Josh Alexander wants to be the best world champion he can be for his own brand and for IMPACT Wrestling.
IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander recently spoke with WrestleZone to promote the company’s television tapings in Louisville. Alexander says he’s enjoying getting the chance to perform in front of new crowds every few weeks, which is a contrast to how his singles run really started in Nashville during the pandemic. Alexander said there’s definitely an adjustment to being on the road more than they were, but he’s enjoying every day as much as he can.
“I love to be in front of new crowds and new towns, and I love the fact that IMPACT is trying to grow. That’s what we’re doing right now by going out to all these different markets and stuff like that on a consistent basis, trying to grow the fan base, trying to get in front of different fans. Because I think the product, specifically for IMPACT, if you digest it or if you experience it in the live setting, it’s that much better. So I think that’s the reason why we’re especially trying to make a thing that cut out, especially post-pandemic. As you said, we were in Nashville for so long. The travel, honestly, it’s already kind of wearing on me. I don’t think anything can quite prepare you for being out of your house and living in airports and hotels like five days a week. But I’m settling into it. I’m definitely enjoying everything because if you know my story like this is not anything I ever thought was possible or could happen. So, you know, I enjoy every day as it comes.”
Alexander already has notable matches against Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii and Bullet Club on his resume this year, and there will be no shortage of challengers ready to step up to him soon. Asked what’s next for him, Alexander said that’s the question he asks himself quite a bit, and he wants to keep working to put his name in the same company as some of TNA/IMPACT’s best.
“That’s the most stressful part of being in this position, I think. Once I won the championship and pretty much after the Ishii match, I was like ‘OK, what’s next?’ And it’s a question you’re going to ask yourself all of the time, but I think the answer for the immediate future is to just keep having these matches that is going to build my own brand and help IMPACT Wrestling at the same time.
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“I think that’s the mutual relationship of me being the champion and the face of the company, it’s what I can do in the ring and I’m going to help the company and myself. The big picture scenario, the next I think once I’ve won every championship — which I already have — and this other stuff, it’s that ‘What’s next?’ Like The North’s tag team run, [this is] about going down in the history books with the great ones. I would like to be mentioned in the history books in the same vein as AJ Styles or somebody like that. It seems like an impossible goal, but every goal that I’ve achieved in the past few years seemed impossible. That’s the next thing for me.”
One name from the past is America’s Most Wanted, a team that is considered to be one of the best in the company’s 20-year history. In a past interview during his tag team run, Alexander said he wanted to put his name in the same company as AMW’s James Storm and Chris Harris. The North is no more, but AMW recently returned to the company for Slammiversary and Against All Odds. Asked if he’s thought of trying to work with AMW since they’re around for one more call, Alexander ruled out a tag team run but said he wouldn’t say no to a singles match with either one of them.
“In a perfect scenario that could happen, but I don’t know. It never really crossed my mind when I saw him. I was very happy to see them. Chris Harris came back and then they redo the AMW thing, especially for like the nostalgia effect, all that especially personally for me as a fan. I would have loved to have done the North against AMW. I know there’s a short list of tag teams in IMPACT wrestling history that you talk about as the greatest tag teams. I think we’re both on it, luckily, I don’t know which one’s better than who. I would certainly welcome singles matches with James Storm or Chris Harris just for my own personal fandom.”
IMPACT Wrestling is in Lousiville for the Derby City Rumble on July 15 and 16; check out our full interview with Josh Alexander at the top of this post where he also speaks about the legitimacy of his recent visa issues, Bret Hart appreciation, his favorite United States wrestler, potential working with James Storm, teaming with Jordynne Grace and more.
Read More: Knockouts Tag Team Match, More Announced For IMPACT Wrestling Derby City Rumble
