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01/06/08 TNA Final Resolution PPV - Orlando, Florida - Awesome Kong vs. Gail Kim - Championship No DQ

Kong charged Kim as she was on the apron, but Kim jumped down. Kim grabbed Kong's ankle and pulled her to the floor. They started brawling on the floor. Kong drilled her with a clothesline on the floor, then cleared the announcer's table. She teased a powerbomb on the table, but Kim fought back with a kick. Kong tossed Kim into the ring and smothered her with a boot to the throat. Kong snaps Kim across the mat by the hair, then choked her with a boot to the chin.

The announcers said an associate of Kong's from Japan was in attendance, according to rumors. Kong continued to work over Kim, who fought back with elbows. Kim tried to come off the ropes but was nailed with a spinning back fist. Kim fell backwards over the ropes, hanging upside down, before being shoved to the floor. Kim grabbed at her knee. Kong followed her to the floor.

Kong dragged her around ringside, but Kim began fighting back. Kong just slapped her down. Kong followed her around the ring, stalking her prey. She picked up Kim by the legs and swung her into the guard rails headfirst.

They brawled in the crowd. Kim fought back but was tossed onto the steps of the bleachers. Kong dragged her into the bleachers and choked her throat. Kim continued to fight back. She grabbed a plastic bottle from a fan and began beating Kong with it. Kong tossed her down the stairs to the floor. Kim fights back and dumps Kong over the railing back into the ringside area.

Kim grabs Kong with a hammerlock, then runs her shoulder into the ringpost. Kong just shakes it off and slaps down Kim. She rolls Kim into the ring and beats her down. Kong grabs a chair and drills it down but Kim moves and Kong slaps herself with it. With Kong dazed on the floor, Kim went to the top rope and dove off. Kong still caught her and tossed her into the ring. Kong beats Kim down with a punch to the back.

Kong grabbed Kim by the hair and beat her with a series of back fists. Kong went for a powerbomb, but Kim rolled out of the way to the mat. Kong went for a sitdown splash but missed. Kim avoided a charge in the corner. Kim came off the top but was caught. Kong nailed an inverted sitdown powerbomb, but Kim kicked out at the last second. Some in the crowd booed that, believing it was the finish.

Kong wasn't happy with the referee's count and powerbombed Slick Johnson. Kong went to the floor and got a chair, then nailed Johnson with it. Kim grabbed the chair and began beating Kong in the head with it. Kim went to the top and nailed a splash off the top, but the referee was out. Kim called for a second referee and Rudy Charles hit the ring. He counted, but Kong kicked up at the last second.

Kong nailed a chokeslam on Kim, who kicked up. Kong grabbed Charles and went to powerbomb him but Kim rolled up Kong, who crashed backwards with Charles atop of her. Charles counted three and Gail Kim got the victory.

Brutal, fun and a unique finish. This was officially the first great match of TNA for 2008. Kong tried to go after Kim after the match but security and some of the other Knockouts hit the ring to separate them. The crowd chanted "TNA." [PWinsider.com]

01/08/08 Internet News - Awesome Kong vs. Gail Kim Rematch Announced

TNA's official website announced earlier today that a Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong championship rematch will be taking place on this Thursday's edition of Impact:

01/10/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Awesome Kong vs. Gail Kim - Knockout Title Match

Tenay did the tale-of-the-tape on Kong vs. Gail. Awesome Kong then slowly walked out to the ring first. Suddenly, a woman in traditional Middle Eastern clothing came out behind her. She slowly walked to the ringside area as Kong entered the ring focused on the match. Gail came out next and held up the Women's Title before slowly walking to the ring favoring her neck from the PPV beating. Jeremy Borash handled the formal ring intros. Borash couldn't finish Gail's intro before Kong charged her in the corner to start the match.

Gail avoided Kong's pre-match attack, but Kong nailed a spinning back fist to the face. They fought to the floor where Kong threw Gail on the entrance ramp. They moved to the stage area where Kong measured Gail for a big splash against the wood boards supporting the stage, but Gail moved and Kong went crashing through the wood. Referees spilled to ringside to check on Kong as they cut to a break.

They returned with neither lady counted out despite being on the floor for three minutes. Back in the ring, Kong ran over Gail with a hard clothesline to the throat. Kong went for a corner move, but Gail blocked and nailed a tornado DDT in center ring. Gail made a cover for a nearfall. She then came off the top rope with a leaping back splash for a nearfall. Gail then went to the corner and pointed down at the lady. That gave Kong an opening for a chokeslam when a distracted Gail came off the top rope. Kong dropped Gail with a double underhook for a close nearfall. Gail then came back with kick strikes. She went for a top rope huracanrana, but Kong blocked into a powerbomb. She maintained contact with Gail and executed a second powerbomb, she then finished off Gail with a third powerbomb for the pin and the win to capture the belt. [PWtorch.com] For Pics - CLICK HERE.

01/11/08 Internet News - Gail Injured

Gail Kim suffered a minor concussion in the TNA Knockouts Championship match against Awesome Kong. [PWinsider.com]

01/24/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Gail Wins TNA Knockout of the Year

Borash and Val announced the TNA Knockout of the year: Gail Kim. Gail strutted out in a bright blue top and accepted the trophy. She took the mic and thanked everyone for making her 2007 knockout of the year. Gail said she's still feeling the effects of her concussion at the hands of Amazing Kong two weeks ago. Gail said Kong is a disgrace to the Women's Title. She said all Kong cares about is hurting people to put them out indefinitely. Gail said Kong put her down, but didn't put her out.

On cue, Kong's music hit and she stormed out with her "associate", Sayed. Kim jumped her as she entered the ring, but Kong soon fought back with a headbutt to floor her followed by a spinning backfist to the head. Kong was about to execute a powerbomb, but ODB stepped out to make the save. She took a swig from his flask, then ran to the ring. Kong met her as she entered with a boot to the face and several stomps. The crowd chanted "ODB, ODB." ODB fought back with chops, but Kong leveled her with a clothesline and then a powerbomb attempt. ODB escaped and dropkicked her three times to knock Kong to the floor. Kong's handler, Saeed, stopped Kong from returning to the ring. It was risky to give that much away between those two on TV as they could have built up and sold PPV buys on the intrigue of how they'd fare against one another, but if you were going to have them mix it up, that was well done as it created a genuine sense of hope for fans that Kong may have met her physical match. [PWtorch.com]

02/14/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - ODB (w/Gail Kim) vs. Awesome Kong

Crystal is in the back with ODB, who says that Sunday wasn't the first fight she lost and it won't be the last. But she did learn that she can hang with Awesome Kong, and that if they have five matches maybe she'll win three. Gail Kim pops into the picture and says that she'll have ODB's back tonight and make sure Sayid doesn't interfere. ODB says that's fine, but to remember that she's not just another pretty face. She seemed to be channeling a bit more angry intensity than usual, which works surprisingly well with her.

ODB jumps Kong before she makes it to the ring, but Kong just powers her down. Kong goes for a chair but doesn't connect with it. ODB busts out some elbows to the gut and a couple of Polish Hammers. She knocks Kong back against the guardrail, but when she charges Kong steps aside. They fight into the crowd. [Commercial Break]

We come back as Kong rolls ODB into the ring. ODB tries to come off the ropes but Sayid trips her up. ODB goes to unmask her, but Kong makes the save. Gail Kim gets in Sayid's face, which draws Kong to the outside. She tosses Kim into the barricade, but that gives ODB time to recover in the ring. She rallies briefly, but Kong takes her down with a clothesline. Kong goes too near the ropes, and Gail Kim grabs onto her. She and ODB trade shots on Kong, but when Kim tries to hold Kong ODB accidentally clotheslines Kim instead. Kong takes advantage with an Implant Buster for the win.

After the match, ODB blames Kim for the loss. Kim tries to explain as ODB shoves her a couple times. Kim finally has enough and shoves back, but before things can escalate Angelina Williams and Velvet Sky intervene. [PWtorch.com]

02/21/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Gail Kim/ODB vs. Jackie Moore/Roxxi Laveaux

Backstage: Crystal tried to make peace between Gail Kim and ODB in an interview. Gail said they had some communication issues, but they're on the same page tonight. Gail said they have a common goal of taking out Amazing Kong. ODB said she will go through anybody to get to Kong.

Ms. Jackie came to the ring, then Roxxi LaVeaux came out as her tag partner. Tenay brought up the deal from a few weeks ago where Kip fired her from VKM, which has now disbanded. ODB came out, followed by Gail Kim for tag action.

Before the match, ODB offered Gail a shot from her flask, but Gail turned it down. More for ODB. The bell sounded and the fans chanted for ODB. Gail started things against Jackie, though, and fired away on Jackie with clotheslines and dropkicks. Roxxi and ODB took tags, then ODB slapped Roxxi across the chest. Roxxi ducked a chop, but walked into an overhead slam. Jackie then caught ODB from behind, leading to the heel divas ganging up on ODB in the ring. They cut to a break with Jackie working over ODB.

Roxxi was working on ODB out of the break. Tenay said we'll hear from Christian later in the show. The ref then disallowed a tag from Gail when he didn't see it, so they went back to work on ODB. Gail eventually took a legit tag at 7:00 and cleaned house. She tossed Jackie across the ring with a running arm drag off the corner ropes, then gave Roxxi a crossarmbreaker for a nearfall. The action broke down, then Gail accidentally gave ODB a missile dropkick. Suddenly, Roxxi gave Gail an overhead slam for the win.

Afterward, ODB and Gail had a shoving match. Things got heated and a catfight broke out in the ring until refs and security hit the ring to break them up. They had a pretty good pullapart brawl that got the crowd into the segment. Suddenly, ODB was on the floor, then Gail came off the top with a splash onto ODB and some security peeps. The fight continued on the floor as they battled onto the ramp. [PWtorch.com]

02/28/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) vs. Angelina Love (w/Velvet Sky)

Roxxi Leveaux told Love that she expects something bad to happen in this match. Love has Rudy Charles check Kong for weapons, and then jumps her as he does so. She hits some strikes, and then goes what looks like a Jawbreaker, and Kong just stands there as Love dangles from her neck. Love goes for a Cross Body Block, but Kong catches her and drives her back into the turnbuckle. She picks her up and knocks her back down a few times. She locks in something like a Camel Clutch for a bit. She tries to attack Love in the corner, but Love catches her with her legs and lays in some kicks. Love finally nails that Jawbreaker, but when she tries to follow up with a Cross Body Block off the top rope Kong catcher her again. Love slips out, but Kong just nails her with a Spinning Back Fist. She follows it up with an Implant Buster and then an Awesome Bomb for three.

After the match, ODB appears on the ramp and says that in ten days they'll find out who's the knockout of all knockouts. As she taunts Kong, Gail Kim attacks Kong from behind. She goes for a Cross Body Block, but just bounces off. ODB comes in and tries to help, but Kong beheads her with a clothesline. When she sets up for an Awesome Bomb Kim climbs up ODB's back and kicks Kong in the face. The two of them double-team Kong, attacking her with Double Clotheslines, Doubles Dropkicks, and Double Spears, before finally dumping her over the top rope. Once Kong leaves, Kim and ODB get into a shoving match, but security intervenes before things can escalate. [PWtorch.com]

03/09/08 TNA Destination X PPV - Norfolk, VA - Awesome Kong vs. ODB vs. Gail Kim

Kong overpowered both ODB and Kim early. Kim legdropped Kong as ODB held over over the top rope. Kong fell to the floor. ODB and Kim then battled, exchanging leverage pin attempts. Kim got the better of ODB and then climbed to the top rope. Instead of diving at ODB, she turned to dive at Kong on the floor. Kong caught her. ODB then dove onto both of them, prompting a "TNA, TNA" chant to break out. ODB and Kim returned to the ring and fought with Kong recovering at ringside. ODB gave Kim an overhead suplex, then she patted her breasts. Kim came right back with a big spear. She punched ODB repeatedly in the corner, but ODB lifted her. Kim escaped and yanked ODB to the floor.

Kong then entered the ring and grabbed Kim by her hair, yanking her around. She collided with her and knocked her hard to the mat. Kim came back with a crucifix attempt. Kong blocked it and went for her spinning backfist. Kim blocked it and gave Kong a jawbreaker with her knees. Kong fired back with a hard clothesline and threw Kim shoulder-first into the ringpost. ODB returned to the ring and low-dropkicked Kong's ankle. Kong ducked an ODB enzuigiri attempt and lifted her by the throat and slammed her to the mat. Kim returned to the ring and she and ODB took turns punching Kong. Kong remained on her feet. ODB pulled out her flask and took a swig. Kim did the same. Tenay said, "You gotta be kidding?" Kim winced at the taste.

They double missile dropkicked Kong to take her down. ODB and Kim broke up each other's pin attempts, though, then went after each other. Kim clotheslined ODB to the mat. Kong lifted Kim, but ODB schoolboyed Kong for a near fall. It would have been a tough call as Kim was on top of Kong, also, during the pin attempt. Kong gave Kim an Implant Buster. Kon then splashed Kim of the second rope. ODB dove over Kong to break up the pin. It was really awkward, as Kong still had Kim covered and Kim's shoulders were still down, but the ref just stopped counting. Kong stood up, absorbed two ODB chops to her chest, and gave ODB an Implant Buster. Kong went for a splash off the second rope, but ODB moved. ODB attempted a comeback. She dove off the second rope with a Thesz press for a two count. Saeed tripped ODB. ODB grabbed her by her scarf. Kong pulled ODB into the ring and gave her an Awesome Bomb for the win. [PWtorch.com]

03/13/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky (w/Angelina Love)

Backstage: Borash brought in Gail Kim for an interview. Borash asked Gail about being put on the back burner. Gail took exception to that and said the thing between her and Awesome Kong is far from over. She said the issue is between them, and no one else. Gail told Kong to find her first or face some serious consequences.

Gail dominated in the early going. Velvet begged off, but caught Gail with a drop toe hold into the bottom rope. Velvet followed with a DDT at 2:00 for a nearfall. She tried to follow with a corner splash, but Gail moved and Velvet ate the turnbuckles. Gail went on the offensive as the girls in the crowd kept screaming. Angelina then hopped on the apron to distract Gail, but Gail finished off Velvet with a Celtic Cross for the win.

Post-match: Gail and Angelina had a shouting match, which led to a shoving match. Love and Sky tried to double-team Gail, but she smartly bailed to the outside. Or maybe not. Awesome Kong jumped Gail from behind and smashed her into the ring apron. Kong then gave her a two-hand Khali bomb in center ring. Kong tried to finish her off with an Awesome Bomb, but Gail slipped out and nailed a jawbreaker. She then speared Kong and mounted her for right hand blows. From behind, though, Raisha jumped Gail with the Knockouts Title belt. She then gave Gail a Curb Stomp. Kong picked up Gail and set her up for the Awesome Bomb, but ODB's music hit and she stormed the ring with chair in hand. Kong and Raisha bailed from the ring and ODB stood tall in the ring. [PWtorch.com]

03/20/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Angelina Love/Velvet Sky vs. ODB/Gail Kim

We got clips of what happened last week in regards to both teams. ODB and Love started things off. Tenay mentioned, for only the second time tonight, next week’s first live Impact. Both girls went down and both nipped up at the same time. So why does ODB keep patting her boobs? Sky tagged in, and was taken down with a drop-toe hold. Kim came in and hit a nice European uppercut. I think there were some “Gail Kim sucks” chants. The blondes tried some double-teaming, but it didn’t faze Kim. Crossbody off the second rope, but Kim didn’t go for the pin. Arm-drag by Kim. She tried to run the ropes, but Sky kneed her in the back. That allowed Love to get a kick to the face. Double-team elbowdrop and Sky got a two-count. Facebuster out of the corner from Sky. Snap-mare and a seated dropkick by Love & Sky. Blocked kick by Kim, followed by a clothesline. Both ladies were down and Love was able to make the tag first, but Kim eventually tagged ODB. She cleaned house. Faceplant on Velvet Sky for what looked like a three, but apparently Love got enough of ODB to break it up. Sky hit a jaw-breaker on ODB, but ODB caught Sky on a cross-body attempt and hit a running powerslam for the win.

Tenay plugged the fan voting to see who will face Kong for the title next week. Roxxi Laveaux came out and chased Love & Sky off after the match. Giving her a make-over is one of the best ideas TNA has had in a while. [PWtorch.com]

03/27/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Awesome Kong vs. ODB TNA Knockouts Title Match

Borash brought in Gail Kim and ODB to announce the winner of the online voting. Borash said they were separated by fewer than 500 votes. And the winner is...ODB. Gail was mad initially, but then shook her hand and told her to get the job done.

There was definitely a buzz in the building prior to the opening bell. In the opening minute, ODB went for the Hogan on Andre slam, but Kong fell on top of her for a nearfall. Tenay said they've tried to do some research on Raisha's background, and they discovered she has some wrestling background through her training in Japan. Kong slapped on a Camel Clutch at 3:00, but ODB knocked her away with a few fist smashes. Kong then went for a big splash off the ropes, but ODB moved just in time. They did the spot sequence where ODB tried to knock Kong off her feet, but King wouldn't go down. She then went up top for a Thesz Press to finally knock Kong off her feet for a nearfall. Kong looked vulnerable here, and ODB nailed a face plant for a nearfall at 5:00. ODB then grabbed her breasts to power up, apparently, but Kong suddenly nailed her with a spinning back-fist out of nowhere. She then smashed ODB with the spinning Awesomebomb for the win. Whoa. [PWtorch.com]

04/10/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida

Crystal is in the back with ODB and Gail Kim, and she wants to know if they'll be on the same page at Lockdown. Kim says that they've realized that they're their own worse enemies. The time will come when they'll figure out which of them is better, but that time's not now. Now they're going to work together to end Kong's dominance. ODB says that Raisha Saeed must be pretty ugly to wear that thing over her face, so at Lockdown she's going to rip it off so they can have an ugliness contest. [PWtorch.com]

04/13/08 TNA Lockdown PPV - Lowell, MA - Awesome Kong/Raisha Saeed vs. Gail Kim/ODB

Raisha was sporting a full veil covering her face, with only a small cut for her eyes. Crowd was definitely into ODB. Radican checked in that ODB had a bigger pop than Gail during intros. The match started with Kong and ODB, then Gail tagged in and demanded to fight Raisha. Raisha showed off her wrestling skills by dominating Gail for a few minutes. Gail then nailed a dropkick, followed by a head scissors for a nearfall. Kong gave Raisha control again by smashing Gail into the cage wall behind the ref's back. Raisha took Gail up top, then climbed up the cage and kicked Gail's head into the wall repeatedly. That was sweet. ODB eventually got a hot tag at 6:00 and attacked Raisha. The action broke down, then Raisha took Gail up top. She went for a powerbomb, but Gail blocked and nailed a huracanrana from the top of the cage. Great spot, but the action picked up again. Kong accidentally took out Raisha with the spinning back fist, then Gail drop kicked Kong across the ring. ODB then came off the top rope with a splash on Raisha for the pin and the win.

Excellent women's match, which we shouldn't be surprised by anymore. They've been carrying the undercard for months. [PWtorch.com]

05/01/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - ODB & Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love & Velvet Sky

Tenay brought out Angelina Love and Velvet Sky for an in-ring interview. Before Tenay could get going, they rubbed his tie seductively. Tenay then talked about the rules of the divas gimmick match at the PPV. His pick up line: "Are you ready to make...the ultimate sacrifice?" C'mon, Mike. Angelina then cut a promo about the make-over where someone gets her head shaved. She said they have some other candidates. They showed a Photoshopped picture of Gail Kim, then ODB with bald heads. This continued with Velvet saying none of the people in the building will only be able to look at the Beautiful People, but never touch.

ODB and Gail interrupted, then ODB said she could put her hands all over those big fake funbags. There is only one ODB. She then shoved Angelina down to the mat, and Gail shoved Velvet to the mat. Angelina and Velvet bailed to the outside. Apparently there was a nipple slip, as the camera blurred out Angelina's left breast. ODB said that since the hookers don't have any customers tonight, they can have a match tonight and leave them in their favorite position... flat on their backs. And here I thought this was a family show.

ODB took a hot tag and cleaned house on the Beautiful peeps. Again, the babyface celebrated to the camera instead of continuing the attack, which allowed the heel to attack from behind. No matter, though, as Gail and Angelina ended up on the outside, and ODB finished off Velvet with a running powerslam for the pin and the win.

Post-match, the Beautiful peeps tried to attack the winners, but they cleared Velvet and Angelina from the ring. Suddenly, Roxxi LeVeaux came to ringside and threw Angelina back into the ring. Angelina found herself cornered in the ring, so she took a round of punishment before Roxxi delivered the Voodoo Drop. [PWtorch.com]

05/08/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Gail, Angelina, Velvet, Christy, ODB, Traci, Salinas, Jackie, and Roxxi - Knockouts Pole Match

Cornette office: The knockouts were screaming and shouting in Jim Cornette's office. He quieted them down, then talked about the title shot and head-shaving opportunity at the PPV. Cornette said he's not a big meanie; he's like a father-figure for them. He booked them in a match tonight where the person who wins is immune from getting her head shaved at the PPV. The deal is that it will be a pole match, which led to the inevitable stripper joke. A pair of scissors will be on the pole and the person who grabs the scissors is immune. He said it's a good way to grab some ratings to make him look good, then the people who pay good hard money for Sacrifice will get to see a head shaved. He sent them away to prepare to fight.

The match starts in chaos. Gail hits a Hurricanrana off the top rope on Roxxi Leveaux. Traci Brooks tries to climb the pole, which, contra Cornette, is in the corner. Kim cuts her off, so Brooks takes her to the mat with a Face Buster. Salinas tries to climb, but Roxxi Leveaux cuts her off and eats a Tornado DDT for her trouble. The Beautiful People have a Meeting of the Minds courtesy of Gail Kim and Christy Hemme. Christy tries to climb, but for some weird reason comes back into the ring with a FCG. Traci tries to climb but ODB catches her with a Super Fall-Away Slam. Salinas eats a Voodoo Drop as Christy goes back to the pole. Gail Kim and ODB go to cut her off, and next thing you know we have a Tower of Doom by the Beautiful People. Roxxi goes to climb the pole, but Angelina Love dumps her off, only to be shoved off by Ms. Brooks. Jacqueline goes to climb, but ODB comes from underneath with an Electric Chair Drop. While ODB celebrates Gail Kim quickly scales the pole and grabs the scissors to win. [PWtorch.com]

05/11/08 TNA Sacrifice PPV - Orlando, Florida - Angelina, Velvet, Rhaka, Salinas, Christy, ODB, Roxxi, Jacqueline, Traci, Gail - #1 Contender match to Knockouts Title or Runner-up gets head shaved.

Apparently this is starting as a battle royale. Salinas kinda fell to the floor and she was eliminated. Traci knocked Velvet to the apron and the camera got a ton of cheekage jiggling in the lens. Traci knocked Velvet to the floor, then Angelina knocked out Traci. Rhaka then knocked out Hemme. The girls then ganged up on Rhaka, who flopped around the ring like a fish. They eventually dumped her over the top rope. Jacqueline, then ODB were eliminated. Roxxi eliminated Angelina, leaving Gail and Roxxi. So, apparently, the deal is that if Roxxi wins, then Angelina gets her head shaved because Gail has immunity.

Gail Kim vs. Roxxi Leveaux

The ladder match portion of this crazy deal began with Roxxi trying to grab the ladder from ringside. Angelina tried to block her, but Roxxi smashed Angelina with a ladder shot. Back in the ring, Gail had her own ladder, which she smashed into Roxxi's head. Instead of climbing the ladder to grab the #1 Contender contract, Gail tried to attack Roxxi, but Roxxi made a comeback. Gail and Roxxi then started climbing the ladder simultaneously. Gail could have grabbed the contract, but she instead did a sunset flip powerbomb off the ladder. After some shenanigans took place, Roxxi started to climb the ladder, but Angelina shoved Roxxi off the ladder. Angelina woke up Gail, who started climbing the ladder. She then reached up and grabbed the contract to win the match. Gail, the top babyface in the division, was booed for her efforts of indirectly helping out Angelina avoid a haircut.

Winner: Gail in 10:00 overall to earn #1 Contender. We finally got a one-on-one match on this show, even if it was just for five minutes of a ten-minute gimmick match. Action was solid, even though it was booked all over the place, with Gail ending up in a negative light. (**)

Post-match: Gail attacked Angelina and tried to throw her into the barber's chair, but a tag team brawl broke out. The announcers reiterated that Roxxi is supposed to get her head shaved. The brawl continued on the floor until Slick Johnson put Roxxi in the barber's chair for her haircut. Some dude in a white coat then took the shears to Roxxi's head for the shaving. The other divas came ringside to watch the proceedings. This led to a "Fire Russo" chant. The announcers even paused at the inopportune time for the chant to make air. Well, this segment had the most heat on the entire show with the babyface divas selling the story with tears while Angelina and Velvet laughed in Roxxi's face. Angelina and Velvet then grabbed clumps of hair and paraded around while Roxxi huffed and puffed in the chair. The barber finished the haircut and Roxxi surveyed the crowd, which chanted her name. [PWtorch.com]

05/12/08 Internet News

TNA website has already announced matches for this Thursday's edition of Impact. Gail Kim, who won the Knockouts battle royal last night, will be getting her title shot this Thursday when she takes on Awesome Kong. Roxxi Laveaux, who got her head shaved bald at last night's pay-per-view, will be looking for revenge when she teams up with ODB to take on Angelina Love & Velvet Sky. [Rajah.com]

05/15/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Awesome Kong (w/Raesha Saeed) vs. Gail Kim - Championship Match

Kong unsurprisingly dominates the opening lock-up. Gail rocks Kong a bit with some forearms, and dodges a charge in the corner. She goes for a Hurricanrana off the top rope, but they blow the spot. Kim tries to roll up Kong, but Kong gets out. She hoists Gail for an Awesome Bomb, but Kim again reverses in a roll up for two. Kim bounces off the ropes, where Saeed trips her up. As Kong takes it to Kim the women come out of the locker room one at a time. Kong tosses Kim across the ring as the ref goes to break up a showdown between the faces and heels at ringside. [Commercial Break]

Kong is still tossing around Kim as we come back. The other women are still at ringside too. Kim tries to roll Kong up again, but when it doesn't work Kim settles for an Arm Bar. Kong picks up Gail's whole weight with the one arm, and Kim eventually has to break the hold. Kim goes for a Cross Body Block, but I don't believe that move has ever worked on Awesome Kong. Kong locks in a Camel Clutch, but Kim fights out. She starts to land some blows, but Kong just destroys her with a Short Arm Clothesline. Kong goes for an Awesome Bomb, but Kim escapes and…that's another blown spot. I wonder what that was supposed to look like. Kong hits an Impact Buster for two. She goes for a Splash off the top, but Kim rolls out of the way. She starts attacking, eventually fazing Kong with a Codebreaker and finally taking her off her feet with a Spear for two. Kong hits the Spinning Back Fist as she gets up for a long two count. Kim gets some separation with a kick and then hits some sort of leaping Neck Breaker off the middle rope for two. She hits a Senton Splash off the top rope for two. Saeed goes to distract the ref, but ODB pulls her off as the women start fighting. Kim rolls up a distracted Kong with a Scool Girl for two. She goes to follow up off the top rope but Angelina Love shoves her off as the ref is distracted by the fighting women. Kim lands on her knee, and can barely stand long enough to eat an Awesome Bomb for three. Finally with Love-Kim we seem to have a women's feud that doesn't revolve around the title or Robert Roode. ODB tries to rouse Kim with booze as the other women call for referees to help Kim out. [PWtorch.com]

06/26/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, FL

Video package: Part 2 of the Gail vs. Angelina "shoot series" focused on Angelina Love starting out in Toronto. Angelina said Gail was very rude to her back in the day in typical Gail fashion. Scott D'Amore said he feels Angelina made a bad decision to leave Canada and try wrestling at the Assylum in TNA where she got smeared. D'Amore said she didn't quit, though, which showed she wanted to succeed. Angelina said seeing Gail succeed in wrestling lit a fire under her. Very nice, well-paced, focused video package adding depth to the feud. [PWtorch.com]

07/13/08 TNA Victory Road PPV - Houston, TX - Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love (w/Velvet Sky)

A video package aired previewing Gail Kim vs. Angelina Love. This was one of the best recent TNA segments because Kim and Love were totally believable in their roles and they actually talked about what's at stake in the match. Kim is earnest and likable and Love is a total stuck-up diva you want to see "get hers."

Velvet Sky yanked Kim's leg off the ring apron at 1:00 to reverse momentum in the match. Kim began to apply a figure-four on Love around the ringpost. When Kim went to the top rope, Sky shook the ropes to knock Kim off balance. After some back and forth action and nearfalls, Kim speared Love, then finished Love with a handcuff neckbreaker for the win. Love and Sky attacked Kim after the match and set her up for the brown paper bag humiliation, but Kim escaped first. [PWtorch.com]

07/17/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Velvet Sky vs. Roxxi vs. Gail vs. Jacqueline vs. ODB vs. Angelina vs. Traci vs. Salinas vs. Rhaka Khan vs. Christy - Knockouts Gauntlet Match

Backstage: Cornette was in the middle of his office trying to restore order with the knockouts. He said he needs one spokeswoman for something. Gail volunteered, which set off Angelina and Velvet. ODB stuck her cans in their faces to intimidate them. Traci Brooks restored order, then Cornette said all of the knockouts want a piece of Taylor because she's the new champ and they feel she hasn't paid her dues. Cornette booked a ten-woman gauntlet match with the winner getting a title match next week. All of the knockouts left, well, except for Traci. She repeated some offer she made to Cornette, who said he would consider it again.

Gail Kim and Jacqueline start things off. They trade forearms till Kim takes control with a Twisting Head Scissors. Kim goes for her finisher, which is odd in an over-the-top-rope context. Jacqueline locks in an Arm Bar as Angelina Love hits the ring. She shoves Jacqueline out of the way to get a shot at Kim, but Ms. Jackie doesn't like that any. They start shoving each other in the middle of the ring, so they don't notice Kim taking them both down with a Double Clothesline. Angelina gets up and takes Kim down with a Spinning Wheel Kick just in time for Salinas to come down. She pairs off with Love as Kim and Jacqueline fight in the corner. Kim almost gets Jacqueline out, but she uses her legs to cling to Kim's head. Velvet Sky comes down and immediately goes to help her partner. They double-team Salinas for a minute, at which point Roxxi comes down. Roxxi goes right after The Beautiful People as the crowd comes alive for her. She goes for a Voodoo Drop on Salinas, but it's countered into a Face Plant. The Beautiful People toss Salinas as she gets up. Rhaka Khan is out, and immediately dominates. She knocks down Leveaux and Kim as Traci comes out. The Beautiful People try to attack her as she gets into the ring, but she fights through. Khan powers her into the corner, but Traci knocks her back and yanks her down by the hair. Christy Hemme's out, and she tries to pick off Gail Kim. The crowd chants for ODB, and here she is. She hits the booze to the face of Christy and knocks around the Beautiful People a bit. [Commercial Break]

There were three eliminations during the break. Rhaka Khan, Christy Hemme, and Traci are all gone, and Jacqueline tosses ODB just as we get back. Roxxi tries to toss Ms. Jackie in turn, but she Skins the Cat, catches Roxxi between her legs, and pulls her out over the top. Roxxi, in a fine show of sportsmanship, pulls Jacqueline out after her, and we're down to Gail Kim and The Beautiful People. Sky & Love gain the quick advantage, but Kim keeps trying to fight through. Sky holds her up, but when Love goes for a kick Kim ducks and Sky eats it. Kim and Love trade shots in the middle of the ring. Love goes for Lights Out, but Kim reverses it with a few elbows and hits a Backstabber. She shoves Love out to the apron, but Love pulls her out with her. They fight on the apron for a second, till Kim gets the better of it and knocks Love off. She rolls back into the ring, but keeps watching Love, which allows Sky to nail a School Girl for the win. Velvet Sky seems surprised. [PWtorch.com]

07/31/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, Florida - Gail Kim & Taylor Wilde vs. The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky)

Wilde goes to tag Kim, who does seem content to let Taylor stay in. Never mind, Kim just took a tag, and she’s taking it to Angelina Love. She hits a high Hip Toss and a dropkick, but when she goes to run the up ring post Sky, after being fended off momentarily, is able to knock her down to the floor. [Commercial Break]

Kim is still in trouble when we come back. The crowd has a loud “we want Taylor” chant going as Love yanks Kim around by the hair. Kim dodges an attempted kick and nails a Codebreaker. She gets to Taylor, who comes in like a hurricane. She nails the Northern Lights Suplex, but Love breaks up the cover and chaos ensues. Taylor and Kim go for stereo mounted punches in the corners, but Love shoves Kim out of the ring. Wilde comes down and into a kick from Love. Sky makes the cover for two. They whip Taylor off into the ropes, but Taylor comes back with a Sunset Flip attempt on Sky who, while flailing, knocks down Love. Love gets back up just in time for both her and a still flailing sky to each eat a leg from a Gail Kim dropkick. Wilde finally finishes the Sunset Flip rollup and gets the three.

After the match Angelina Love tosses Kim from the ring, and both Beautiful People start working over Taylor. Kim comes back in and evens up the numbers. Here’s Awesome Kong. Please tell me she’s joining The Beautiful People because she’s beautiful on the inside. Not surprisingly, three-on-two does not end well for either Kim or Wilde. ODB comes down to the ring slowly, but when she gets into the ring with Awesome Kong she just stops and stares her down. I guess she was waiting for backup, as here’s Roxxi Leveaux with a chair. Traci Brooks is standing on the ramp looking on. [PWtorch.com]

08/10/08 Hard Justice PPV - Trenton, NJ - Angelina Love & Velvet Sky & Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) vs. Taylor Wilde & ODB & Gail Kim - Traci Brooks special referee

IIn-ring: Traci Brooks came out as the special referee for the six-woman tag match. Beautiful People then came to the ring. They certainly delivered on the T&A Hard Justice PPV name with a tight zoom on Velvet Sky's crotch rubbing on the middle rope. There wasn't much cloth between her and the ropes. Kong came out as their partner. ODB then led out Gail and Taylor Wilde.

They started off with some comedy involving a bottle of hairspray, then things became serious when Kong tagged in and started knocking around the babyfaces. They finally tricked her into flying over the top rope to the floor. Kong recovered, then Raisha was given the boot when she tried to interfere. ODB tried to spew alcohol into Kong's face, but Kong no-sold and smashed ODB in the corner with a giant splash. Angelina then worked over Gail as Traci effectively asserted herself as the special ref here. This led to a shoving match allowing Taylor to take a hot tag from Gail. At 10:00, Kong broke up a pin attempt, then she tried to give Taylor a Bomb, but Gail kicked her in the face. The action completely broke down until it was Angelina and Taylor in the ring, Angelina tried to finish off Taylor, but Taylor rolled her up with a roll-through pin for the win. [PWtorch.com]

08/14/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, FL - Taylor Wilde vs. Christy Hemme

This is a non-title match, with special guest referee Traci Brooks. Wilde hits a series of Arm Drags to start, then segues a Drop Toe Hold into some sort of pretzel-like submission. Christy dodges a charge in the corner and gets a Facebuster for two. She works Taylor's hair, standing on it and yanking the body and then just yanking the hair directly. Wilde fights back, but Christy slams her to the mat by the hair again. Christy stomps her a bit till Taylor is able to fend her off. A Northern Lights Suplex by Taylor gets two. Christy Matrix-es under a clothesline and hits a standing FFG for two. She goes for one off the top rope, but Taylor dodges and nails a German Suplex for the win.

After the match Awesome Kong's music hits, and she and Saeed hit the ring. Kong goes on the attack, but Traci pulls her off. Kong nails Traci with the Spinning Back Fist and a Choke Slam. The distraction is enough for Wilde to go on the offensive, but Saeed intervenes and knocks Taylor down. She grabs a chair, which she sets up in the middle of the ring. Gail Kim runs out to make the save. Kim gets her hands on the chair and just brains Kong with it. Kong retreats. [PWtorch.com]

08/21/08 TNA Impact! - Orlando, FL - Awesome Kong (w/Raisha Saeed) vs. Gail Kim - No DQ Knockouts Brawl

Backstage: Lauren brought in Gail Kim for an interview on Awesome Kong. Lauren asked if a street fight against Kong is really a good idea considering Kong's history of destroying her. Gail said that's a dumb question, then rhetorically and sarcastically asked if she should just back up her bags and leave? Well, I suppose we can take that as a literal response. She said she's given off this impression that she's an innocent good girl, but she's anything but that. Gail said we'll see a different side of her that's never been seen before.

Kong tried to charge Gail to start things off, but Gail pulled down the top rope and Kong went flying to the floor. They brawled, but Kong took control by whipping Gail into the ringpost. Kong took Gail up the grandstand stairs to the second level of the Impact Zone where Kong used an umbrella to knock around Gail. Gail then fell down the stairs to the ringside area, and Kong took her back over the guardrail to the ringside area. Gail's sister continued to look concerned as Kong picked apart Gail. Raisha tried to get involved, but Gail whipped her into the guardrail. Gail then ducked a clothesline and Kong smashed her arm into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Gail cornered Raisha and smashed her with multiple kendo stick shots. Kong tried to introduce a steel chair, but Gail kicked it into her face for a nearfall. Gail tried to follow with a burst of right hand blows, but Kong nailed the implant buster in center ring for the pin and the win.

Post-match: Referees tried to subdue Kong so she wouldn't inflict further damage on Gail, then Gail's sister slipped into the ring to protect Gail. Kong spun back around and eyed some fresh meat before slowly walking over to her. Kong slowly approached her before setting her up for an Awesome Bomb. Suddenly, ODB and Roxxi stormed the ring and made the save. Kong then reluctantly let her go before leaving the ring with a smile on her face. [PWtorch.com]

08/21/08 Internet News - Is Gail Kim WWE Bound?

Gail Kim, who had been the top female babyface in TNA until recently, appears to no longer be with the company. Her bio was removed from TNA’s Web site yesterday, and pwinsider.com reported late last night that she and TNA have parted ways.

An industry source told me that Kim had recently been in contract renegotiations with TNA, and that WWE was definitely interested in bringing her back if she was unable to reach an agreement on a new deal.

I have always thought that WWE made a big mistake when they released Kim in 2004. In TNA, she and Awesome Kong have been the top two female performers since the company created a women’s division last fall. The women’s division has been a ratings draw and is considered by many in the wrestling community – including me – to be one area in which TNA is clearly superior to WWE.

Signing Kim would make sense for WWE, which seems to be focusing more on wrestling and less on bikini contests and pillow fights when it comes to its women’s division. If WWE were to add Kim to a roster that already includes Beth Phoenix, Mickie James, Natalya, Katie Lea Burchill and Victoria (who, unfortunately, isn’t pushed), its women’s division, on paper, would arguably be just as strong as TNA’s.

As perhaps a sign that TNA was preparing to lose Kim, the company recently began pushing newly crowned women’s champion Taylor Wilde as its top babyface. BaltimoreSun.com

WebMaster's Note: When Gail left the WWE several years ago, we wondered about their stupidity. Now is the WWE's chance to have a very plausible Women's Division with Gail Kim pitted up against the likes of Beth Phoenix and Mickie James, but I'll bet ya that the WWE (if they rehire Gail) will muff this chance to have some real excitement to the division, by doing something stupid like having her on Smackdown.

08/21/08 Internet News - Gail Kim's Departure Surprising to Most in TNA, WWE in Her Future?

Gail Kim's departure from TNA has taken several people by surprise. One source told me this morning that he knew her contract was being renegotiated, but most people assumed it was a lock that she would re-sign with the company. There was no indication at the last set of television tapings that Kim was leaving in that there were no parties, nor was she saying goodbye to other wrestlers. "This really sucks for the women (in TNA)," one source told me.

Another source noted that Kim "wanted guarantees TNA was not willing to give," and noted that there were some issues over the separate contract she has with a booking agent who lines her up with personal appearances that created some conflict.

There is plenty of speculation that Kim will end up returning to World Wrestling Entertainment at some point. Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun reported in his Ring Posts column earlier today that he was told by an industry source recently that WWE was interested in bringing back Kim if TNA failed to re-sign her.

Powell's POV: Dot Net reader Zachary Heath pointed out that WWE recently changed its trademark on Kim from inactive to an active status. This would be a significant loss to the TNA Knockouts division, as Kim is widely regarded as the top female babyface wrestler in the company. ProWrestling.net

08/21/08 Internet News - TNA News: Gail Kim Apparently Departs TNA Over Contract Renewal Impasse (w/Keller Analysis)

Gail Kim has left TNA. She apparently had contract issues that didn't get resolved. Her bio has been removed from the TNA website. ProWrestling.net reports that Kim asked for guarantees in her contract negotiations that TNA couldn't provide, and that there may have been conflicts regardiing personal appearances and a separate agency she was working with.

Keller's Analysis: I don't know if Kim left with aspirations to return to her original national promotion, WWE, but if she does, it wouldn't surprise me. I suspected with the success of TNA's Knockouts (women's) division, that WWE would try to sign away a few of the names once they established their own second women's division on Smackdown. The TNA Knockouts draw the highest ratings consistently of anyone on Impact, but surely are paid much much less than the top male names. That gap should close with contract renewals, especially someone who helped built the Knockouts division. Kim's contribution to the spirit, athleticism, and seriousness of the Knockouts division was as significant as A.J. Styles and Jerry Lynn with the X Division six years ago. As I recently stated, her character was as much of a role model for girls and woman as you'll find on a pro wrestling show. [PWtorch.com]

08/22/08 Internet News - A Fitting Farewell for Gail Kim on Impact

I don’t know if TNA suspected that Gail Kim was leaving the company when it booked her to wrestle Awesome Kong at the taping for last night’s Impact, but it certainly was appropriate that Kim’s final match on the show was against her archrival.

The two centerpieces of TNA’s highly regarded women’s division have had some great matches against each other, and they delivered once again, this time in a streetfight. The entertaining brawl ended with Kim, who apparently is headed back to WWE, putting over Kong on her way out.

Kim versus Kong was a match-up that I never got tired of seeing, and I’m disappointed that the latest chapter in their feud basically ended as soon as it got started. However, I am happy for Kim, who reportedly got a significant pay increase to jump to WWE. She takes her craft very seriously, and her role in the profile of women’s wrestling in both companies be raised over the past year cannot be overstated. Kevin Eck BaltimoreSun.com

08/25/08 Internet News - TNA Impact Ratings: Gail Kim Goes Out On Top

TNA Impact drew a 1.1 rating, which is in line with the ratings the show was drawing before the Olympics started. The highest rated segment of the night was for the Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong street fight, which earned a 1.20 rating in the seventh quarter-hour. ProWrestling.net

09/01/08 Internet News - Main Reason Gail Kim Left TNA For WWE

The primary reason Gail Kim left TNA for WWE was due to the significant discrepancy between the kind of money WWE offered her and what TNA offered her. According to multiple sources, Kim really didn't really want to leave TNA, but she felt she had no choice but to accept WWE's offer due to the massive difference in money.

Despite being the most consistent TV ratings draws for the company, it appears that no matter how successful the female performers are for TNA, they're still not going to make much money, at least in comparison to the guys. The company still saw the top babyface in the division of what has become, from a television ratings standpoint, their most successful entity, as a low-budget expenditure. TNA offered their top female babyface star well under $100,000 per year, a figure that can only be met if she appears on a target number of shows, so if she gets hurt, she's not getting all the money. TNA's offer to Kim was said to be less than one-third of what WWE was offering - a six-figure downside guaranteed contract for three years. Also, Kim can potentially earn significantly more from appearing on pay-per-views and house shows, not to mention merchandise such as action figures. Additionally, TNA's lackluster offer to Kim probably doesn't bode well for the other girls in the company when their respective contracts come up considering that the top star couldn't even get a six figure offer.

Kim's friends had to talk her into leaving for WWE due to her strong sense of loyalty and happiness with TNA. While Kim loved TNA as well as her friends in the company, she couldn't justify not taking the significantly better offer from WWE. One friend of Kim said she really had no choice but to go for the financial security that only WWE can provide. One TNA source disappointed in her decision said she chose to be unhappy for more money rather than stay happy with the smaller company that made her a star. [Rajah.com] [PWtorch.com]

09/12/08 Internet News - Latest Update On WWE or Stay With TNA

At least as of a few days ago, Gail Kim has not signed a contract with WWE, but the talk over the weekend is that she's leaning towards them. She decided to talk with TNA again before making her final decision to see if they would be willing to offer money close to what WWE was offering. There is a still a huge difference between the two offers and people close to her are saying that the odds of her returning to TNA are rather small. If TNA offered Kim nearly the same amount of money WWE's offering, she'd likely be staying with them. [Rajah.com] [WrestlingObserver.com]