Ace Austin On Potential Samoa Joe Match – “One Hundred Percent”
‘The Inevitable’ Ace Austin has discussed a potential dream match against former X-Division Champion Samoa Joe ahead of his Championship defence this Sunday at IMPACT’s Rebellion PPV event.
Speaking with Inside The Rope’s Writer Liam Alexander-Stewart, Ace Austin discussed a range of topics surrounding his career including his time training under The Wild Samoans, to his plans in IMPACT Wrestling following the upcoming Rebellion PPV.
During the interview Austin was asked about a potential IMPACT return for Grand Slam Champion Samoa Joe, on whether he would be interested in seeing Joe return to IMPACT Wrestling or not Austin was quick to answer stating simply:
“No doubt about it.”
The 24-year old would continue discussing why he feels a clash between himself and the ‘Samoan Submission Machine’ would resonate with IMPACT fans comparing it to one of IMPACT’s classic feuds – AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe:
“I’ve been compared to AJ Styles for the entirety of my career so far. So to have that 21st-century Samoa Joe versus modern-day AJ, I think would be a marquee match for sure. 100 percent.”
Samoa Joe was one of ten WWE releases announced on April 15th, 2021 alongside names such as The IIconics, Kalisto, Mickie James and Chelsea Green. Joe had previously been in the WWE since 2015 when he would debut on WWE NXT at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable confronting Kevin Owens and preventing him from attacking long time rival Sami Zayn.
Prior to his time in the WWE, the TNA Triple Crown Champion had a monumentally successful independent career holding championships across the globe in promotions such as Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Noah, AAA and of course IMPACT Wrestling [formerly TNA]. During his time in IMPACT Wrestling, the now 42-year old went 18-months undefeated in IMPACT racking up impressive victories of names such as Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles and Scott Steiner.
Joe last appeared for IMPACT Wrestling in February of 2015 ending a near decade long run with the company, a spell which Jim Cornette recently stated should have seen Samoa Joe reach the top of wrestling stating:
” I know he’s had concussion issues but that guy has had a curse on him for almost 20 years because he should have been, 15 years ago he should have been one of the biggest stars in the business.”
The IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Championship will be on the line Sunday, April 25th at Rebellion as Ace Austin defends the prestigious belt against former Tag Team Champion Josh Alexander & former X-Division Champion TJP.
Speaking with Inside the Ropes on the topic of his Rebellion opponents Austin would declare Josh Alexander his toughest opponent yet before revealing how far he believes ‘The Walking Weapon’ can go as a singles star.
“I’m glad you used the word ‘toughest’ because that really is what I think of when I think of Josh Alexander. Even looking past his… I mean, you can’t look past his technical prowess. Like, he is, he and TJP both are like strategically, mechanically, some of the absolute best ever do it. And the thing about Josh Alexander is what sets him apart from everybody else besides that technical ability even is that toughness that he has. He and Ethan Page were so successful together.
“And it’s really easy to just think that he’ll flounder in a singles setting because Ethan Page was the mouthpiece, Ethan Page was the voice of the North, but Josh is you can’t look past how damn tough he is, he was the marathon man of that team. He was the one that could go, go, go and just not be stopped. So I think that is going to be my biggest threat in this match is – what will it take to keep Josh Alexander down? Because I’ve seen him go through… I mean, just his career, the things that he’s been through, the broken neck, being so close to retirement and having to just give it up and then fighting back from that, you know, I can’t compare anything I’ve been through to that yet.”
Full interview coming soon to Inside The Ropes.
Thanks so much to Ace Austin for taking the time, and to IMPACT UK & Ireland for facilitating the interview. Fans in the UK & Ireland can catch IMPACT! every Thursday on IMPACT Plus you can also catch all IMPACT PPVs via IMPACT Plus and Fite TV worldwide including Sundays blockbuster Rebellion PPV.
If you use any quotes from this interview please provide a h/t and link back to Inside the Ropes.