Source: RVA Magazine
Following up on William’s report from earlier this week, we have more news from former TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James from her interview by RVA Magazine. During this interview, James talked about the recent changes taking place in iMPACT Wrestling, what her status is with the company, her thoughts on TNA’s future, and so much more. Highlights of the interview are included below, though we encourage you to read the entire interview by clicking here. Enjoy!
On Her Status with iMPACT Wrestling
I can’t really speak on my status right now. Honestly though, I’m not technically under contract with them right now. As far as TNA itself, I wasn’t at the last TV so I can’t speak on that. The company is in the midst of change obviously and that process of changing over. They’ve gone live on the road and they just brought in this new head of talent [John Gaburick] who was with WWE for twenty years or so. I feel like there’s good energy around it, but in the midst of change, people get scared and there’s a bit of that as well. It’s hard to really say. There were rumors and speculation about late paychecks, but my paycheck was never late. It’s not untrue though; I do know that was an issue with some of the people.
Her Thoughts on TNA Wrestling’s Future
I’m very hopeful for their future. I hope that they stick around. In reality, nothing is good without competition. If WWE is the only thing left, then it’s just hard for anybody else that’s trying to make it in the industry. Right now, there are two legit companies with obviously Ring Of Honor doing really well as a high profile Indy. So for the sake of wrestlers and the industry itself, I really hope they do stick around and do well. I feel pretty confident that they will.
On The State of the Knockouts Division
Well, I mean technically they have four girls right now. No, five because they just brought Lei’D Tapa up. When I first came into the company, there was a lot of focus on the Knockouts division. Obviously, it’s different, but I still feel like our matches are very impressive. I’ve been able to wrestle in a cage, main event the show, and Gail [Kim] & Taryn [Terrell] had that Last Knockout Standing match. There are really credible matches as far as that goes and we’re given that proper time to be able to tell those stories. Within the midst of everything else that’s going on, I hope they can build that division up to the strength that it was. I think they recognized before that the Knockouts were getting some of the best ratings on the show so they would have two segments with two separate storylines going on. That’s kind of dwindling down, but hopefully it picks up soon.
On Her Overall Thoughts On Her Time With TNA
I’ve had a blast, honestly. I’ve been able to have some killer matches and work with amazing people. It’s liberating in the sense that I’ve had a lot of freedom when I have had matches. Same with my heel character. I hadn’t been a heel in eight years. I’ve wanted to turn for so long and to be able to do that was exciting because it was something new to dive in. I’ve had tons of amazing moments. That cage match with Tara in December of 2010 was my favorite moment on television with the company as a babyface. Coming in, main eventing the show, and having a double segment was just awesome. You know, females don’t get the main event of the show very often so it’s quite an honor. That spot is usually reserved for the world champion or the top male so it was a huge honor to get that. As a heel, just turning and having some of these moments in the ring with the character like that ladder promo. You live for that response from the crowd that makes them feel something and react.
I really want TNA to up their KO divison and I believe they CAN. But with the state TNA is in financially it’s a difficult path, but definitely not impossible. It takes time but I sure hope after BFG, more focus will be put to the division again.