10 Biggest Stories From IMPACT's Slammiversary And What They Mean Going Forward

Brian Cage has long been one of the most touted standouts of the independent wrestling scene, being heavily featured in promotions like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Similarly, Matt Sydal has built a reputation as one of the greatest high-flyers of this generation through his tours with WWE, NJPW, and now IMPACT. The similarities between the two X-Division competitors end there, however. While Cage only joined the promotion earlier in 2018, Sydal has been with IMPACT for over a year. In that time, he’s captured the now-defunct Grand Championship before also grabbing hold of IMPACT’s X title in March.

But at Slammiversary, Matt Sydal’s brash attitude and stunning aerials weren’t enough to defeat the much larger Brian Cage. With strength and size on his side, Cage unleashed an impressive display of power and even some high-flying athleticism of his own. Sydal missed his signature Shooting Star Press allowing Brian to spike him into the mat with his finisher, the Drill Claw, to capture his first championship with the company.

With Cage as the new X-Division Champion, who can possibly topple the behemoth brute and take away his gold? Well, Sydal will get a chance to regain what was once his, as IMPACT announced that he would get a rematch for the title on this week’s show on POP TV. Brian Cage isn’t likely to relinquish his newly won crown yet, but Matt Sydal has made a career of proving doubters wrong.