#TNA X Division Championship

[honestlychiefbanana]

Highlights of Ace Austin vs Mustafa Ali TNA Under Siege 2024

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Rob Van Dam celebrates a successful X Division Championship defense over Kenny King.

Final Resolution December 9, 2012

[could-they-be-a-pro-wrestler]

This is a poll blog that asks the question…could your favorite fictional character be a pro wrestler? Would you like to submit a character? Click this link if you do!

[wrestlingmgc]

TNA X Division Champion DJZ

[wrestlingchampions]

2023 in Impact X-Division Champions

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[blowflyfag]

Inside Wrestling: Volume 26, 2009

wrestling timeline 

Samoa Joe

Inside Wrestling journeys back in time to examine the career of a superstar who has left a major imprint on the sport

MARCH 17, 1979: The future “Samoa Submission Machine,” Nuufolau Joel Seanoa, is born in Orange County, California.

DECEMBER 18, 1999: After only a few months of formal training, 20-year-old Joe competes in his first professional match for UIWA. 

MARCH 3, 2001: Under a developmental deal with WWF, Joe loses to Essa Rios on the company’s Jakked program.

MARCH 14, 2001: Joe wins first singles championship–the UPW heavyweight title–by defeating Christopher Daniels.

JUNE 14, 2001: Joe and Keiji Sakoda win the first-ever NWA Intercontinental tag team championship in Pro Wrestling ZERO1. 

OCTOBER 5, 2002: Joe returns to the United States and begins wrestling for Ring of Honor. He loses his first official match to Low Ki. 

JANUARY 11, 2003: In the first of what would be many epic battles, Joe defeats “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson.

MARCH 22, 2003: Joe captures the Ring of Honor heavyweight title by defeating Xavier.

NOVEMBER 29, 2003: One-time partners A.J. Styles and Joe square off with the ROH champion getting the best of the “Phenomenal One.”

FEBRUARY 14, 2004: At ROH’s second anniversary show, Joe retains the promotion’s championship by defeating Low KI. Dan Maff, and B.J. Whitmer in a “Fatal Four-Way” match.” 

APRIL 23, 2004: When he can’t defeat Joe in the ring during an ROH event, Homicide attempts to end the big Samoan’s career by hitting the champ with a fireball.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2004: In the final round of the IWA: Mid-South Ted Petty Invitational tournament, Joe and Bryan Danielson fall to A.J. Styles. 

DECEMBER 4, 2004: Joe finishes his trilogy of matches against C.M. Punk as the victor. These bouts would go down in ROH history as some of the best the promotion has ever seen. 

DECEMBER 26, 2004: The longest ROH title reign in the promotion’s history comes to an end as Austin Aries beats Joe to win the gold. 

JANUARY 15, 2005: A bitter Joe receives a chairshot to the head and a DDT for good measure from a visiting Mick Foley during a special appearance for ROH.

APRIL 1, 2005: Joe’s downward slide on the indy circuit continues when he loses a number-one contender’s match to A.J. Styles in Pro Wrestling Guerilla. 

MAY 7, 2005: In a fitting change of pace, Joe captures the ROH Pure title when he defeats Jay Lethal. 

JUNE 11, 2005: Joe is victorious in a fiercely intense and physically destructive match against Necro Butcher in IAW: Mid-South. 

JUNE 19, 2005: Only eight days after his match with Necro Butcher, Joe makes his TNA debut at Slammiversary, defeating Sonjay Dutt.

JULY 8, 2005: A very active Joe chokes out Chris Sabin for fun and defeats Shark Boy and Elix Skipper in a three-way match in his Impact debut. 

JULY 17, 2005: Moving to 2-0 at TNA pay-per-views, Joe handily defeats Chris Sabin. 

AUGUST 12, 2005: In another shot at capturing the ROH title, a surprisingly opportunistic James Gibson defeats Joe, C.M. Punk, and Christopher Daniels. 

AUGUST 27, 2005: Two weeks after failing in his attempt to win the ROH title, Joe drops the Pure championship to Nigel McGuinness.

OCTOBER 1, 2005: In a critically acclaimed match, Joe is defeated by a visiting Kenta Kobashi during an ROH event. 

NOVEMBER 13, 2005: At TNAs Genesis pay-per-view, Joe breaks the code of the X division by attacking Christopher Daniels with a chair. He appears in the months that follow with a towel stained with Daniels’ blood. 

DECEMBER 11, 2005: Joe captures his first X division championship by defeating A.J Styles at TNA’s Turning Point pay-per-view, still carrying the blood-stained towel.

FEBRUARY 12, 2006: In a three-way match with A.J.. Styles and Christopher Daniels, Joe retained the X division championship at TNA’s Against All Odds pay-per-view.

MARCH 22, 2006: In the culmination to their long-running three-way feud, Joe loses the X division title to Christopher Daniels as A.J. Styles looks on in an Ultimate X match at Destination X.

APRIL 22, 2006: Joe takes part in the interpromotional feud between ROH and Combat Zone Wrestling. Joe’s ROH squad is defeated in a six-man match. 

OCTOBER 12, 2006: A no-decision is the result of an unsanctioned ladder match for the NWA World championship between Joe and Christian Cage on Impact. 

JANUARY 14, 2007: After struggling with TNA acquisition Kurt Angle for several weeks, Joe loses to the former Olympian at Final Resolution. 

JANUARY 31, 2007: Joe announces he will no longer work for ROH full-time and embarks on a “Samoa Joe Farewell Tour.”

MARCH 4, 2007: In his final appearance for ROH, Joe defeats long-time nemesis Homicide.

MARCH 11, 2007: Another shot at the NWA World championship proves to be in vain as Joe loses to CHristian Cage at TNA’s Destination X pay-per-view. 

JULY 15, 2007: Joe gains the pinfall at TNA’s Victory Road pay-per-view and becomes TNA World tag team champion while simultaneously holding the X division title as well. 

AUGUST 12, 2007: Putting up his X division and TNA World tag team titles against the TNA World title and IWGP championship, Joe loses to Kurt Angle at TNA’s Hard Justice. 

DECEMBER 2, 2007: When Scott Hall no-shows Turning Point, Joe delivers an intense promo aimed at TNA management and his would-be-partner.

FEBRUARY 14, 2008: An unlikely partnership forms on Impact when Joe teams with Christian Cage and Kevin Nash in an ongoing effort to eliminate Kurt Angle’s Alliance from TNA. 

APRIL 13, 2008: Upon eliminating the Angle Alliance, Joe captures his first TNA World Championship by defeating Kurt Angle at Lockdown in a “Six Sides of Steel” match.

OCTOBER 12, 2008: Sting defeats Joe for the TNA World championship at Bound For Glory IV.

OCTOBER 30, 2008: Along with A.J., Styles, The Motor City Machine Guns, Jay Lethal, and Consequences Creed, Joe helps lead the team of the Frontline against the Main Event Mafia.

NOVEMBER 9, 2008: In a grudge match against former mentor Kevin Nash, Joe loses in a controversial finish that sees his opponent use the ropes for leverage.

[honestlychiefbanana]

Highlights of Mike Bailey vs Zachary Wentz TNA Victory Road 2024

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Rob Van Dam makes his way to the ring to defend the TNA X Division Championship against Kenny King. Final Resolution December 9, 2012

[could-they-be-a-pro-wrestler]

This is a poll blog that asks the question…could your favorite fictional character be a pro wrestler? Would you like to submit a character? Click this link if you do!

[wrestlingmgc]

TNA X Division Champion Trevor Lee

[openshanklygates]

Never Ashamed

Whumpril 2024 April 3, 2024 SHAME Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin Main Verse

Two hundred and eighteen days.

Alex Shelley had been the Impact World Champion for two hundred and eighteen days. For most people that would be a title reign to be proud of. He had faced off against and beaten some of the best in the world. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Josh Alexander, even Jonathan Gresham had stepped up to the plate and all had been sent back to the back of the line. He had led the Impact roster all the way into the new era of TNA. They were all honorable moments.

So losing to a cheat and a bully like Moose brought him so much shame.

The sun was rising against the Las Vegas skyline, but Alex had yet to go to sleep. His mind raced with the events of the night before. What if he had been just a little more aggressive? What if he had put just a little more of himself into the match? Would the championship still be sitting next to the hotel room television, reflecting the hotel room bed where he and Chris Sabin currently laid, his partner pressed into his side snoring peacefully.

Chris.

In his loss, Alex had almost forgotten to congratulate Chris on his historic win. It was officially the longest reign that Chris had ever had, his tenth as X-Division Champion. El Hijo del Vikingo was no joke for such a young talent and Kushida, well, Alex felt like it would be cheating to say anything more about this best friend. Alex was certain that Chris would have preferred meeting up with some of the other roster members for drinks and a laugh. instead, Chris had stayed behind to hold Alex until he fell asleep.

"You could do so much better than me," Alex murmured to his sleeping companion, pressing a kiss to the top of Chris's head. He attempted to get up, but Chris snuggled in closer and tossed a leg over both of Alex's to trap him there.

"Shuttup," Chris tiredly murmured, burying his head in the crook of Alex's neck, "'stoo early for this."

Alex gave a small laugh, "Go back to sleep. I'm just gonna-"

"You are gonna do nothing but sleep," Chris protested, raising his head to scowl at Alex. It would have been much more intimidating if he didn't have to squint at Alex to properly see him. "I don't wanna get up. I don't wanna have you get up. I think I earned it. Ch-"

Chris cut himself off, closing his eyes before Alex spoke up, "No! No, you're right! Champ's privilege. You earned it. You did so good."

"Yeah, but you-"

"Let you down, that much I know," Alex admitted, "I should-"

"Shut up and kiss me," Chris nuzzled the back of Alex's neck, "we are gonna lay in this bed til you go to sleep."

"I don't need sl-"

"I said we are gonna lay here til you get some sleep," Chris groaned a little more forcefully. He tightened his grip on Alex, who sank further into the mattress. He may have felt shame, but at least he knew Chris was here to love him through it.

[renee-ckstrong]

THIS MATCH MAKES ME VERY EXITED, HERE'S WHY

I can't wait for Bound For Glory, the main event is set. The Challenger is, The Walking Weapon Josh Alexander Vs one half of the Motor City Machine Guns and current IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley. Let's talk about it.

Now I'm not that big of an impact girlie. I was, when I was younger in the UK I couldn't get WWE on TV but I had access to TNA/IMPACT so that was the wrestling I watched in my youth and actually kept watching it for a while. In fact I'm going to go to see IMPACT live in the UK with my dad soon, which is brilliant remembering the time we spent watching IMPACT before. We're going to have such a good time.

This doesn't stop me from being VERY excited about this match. I've still been aware of the product even while I haven't been watching and I watched IMPACT 1000, saw their segment and WOW it was good.

Let's start with Alex Shelley, my little Motor City Blorbo, Shelley was brought into IMPACT using their old business strategy of 'Sign ultra talented ROH guys' that got them Styles, Sabin, Joe and Daniels. From 2004 to 2007 he would be a exciting feature of the X Division winning said title once. His true success would come between 2007 and 2012 in the team known as 'The Motor City Machine Guns' Shelley and partner Chris Sabin became on of the most influential and defining teams in IMPACT history before Shelley left IMPACT to work for ROH and NJPW.

On the other hand Josh Alexander came into IMPACT in 2019 (annoying just after I stopped watching so I missed out) also in the tag division having a lengthy singles run with Ethan Page as 'The North' who, despite being in a company that doesn't usually get considered for being the best, were considered to be one of the best tag teams in the world. And to stress, this was at the same time as The New Day, The Usos, The Young Bucks and FTR so being considered one of the best teams in this time is saying something. When Page departed the company Alexander got the big push, winning the X Division title then cashing in option C to become IMPACT World Champion. Then Moose beat him and ran him out of impact. But upon Alexander's return he reclaimed the title and became the longest reigning IMPACT World Champion of all time. A near year long reign that ended with Alexander having to relinquish the title because of a triceps tear.

Here in lies our conflict. Alexander wants to reclaim his title but he is also exited to wrestle Alex Shelley as he says "No one is a bigger fan of Alex Shelley than I am." or something like that. But Shelley wants to keep this belt at all costs. That's why he belittled Alexander at IMPACT 1000, because Alexander is trying to take away the biggest achievement of his life. An achievement that Alexander has had twice, but in his long career this is Shelley's first IMPACT World Championship reign. And one more detail in this story, that I only realised while writing this, is that while Alex Shelley is the tag partner who left (and then came back) out of him and Chris Sabin, Josh Alexander is the tag partner who stayed out of him and Ethan Page. As much of and IMPACT guy as Shelley wants to claim he is, Josh Alexander stayed and became one of the faces of IMPACT during it's resurgence and continued to be a defining 'IMPACT guy' during the pandemic. As much as I personally love Alex Shelley, there are lots of reasons to cheer Josh Alexander come the 21st.

And I think that's a large part of it. I used to watch IMPACT. I am nostalgic for IMPACT's past, people like Alex Shelley. But presently Josh Alexander is the guy. Alexander doesn't want this to be personal, but Shelley desperately wants to be the guy.

They are the past and present of IMPACT fighting for it's future.

Goddamn I deserve a job backstage working on hype packages.

And I have no idea who's going to win. Maybe people who watch more IMPACT have an idea but I don't. And that's exciting. I am so hyped for this match thank you for listening. I'm so excited to be an IMPACT fan again.

[maineventpapiuso]

The new TNA X Division championship looks super dope.

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[blowflyfag]

the Wrestler: Volume 26, 2009

LEGENDS TITLE FIASCO

It’s Not Too Late For TNA To Do It Right

As Booker T opened his mysterious briefcase on October 8, the Impact Zone crowd was shocked to find out he was unveiling a brand new title, the Legends championship. Booker proclaimed himself the champion, but what does the belt really represent, and what does it mean for the future of TNA?

BY GERRY STRAUSS

FOR SIX YEARS, Total Nonstop Action has cultivated a dirty little secret: It has a split personality.

On one hand, the company that introduced many of us to the likes of A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, Jay Lethal, and other new-generation dynamos has gone out of its way to promote the youth of the sport. Using the no-restrictions X division as the ultimate showcase for these amazing athletes, fans have enjoyed the chance to watch future superstars build their legacies, one match at a time. 

On the other hand, name value sells, and TNA knows it. So, along with the upstarts, TNA has also made a point of bringing in established veterans. Big-name superstars like Larry Zbyszko, Bob Backlund, and Roddy Piper have graced six-sided ring with their presence, and still-active stars like Sting and Kevin Nash add multi-generational appeal to the active roster. 

But when passionate, hardworking young stars-in-the-making are forced to share the spotlight with demanding, proven veterans, tension is inevitable. But, instead of taking steps to settle this increasingly prevalent issue, TNA made it the focal point of Impact, and created the Legends championship.

Introduced on Impact by Booker T, the Legends title signifies… well, we aren't exactly sure. There was no tournament (or even a match) to crown a champion. Instead, it merely appeared, signifying Booker’s self-proclaimed status as a legend worthy of favor over his younger counterparts.

Certainly, the precedence of creating a new championship out of thin air is there. When Ted DiBiase failed to win the WWF World championship in the ‘80’s, he created his Million-Dollar championship. When Taz was unable to take the ECW heavyweight championship in the ‘90s, the “FTW” title was born.

Why is this different? For one, Booker T has had a distinguished career, but he should not be considered a legend… not yet, anyway. If anything, recent successes alongside his Main Event Mafia partners Sting, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, and Kurt Angle have proven that it is too early to celebrate his past when he should be living in the now.

Plus, what qualifies someone to contend for this championship? Booker’s first two challengers for the strap were Christian Cage and Eric Young, neither of whom is more than 40 years old. How can anyone take this championship seriously if the only seemingly legitimate contenders are fellow members of the Main Event Mafia?

TNA has already upset many of its fans by de-emphasizing the X division championship. By adding another meaningless strap to the mix, TNA could be in danger of alienating even more fans. 

[Booker T laid claim to the Legends championship, a point that did not sit well with Christian Cage (above). Although Cage himself shouldn’t be considered a legend, he still challenged Booker–unsuccessfully–for the title at Turning Point 2008 (right). 

The Main Event Mafia has taken control of TNA, even to the point that it now has come up with its own championship. Even if Booker T is one day considered a legend, it’s inappropriate that a wrestler still in the prime of his career holds such a title.]

Here’s the good news: If it acts now, TNA has an opportunity to not only fix this mess, but make the Legends title a huge hit. 

Think about it: People love legends. Fans pay big bucks to hobnob with them at autograph signings and meet and greets, and everything from the NBA to the PGA holds events dedicated specifically to them. Older fans want to relive their memories and younger fans are always interested to see first hand just how great these individuals were. The world wants to see these stars do their thing in their element. So why on earth would TNA encourage a war between the veterans and the younger wrestlers? Suddenly, 20-year veterans like Sting are forced to clumsily adapt to an entirely new style of wrestling while the younger talents, like A.J. Styles, must slow down their pace to match their older counterparts. The results can be ugly, and in the end, nobody truly wins… least of all the fans.

[It’s not unheard of for organizations to bring back legends to compete; TNA itself has done it before. In a guest appearance back in 2004, Roddy Piper showed up and taught some of the young stars of TNA that he can still land a punch when need be.]

The solution is simple: Establish a defined roster of legends, and let them compete against each other as they strive to contend for the Legends championship. Since legends are typically designated as such at the twilight of their careers or later, stipulate an age minimum, say 45 years old. In addition, to qualify, wrestlers must have won at least one world championship (singles or tag). These stipulations would, at least for now, eliminate men like Booker T and Kurt Angle. Both are still vital members of the present-day wrestling scene and should not be competing in a division that would be best-suited for wrestlers who are not. 

Want to see your favorites from days gone by return to the ring? This division would be the place to do it. The possibilities are endless. Bring back Terry Funk for one last hurrah. Let Bob Backland have his final shot at glory. Plus, there are always those rumblings of a certain “Nature Boy’s” hankering to jump out of retirement. (One suggestion to TNA: Enforce strict pre-match physicals and have EMTs on hand!)

[Bob Backlund is yet another legend TNA has used in recent years and could bring back to compete in a Legends division. Backlund could show off submission holds like the crossface chicken wing, giving fans a glimpse at the skills that made him a Hall of Fame Wrestler.]

The bottom line is that the Legends championships could be a win-win situation for TNA. Greatness never dies, and having some of the greatest competitors in wrestling history in the mix could be a moneymaker for the company. Let them bring the best out of each other, just like they’ve done throughout their careers. Let them compete in dream matches as they look for one last crack at glory.

Let the more youthful divisions of TNA be like a NASCAR race, while the Legends division can be a parade, allowing the fans a chance to slow down and see exactly why these men have earned the right to call themselves legends in the first place. They don't need to be forced into the main event. Instead, let them be an event unto themselves with their own special place on the card. Instead of giving them this unnecessary war with TNA’s future stars, give them the spotlight they’ve earned.