Cedric Alexander Explains Adopting a More Physical Style in the X-Division

During a recent interview with The Wrestling Classic, recently crowned TNA X-Division Champion Cedric Alexander discussed adopting a more physical style since joining the X-Division, getting to work with Mustafa Ali again, and more. Below are some highlights:

Cedric Alexander on Changing Up His Style for the X-Division

“Well, you know, like you say, the X division, it’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits. And that goes into even styles, you know, styles change, styles evolve, styles become more calculated, some styles become more reckless in some ways. So, I think my progression as a wrestler is just a natural progression of what the exhibition title is. You know, the ability to adapt and change things on, you know, when when need be. You know, there was a time where, you know, all the high-flying stuff was, you know, my bread and butter. That’s where I needed to be, but you know, getting older in the business, getting smarter in the business, seeing things a little bit differently. Now I see new avenues, ways that I previously overlooked to get more satisfaction out of my wins and my matches.”

On Working With Mustafa Ali Again in TNA

“Yeah, to me that was a dream come true because there was a point where him [clears throat] or I never thought we were together again. You know, there was there was there was a a a point where we like, you know, we pull the trigger, or we don’t, you know, it’s either now or never. We have to get it out. And I was like, man, I can’t pass this up. Being in the ring with Ali is always a cakewalk. We He’s He’s my wrestling soulmate. I’ll go ahead and say that. There’s a handful of guys in wrestling that I will like put on that tier of like you put me on a car with them, I’m going to steal the show every time. And yeah, on that list would be Buddy Matthews, Mustafa Ali, and Leon Slater.”

On Their Mentality in the 205 Live Days

“You know, you know, man, that goes back to like our mentality when we were in 205 Live. It was it was the, ‘Hey, if no one’s going to take this thing and run with it, let’s do it.’ You know what I mean? Because there was that time when 205 kind of kind of kind of had a dip, you know, with, you know, some some troubles backstage and whatnot. And Ali and I kind of like, without really making a formal announcement, just kind of said, ‘Hey, we’re going to go ahead and make them realize that Cruz has nothing to sleep on.’ And I remember there was that match that we had on 205 Live. It was right after the Royal Rumble. And I think that was the turning point in 205 where we, you know, kind of took the bull by the horns and said, “Hey, you know, we got to make this work. It’s do or die, and we’re going to do it if we got to die making this work, we’ll do it.”

Cedric Alexander defeated Leon Slater to win the TNA X-Division Title earlier this month on TNA iMPACT!

If using any of the above quotes, please credit The Wrestling Classic, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.