Ace Austin discusses his decision to join Bullet Club.
Austin, a three-time IMPACT X-Division Champion, joined the acclaimed stable on the final day of NJPW's Best of the Super Juniors tournament in June. Since then, he has often competed alongside his new stablemates, including Chris Bey, Hikuleo, and Juice Robinson. The group also includes stars like IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White, who has brought it back into the spotlight after it had previously lost some momentum.
Speaking with Alistair McGeorge of Metro, Austin noted that he didn't foresee his allegiance with Bullet Club, as he has always viewed himself as an individual. He stated that he has prioritized being unique in the wrestling world. However, he saw how impactful Bullet Club became over the years, and he always aimed to make a mark like that.
"That’s definitely not something I ever saw coming. I’ve always been really particular about my unique personality. I’ve always wanted a special, unique side of things to show. I saw the impact that [Bullet Club] had on the industry, and I always thought to myself, how can I have an impact like that on the industry? So, just riding that line all these years, seeing how big it got. Then I thought – it just never occurred to me that was something I would get close to being a part of," Austin said.
With that in mind, Austin noted that joining Bullet Club would help him learn how to stand out. He expressed that the group approached him, and he viewed their offer as validation, even if he didn't think he had been going in that direction.
"I was like, if I wanna know how to have that impact, what better way to learn than right from the inside? When they asked me that question, I was totally blown away by it. It just didn’t feel like where I was headed, but the fact of the matter is, they recruit the best of the best. The only way in is to really be one of the top guys, so it was a validation, that’s for sure," Austin said.
Despite some initial hesitation, Austin noted that his pairing with Bullet Club is letting him become everything he wanted to be. He noted that the group reaches everywhere. The IMPACT star emphasized that he enjoys having the freedom to make his mark around the world.
"Bullet Club has become one the very few things in wrestling with no limits. There are reaches everywhere. I am, through Bullet Club, getting to become everything I wanted to be. Unbound, limitless, I’m able to make impressions everywhere. I don’t have to be confined to one box, one place. Man, that’s really, really cool," he said.
At IMPACT Wrestling Over Drive, Austin and Chris Bey will face the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin.) Check out the card here.
Austin will compete in the Super Junior Tag League 2022. More information is available here.
Bey recently signed a new deal with IMPACT Wrestling. Click here to find out more.
