Frankie Kazarian Says Becoming TNA World Champion at 48 Proves “Dreams Do Not Have an Expiration Date”

Frankie Kazarian waited nearly three decades for the moment—becoming TNA World Champion for the first time at age 48. Now that it’s finally happened, the veteran wrestler says it means more than fans may realize.

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Kazarian addressed the age conversation head-on and made it clear that this wasn’t just about holding a title—it was about fulfilling a dream that never faded, even when it felt out of reach.

“You get into this business… at least I got in this business—I didn’t want to just be a regular wrestler. I wanted to be a World Champion wrestler. And it took me a while… but here we are. TNA World Champion, man.”

But the road to the top wasn’t exactly smooth. Kazarian admitted that back in 2007, when he was gaining momentum as a singles babyface, reality began to set in.

“I was kind of on the come-up… getting some good matches, had a lot of momentum,” he said. “But just seeing who was above me on the ladder, I was like… I just don’t think it’s gonna happen for me.”

Even then, he was honest about what was missing. So as the years passed and the opportunities faded, the dream started to feel distant—until it didn’t.

“From an in-ring standpoint, I think I was a very good wrestler. I don’t think I had developed my personality and promo skills to the level you need to be a world champion.”

“Years went by and it kind of became a fleeting thought—like, it’s just not gonna ever happen,” Kazarian recalled. “But, you know, I always like to say this: dreams do not have an expiration date. So, you know, 48 years old or 28 years old—it doesn’t matter. I got the job done.”

Now holding the top prize in TNA Wrestling, Kazarian is living proof that the long road still leads somewhere—if you stay on it long enough. Frankie Kazarian’s story is a rare reminder in pro wrestling: not everything has to happen fast to be meaningful. He didn’t get the belt at 28. He got it at 48—and earned every second of it.

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