The current IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James recently had an interview with Ariel Helwani and discussed about several topics. While speaking, Mickie James explained how she was approached by WWE to participate in Royal Rumble and why she accepted that offer.
“It was a few weeks ago and Scott (D’Amore) had called me first, (…) just to kind of see (…) if I was interested, (…) I think immediately, I was excited because historically this has never happened before (…) for WWE to do this or to have anyone participate in the Rumble, especially to acknowledge the [IMPACT] championship. (…) it just shows a different, I don’t know, amount of respect. (…) I feel really great about it,” said James.
Fascinating to talk to @MickieJames about how this Royal Rumble deal came about while under contract w/ @IMPACTWRESTLING.
For the MMA fans, and yes I know it’s not apples to apples, it would be akin to, say, Mousasi, fighting @ UFC 273 while w/ Bellator. https://t.co/zrfD7yHLWr pic.twitter.com/gid9eRuVX8
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 14, 2022
Mickie James revealed that WWE’s head of talent relations John Laurinaitis reached out to IMPACT Wrestling’s Scott D’Amore to discuss her Rumble appearance.
“Johnny reached out to Scott (…) just talk to him, (…) professionally, because it is companies,” said James “This has never really been done before) (…) IMPACT worked together with WWE in the past (…) for when [Ric] Flair went in the Hall of Fame and Christian Cage (…) so it wasn’t unforeseen that it could possibly happen. (…) Scott first reached out to me to see what my interest was (…) we were all able to make this happen somehow”.
