IMPACT's Josh Alexander Set For New Japan Debut
The X Division Champion is the latest name through the Forbidden Door.
Josh Alexander will debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling on this Friday's episode of STRONG.
The reigning IMPACT Wrestling X Division Champion, Alexander will battle Alex Coughlin as part of the latter's open challenge series. The X Division strap isn't currently scheduled to be defended, though.
2021 has been a banner year for Alexander thus far. Since splitting from North partner Ethan Page, 'The Walking Weapon' has enjoyed stellar bouts opposite Brian Myers, Ace Austin, and New Japan's El Phantasmo. His recent sixty-minute Iron Man match vs. TJP was not only the first of its kind for IMPACT Wrestling, but is also currently ranked the fourth best match of 2021 by Cagematch users at the time of writing.
It's been noted previously by PWInsider's Mike Johnson that IMPACT have big plans in store for the X Division, with their plan to raise the X Division Championship to a similar level as the World Championship, a la Rob Van Dam as ECW World Television Champion. This reportedly began with the aforementioned Iron Man contest with TJP.
The match on Friday marks just the second time an IMPACT-contracted performer has appeared elsewhere since the opening of the Forbidden Door, following the Good Brothers' AEW debut at New Year's Smash in January.