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Mickie James’s 2022 Royal Rumble Return Is Still Crazy And A Bit Surreal

Originally posted on Wrestlezone
By Jayakrishna Dasappan | Last updated 12/25/23

One of the biggest surprises of the 2022 Royal Rumble event was the return of Mickie James. Her return was not as big of a surprise as it was previously announced. But the fact that she got to return as the IMPACT Knockout Women’s Champion was certainly a pleasant surprise.

During a recent interview with Gabby on the Gabby AF podcast, the former WWE Superstar shared her thoughts on the Royal Rumble match.

“It was a crazy feeling. And it was a bit surreal because you’re hoping and you’re praying. You’re like because you fight for all of these things like my entrance and The Knockouts Title, and to be able to represent that, and the cross-branding, and all these other things you fought. And because of my departure, I think to even say that I was going to be back at in a WWE ring so shortly after… If you would have told me back then, I’d have been like, ‘No way.’ But just… It’s crazy how things work out you know?” Mickie James said.

Mickie James wonders if she would have gotten the reaction if her return was kept a surprise

James also spoke about how the reaction would have been if things were kept a surprise.

“And they go like, ‘No I was actually right. I wasn’t wrong. It just wasn’t the right time or whatever.’ And to be able to go back and present that to the WWE audience and for them to recognize it and to react the way they did. I was just blown away. I can’t imagine what that reaction might have been had it actually been a surprise. Would it have been as loud? Would it have been so louder because it was so unexpected?

“I know nobody even once I was announced, nobody… Everyone was going, ‘They’re not going to let her be Hardcore Country. They’re certainly not going to talk about IMPACT…’ And in my mind, I already knew what the conversations I had right? What I asked, and what I really truly wanted and so…

“I was like, I’m just, ‘Going to let… Please… Like let this stay on course as it’s going and just stay the course and let it speak for itself. And I’m like, ‘Please people, react.’ And they did and the amount of love… You know, because when I left, I go like, ‘Oh maybe.’ We always downplay ourselves a lot. I think in this business where it’s easy to just kind of, perhaps in any business to downplay yourself and… It was cool. It was really really cool.”

She also stated, if she’s returning next time, she’s going to win.

“I’m not coming back to this Rumble unless I’m winning. Because, Hardcore Country at WrestleMania? It prints itself.”