IMPACT World Champion Eric Young: "Proving people wrong is a fun thing to do" [Exclusive]

Sportskeeda meets IMPACT World Champion Eric Young

Just moments after his monumental World Championship win, Eric Young told us all about it - and that exclusive interview continues below...

IMPACT unleashed a World Class Maniac at Slammiversary!

Another thing you mentioned was when you were released from WWE, you felt a little bit of relief. Is that vindicated now that, a few months later, Eric Young is holding a World Championship?

It is relief, it's justification, it's sadness, it's happiness. There's tons of things that, being in the position that I'm in now, being World Champion for the second time and being the flagship performer of IMPACT Wrestling...

There's a long list of guys that could be in my position, and I don't take it lightly, it's a responsibility that I take very, very seriously, I always have, but I can say that "justification" is a big word for me right now.

I never lost belief in myself. But if you're a person that believes I was in the position that I was in, and I was released, and where I was in my career because of my ability, then you're confused and you don't understand how things work. I've never doubted myself, I've never doubted my ability. It's just cool to be able to put those words into actions where I'm allowed to thrive.

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We need to go to the actual title win itself. Of course, Eddie Edwards is the man you took the title from. We spoke a little bit about him last time and how he has been the flag-bearer, essentially. You guys were two guys that, when I've spoken to people in IMPACT, the term "locker room leader" came up a lot for both Eddie Edwards and Eric Young. What was the backstage reaction been to Eric Young winning the World Championship?

I think positive. If you are not in this business to be the World Champion and to be the guy, you're in it for the wrong reasons or you are a liar.

Everyone wants what I have. That's the way it should be. You should want those things. That is what you're striving for.

Eddie Edwards is the standard. He is the guy that has been with this company. I went and worked elsewhere and he was there and continued to be there, and his heart and his effort, and his grit and determination, and there's a long list of guys...

Sami Callihan... People who aren't there anymore, Tessa Blanchard, Karrion Kross, Brian Cage, John Morrison. There's a long list of people that should be thanked for keeping IMPACT afloat during a really rough time.

My goal of where I am and being the World Champion, and being the flagship of the company, is to move forward. We're not moving back anymore. The company had a bunch of buzz going into Slammiversary, and buzz is exciting. Creating buzz and creating interest, that's one thing but delivering on that is another thing altogether. I really feel like we've done that and we've done it in the television shows and specials since.

It's a very special locker room and I'm happy to be part of it, and anyone that wants help, I'm not a ra-ra guy, I'm not going to stand there and give lectures, and tell people what they should be doing and what they shouldn't do. In the end, pro wrestling is art and subjective, and you have to do what you believe. As long as you believe that what you do is best for you and best for the company, I'm not going to tell you to not do it. I will suggest things that you want to do and you can prove me wrong, and - I'll tell you - proving people wrong is a fun thing to do.

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Next:

• Eric Young discusses PWI not classifying the IMPACT World Championship as a world title
• Eric Young discusses whether he'll defend the World Championship outside of IMPACT

Coming up:

• Eric Young discusses who he may face next
• Eric Young discusses his creative freedom
• Eric Young discusses Bound For Glory and beyond