TNA Slammiversary 2016 Predictions

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

While I would have done my predictions for the upcoming Slammiversary event on the latest episode of WrestleRant Radio, I ran out of time to talk TNA on the show with so much else going on at the moment. That said, I really wanted to preview the pay-per-view given that this is the most excited I have been for a TNA show in a several years. If you haven't been keeping up with my weekly reviews of Impact Wrestling, the product has certainly picked up since the start of the year when they moved to Pop TV, and this show should be the culmination of the company's hard work.

The undercard doesn't look too promising, but it's the marquee matches that I am looking forward to the most. Each of them have the potential to be something special, and with the right booking, TNA can deliver a strong show that should continue the hot streak they have been on in recent months. Here, I will offer my picks and predictions for every match on the card. Please note I decided to leave out Braxton Sutter's match because his opponent has yet to be announced, though I assume it will be an enhancement talent and he'll win, anyway.

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Jade vs. Sienna (Knockouts Championship)

I honestly forgot Jade was the Knockouts Champion until just recently. She has been a background player in the much more prominent Gail Kim vs. Maria angle, but she can be a strong champion with storyline support. She deserves a chance to shine on her own after being overshadowed during her Dollhouse days. Meanwhile, Sienna was built up fairly well upon her arrival in the company, but it didn't take long for TNA to ruin her mystique by having her suffer back-to-back losses to Kim last month. Now, she's just another Knockout. Jade captured the gold not too long ago, so I'd be surprised to see Sienna take the title here.

Prediction: Jade retains the Knockouts Championship


Trevor Lee vs. Andrew Everett vs. DJ Z vs. Eddie Edwards (Fatal 4-Way Match For the X-Division Championship)

I didn't even know this match was a part of the card until I came across it on Wikipedia and saw it was confirmed on TNA's official website. I figured this was the direction they were going in, but why not announce it on Tuesday's Impact Wrestling episode? Also, didn't we see these four in an Ultimate X match a few weeks ago? Thus, this feels like a step down from that, but it should be fun, nevertheless. I could see Lee retaining the title, but Edwards chasing the championship has been the story they have been telling, so I assume he finally gets his moment to shine here by pinning Everett. Additionally, I expect this match to open the event.

Prediction: Eddie Edwards wins the X-Division Championship


Grado and Mahabali Shera vs. The Tribunal

Ugh. I seriously could not care less about this feud. Al Snow has done well in his role, but is he really going to get any of these guys over? That did wonders for Joey Ryan in 2012! Yes, that was sarcasm. For those unaware, The Tribunal are Sylvestor Lefort and Marcus Louis from NXT, who were released earlier this year. I didn't give a crap about them then nor do I give a crap about them now. Best case scenario, this match is over quickly. The Tribunal have been getting the better of the babyfaces as of late, so I'll go with a Grade and Shera victory here for the hell of it.

Prediction: Grado and Mahabali Shera win


Eli Drake vs. Bram (King of the Mountain Championship)

Drake has actually kind of grown on me these last few months. He isn't there quite yet, but he has all the tools to be a talented talker and a polished in-ring wrestler. I was happy when he won the King of the Mountain Championship, even though the toy belt means absolutely nothing. Drake is right where he should be right now, whereas Bram should be higher up on the card, especially with there being so little star power in the company. Giving him back the belt so soon would be pointless, so here's hoping he fails to regain the gold and instead transitions into an upper-midcard role in the near future.

Prediction: Eli Drake retains the King of the Mountain Championship


Decay vs. The BroMans (World Tag Team Championship)

Abyss has been involved in a ton of trashy storylines over the years, but he has struck gold with Decay alongside Crazy Steve (who is in desperate need of a name change by the way) and Rosemary. They're a terrific trio. That said, there is no reason to take the titles off them here. The BroMans recently reunited, but why? I realize TNA's tag team division is depleted, but Robbie E and Jessie Godderz were better off on their own, and they have yet to click as babyfaces, despite having Raquel in their corner. The BroMans regaining the gold would set the division back a handful of years.

Prediction: Decay retain the World Tag Team Championship


Gail Kim vs. Maria

Apparently, this match has been put into question with Maria having suffered a legitimate hand injury. She had actually been out hurt for a while, but TNA's last of tapings were so long ago you would have never known. I have no idea what this means for the match, but I assume it's off or Maria gets a replacement. Does Awesome Kong make her return? Doubtful. Maybe we see the emergence of another new Knockout? Whether it's Maria or someone else, Kim is walking out a winner.

Prediction: Gail Kim wins


Ethan Carter III vs. Mike Bennett

This has been my favorite feud heading into Slammiversary. The storytelling, from Bennett handing EC3 his first pinfall defeat in TNA to EC3 having to embark on a road to redemption in order to get his rematch with Bennett, has been exceptional and I genuinely have zero idea who is winning here. EC3 finally overcoming his adversary would be the most logical scenario, and I wouldn't hate that, but I'll make a bold prediction and say Bennett remains undefeated. He'll obviously utilize underhanded tactics, but his undefeated streak will live on.

Prediction: Mike Bennett wins


Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy (Full Metal Mayhem Match)

The ending to Impact Wrestling two weeks ago with the contract signing for this match scored plenty of mainstream attention for the company, more than it has received in some time. As stupid as it was, fans are now looking forward to the match to see how it plays out. Obviously, Jeff and Matt have always worked well together, so this should be a stellar match. They will make excellent use of the extreme environment, but when all is said and done, Jeff will reign supreme.

Prediction: Jeff Hardy wins


Drew Galloway vs. Lashley (Must End Only in Submission or Knockout For the TNA World Heavyweight Championship)

TNA has done a commendable job of giving this TNA title match a big fight feel by booking both men so strongly this year. Galloway has been a fighting champion since capturing the title back in March, while Lashley has been essentially unstoppable. I appreciate the "submission and knockout only" stipulation because it gives off the impression that it's a real fight (and it plays to Lashley's strengths as an MMA fighter). I'd love to see Lashley come out on top here, so he's my pick to win. Galloway could rekindle his rivalry with Bennett over the title, but EC3 vs. Lashley has been teased as well, so I get the feeling that's the next championship feud.

Prediction: Lashley wins the TNA World Heavyweight Championship


SEE ALSO: "5 Reasons You Should Be Watching TNA Impact Wrestling"