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Right now, IMPACT Wrestling may be the single most underrated wrestling promotion in the world. Their product is arguably better than ever - as is their roster in equal measure.
With an AXS TV deal announced, as well as new deals in both the UK and Africa, there's never been a more exciting time to be a fan of IMPACT - or indeed a performer working with the brand and, on the most recent episode of Dropkick DiSKussions, Dezmond Xavier told me why.
With IMPACT Wrestling announcing several new television deals recently, the likes of AXS in the US and Fight Network in the UK, how exciting is it to be a part of IMPACT Wrestling right now?
It's absolutely amazing. Not just the fact that we're on the new channels but the way the roster has been revitalized with the new energy. Everybody is excited to be at work and excited to see what everybody is capable of in the ring, and it's an environment that's breeding creativity and healthy competition, and it's extremely fun.
Along with the direction of our management, giving us the freedom that we do have to really exhibit our athletic abilities along with creativity, it's very special right now to be part of IMPACT.
I recently spoke with TJP who told me he thinks IMPACT is making tag team wrestling relevant again. It's a big claim, but not one I can argue with! Do you have anything to add to that?
I completely agree. The tag team division of IMPACT is absolutely insane. I and Zachary, including along with Trey thrown into the mix because you never know exactly which Rascal you're going to get.
The North is dominating right now. The Desi Hit Squad is gaining a whole lot of traction and The Deaners are definitely someone we have to keep an eye out for now. Reno Scum has been eyeing a lot of people out as well so the whole tag team division is absolutely amazing and we're looking to scratch and claw our way to the top.
NEXT: Dezmond Xavier discusses the hottest stars of IMPACT Wrestling
TJP said you were doing amazing stuff and Sami Callihan recently gave you an immense compliment too.
He said you were killing it right now and are revolutionary in this business, and one-day yourselves and Ace Austin will go down as being some of the biggest legends of professional wrestling.
I need to ask, what's your opinion of Sami Callihan, particularly now that he's the IMPACT Wrestling World Champion?
Sami Callihan is somebody that I hold very near and dear to my heart even though he is absolutely crazy. I mean that in the best way possible. Him being World Champion is a testament to the evolution of professional wrestling where you don't have to be this six-foot-five, 280-pound man made of muscle. You can be somebody that has created a unique style that is just better than what others have, and he's been able to showcase that.
So, him being the World Champion, it kind of shows that can be seen as the top of any company and it's revolutionary, so I tip my hat to him and I hold his words he said about me in very high regard.
Since he put a spotlight on yourself, which names would you say are the ones to watch in IMPACT, who do you think is the future of the company?
Oh, wow. Too many to name, honestly. Sami Callihan has already established himself as somebody that can do that. Tessa is another person that has showcased herself to be someone kind of cut from a different cloth, along with Rich Swann, Willie Mack.
Individually, Ethan Page and Josh Alexander are people who can be at the top of the company as well. Moose is still somebody that's on top of the company as well. At the moment, he will continue to be along with Eddie Edwards. One person, I'm actually keeping my eye out for his Madman Fulton. He is somebody that has a lot of rage and once he finds a way to channel that, he is going to be a dangerous individual.
If you could choose someone to work with in any kind of storyline going forward, who is the one name you are like, "I would love to work with them"?
Going back to the last person I mentioned, it would have to be Madman Fulton. I like the challenge of having that clash of styles. Seeing him working in the ring and things like that, it does put a little bit of a fire in me to try and take him on.
I like how you said he was ridiculously crazy and then almost give yourself a death wish by instantly saying you'd like to work with him.
You recently had quite the run-in with Mahabali Shera on IMPACT. What are your thoughts on him?
It's great but it's also very terrifying at the exact same time because he is somebody that you have to watch out for - because he has a very unique combination of speed and power that is not something that you can underestimate in any way, shape or form.
Even though you may have a gameplan for him, it may not work out for you, so him being back is great for competition-wise but also not great for competition-wise as well.
NEXT: Dezmond Xavier discusses the veterans of IMPACT Wrestling
On the opposite end of that scale, how do you feel about veterans like Rhino, Ken Shamrock, and RVD being in IMPACT?
It's special because we're able to have legends that are right next to us in the locker room that we can have an opportunity to have conversations with and pick the minds of so that we can take the information that they have formulated over their generations of wrestling and evolve that, and pass it on to the next generation once it's our time to be in their position one day, hopefully.
To have them part of the company, not only is it just nostalgic to see them do the things they are doing and also amazing that they are still able to perform at that high level, but it's also very awesome for the insight and knowledge that we are able to get from them in day-to-day conversations when we're at work.
Now, I have two last questions, fantasy booking time - you can be in a tag team with any wrestler you haven't teamed with, who are you choosing?
Hmm! That's an odd question. I've never really thought about that. Interesting. Let me see. Can this be people that are alive or dead, currently wrestling or retired?
Go wild, whatever you choose.
Although I would love to have had a one-on-one match with them, I would also love to have tagged with Amazing Red. That would have been amazing.
And you can go up against ANYONE from the world of wrestling to headline Bound For Glory next year - it can be a singles or a tag match - who are you picking?
Ooh! Hmm.
I would say myself and Sami Callihan.
Well, he's the one with the target on his back right now, so why not put yourself right in the World Heavyweight Championship Match?!
Thank you so much for joining me, it's been a pleasure.
Gary, this has been awesome. Thanks for taking the time and interviewing me, man. This has been dope. Thank you!
Thanks to Dezmond Xavier for chatting with me, you can follow him on Twitter here.
