Scott D'Amore weighs in on the changes surrounding the signature X-Division of IMPACT Wrestling.
When TNA Wrestling started in 2002, the X-Division was the standout division of the promotion highlighting stars that were bringing a new flavor of pro wrestling to the scene. Names such as AJ Styles, Jerry Lynn, Sean Waltman, Low Ki, Samoa Joe, and more all made their name in the X-Division.
To a degree, the evolution of professional wrestling to see more of an X-Division Style across entire cards and entire promotions speaks to the success of the signature division of what is now IMPACT, but now more than ever, there is uncertainty as to what the X-Division actually is.
Speaking with Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone, Scott D'Amore opened up about how the division has evolved over the years and what he sees for it going forward.
“One of the concepts for the X-Division was, really go out there and feature that style that wasn’t getting top-level featured in a lot of places. Quite frankly, when I came to TNA Wrestling in 2003, the heavyweight division, the world title division was still very much a conventional, traditional heavyweight style, and the X Division was that style at the forefront and as the often quoted, ‘it’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits.’”
Singling out Rich Swann, the current IMPACT World Champion, as a good example of how wrestling has changed overall, Scott D'Amore says there will always be a discussion around what the X-Division is but the division will continue to grow and be an integral part of the brand.
“A great example of that is Rich Swann, who if we go back, 15 or even 10 years, probably would be one of the pinnacles of the X Division—but maybe not crossing into that world title [division]. But in the world that we live in now, where people now respect athletes of all different sizes and varieties, you’ve seen the ‘traditional’ X Division Style basically move from just being in that division to basically being part of the world title picture,” D’Amore explained.
He added, “I think there’s always going to be an ongoing discussion about what the X Division is. It’s such an integral and important part of our history, it’s something that we value greatly. I think you’re going to see—one of the staples of the X Division over the course of many of those formative years was the multi-man matches and not just 3-ways, but 4-ways, 5-ways, 8-ways, and some of these spectacles; that’s one of the things that the X Division was built on. If it can be done in a manner that shows proper respect and safety toward the competitors, I think that’s something we could look to start getting back to is some of that fast-paced multi-man style stuff.”
On the next episode of IMPACT, TJP will defend his X-Division gold against Josh Alexander. Fightful will have live coverage of the episode beginning at 8 p.m. eastern time.
