Jeff Jarrett Explains What Made Gail Kim A Standout In TNA’s Knockouts Division

TNA legend Jeff Jarrett has offered rare insights into what made Gail Kim such a transformative figure in TNA Wrestling’s women’s division, describing the Hall of Famer as “the OG” who helped establish what would become one of the company’s most celebrated features.

On the latest episode of his podcast “My World,” the WWE Hall of Famer and former TNA co-founder reflected on Kim’s persistent advocacy for women’s wrestling at a time when it wasn’t a priority for many promotions.

Well right out of the gate, she was the OG. She really, really pushed for a women’s division at that time. And I gave the push back multiple times, because I said, ‘If we’re going to do it, we have to make sure we give the proper amount of time to it.’

Jeff Jarrett acknowledged his initial resistance stemmed from concerns about roster depth.

We have to have a deep enough roster because when you have four or six people, it’s so hard. I said, ‘I think we need to get up to around eight.’

When discussing what differentiated Kim from her contemporaries following the division’s 2007 launch, Jarrett immediately pointed to her exceptional physical abilities.

What made her different right out of the gate? I just think you have to say, her athleticism. She’d jump off the top and do a hurricanrana, but her athleticism in the early days jumped off the page.

Jarrett highlighted Kim’s legendary feud with Awesome Kong as particularly significant in establishing the credibility of the Knockouts division.

Obviously as the days, months, and years rolled by and Awesome Kong, and the presence and her ability to really personify a female fighting, athletic babyface.

According to Jarrett, Kim possessed a rare understanding of wrestling psychology, particularly as a sympathetic babyface.

I think to this day, when you really look and maybe study her career during that TNA run, she knew how to be a babyface. You have to have time in and understand your craft and trade to really be able to do that.

He further elaborated on the unique challenges female wrestlers face.

I’ll say this with diplomacy. Sometimes it is harder for a female to be, as we call the business white meat babyface. I think it’s harder for a female to portray that, because you still need to have an edge.

Jeff Jarrett concluded with unequivocal praise.

She was very, very, very skilled, and I’ll say this: a professional wrestler.

Kim was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2016 and later worked behind the scenes before her surprising recent departure from the company.

Jeff Jarrett Explains How AJ Styles’ TNA Exit Affected The Company

In another recent episode of his podcast, Jeff Jarrett shared his perspective on AJ Styles’ departure from TNA Wrestling in December 2013. Jarrett said that Styles’ exit was the final nail in the coffin for the original OG TNA fan.

H/t to 411mania.com