Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/01/06/scott-damore-always-thought-mickie-james-couldve-been-the-female-aj-styles-for-tna/
Scott D’Amore discusses the Knockouts and IMPACT World Title matches at Hard To Kill.
The second match of Mickie James and Deonna Purrazzo’s rivalry is taking place at IMPACT Wrestling’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view on January 8th. Mickie is scheduled to defend the Knockouts Title against Purrazzo in a Texas Death match. James won the title from Purrazzo at Bound For Glory.
James is currently in the midst of her third run with IMPACT. Scott D’Amore, Executive Vice President of IMPACT, heaped praise onto Mickie and her career while on Busted Open Radio. Scott recalled the early days of TNA and going to the powers that be and pleading for them to sign Mickie to an exclusive deal because he had a feeling she would get signed by WWE.
He added that he always thought Mickie could have been TNA’s female version of AJ Styles, as far as tenure goes like how Styles was with the company from 2002-2014.
Going back nearly 20 years, in the early days of TNA, I remember going into the office and pleading because I knew that Mickie Dinero and Mickie?
Eh, it’s Raven .
Matt Cardona is going to be in the IMPACT World Title match at Hard To Kill. Cardona debuted for IMPACT at their 2021 Hard To Kill event. Initially, Cardona was not booked for the show and the two parties had conversations to work together down the line. Cardona flew himself to Nashville and told D’Amore that he’d be ready if he needed him.
And then with Matt Cardona, you said it Tommy , all three of these athletes are the perfect example of what IMPACT Wrestling stands for.
Below is the current lineup for Hard To Kill:
- Knockouts World Championship — Texas Death Match: Mickie James (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
- Ultimate X Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Rachael Ellering vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Rosemary vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lady Frost
- IMPACT World Championship — Three-Way Match: Moose (c) vs. Matt Cardona vs. W. Morrissey
- JONAH vs. Josh Alexander
- Hardcore War Match: Eddie Edwards, Heath, Rich Swann, Rhino & Willie Mack vs. Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Eric Young, Deaner & Joe Doering
- IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championships: The IInspiration (Jessica McKay & Cassie Lee) (c) vs. The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood)
- ROH World Championship: Jonathan Gresham (c) vs. Chris Sabin
- IMPACT X Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Steve Maclin
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit Busted Open Radio with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.