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2019 was a monumental year for wrestling, and one promotion that had an absolutely outstanding 12 months was IMPACT Wrestling. From new TV deals to groundbreaking rivalries, the promotion has gone from strength to strength - ending the decade on a high after a rocky spell several years ago.
One of the things every IMPACT star has emphasized to me in every interview I've conducted is the depth of the roster, and one man who ended their year with IMPACT on a high was undoubtedly Daga!
Having only debuted for the company earlier this year, the current AAA Latin American Champion would see success both in and out of the ring, picking up wins over Chris Bey and Jake Crist - while also confirming his engagement to one of the biggest names in wrestling right now, Tessa Blanchard!
Well, I had the pleasure of catching up with Daga to chat all things IMPACT!
Dezmond Xavier recently spoke to me about how much he loves going to work as part of IMPACT Wrestling, and how good the vibe is backstage. You're pretty new to the locker room, so can you tell me what your experience has been like so far with IMPACT Wrestling?
My experience in IMPACT? Yeah, it's great! I'm super excited to be a part of IMPACT Wrestling and I absolutely love being here. I'm from Mexico. Back in Mexico, I was wrestling in front of 15 people. I never imagined I would be here. Between wrestling for IMPACT in the States and for AAA in Mexico, I'm incredibly happy with life right now.
Now, 2019 saw you debut in IMPACT Wrestling, and there's no doubt you had an impressive end to the year, scoring impressive victories over Chris Bey and Jake Crist! What was your highlight of 2019?
My personal highlight of 2019 has to be Bound for Glory, AAA and the Intergender X-Division Ladder Match. I didn't win the match but it was just great to be a part of it. The match involved myself, Tessa [Blanchard], Ace Austin, Jake Crist and Acey Romero - and it was just good to be part of such a huge event. In 2019 and earlier in my career, highlights are always wrestling in Mexico, for AAA, and in the UK. I've always loved wrestling in different places.
NEXT: Daga talks 2020
And now, looking forward, what are your aims in IMPACT Wrestling for 2020?
It's going to be good, definitely a good year. I want to wrestle more matches. More matches in IMPACT more in Mexico, in the UK.
I just want to show what I can do. I have a lot of goals. Maybe challenge for the X-Division Championship since I got a taste at Bound For Glory, but even [go for] the Tag Team Championships or the World Championship - but I definitely also want to go back to Mexico, Japan, the UK. I'd love to wrestle in the UK again, because the crowds there are absolutely incredible. But I want to hold a belt. I think 2020 will be a big year for me. And IMPACT is going to do really big things.
There are so many veterans and, well, legends of professional wrestling in IMPACT. From RVD, to Rhyno, to Ken Shamrock, to Tommy Dreamer. What's it like working with these guys?
It's amazing! I played as these guys on the computer, back when I was in Mexico. I remember playing as RVD in the ECW game [ECW Hardcore Revolution] on the PlayStation, and now to get to work with them every day is incredible. I was just a young wrestling fan from a small town in Mexico. They are legends and to be beside them in the locker room, you always learn. You can't take that for granted.
Next: El Jefe talks Tessa Blanchard
I need to say congratulations on your engagement to Tessa Blanchard! Now, she has the opportunity to make history and become the first-ever female Impact Wrestling World Champion. That would be truly groundbreaking, but what do you think of Tessa's journey to the top, and what can we expect from her next?
I look at it this way. Tessa Blanchard is one of the best wrestlers on the planet right now, not just female wrestlers. If she wins the belt, it's because she's one of the best wrestlers. All I can do is be supportive. Tessa has had an incredible year and that doesn't look like stopping.
With Hard To Kill, she has the chance to make history but that's all her - all I can do is be there to support her before the match and after the match no matter what happens. But yeah, it's history. She's, without a doubt, making history. To win the World Championship would be incredible.
Finally, if we could book it now. Bound For Glory 2020. Daga main events against anyone in the world. Who is he facing?
We're gonna talk dream matches? Well, if we go any talent in the world, of this current era, I think I have to say Hiroshi Tanahashi. He's one of the best all-round talents in the world and I would love nothing more than to share a ring with him.
UK viewers can catch Impact Wrestling on Fight Network UK every Wednesday via Sky channel 192 and Freesat 161.
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