Exclusive interview: Mickie James talks about defending championship at No Surrender

In an exclusive interview with FanSided’s Daily DDT, Impact Wrestling Knockout World Champion Mickie James talks about her defending her title against Tasha Steelz at No Surrender on Feb. 19th.

Mickie James continues to be one of the most interesting names in professional wrestling. After being unceremoniously released by the WWE as one of the many roster cuts made in recent months, James took that opportunity to build momentum for the next phase of her career. Now, she’s not only regained an important championship but also opened up doors in ways that many believed were long closed. Now, she’s preparing for a big title defense at No Surrender.

After having her own moment in history to become the number-one contender, Steelz is looking to take that Impact Wrestling Knockouts title from James at the upcoming PPV. She earned this opportunity by defeating Chelsea Green in the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X Match. Steelz has had a lot to say about James heading into the match, which the champion responded to in kind.

"“Well, obviously, she’s got a lot to say,” James said. “I’m excited because it’s going to be a great match. Regardless of how much crap she talks, I do think she is a star, and I think that she’s an incredible performer,  and it’s a different type of match that the Impact audience has seen from me since I’ve returned, because I’ve been in a very serious bloody feud with Deanna leading up to this.”"

James even went as far as to praise her opponent’s ability to sell the matchup and try to play mind games, adding that she brings an entertainment value to the contest.

"“Yeah, well, she’s very, very good at it,” James said. “That’s what I was saying. She obviously has a lot to say. I mean, it is entertaining. I have to admit that she’s entertaining. I don’t know what to think of it. I don’t really, because I feel like she’s just trying to get in my head, and obviously that’s her attitude and that’s her sass, and I can respect that because I love a bit of personality.However, she can go a little too far sometimes obviously, and she’s a little bit disrespectful sometimes. But these are the games of warfare that we play in order to… because winning a match, especially a championship match, is not just the art of the wrestling inside the ring, but there’s a lot more. It’s a mental game. It’s a psyche game and all of the things. So I’m not that pressed about it, because I’m equally as good at playing mind games.”"

Their back-and-forth can’t be contained to what goes on in the ring, as they continue to take shots at each other in social media, neither woman being willing to back down.

Even with all the back and forth, James is looking to come out the victory at No Surrender, keeping the Knockouts Championship around her waist.

"“Really, aside from bringing my A game and obviously proving her wrong and all this trash that she’s had to talk,” James said. “I don’t really know what to expect because I’m wondering what to expect from her. This is going to be the first time we’ve actually really faced off in a singles match, period. So I’ve been going back and just trying to study her and trying to prepare for that. I certainly don’t intend on losing my championships, so especially not in New Orleans or anytime soon, period. And what better way to make her name for herself than by Mickie James? That’s a pretty big feather to put in your hat, but I don’t intend on that happening.”"

Mickie James versus Tasha Steelz is a big match for the future of the IMPACT Wrestling women’s division. James is confident that she’s going to come out as champion, and Steelz is looking to bring home another singles championship. This match could easily steal the show at the PPV.

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