Gail Kim on Taryn Terrell, WWE Divas Division, TNA KOs, More

TNA Impact Wrestling Knockout and former WWE Diva Gail Kim recently participated in a conference call promoting TNA's Knockouts Knockdown event:

What are you your thoughts on Taryn Terrell and did you think she had the capability of pulling off those matches with you? You know, I think before these matches a lot of people were skeptical of Taryn Terrell. I worked with her briefly in the WWE where she was just starting to get on a roll, and then she got released and I left shortly then after. She took a couple of years off for a break so when she came back they eased her into a role as a referee. We really didn't know if she could go in the ring. I knew she did stunt work on the side, and when you have stipulation matches its all out there. You can do what you want to do and I've always been in favor of those matches, I'm always willing to push the envelope. In my 14 years of wrestling I never met a girl who wanted to step it up to that level with me. Ive been in the ring with many technical girls and I've never met a girl who wanted to get to that level of craziness. She really stepped it up for the Last Knockouts standing match. I think we just surprised everyone. I only had those kinds of moments with Kong before, and that was a different kind of feud. We just knocked it out of ball park that day and for the ladder match we knew we had the pressure to top the other match and it ended up being just as magical.

How would you compare the current Knockouts Division to the time you were in the WWE with Jazz, Victoria, Trish, Molly and Lita? I've been very fortunate in my career to participate in the three strongest eras in womens wrestling. It was a great learning experience when I was first with the WWE, looking back I was very green and it was just an honor to be apart of that. The biggest complaint I've been hearing about the Knockouts division is that we've been losing girls and we have very few girls. I just want to tell everyone that good things come to those who wait. I always tell everyone to be patient things don't happen over night, we want quality girls in our division and that is going to happen. You just have to patient. The other great era was one the Knockouts Division was first born. When I came to TNA they had no womens division, and I begged and begged for it. When TNA decided to bring in a division and bring in 10 girls all at once it was crazy. That was my favorite time in my career it was very magical. Wrestling goes through it's up and downs and right now we don't have a lot of women but I think we are still bringing quality wrestling to the table.

With the success of Total Divas, would you be interested in doing a TNA Knockouts Reality Show? Well actually Christy Hemme mentioned that as well. I don't think the girls will be against it. We never know what would happen down the line, the fans want to see what happens backstage, and they want to see the real us.

What is the difference between the WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts? For everyone its a different experience. I worked with both companies twice and I found out my first run with WWE was the golden era, like I said. They did give us time and storyline and cared about the work in the ring and then it kinda faded away and that's why I came to TNA. Dixie Carter always supports the girls, she wants us to show our talents. That's the biggest difference. The Knockout will have consistently great matches and having the whole total package of being sexy and athletic and able to put on these matches. I would probably not ever have a last women standing match or ladder match in the WWE.

At the Knockouts Knockdown PPV a lot of new faces go the chance to debut for TNA, how do you think some of those girls would fare coming in full time to TNA? Actually most of them I knew, the only girl I have never heard of was Santana Garrett. I just wasn't up to date with all the Indy workers. A few of the girls I knew from WWE, and some ex-TNA talent I never worked with, and some upcoming talent. It was a good crop of girls coming through, it was a crazy day, match after match after match. its unbelievable the quality of talent that is out there. Hopefully they will get the chance to shine again. Lei'd Tapa, I think, from the moment I laid my eyes on here I knew she had a great presence. She needs a little more experience and that why shes in OVW, she reminded me of Kong and I'm looking forward to working with her in the future. Serena Deeb is currently in Japan will hopefully get a chance to come back. Santana Garrett has a great look and Brooke Tessmacher told me she was great to work with. Some girls need a little more experience and hopefully one day we will see them at the TV level.