IMPACT Wrestling Books MAJOR Title Change At Hard To Kill 2023
Someone's career was on the line at Hard To Kill, but IMPACT made a title switch.
Mickie James is the brand new IMPACT Knockouts Champion.
The ex-WWE star and all-round wrestling legend had started a storyline that'd see her retire if she ultimately failed to win the belt. This "Last Rodeo" culminated in Mickie defeating Jordynne Grace to become the new champ at IMPACT's Hard To Kill pay-per-view this weekend.
Breathe easy, Mickie fans - your favourite isn't retiring just yet!
This is James' fifth run with the TNA/IMPACT strap, and her first since dropping the title back in March 2022. Of course, Mickie famously appeared as a surprise entrant in WWE's 2022 women's Royal Rumble match sporting the IMPACT prize. Perhaps she'll do so again in 2023?
James' win ends Grace's own title reign (this was her second one) at 208 days. It remains to be seen who'll challenge Mickie for the belt next, or if she'll keep the "Last Rodeo" idea going by teasing retirement the next time she loses her title.
For reference, Mickie's first Knockouts Title win came all the way back in 2011 at TNA's Lockdown pay-per-view. There, she defeated current AEW regular Madison Rayne inside the cage.