Josh Mathews steps into the ring this Sunday at Impact Slammiversary with Scott Steiner by his side to take on rival Jeremy Borash and Joseph Park.
Despite only having three matches since 2013, Mathews started out his career hoping to become a wrestler. So much so that in 2002, he had actually signed with TNA, who had big plans for the youngster.
"They said 'we're going to do these shows, but we don't know where we're going to be. Go work for Vince and good luck.' I was going to be the X-division champion. It was right after Tough Enough, and they were very cool with letting me pursue my dream with the company I'd wanted to work for since I was five," Mathews told us.
Mathews, who appeared on the aforementioned Tough Enough, would work for WWE for the next decade as a broadcaster. Even though he had aspirations to be a professional wrestler, Mathews says that the opportunity to work for WWE in any capacity was really what he was after.
"It was my ultimate goal, to get there. I was smart in thinking I'm 5 (foot) whatever, I didn't think I could make it to the top. Being an announcer was something new, and I've got to do amazing things as a broadcaster. The business has evolved and changed. I think if I were a younger version of myself, I would have liked to get into mixed martial arts," said Mathews, who mentioned that he does MMA broadcasting for Valor Fights in Tennessee.
Impact Slammiversary takes place on Sunday, July 2 from Orlando, Florida. Fightful.com will have full, live coverage and a post-show podcast. You can hear our full interview with Mathews at the top of the page.
