Written by: Craig Ferriman (@MrImpact_Blog)
Solomon Crowe, Jerimiah Crane…. Sami Callihan has had a few names but it’s fair to say under each name he’s been equally as controversial. I believe as I’m sure he’d agree controversy creates cash and Sami has certainly been living up too his moniker of #TheDraw.
Since arriving in Impact at Bound for Glory 2017 in Ottawa Sami has certainly been making an IMPACT and got a lot of people talking about the things he has done, of course it all started during his stint in WWE developmental programming NXT. Where he was released for a series of things but the reported final straw was when he reportedly referred to the Social Outcasts as “Jobbers”. Which if true wasn’t very clever given Heath Slaters tenure with the company, but Sami has certainly landed on his feet.
Ever since 2017 Callihan seems to be getting booked on every independent show going, most recently being confirmed for ICW fear & loathing later this year. Sami debuted in Impact during the oVe rules Street fight at BFG between then tag team champions Dave & Jake Crist who were defending their titles against LAX.
The feud between the two tag teams began to lack somewhat around BFG as it went on for some time with the two trading the titles back and forth, but with the addition of Sami on the oVe side and Homicide on the side of LAX it added a resurgence to feud. It didn’t take long after Samis’ debut to be involved in his first brutal match, as the 6 men were involved in IMPACTS third barbed wire massacre match which was deemed too dangerous for TV so it became Impacts first official stream on Twitch.
Oh and of course who could forget the infamous baseball bat shot to the eye of Eddie Edwards?. Sami made the most of that and put legit heat on himself which lead to him calling himself The Draw, not to mention his feud with The “Golden announcer” Don Callis even attacking him with his baseball bat because Callis threw the towel in, At IMPACT vs Lucha underground at Wrestlecon New Orleans during mania weekend in 2018 against Eddie Edwards in a street fight. It also did great things for the character development of Eddie Edwards.
Of course we can’t forget his groundbreaking feud with Tessa Blanchard, I would honestly put this feud up against any other in 2019. It’s had everything from Street fights to sound technical moments to great tag team matches including the likes of Tommy Dreamer, RVD & Rhino. The matches from Slammiversary & the number one contenders match for the world championship on Impact plus are truly their stand out matches.
Sami did of course defeat Tessa Blanchard to become number 1 contender to Brian Cage’s world championship and although Sami wanted it sooner it will be going down at Bound for Glory on October 20th Live from Chicago. Great booking on the part of IMPACT for having it take place at BFG because as I’m sure you know Sami is the first person to pin Brian Cage in his career with IMPACT and that took place at BFG 2018 in New York city. That of course lead to the two feuding over Cage’s X Division Championship up until January where after beating Callihan Cage would relinquish the X Division championship in exchange for a World championship opportunity at January’s PPV Homecoming (Option C).
I’ve had the personal fortune of being able to watch Callihan in his hardcore action live at Wrestling Mediacon last year in Manchester, England for IMPACT vs The UK. Where he faced off against Jimmy Havoc in a barbed wire baseball bat death match, what a match it was, can not recommend highly enough that you watch it if you’re yet too.
Sami Callihan has had some very note able feuds in his two years with the company and each have certainly had their controversial moments, whether it be stealing the mask of Pentagon Jr, throwing a fireball in the face of Konnan or busting the face of Josh Alexander open with a garbage can. Sami is tremendous worker and although he may be hot headed Impact clearly see something in him and he clearly loves what he does and is someone who treated right will be very loyal to you. Hence why at every live special or one off event IMPACT hold he’s there and usually in the Main Event which is why he’s very much deserving of a lengthy run as IMPACT World Champion, Brian Cage unfortunately hasn’t been cleared for a long time and has only had 1 televised defence of his title and although I know it’s not his fault I feel his run has to come to an end and let Sami officially be the face of IMPACT like he has been for just over a year now.
Thanks for reading, do you think Sami is about to become IMPACT World Champion? Tune in too Bound for Glory to find out Live on the 21st of October (UK time) 1am (UK time). Also catch IMPACT on www.Twitch.tv/IMPACTWrestling.
