We previously reported on Baltimore Sun writer Kevin Eck having interviewed Kurt Angle backstage at the TNA iMPACT tapings on March 28.
Now, here are highlights from Eck's conversation with TNA Wrestling vixen and former WWE Diva Gail Kim:
Why do you think the TNA womenâs division has caught on with fans the way it has?
I think when we started this division, expectations were really low. Not to knock anything, but womenâs wrestling at that time was pretty much at a lull. There was not much going on except for a lot of T&A â pardon the pun (laughs). I think that the fans wanted to see something different. True wrestling fans love a great wrestling match.
And when the expectations are kind of low, itâs not hard to please, but I think weâve really worked hard and weâve shown the fans that weâre passionate about the business, that we want to entertain them, and they really truly appreciate us and itâs not all about just looks.
Iâve never understood what WWE was thinking when it released you. How surprised were you when it happened? Did that come out of left field?
Yeah, it really did. I remember us talking about a brand new story line at that time that was with me, Trish Stratus and Lita, and I actually went in the pre-tape room the day before. And then at Raw that night I did a run-in to start that whole angle, and then the very next day I got the phone call. So, yeah, I was shocked. Johnny Ace [John Laurinaitis, WWE senior vice president of talent relations] called me and basically said that I was released.
And then he just tried to hang up (laughs). I wasnât even upset; I was just in shock, I think. I said, âHold on, hold on. Can I get a reason for this?â He just said that they wanted to change the direction of the womenâs division. And they did; he didnât lie about that. But everything happens for a reason, and I would never have accomplished everything that I have to this day if that never happened.
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