander returns and says he is back.
Results: Alex Shelley by Pinfall via Shellshock
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
Overall…
Impact Slammiversary delivered a show that as a whole really only had one downside. We saw a match that could have stolen the show end in a squash match? Everything else was done well. The show built solidly towards the main event and flowed nicely with Match quality being consistent aside from the squash match. Enough angle’s were done to prepare the viewer to want to tune in on the next show for storytelling. The crowd definitely was hotter for Rebellion but the crowd was very consistent for the rating it is worth. Solid show, but there have been better special events from Impact this year.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: @ShootingTheIndies- July 15 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
