[Demko]

May just be more of the wrestling tabloid crap (like Jeff Hardy's allegedly 'broken neck' last week), but LordsOfPain.net is reporting that Gail Kim has had her TNA profile and pictures removed from the TNA website.

I can confirm that the profile and pics are removed. Is anyone else able to confirm more officially that Kim is done with TNA?

[ALL CAPS]

OH SHIT! Kaz and Christopher Daniels' profiles are missing too! Until I see an actual headline that goes beyond pure speculation, there's no reason to believe that she's been "future endeavored".

But yeah, she's probably done.

[Pun]

Didn't they just prominently feature her sister on Impact?

[Byrntrigan]

Aug 21, 2008 9:01:45 GMT -5 Pun said:

Didn't they just prominently feature her sister on Impact?

Yes. Yes they did. I had read on another site that Kaz is coming back as a masked wrestler named Suicide that is who we'll play in career mode of the new video game.

I don't know, sounds stupid, but who knows. This is just TOO out of left field for it to be true.

[BTR]

Well, well, well. They finally found out it WAS Gail Kim that gave Jarrett's wife cancer.

[bdbdbd]

Aug 21, 2008 9:01:45 GMT -5 Pun said:

Didn't they just prominently feature her sister on Impact?

TNA, bless their hearts, have a history of starting new angles and stories with wrestlers then losing them. Just last Tomko's was threatening Karen Angle to be in her face for a long time coming, then quit. It's almost like a vendetta.

[Byrntrigan]

According to PWInsider it also appears that Crystal of "Crystal is Pretty" fame is done with TNA as well.

I wonder what happened with Gail Kim that she left, they based the entire division around her from the beginning.

[ALL CAPS]

I'd assumed that Crystal was gone ages ago. I'd expect Lauren to only be around for a little while before TNA replaces her as well. Apparently, Spike has a heavy hand in determining the level and frequency of lady talent in TNA. I wonder if Gail's possible departure has anything to do with them.

[Byrntrigan]

Aug 21, 2008 12:01:48 GMT -5 ALL CAPS said:

I'd assumed that Crystal was gone ages ago. I'd expect Lauren to only be around for a little while before TNA replaces her as well. Apparently, Spike has a heavy hand in determining the level and frequency of lady talent in TNA. I wonder if Gail's possible departure has anything to do with them.

She did come back for that one Impact! after Lauren started.

If Spike was that active why wouldn;t they just put one of the breoads on from that Manswers show or the other interstitials they do at night? Seems like that would make sense...

[Angle]

Think I found out why:

-- As reported earlier today, former TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim is jumping ship to World Wrestling Entertainment. Kim's departure from the company has taken most by surprise, reports ProWrestling.NET.

People knew her contract was being renegotiated, but most assumed it was a lock that she would re-sign with TNA. There was no indication of her leaving the company at last week's Impact tapings, no did she say goodbye to the other wrestlers. One source said the problems between TNA & Kim stemmed from issues regarding her contract.

Kim "wanted guarantees TNA was not willing to give" and there were some issues over a separate contract she has with a booking agent who puts her personal appearances together, which created some conflict with TNA.


-- Gail Kim met with WWE talent executive John Laurinaitis in Tampa, Florida this afternoon. As reported earlier, she has indeed part ways with TNA. Sources from both companies have indicated that she's about to sign a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

Big win for the WWE and there rebuilding of their Women's Division. Gail Kim vs Beth Phoenix should be really good. And eventually Kim vs Nattie will be fun to watch as well.

[middark]

Aug 21, 2008 23:24:13 GMT -5 Angle said:

Think I found out why:

-- Gail Kim met with WWE talent executive John Laurinaitis in Tampa, Florida this afternoon. As reported earlier, she has indeed part ways with TNA. Sources from both companies have indicated that she's about to sign a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Well... huh. I hope she likes a) dog collars, b) bikini matches, c) a really lame, racist Asian themed character.

There are times when I have to wonder if people are sane. This would be like going from being a dancer at a really small Broadway play to a high class strip club because they offered more money.

Well, I hope she likes being buried for the likes of Candice. Oh wait... the WWE wouldn't do that. Just ask Mickey James... oh nevermind.

[punk/core]

Yeah... why would a sane person want more money? Fucking crazy.

[National Champion Chris Cole]

More money and much more exposure. And seriously the WWE has done a much better job of showcaseing their women as wrestlers since the TNA Knockouts have been around. WWE seems more serious about Women's Wrestling then it has in years.

And last time Gail was in WWE I don't remember her being forced into too many situations that were eyeball rolling.

[The Canadian Content]

Aug 22, 2008 14:26:14 GMT -5 National Champion Chris Cole said:

And seriously the WWE has done a much better job of showcaseing their women as wrestlers since the TNA Knockouts have been around. WWE seems more serious about Women's Wrestling then it has in years.

TNA doesn't have a reeally strong tag division by chance, do they?

[National Champion Chris Cole]

I'm waiting for WWE to get that memo. I've been waiting for a few years now.

[Lucky]

More money, more exposure, and things that TNA can never offer like something called Wrestlemania. Really, that strip club metaphor is one of the worst I've ever heard. Its really no surprise that some people after doing years in TNA want the money, security, and high level of WWE. It kinda sucks as a TNA fan but I'm sure its the reason that these people part with TNA on good terms. Odds are WWE just made a better offer. If TNA can't compete they shake hands and wish her the best of luck. Her priorities are what they are and money really isn't a bad one. And really, WWE IS the top of wrestling whether we like it or not. You may have more fun and success coaching college basketball but the lure to coach in the NBA will be there (not a great metaphor either, but it is what it is).

[BTR]

Plus, Gail's approaching her mid-thirties. I don't think her looks will fade, but I can't think of a recent top-level female wrestler in her forties. A few years of top-level pay to get all your finances and securities in order? So what if they give Kane an Asian Fetish and have her as his fire-wielding dominatrix. In the end, she'll be set much longer after even 2 or 4 years in the WWE than TNA.

[Mr. Dashbee]

Everyone remembers that Gail Kim was in teh WWE before, right? I'm just not so sure they're going to give her some lame ass Asian gimmick just because she's Asian. She won the WWE Women's Championship in her first WWE match, and wasn't booked that poorly during her initial run.

She's not a TNA grown talent, so there is no need to "Braden Walker" her upon her re-debut. I think she'll just be added to the women's division, she might even win the Smackdown Divas butterfly title in her first match, and will be at the same level as the other upper echelon Divas.

Maybe Johnny Ace sees her as the next Trish, who can agrue being one of the best women's wrestlers ever and was pretty much WWE grown. If Gail Kim defends a women's title at WrestleMania, very few people will refer to her TNA days anymore.

I think the bigger concern is the same concern some have with the WWE booking Danielson & Morishima to win dark matches. It proves that TNA's Knockouts division is on the radar, just like the upper card of ROH is on the radar. I hope TNA has Awesome Kong, The Beautiful People, Shantelle Taylor Wilde and Roxxi under contract, or is working to get them into longer deals. Because if not, they can be on the roster faster than Bryan Danielson and Takeshi Morishima. Because the one thing we know about the WWE, if they decide they want to bolster the women's division, they will sign those women up in a heartbeat.

[The Canadian Content]

Aug 22, 2008 15:35:25 GMT -5 Mr. Dashbee said:

Everyone remembers that Gail Kim was in teh WWE before, right?

Yes, but do you expect WWE to give anyone that much credit?

[Lucky]

They did seem to remember who D'Lo was.

[salmonjunkie]

Aug 22, 2008 14:11:57 GMT -5 middark said:

Well... huh. I hope she likes a) dog collars, b) bikini matches, c) a really lame, racist Asian themed character.

They didn't make her do any of those things last time she was there. And really, what's wrong with dog collars and bikinis?

About the most racist thing they'll have her do is pair her up with Jimmy Wang Yang. OMG INVASIANS!!!!!! KOREAN KOALITON!!! I'm perfectly okay with that.

There are times when I have to wonder if people are sane. This would be like going from being a dancer at a really small Broadway play to a high class strip club because they offered more money. [/qtuoe]

No, it'd actually be more like going from being a dancer at a really small off-Broadway play that has a small devoted following to being a dancer on a major Broadway play that might not be as good, but a lot more people get to see you dance and it pays a whole lot better.

But hey, stretching is good before you excercise so keep at it.

Well, I hope she likes being buried for the likes of Candice. Oh wait... the WWE wouldn't do that. Just ask Mickey James... oh nevermind.

Buried? Put aside for a time, maybe, but buried? Please.

[The Jewish Cunthead]

Aug 22, 2008 16:14:27 GMT -5 salmonjunkie said:

OMG INVASIANS!!!!!!

That's awesome. EXALT!

[karmic]

If Gail Kim shows up on WWETV wearing a Kaientai shirt, I'll drive up to Stamford and personally soul kiss every member of creative I can find.

And yes, I'll save Pat Patterson for last.

[Mr. Dashbee]

Aug 22, 2008 16:14:27 GMT -5 salmonjunkie said:

OMG INVASIANS!!!!!!

I just might have to form this faction in OSR...that's amazing. Ditto on the exalt.