Gail Kim on Impact 1000: ‘Tagging with Trinity, that gives me goosebumps’

For the first time since 2019, Gail Kim is returning to the ring

For the first time since 2019, Gail Kim is returning to the ring.

Kim will wrestle tomorrow night at Impact 1000, where her presence is a must-have moment on the show. She fought for women throughout the industry by treating wrestling as a legitimate competition, and all the work from Kim and her peers paid off. More than a decade later, women’s wrestling remains the heartbeat of Impact Wrestling.

“To this day, I feel we are the place to be for female wrestling,” said Kim. “We have such a great locker and great people here. I cry tears of joy knowing that the women keep moving Impact forward, and that Impact keeps showcasing the women. [Impact Wrestling President] Scott D’Amore has always been very supportive of women in wrestling, and Emergence was a great example. We had Deonna Purrazzo and Trinity in the ring for the main event, a woman referee and a woman ring announcer, and me on commentary–and Scott D’Amore made that happen. The women keep working harder, and that never ends.”

What an amazing moment 🙌🏼 thank you @IMPACTWRESTLING @ScottDAmore ❤️💪🏼 https://t.co/XSivojMOiv

— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) September 4, 2023

A seven-time champion and inaugural winner of the Knockouts title, Kim teams tomorrow at Impact 1000 with Awesome Kong, Trinity, Jordynne Grace, and a mystery partner against Deonna Purrazzo, Angelina Love, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, and a mystery partner of their own.

“Tagging with Trinity, that gives me goosebumps,” said Kim. “This is a dream match, and there are still surprises to come. I couldn’t have asked for a better match. It’s a great reason to wrestle again.

“I didn’t even expect myself to be back, but it’s a special occasion. I found out about a month ago, and I get to work with amazing people. It’s going to be a celebration, a reunion, and some nostalgia that wrestling fans will love.”

Kim and Awesome Kong were longtime rivals. She defeated Kong in their final match together in January of 2016, but she is thrilled that they can team together at Impact 1000.

“I saw Kong not too long ago at ODB’s wedding, and she looked great,” said Kim. “She said she was ready to scratch that itch and get back in the ring. And here we are, my greatest rival is about to become my greatest partner.”

Now that she is four years removed from the ring, loved ones have encouraged Kim to temper her enthusiasm for this match. While she certainly put thought into their well-intentioned words, the woman who helped define the Knockouts division is returning to her unrelenting, determined roots.

“When I came out of retirement for a singles match in 2019, I took it very seriously,” said Kim. “I was a perfectionist. At 46, the training is more of a challenge–but it’s a challenge that I welcome.

“A close friend of mine and my husband both told to me accept that I’m 46 and I can’t do the same things I did. And I thought about it and said, ‘Screw that.’ I’m going to do the best I can, and I hope the fans love it.”

From the past to the present, Impact Wrestling is honoring its highlight reel at Impact 1000. There are many significant moments to recognize, including the lasting contributions Kim and the Knockouts division have made to the company.

“This is the greatest passion in my life,” said Kim. “I can’t wait to get back in the ring. I’m nervous, but I’m really excited, too.”