On the November 13 episode of "Impact!" during an X Division Championship match between Eric Young and champion Sheik Abdul Bashir, Sewell stopped a three-count in noticing an illegal action on the part of Bashir, then asking the audience if Bashir had done so. Bashir then shoved Sewell to the mat, causing him to remove his referee shirt and begin attacking Bashir. As a result, Young hit a Death Valley Driver on Bashir and won the match, becoming the new X Division Champion. However, the decision was reversed one week later by Jim Cornette due to Sewell's interference. A similar incident occurred at Final Resolution, where Bashir shoved Sewell and he retaliated by kicking Bashir's feet off the top rope, thus causing him to be pinned by Young. Bashir then attacked Sewell and busted him open in the process.