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What's the story?
At the conclusion of Bound for Glory, the audience witnessed a feel-good moment as Gail Kim, the original Knockout, reclaimed the Knockouts Championship, as she went into retirement. While the crowd celebrated, not everyone was pleased.
In particular, indy wrestling sensation, Ricochet, who responded to a comment made by former Impact Wrestling agent, Shane Helms:
Impact Wrestling announcer Jeremy Borash would respond to the said comment, but Ricochet had an answer for him:
In case you didn't know...
TNA Hall of Famer, Gail Kim announced her retirement earlier this year and said that this would be her final Bound for Glory. She picked up a win ten years after she won the first ever Knockouts Championship, and pretty much pioneered the division.
Ricochet questioned whether it was wise for her to win, as she was retiring from active competition.
The heart of the matter
It is the classic booking conundrum. Do you go for the hometown pop, and let a woman who pretty much pioneered the division retire with the championship? Or do you, instead, put the belt on someone younger like Allie, who also hailed from Canada and needed her big moment?
Jeremy Borash and Ricochet represent two ends of the booking spectrum, with their philosophies. Another Canadian, Trish Stratus also retired as the champion during her WWE run. So the decision to support Kim as champion wasn't the first of its kind.
What's next?
We wonder if Kim will stick around to defend her Championship on TV, for the Canadian round of Impact tapings. Or instead, if there will be a new way to determine the next champion? Stay tuned for updates from the Canadian Impact tapings.
Author's take
I have interviewed all three of the women in this match, and both Sienna and Allie have spoken about just how much Gail Kim means to them, as performers. In my opinion, they would have been okay with this decision too. They may even have suggested it.
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