10 Steps IMPACT Wrestling Must Take Following Slammiversary 2021
7. Incorporate A More Edgier Product
You need only watch Slammiversary's Kenny Omega vs. Sami Callihan main event to see the need for this one.
Don Callis' superlative commentary work matched with the inhumanity of the no disqualifications stipulation made for impeccable watching. The match was absurdly important to the future of IMPACT as a promotion, as well as the perception of Sami Callihan as a 'he can only do hardcore wrestling' wrestler, so Callis' slip-of-the-tongue bullsh*t comment added depth to the match.
That, coupled with the overarching fact that this was a near-peak ECW-style bloodbath, shows that IMPACT are capable of being a tad edgier when the time is right. This should be a constant factor in their marquee attractions.
Look at Kenny Omega. The hottest wrestler in the world right now. He's a brutal, versatile performer, who'll knee the sh*t out of you just to reach five-star level. By having him - an outsider - as IMPACT World Champion, every moment he's onscreen becomes an attraction.
IMPACT, in realising this, should allow their commentary team - forget that, their entire roster - to let out the odd bleeper every now and then. You won't hear Sami Callihan screaming that Omega's a see you next Tuesday, but the odd f*ck or sh*t goes a long way in establishing IMPACT as a promotion not afraid to take a risk.