On March 23, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Mickie James would be unable to compete at IMPACT Sacrifice due to an injury. James was scheduled to defend the IMPACT Knockouts Title against Jordynne Grace at the event.
It was revealed at IMPACT Sacrifice that James had suffered a broken rib. James also had to pull out of her scheduled title defense at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United against Miyu Yamashita, Gisele Shaw, and Deonna Purrazzo.
When asked how she was feeling on Busted Open Radio, James replied, "I'm good. I'm grateful. It could have been a lot worse. A broken rib, that's a couple of weeks. If I can just get healed up. It did suck. When you know when there is something wrong, it sucks and it's painful, but I feel better now than I did when it first happened. When they first looked at it, they were thinking it was a cartilage tear between the ribcage, and that would have been three months of healing time, plus the comeback. I'm almost grateful that it was just a broken rib. That means six to eight weeks. We'll see what the doctor says."
James continued, "It's frustrating, it's very frustrating. I was really looking forward to the rematch with Jordynne. I felt like our first match was so good and she pushed me to my limits for sure, so I was excited about that, a round two, and I was excited about Multiverse United, not only because it was going to be in a four-way with four incredibly talented women, but also because it was this cross promotional thing with New Japan. To be taken out of that, you always know it's a possibility, but you'd rather get pinned before you get hurt, because getting hurt is a whole reset."
Grace will receive a shot at the IMPACT Knockouts Title at IMPACT Rebellion. She will face the winner of the four-way match from IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United. If James is cleared, she will be added to match. If she is not cleared, she will relinquish the title.
"It was a both decision," she said when asked if it was her decision to possibility give up the title or the decision of IMPACT. "If it's going to put me out two pay-per-views, that is too long for the Knockouts World Championship to not be defended. It's not fair to the division or the women on the roster. I'm hoping and praying the doctor will clear me and we'll be good, but it's right on the window. I felt like it was the best business decision. If that's the case, then perhaps I did need more time to heal and come back."
Mickie said she will be at Multiverse United to watch the four-way bout.
Fans can check out the lineup for Multiverse United by clicking here.
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