Mickie James’ TNA Return Revealed + Knockout Changes?

This Thursday’s iMPACT! Wrestling will feature the television return of Mickie James as she has been announced to compete in a #1 Contender Knockout Battle Royal for the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship currently held by Tara.

“Thrilled to have @MickieJames back and 100% on #ImpactWrestling this Thurs in a #1 Contender Knockout Battle Royal,” TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter wrote on Twitter Monday.

The episode is being taped tonight in Orlando, Florida, while next week’s Thanksgiving Day episode will be taped tomorrow. The shows should also feature the return of Madison Rayne, who noted on Twitter Monday that she was en route to the city.

With TNA creative’s shift in recent months to solely focusing on talent with etched storylines, James’ screen time has been drastically curtailed. The two-time Women’s Knockout Champion last appeared on iMPACT! Wrestling on August 2, following months of sporadic appearances. Her extended absence was further compounded by a surgical procedure she underwent last month, which she did not disclose the type of.

Meanwhile, television authority figure Brooke Hogan teased changes to the Knockouts Division in Twitter post Monday. She wrote, “Boss lady. At TNA offices changing a few things…”

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