Mickie James shares her thoughts on relinquishing the IMPACT Knockouts World Championship.
James won the title at IMPACT Rebellion 2023 when she beat Jordynne Grace in a Title vs. Career Match. The veteran had been on her Last Rodeo, a series of matches where she would have retired once she lost. Following her win over Grace, James continued to defend the gold. She was set to put the title on the line at IMPACT x NJPW Multiverse United, but she was pulled from the card due to an injury, which was later revealed to be a broken rib. James subsequently relinquished the championship, and Deonna Purrazzo won the title by beating Grace at IMPACT Rebellion.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, James reflected on relinquishing the title and stated that it was a heartbreaking end to her reign.
"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 continued by expressing her gratitude for her run in IMPACT and stated that some of the matches have been some of her best. The veteran described how she proved herself and regained her sense of power. James emphasized that she's thankful for the opportunity. She also noted that this obstacle could be an opportunity to reset, and while she's frustrated, she believes everything happens for a reason.
"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 realize could fill your time and passion. I’ll be home, writing songs, working out, getting strong," James said.
Ir's currently unknown when James will return to the ring. Fightful will provide more information about James' recovery as it becomes available.
Deonna Purrazzo recently described how she found out that James would be relinquishing the title. Check out her comments here.
Check out the card for the April 20 episode of IMPACT Wrestling here. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs on Thursday.
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