KUSHIDA is ready to be the face of IMPACT Wrestling.
He wasn’t always planned for the IMPACT Rebellion main event this Sunday, but now he has the opportunity to win the IMPACT World Championship when he takes on Steve Maclin. Ahead of the bout, KUSHIDA spoke to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated about how important this main event is.
“This is the opportunity I need,” KUSHIDA said, speaking through a translator. “I thank the gods of pro wrestling for giving it to me.” He added, “I’ve never gotten the top championship. That means you are the face of the company. I want to be the driving force behind the company. I want to bring IMPACT all over the world.”
Competing in the Rebellion main event in Canada is more full circle for KUSHIDA that some may realize. The 39-year-old previously lived in Windsor in 2009 and trained at IMPACT President Scott D’Amore’s dojo.
“Canada was cold, colder than you can imagine,” KUSHIDA noted. “I didn’t have a driver’s license. Tim Hortons was my one chance to relax, but I could not speak English well enough to order a coffee. Even though it was cold, I loved Canada so much. Now it is like another home. I was able to prove myself there. I am so excited to wrestle my title match there and prove I can be world heavyweight champion.”
He concluded, “Wrestling for the world title is a dream. I can’t wait to make it come true.”
IMPACT Rebellion takes place on Sunday, April 16 and it is available for purchase on FITE.
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