Mickie James Reflects On Having To Relinquish The IMPACT Knockouts World Title

Heading into IMPACT Rebellion on April 16, Mickie James’ in-ring status was up in the air, with the Knockouts World Champion running a race against time hoping to be fit and medically cleared for the show.

Alas, James was not cleared for Rebellion and was forced to hand over the Knockouts Championship, with Deonna Purrazzo defeating Jordynne Grace for the vacant title in Rebellion’s main event. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, James spoke of relinquishing the title, saying the following:

"It is heartbreaking. It’s not how I wanted this whole thing to end, for sure. I’m so grateful for everything and these matches I’ve had. It’s been some of my best stuff ever. I’ve had so much fun and I really tested myself and had some of the best matches I think I’ve ever had. The women now are incredible, and that’s just it. I don’t know. I’m a bit heartbroken and sad, but it’s okay. I’m so grateful for my career," James said.

James revealed in the run-in to Rebellion that she was dealing with several injuries including a broken rib, and as she continues to recover she gave thanks for her latest run in IMPACT:

"I’m so grateful for this last IMPACT run. I don’t want to come off as cocky, but I do feel these matches I’ve had, have been some of my best, as far as testing myself and reminding everyone and regaining my own sense of power back, in a way, to believe in myself again. I’m so thankful for that opportunity and I want to be able to defend the championship and have killer matches. We all have to lose the championship at some point, even if it is three years later. It felt very storybook-ish. Maybe this is a big hook in the turn that I didn’t see coming. I can sit back and focus on some other things and reset and get my strength back. I’m frustrated, I’m irritated. It’s okay. Things always happen for a reason. We’ve been going long enough that, a lot of times, we look at things and what happens, a younger me would have been devastated. Now, I’ve learned enough to know that I’ve had a lot of setbacks and resets, and with every cut-off comes a new opportunity and something you didn’t even realise could fill your time and passion. I’ll be home, writing songs, working out, getting strong," James said.

H/T: Fightful