Knockout is a term used by
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Impact Wrestling (stylized as ''IMPACT! Wrestling''), is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment.
Founded by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett in 2002, the promo ...
(TNA) to refer to its female talent. The term is applied universally to
wrestlers
Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat spo ...
, backstage interviewers, and
managers/valets.
History
Early history
The term Knockouts is relatively new and was not used when Impact Wrestling (then known as NWA: Total Nonstop Action) debuted in 2002. The name originated from a DVD release in 2006 by the company, ''Knockouts: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling, Vol.1'', which focused on its then-current female stars. The name "Knockouts" as a catchall name for the women stuck after that. Female performers have been a part of TNA since the first national show, which featured
Alexis Laree
Mickie Laree James (born August 31, 1979) Additional January 6, 2017. is an American professional wrestler and country singer. She is currently signed to Impact Wrestling. She has also had tenures in WWE and the National Wrestling Alliance (NW ...
,
Elektra, Erin Bray,
Francine, Miss Joni, Sasha,
Shannon, Taylor Vaughn and Teresa Tyler, as well as other female talent, including backstage interviewer
Goldy Locks
Moon Shadow (born March 28, 1979) is an American singer and professional wrestling personality who uses the stage name Goldylocks or Goldy Locks. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as an interviewe ...
and valets
Aleesha and Fluff Dupp.
Bobcat also debuted as a valet in a match that was taped during the first PPV, but aired during the second PPV.
Miss TNA (2002)
A Lingerie Battle Royal to crown the first 'Miss TNA' was taped during the very first NWA:TNA weekly PPV on June 19, 2002, and was aired during the second PPV on June 26, 2002. Taylor Vaughn won the first Miss TNA crown. She defended the title against Francine, who soon afterward abandoned her pursuit of the title and engaged in a brief feud with
Jasmin St. Claire
Jasmin St. Claire (born October 23, 1972) is an American former pornographic actress. She is also known for her work as a professional wrestling personality, most notably for ECW. She has made appearances in the world of professional wrestling a ...
. Vaughn lost the title when she was defeated by male character
Bruce
The English language name Bruce arrived in Scotland with the Normans, from the place name Brix, Manche in Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands". Initially promulgated via the descendants of king Robert the Bruce (1274−1329), it has been ...
a few weeks later. Although male, he claimed that he should be entitled to wrestle for the Miss TNA crown because he was gay. Bruce held the crown for three months and during his time as Miss TNA he attacked many female wrestlers and fans, enraging the male stars of TNA including Jorge Estrada. The two then had a singles match with the stipulation that if Estrada won, Priscilla would become the new Miss TNA. Although Estrada won the match, the crown didn't change hands because he won by disqualification. In the next weeks, Bruce's tag team partner,
Lenny, tried to get Bruce injured (since the runner-up would then take over the crown should the champion be injured). This led to the breakup of ''The Rainbow Express'', and Bruce's homosexuality was questioned by backstage interviewer
Goldy Locks
Moon Shadow (born March 28, 1979) is an American singer and professional wrestling personality who uses the stage name Goldylocks or Goldy Locks. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as an interviewe ...
, who claimed she had seen him in the shower with April Pennington. The storyline soon came to a close due to poor crowd reception, with Pennington and Goldylocks walking off together holding hands, as Lenny and Bruce fought over Pennington. The storyline ended with Bruce declaring himself straight and handing his crown over to Pennington. The Miss TNA crown wasn't mentioned on-screen afterward. Throughout 2002, TNA also featured Belladonna in a valet role and former ''
WWE Tough Enough
''WWE Tough Enough'' was an American professional wrestling reality competition series that was produced by WWE, wherein participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season ...
'' contestant Paulina as a bodyguard.
Post–Miss TNA (2003–2006)
Women's wrestling continued to be a feature of the weekly PPVs before an official women's division was established in 2007. In 2003, cage dancers (many of whom were independent female wrestlers who were then unknown at the time, including
Lollipop
A lollipop is a type of sugar candy usually consisting of hard candy mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking. Different informal terms are used in different places, including lolly, sucker, sticky-pop, etc. Lollipops are ava ...
) were used near the top of the entrance ramp, but this concept was abandoned shortly after its conception. One of TNA's early controversial moments ensued on the March 12, 2003, pay-per-view when Lollipop had her top ripped off during a catfight with
S.E.X. member Holly Wood and exposed her breasts throughout the fight. TNA also featured
ring girl
Ring may refer to:
* Ring (jewellery), a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry
* To make a sound with a bell, and the sound made by a bell
:(hence) to initiate a telephone connection
Arts, entertainment and media Film and ...
Athena in many feuds and altercations.
From 2003-2004, TNA regularly used several female wrestlers on their PPVs and television programs, including
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God th ...
,
Desire,
Alexis Laree
Mickie Laree James (born August 31, 1979) Additional January 6, 2017. is an American professional wrestler and country singer. She is currently signed to Impact Wrestling. She has also had tenures in WWE and the National Wrestling Alliance (NW ...
,
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
,
Cheerleader Melissa
Melissa Anderson (born August 17, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she worked as Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed. ...
,
Nurse Veronica
Veronica "Ronnie" Carrejo-Brazier (born July 19, 1973), also known by her ring name Simply Luscious, is an American professional wrestler best known for her stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Since 2004, she has been performing on the inde ...
(who also competed as Simply Luscious), and
Cheerleader Valentina
Elizabeth Miklosi (born August 10, 1983), known professionally as Lizzy Valentine, is a former United States, American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Valet, valet, Model (person), model, and ...
(who also competed as JV Love); however, they were often primarily depicted as
valets
A valet or varlet is a male servant who serves as personal attendant to his employer. In the Middle Ages and Ancien Régime, valet de chambre was a role for junior courtiers and specialists such as artists in a royal court, but the term "valet ...
who occasionally wrestled. Of all the women utilized at this time, Trinity was the most active in the ring, as she feuded with Desire, Alexis Laree, and Traci Brooks, as well as competed in the
X Division
The X Division is a high-flying, high-risk, fast-paced style of professional wrestling seen in Impact Wrestling (formerly Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) and since then in various NWA member promotions. Its tagline is that "It's not about weight ...
. During this time, TNA also briefly featured an all-female faction named "
Bitchslap" that consisted of Nurse Veronica, Traci Brooks, Cheerleader Valentina, and Trinity (who only appeared twice with the group). They were engaged in a feud with TNA dancers Lollipop and April Pennington.
Independent female wrestlers were frequently featured on ''
TNA Xplosion
''Xplosion'' was a professional wrestling television program that was produced by the Impact Wrestling promotion. Launched in 2002, the show featured highlights from Impact's flagship television program, exclusive taped matches, and other conte ...
'' and occasionally on TNA pay-per-views, including
Angel Williams
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
(who would later return as Angelina Love),
April Hunter
April Hunter (born September 24, 1976) is an American retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, boxer, actress, writer, fitness model and glamour model. She has appeared in publications including ''MuscleMag International'' ...
, Brandi Wine,
Daizee Haze,
Lucy
Lucy is an English feminine given name derived from the Latin masculine given name Lucius with the meaning ''as of light'' (''born at dawn or daylight'', maybe also ''shiny'', or ''of light complexion''). Alternative spellings are Luci, Luce, Lu ...
(who previously competed as Shannon and would later return as Daffney),
Malia Hosaka
Malia Hosaka (born October 7, 1969) is an American professional wrestler. She is a former NWA World Women's Champion.
Professional wrestling career
Malia Hosaka was trained by Killer Kowalski at the wrestling training camp run by Misty Blue Simmes ...
,
Mercedes Martinez
Jazmin Benitez (born November 17, 1980) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Mercedes Martinez. She also appears for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where she is a form ...
,
MsChif
Rachel Frobel (née Collins) is an American professional wrestler who is better known by her ring name MsChif. She has been wrestling since 2001 and in that time has worked for several independent promotions across the United States, with guest m ...
, and
ODB ODB may refer to:
People
* Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968–2004), American rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan
* ODB (wrestler) (born 1978), Stage name of American professional wrestler Jessica Kresa
* Original David Baker (born 1972), a monik ...
(who also wrestled as Poison).
TNA briefly recognized the
NWA World Women's Championship
The NWA World Women's Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). The title was first won by Mildred Burke in 193 ...
in 2003. On March 12, 2003,
Leilani Kai
Patty Seymour (born January 23, 1960) is a semi-retired professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Leilani Kai. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school. In the 1980s, as part of the World Wrestling ...
defeated Madison to win the NWA World Women's Championship in a dark match on a TNA pay-per-view. On April 19, 2003, Kai defended the title against Desire at a house show, but she was later stripped of the title by NWA President Bill Behrens due to missing several subsequent NWA shows. According to Kai, she skipped the shows because she felt the NWA governing board was not treating the Women's Championship with the respect it deserved, such as not televising title matches on the TNA pay-per-views and ''
TNA Xplosion
''Xplosion'' was a professional wrestling television program that was produced by the Impact Wrestling promotion. Launched in 2002, the show featured highlights from Impact's flagship television program, exclusive taped matches, and other conte ...
''.
Fewer women's matches were featured toward the end of 2004 and throughout 2005; however, TNA did feature pay-per-view matches pitting Trinity against former WWE Diva
Jacqueline and Traci Brooks. TNA also featured
Minsa in an on-air non-wrestling role.
Following the debut of the ''
TNA iMPACT!
''Impact!'' (stylized as ''IMPACT!''), also known as ''IMPACT! on AXS TV'',
is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American promotion Impact Wrestling (formerly known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)) tha ...
'' television program in 2005, TNA featured former WWE Divas such as
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
,
Jackie Gayda, and
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
, as well as independent female wrestler
Sirelda
Jaime Dauncey is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, best known for her appearances with NWA Total Nonstop Action in 2006 under the ring name Sirelda and on the independent circuit as Jaime D.
Professional wrestling career
Early caree ...
in prominent on-air roles and feuds. Although most of the prior female talent had left TNA by this time, Traci Brooks remained in an on-air role and TNA added a new ring girl,
SoCal Val (replacing Athena) and backstage interviewer,
Leticia Cline (replacing Goldy Locks). Gail Kim competed in a few matches that were televised and/or taped throughout 2006 against Sirelda and Traci Brooks, while independent wrestler
Amber O'Neal
Kimberly Dawn Davis (born June 22, 1974) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Amber O’Neal.
She formerly wrestled in Ring of Honor (ROH) in their "Women of Honor" division as well as various promotions on the U. ...
competed at TNA house shows in matches against Kim and Jacqueline. In the fall of 2006,
Sherri Martel
Sherry Schrull (née Russell; born February 8, 1958 – June 15, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri.
Martel began her professional wrestling career in the ...
appeared on ''TNA iMPACT!'' in her final televised appearance before her death the following year.
Knockouts Division (2007–present)
The formation of an official women's division began at
Final Resolution in 2007 as TNA spent the early part of the year building up the feud between Gail Kim and Jacqueline, who made her on-air return at the pay-per-view also during the summer a feud between Christy Hemme and
Roxxi Laveaux took place. The first
TNA Women's Knockout Champion was crowned on October 14, 2007, at
Bound for Glory in a 10–Knockout gauntlet match which Gail Kim won with lastly eliminating Roxxi Laveaux. Around this time, TNA signed several additional female wrestlers and personalities, including
Angel Williams
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
,
Amazing Kong
Kia Stevens (born September 4, 1977) is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Awesome Kong. She also worked with Ring ...
,
ODB ODB may refer to:
People
* Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968–2004), American rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan
* ODB (wrestler) (born 1978), Stage name of American professional wrestler Jessica Kresa
* Original David Baker (born 1972), a monik ...
,
Shelly Martinez
Shelly Leonor Martinez (born February 9, 1980) is an American model, actress, retired professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total ...
, and
Talia Madison
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
who were then renamed after the PPV, as well as valet
Karen Jarrett
Karen Jarrett (' Smedley and formerly Angle, born October 12, 1972) is an American professional wrestling Valet (wrestling), valet and personality. She was formerly the senior vice president of the Impact Knockouts Division. She is the former w ...
and new backstage interviewer
Crystal Louthan. In a stark departure to TNA's past programming where their female talent were often promoted as
eye candy with little to no emphasis on athleticism or wrestling ability, in the same fashion as their WWE Diva counterparts during that time period, TNA's women's division emphasized on serious wrestling competition between their female talent, as well as their credibility on par with their male counterparts. Since the inception of an official championship, matches and segments involving the Knockouts have contributed to drawing some of the better ratings of Impact shows.
Since 2008, TNA continued to expand the women's division by featuring various prospective independent talents, veterans, and reality show winners such as
Sharmell
Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman (born November 2, 1970) is an American retired professional wrestling valet, dancer, beauty queen, and professional wrestler. As the wife of Booker T, she is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (W ...
,
Taylor Wilde
Shantelle Larissa Malawski (born January 26, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler. She is signed with Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Taylor Wilde.
Malawski was under a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract ...
,
Daffney
Shannon Claire Spruill (July 17, 1975 – September 1, 2021) was an American professional wrestler, wrestling manager and actress better known by her ring name Daffney.
Daffney began her professional wrestling career in World Championship Wre ...
,
Tara,
Hamada
A hamada ( ar, حمادة, ) is a type of desert landscape consisting of high, largely barren, hard rocky plateaus, where most of the sand has been removed by deflation. The majority of the Sahara is in fact hamada. Other examples are Negev dese ...
,
Sarita,
Mickie James, and ''
Survivor: The Amazon'' winner Jenna Morasca while Lauren Brooke became the new backstage interviewer at Lockdown and
Daizee Haze who appeared in the first few years of the company returned in a one time match on May 1 losing to
Cheerleader Melissa
Melissa Anderson (born August 17, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she worked as Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed. ...
who was also pulling dual role under the Raisha Saeed gimmick at that time.
![Sarah Stock & Shantelle Malawski](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Sarah_Stock_%26_Shantelle_Malawski.jpg)
The division would see the start of many various changes when in August, Gail Kim's contract with TNA expired and instead of renewing it, she decided to return to rival
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vari ...
for a second run. At the start of the following year in 2009,
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
debuted in TNA on January 8 and became the third member of
The Beautiful People alongside existing members Angelina Love and Velvet Sky which made the tag team a stable and the
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship is a women's professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the professional wrestling promotion Impact Wrestling. It is contested for mainly by teams consisting of two female wrestlers in I ...
was introduced at
No Surrender and Sarita and Taylor Wilde became the first
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when they won the final match of an eight–team tournament.
The women's division would see a start of vast departures in fall of 2009 beginning when Angelina Love left the company on September 3 due to visa work issue, Love was replaced by Lacey Von Erich in the Beautiful People stable and then immediately returned to the company the following year on January 14. Later on,
Awesome Kong
Kia Stevens (born September 4, 1977) is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Awesome Kong. She also worked with Ri ...
, Alissa Flash, Roxxi, Traci Brooks, Roxxi, ODB, and Tara (although would return two months later on July 11 at
Victory Road) all departed from the company mutually or due to controversial circumstances. Madison Rayne made history by becoming the first person to hold both the Women's Knockout Championship and the Knockouts Tag Team Championship simultaneously at
Lockdown
A lockdown is a restriction policy for people, community or a country to stay where they are, usually due to specific risks (such as COVID-19) that could possibly harm the people if they move and interact freely.
The term is used for a prison ...
. On August 8, Francine appeared in a pre-taped interview at the ECW reunion themed Hardcore Justice and Lacey Von Erich, Hamada, and Taylor Wilde departed from the company at the end of the year. Despite departures during this time period, the division continued to grow.
Despite initially departing the company in individual time periods, Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Awesome Kong, Alissa Flash, Traci Brooks, Roxxi, ODB, Jacqueline, SoCal Val, Mickie James, Thea Trinidad, Karen Jarrett, Christy Hemme, Taryn Terrell, Brooke, Katarina, and Madison Rayne would return to the company in later years either full-time or short lived runs and through special appearances.
In the years of 2011-2013 in which on March 15, 2011, Daffney's contract with TNA expired and was not renewed. then 7 months later, Gail Kim returned to TNA, after spending the past three years with WWE during her second run.
Taeler Hendrix
Taeler Conrad-Mellen is an American professional wrestler and valet, better known by the ring name Taeler Hendrix. She is best known for her work in Ring of Honor (ROH).
Starting her career in 2007, she spent her first years working on the indep ...
was signed to a contract through the company's
Gut Check Challenge, becoming the first ever woman to win the contest and in August 2012,
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Dryden (née Terrell; born December 28, 1985) is an American model, actress, stuntwoman, ring announcer, and a retired professional wrestler.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), under her real ...
joined the division as the official referee although later on would be transitioned into an active role to receive a push to feud with Gail Kim. Sarita departed from TNA entering the year of 2013 after her contract would expire.
Lei'D Tapa
Seini Draughn (née Tonga, born 27 November 1982) is a German-born Tongan American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, model, mixed martial artist and former women's American football player. Having been previously working for ...
became the second female talent signed to a contract through the
Gut Check Challenge. In the summer, the
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship is a women's professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the professional wrestling promotion Impact Wrestling. It is contested for mainly by teams consisting of two female wrestlers in I ...
would be deactivated when on the June 20, 2013, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Knockouts Division Executive
Brooke Hogan
Brooke Ellen Bollea (born May 5, 1988), better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, is an American television personality, singer, and actress. The daughter of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, she at one point served as an on-screen personal ...
stripped ODB and Eric Young of the title because Young was a male talent. This ultimately resulted in the titles being no longer being listed among TNA's active championships. The women's division would see again the start of vast departures when
SoCal Val,
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
,
Tara,
Mickie James, and
Taeler Hendrix
Taeler Conrad-Mellen is an American professional wrestler and valet, better known by the ring name Taeler Hendrix. She is best known for her work in Ring of Honor (ROH).
Starting her career in 2007, she spent her first years working on the indep ...
all departed from the company entering the month of July to mid-Fall mutually; Rayne was originally granted a maternity leave in early March due to real life pregnancy, Hendrix's departure made
Lei'D Tapa
Seini Draughn (née Tonga, born 27 November 1982) is a German-born Tongan American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, model, mixed martial artist and former women's American football player. Having been previously working for ...
the only female talent signed from the short-lived
Gut Check Challenge, and SoCal Val's departure left
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
as the longest tenured female talent within the company. The vast departures lead to
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
,
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
,
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
,
ODB ODB may refer to:
People
* Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968–2004), American rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan
* ODB (wrestler) (born 1978), Stage name of American professional wrestler Jessica Kresa
* Original David Baker (born 1972), a monik ...
,
Brooke,
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Dryden (née Terrell; born December 28, 1985) is an American model, actress, stuntwoman, ring announcer, and a retired professional wrestler.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), under her real ...
,
Lei'D Tapa
Seini Draughn (née Tonga, born 27 November 1982) is a German-born Tongan American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, model, mixed martial artist and former women's American football player. Having been previously working for ...
,
Hannah Blossom,
Holly Blossom,
Rebel
A rebel is a participant in a rebellion.
Rebel or rebels may also refer to:
People
* Rebel (given name)
* Rebel (surname)
* Patriot (American Revolution), during the American Revolution
* American Southerners, as a form of self-identification; ...
, and
Brittany
Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical country and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was known as Armorica during the period ...
remaining and continuing on with the company.
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Dryden (née Terrell; born December 28, 1985) is an American model, actress, stuntwoman, ring announcer, and a retired professional wrestler.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), under her real ...
would be granted a maternity leave in August due to real life pregnancy.
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
would return to the company in late November after departing from the company earlier in the March.
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
would win the Knockouts Championship at the
Sacrifice pay-per-view for a record-breaking sixth time A few days later, Lei'D Tapa departed from the company after her contract expired.
Throughout August, vignettes hyping the debut of
Havok would air on ''Impact Wrestling''. Havok made her debut by attacking Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell after their title match on the September 3 broadcast of ''Impact Wrestling''. During the tapings of ''Impact Wrestling'' on September 16, Havok defeated Kim in the main event of ''Impact Wrestling'' to win the TNA Women's Knockout Championship for the first time; the match aired on
tape delay on October 1. Havok lost the championship three days later to Taryn Terrell in a three-way match that also involved Gail Kim; the match aired on tape delay on November 19.
Towards the end of the year of 2015 in October, for the first time ever, the TNA Knockouts entered a tournament for the vacant
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The Impact World Championship is a professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by Impact Wrestling. It is the promotion's principal championship. Like most professional wrestling championships, the title is won via the result o ...
; Awesome Kong, Gail Kim, Madison Rayne, and Brooke were revealed to being the representatives of the women's division in the group. Brooke announced her departure from the company on November 24. On December 29, just weeks before TNA's début on ''
Pop TV
Pop TV is a Slovenian generalist television channel operated by Pro Plus d.o.o., a subsidiary of Central European Media Enterprises (CME), which is in turn owned by Czech investment company PPF.
News programs
POP TV's current news programmin ...
'',
Maria Kanellis
Mary Louis "Maria" Kanellis-Bennett (born February 25, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager, actress, model and former singer, She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling where she was a member of ...
signed with the company. At
Bound for Glory, Awesome Kong,
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Dryden (née Terrell; born December 28, 1985) is an American model, actress, stuntwoman, ring announcer, and a retired professional wrestler.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), under her real ...
, and
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
made a special appearance to induct Gail Kim in the
TNA Hall of Fame
The Impact Hall of Fame (stylized as ''IMPACT! Hall of Fame'') is a hall of fame that honors professional wrestlers and wrestling personalities who contributed to the history of the U.S. based wrestling promotion Impact Wrestling formally known as ...
. Throughout 2016, the division included various competitors who just joined the company. Most of them had title reigns with the Knockouts Championship, such as
Jade,
Sienna
Sienna (from it, terra di Siena, meaning "Siena earth") is an earth pigment containing iron oxide and manganese oxide. In its natural state, it is yellowish brown and is called raw sienna. When heated, it becomes a reddish brown and is call ...
and
Allie
Allie is a unisex given name, a nickname and, more rarely a surname. It is a diminutive form of several names beginning with ''Al-''. It may refer to:
Given name or nickname Female
* Allie (wrestler) (born 1987), Canadian professional wrestler
...
. In 2017, at
Slammiversary XV, Sienna defeated
Rosemary
''Salvia rosmarinus'' (), commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. Until 2017, it was known by the scientific name ''Rosmar ...
in a
unification match which saw the TNA Knockouts Championship and
GFW Women's Championship
Global Force Wrestling was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2014 by Jeff Jarrett, the co-founder and former President of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling), and his wife Karen Jarrett. It is o ...
get unified. During Sienna's reign the title was renamed to ''Impact Wrestling Knockouts Championship''. Shortly after, at
Bound for Glory, Gail Kim won the title for the record–setting seventh time and also became the first woman to
retire
Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours or workload.
Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their j ...
while holding the title. Kim would transition to behind the scenes as a producer. After Kim's retirement, the Knockouts Championship would become vacant in late 2017 as a 6-woman tournament would be held in which
Laurel Van Ness
Chelsea Anne Cardona (born April 4, 1991) is a Canadian professional wrestler, stuntwoman and model. She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling where she is a former impact Knockouts champion and Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion ...
defeated Rosemary in the finals to win the championship for the first time.
Two years later,
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
would come out of retirement in a storyline with
Tessa Blanchard
Tessa Blanchard (born July 26, 1995) is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling, where she became the first female wrestler to win the Impact World Championship and is also a former Impact Knockouts ...
. Both eventually faced off at
Rebellion as Blanchard defeated Kim. Kim would officially retire. Four months later, Tessa Blanchard became the first woman to main event at
Slammiversary XVII against
Sami Callihan
Samuel Alton Johnston (born September 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by the ring name Sami Callihan, currently signed with Impact Wrestling and is a former Impact World Champion. He also wrestled for Luch ...
in an
intergender match. Most of the year of 2019 revolved around Tessa Blanchard and her continued feud with
Sami Callihan
Samuel Alton Johnston (born September 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by the ring name Sami Callihan, currently signed with Impact Wrestling and is a former Impact World Champion. He also wrestled for Luch ...
and his faction,
Ohio Versus Everything
Ohio Versus Everything (OVE, stylized as oVe) was an American professional wrestling stable that consisted primarily of Sami Callihan, Dave Crist, Jake Crist, and Madman Fulton.
The group's name is based on all four members hailing from the s ...
. Towards the end of the year of 2019 on the company's premiere on AXS Television, Blanchard became the number one contender for the Impact World Championship after winning a mini tournament. In this year also,
Taya Valkyrie
Kira Renée Magnin-Forster (born October 22, 1983) is a Canadian professional wrestler, fitness competitor, and model better known by the ring name Taya Valkyrie.
She is currently appearing for Impact Wrestling, where she is a current two-tim ...
became the longest reigning Knockouts Champion surpassing
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Dryden (née Terrell; born December 28, 1985) is an American model, actress, stuntwoman, ring announcer, and a retired professional wrestler.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), under her real ...
.
On January 12, 2020, at
Hard To Kill, Tessa Blanchard became the first woman to win the Impact World Championship. Blanchard also became the first woman in professional wrestling to win a major male world championship, making history.
On August 24 at the second night of ''Emergence'' special,
Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo (born June 10, 1994) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she is a former two-time Impact Knockouts World Champion and a former Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion. She also appe ...
defended the Knockouts Championship against
Jordynne Grace
Patricia Forrest Parker (born March 5, 1996) is an American professional wrestler and powerlifter currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Jordynne Grace. She is currently the Impact Knockouts World Champio ...
in the first Knockouts 30-minute
Iron man match in Impact history, where Purrazzo was victorious with two falls over one.
On October 23, 2021
Jordynne Grace
Patricia Forrest Parker (born March 5, 1996) is an American professional wrestler and powerlifter currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Jordynne Grace. She is currently the Impact Knockouts World Champio ...
also made history when she became the first Knockout to become the
Impact Digital Media Champion a intergender title that is a mostly male dominant title in
Sunrise Manor, NV at
Bound for Glory of 2021 by defeating
Chelsea Green
Chelsea Anne Cardona (born April 4, 1991) is a Canadian professional wrestler, stuntwoman and model. She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling where she is a former impact Knockouts champion and Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion ...
,
Crazzy Steve
Steven Scott (born March 4, 1984) is a Canadian professional wrestler, currently signed with Impact Wrestling, under the ring name Crazzy Steve, where he is a former Impact World Tag Team Champion. He also wrestles on the independent circuit fo ...
,
Fallah Bahh, John Skyler, and
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
in a tournament final
intergender six-way match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick, gimmick matches" in the Glossary of professional wrestling terms, jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. So ...
to become the inaugural champion.
On October 21, 2023 at
Bound for Glory of 2023 Jordynne Grace once more made history by becoming the first women / knockout to win the first Impact! 20-person
Intergender Call Your Shot Gauntlet
A Gauntlet for the Gold match is a professional wrestling match used in Impact Wrestling.
Match format
Different from the other gauntlet matches, in which one competitor faces several others in turn, the Gauntlet for the Gold match is very simil ...
by last eliminating
Bully Ray.
Knockouts Division authority figure
In August 2008, it was announced on ''TNAwrestling.com'' that Traci Brooks was officially in charge of the Knockouts Division as the
Knockouts Division Commissioner, also known as the "Knockout Law". On screen credit was given to
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American author and podcaster who has previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, promoter, trainer, and occasional prof ...
(at the time, the highest position of on-screen authority the fans saw), who was fed up with the Knockouts, and needed someone who "spoke their language" to control them. In January 2009, Brooks stopped appearing in TNA and Cornette resumed control over the Knockout division. Brooks returned on the March 12, 2009, edition of ''Impact!'' as a referee. She was released on March 4, 2010. Since the year of 2009, there has been five female talents who were appointed the role of authority figure in the women's division.
Promotion
The popularity of women in TNA has resulted cross-promotion with other brands featuring the TNA Knockouts.
TNA Knockout DVDs and television specials
* In 2006, TNA released the first Knockouts DVD entitled ''Knockouts: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling'' which featured
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
,
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
,
Jackie Gayda,
SoCal Val, and
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
; much similar to their rival company female talent, this video release was the first and only DVD where the Knockouts were featured in select outdoor locations.
* In 2008, TNA released their second Knockouts DVD on October 7, 2008, entitled ''TNA Knockouts: Knocked Out'' which featured
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
,
Awesome Kong
Kia Stevens (born September 4, 1977) is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Awesome Kong. She also worked with Ri ...
,
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
,
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
,
Jacqueline,
Karen Jarrett
Karen Jarrett (' Smedley and formerly Angle, born October 12, 1972) is an American professional wrestling Valet (wrestling), valet and personality. She was formerly the senior vice president of the Impact Knockouts Division. She is the former w ...
,
Lauren,
ODB ODB may refer to:
People
* Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968–2004), American rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan
* ODB (wrestler) (born 1978), Stage name of American professional wrestler Jessica Kresa
* Original David Baker (born 1972), a monik ...
,
Raisha Saeed,
Rhaka Khan
Trenesha Biggers (born December 25, 1981) is an American former model and professional wrestler. She is best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan; she also appeared with WWE as Trenesha, co ...
,
Roxxi,
Salinas,
Sharmell
Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman (born November 2, 1970) is an American retired professional wrestling valet, dancer, beauty queen, and professional wrestler. As the wife of Booker T, she is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (W ...
,
SoCal Val,
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
,
Taylor Wilde
Shantelle Larissa Malawski (born January 26, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler. She is signed with Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Taylor Wilde.
Malawski was under a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract ...
, and
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
documenting the 1st anniversary of the launching of the division. Karen Jarrett was chosen for the cover, with an alternative cover featuring Christy Hemme.
* In 2017, Impact released the first female anthology entitled ''The Essential Gail Kim Collection'' which revolved around Gail Kim's professional wrestling career including her time with the company in her two tenures showcasing favorite matches and her Hall of Fame induction.
The popularity of women in Impact Wrestling has also resulted in the company devoting pay-per-view to television specials to the women's division. At the end of the year of 2009 on December 31, TNA promoted a special four-hour, all Knockout episode of ''Impact!'', titled ''New Year's Knockout Eve'', which featured a tournament for the number one contendership to the Women's Knockout Championship.
April Hunter
April Hunter (born September 24, 1976) is an American retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, boxer, actress, writer, fitness model and glamour model. She has appeared in publications including ''MuscleMag International'' ...
who competed with the organization in its early years returned in this special competing in a tag team match. Six years later, TNA announced the second Knockouts-themed show for the first time which aired on April 17, 2015, titled 'TKO: Total Knockouts'.
In the year of 2010, TNA premiered an all Knockout highlight pay-per-view special on October 1, titled TNA Knockouts: Mad Sexy Volume 1, featuring the best matches in the history of the Knockout division. as Volume 2 premiered February 1, 2011. Three years later, TNA recorded an all knockouts pay-per-view on March 7, which aired on September 6, titled
TNA Knockouts Knockdown. It was part of special series of pay-per-views released by TNA called
TNA One Night Only
''One Night Only'' was a series of professional wrestling events held by Impact Wrestling launched in April 2013. The concept was announced on January 11, 2013 by then-Total Nonstop Action (TNA) President Dixie Carter as a part of a change to their ...
. Since the start of the first event,
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God th ...
,
Jacqueline,
Alissa Flash
Melissa Anderson (born August 17, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she worked as Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed. ...
,
Sojournor Bolt,
MaryKate,
Thea Trinidad
Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen (born December 27, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and actress. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Zelina Vega, and is a member of Legado Del Fant ...
, and
Shelly Martinez
Shelly Leonor Martinez (born February 9, 1980) is an American model, actress, retired professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total ...
made special appearances for the company's annual event.
TNA Knockouts Trading Cards
TRISTAR Productions
TriStar Productions (TSP) is an American film and television production company, a division of TriStar Pictures and a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) and former 20th Century Fox chairman Tom Rothman.
The new company share ...
released a TNA Knockouts trading card series on April 28, 2009. The set featured
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
,
Awesome Kong
Kia Stevens (born September 4, 1977) is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Awesome Kong. She also worked with Ri ...
,
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
,
Dixie Carter
Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010) was an American actress. She starred as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom ''Designing Women'' (1986–1993) and as Randi King on the drama series ''Family Law'' (1999–2002). She was nomin ...
,
The Governor,
Jacqueline,
Jenna Morasca,
Lauren,
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
,
ODB ODB may refer to:
People
* Ol' Dirty Bastard (1968–2004), American rapper and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan
* ODB (wrestler) (born 1978), Stage name of American professional wrestler Jessica Kresa
* Original David Baker (born 1972), a monik ...
,
Raisha Saeed,
Rhaka Khan
Trenesha Biggers (born December 25, 1981) is an American former model and professional wrestler. She is best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan; she also appeared with WWE as Trenesha, co ...
,
Roxxi,
Sharmell
Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman (born November 2, 1970) is an American retired professional wrestling valet, dancer, beauty queen, and professional wrestler. As the wife of Booker T, she is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (W ...
,
SoCal Val,
Sojournor Bolt,
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
,
Taylor Wilde
Shantelle Larissa Malawski (born January 26, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler. She is signed with Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Taylor Wilde.
Malawski was under a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract ...
, and
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
. Also included are cards pairing the Knockouts with male TNA wrestlers.
Playboy
Shortly before leaving Impact Wrestling, backstage interviewer
Leticia Cline appeared on the cover of the November/December 2007 issue of ''
Playboy's Sexy Girls Next Door'', which included her nude photo shoot.
In an interview with ''
The Sun'',
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
confirmed that ''
Playboy
''Playboy'' is an American men's Lifestyle magazine, lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from H ...
'' magazine (which previously had a partnership agreement with WWE prior to the organization converting to PG-rated television content) reached a new partnership agreement with Impact Wrestling. Brooks was originally scheduled to be featured in the November 2009 issue including becoming the first Impact Wrestling Knockout to appear in ''Playboy''. However, Playboy decided not to publish Brooks' photo shoot in their magazine. The photo shoot was instead released online through their Cyber Club website on September 17, 2009.
Other
Publications
Beautiful People members
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
and
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
were featured on the cover and in a pictorial in the December 2009 issue of ''
Muscle & Fitness
''Muscle & Fitness'' is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine founded in 1935 by Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider. It was originally published under the title ''Your Physique'', before being renamed to ''Muscle Builder'' in 1954, and acq ...
'' magazine, which also included photos of
Lauren Brooke
Lauren Brooke is the pen name of popular author Linda Chapman and Beth Chambers who have written the books for "Heartland". Beth Chambers went on to write the series "Chestnut Hill" which Cathy Hapka also contributed toward.
In 2007, ''Heartl ...
and
SoCal Val. Velvet Sky was named "Woman of the Year" by ''Modelsmania'' magazine after featuring on the cover and in a pictorial in the August 2013 issue of the publication. Earlier that year Sky was reunited with former teammate Angelina Love when they featured together on the cover and in a pictorial in the January/February 2013 issue of ''Modelsmania'' magazine.
Media
In 2009,
Taylor Wilde
Shantelle Larissa Malawski (born January 26, 1986) is a Canadian professional wrestler. She is signed with Impact Wrestling, where she performs under the ring name Taylor Wilde.
Malawski was under a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract ...
and
The Beautiful People (
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
and
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
) appeared in the U.S. reality show ''
MTV Made'' to compete in a match involving a teen trained by
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones (born June 2, 1977), better known by his ring name AJ Styles (also stylized as A.J. Styles), is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. Regarded as one of the best ...
.
Some of the current and former Impact Knockouts have had short television and movie careers outside of Impact Wrestling. Former backstage interviewer
Lauren Brooke
Lauren Brooke is the pen name of popular author Linda Chapman and Beth Chambers who have written the books for "Heartland". Beth Chambers went on to write the series "Chestnut Hill" which Cathy Hapka also contributed toward.
In 2007, ''Heartl ...
hosts ''Top Ten'' and ''Destination Golf'' on the
Golf Channel
Golf Channel (also verbally referred to as simply Golf) is an American sports television network owned by the NBC Sports Group division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. Founded in Birmingham, Alabama, it is currently based out of NBC S ...
.
SoCal Val appeared in a television commercial for Morphoplex.
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee Hemme ( ; born October 28, 1980) is an American former professional wrestler, singer and model. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now known as Impact Wrestling) as a ring announcer and one of the o ...
had roles in ''
Bloodstained Memoirs'', ''Fallen Angels'', and ''Bubba's Chili Parlor''. Hemme has also pursued a singing career and released songs on
MySpace and
iTunes.
Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw (born May 22, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action ...
had a role in ''Zombie Beach Party''.
Alissa Flash
Melissa Anderson (born August 17, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she worked as Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed. ...
has a role in the 2010 documentary ''False Finish''. Former backstage interviewer
Leticia Cline appeared in the fifth season of the reality series ''
Beauty and the Geek
''Beauty and the Geek'' is an American reality television series that premiered on The WB on June 1, 2005. It has been advertised as "The Ultimate Social Experiment" and is produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and J.D. Roth. The show's ti ...
'' in 2008, as well as the
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio and television personality, comedian, and author. He is best known for his radio show, '' The Howard Stern Show'', which gained popularity when it was nationally syndicated on terr ...
reality series ''Bowling Beauties''.
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
had a role in the 2008
indie
Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Gaming
*Independent video game development, video games created without financial backing from large companies
*Indie game, any game (board ...
film titled ''Good Intentions'' starring country music star
LeAnn Rimes and
Luke Perry
Coy Luther "Luke" Perry III (October 11, 1966 – March 4, 2019) was an American actor. He became a teen idol for playing Dylan McKay on the Fox television series ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' from 1990 to 1995, and again from 1998 to 2000. He ...
. In 2012,
Tara appeared in the U.S. reality show ''
MTV Made'' coaching an aspiring teen trying to be a professional wrestler while
Brooke Tessmacher
Brooke Nichole Adams (born December 4, 1984) is an American model and professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Brooke Tessmacher.
She is best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where she is a three–t ...
and
Velvet Sky
Jamie Lynn Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to NWA. She is best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a ...
also former Knockout
Angelina Love
Lauren Williams (born September 13, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler She is best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling under the ring name Angelina Love. She is currently signed with National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Between ROH ...
appeared in the episode. In June 2012, Velvet Sky had the lead role in
Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo founded by singers Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, both Kentucky natives. They began performing together in the 1990s as part of two different bands with Montgomery's brother, John Michael Mo ...
's music video for their song "
So Called Life". In July 2012,
Mickie James featured in
Bucky Covington
William Joel "Bucky" Covington III (born November 8, 1977) is an American country music singer. He placed eighth on the 5th season of the Fox Network's talent competition series ''American Idol''. In December 2006, he signed a recording contract ...
's music video for his song "
Drinking Side of Country". In June 2013, Mickie James starred in a
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink. It was created in the 1880s by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, and first served around 1885. Dr Pepper was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904. It is now also sold in Euro ...
advert, which was part of the company's new advertising program. It featured "one of a kind" individuals talking about the role of Dr Pepper in their lives.
Championships and accomplishments
Current champions
The following list shows the Knockouts that are currently holding all active singles and tag team championships in Impact Wrestling.
Past and retired championships
Hall of Famers
Miss TNA
The first Miss TNA was crowned on June 26, 2002, when Taylor Vaughn won a 9-woman lingerie battle royal. The title was abandoned in November 2002.
Impact Wrestling's Knockouts Year–End Awards
The
Impact Wrestling Knockout of the Year Award formally known as the TNA Wrestling's Babe/Knockout of the Year contest is a contest where fans vote on Impact Wrestling's official website for who their favorite
Impact
Impact may refer to:
* Impact (mechanics), a high force or shock (mechanics) over a short time period
* Impact, Texas, a town in Taylor County, Texas, US
Science and technology
* Impact crater, a meteor crater caused by an impact event
* Impac ...
Knockout for that year, the winners were announced during the
Year End Awards on ''
iMPACT!''. The award was established in 2003 and ended in 2007. The award was reestablished in 2018.
Queen of the Knockouts (2013–2016)
TNA held a series of matches featuring various Knockouts at
TNA One Night Only: Knockout Knockdown. The winners of these matches would advance to a battle royal, with the winner being crowned the "Queen of the Knockouts". It took place on March 17, 2013, from the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida and aired on PPV on September 6, 2013. No queen was crowned in 2017.
Queen of the Cage
The Queen of the Cage match was a professional wrestling match exclusive to TNA. The match was determined annually at the
Lockdown
A lockdown is a restriction policy for people, community or a country to stay where they are, usually due to specific risks (such as COVID-19) that could possibly harm the people if they move and interact freely.
The term is used for a prison ...
pay-per-view event. In 2008, the match began as a
reverse-battle royal involving eight wrestlers. The first two wrestlers that entered the cage then competed in a one-on-one match that was won via pin fall or submission. The winner became the number one contender for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. In 2009, the match was a
traditional four-way match. The match type has since been dropped.
TNA Knockouts Tournaments
New Year's Knockout Eve Tournament (2009)
The New Year's Knockout Eve Tournament took place on the December 31, 2009, edition of ''Impact!''. The winner of the tournament would earn herself a shot at the
TNA Women's Knockout Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship owned by Impact Wrestling. It is primarily contested for in Impact's women's division, known as the Impact Knockouts. The championship debuted on Octob ...
on the live three hour Monday night edition of ''Impact!'' on January 4, 2010.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Tournament (2009)
TNA announced a Knockouts tag team tournament for the new
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship is a women's professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the professional wrestling promotion Impact Wrestling. It is contested for mainly by teams consisting of two female wrestlers in I ...
on the August 20, 2009, episode of ''TNA Impact!''. Round one matches started on the August 27, 2009, episode of ''TNA Impact!''.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Tournament (2010)
On the December 9, 2010, edition of ''Impact!'' TNA vacated the
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship is a women's professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the professional wrestling promotion Impact Wrestling. It is contested for mainly by teams consisting of two female wrestlers in I ...
, after one half of the previous champions,
Hamada
A hamada ( ar, حمادة, ) is a type of desert landscape consisting of high, largely barren, hard rocky plateaus, where most of the sand has been removed by deflation. The majority of the Sahara is in fact hamada. Other examples are Negev dese ...
, had been released by the promotion, and set up a four–team tournament to determine new champions.
The finals of the tournament would take place on the December 23 edition of ''Impact!''.
* Winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in polar and temperate climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Different cultur ...
replaced Velvet Sky, who had been attacked backstage by Sarita.
Impact Knockouts Championship Tournament (2017)
On November 23, 2017, it was announced after Gail Kim
retired
Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours or workload.
Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their j ...
and
vacated
A vacated judgment (also known as vacatur relief) makes a previous legal judgment legally void. A vacated judgment is usually the result of the judgment of an appellate court, which overturns, reverses, or sets aside the judgment of a lower court. ...
the
Impact Knockouts Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship owned by Impact Wrestling. It is primarily contested for in Impact's women's division, known as the Impact Knockouts. The championship debuted on Oct ...
that it would be a 6-Women
tournament
A tournament is a competition involving at least three competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:
# One or more competitions held at a single venue and concentr ...
to determine who would be the new Knockouts Champion where two
triple threat matches will happen and one
finals
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event
** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of cont ...
.
Impact Knockouts Tag Team Revival Championship Tournament (2020-2021)
Over the course of 2020, Impact Wrestling (which had been renamed from TNA in 2017) signed several female talents such as
Nevaeh,
Tasha Steelz
Latasha Harris (born April 3, 1987) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling under the ring name Tasha Steelz. She is a former Knockouts World Champion and a former two-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion. She also ...
,
Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo (born June 10, 1994) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she is a former two-time Impact Knockouts World Champion and a former Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion. She also appe ...
, and
Kimber Lee
Kimberly Ann Frankele (born June 27, 1990), better known by her ring name Kimber Lee, is an American professional wrestler who is currently a free agent. She is known for her work on both the American and international independent circuits, most ...
, all of which were paired with already established names on the roster. After months of competition between the tag teams in the Knockouts division, on October 24 at the
Bound for Glory pay-per-view,
Madison Rayne
Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons; born February 5, 1986) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Madison Rayne, where she is also the coach of the women's division. She is best known ...
announced that after nearly eight years of inactivity, Impact Wrestling is reviving the Knockouts Tag Team Championship. It was also announced that an eight-team tournament would take place over the next two months to determine the next champions. The brackets were announced in November, with the final taking place at the
Hard To Kill pay-per-view in January 2021. At Hard To Kill,
Fire 'N Flava
Fire 'N Flava was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz. The team is known for working in Impact Wrestling, where they are two-time Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions. After the two lost their Knockouts Ta ...
(
Kiera Hogan
Kiera Hogan (born September 16, 1994) is an American professional wrestler currently working for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling, where she is a former two-time Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion (wi ...
and
Tasha Steelz
Latasha Harris (born April 3, 1987) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling under the ring name Tasha Steelz. She is a former Knockouts World Champion and a former two-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion. She also ...
) defeated
Havok and
Nevaeh in the tournament final to win the revived titles.
2021 Homecoming Tournament
This was a
mixed tag team tournament which was the focus of
Homecoming event on July 30, 2021, to crown the Homecoming King and Queen.
Knockouts Knockdown Tournament (2021)
On the September 23 episode of ''
Impact!'', producer
Gail Kim
Gail Kim-Irvine (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian-American retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where she serves as a producer. In Impact Wrestling she was the inaugural and record setting seven-time Knockou ...
announced an eight-woman, one night tournament for the
Knockouts Knockdown event, where the winner will earn a future shot at the
Impact Knockouts Championship
The Impact Knockouts World Championship is a women's professional wrestling world championship owned by Impact Wrestling. It is primarily contested for in Impact's women's division, known as the Impact Knockouts. The championship debuted on Oct ...
.
Gut Check Winners
TNA Gut Check
In professional wrestling, the TNA Gut Check (also known as Impact Wrestling Gut Check) was a tryout program turned Indy wrestling rookies reality series by the American professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), no ...
(formally known as Impact Gut Check) is a reality series that was established in 2004 where both
male
Male (symbol: ♂) is the sex of an organism that produces the gamete (sex cell) known as sperm, which fuses with the larger female gamete, or ovum, in the process of fertilization.
A male organism cannot reproduce sexually without access to ...
and
female
Female ( symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the male gamete during sexual reproduction.
A female has larger gametes than a male. Females ...
Indy Stars are contestants and compete for an Impact
contract
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties that creates, defines, and governs mutual rights and obligations between them. A contract typically involves the transfer of goods, services, money, or a promise to tr ...
. The following list shows only the female Gut Check winners only and the years that they've won.
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''
PWI Female 50 / Women's 100 / Women's 150 / Women's 250
PWI Year–End Awards
''Sports Illustrated''
Women's Wrestler of the Year
Wrestler of the Year
Inaugural championship holders
References
External links
Official Impact websiteOfficial Impact Knockouts websiteImpact Knockouts Facebook
{{DEFAULTSORT:Impact Knockout
Professional wrestling slang
*
Women's professional wrestling