Josh Alexander on maintaining the X Division Title’s legacy

As the new X Division Champion, IMPACT Wrestling star Josh Alexander has a tall task in front of him when it comes to living up to the standards that the wrestlers that held the title before him built.

While IMPACT has endured its ups and downs as a promotion, the X Division Title has mostly remained the most consistent presence throughout the company’s almost 19-year existence. Some of the best wrestlers in the world have either held or fought for that title, a fact that Alexander is very much aware of.

As a proficient mat-based wrestler, Alexander is looking forward to the challenge.

Josh Alexander talks about living up to the legacy of the X Division Championship

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Alexander brought up how five-time X Division Champion Samoa Joe while talking about how he, TJP, and Ace Austin gave a little wink and a nod to the famous Joe/A.J. Styles/Christopher Daniels Unbreakable 2005 triple threat at this past Sunday’s Rebellion pay-per-view (h/t to Fightful’s Robert DeFelice for the transcription):

"“That’s the greatest three-way match of all time,” Alexander says. “The monkey flip where I caught TJ, they did that same spot. They did it straight into the rana, but I added a little flair by powering TJ, taking a kick, and then he rana’d me.“When Samoa Joe came to the X-Division, that gave me the burning desire to be a pro wrestler. So having that throwback to the Unbreakable match, that was a way to pay respect to this division.”"

That Joe/Styles/Daniels triple threat match is still arguably the greatest match in TNA/Impact’s history, even earning five stars from The Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer (though it’s important to point out that match ratings will vary based on the individual, so don’t take any one rating as gospel).

Alexander also discussed wanting to live up to that lofty standard as the new champion:

"“This was my chance to establish myself in a division that revolutionized the pro wrestling business. AJ Styles, Low Ki, Amazing Red, Samoa Joe, all found their success in the X-Division, and they were always the match of the night. I would like to return the X-Division to its glory.“This is the workhorse division. I’m going to bust my ass and try to steal every show I’m on.”"

Alexander won a triple threat match against Ace Austin and TJP at Rebellion to win his first X Division Championship, pinning former champion Austin after hitting him with Divine Intervention.

You can read more of the interview by clicking this link.