Roundtable: Slammiversary 2019

Since Impact moved to Pursuit, how have you been keeping up with the promotion?

Sam Gladen: I watch on Twitch live when I can or locate it with more nefarious means if I have to. I wish it was on Hulu or that I could pay Twitch for VOD but c’est la vie.

Steven Jackson: Living in the U.K., this hasn’t affected me like USA fans. However, we did switch from 5Spike which did throw me a bit. But it hasn’t affected my viewing.

Juan Bautista: I’ve been keeping up with Impact through highlight videos on various social media platforms and YouTube.

John Corrigan: It’s been a struggle. When Impact aired on Thursdays, I watched live every week. Then it moved to Fridays, so obviously I had to record it. But every time I did, the DVR only recorded the first half hour. I got too frustrated and now catch up on everything through YouTube clips. I can’t wait until Impact gets a better TV deal.

Which match are you most looking forward to at Slammiversary?

Gladen: LAX vs. The Rascalz should be incredible. One of the front-runners for best tag team in the world versus one of the best young teams on the scene. These guys should put on a hell of a show.

Jackson: I’m really excited for the main event. I recently interviewed Michael Elgin (so far the highlight of my wrestling fandom and a highlight of my life in general), so hearing his thoughts first-hand really got me pumped for the main event!

Bautista: The women’s Monster’s Ball. It has become more intriguing with Havok’s return and they have the right people at the right time for this match.

Corrigan: Sami vs. Tessa is intriguing because I can’t picture Callihan in an intergender scenario. I’m also looking forward to Swann vs. Impact.

How do you feel about Impact signing Michael Elgin?

Gladen: He’s a talented guy, but with the controversy surrounding him in the last 12 months and IMPACT’s tenuous hold on wrestling consciousness as it is, his signing brought the wrong kind of attention to the promotion. Whether you believe he did the right thing or not, the facts are that he made a student feel uncomfortable about being in the ring with him and any other of his students and he turned a blind eye to her valid concerns for her safety. The world has enough successful guys who turn a blind eye, maybe we didn’t need to give a spot light to this one?

Jackson: Again after interviewing Michael, him joining Impact has been a brilliant move all-around. I’m so pleased he’s being used prominently and being able to show more of his personality, which has otherwise been hidden in the other promotions he’s worked for.

Bautista: It’s alright, I guess. It’s a fresh face on the product, but there is a risk. I hope it doesn’t get derailed due to Elgin’s personal issues like his runs in other companies have in the past.

Corrigan: Initially, I thought it was a dud signing. It’s not like he’s had any momentum or buzz around him. But after a few weeks of seeing his matches, he does bring a certain intensity to the main event scene that Impact was lacking. Perhaps he’ll totally reinvent himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKtoGBTOPcI

Has there been too much nostalgia lately with RVD, Sabu, Sandman and Tommy Dreamer appearing frequently?

Gladen: Yes and no. None of the spots with Sandman, Tommy Dreamer or RVD have so far come across as self-masturbatory – at least not as much as the Goldberg and Undertaker match did. In the case of RVD, he can still very much go and maintain much of his original style. With Dreamer and Sandman, I don’t think having them come out and pop the crowd with a quick and less than strenuous victory is the worst thing in the world. It gets these guys a solid and dependable paycheck and treats them as the legends they are while not putting their long-term health at risk. Don’t have them run the X division or even compete for titles, but let them stay midcard competitive.

Jackson: Impact has taken a step back by getting so many ECW alumni involved in the company. It hasn’t been as overwhelming as previous years, but it still isn’t really necessary in the grand scheme of things.

Bautista: I don’t have a major issue with this, although it has its issues. They’re being used in spots that are made for them. They’re not ruining main events.

Corrigan: Not at all. As a Philly guy, I love the ECW references and am glad that RVD has returned to a regular schedule. He and Moose should be a fun match at Slammiversary.

Who wins the Monster’s Ball: Taya, Su Yung, Rosemary or Havok?

Gladen: I think Havok gets the win, but with Su Young eating the pin. With Taya’s booking being so strong over the last few months and her really being the cornerstone of the Knockouts division, I can’t see her being the one to lose or at least lose cleanly. As for Rosemary, she falls into a similar vein of Braun Strowman for me. She is this otherworldly strength and talent. To put the belt on her means that eventually she’ll have to drop it and that will just diminish the character that has been built around her. She’ll get involved, but not directly be responsible for the loss.

Jackson: I really want to see Su Yung clean house and win Monster’s Ball, as well as the souls of all her opponents in the process!

Bautista: Rosemary walks out with the belt. She’ll get some retribution towards Yung. Taya won’t be able to sneak out the building with the belt this time around and Havok probably has a title reign in the future, just not right now.

Corrigan: Somehow, someway, Taya will leave the ball as Knockouts Champion.