During the time of Aces & Eights, Bully Ray and his crew ruled over the Impact Wrestling roster. Sabin took a huge chance by taking option C, exchanging the X-Division title for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.
The following week, Sabin shocked the world and defeated Bully Ray on the Destination X episode of Impact Wrestling to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Though his run with the title didn’t last long as Ray won the title back several weeks later.
Former TNA star Chris Sabin spoke with Wrestling Epicenter about his very brief run with the TNA World Heavyweight title in 2013. Sabin expresses his disappointment with the run, stating that he knows inside that he wasn’t ready for the run:
"Overall, I think it was pretty disappointing. I don't think I was ready for it. I was injured for about two years straight with knee surgeries back to back, first the right knee, then left. I was back for only two months after being out for two years and not only that, I was a tag team wrestler for several years before that. I definitely wanted it to happen, but looking back on it, I know inside that I wasn't ready. I was still discovering myself. There was new management. Everything about TNA was different compared to the two years before that. Plus, it only lasted three weeks, as well, but I'm so grateful it happened. It was a cool experience ... The moment of the one-two-three and the crowd went crazy is a memory that I will have forever. And, just to be able to say that I won the World Heavyweight Title is really cool, but I know I can do better. That is why it is disappointing. I know I can do better. So, I hope I have another chance in the future."