10 Ups & 1 Down From Impact Wrestling Slammiversary XVI

7. Cage Powers Through Sydal

Impact's X Division has long been one of the promotion's biggest highlights, but it suffered greatly throughout the dismal Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff years, and has never truly recovered to its former prominence. Fortunately, things are on the up. The company have put great time and effort into rebuilding its old unique selling point by adding new blood, taking the shackles off, and letting them get over on the strength of their breathless in-ring performances, and it's working.

Last night's title fight wasn't as thrilling as the blitzkrieg opener (we'll get to that), but it still succeeded. In Matt Sydal vs. Brian Cage, Impact booked a twist on the usual big man vs. little man format, as while 'The Machine' is an inhumanly strong power wrestler, he can flip and fly like a man 70lbs lighter. He worked a strength-based gameplan against Sydal's weaselly survival tactics, but Cage's light-footedness means his bouts are never plodding. Here, him and Sydal effectively worked 10 minutes of counter exchanges, and while Matt felt like a surefire loser heading into the bout, his comebacks had the crowd believing otherwise.

Cage took victory and the X Division Title after booting Sydal out of the air, then nailing the Drill Claw. It was a rough landing for the former champion, and didn't look great on television, but not enough to spoil the action.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.