"Speedball" Mike Bailey was unable to work in the United States from 2016 until 2022 after being stopped trying to enter the country to work a show for EVOLVE in March 2016. He was unable to obtain a work visa during that time.
Bailey returned to the United States wrestling scene in January 2022, signing a contract with IMPACT Wrestling.
Since joining IMPACT, Bailey has not only been a featured player on their television program, he's working Independent dates on a weekly basis and challenged Moose for the IMPACT World Championship at a Wrestling REVOLVER event.
Speaking to Fightful's The Spotlight, Bailey discussed how his relationship with IMPACT has benefited both parties.
"I feel like it’s a very fair relationship. I don’t think there’s any sort of force behind them. They could put me in any position and I would still stand out in the same way I am doing right now. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’m given, but I can’t imagine where they could possibly put me, who they could possibly have me wrestle that it wouldn’t be a notable performance. Because, again, the IMPACT roster is so stacked and there’s so much happening right now. I am extremely confident in my ability to deliver consistently exciting performances. I think it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. I feel like it’s only fair and I will only keep giving it my all," he said.
Bailey will challenge for the X-Division Championship at IMPACT Rebellion on April 23 in a triple threat match against Ace Austin and reigning champion Trey Miguel.
Speaking on his upcoming X-Division Title bout, Bailey said, "The X-Division is so stacked right now. I feel like it’s me, Ace and Trey being in the match, it’s us but it could be anyone right now because that division is so stacked. There’s a lot going into this match. Ace and I have a very complicated relationship. So I expect that to play out and Trey is, of course, on top of his game and absolutely amazing and just a world class performer."
Ahead of the bout, Bailey has remained active by working nine matches in three days during WrestleMania weekend, and then returning to the ring a week later to wrestle Minoru Suzuki.
"How I’ve been preparing, I’ve had eleven matches in the past two weeks. I always feel like when I have a weekend and shows like Friday, Saturday, Sunday, the first one is always my worst match. Because even though I’ve only had four days off, maybe, it just takes me that one match to fully get into it and then once I’ve done that first one, I’m in the zone for Saturday and Sunday. But I’ve been wrestling so much recently and—knock on wood—I’m healthy and injury free. So I feel like I am fully prepared, completely in my zone and this is the best possible preparation I could have for [one of the biggest—not the biggest—opportunity of my career, so far]," he said.
Bailey said that he believes the X-Division Championship match will be his greatest showing.
Fans can check out the current lineup for IMPACT Rebellion by clicking. Fightful will have live coverage of IMPACT Rebellion beginning at 7 p.m. ET on April 23 with the pre-show.
