Gail Kim on Her WWE Runs, Women's Wrestling and Her Character in TNA

TNA star Gail Kim was recently in the news after Jim Ross clarified comments he made on his podcast regarding a conversation he had with Vince McMahon several years ago. Separately, she was interviewed by The News Hub regarding her wrestling career. Below are some of the highlights.

She spoke on her two different runs in WWE:

“It was a lot emotionally for me to handle. I definitely believed that first experience with them made me a stronger person and I didn’t realize how that experience could form who I was later on. I got released and then I lost my passion for wrestling almost completely and I wanted to leave the business and I did, on and off I may have done a few independent shows maybe 2 or 3 during that year off and then I started getting into stunt work and then TNA came in to the picture and people I knew there were people and being around the people that you start with and being passionate and one’s you’ve started on the indies with and why you’re so hungry for the business you get affected. I walked into that situation and oh my gosh, that passion just came flooding back and knowing that they were going to support women’s wrestling in the future it was very hard to pass by and it happened years later. This all happened for a reason and like I said I don’t regret anything being in both companies twice definitely gave me longevity in this business and it kept me fresh.”

Kim gave her thoughts on the state of women’s wrestling today:

“I honestly believe that just to have a movement in place women empowerment right now and just in general in our world right now especially in entertainment and being vocal and people like Rhonda Rousey who are dominating the sport and are showing that they can headline stuff. However, I am also realistic in the sense that pro wrestling has always been a very male dominated sport and it would take a long time for equality to happen. I truly believe, but that’s okay we can take baby steps. I just think it’s the pool of talent also and giving them the proper creative storylines to and letting them have the ball and trying to run with it. If they don’t deliver but you can see that they have the potential to keep on giving them the chance. For me, I didn’t become who I became in terms of being comfortable and feeling very confident in this business until, half way through my career up to this point.”

She also discussed her character in wrestling:

“I think my main thing is fans they identify with someone who they like or dislike or whatever they may be through getting the character and may identify with the character and that oh, I’m like her like Mickie James. She’s the girl next door, seems so approachable and that’s what they love about her and she’s a great wrestler as well. For me, the wrestling fans could really identify with the passion for the wrestling industry and see my passion for wrestling and so I think that’s where my progression has come in terms of my character which is actually, really me.”