Brian Cage says he wants to be remembered as the most unique X Division Champion in IMPACT Wrestling history.

The 34-year-old, from Fresno, California, captured the title from Matt Sydal at one of the promotion's flagship shows, Slammiversary XVI, in July.

Since then, 'The Machine' has entered into a feud with Sami Callihan, who he defended the gold against this week, during IMPACT’s Final Hour show.

While his incredible physique is a sight to behold, Cage's jaw-dropping power and agility is what has cemented him as a fan favourite across the globe.

Standing at 6ft tall and weighing 268lb, the powerhouse is somehow able to wow fans with aerial moves including a stunning springboard moonsault.

Speaking exclusively to Mirror Sport’s Tony Quant ahead of the clash with Callihan, he opened up about his goals, legacy in wrestling, getting in the ring with the dangerous Callihan and which former X Division Champions he would love to face.

(Image: IMPACT Wrestling)

This week you face off with Sami Callihan at Final Hour. Sami is an opponent you know very well, so how do you prepare for someone like him?

I don’t know if you can prepare for him really, he has re-invented himself pretty well a few times. He is a little insane and he certainly brings it, I like like he is a little unappreciated. But I am not a stranger to him and I am looking forward to coming to his hometown and beating him. I feel like I have his number for sure.

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As you mentioned the match is taking place in Ohio, which Callihan's home state. Does that advantage give you anything to worry about?

I don’t think so, its a little like Shawn Michaels walking into Calgary. I feel like there will probably be a few more people supporting him but that doesn’t change the outcome. It won’t change what he can do in the ring and what I can do to him.

(Image: IMPACT Wrestling)

Last time you shared a ring with him was at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view last month. While you didn’t end up on the winning team, were you happy with many people calling it the match of the night?

Yeah, I feel like a lot of people put it up there as match of night. I didn’t come out with the victory, but what was more upsetting was that my left quad was injured. I suffered an injury a few weeks prior and then the morning of the show my leg blew up and I had no idea what caused it.

I had the trainers working on it for me but it limited my mobility in the ring and there were things that I wanted to do that I couldn’t. Overall the match was great but being my harshest critic, I wish I had been able to bring more to the table.

One thing about Bound for Glory which really came across on television was just how into the show the crowd seemed. Did you notice a difference while performing?

It was cool, I don’t get to go to New York very often and the crowd was great. It was the first time that it felt like it was full of IMPACT fans.

Usually you go to a show and its a mixture of IMPACT fans and casual fans but just walking out and seeing the multiple t-shirts and signs that people had made, it was a true IMPACT fan base.

Matt Sydal Gives Brian Cage All He Can Handle at Slammiversary 2018

As the current X Division Champion you join the extensive list of champions which includes the likes of AJ Styles, Low-Ki, Chris Sabin, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe. What does it mean to have your name listed alongside such names?

It means everything. I keep putting over the fact that the X Division is what made IMPACT. From the days of TNA, I believe it is what separated it and got it over.

Some of the best names in the world right now held that title. I would love to share the ring with them and there are so many dream matches I would love to have with past champions.

Is there a particular former champion who is at the top of that dream match list?

My all time dream match has always been AJ Styles. That might be a little hard to come to fruition right now though. Chris Sabin and the Amazing Red are the more desirable ones. Chris Sabin holds the record for most reigns as X Division Champion, I feel like that match may be a possibility.

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You are currently climbing the ranks in terms of number of days as X Division Champion, sitting at number 21. How do you want your reign as champion to be remembered?

Everyone wants to be known as the best, but I am still pretty new to the division and that is some heavy shoes to fill. At the very least, I want to be remembered as the most unique or one of a kind X Division Champion, who isn’t comparable to anyone else.

What are your future goals in IMPACT?

My initial goal was to try and steal the show and show them that I should have been here a long time ago. I got a good buzz and knew I would be working with Bobby Lashley early on. After that I thought that I would be moving in to the world title picture.

I then got asked to take part in a six-way match in the X Division and it was a surprise to me, but I was stoked for it. It's a style I can do and I do it unexpectedly given my size and that gets me over and makes me stand out.

Hopefully after Sami I would love to work Pentagon and also Willie Mack. I would like for them to bring back some past champions and with guys like Chris Sabin and the Amazing Red, I think there is a plethora of people I could do some magic with.

[PWG] Brian Cage Springboard Moonsault

I am content with what's going on right now, but would love to be a world champion in the major promotions I work for, including IMPACT, AAA and Lucha Underground. If you don’t want to be number one, then I don’t know what you are striving for. I like turning heads and making people believers.

You mentioned working for a few different promotions. As someone who gets to work for so many companies, do you feel there has ever been a better time to be an independent wrestler?

Absolutely not, it is on fire right now. There are so many great promotions and talents in the world that wrestling has been made so popular than it ever has been especially outside of the WWE.

People are finding out there are lots of different flavours of ice cream and that some taste better than others!

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You can watch IMPACT Wrestling Final Hour tonight on Fight Network UK on Sky channel 455 at 9pm.