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
Manik/TJP (Dec 12th 2020 – Mar 13th 2021)
TJP’s pedigree as a professional wrestler makes him one of the most unique superstars to come into Impact Wrestling. Wrestling as Manik, one of many faces of Suicide (others included Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels & Caleb Konley to name a few) in the past TJP’s second run as X-Division champion would bring back the perfect mixture of styles from grappling & submission skills to Lucha Libre & counter wrestling.
Continuing the rivalry between Rohit Raju with more stars returning to the fray such as Chris Bey, Ace Austin & Trey Miguel alongside Josh Alexander now breaking into singles competition, TJP helped finally set the level playing field we have now, that was started so long ago with Brian Cage or at the latest Willie Mack & Chris Bey.
Even after losing the X-Division title to Ace Austin, TJP would continue to be a regular face & building block for the X-Division we see coming up to Slammiversary. TJP’s ability in the ring has helped propell anyone who’s faced him, Josh Alexander benefitting dramatically after 2 years teaming with Ethan Page despite pulling off some of the best matches of his time at Impact when wrestling 1 on 1.
While currently returning to the tag division with Fallah Bahh, TJP has left once again left his mark in the X-Division after the Ironman match he had with Josh Alexander (almost as a farewell for now to the X-Division). Showing that you can leave your mark without holding the belt.
Ace Austin (Mar 13th – Apr 25th 2021)
Ace Austin’s return to the X-Division started with a very bold statement back in January after winning the Super X Cup & making it clear that he’s back in Impact for the X-Division title. Maintaining a strong presence over TJP’s run as champion, Ace Austin would beat TJP for the X-Division title & while he held the title, he had his focus turned on waiting for the chance to use Option C (not revealed until losing to Josh Alexander at Rebellion) but this didn’t stop the build he was creating for the X-Division Championship, rivalries were once again getting more concentration as they have been since Willie Mack, the long term plans for the X-Division have finally started to find their way into place.
Ace Austin’s 2nd run was never about making a real difference or comeback (he’d done both already & continues to build chasing the title), this was once again setting up the right time to move the X-Division onto it’s future prospects & that laid with Josh Alexander.
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