Sit Down Interview with Impact World Heavyweight Champion Josh Alexander

It is a goal of mine to help broaden the horizons of any professional wrestling fan that isn’t able to watch anything outside of the WWE and/or AEW. Previously I brought you EJ “The Judge” Nduka and today I give you “The Walking Weapon”, Josh Alexander.

Currently the Impact World Heavyweight Champion, Alexander has solidified himself as one of the best the company has ever seen as his title reign, which began on April 23, 2022, has set the record for the longest reign in company history.

Alexander, who is just the ninth Impact Triple Crown Champion, has picked up numerous awards within the company such as two-time Tag Team of the Year with Ethan Page, two-time Male Wrestler of the Year, 2021 Men’s Match of the Year vs TJP and 2022 Match of the Year for his ‘instant classic’ with “Speedball” Mike Bailey. We were able to have a fantastic sit-down interview with Alexander and I would like to share with you how the conversation went.

When did you decide to dedicate your life to professional wrestling? 

I started wrestling in 2005 and from the moment I stepped into a ring I was certainly obsessed. However, it was in 2016 when I truly dedicated my life to the sport. I was recovering from a serious neck injury and had time to think about what I really wanted. I decided to put everything into my wrestling career. 

What wrestlers inspired you when you were younger? 

I began watching because of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Without his rise, I’d have likely not discovered wrestling as early as I did. Once I became a fan of the sport, I saw Bret “The Hitman” Hart and, being from Canada myself, he quickly became my guy. Over the years I was, and still am, a fan of so many different performers but those two stick out above the rest for me. 

Was there a particular team or faction that you followed when you were younger? 

I was a die-hard NWO Wolfpack fan as a kid. I have no idea why, other than it seemed fresh, new, and cool. Plus, I loved “red face paint” Sting. 

What would you tell a young man or woman that dreams of becoming a professional wrestler? 

If you’re going to do it, it takes persistence. You must put everything you have into the craft. You must sacrifice so much, so be sure it’s what you want. If you do decide that this is what you want, don’t hold back. Put every ounce of yourself into it, 24/7. 

Is it true that you continued to wrestle after having your C5 and C6 vertebrae fused together? 

That is correct. This was the 2016 injury that I mentioned earlier, so yes, I’ve been competing this way ever since. 

How have you managed to continue to perform at such a high level when dealing with such a serious injury? 

Plenty of wrestlers are out there competing with not just one, but multi-level fusions. I’ve been lucky and diligent in my daily routine of keeping myself healthy so that my neck is as strong as it can be. 

At one point in your career, you were part of an incredible tag-team known as “The North” with “All Ego” Ethan Page. What was your favorite match when competing in a tag competition? 

I’d have to say it was a match in Dearborn, MI vs reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly) while we were working with Ring of Honor. 

It has been reported that you wear headgear due to an ear injury. Is that still the reason you wear it or have you just become used to it thus making it part of your character? 

I could do away with the headgear now, as it was only required for a few months in 2012. I have decided to keep it as it has become part of me and a recognizable look that I am known for. 

If you could pick one active wrestler to have a “dream match” with, who would it be and why? 

“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles. I believe when people think of TNA that is the first name that comes to mind. Now I believe that, soon enough, when you think of Impact Wrestling my name may come to mind so I would love to settle the score by having the best from the two separate eras of the company facing off. 

If you could pick one wrestler from the past to have a dream match with, who would it be and why? 

The fan in me wants to say Eddie Guerrero or Kurt Angle, but the performer in me and my inner child want that match to happen against Bret Hart. 

Do you have any superstitions or routines that you must do prior to heading to the ring? 

I have to always do 50 push-ups. Sometimes I don’t feel like it or I’m rushed but I just have to because I’m worried that it will have an ill effect skipping it. 

Are there any goals in wrestling that you have yet to reach? 

Not particularly. I’ve achieved a lot. There are matches that I want, and I would be disappointed if it all ended tomorrow and I never had the chance to wrestle in Japan. Hopefully, that will happen soon enough as I would love to compete in the NJPW G1 Climax. 

Who coined your ‘Walking Weapon” nickname? 

Ethan Page came up with that during a car ride in 2011 while he was describing the kind of wrestler I am and a light bulb went off in our heads. 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not wrestling? 

I spend that time with my wife and two sons. We enjoy going to the movies or to the beach in the summer. Pretty simple. 

Do you follow any other sports and, if so, which? 

I’m a big NBA fan, so I follow it pretty closely. The Toronto Raptors have been my team since they came into the league. I’m a homer! 

We, again, can’t think Mr. Alexander enough for taking the time to sit down for this interview and we hope that you enjoyed learning a little more about the ‘Walking Weapon’. The 35-year-old Ontario native is widely known as one of the best in-ring technicians in the business and we look forward to seeing what is next on his agenda. Whatever it is or wherever he may appear one thing is for certain, I will be paying attention and will continue being a massive fan of both the performer and the person he is outside of the ring.