Mickie James wins Knockouts title at Impact Hard to Kill

Mickie James’ Last Rodeo came to an end at Impact Hard to Kill, but not in the way many expected as she defeated Jordynne Grace in the main event to regain the Knockouts title.

In the match’s latter stages, James fought out of two rear naked choke attempts including one where it looked like she tapped out. Grace had her in a fireman’s carry, but James escaped and dodged a Grace charge into the corner. She then hit her tornado DDT to get the pin and win.

James is now a five-time Knockouts Champion with this marking her first reign since March 2022. She had begun this Last Rodeo run last year, saying she wanted to regain the title but would retire if she lost before that happened.

After the win, James’ family, sans husband and former Impact star Nick Aldis, celebrated in the ring with her.

The loss ends Grace’s second run with the title that began at last June’s Slammiversary with her win in the first-ever Queen of the Mountain match.

Depending on if they do a rematch, James already has a challenger lined up as Masha Slamovich won a four-way on the PPV to earn a future title shot.

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Josh Nason
Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.