Revival of the X-Division: Tale of the Tape
Outside Impact Wrestling. A long time "Jerichoholic", Mick Foley, Kurt Angle & Hardys fan, pop open a little bit of the Bubbly, read what's being written by me with an open perspective & enjoy.
- Impact Wrestling’s build to the big 20. Part 1 - February 25, 2022
- (Exclusive) Rosemary: A Journey through the Valley of Shadows – PART 1 - September 19, 2021
- Revival of the X-Division: Tale of the Tape - June 20, 2021
Ace Austin (Oct 20th 2019 – Apr 21st 2020)
Ace Austin’s 1st run as X-Division champion broke several records he has set the record as one of the youngest ever winners of the X-Division Championship & in terms of length on a full time contract, he’s had one of the quickest builds from rookie to face of a franchise. Nothing short of extremely impressive since his debut going through an impressive rivalry with Eddie Edwards to show off he is not just your “average X-Division star” of times now long past, but still on some fan’s expectations (just another lightweight who can go at 100mph), with the charisma & unpredictability to outshine almost anyone who stepped up to him. Since his arrival, he’s been seen as one of the final templates Scott D’Amore & Don Callis had been waiting for to get the X-Division back to it’s former glory (personally taking nothing away from previous champions & what they offered).
Winning the title at Bound For Glory 2020, in a 5 way Ladder match against Daga, Acey Romero, Tessa Blanchard & X-Division Champion Jake Crist, by famously throwing Tessa Blanchard off the ladder through a set of tables at the final hurdle, before she could get some revenge on OVE by winning the belt & cashing in for a shot at Brian Cage or Sami Callihan, Ace Austin’s victory had once again brought the fan’s attention back onto the X-Division & those who want it’s prestige (or Option C).
Ace Austin would round off 2020 in a very competitive rivalry against Trey Miguel, ending at Hard To Kill. But he would also continue to cross paths with Tessa Blanchard after she had beaten Sami Callihan for the Impact World Championship he was hot on her heels with Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie also in pursuit. Tessa Blanchard would face Ace Austin at Sacrifice, the first Impact plus special of the year. And while Tessa Blanchard won to earn an X-Division title shot Ace Austin did not make things easy & Tessa would win the title match by disqualification from Taya Valkyrie. As things drifted away from the World Title scene for Ace Austin, he would very quickly turn his attention to Willie Mack, Chris Bey & other upcoming X-Division stars built up over 2019 leading to a very entertaining final match as champion at Rebellion, losing to Willie Mack.
But Ace Austin’s mark was already left in the X-Division as he’d been awarded X-Division star of 2019 & despite spending a majority of 2020 building up his alliance with Madman Fulton, occasionally jumping at a title contention opportunity, he would also be awarded X-Division star of 2020. And it wouldn’t take long to return to his home ground as the new era’s benchmark in expected X-Division talent.
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