Slammiversary 2020 Predictions

In this edition of The Wrestling Estate roundtable, we discuss the state of Impact Wrestling and Slammiversary 2020.

Have you been following Impact at all during the pandemic?

Juan Bautista: I’ve been keeping an eye on it. Impact has been utilizing the IGTV feature very well.

Chad Gelfand: Impact is in a tough spot with so many of the long-term plans having to be scrapped, but it has done a good job putting on an entertaining wrestling show considering the circumstances.

John Corrigan: I’ve read things here and there, but I’ve stopped watching since Hard To Kill. It’s not necessarily anything that Impact has done, it’s just tough for me to get into the current wrestling scene during the pandemic.

How do you feel about Impact firing Tessa Blanchard?

Bautista: Impact didn’t really have a choice. Tessa failed to send in promo tapes that she agreed to send. Her contract was expiring.

Gelfand: It’s something that needed to happen and should have happened when the news of her racist rants and bullying came out. Tessa refusing to even send in promos from home as the Impact World Champion made it an easy decision to fire her. Over the course of her young career, she has shown few redeemable qualities beyond her talent in the ring, which has been enough for any wrestling promotion since the beginning of time.

Corrigan: Good riddance. Neither she nor Impact executives handled the racist allegations well at all, and her refusing to do the bare minimum as champion proves that she’s not ready to be the face of the company.

What do you think of Impact’s response to the #SpeakingOut movement?

Bautista: It went as well as it could have been. Regardless of their position, the accused were dealt with. Joey Ryan was fired, Dave Crist was fired and Michael Elgin has been suspended until further notice.

Gelfand: Impact did what needed to be done in the cases of Joey Ryan, Dave Crist and Michael Elgin. Hopefully, the brass also looks into the claims that Kris Levin brought against Anthem executives. If there is a systemic problem, they need to get to the bottom of it.

Corrigan: Impact should be commended for taking swift action. However, Chad is spot on about Kris Levin’s accusations needing to be addressed.

Who wins the Knockouts Gauntlet for the Gold at Slammiversary 2020?

Bautista: Kylie Rae. She has a lot of momentum. Rosemary will be hellbent on trying to get Susie to go back to her dark persona as Su Yung.

Gelfand: Susie seems to be getting a lot of TV time and they seem to want to get her new character over as well, so that’s my pick.

Corrigan: Havok, just because her challenging Jordynne Grace would be an intriguing matchup. When’s the last time we’ve seen a hoss fight between the ladies?

If you could pick any of those released by WWE to join Impact at Slammiversary 2020, who would it be?

Bautista: Eric Young and EC3. It will be great to see Eric back home. They could also do a storyline where EC3 comes back to a place that’s unrecognizable.

Gelfand: Miro, fka Rusev. Miro had all of the tools to be a main eventer in WWE, but Vince McMahon squandered his momentum on several occasions. Impact should not only sign Miro, but also make him the top star.

Corrigan: Rusev udrya, Rusev machka!