Sabin made his first appearance since Shelley's departure from TNA on the live May 31 episode of "Impact Wrestling", unsuccessfully challenging Austin Aries for the X Division Championship. On the June 14 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Sabin unsuccessfully challenged Aries for the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X match, which also included Zema Ion, during which Sabin appeared to injure his left knee. The following day, it was announced that Sabin had torn his left ACL during the match. On the July 5 episode of "Impact Wrestling", Sabin returned to talk about his injury, but was interrupted and eventually attacked by TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode. Sabin underwent surgery on his ACL the following day.