1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:04,000 Speaker 1: What's up you guys. Welcome into Impact Slam Aversary week 2 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: on the Battleground Podcast. Of course, we just recently dropped 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: our episode with Mickey James on Monday. Today's episode is 4 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: another legend. We're sitting down with Gal Kim. Also real quick, 5 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 1: just a heads up if you would like to be 6 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:20,919 Speaker 1: with us in the Flava Zone. Of course, Tasha Stills 7 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 1: gave us some tickets to the Impact Wrestling tapings that 8 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 1: are coming up this Monday night. If you want to 9 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: be in there with us, well, here's what you gotta do. 10 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: All you gotta do is just shoot me a DM 11 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: on Twitter at Battle on Air and if you want 12 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: to be there, we got you. Just shoot me your 13 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: name say I want to be there with you guys 14 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: in the Impact Flava Zone. So that's all you gotta do. 15 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:44,319 Speaker 1: Just hit us up and you could be with us 16 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: at the Impact Wrestling tapings on Monday night. Again, hit 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: me up on Twitter, just shoot me a DM at 18 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: Battle on Air if you want to go. But it 19 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: is time to get into the theme song. Our interview 20 00:00:55,760 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: with Gal Kim starts in three two one. 21 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 2: Why from the Parts Unknown Studios. 22 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 1: Into the Dumble Battle Crown the battle Bound, the Battle Round. 23 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Battleground Podcast, your place for all things 24 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:18,479 Speaker 2: pro wrestling. 25 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: The Battle Road, the Battle Round. 26 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 2: Now making their way to the microphones. 27 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 3: Get it up for your hosts. 28 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: Well down to the Battle Crown. All right, so here 29 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 1: we go. It's a big week on the show, celebrating 30 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: twenty years of Impact Wrestling. You know what that means, right, Eli, Yes, Yes, 31 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: Slammiversary is coming back and it's at the old stomping 32 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: Ground at the Fairground's pretty excited about that. 33 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:50,560 Speaker 3: I can't see you over these monitors. 34 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 1: I know, it's very weird. We're we're actually in studio 35 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 1: for once. We're not doing this like via zoom, stream 36 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: yard whatever it is. We're in studio. Slammiversary is happening 37 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: on Sunday, June nineteenth, which, by the way, you can 38 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 1: still grab tickets impact Wrestling dot com. And uh well, 39 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: we've got a big planned shows of the week, so 40 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 1: let's get it kicked off. We're joined by the legendary 41 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 1: Gail Kim. Yeah, thanks for being on the show. It's 42 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: been a while since we last talked to you, so 43 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,480 Speaker 1: a lot of things has changed since then, so let's 44 00:02:20,520 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 1: kind of jump into it. I mean, we're a little 45 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,119 Speaker 1: bit removed from Tasha Still's becoming the new Impact Knockouts 46 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: World Champion after defeating your good friend Mickey James. I'm sorry, 47 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 1: what does Tasha bring to the table as a world chance? 48 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 4: Yes, and you know that that was a big deal 49 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 4: because Mickey James is a legend. Yeah, very respected within 50 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 4: the women's wrestling world, in the wrestling world in general. 51 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 4: So I'm sure you know Tasha feels really proud. I 52 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 4: kind of saw her before even she came into Impact 53 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 4: Wrestling and saw her potential then and it was kind 54 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 4: of fighting for her to come within the company. So 55 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 4: to see her grow within these last couple of years 56 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 4: and now she's knock Out champion and defeated Mickey James, 57 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 4: I mean, that's a huge, huge accomplishment for sure. 58 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: And we actually recently just talked to Tasha, and you knows, 59 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: as much as Tasha wants to play the heel, she 60 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: had nothing but high praises for Mickey in the interview 61 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,200 Speaker 1: and she's like, I don't really want to have to 62 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 1: continue to talk about Mickey and put her over, but 63 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 1: it was a great thing to get to get in 64 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 1: the ring with Mickey. 65 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, even the ones with the biggest attitudes like her. 66 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 4: You know, they appreciate those moments because they're the ones, 67 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 4: you know, the Mickey James type people personalities in our business, 68 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 4: those are the ones that accomplished a lot. And to 69 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,600 Speaker 4: be just in the same ring as them, I mean, 70 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 4: it was an honor for me to be in the 71 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 4: ring with Mickey James. So you know, I cherish all 72 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 4: our moments together in the ring for sure. 73 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 3: Would it's either you acknowledge it or you get embarrassed 74 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 3: like Mickey did with the Hona. So yeah, and you know, 75 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 3: bouncing off of that too, even going back to Fire 76 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: and Flavor with you know, the tag chain. I mean, 77 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 3: she's she's really made a mark. This story almost kind 78 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 3: of writes itself. You would you want to see Tasha 79 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,920 Speaker 3: defend her title against her former partner Kiria Hogan, especially 80 00:04:08,960 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 3: considering Kiara face Mickey couldn't win the goal. I mean, 81 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: it kind of rites itself. 82 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,120 Speaker 4: I mean I think it's a definite dream of theirs. 83 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 4: And you know, the success they had as a tag team, 84 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 4: their chemistry was undeniable. So it's kind of a bittersweet 85 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 4: moment when Kiara moved on, and yeah, and I think 86 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 4: the fans were actually I remember the fans being so stunned. 87 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,000 Speaker 2: I mean their faces, their mouths were. 88 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 4: Just wide open, like what's happening right now because they 89 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 4: were on this you know, this just this major momentum. 90 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 2: And but it's great to see. 91 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 4: You know, sometimes things are just meant to be in 92 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 4: terms of your paths in this business. And you know, 93 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 4: without that happening than Tasha would probably never be knock 94 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 4: Gust champions. So you never know what the future holds. 95 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 4: I know that they're dear friends to this day, so 96 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:01,480 Speaker 4: who knows. I see Kira back and you might see 97 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 4: that title match. 98 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:03,559 Speaker 2: That would be great. 99 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: That'd be great. Speaking of great, I mean there's a 100 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 1: you know, we talked to Tasha about this and being 101 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: in history of being like in the first Ultimate X 102 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: for the for the women's division, and now she's part 103 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: of the you know, the Queen of the Mountain, which 104 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 1: again it's her, Chelsea Geren, Dianna, Jordan Grace and Meam 105 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 1: all former champions by the way, so she got a 106 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: tough thing. But we recently found out when Mickey was 107 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,040 Speaker 1: in here she's going to be a part of this match. 108 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,919 Speaker 1: How did this all come together with Mickey's involvement, and 109 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:30,479 Speaker 1: do you kind of worry about that being there in 110 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: the little. 111 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 2: I'm not worried. 112 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 4: I mean, listen, Mickey James is a true professional. She's 113 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 4: just gonna make sure that things are straight and narrow 114 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 4: right there. So I trust her instincts, I trust her 115 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:45,600 Speaker 4: you know, opinion and all those things her role in 116 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 4: that match. But this is going to be a huge 117 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 4: history making match. And you know, I was telling everyone 118 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 4: I saw the graphic on social media the other day 119 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 4: and I was like, Wow, this is going to be 120 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 4: a hell of a match. And I've already put the 121 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 4: pressure on the girls. I said, we're going to steal 122 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 4: the show. Yeah, you know, it's an incredible card as 123 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,040 Speaker 4: it is, and who knows who's going to show up 124 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 4: as well, because this is our twenty year anniversary than 125 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:11,479 Speaker 4: nostalgic Faces, perhaps you might see I don't even know. 126 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 2: I want to be surprised. 127 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 4: And there's still some mystery opponents that we haven't announced, 128 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 4: so who knows what are we going to see that 129 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 4: It's going. 130 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 1: To be exciting because I mean, you think back to 131 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 1: Slammiversary that we were at last year and is a 132 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: skyway studios and that was like a very intimate thing. 133 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 1: And now now that everything's kind of open up in 134 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 1: the world, you're getting a bigger crowd, you're getting you're 135 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: back out on the road, which is great to see 136 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,839 Speaker 1: Impact doing that, and you're going back, I guess essentially 137 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: home to the fair grounds. 138 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 4: Yes, it's definitely our home. And listen, I've been now 139 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 4: it's twenty years. I think I've been in part of 140 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 4: this company fifteen years now out of that twenty, yeah, 141 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 4: and I've seen every up and down, and you know, 142 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 4: more than anything, and we've had different management as well, 143 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 4: but we've always stayed together. We've always tried to put 144 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 4: out the best wrestling show, period and the talent has 145 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 4: always been almost like a family. 146 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 3: You know. 147 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 4: We really sometimes are the underdog and we just want 148 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 4: to show what we can do. And Impact Dressing has 149 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 4: always given us that platform for sure. 150 00:07:10,280 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: And I remember going back. If you think about it, 151 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: twenty years. It makes me feel old when I talk 152 00:07:14,280 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: about this, because I remember going back every Wednesday night 153 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: I was there at the pay per views. I was there. 154 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 1: I guess it was maybe the second show, maybe the third. 155 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: It was that municipal when it was the Big or Do. 156 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 1: And I think that was the night that Shamrock had 157 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: lost to Jarrett. I believe so. And I remember correctly. 158 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:32,360 Speaker 1: I got in so much trouble at that show because 159 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: I was young and Jarrett won the title and me 160 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: being the young kid growing up. I am thirty three, 161 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: I believe, yeah, so I I was very young. So 162 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: I remember Jeff Jarrett won the match, and I'm sitting 163 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 1: there and I'm with my dad and my mom and 164 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: I just flipped Jarrett off. I give him the double 165 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,120 Speaker 1: Birds and it goes damn smacked right in the back 166 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 1: of my head. And then I realized never to do 167 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: that again. 168 00:07:53,040 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 2: But your mom did, or Jeff Jarrett did, My mom did. 169 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 1: This was way before social media, so I wouldn't be 170 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: be able to be on World Star for that. But 171 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: so yeah, it's great to have impact back home at 172 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 1: the Asylum, the New Asylum. But I just remember there's 173 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: so many great memories of the Asylum. I remember seeing 174 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: new Jack there and handing him a chair when he 175 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,600 Speaker 1: hit I think he hit Raven or Sandman over the 176 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: head with something. Just thinking about everything from the NWAT 177 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: and A days and the Cage Girls, and you see 178 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: how far Impact has come from that first day to 179 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 1: now and it's like Impact has been leading the charge 180 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: with everything. And you look at all these other companies, 181 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: they've been stealing stuff from Impact over the past several years. 182 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 2: Okay, I'm not gonna deny that. 183 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 3: And another thing I think is a testament too, is like, 184 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,599 Speaker 3: even with all the different powers that be, kind of 185 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 3: the spirit of Impact has always. Yes, I mean, you 186 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,320 Speaker 3: could pick any random year, Dixie years, Jeff Jarrett, whatever, 187 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 3: kind of the spirit of Impact is to say, and 188 00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 3: I think a place to what you said, the family. 189 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 4: And you know, we've been through the lowest lows and 190 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 4: whatever maybe and people were saying that we're going to disappear, 191 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 4: and hey, we're still here. 192 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know. 193 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 3: I mean the last five years have just been incredible 194 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 3: for Impact. I mean not only bringing in the talent, 195 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 3: but just. 196 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 4: The storytelling, just everything, the product in itself and just 197 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 4: like you just said, the Cage girls, like look how 198 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 4: far the knockout time we've created a women's division that 199 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 4: has been going strong. Has been a correlstone at this Yeah, 200 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 4: a cornerstone at this company. When I entered into this company, 201 00:09:31,040 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 4: there was I think four or five us even when 202 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 4: Mickey first started, there was probably I don't know, there's 203 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 4: some cage dancers, and then there was like Kim I 204 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 4: believe and her and maybe Trinity in the. 205 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:45,079 Speaker 2: Later years, and Tracy Brooks. 206 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,439 Speaker 4: And now we have about twenty girls and they are 207 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 4: all participating on the show. And I've told the story 208 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 4: already bunch of times, but I feel so proud of 209 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:59,839 Speaker 4: telling the story. So when Awesome Kong got inducted into 210 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 4: the Hall of Fame last year, we brought out all 211 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 4: the girls on the stage who were part of the 212 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 4: roster behind her, and Tracy Brooks was there that day. 213 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 4: Two had come to visit and they both hadn't been 214 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 4: there for years, and separately it had moments with them 215 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 4: when they saw all the girls standing on the stage 216 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:18,839 Speaker 4: and they both had tears in their eyes, going, Wow, 217 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,680 Speaker 4: I can't believe what this division has become. And I'm 218 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 4: so proud of what it's become, and that we've never 219 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:30,079 Speaker 4: stopped giving these women the opportunity. It's just still a cornerstone, 220 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 4: just like the X division. He has always been a 221 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 4: cornerstone of the business in our company. 222 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 3: And it's funny too, because a lot of in this 223 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 3: kind of post Forbidden Door era. A lot of times 224 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 3: when we ask people like whoo, who's your dream? 225 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:41,319 Speaker 4: Who do you want? 226 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:44,640 Speaker 3: A lot of times it's Impact people. Yeah, camp over 227 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 3: there gets mentioned a lot, Diana. I mean a lot 228 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 3: of times it was like. 229 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 1: Who do you want? 230 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 3: I want to go to Impact? You know that women 231 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:51,560 Speaker 3: division set and I. 232 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:53,720 Speaker 4: Hear the women telling me all the time we watched 233 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:57,080 Speaker 4: your generation and that's why, you know, we wanted to 234 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 4: be here. We want to be part of the best 235 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 4: women's wrestling division and the world, and it's just it's 236 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:05,600 Speaker 4: incredible what we've accomplished and what we're gonna accomplish for 237 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 4: the future. 238 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:10,720 Speaker 3: Right absolutely, Well, this was kind of a surprise, maybe 239 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 3: not as surprise as what we're talking about earlier, but 240 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 3: the influence defeating the inspiration for the Knockouts Tech Team Champions. 241 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 3: I think the inspiration they had a lot of momentum 242 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 3: obviously coming out as free agents and everything, and I 243 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 3: don't want to say surprise the people, but you know, 244 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:31,199 Speaker 3: landed an impact. Yes, right off the bat made it 245 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 3: made an impact. 246 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 2: Sorry about that. Do you. 247 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 3: What was it like having working with the inspiration while 248 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 3: they were an impact and what do you think of 249 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:42,360 Speaker 3: the Influence's title reign so far. 250 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 4: Oh, I mean they were very similar if you notice, Yeah, 251 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:50,200 Speaker 4: very similar type personalities, so very entertaining. I have to 252 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 4: say I could watch them week in and week out 253 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 4: just do their little backstage segments. 254 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 2: To be honest, but inspiration. I was really excited. 255 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:02,440 Speaker 4: And to be honest, where else could they go in 256 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 4: the wrestling world where you have a great women's division, 257 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 4: where you have a lot of women to face, and 258 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 4: they were a tag team, you know, they were a 259 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:12,640 Speaker 4: packaged deal, and so I thought it was a perfect 260 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 4: fit for them, you know. Unfortunately they have decided to 261 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 4: step away from the business for other opportunities, but I'm 262 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 4: glad that they had the opportunity with us. 263 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 2: I feel like they had a great experience and great time. 264 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 4: Hey they're already knockout tag team champions already. 265 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,439 Speaker 3: Yeah, and they got to kind of really show themselves, you. 266 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: Know, and be themselves and yeah, just be comfortable. 267 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,720 Speaker 3: I mean, they were tag champs in the other company, 268 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 3: but they don't really put the emphasis. 269 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, we definitely care about all our women and having 270 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 4: all the girls shine. Yeah, their true authentic selves. 271 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Yeah, absolutely. Of course, Impact Slammiversary is going down. 272 00:12:48,880 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: You can still grab tickets at Impact Wrestling dot Com. 273 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: It is Sunday, June nineteenth, so kind of staying on 274 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 1: I guess this forbid and door the women's division. Yes, 275 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: people that are not strangers to Impact Wrestling, the Hecks, 276 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: the NWA Women's Champions, right, So could we ever see 277 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: like down the road and the NWA Women's Champions versus 278 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,640 Speaker 1: the Impact Knockout Stack ever? 279 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 4: Never say never, but I would definitely say that's probably 280 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 4: a question for Mickey James since she's kind of in 281 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 4: that both worlds right now. Because I'm pretty much in 282 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 4: that bubble of Impact Wrestling. But I'm open for all 283 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 4: women wrestlers right to put their titles on the line 284 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 4: and take that chance against our division. 285 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:31,480 Speaker 2: I think that. 286 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,200 Speaker 4: I mean, there's so many people knocking on our door 287 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 4: female wise right now. I feel I feel proud. I 288 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 4: feel proud that people want to be a part of 289 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 4: this division. Part of this company just speaks for you know, 290 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 4: the upper management in terms of how they've been leading. 291 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:48,240 Speaker 2: The charge with us. I'm really happy. 292 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 4: I Like I said, I've gone through so many ups 293 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,440 Speaker 4: and downs with this company, and I feel like we're 294 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 4: on a great stride and great momentum and we're really 295 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 4: happy right now as a family. 296 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:03,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, we're talking Slammiversary. It's obviously one of the 297 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 3: marquee events with impact. Is there a year that stands 298 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,320 Speaker 3: out for you as your favorite? I mean, I mean 299 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 3: it's kind of like kids. 300 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, it is, and I'm gonna have to say, I 301 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 4: guess it's two thousand and seven when we created the 302 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 4: women's division. I mean yeah, because you fight for something 303 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 4: for so long and when it actually comes to fruition, 304 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 4: if it feels I know, right, just because bye overnight. 305 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 4: But I have to say, even when I stepped into 306 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 4: this company, because I'd kind of almost stepped away from 307 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 4: the business because my passion was kind of killed at 308 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 4: one moment, and just coming back, Scott Damore called me 309 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 4: who's actually in charge right now, which is great and 310 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 4: he was part of my early independent career. So I said, okay, 311 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:50,880 Speaker 4: I'm gonna come by and visit you guys at Universal. 312 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:54,720 Speaker 4: Stepping into that studio, I saw that Bobby Rude, the 313 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 4: pe d Williams, Tracy Brooks, all these people I work 314 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 4: at Independen scene with my passion came flooding back overwhelmingly 315 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 4: and it's never changed. Since you know, and now I'm 316 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 4: retired and I'm able to work with the next generation 317 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 4: and see all these people and like fellow Canadians. 318 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 2: You know, look at the main event for Slimniversary. 319 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean it's Eric Young, a fellow Canadian who 320 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:20,920 Speaker 4: I grew up on the Independencene with, and Josh Alexander, 321 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 4: who is the future of wrestling right now and the 322 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:25,680 Speaker 4: current so it's gonna be exciting. 323 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 2: I mean, I still want the girls to steal the show. 324 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 1: I really think that that of the Mountains going to 325 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 1: steal the show, because I mean I was I was 326 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: telling him and I even told this Tasha. I was 327 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: like the Women's ultimate X. I think that was the 328 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: show's dealer. 329 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. Oh, I'm happy to hear that. 330 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, so far everyone announced being former world champions. I mean, 331 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 3: I don't remember a match right off the top of 332 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 3: my head where everyone literally was a form yeah, you know, 333 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 3: and it's just it may have been a fluke, but 334 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 3: I don't think it was in intentional thing. 335 00:15:57,640 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 2: You wanted the best of the best. 336 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 3: It's almost kind of a uh almost arounds me like 337 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 3: a gladiator game in a sense, like, oh, you're going 338 00:16:04,120 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 3: to defend the title defending its all the former like 339 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 3: what like, it's just yeah that. 340 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 4: Hey, it's a historic match, you know, you want to 341 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 4: bring the best of the best, and so these girls, 342 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 4: you know, obviously, like you said, all former champions, they 343 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 4: have earned their spot to have this moment for themselves. 344 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 2: So the winner's going to walk out the knockout. 345 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 3: Jests the one we're very interested. 346 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 1: That's going to be the fun one for sure. So 347 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: we don't want to take up too much of your time. 348 00:16:27,880 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: Of course, Impact Slimmiversary it is going down on June nineteenth. 349 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: You can still grab tickets Impact Wrestling dot Com. What 350 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: does the rest of twenty twenty after Slimmiversary look like 351 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 1: for you? 352 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 5: For me? 353 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, oh, well for me, you know, I get a 354 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 4: lot of uh because once I retired, I think it's 355 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 4: scary for athletes in general to retire because this is 356 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 4: all you've known and your passion and you don't know what. 357 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:51,640 Speaker 2: Your next step is. 358 00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 4: And I just naturally progressed to becoming a producer for them, 359 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:58,720 Speaker 4: and uh, I think everyone knows I'm very loyal and 360 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 4: invested in this company and the women's division and everything 361 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 4: on top of that, and so I just want to 362 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,640 Speaker 4: grow within the company, help it move into a new direction. 363 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 4: I hopefully, I think the fans will be surprised, because 364 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 4: I think we have big plans in terms of where 365 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 4: we want this company to go and just be more exposed. 366 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 2: To a bigger. 367 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:25,320 Speaker 4: Audience really yea, and for everyone to enjoy what we 368 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 4: all love too, to see the talent, the incredible talent 369 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:29,639 Speaker 4: that's on this roster. 370 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 3: Well, and it's like you've kind of, you know, almost 371 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 3: in a sense, reclaimed the goodwill of the fans. And 372 00:17:35,359 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 3: now it's just like and. 373 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 4: I think, you know, we're definitely going there. People love it, 374 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:41,639 Speaker 4: and I get comments all the time that you know, 375 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 4: we're the best wrestling show right now. I mean, we 376 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 4: really do have incredible storylines, incredible talent, everyone contributing from 377 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 4: top to bottom. It's a really good time for us 378 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 4: right now. And I'm so happy. You know, people thought 379 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,160 Speaker 4: that we would disappear and we're twenty years later standing 380 00:17:58,160 --> 00:17:59,960 Speaker 4: here and we're going to have a big future. 381 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, absolutely definitely for sure. 382 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 3: Where can people keep up with you online? 383 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,160 Speaker 4: I would say social media for the most part. I'm 384 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 4: only on Twitter and Instagram, so no Facebook or anything 385 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 4: like that. And it's gille Kim. 386 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 2: It's me. That's my handle on both, so you'll find 387 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 2: me there, easy peasy there. 388 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: It is Impact Wrestling celebrating twenty years slam Aversary pay 389 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 1: per view Sunday, June nineteenth, where you could still grab 390 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 1: tickets Impact Wrestling dot Com if you can't make it 391 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:28,800 Speaker 1: to Nashville, which you can watch it all on Fight Gail, 392 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:29,880 Speaker 1: it's been honored to have you in. 393 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 5: The studio today. 394 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:34,040 Speaker 2: It was my honor and we'll do it again, sou Yes, definitely. 395 00:18:35,320 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 5: We hope you enjoyed today's episode of the Battleground Podcast. 396 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 5: Make sure you give it five stars and a nice review. 397 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 5: To stay up to date with the show, follow them 398 00:18:43,560 --> 00:19:01,920 Speaker 5: at Battleground Podcast on Instagram.