Mickie James Says WWE Wanted Her To Retire, Talks Ageism In The Company

Mickie James has claimed that WWE wanted her to retire from professional wrestling before releasing her as part of the 15 April cuts.

Speaking on the Grown Ass Women podcast she cohosts with Victoria and So Cal Val, James said that she felt like WWE was trying to push her into an agent's role, which she didn't want to do (h/t Figure Four Online/The Wrestling Observer for the transcriptions):-

“I kept feeling these things of 'we want you to retire. We want you to be an agent.' It was what they wanted for me. It wasn't that I wasn't grateful for those opportunities, but at the same time, I see the agents and what they have to deal with and go through. They don't get any of the praise or the thanks that they ever deserve, they have to deal with a lot of crap. I don't know if I could personally handle that.”

James, 41, also spoke on ageism within WWE:-

“I'm just disappointed as a whole with being made to feel old with Depends and a walker and the whole ageism thing."

The former Women's and Divas Champion pointed out that there are many men and women within the promotion who are older than her but currently wrestling for titles.

Mickie also revealed that she once pitched WWE running an all-female brand, only to be told that WWE would never do it as "women's wrestling doesn't make money," and that her fight for such a thing was futile.

Then, of course, were comments on last week's trash bag scandal, as the veteran had her belongings returned to her in a black bin liner, resulting in Mark Carrano's dismissal from the company:-

"I know it wasn't a direct thing, like ‘Hey, this is what we think of you'. I empathize with Mark and feel bad he's taking the full brunt, it sucks, but I guarantee his pension package is probably more than what I got paid in my last run in WWE. So, I don't feel that bad. He was not happy in that situation. I'm pissed and I don't want to come across as angry, but it is a direct reflection of everything I've experienced in coming back.”

James' 90-day non-compete clause should expire on 14 July, which is when she'll be free to sign with other promotions.