Josh Alexander reflects on his road to recovery.
Alexander, the reigning IMPACT World Champion, was forced to relinquish the title in March due to a torn triceps. He returned at IMPACT Slammiversary, and he had his first match back at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United 2.
Speaking with Straight Talk Wrestling, Alexander was asked to describe how hard it was to stay mentally tough during his absence. He recalled how the mental game is the hardest part. Alexander also revealed that he probably could have come back a little sooner if he didn't have surgery.
“The mental part’s the hardest part. Physical pain, if anybody’s watched me wrestle for the past nearly 18 years I’ve been in this business, pain doesn’t really stop me that much. Only for the sake of me having my son Jett, my son Lucas there did I even consider surgery this time to fix this injury. It’s something I probably could have rehabbed and worked through and come back a little bit faster. But I didn’t want to have a left arm that was compromised moving forward in my life with my children and all this other stuff," Alexander said.
Alexander then described how the mental aspect of being sidelined was challenging. He noted that it was hard to watch everyone succeed while he was unable to help the company grow. Alexander emphasized that IMPACT Wrestling is a family, and he's excited to compete and do his part in the mission to take the company to new heights.
The mental game, it’s just sitting on your coach, watching everybody have all this success, do all the things that you want to do and not be part of the team. IMPACT Wrestling, as much as we’re competing for these championships and for everything else all the time, I look at that place like my family. Everybody else on that roster, from every Knockout to every member of the male locker room to everybody on the crew, they’re family. For me to not be on the road, not be competing, not be doing my part to try to grow this company and get eyes on it, that ate away at me every day, so that’s the part I’m looking forward to most coming back," Alexander said.
Check out Alex Shelley's comments on potentially facing Josh Alexander here.
Alexander will face Steve Maclin at IMPACT Victory Road. Check out the card here. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs.
Click here to check out the card for the September 7 episode of IMPACT Wrestling.
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