A former WWE star and Women’s Champion does not see a Hall of Fame induction happening at any point soon and also believes that an in-ring return is even less likely.
At a time when women’s wrestling was not taken as seriously, Gail Kim was one of the more skilled athletes in the division. Initially a part of the company from 2002 to 2004, Kim later joined TNA and was able to show the world what she could really do in the ring thanks to her excellent rivalry with Awesome Kong.
Returning to WWE in 2008, Kim’s second exit was more acrimonious as she eliminated herself from a Diva’s Battle Royal and announced her departure shortly afterwards. Returning to TNA, Kim continued to be one of the top stars in the division and added to her accolades with 7 reigns as the Knockout’s Champion before having her official retirement match in 2019. Since then, Kim has acted as a producer for TNA and is also a member of the creative team.
With Kim being an inspiration to many of the stars of today and given the ongoing relationship between WWE and TNA, fans have wondered if a return could ever be on the cards, especially given the change in management.
While appearing at a signing for K & S WrestleFest, Kim elaborated on why an in-ring return would not happen in WWE and what happened back in 2011 that caused her to walk away from the company:
I don’t think they (WWE) would have me back (as an in-ring performer). I mean, there’s a lot of reasons why. I don’t know how much they hold grudges or anything like that. Listen, we all grow from your situations and I have grown obviously. I’m a 47-year-old woman now. I was in my early 30s I think then (when I eliminated myself from the Battle Royal) and… you know, when you care so much about women’s wrestling and it’s just not treated right… And I just felt like, oh my God, I gotta get out of here.
I only have a certain amount of time. I was in my 30s. I knew I felt like I was in my prime and I felt like I had more to give to the fans and I was just like, I can’t sign another three-year deal here. I can’t waste three more years of my life and my career and so, yeah, that was the way it just all ended up.
Gail Kim Doesn’t See WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Happening
Also at the signing, the former Women’s Champion was asked if a WWE Hall of Fame induction was likely given her decorated career. Kim responded that it is also unlikely given that most of her key moments have taken place in TNA:
“I don’t think I would go in. That’s why I laughed (at the question of if I’d accept WWE Hall of Fame induction). That’s how I answer it.
100 percent (my legacy is in TNA Wrestling). My career, all my accomplishments — I mean, besides the fact that I won the title on my first night. I will always be appreciative of that fact. I wouldn’t take it away now, but I think if you asked me back then, I was very green when I started and when I won that title, it was just off of a lot of hype and I’ve never been a babyface before. I’d work as a heel in the independent scene.
So, to be babyface and to be thrown as the champion on your first night out in WWE, it was crazy. I wasn’t ready and so when you start at the top and you’re not ready, I mean, it’s just hard. You’re gonna go down. There’s nowhere else to go if you start off at the top.
I don’t know (if I’ll get into the Hall of Fame). I just know it (the question) makes me uncomfortable (she laughed)… Of course, you wanna be recognized, right? I mean, in all honesty, of course you wanna be recognized for your passion, for your hard work and everything. That would have to be a bridge we’d cross if and when if that ever happened but, yeah.
Hypothetically, Kim stated that if she were to be inducted she would like to see Molly Holly have the honour of introducing her onstage at the ceremony:
“Probably Molly Holly (is who I’d want to induct me), and it’s crazy because we don’t have a crazy close relationship but we’re still friends to this day and we’ll text each other as well. But she is the reason why I got my opportunity there and she was the first person I saw where I was — ‘fell in love’ with a female wrestler if I can say that to her. I had never seen anyone move like she did in a ring and I absolutely was just — she’s my favorite and to meet — you know, they say, ‘Never meet your heroes.’ She was everything and more.
She’s always been a role model in the sense of her and Kurt Angle were the two people that I really felt like they — of course, Kurt went through his demons and all those things but ultimately, he’s such a great human, both of those people. The way they treat people, the way they treated other wrestlers and were someone to look up to in the business. Both amazing people.”
While a WWE Hall of Fame induction remains uncertain, Gail Kim was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2016.
Also at the signing, the former WWE star wanted to see AJ Styles make a TNA return.
H/t to Post Wrestling.