IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary: Every surprise, debut, and return

As if IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary wasn't already jam-packed full of great surprises, we got a major announcement. Bound for Glory 2021, which takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 23rd will feature talent from All Elite Wrestling, Lucha Libre AAA, and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Considering the final appearance on the show, we're expecting some top talent to show up. IMPACT Wrestling has been working with AAA for quite some time, and has gotten a good bit out of their recent deals with NJPW and AEW, including the appearances of Satoshi Kojima, FinJuice, and IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Kenny Omega.

If we're lucky, it'll also include some NWA talent as well. Why would we expect that? Well...

#3 La Mera Mera challenges The Virtuosa

That's right, Deonna Purrazzo defended the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Championship against Thunder Rosa at Slammiversary. Two of the greatest women's wrestlers on the planet, The Virtuosa and La Mera Mera delivered arguably the best match of the show.

Rosa beat Purrazzo down throughout most of the match. The former NWA Women's World Champion was able to escape several attempts at Purrazzo's Armbar and Venus Demilo. She forced Purrazzo to change her game plan up and bring out her other weapon, the Queen's Gambit piledriver.

Purrazzo pinned Rosa clean in the middle of the ring in a phenomenal contest. If that was all we'd gotten as far as shocking debuts or returns, we could've called Slammiversary a slam dunk for one of the better shows of the year. But it wasn't.

#2 Hardcore Country!

We're not the only ones who can't stop singing Hardcore Country today, right? #Slammiversary @MickieJamesOrder the replay: https://t.co/OhDjZcOl5T pic.twitter.com/edh0FrIOi2
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 18, 2021

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Before Purrazzo could even celebrate her victory over one of the most sought-after wrestlers in the business, a true legend in the industry came down to the ring. Former three-time Knockouts Champion Mickie James confronted Purrazzo, but not in a way we expected.

She told The Virtuosa that she was a fan of her work and was impressed by her work. So much so that she wanted Purrazzo to show up at NWA EmPowerrr on August 28th.

Purrazzo, furious that Mickie James stole her thunder, denied the invitation and demanded James get out of her ring. She added an extra insult, telling her to "take her trash bag and leave her ring."

EXCLUSIVE: "On Thursday, I'll come back and I'll make it right." Two ICONS of women's wrestling reunited after #Slammiversary as @gailkimITSME welcomed @MickieJames back. pic.twitter.com/5VQeNfZsu7
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) July 18, 2021

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Well, James took offense to that and rocked the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion with a Mick Kick. After the show, she was interviewed backstage and met the legendary Gail Kim.

James followed up, promising to appear on this Thursday's episode of IMPACT Wrestling to follow up. Considering commentary hinted at more surprises in coming weeks, the next IMPACT seems like a can't miss show.

About the author

Greg is a pro wrestling writer at Sportskeeda. He has been an avid wrestling fan since he was able to do elbow drops off bunkbeds at the age of three. He's gone through the highs and lows of the Attitude Era, Ruthless Aggression, and PG eras and lived to tell the tale, with his favorite wrestler of all time being Diamond Dallas Page. His other favorite star is the late great Bray Wyatt.

Greg has contributed to sites like Bleacher Report before joining Sportskeeda in 2017 as a content writer and editor. If you've ever checked out the various wrestling shows through our live coverage, chances are you've read Greg's work. Apart from the world within the squared circle, he also keeps track of other sports such as American football, baseball, golf, boxing, and MMA.

His goal with his writing is to be able to mentally take readers right into the action through his words. Greg strives to ensure his readers get nothing but the best and most accurate information by always checking and using only the best and most reliable sources.

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