Austin Aries Talks TNA X Division Title, AJ Styles and More on Ring Rust Radio

Austin Aries is one of the most talented wrestlers in the industry today, showcasing his elite skills in the ring and on the microphone each Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on Spike TV's TNA Impact Wrestling.

After winning the X Division Championship for the third time on the Dec. 12 episode of Impact Wrestling, Aries took time to sit down with the boys of Ring Rust Radio in an exclusive interview to talk about his title victory, the AJ Styles storyline, his world championship reign and so much more.

Aries has spent over a decade in the business so far and is still ascending. With another championship victory under his belt and his status as one of the most popular stars in TNA cemented, his career trajectory has him on the right track to accomplish even more.

While there is no questioning his success thus far or what he can accomplish in the future, Aries has remained as humble as feasibly possible for a wrestler who calls himself the Greatest Man That Ever Lived.

That moniker doesn’t scream modesty, but he backs it up in the ring and on the mic.

With the X Division championship around his waist and momentum on his side, the sky is the limit for Aries.

Austin Aries on the X Division Championship

In the best match of the night—a feat he accomplishes on a regular basis—Aries beat defending champion Chris Sabin on this week’s Impact Wrestling to become the TNA X Division titleholder for the third time in his career.

The advancement of the Sabin and Velvet Sky breakup storyline was a big part of this match’s outcome, and the teased tension backstage between the two combatants also hinted at the possibility that Aries could be stealing Sabin’s valet as well.

Aries’ victory instantly adds credibility to the title once again and makes it feel important. It would be easy for a top star like Aries to become complacent with the win, but he has remained focused on bigger goals despite his obvious excitement:

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Oh, you know, it was a nice little step up for the X Division title. I spoke with the X Division title last night and he’s really happy to be back around my waist…My responsibility is to just go out there and do whatever I’m asked to do to the best of my ability, I don’t put any extra pressure on myself. I don’t necessarily get rubs from championships, I’d like to feel the championship gets a rub off of me. So, if being around my waist is something that’s going to make the title become a little more prominent on the television show, then that’s great. Whatever I’m asked to go out there and accomplish I’m going to do to the best of my ability.

"

The self confidence Aries has in the ring carries over into his promos and his attitude in life. He is an extremely focused individual who has given himself to the wrestling business and wants the best in return.

The X Division title is a great first step back to the top of the mountain, but Aries and the wrestling fans across the world know that he has far too much talent to be away from the main event scene for much longer.

When asked about the possibility of cashing in the X Division title for a TNA World Heavyweight Championship shot, Aries confirmed that it would be an option if the situation arises:

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I think that opportunity makes sense, now with the ‘Option C’ stipulation that was implemented a couple of years ago, thanks to yours truly, that’s an option I could have if and when I decide to take advantage of it.

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Impact Wrestling has been booked so much better since Bound for Glory, and Aries’ title win is further proof of that. The company must give him a lengthy title reign that makes him look incredibly strong and then let him cash in the belt at the next Destination X event.

If TNA wants to do what’s best for business, Aries would be fighting for the world title sooner rather than later.

Austin Aries’ View on the AJ Styles Storyline

Most fans believe that Aries should be fighting for the TNA world title, but there is a major ongoing storyline: Current champion AJ Styles has taken the belt hostage and left the company.

While TNA president Dixie Carter and many critics think Styles defending his title around the world is a bad idea, Aries comes to the angle’s defense and explains why this will help the company’s international marketability:

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Well, my opinions don’t really matter because the storyline, for me, is just to entertain the fans and keep them engaged in what’s going on with the company. I will say that any time that you have the opportunity to take the top prize in the company and take it internationally, and maybe compete and defend it in some territories and in front of some sets of fans that don’t normally get to have that honor, I think that’s a great thing for the company. That helps get the brand out there and helps put the product out there. A guy like AJ Styles is obviously a great talent and he’s going to go out there and put on a performance that’s befitting of a man who is the World Champion.

"

Aries was eliminated in the first round of the championship tournament and used as a pawn in the furthering of the Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode storyline. It’s acceptable to use other stars to further major programs, but Aries must be given the proper chance to shine.

Winning the X Division title is his golden key back into the heavyweight championship scene.

Whether it’s Jeff Hardy or Magnus who wins the world title in the conclusion of the tournament—the storyline also points to the eventual return of Styles and the unification of the belts—Aries must be at the forefront of possible contenders once the current angle concludes.

There is no better way to let the current booking play out and infuse Aries into the title scene than by letting him cash in the X Division Championship and fight the current face of the company at that time.

Austin Aries on Winning the World Title and Wanting to Hold it Again

The continued rise back to the main event comes after one of the most successful first reigns in history. Aries cemented his name in wrestling lore by cashing in the X Division belt for the first time to gain a shot at the world title.

Not only did he gain the opportunity to fight for the most coveted price in the company, but he also won his match against the longest-reigning champion in TNA history, Bobby Roode, to capture the title. The moment the victory created sent a buzz through the wrestling world and made Aries one of the top stars in the business.

Aries has always known that he had the talent and charisma to be one of the best in the world, and he talked about winning the TNA title for the first time and getting back to that level once again:

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I’ve always been a big believer in myself and that if you give me an opportunity I am going to make the most of it. I was thankful that TNA saw the potential in me and put me in a position to fulfill something like winning the World Heavyweight Championship. For me it was affirmation of all of the hard work I put in, some of the bumps along the road that I had to maneuver, and that was the culmination of it all. I welcome those challenges, I welcome being put in the top spot and the pressure that comes with it, and to be quite honest I would’ve liked to have sunk my teeth into it and journey a little bit more but Jeff Hardy came along and unseated me and now I’m trying to find my way back up to the top of that mountain.

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As gracious as Aries sounded about his chance to wear the title in the first place, his competitive side couldn’t be suppressed. The current X Division champion believes he is the best in the sport and deserves to be treated that way.

There is no question that wrestling is about playing politics, but when a star is as popular with the fans as Aries has been over the last two years, not giving him the proper exposure is detrimental to the long-term success of the company.

The hope is that TNA realizes the error of its ways and the victory over Sabin will be the first step on the road back to becoming the face of the company.

While Aries is extremely confident in his skill, his attitude toward the business of wrestling proves he truly understands what it takes to be a top guy.

It’s just a matter of time before A-Double is fighting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship again.

*All quotes obtained first hand.

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