WWE made news last Friday (January 14), when it was announced that current IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James would be entering the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
James recently spoke to Ariel Helwani, where she detailed how her appearance in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble came to be.
She said:
“It was a few weeks ago, and Scott had called me first…just to kind of see where I was at and if I was interested. I think immediately I was excited, because I think about this historically has never happened before, for WWE to do this or to have anyone participate in the Rumble, especially to acknowledge the championship. It’s really, it’s cool. And it just shows a different amount of respect –I feel really great about it. Plus, I think, in my mind, the last thing most people bring up or talk about was on the other end of the spectrum with and so it’s just cool not to have that be the thing, or the last thing, or whatever that is. So i’m so excited, honestly.
James revealed that it was John Laurinaitis who initially reached out to Scott D’Amore.
She revealed:
“Johnny (Laurinaitis) reached out to Scott to first just talk to him professionally because… this has never really has been done before by them. So definitely, they talked first to see if this was going to be something they because they’ve worked together, Impact worked together with WWE in the past for other things, you know, for when Flair went in the Hall of Fame and Christian Cage and all that stuff, so it wasn’t unforeseen that it could possibly happen. But yeah, so I think that’s why Scott first reached out to me to see what my interest was. And then obviously, we were all able to make this happen somehow. And I think it was going to be a surprise, we talked about having it as a surprise. But you know, the announcement [and] the response back from the announcement kind of has blown my mind. I think it’s pretty incredible. You know, it’s different, and it’s kind of historic, and then to be the person to do they’ve done it with it’s really freaking cool.”
James then detailed her reaction to WWE reaching out to include her in the Rumble, saying:
“Um, I was shocked. I think I was very shocked because I know it’s not really ever been done especially for the women and so and I think all things considered but I also feel like everyone from that camp has honestly, we’ve talked and there’s been apologies and all the things and so I still maintain a good relationship with everyone in that sense. And professionally, I just think it’s just something to be able to do and hopefully open the door for future possibilities of that as well. You know, so yeah, I think my knee jerk reaction was I was kind of shocked you know, because just it’s unheard of. And especially for me I was like oh really okay, um and so yeah, I don’t know It’s weird, right? It’s a weird place to be sitting.”
You can see the full list of confirmed 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match participants here.
transcription via WrestlingNews.co
To make sure you stay updated with all the latest wrestling news, add WrestleTalk.com to your Google Discover feed and follow us on Twitter!
Trending
- Released WWE Star Recalls Triple H & Vince McMahon Backstage Power Struggle
- WWE Star Says He Has A ‘Clean Slate’ With CM Punk
- NFL Reaction To Tony Khan WWE Harvey Weinstein Comments Revealed
- Top AEW Star Reacts To ‘Injured’ Tony Khan NFL Draft Appearance
- Tony Khan Says WWE Are ‘Like The Harvey Weinstein Of Pro Wrestling’
- Rhea Ripley WWE Roster Plans Following 2024 Draft Update
- Carmelo Hayes Called Up In First Round Of 2024 WWE Draft
- Major Roman Reigns WWE Draft 2024 Update
- WWE Star Heel Turn Confirmed
- Famous Boxer Claims WWE Wants To Sign Him