ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

Preview IMPACT On Thursday: The Final Countdown To Lockdown

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c. If you can’t watch it Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action.

– The broadcast will feature the final countdown to the Lockdown Pay-Per-View event

– World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode and challenger “Cowboy” James Storm will have one last face-to-face before their main event match at Lockdown

– Eric Young and ODB get married on Thursday’s broadcast in the first-ever Steel Cage Wedding

– Who will Eric Bischoff and Garett Bischoff pick for their Lethal Lockdown teams? Find out Thursday night! We also understand that members from Eric and Garett’s team will battle in a Best of 3 Series with the winning team getting the man advantage going into Lethal Lockdown.

– We’ll hear from the Motorcity Machine Guns, who challenge for the World Tag team Championship at Lockdown

– In Knockouts Tag Team action, champion Gail Kim and Madison Rayne battle Velvet Sky and Mickie James

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV

TNA Wrestling has announced three new title matches for Lockdown on April 15 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium as the World Tag Team Championship, Women’s Knockout Championship and Television Championship will be on the line. A stipulation has been added to Lethal Lockdown as the losing Bischoff family member “must leave TNA for good.”

Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Bobby Roode (c) vs. “Cowboy” James Storm

Lethal Lockdown
Team Eric Bischoff vs. Team Garett Bischoff

Steel Cage Match
“The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle

Steel Cage Match for the World Tag Team Championship
Magnus and Samoa Joe (c) vs. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin

Steel Cage Match for the Women’s Knockout Championship
Gail Kim (c) vs. Velvet Sky

Steel Cage Match for the Television Championship
Devon (c) vs. Robbie E

Steel Cage Match
Crimson vs. “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan

— Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer revealed that TNA Wrestling is having financial difficulties as talent and vendors are frequently paid for their services on a delayed basis.

“Vendors and wrestlers are paid late all the time,” he wrote on the F4WOnline.com message board. “Janice Carter controls the purse strings. Only a certain amount of money over what they bring in can be spent and it’s prioritized where it goes.”

Janice Carter, who is the mother of TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter, gained complete control of the company’s purse strings in 2010 reportedly as to put a stop to her daughter’s lavish spending sprees after the company’s financial losses were more than parent company Panda Energy International was willing to tolerate. Meltzer reported in January that Carter has set a doctrine of only allowing TNA what is “deemed necessary” in terms of funding as to keep financial losses to a minimum.

— A photo of Mickie James kicking Gail Kim at TNA Genesis is featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The magazine levies criticism towards TNA having the Knockouts Division revolve around Mickie James and Gail Kim as the headline reads: “Has The Knockouts Division Become The Mickie-Gail Show? It’s Time To Open Things Up – BFG Style!”

— Josh Lewis, who hosts Repo Games on Spike TV, will appear on this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling. The announcement was made during Victory Road as Lewis was shown sitting ringside.

It is unknown whether Josh will compete in a match, but according to a report published on TMZ.com on Saturday, the life-long wrestling fan plans to “get physical.”

— Sunday at Victory Road, Devon answered Robbie E’s open challenge and defeated him to capture the TNA Television Championship. Brooke Hogan, daughter of Hulk Hogan, became involved with the match as she pulled a chair away from E.

In other title bouts at Victory Road, Gail Kim retained the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship against Madison Rayne, Austin Aries defeated Zema Ion to retain the TNA X Division Championship, and Magnus and Samoa Joe retained the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Crimson and Matt Morgan.

TNA Impact Wrestling

The following is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling from Orlando, FL:

* TNA Champion Bobby Roode, X-Champion Austin Aries & Bully Ray vs. James Storm & TNA Tag Team champions Samoa Joe & Magnus

* Gauntlet Match: AJ Styles vs. Kazarian and Daniels

* Kurt Angle will explain why he attacked Jeff Hardy.

* ODB vs. Madison Rayne.

* Zema Ion vs. Shannon Moore.

* Mickie James & Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love & Sarita.

• *SPOILERS* For Tonight’s IMPACT Wrestling

Gail Kim clarified her exit from WWE last year in an interview with Schema Magazine.

When asked if controversially eliminated herself from the Divas Battle Royal on the August 1, 2011 episode of Monday Night Raw was out of frustration of not being showcased enough on television, she responded, “I’ve talked about this many times up to this point, which I don’t mind but I think the fans and myself have moved on from this topic. To clarify, that was not the reason why, there were many reasons why including some disrespectful situations and the way women were treated; so I decided to move on. I did, and I’m happier than ever and I will never know reasons why so I choose not to worry about that anymore.

“I can only look forward and try to do positive things from now on. Impact Wrestling has been home for me and it’s just been a confidence building, pro female wrestling environment. I feel like I don’t have to limit myself anymore.”

The TNA Women’s Knockout Champion was also asked if was ever given a role in which she felt stereotyped, fetishized or uncomfortable.

She responds, “I don’t think I can remember a time feeling uncomfortable because I was never forced to play the stereotypical role but that may be because I didn’t know how. I can’t speak fluent Korean (I regret quitting Korean school as a child now!) So it was difficult to put me in that role. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when I was asked to do things that were overtly sexual or anything dance related lol! I think I’m sexiest when I’m myself. As for the dancing part, I have 2 left feet!”

Kim also comments on where she sees herself in the entertainment industry within the next ten years, whether there is a difference between wrestling fans in the United States and Canada, who inspired her to become a professional wrestler and more. (Interview link)

ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

Preview Thursday’s can’t-miss IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to the March 18 “Victory Road” Pay-Per-View event continues!

– Sting dropped a bombshell on Bobby Roode this past week, telling the World Champion that he would battle him at “Victory Road” on March 18! Roode’s actions have unleashed Sting’s maniacal side – and now “The Icon” wants revenge. He doesn’t want the World Title – he just wants to annihilate Roode! How will Roode react this Thursday on IMPACT? Rumors have it that Roode is reaching out to several Impact Wrestling superstars to see if they will join with him to ban together against Sting.

– Also on the broadcast, Kurt Angle has requested time to address the reason why attacked “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy two weeks ago and cost him his chance at regaining the World Championship against Bobby Roode. No doubt, Hardy will be in attendance, and will be watching closely!

– “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles has been vocal about the alliance between Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, and on Thursday’s broadcast on SpikeTV, he wants answers! AJ will face Daniels and Kazarian in a Gauntlet Match and rumors have it that Styles has a challenge to make to Daniels and Kazarian that will end the mystery once and for all! Tune in and find out!

– In Knockouts action, Madison Rayne will battle ODB, as Rayne prepares for her upcoming Knockouts Championship match against Gail Kim at “Victory Road”

– Plus, in X Division action, Zema Ion gears up for his X Division Title shot at “Victory Road” as he faces off against Shannon Moore on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast

All this and much more this Thursday on SpikeTV at 9/8c!

On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, Sting said he was going to put on his boots, tights and war paint and kick the “living crap” out of Bobby Roode at Victory Road. The match has been officially announced on ImpactWrestling.com. Roode’s title, however, will not be on the line.

Two title matches have been announced for the event; X Division Champion Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion and Women’s Knockouts Champion Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne.

Challenge Match
World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode vs. Sting

X Division Championship Match
X Division Champion Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion

Women’s Knockout Championship Match
Women’s Knockout Champion Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne

Victory Road takes place on March 18, 2012 at the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida.

— Ric Flair did not appear as advertised for Sunday’s TNA Impact Wrestling World Tour event at Glenville State College’s Lilly Gymnasium in Glenville, West Virginia. “The Nature Boy” was featured on promotional posters and advertised on the Impact Wrestling website to accompany Gunner for a singles match against Garett Bischoff.

— According to the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board, Impact Wrestling on Challenge TV drew 208,000 viewers. The previous week’s show drew 278,000 viewers.

— TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Gail Kim turns 35 years old Monday.

— ShopTNA.com has released a TNA Knockouts shirt.

source: ProWrestling.net

— TNA Knockouts Brooke Tessmacher, Gail Kim and Winter and former WWE Superstars Billy Gunn and Chavo Guerrero are slated to appear in a mixed martial arts themed independent film set for release in the summer 2013, according to a press release issued by SaintSinner Entertainment and Jaunted Productions.

The synopsis for Double Fury reads: “Double Fury is a martial arts action packed tale of two estranged brothers brought back together after their father is murdered by a megalomaniacal madman who’s looking for a volatile package in one of their possession that could destroy all that they hold dear.”

Details on the film are available here.

— With the retirement of Malia Hosaka, Traditional Championship Wrestling has announced that Mickie James’ replacement opponent at their April 7, 2012 show in Fort Smith, Arksansas will be Cheerleader Melissa (a/k/a Alissa Flash). It’s being promoted as the first time the two have wrestled a singles match against each other in the United States.

— Brooke Tessmacher has been announced to appear at WrestleReunion 8, which takes place April 13-15, 2012 at the Doubletree Toronto Airport 655 Dixon Rd. Toronto, Ontario Canada.

— TNA Wrestling official Earl Hebner’s daughter Katie Hebner has plans to enter the squared circle. She announced on her Twitter account that she begun wrestling training in January and has her sights set on being a TNA Knockout.

She tweeted Gail Kim’s husband Robert Irvine when asked if she’s the referee’s daughter, “Yes im his daughter and a knockout in training :) dad said that you are truly a great guy!”

Hebner portrayed the role of Gail Kim’s sister in 2008.

— TNA Television Champion Robbie E has been announced to appear at Battle of the Belts for NWA Ring Warriors on March 29, 2012 at the Fort Lauderdale National Guard Armory, 400 State Road 84. His opponent has not been disclosed.

The event will also feature Jesse Neal and Christina Von Eerie (a/k/a Toxxin) versus Chasyn Rance and Santana Garrett in a mixed tag team match with WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch as the special guest referee. Event details are available here.

source: PWInsider.com

Don’t miss Thursday’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c – featuring the aftermath of the “Against All Odds” Pay-Per-View event! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action!

– At Sunday’s Pay-Per-View event, Bobby Roode beat the odds and retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Hardy, James Storm and Bully Ray. Now, the road begins to March’s “Victory Road” for the World Champ. The question is, what does GM “The Icon” Sting have to say about how Roode won on Sunday – and what does he has planned for Roode at Victory Road?

– On Sunday at “Against All Odds”, Gail Kim successfully defended the Knockouts Title against Tara! On Thursday’s IMPACT on SpikeTV, a new #1 Contender will be determined in a 10-Knockout Battle Royal! The winner of the Battle Royal will get the next shot at the Knockouts gold. The participants are: Sarita, Rosita, Brooke Tessmacher, Winter, Tara, ODB, Mickie James, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne and Angelina Love!

– Plus, what was the fallout from the Bischoff family feud at Against All Odds? Did Garett (with Hulk Hogan in his corner) overcome the assault from Gunner and his own father, Eric Bischoff? Tune in Thursday night!

All this and much more on Thursday’s broadcast as the road to the March “Victory Road” Pay-Per-View event begins!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

The eighth annual Against All Odds pay-per-view event will take place tonight at the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida. The following matches have been announced for the event.

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Bobby Roode (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. James Storm vs. Bully Ray

Challenge Match
Gunner (with Eric Bischoff) vs. Garett Bischoff (with Hulk Hogan)

Challenge Match
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. Kazarian (with Christopher Daniels)

World Tag Team Championship Match
Matt Morgan & Crimson (c) vs. Samoa Joe and Magnus

X Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) vs. Alex Shelley

Women’s Knockout Championship Match
Gail Kim (c) vs. Tara

#1 Contender’s Match – X Division
Jesse Sorensen vs. Zema Ion

Don’t miss Thursday’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c as the road to the February “Against All Odds” continues! If you can’t watch it on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action on SpikeTV!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– After World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode and Bully Ray ruined the #1 Contender’s Match between Jeff Hardy and James Storm, who will get the title shot at Against All Odds? What will Sting have to say about the situation? Will the General Manager step in and punish the World Champion for his actions? This situation is sure to explode in this week’s HUGE Main Event when James Storm and Jeff Hardy team up to take on Bobby Roode and Bully Ray in a Tables Match!

– The broadcast will also feature a Knockouts Triple Threat match with Velvet Sky vs. Tara vs. Mickie James, with the winner earning a shot at the Knockouts Championship against Gail Kim at Against All Odds! Gail will also be in attendance on Thursday to watch the match unfold!

– One-half of the World Tag Team Champions, “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan, will face off against “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe – a preview of the World Tag Team Title match at the PPV when Morgan and Crimson defend against Joe and Magnus

– Alex Shelley makes his return to action on IMPACT WRESTLING, battling Zema Ion on Thursday night in X Division action

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV, plus more news on the upcoming “Against All Odds” Pay-Per-View event!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

— Chavo Guerrero is featured in a promotional advertisement for Ring Ka King, TNA Wrestling’s professional wrestling promotion based in India. The third generation grappler is billed as an international wrestling superstar.

The Wrestling Observer reported last month that Guerrero is expected to join TNA Wrestling in the near future.

— The January 12, 2012 episode of Impact Wrestling drew a 1.12 cable rating. Last week’s show drew a 1.11.

The program averaged 1,600,000 viewers, the same as last week. This nearly matches the 2011 yearly average of 1,610,000 viewers.

— Matt Morgan and Gail Kim appear at Direct Auto Insurance 700 North Military Highway Norfolk, Virginia on February 12, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 757-455-9072 for more information.

— Triple H attended New York Giants’ practice Wednesday as they prepared for their NFL Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. According to PopTheCrowd.com, Triple H was in town with WWE officials to finalize a deal to bring WrestleMania 29 or WrestleMania 30 to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

— CM Punk has been announced to appear at Wizard World’s Philadelphia Comic Con on June 2, 2012 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Former WWE Diva Melina, WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Gail Kim are also scheduled to appear at the event.

— The 16th annual ECWA Super 8 tournament takes place on April 7, 2012 at the Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club in Newark, Delaware. Tommaso Ciampa won last year’s event.

Three matches have been announced for this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike.

* In the main event, Jeff Hardy will team up with James Storm and Abyss to take on World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, and Bully Ray.

* In tag team action, Knockouts Tag Team Champions Gail Kim and Madison Rayne will defend the straps against Mickie James and Traci Brooks.

* The finals of the Wild Card Tournament will be held to determine who challenges Matt Morgan and Crimson for the World Tag Team Championship at Genesis as AJ Styles and Kazarian take on Samoa Joe and Magnus.

World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode and Jeff Hardy will go face-to-face one last time before their match at Genesis.

— Mickie James was the most searched for female wrestling talent on Google.com in 2011, according to statistical data compiled by the Wrestling Observer. She is trailed by fellow TNA Knockout Velvet Sky, Michelle McCool, Vickie Guerrero, Beth Phoenix, Eve Torres and Gail Kim.

— The final episode of Impact Wrestling of 2011 garnered a 1.16 cable rating, with 1,510,000 viewers. This is up from the prior week’s show, which drew a 1.03 cable rating with 1,360,000 viewers.

— Gunner stated on Twitter that he faces Rob Van Dam on this Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

— Matt Morgan and Gail Kim appear at Direct Auto Insurance 700 North Military Highway Norfolk, Virginia on Feb. 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 757-455-9072 for more information.

source: PWInsider.com

Speaking to Power Slam, Gail Kim explains why she deliberately eliminated herself from the Divas Battle Royal on the August 1, 2011 episode of Monday Night Raw.

“I have no regrets. They didn’t care. It didn’t affect the outcome of the match. If it was going to affect the outcome of the match, I wouldn’t have done it. It got to the point where … it’s just what I did, you know. Like I said, I don’t have any regrets.”

Kim quit WWE that night; she says it felt good.

“You know why? It was about my life and my happiness at that point, and having control of my life again. It felt good to know that I made that decision for myself. I wasn’t going to be unhappy anymore. And, most of all, I just wanted to wrestle again.

“The day that I told Johnny [John Laurinaitis) that I quit was a relief. He asked me why, and I said to him, “Really? Are you really asking me why?” And he knew: he knew my frustration. I know a lot of wrestlers are very happy in WWE. But, in my case, I had to move on.”

Kim was also asked whether her success in TNA Wrestling worked against her during her second run with WWE.

“Hmmm. I’m not sure. You always hear things about how that company thinks. I really don’t know. You know, that’s the whole reason they hired me back, because of the success I had in TNA. Kharma/Kong, she may not have even got hired, if it wasn’t for those matches we had in TNA. That’s what made our names in women’s wrestling at that time.”

She continues, “It’s funny that they knew we could do something like what we did in TNA and they didn’t do it. I don’t know what to say. But I can’t care about that now. I’m just trying to do the best with what I’m given now, and that’s on Impact Wrestling.”

Don’t miss Thursday’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to the January 8 “Genesis” Pay-Per-View event continues! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– The main event of the broadcast will feature Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle taking on Rob Van Dam

– The Knockouts Championship will be on the line as Gail Kim defends against Mickie James

– The Wild Card Tag Team Tournament continues with two semi-final matches:

Match 1: Eric Young & ODB vs. Samoa Joe & Magnus

Match 2: Abyss & Scott Steiner vs. AJ Styles & Kazarian

– In addition, it will be the final match in the Best-Of-3 Series between Anthony Neese and Zema Ion, with the winner earning a shot at the X Division Championship

– Also scheduled to appear are World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, IMPACT WRESTLING General Manager Sting, “Cowboy” James Storm and many more!

– Plus, more big news on the upcoming January 8 “Genesis” Pay-Per-View event

source: ImpactWrestling.com

Don’t miss Thursday’s holiday TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, as the road to the January 8 “Genesis” Pay-Per-View event continues! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the Total Nonstop Action!

Here is a preview of Thursday’s broadcast:

– How will IMPACT WRESTLING GM Sting react to what World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode did to him during this past week’s main event? At the end of the broadcast, Sting hit the ring to try to help Jeff Hardy, but Roode smashed Sting with the World Title! The rumor is that Sting will hand down punishment on the World Champ, but what does he have planned for Roode? Tune in and find out!

– The number-one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, will be on the huge broadcast as he prepares for his shot at the gold at “Genesis” against Roode! What roadblock will Roode try to put in Hardy’s way this week – and what will Sting have to say about it?

– The Wild Card Tag Team Tournament continues this Thursday with more first-round matches: “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles & Kazarian vs. Rob Van Dam & Christopher Daniels plus Eric Young & ODB vs. Shannon Moore of Ink Inc and Anarquia of Mexican America

– Also on IMPACT WRESTLING, the Best-Of-3 Series between Zema Ion and Anthony Neese continues, with the winner getting an X Division Title shot at the “Genesis” Pay-Per-View

– Plus, now that Karen Jarrett is gone from IMPACT WRESTLING, who will manage the Knockouts Division? Will the other Knockouts rise up against Knockouts Champion Gail Kim and Madison Rayne now that Karen is out of the picture? Don’t miss Thursday’s broadcast!

source: ImpactWrestling.com

Tonight, Direct Auto Insurance and TNA Wrestling present Final Resolution live on Pay-Per-View and online at TNAOnDemand.com from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Eight matches have been announced for the event.

World Heavyweight Championship 30 Minute Ironman Match
AJ Styles vs. (c) Bobby Roode

Steel Cage Match
“The King Of The Mountain” Jeff Jarrett vs. “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
(Karen Jarrett will be handcuffed to Sting at ringside)

The Olympic Gold Medalist vs. The Cowboy
Kurt Angle vs. “Cowboy” James Storm

Challenge Match
Christopher Daniels vs. Rob Van Dam

Women’s Knockout Championship Match
Mickie James vs. (c) Gail Kim

World Tag Team Championship Match
Matt Morgan and Crimson (c) vs “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero and Devon

X Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) vs Kid Kash

Television Championship Match
Robbie E (c) vs Eric Young

TNA Wrestling has announced two new title matches for this Sunday’s pay-per-view event, Final Resolution.

Austin Aries will defend the X Division Championship against Kid Kash while Robbie E will defend the TV Championship against Eric Young.

The updated card is as follows:

World Heavyweight Championship 30 Minute Ironman Match
AJ Styles vs. (c) Bobby Roode

Steel Cage Match
“The King Of The Mountain” Jeff Jarrett vs. “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy
(Karen Jarrett will be handcuffed to Sting at ringside)

Women’s Knockout Championship Match
Mickie James vs. (c) Gail Kim

World Tag Team Championship Match
Matt Morgan and Crimson (c) vs “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero and Devon

X Division Championship Match
Austin Aries (c) vs Kid Kash

Television Championship Match
Robbie E (c) vs Eric Young

— Kurt Angle stated on Twitter that he will be participating in the United States Olympic wrestling trials that will be held in Iowa City, Iowa this April to determine the team that will go to London, England for the 2012 Olympics.

“I’m Already Qualified for final Olympic trials In June. But I Will Official Enter Olympic trial Qualifier Tourney in April in Iowa! I’m Ready,” he wrote.

Angle revealed his Olympic hopes this past June. He told The Sun, “I’ve set my sights on this. There are certain goals I had in my life and I’ve done them. I won an Olympic gold medal, but last time I did it I didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t have fun. It was more of a job and there was a lot of pressure on me. This time I’m going to soak it in, enjoy everything I do from the training to going to London and making the Olympic team, enjoying it and remembering the Olympics instead of putting it out of my mind.”

— Gail Kim has responded to criticism that she repeats herself in interviews regarding her views on WWE.

“I’m not gonna not answer questions people ask me,” she says. “Why don’t you ask them why they ask a question that’s been answered?”

— Sting is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Inside Wrestling.

Speaking to SLAM! Wrestling, Gail Kim explains why she disobeyed WWE by controversially eliminating herself from the Divas Battle Royal on the August 1 episode of Monday Night Raw. She says it was the culmination of all the disrespect she felt from WWE.

“I don’t regret what I did at all. It was a respect thing,” Kim says. “I was told to get eliminated as soon as possible, so that’s what I did. I saw my decision as a case of either continuing to take their lack of respect or doing something about it.

“Nobody knows what I went through in terms of disrespect during my time there, but that move wasn’t just about me it was a culmination of all the disrespect I felt that all the other women and the women’s division as a whole had received too, I was taking a stand.

“While a lot of fans watching Raw noticed what I did, nobody from WWE noticed, that just shows how much they didn’t care. I went up to Johnny [John Laurinaitis] after and spoke about the Battle Royal and his reaction towards the match was, ‘Yeah, I heard it was pretty shit.’ I was amazed and I then told him how I eliminated myself and he just laughed.

“How can fans take the division seriously if the people working for the company aren’t? If it had been one of the men who had eliminated themselves they would have been punished, but because it was the women nobody cared, not even after I had told them.”

A few days later Kim announced on Twitter that she had quit WWE, however, she was not permitted to bolt. What followed was a standoff between WWE and their former Women’s Champion, which saw her forced to sit out the remainder of her contract.

“WWE are notoriously known for being controlling when it comes to your career, that night of the Battle Royal I went to Johnny and told him I quit, I said I don’t want your money; I just want to be free. He told me that it shouldn’t be a problem, but of course it was,” Kim says.

“They didn’t want me to work elsewhere, at this time I told him, ‘What does it matter if I leave or not? You’re not using me, it’s not like I’m valuable to you just let me go,’ but there was no budging.”

After sitting at home for over two months waiting out the remainder of her contract, Kim finally made her much anticipated return to TNA Wrestling on the October 20 episode of Impact Wrestling, when she aligning herself with Madison Rayne and Karen Jarrett. Being a TNA Knockout means everything to her.

“I’m just so excited to be back in the company, I can’t speak for anybody in particular but the feeling I got when I came back was that there were no hard feelings about my previous decision to leave. Being back here feels like time has never passed.

“I think everyone kind of expected me to return. I said in my last interview when I was leaving that I would probably be back, everyone has been real welcoming, it’s like being a part of a family here at TNA. It’s great to see the growth that this company has made since I’ve been gone, it’s nice to see the direction its going and where they want to be heading.”

She adds, “I’m just so happy to be here and to now be a part of a company once again that actually cares about wrestling.”

The full article is available here.