Cedric Alexander defeated Leon Slater within the principal event of Thursday’s “TNA Impact,” winning the X-Division Championship and stopping Slater from becoming the longest reigning champion within the title’s history.
Slater got the primary fall relatively early within the bout with a flash roll-up for the three-count. The motion was taken to the surface as Slater searched for a suicide dive, got caught and release German suplexed to the ground. Alexander than rammed Slater spine-first into the barricade.
When the motion returned to the ring, Slater got the higher of things and went back as much as the ropes, missing as Alexander sidestepped him but working it right into a springboard leg lariat. He then went to the highest rope again and delivered a crossbody, but as he sought to complete the match he was caught in a roll-up attempt. An exchange of roll-up attempts led into Alexander hitting a Michinoku Driver for the two-count.
Alexander eventually connected with the Lumbar Check to pin Slater and draw the match level. Slater thought he had the match won with an avalanche Styles Clash but Alexander managed to kick out on the count of two. Alexander then launched Slater into the steel steps and grabbed the X-Division title belt at ringside, declaring himself the champion-in-waiting to Carlos Silva and the commentary team.
Slater was shown to be busted open from the steps spot. Though he almost stole the match with an inside cradle in the midst of the ring, Alexander kicked out and delivered a brainbuster for his own nearfall.
Alexander delivered one other Lumbar Check but this time Slater kicked out, rallying to hit a Blue Thunderbomb and going for the Swanton 450. He missed, allowing Alexander to hit one other Lumbar Check, followed by a second for good measure and getting the pinfall to win the title.