After being released by WWE in April 2021, Mickie James set about proving that she had more to give women’s wrestling.
This led James to produce NWA’s first, and to date only, all-female event EmPowerrr, and return to IMPACT Wrestling for a third time. Shortly after heading back to the promotion James won the Knockouts Title at Bound For Glory, defeating Deonna Purrazzo.
The win confirmed James’ career renaissance, and the star even appeared in the 2022 Royal Rumble Match.
However, she lost the Knockouts Title to Tasha Steelz at Sacrifice in March and was later betrayed by best friend Chelsea Green. After taking a break, James returned to IMPACT in September and vowed to win back the Knockouts Title. But if she lost before capturing the gold, she would retire. The star named her personal challenge ‘The Last Rodeo.’
Mickie James’ Last Rodeo Is Over
This run took James all of the way to Hard To Kill and within touching distance of becoming a five-time Knockouts Champion. At the event, James defied the odds and defeated Jordynne Grace to win the gold. The former WWE star fought out of Grace’s Rear Naked Choke twice, before landing her Tornado DDT to grab the win.
The hugely popular victory caught many by surprise, and ensured that the show went off the air with James celebrating with her family, including husband and former IMPACT star Nick Aldis.
The show also featured the return of Frankie Kazarian. While the star has performed fairly regularly with the company in recent times, he was still under contract with AEW, although not any more. Kazarian cut a passionate in-ring promo in which he revealed that he had “walked away” from AEW and signed a new “long-term” deal with IMPACT Wrestling.
It has been reported by PWInsider that Kazarian asked for his AEW release in late 2022 and it was granted.