1 00:00:00,520 --> 00:00:01,240 Speaker 1: Hey you guys. 2 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 2: This is Mickey James on my last rodeo here and 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:10,880 Speaker 2: I've stopped by the Battleground Podcast to talk to you guys. 4 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: All about Hard to Kill. January thirteenth. 5 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 2: It is sold out, but you can watch it everywhere 6 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:18,959 Speaker 2: on pay per view, and I hope you joined me 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 2: because the stakes are high. It is career versus title 8 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 2: and I wouldn't want you to miss it, So see 9 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 2: you in Atlanta. 10 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:31,960 Speaker 1: Hard to Kill. This is the Battleground podcastle. 11 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 3: Why from the parts Unknown Studios into the Battle Crown. 12 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: Battle Round, the Battle Round, Battle the Battle Round. 13 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:48,480 Speaker 3: Welcome to the Battleground Podcast, your place for all things 14 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 3: pro wrestling. 15 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:56,200 Speaker 4: The Battle Road, the Battle Round. 16 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: Now making their way to the microphone spective it up 17 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 1: for your hosts. 18 00:01:01,880 --> 00:01:02,280 Speaker 2: Crowd. 19 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 4: What's up you guys? Welcome back into iHeartRadio's official wrestling podcast, 20 00:01:10,160 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 4: the Battleground Podcast. I'm your host Battle and bringing along 21 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 4: into the room my tag team partner Eli. What's up buddy? 22 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: Hello? 23 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,920 Speaker 4: Hopefully you can always you can always tell who is 24 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 4: on our show by Eli. 25 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,839 Speaker 5: I try, I try to hint, and her official shirts 26 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 5: in the wash, so I had to go with this. 27 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 4: But anyways, and uh, you know we talked. You say 28 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 4: her official shirt is in the wash. Well, today is 29 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 4: the official day that I guess she has broken the 30 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 4: record as most appearances on our show and her husband 31 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:43,760 Speaker 4: she did, Nick Audis, was the one that held that record. 32 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 4: But now Mickey James beats Nick. 33 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 3: There she. 34 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 5: To hold him to hold over his head in the 35 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 5: household like, look, can't wait, thank you. 36 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 2: I've been appreciate your backdrop back there at battle, like 37 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 2: you did you win all of those championships? 38 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 4: Now, I bought them all on different places. The only 39 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 4: one that I did win was I don't know which 40 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 4: one I won. There's one somewhere around here that I've won. 41 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:16,800 Speaker 4: There's like a pile of stuff over there. I won 42 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 4: one for my kid. There's that he's been. My five 43 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 4: year old's big into wrestling now. So I'm looking around 44 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 4: at my office in here, and he's got one of 45 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 4: those giant wrestling rings, and he's got the action figures, 46 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 4: and he like makes up his own matches and he 47 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 4: has wrestling belts. But it's great to watch my five 48 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 4: year old get into it. Sometimes he'll get up here 49 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 4: and take the masks down and he'll run around the house, 50 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 4: and you know, pretend that he's a wrestler, and he's 51 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 4: always excited. He's excited about Impact Wrestling. We're all excited 52 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 4: about what's coming up on Friday the thirteenth, Hard to 53 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:48,919 Speaker 4: Kill in Atlanta. I mean, it's a very big night 54 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 4: for you, and let me just let's kind of just 55 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:54,520 Speaker 4: jump right into this. I mean, it's been quite the 56 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:57,800 Speaker 4: year for the James Aldest household. Just like last January 57 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 4: was historic. This January as well, as you're heading into 58 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:03,919 Speaker 4: Hard to Kill live from Center Stage in Atlanta, as 59 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:06,000 Speaker 4: well as watching it on Fight TV because you can't 60 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 4: buy tickets it's sold out to face the Knockouts World 61 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 4: Champion Jordan Grace in a title versus career match. I mean, 62 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:17,359 Speaker 4: with that added pressure of the last Rodeo, are you mentally, physically, 63 00:03:17,440 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 4: and emotionally heading into this contest, how are you feeling? 64 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:21,960 Speaker 1: I feel great. 65 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 2: Actually, I feel great, and I'm ready for whatever happens. Obviously, 66 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 2: I want to win. I want to have one last 67 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,239 Speaker 2: reign at least as Knockouts World Champion, and I think 68 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 2: that that's kind of what this last Rodeo has been 69 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 2: all about, is to test myself against the best of 70 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 2: the best and to prove that I'm still worthy and 71 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 2: that I could become a knockouts champion again. And you know, 72 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: I think there's a lot on the line and the 73 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 2: stakes are high, but I have always performed better under 74 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 2: pressure and have always tried to continue to challenge myself 75 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 2: in new ways. And I think I've been able to 76 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: do that with all these incredible women and different types 77 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 2: of matches that I've had along the way. And I've 78 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 2: never faced Jordan before, but I have watched her to 79 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 2: know and I know her well enough to know that 80 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: she is stronger than me, and she is younger than me, 81 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 2: and we are two completely different types of wrestlers out 82 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 2: there in that ring, and so I've had to, you. 83 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:28,040 Speaker 1: Know, train a little harder. 84 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: Not that I'm going to be as strong as her 85 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 2: by the pay per view by any means, but just 86 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,839 Speaker 2: in different ways to kind of be ready for anything. 87 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:40,040 Speaker 1: And I know she wants to hold onto that. 88 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 2: Championship as much as I want to win it, because 89 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 2: I don't want to retire and I have a lot 90 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 2: of fight left in me and if I'm going to 91 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 2: go out, I want to go out in the blaze 92 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 2: of glory, you know, definitely. 93 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 4: For sure, and you say that Jordan is strong, but 94 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 4: I don't think Jordan's have ever wrestled against somebody who 95 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 4: is country strong, because that's a completely different thing, right, Because, 96 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 4: let's be honest, I'm in the South, we're all here 97 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 4: in Nashville. Yeah, country strong is a little bit stronger 98 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 4: than your normal person who's strong. 99 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 3: Yeah. 100 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 1: Yeah. 101 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 2: I mean a heart goes a long way and mindset 102 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: goes a long way, And I mean, you've seen people 103 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 2: do remarkable things when it's a fight or flight mode 104 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 2: and when everything is on the line, and that pushes 105 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:28,160 Speaker 2: people past their limits of what they're truly capable of, 106 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 2: you know. And I think that I have a lot 107 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 2: more writing on the line than she does, and so 108 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:39,359 Speaker 2: that gives me, hopefully in my mindset and in my heart, 109 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 2: a different advantage to make me stronger than I typically 110 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 2: am and fight a little harder than maybe I typically would. Right. 111 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 5: Well, you've done some appearances earlier this week, and one 112 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 5: comment you kind of made was about how, you know, 113 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:58,919 Speaker 5: hardcore country really is kind of a piece of you, 114 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 5: and it appeals to it's just such a wide fan base, 115 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 5: and I think that's I mean, that's literally what you're 116 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 5: doing you're having to kind of, you know, put all 117 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 5: your heart into this. It's not just going to be 118 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 5: your strength. It's not just gonna be the mental. You're 119 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,479 Speaker 5: gonna have to rely on your experience. And you know, 120 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 5: it's kind of I think you made the comment about 121 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 5: how people just work hard and they just work hard 122 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 5: for what they want, and I think that's kind of 123 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 5: the theme for this match. Really, you know, you really 124 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 5: are going to have to work hard to get this belt. 125 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 2: Oh god, no, I know that. I know that, and 126 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 2: I know she's going to put up the fight of 127 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: my life. And I think that, you know, every challenge 128 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 2: on the last rodeo has been a bit more difficult, 129 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: a bit more of a struggle and a bit more 130 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 2: of a challenge, and so hopefully, you know, over this 131 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 2: this whole journey, I've been able to keep growing and 132 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: keep getting better and keep getting better and really challenge 133 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 2: myself in different ways. But yeah, I mean, the thing 134 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 2: is is that I just I just want to keep Like, 135 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,840 Speaker 2: I respect the championship too much to not be good 136 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 2: enough to hold it. You know, I respect the industry 137 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:02,920 Speaker 2: too much, and I think that our purposes for fighting 138 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 2: are different. But passion goes a long way, and I 139 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 2: definitely want to remind everybody why I'm Mickey James, and 140 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 2: I think that's She's an excellent representation of this generation 141 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 2: of women and how bright the future is for women's wrestling. 142 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 2: But I've been able to stand the test of time 143 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 2: and I've been I've seen every genre of women's wrestling 144 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 2: and been a part of much every locker room on 145 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: television over the last twenty years, and I think that 146 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: does give me an advantage in the sense of I 147 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 2: can do it all. I can do it all, and 148 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,200 Speaker 2: hopefully I can prove that I still belong and I 149 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: prove that I'm still a. 150 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: Badass in some ways. 151 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 2: And if I can't do that, I'm still very satisfied 152 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 2: and happy in my career because I have been able 153 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 2: to do so much. 154 00:07:58,320 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 5: And can sing on top of that. 155 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 4: I mean, there's nothing that Mickey can't do. I don't believe. 156 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: Right. Well, I think we talked about this before, but 157 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 2: I'm not a very good tap dancer. 158 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 1: You've been taking lessons though, right, practicing. 159 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 2: In my room or just doing like fun Win dances 160 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: when I win it life as practiceeah, yeah, just living 161 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:27,400 Speaker 2: in the moment. 162 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 4: Then, right, that's a good thing to do well. 163 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,880 Speaker 5: So specifically about Jordan, you know, in the past year, 164 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 5: you've you've had just epic battles with Deanna Tasha. You know, 165 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 5: you've really had some career highlights in the past year. 166 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 5: I mean, what challenges do you see from Jordan's specifically 167 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,319 Speaker 5: that you that you didn't from the other two. And 168 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 5: you know, a lot of people put a lot of 169 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 5: emphasis on her physical transformation over the last eighteen months 170 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:59,560 Speaker 5: or something. I mean, how much more of an edge 171 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 5: do you think that it's going to give her or 172 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 5: you know. 173 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 2: Oh, it's certainly her strength alone is going to give 174 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 2: her a massive edge. But I have to think back to, 175 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 2: you know, when I was wrestling Beth Phoenix and she 176 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 2: was so much stronger than me. And you know, we 177 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 2: have to look at each of our opponents differently, and 178 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 2: I have to understand that I'm gonna have to do 179 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 2: a different stylistically. I'm just gonna have to come at 180 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 2: Jordan differently than I would a lot of opponents because 181 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 2: her strength is definitely way in her favor. But I 182 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 2: do think you know, she's a student of the game, 183 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 2: and she studies wrestling, and she's a fan of wrestling 184 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 2: in that sense, and she wants to be the best 185 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 2: because you know, she's very driven, she's she's a smart woman. 186 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 2: She's a smart business woman as well, not just in 187 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 2: the ring but outside of the ring. So you know, 188 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 2: she takes it very seriously. And I think she takes 189 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 2: her reputation. I think she takes her that championship and 190 00:09:58,679 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 2: and what she represents in wrestling very seriously. And I 191 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:07,040 Speaker 2: respect that about her, you know, because I do as well. 192 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:14,119 Speaker 2: So you know, I think she has no quarrels retiring 193 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:16,480 Speaker 2: me if that's what. It's not like she's going to 194 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 2: feel bad about it, and if anything, I think that 195 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 2: she would feel really good about it and be able 196 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,080 Speaker 2: to put that notch in her belt as one more 197 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 2: thing on her legacy that she's been able to do 198 00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 2: in this industry. And you know, her future is so 199 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:31,679 Speaker 2: bright and she's got a lot of it ahead of her, 200 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 2: and perhaps I don't, you know, And so I think 201 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 2: that's where that heart comes in. That's where that desire 202 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: and that passion and who's going to fight and dig deeper? 203 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,839 Speaker 5: Right And I think the beauty of combat sports, whether 204 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 5: you're taking MMA, professional wrestling, anybody can. 205 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 2: Lose yeah, I can only be one winner. Absolutely, we're 206 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 2: not giving everybody awards here. I don't get a championship 207 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 2: if I lose, she doesn't keep keep the championship. 208 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 1: If she loses. Their winn. 209 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: Absolutely, just like life, definite, we all win, we all winn. 210 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. 211 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 4: Well, and of course Hard to Kill is going down 212 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 4: next Friday in Atlanta. You can't get tickets, it's sold out, 213 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 4: but you can get tickets in the fallout of Hard 214 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 4: to Kill, which is the next night. You can grab 215 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 4: those tickets Impact wrestling dot Com. So another I guess 216 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 4: must see knockouts match on the pay per view is 217 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 4: a four way match and determined the number one contender 218 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 4: for the title. You got Deanna, Masha, Taylor, and Killer Kelly. 219 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 4: All of these competitors being world class, experienced athletes. And 220 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 4: we have recently seen a new side of Taylor on 221 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 4: social and it kind of scares me in a way. 222 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 4: And in the ring, she scares me. I'm like, I know, 223 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 4: I was scrolling through it, I was like, that's not 224 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 4: the tailor I saw like two weeks ago. That was 225 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 4: all bubbly and out there. Now it's kind of like 226 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 4: I put a spell on you and kind of like, 227 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 4: I guess, do I wait for hocus Pocus and Bette 228 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 4: Midler and all them to come out and see thing? 229 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:05,600 Speaker 1: But what is witches? Do you immediately go to hocus Pocus? 230 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 4: Well, either that or Harry Potter. But I mean, okay, 231 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 4: I mean I'm not gonna be like, well, I saw 232 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 4: Taylor Wilde and I thought, oh Blair Witch Project, you know, 233 00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 4: or the the the Very Bad Mummy movie where it 234 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 4: was like a mummy witch from Tom Cruise that he 235 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 4: played that one. 236 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: I don't even know what that was. It was. 237 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 4: It was awful. Nobody saw that one. 238 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: Movie. 239 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, I was surprised that that happened. So what is 240 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 4: what as you most excited about this match? And if 241 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:43,240 Speaker 4: you had to pick, when you beat Jordan Grace and 242 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 4: Hard to Kill, who do you think comes out on top? 243 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 4: And who do you want to face for your Impact 244 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,559 Speaker 4: Knockouts Championship. I say that because you're on the show 245 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 4: and you know the track record. You come on this show, 246 00:12:53,880 --> 00:12:55,200 Speaker 4: you don't have a title. You go on to win 247 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 4: the title. 248 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 2: So yeah, well, I would say there's one woman that 249 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 2: I haven't faced, and I think that I've watched her 250 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 2: grow because I've I've beaten Deanna not once, not twice, 251 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 2: but three times on the last rodeo. 252 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: Did you just dust off your that's you, that's you, 253 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: that's you. 254 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 4: You can do that. 255 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 5: I mean, that's no slouch. 256 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 2: I mean, I don't want to look past Hard to 257 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:22,400 Speaker 2: Kill and I hope that I see everyone on the 258 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 2: fallout on the fourteenth, But yeah, that match. 259 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 1: I mean to see who the number one contenders. 260 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 2: I'm going to have to keep an eye on that 261 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 2: because I'm going on the mindset that I'm going to win. 262 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:34,360 Speaker 2: But I got a chance to face Taylor wild I 263 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 2: will say I love this new version, this new part 264 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,199 Speaker 2: of Taylor, And I don't think that it's a character 265 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:44,800 Speaker 2: as much as it is a lifestyle, her lifestyle as 266 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 2: you grow up, you know. I think the Taylor wild 267 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 2: while we all loved, and she's grown up since then 268 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 2: and to evolve into this and this is her new 269 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,440 Speaker 2: kind of life and love. It's awesome to see and 270 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 2: I kind of like dig it because it's so different. 271 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 2: But again, I beat Taylor Wilde, you know. 272 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: But I think. 273 00:14:02,320 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 2: Masha and I know Kelly Killer Kelly have never faced 274 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 2: and she's recently come in. 275 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: She's awesome. She would be awesome. 276 00:14:10,960 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 2: But I think I have more of an emotional connection 277 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 2: to Masha in the sense that I saw her when 278 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 2: we were building in Power, and I saw her there 279 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 2: and I thought she was awesome and so different, and 280 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 2: so I saw what she did there obviously, and I 281 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,240 Speaker 2: thought that she was a real star of the night 282 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 2: that night, and to the point of using her as 283 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:43,479 Speaker 2: my pick your poison against Deanna for the Knockouts knockdown, 284 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 2: and then her getting offered a contract that night, and 285 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,360 Speaker 2: then her coming in and making a hell of an 286 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 2: impact on the division and being un defeated and unstoppable. 287 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 2: For she and I are two completely again, two completely 288 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 2: different types of wrestlers and athletes. But I think, uh again, 289 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 2: I want to challenge myself no matter what, and I 290 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 2: think that if I had to pick one winner, that 291 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: that would be the match that I think would be 292 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 2: something challenging for me as a new champion of coming 293 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 2: out of the gate. And she's somebody on the roster 294 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 2: that I haven't faced yet, and she's a badass and kind. 295 00:15:23,760 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 5: Yeah, And I think specifically I'll just talk about those two. 296 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 5: So I like Masha because she doesn't look like anybody else, 297 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 5: Like you said, I think, and I think in this industry, 298 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 5: especially unfortunately with the female a lot of them can 299 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 5: kind of look the same same kind of gear, maybe. 300 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 4: Same kind of makeup. 301 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 5: Yeah, you know, she doesn't look like anybody, So that's incredible. 302 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 5: And I think with Taylor it's almost kind of you're, uh, 303 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 5: not your gimmick specifically, but just you know, it's almost 304 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 5: an extension of yourself. You know, hardcore country that was 305 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 5: way more authentic Mickey James, and I think, and so 306 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 5: when you kind of have these when you see talent 307 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 5: reinvent themselves, but they do it as an extension of themselves, 308 00:16:05,640 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 5: that's really where that's where you get the magic. 309 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: Really well, that's no. 310 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 2: You know, that is where the magic happens is you 311 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 2: when you find that piece of your character that it's 312 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 2: truly you look at the best characters I feel like 313 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 2: that have been on television, they are probably the ones 314 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 2: that are like the Steve Austin's of the world. And 315 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 2: you know, even HBK like their extension of themselves, of 316 00:16:30,160 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 2: who they truly are Brett Hart, of who they truly 317 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 2: are deep down. It's just the volume is turned all 318 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 2: the way up and then things that and do things 319 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 2: that they wouldn't do in real life. 320 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: But it does not like they don't want to. It's 321 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 1: just that we can't. 322 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 2: We can't go around beating up our bosses. We can't 323 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 2: go around just giving everybody double middle fingers and stunners 324 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 2: as much as we want to, you know. But that's 325 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 2: why it's exciting for Taylor when I go like, she 326 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 2: stepped into who she truly is a bit more and 327 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 2: gotten away of you know, of who this new version 328 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,160 Speaker 2: of Taylor Wild is. And I think that's the difference 329 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 2: maker in us all when we find. 330 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 5: That, right, absolutely, it's been really awesome to see that 331 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 5: transformation so far. Here's some more fantasy booking for you. 332 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:19,880 Speaker 5: This is another Impact match, so a lot of we've 333 00:17:19,960 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 5: kind of seen some you know, just oh, I'd love 334 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 5: to see this, and you know, if this could happen, 335 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 5: he'd be unbelievable, but hardcook, hardcore country Mickey James versus 336 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:34,440 Speaker 5: Lawira Loka Taya Valkyrie, who is the currently these still 337 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:37,120 Speaker 5: the longest raining knockouts champion, would that be? 338 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 4: Would that be something on your radar later on this year? 339 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:40,639 Speaker 1: Yeah? 340 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 2: Absolutely absolutely, I think you know, I'd love to face 341 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 2: her an impact I know, she's part of that. The 342 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 2: thing is is I can't find any friends. I don't 343 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:51,440 Speaker 2: meet my friends. So as far as being a tag 344 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 2: team champion, the struggle is real because everybody I befriend 345 00:17:57,160 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 2: is not a friend for everybody faith. 346 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 4: In Sabby in the back. 347 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 5: There's also potential for a mixed tag team. 348 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,000 Speaker 2: A mixed tag or even a singles maybe a singles. 349 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 5: I think the singles is where it's at. 350 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:15,120 Speaker 1: But I think for sure that we've never faced each other. 351 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 4: I know. 352 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 5: That's the craziest thing was when I was looking doing 353 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 5: the research for the questions like when was the last time, Well, 354 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:24,040 Speaker 5: they never have holy because I think you'll just crossed 355 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:26,679 Speaker 5: paths at different times. You know, you've worked in the 356 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:28,720 Speaker 5: same companies, but it's been a different Well. 357 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 2: I've never faced any of the women and the death 358 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:32,760 Speaker 2: dolls really on television. The last time I think I 359 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 2: wrestled Jessica Havoc was which it was on the indies. Wow, 360 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 2: like way, like I must have been twenty. 361 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 4: Ten that far back. 362 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 2: I'm back in that that run twenty ten through de 363 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 2: twenty twelve, maybe twice. Yeah, I haven't wrestled. There's a 364 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,200 Speaker 2: lot of people. There's a lot of people out there, 365 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,199 Speaker 2: and that's another part of this last rodeos. There's so 366 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 2: much talent and so many incredible women out there, and 367 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:02,639 Speaker 2: I really want to challenge myself against the best of 368 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 2: the best and to have matches first time evers, perhaps 369 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:10,919 Speaker 2: last time evers, and you know, do something special on 370 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 2: the way out. And there's so much talent out there, 371 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 2: to so many different types of matches and so many 372 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:16,719 Speaker 2: types of matchups. 373 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,080 Speaker 1: It's just awesome to see because we. 374 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 2: Didn't always have that when I was on that level 375 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:26,480 Speaker 2: or like trying to rise to. You know, it's really 376 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,399 Speaker 2: cool to see and it's really cool to still be 377 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:30,639 Speaker 2: a part of in the locker room kind of capacity, 378 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:31,360 Speaker 2: right for. 379 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 4: Sure, for sure. So here's a fun one before we 380 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 4: wrap things up. We just got finished with the holiday season, 381 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:40,000 Speaker 4: from Halloween, the New Year's, Christmas and everything else in between. 382 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:43,400 Speaker 4: There's always something going on. Is there a fun holiday 383 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:46,920 Speaker 4: tradition in the James Aldest household that you guys enjoy 384 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 4: and partake in every year? 385 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, we don't do the Elf on the shelf. 386 00:19:52,240 --> 00:19:56,200 Speaker 2: I never introduced him to Donovan because I realized the 387 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 2: madness that it involved. 388 00:19:58,000 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 4: Oh trust me, I know I've been doing it for 389 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 4: a years. 390 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 2: I always leave out milk and cookies for Santa. We 391 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 2: always do that together, we make reindeer food. Donovan this 392 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,159 Speaker 2: year was so excited for Christmas. It was probably the 393 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 2: most excited he's been. Like I felt like each year 394 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 2: it gets more and more and like he's still talking 395 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 2: about it as far as how great it was, like 396 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 2: our friend I can't disclose, but they send a letter 397 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 2: from Santa every single year. They put Donovan on the 398 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 2: nice List as he still believes, which is amazing. But 399 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:41,880 Speaker 2: this year they insisted on coming to the house on 400 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 2: Christmas Eve, so I got I hope Donovan never sees 401 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 2: this because I don't want to ruin it for him 402 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 2: as as Santa on Christmas Eve at one o'clock in 403 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 2: the morning, and mind you, there was like a lot 404 00:20:55,800 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 2: of snow still and cold, it was icy, so Donovan 405 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 2: could catch him underneath the Christmas tree. 406 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 4: That's incredible. 407 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 5: And he's at that age too where it's still magic 408 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 5: and just oh my gosh, I can tell your mom 409 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 5: heart's over there. 410 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 2: Just it was I can't even like my gratitude is like, 411 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,399 Speaker 2: oh I can't, and I'm like, I don't know how 412 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:21,520 Speaker 2: I'm gonna top this year's this year's holiday, because how 413 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,159 Speaker 2: do you top this? But the one thing I was like, 414 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 2: because he is in that age where they still believe, 415 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,760 Speaker 2: but right on that cusp of when they're like. 416 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:31,640 Speaker 4: They're figuring things out on their own. 417 00:21:32,160 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 1: Yeah. 418 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,199 Speaker 2: So it was like, oh, he's going to hopefully he 419 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 2: believes in the Christmas because I do believe in the 420 00:21:36,840 --> 00:21:39,080 Speaker 2: Christmas spirit and the magic of Christmas and the fact 421 00:21:39,119 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 2: that it really starts to show people's true kindness and 422 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 2: people are just a bit more kind and a bit 423 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:48,239 Speaker 2: more willing to do things for other people until New 424 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:49,840 Speaker 2: Year comes and they forget about it and then. 425 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 5: It's all about yeah, and we go to the gym 426 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:54,640 Speaker 5: for two days and then we're Scrooge is again. 427 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 4: Yeah. 428 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: Yea. I believe in that spirit of Christmas. 429 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 2: Leave it the manager for Christmas for a bit, hopefully forever, 430 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 2: but at least for a bit longer. 431 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 1: Yeah. 432 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,160 Speaker 4: And that's always the great feeling, especially and they wake 433 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 4: up they're like, Santa is here, because I remember my 434 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:10,680 Speaker 4: five year old I was asleep and he comes in. 435 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 4: He's like, Dad, Santa brought Monster Jam And I'm like, 436 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:18,639 Speaker 4: what is happening? And he comes out here, remember, and 437 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:22,440 Speaker 4: he was riding his ride along grave digger truck that 438 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:26,160 Speaker 4: Santa brought him. But yeah, it's always a great moment 439 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:29,639 Speaker 4: when you see getting excited about that. But you know, 440 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 4: we wrap things up on a good note. And of 441 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:35,680 Speaker 4: course next Friday is hard to kill Jane. I don't 442 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:37,879 Speaker 4: know why I was gonna say July. We're late past 443 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:43,200 Speaker 4: January thirteenth in Atlanta. Tickets are sold out, so good 444 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:45,960 Speaker 4: luck trying to get into the building. You're just gonna 445 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,600 Speaker 4: have to watch it with the rest of us on 446 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 4: Fight TV and on pay per view. But you can 447 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 4: still get tickets to the fallout which is the next 448 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 4: night at the Impact Wrestling dot Com. Mickey, it's been 449 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 4: on and to have you on the show today, and 450 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 4: thank you so much. 451 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it. I 452 00:22:58,680 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 1: always have fun talking to you. 453 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 4: On It's always a blast when you get to come 454 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:01,680 Speaker 4: on the show. 455 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 2: Yeah. 456 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:06,359 Speaker 3: We hope you enjoyed today's episode of the Battleground Podcast. 457 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:09,000 Speaker 3: Make sure you give it five stars and a nice review. 458 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 3: To stay up to date with the show, follow them 459 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 3: at Battleground Podcast on Instagram.