TNA Knockout
Encyclopedia
Knockout is a term used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA) to refer to its female talent. The term is applied universally to wrestlers
, backstage interviewers, and managers/valets
. They are analogous to the Divas
of rival WWE.
Women performers have been a part of TNA since the first national show, which featured Alexis Laree
, Elektra
, Erin Bray, Francine
, Miss Joni, Sasha, Shannon, Taylor Vaughn
and Teresa Tyler, as well as other female talent, including backstage interviewer Goldy Locks and valets Aleesha
and Fluff Dupp. Bobcat
also debuted as a valet in a match that was taped during the first PPV, but aired during the second PPV.
won the first Miss TNA crown. She defended the title against Francine, who soon afterward abandoned her pursuit of the title and engaged in a brief feud with Jasmin St. Claire
. Vaughn lost the title when she was defeated by male character Bruce
a few weeks later. Although male, he claimed that he should be entitled to wrestle for the Miss TNA crown because he was gay. Bruce held the crown for three months and during his time as Miss TNA he attacked many female wrestlers and fans, enraging the male stars of TNA including Jorge Estrada. The two then had a singles match with the stipulation that if Estrada won, Priscilla would become the new Miss TNA. Although Estrada won the match, the crown didn't change hands because he won by disqualification. In the next weeks, Bruce's tag team partner, Lenny
, tried to get Bruce injured (since the runner-up would then take over the crown should the champion be injured). This led to the breakup of The Rainbow Express, and Bruce's homosexuality was questioned by backstage interviewer Goldy Locks, who claimed she had seen him in the shower with April Pennington. The storyline soon came to a close due to poor crowd reception, with Pennington and Goldylocks walking off together holding hands, as Lenny and Bruce fought over Pennington. The storyline ended with Bruce declaring himself straight and handing his crown over to Pennington. The Miss TNA crown wasn't mentioned on-screen afterward. Throughout 2002, TNA also featured Belladonna in a valet role and former WWE Tough Enough
contestant Paulina as a bodyguard.
) were used near the top of the entrance ramp, but this concept was abandoned shortly after its conception. One of TNA's early controversial moments ensued on the March 12, 2003 pay-per-view when Lollipop had her top ripped off during a catfight with S.E.X. member Holly Wood and exposed her breasts throughout the fight. TNA also featured ring girl
Athena in many feuds and altercations.
From 2003-2004, TNA regularly used several female wrestlers on their PPVs and television programs, including Trinity
, Desire
, Alexis Laree
, Traci Brooks, Nurse Veronica
(who also competed as Simply Luscious), and Cheerleader Valentina (who also competed as JV Love); however, they were often primarily depicted as valets
who occasionally wrestled. Of all the women utilized at this time, Trinity was the most active in the ring, as she feuded with Desire, Alexis Laree, and Traci Brooks, as well as competed in the X Division
. During this time, TNA also briefly featured an all-female faction named "Bitchslap" that consisted of Nurse Veronica, Traci Brooks, Cheerleader Valentina, and Trinity (who only appeared once with the group). They were engaged in a feud with TNA dancers Lollipop and April Pennington.
Independent female wrestlers were frequently featured on TNA Xplosion
and occasionally on TNA pay-per-views, including Angel Williams (who would later return as Angelina Love), April Hunter
, Brandi Wine, Daizee Haze
, Lucy (who previously competed as Shannon and would later return as Daffney), Malia Hosaka
, Mercedes Martinez
, MsChif
, and ODB
(who also wrestled as Poison).
TNA briefly recognized the NWA World Women's Championship
in 2003. On March 12, 2003, Leilani Kai
defeated Madison
to win the NWA World Women's Championship in a dark match on a TNA pay-per-view. On April 19, 2003, Kai defended the title against Desire at a house show, but she was later stripped of the title by NWA President Bill Behrens due to missing several subsequent NWA shows. According to Kai, she skipped the shows because she felt the NWA governing board was not treating the Women's Championship with the respect it deserved, such as not televising title matches on the TNA pay-per-views and TNA Xplosion
.
Fewer women's matches were featured toward the end of 2004 and throughout 2005; however, TNA did feature pay-per-view matches pitting Trinity against former WWE Diva Jacqueline
and Traci Brooks. TNA also featured Minsa
in an on-air non-wrestling role.
Following the debut of the TNA iMPACT!
television program in 2005, TNA featured former WWE Divas such as Gail Kim
, Jackie Gayda
, and Christy Hemme
, as well as independent female wrestler Sirelda
in prominent on-air roles and feuds. Although most of the prior female talent had left TNA by this time, Traci Brooks remained in an on-air role and TNA added a new ring girl, SoCal Val (replacing Athena) and backstage interviewer, Leticia Cline
(replacing Goldy Locks). Gail Kim competed in a few matches that were televised and/or taped throughout 2006 against Sirelda and Traci Brooks, while independent wrestler Amber O'Neal
competed at TNA house shows in matches against Kim and Jacqueline. In the fall of 2006, Sherri Martel
appeared on TNA iMPACT! in her final televised appearance before her death.
. The first TNA Women's Knockout Champion
was crowned on October 14, 2007 at Bound for Glory
in a 10-Knockout gauntlet match which Gail Kim won. Around this time, TNA signed several additional female wrestlers and personalities, including Angel Williams, Amazing Kong
, ODB
, Shelly Martinez
, and Talia Madison
who were then renamed after the PPV, as well as valet Karen Angle
and new backstage interviewer Crystal Louthan
. Alexa Jade
also made appearances as a jobber
against Kim and Kong. In a stark departure to TNA's past programming where their female talent were often promoted as eye candy
with little to no emphasis on athleticism or wrestling ability, in the same fashion as their WWE Diva counterparts, TNA's women's division emphasizes on serious wrestling competition between their female talent, as well as their credibility as real athletes who are on par with their male counterparts. Since the inception of an official championship, matches and segments involving the Knockouts have contributed to drawing some of the better ratings of Impact shows.
Throughout 2008, TNA continued to expand the Knockout roster by featuring Moose
, Payton Banks, Raisha Saeed, Rhaka Khan
, and Sharmell. Lauren Brooke
became the new backstage interviewer beginning at Lockdown
. In August, Gail Kim's contract with TNA expired and instead of renewing it, she decided to return to rival WWE
for a 2nd run. In the spring of 2008, then-TNA Women's Knockout Champion Awesome Kong held a $25,000 Fan Challenge where she put her title and $25,000 on the line against any fan in the building. The challenge was eventually won by Taylor Wilde, and featured try-out matches for Daffney and Josie Robinson (later renamed Sojournor Bolt), both of whom later became full-time wrestlers in the Knockout division. Other participants in the challenge included Serena Deeb
, Melissa Wolfram, Leva Bates, and Danielle. Amber O'Neal
, Becky Bayless
, and TNA ring girl Kimberly also volunteered to wrestle Kong, but were not selected as challengers. In the fall of 2008, Mercedes Steele appeared as a jobber
against Kong. In early 2009, Madison Rayne debuted in TNA and joined The Beautiful People
alongside existing members Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. Daizee Haze
returned in a one time match on May 1, 2008 losing to Cheerleader Melissa who was also pulling double duty under the Raisha Saeed gimmick at that time. Tara
, Sarita, Hamada
and Survivor: The Amazon
winner Jenna Morasca
debuted throughout the spring and summer. In September 2009, Angelina Love left TNA due to visa work issue. On September 20, 2009, Sarita and Taylor Wilde became the first TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when they won the final match of an eight-team tournament at No Surrender
. In September Lacey Von Erich
was signed to a contract and replaced Love as a member of The Beautiful People. and Roxxi returned to TNA (after being released earlier in the year) in December.
On December 31, 2009, TNA promoted a special four hour, all Knockout episode of Impact!, titled New Year's Knockout Eve, which featured a tournament for the number one contendership to the Women's Knockout Championship. In January 2010, Alissa Flash would then depart from the company in mutual agreement and Awesome Kong asked for her release after her backstage altercation with Bubba the Love Sponge
while Angelina Love returned to TNA within the new year, Kristal Lashley was released in February. In March 2010, TNA released Traci Brooks after being with the company for 8 years while Roxxi was released again after returning to the company in December last year. Later that same month Awesome Kong was also given her release from the company.
On April 18, 2010, at Lockdown
Madison Rayne made history by becoming the first person to hold both the Women's Knockout Championship and the Knockouts Tag Team Championship simultaneously. The following month Tara left TNA, after refusing to re-sign with the company due to not receiving a pay increase and Roxxi made her second return to TNA, though it was short lived as was released from the company the following month along with ODB, who became the seventh knockout to leave the company. On July 11 at Victory Road
Tara made her return to TNA. In August and September, Rebecca Treston
and Mickie James
were signed to TNA contracts.
On October 1, 2010, TNA premiered an all Knockout highlight pay-per-view, titled TNA Knockouts: Mad Sexy Volume 1, featuring the best matches in the history of the Knockout division. as Volume 2 premiered February 1, 2011. In October 2010 TNA signed Katarina Waters
to a contract, That same month she debuted as Winter. while on November 11 Lacey Von Erich announced her departure from the promotion. On December 6, 2010, it was reported that Hamada had been released from TNA. Three days later also Taylor Wilde's departure from the promotion was confirmed. In February and March 2011, Traci Brooks, ODB, Roxxi and Alissa Flash all made one night returns to TNA. On March 15, 2011, Daffney's contract with TNA expired and was not renewed. ODB, Jacqueline Moore and Traci Brooks were re-signed to TNA contracts in May, June and July 2011, respectively.. In October Gail Kim returned to TNA, after spending the past three years with WWE during her 2nd run.
(at the time, the highest position of on-screen authority the fans saw), who was fed up with the Knockouts, and needed someone who "spoke their language" to control them. In January 2009, Brooks stopped appearing in TNA and Cornette resumed control over the Knockout division. Brooks returned on the March 12, 2009, edition of Impact! as a referee. She was released on March 4, 2010. On the September 30, 2010, edition of Reaction
Miss Tessmacher
was named the new General Manager of the Knockouts division. However, just two weeks later she was fired from her position. On the September 1, 2011, edition of Impact Wrestling, Karen Jarrett was named the new Vice President of the Knockouts division with Traci Brooks serving as her executive assistant.
released a TNA Knockouts trading card series on April 28, 2009. The set features Angelina Love, Awesome Kong
, Christy Hemme
, Dixie Carter, The Governor
, Jacqueline
, Jenna Morasca
, Lauren
, Madison Rayne, ODB
, Raisha Saeed, Rhaka Khan
, Roxxi
, Sharmell
, SoCal Val
, Sojournor Bolt, Traci Brooks
, Taylor Wilde, and Velvet Sky. Also included are cards pairing the Knockouts with male TNA wrestlers.
appeared on the cover of the November/December 2007 issue of Playboy's Sexy Girls Next Door, which included her nude photo shoot.
In an interview with The Sun
, Traci Brooks
confirmed that Playboy
magazine (which previously had a partnership agreement with WWE prior to the organization converting to PG-rated television content) reached a new partnership agreement with TNA. Brooks was originally scheduled to be featured in the November 2009 issue. She would become the first TNA Knockout to appear in Playboy, although Knockouts Christy Hemme
and Jenna Morasca
posed for the magazine prior to joining TNA. However, on September 2, 2009 it was reported that Playboy decided not to publish Brooks' photo shoot on their magazine. The photo shoot was instead released online through their Cyber Club website on September 17, 2009.
and The Beautiful People
(Angelina Love and Velvet Sky
) appeared in the U.S. reality show MTV Made
to compete in a match involving a teen trained by A.J. Styles
. Love and Sky were featured on the cover and in a pictorial in the December 2009 issue of Muscle & Fitness
magazine, which also included photos of Lauren Brooke
and SoCal Val.
Some of the current and former TNA Knockouts have had short television and movie careers outside of TNA. Former backstage interviewer Lauren Brooke
hosts Top Ten and Destination Golf on the Golf Channel. SoCal Val appeared in a television commercial for Morphoplex. Christy Hemme
had roles in Bloodstained Memoirs
, Fallen Angels, and Bubba's Chili Parlor. Hemme has also pursued a singing career and released songs on MySpace
and iTunes
. Traci Brooks had a role in Zombie Beach Party. Alissa Flash has a role in the 2010 documentary False Finish. Former backstage interviewer Leticia Cline
appeared in the fifth season of the reality series Beauty and the Geek
in 2008, as well as the Howard Stern
reality series Bowling Beauties. Angelina Love had a role in the 2008 indie
film titled Good Intentions starring country music star LeAnn Rimes
and Luke Perry
.
won a 9-woman lingerie battle royal. The title was abandoned in November 2002.
when Gail Kim
won a 10-woman gauntlet match. Angelina Love has the most reigns with 5. The current champion is Gail Kim.
when Sarita and Taylor Wilde won an eight-team tournament final. As of October 2011, the title is held by Gail Kim
and Madison Rayne.
pay-per-view event. In 2008, the match began as a reverse-battle royal involving eight wrestlers. The first two wrestlers that entered the cage then competed in a one-on-one match that was won via pin fall or submission. The winner became the number one contender for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. In 2009, the match was a traditional four-way match. The match type has since been dropped.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA) to refer to its female talent. The term is applied universally to wrestlers
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, backstage interviewers, and managers/valets
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
. They are analogous to the Divas
WWE Diva
Diva is a term used by World Wrestling Entertainment , an American professional wrestling promotion, to refer to its female talent. The term is applied to women who appear as wrestlers, managers or valets, backstage interviewers, or ring announcers....
of rival WWE.
History
The term Knockouts is relatively new, and was not used when Total Nonstop Action Wrestling debuted in 2002. The name comes from a 2006 DVD released by the company, Knockouts: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling, Vol.1, which focused on its then-current female stars. The name "Knockouts" as a catchall name for the women stuck after that.Women performers have been a part of TNA since the first national show, which featured Alexis Laree
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
, Elektra
Donna Adamo
Donna Adamo better known as Elektra is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager and adult model who is best known for her time spent in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early career:...
, Erin Bray, Francine
Francine Fournier
Francine Fournier , known simply as Francine, is an American former professional wrestling valet most known for her work in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Extreme Championship Wrestling:...
, Miss Joni, Sasha, Shannon, Taylor Vaughn
Cathy Dingman
Katherine Dingman is a professional wrestler and valet she is known for her work in TNA, WCW, WWF and various independent promotions. She briefly appeared as B.B. in the WWF from late 1999 to early 2000...
and Teresa Tyler, as well as other female talent, including backstage interviewer Goldy Locks and valets Aleesha
Alicia Webb
Alicia Nicole Webb is an American professional wrestling valet. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation from 1998 until 1999 as Ryan Shamrock-World Wrestling Federation:...
and Fluff Dupp. Bobcat
Cynthia Lynch
Cynthia Lynch is an American professional wrestler. She is perhaps best known for her time in the World Wrestling Federation as one of the The Godfather's many "hos"...
also debuted as a valet in a match that was taped during the first PPV, but aired during the second PPV.
Miss TNA (2002)
A Lingerie Battle Royal to crown the first 'Miss TNA' was taped during the very first NWA:TNA weekly PPV on June 19, 2002, and was aired during the second PPV on June 26, 2002. Taylor VaughnCathy Dingman
Katherine Dingman is a professional wrestler and valet she is known for her work in TNA, WCW, WWF and various independent promotions. She briefly appeared as B.B. in the WWF from late 1999 to early 2000...
won the first Miss TNA crown. She defended the title against Francine, who soon afterward abandoned her pursuit of the title and engaged in a brief feud with Jasmin St. Claire
Jasmin St. Claire
Jasmin St. Claire is a former pornographic actress who is best known for starring in "gang bang" pornographic movies, in which she has sex with large numbers of men continuously. She is also known for her work as a professional wrestling personality, most notably for ECW...
. Vaughn lost the title when she was defeated by male character Bruce
Alan Funk
Alan Eric Funk is an American professional wrestler, who has previously worked in promotions such as World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, often with comedic personas...
a few weeks later. Although male, he claimed that he should be entitled to wrestle for the Miss TNA crown because he was gay. Bruce held the crown for three months and during his time as Miss TNA he attacked many female wrestlers and fans, enraging the male stars of TNA including Jorge Estrada. The two then had a singles match with the stipulation that if Estrada won, Priscilla would become the new Miss TNA. Although Estrada won the match, the crown didn't change hands because he won by disqualification. In the next weeks, Bruce's tag team partner, Lenny
Lenny Lane
Leonard "Lenny" Carlson is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Lenny Lane. During his time tenure in WCW, he was a one time Cruiserweight Champion....
, tried to get Bruce injured (since the runner-up would then take over the crown should the champion be injured). This led to the breakup of The Rainbow Express, and Bruce's homosexuality was questioned by backstage interviewer Goldy Locks, who claimed she had seen him in the shower with April Pennington. The storyline soon came to a close due to poor crowd reception, with Pennington and Goldylocks walking off together holding hands, as Lenny and Bruce fought over Pennington. The storyline ended with Bruce declaring himself straight and handing his crown over to Pennington. The Miss TNA crown wasn't mentioned on-screen afterward. Throughout 2002, TNA also featured Belladonna in a valet role and former WWE Tough Enough
WWE Tough Enough
WWE Tough Enough is a professional wrestling reality television program produced by WWE wherein participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons, all of which aired on MTV...
contestant Paulina as a bodyguard.
Post-Miss TNA (2003–2006)
Women's wrestling continued to be a feature of the weekly PPVs before an official women's division was established in 2007. In 2003, cage dancers (many of whom were independent female wrestlers who were then unknown at the time, including LollipopJaime Lynne
Jaime Lynne is a former American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Lollipop. Lynne is perhaps best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a cage dancer.-Early career:...
) were used near the top of the entrance ramp, but this concept was abandoned shortly after its conception. One of TNA's early controversial moments ensued on the March 12, 2003 pay-per-view when Lollipop had her top ripped off during a catfight with S.E.X. member Holly Wood and exposed her breasts throughout the fight. TNA also featured ring girl
Ring girl
A ring girl is the common name for a woman who enters the ring between rounds of a combat sport event such as boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts, carrying a sign that displays the number of the upcoming round.-Boxing:...
Athena in many feuds and altercations.
From 2003-2004, TNA regularly used several female wrestlers on their PPVs and television programs, including Trinity
Stephanie Finochio
Stephanie Finochio is an American stuntwoman and retired professional wrestler and valet better known by her ring name Trinity...
, Desire
Kim Neilson
Kim Neilson is an American professional wrestler and valet best known for working in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Desire.-Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling:...
, Alexis Laree
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
, Traci Brooks, Nurse Veronica
Veronica Stevens
Veronica "Ronnie" Stevens, better known by her ring name Simply Luscious, is an American professional wrestler currently performing on the independent circuit. She is best known for her stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early career:...
(who also competed as Simply Luscious), and Cheerleader Valentina (who also competed as JV Love); however, they were often primarily depicted as valets
Manager (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
who occasionally wrestled. Of all the women utilized at this time, Trinity was the most active in the ring, as she feuded with Desire, Alexis Laree, and Traci Brooks, as well as competed in the X Division
X Division
The X Division is a high-flying, high-risk, fast-paced style of professional wrestling seen originally in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and since then in various NWA member promotions...
. During this time, TNA also briefly featured an all-female faction named "Bitchslap" that consisted of Nurse Veronica, Traci Brooks, Cheerleader Valentina, and Trinity (who only appeared once with the group). They were engaged in a feud with TNA dancers Lollipop and April Pennington.
Independent female wrestlers were frequently featured on TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion is a television program produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , featuring both highlights from Impact Wrestling and exclusive taped matches. It is now produced only for international markets, no longer airing in the United States...
and occasionally on TNA pay-per-views, including Angel Williams (who would later return as Angelina Love), April Hunter
April Hunter
April Hunter is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and fitness and glamour model. She has appeared in many publications, from MuscleMag International to Playboy Magazine and even has her own comic book series, Code Red by Pickle Press.-World Championship Wrestling :In...
, Brandi Wine, Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze is an American professional wrestler. Whilst wrestling for many companies Daizee Haze is also the head trainer for the Shimmer Women Athletes promotion.-Training and Gateway Championship Wrestling:...
, Lucy (who previously competed as Shannon and would later return as Daffney), Malia Hosaka
Malia Hosaka
Malia Hosaka is an American professional wrestler. She is a former NWA World Women's Champion.-Career:Malia Hosaka was trained by Killer Kowalski at the wrestling training camp run by Misty Blue Simmes...
, Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez
Mercedes Martinez is a American professional wrestler, currently performing for Shimmer Women Athletes, as well as numerous independent promotions including World Xtreme Wrestling, Women Superstars Uncensored, and Full Impact Pro....
, MsChif
MsChif
Rachel Collins is an American professional wrestler who is better known by her ring name MsChif. She has been wrestling since 2001 and in that time has worked for several independent promotions across the United States, with guest matches in England and Japan...
, and ODB
Jessica Kresa
Jessica Kresa is an American professional wrestler and actress better known as ODB , currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she is a former three–time TNA Women's Knockout Champion....
(who also wrestled as Poison).
TNA briefly recognized the NWA World Women's Championship
NWA World Women's Championship
The NWA World Women's Championship is the National Wrestling Alliance's women's singles professional wrestling title. It is descended from the original Women's World Championship won by Mildred Burke in 1935 from Clara Mortensen. June Byers was then recognized as the succeeding champion after her...
in 2003. On March 12, 2003, Leilani Kai
Leilani Kai
Patricia Schroeder , better known by her stage name Leilani Kai, is a semi-retired professional wrestler. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school...
defeated Madison
Madison (wrestler)
Madison is a Canadian professional wrestler who got her start in NWA: Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling out of Vancouver.-Early life:...
to win the NWA World Women's Championship in a dark match on a TNA pay-per-view. On April 19, 2003, Kai defended the title against Desire at a house show, but she was later stripped of the title by NWA President Bill Behrens due to missing several subsequent NWA shows. According to Kai, she skipped the shows because she felt the NWA governing board was not treating the Women's Championship with the respect it deserved, such as not televising title matches on the TNA pay-per-views and TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion is a television program produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , featuring both highlights from Impact Wrestling and exclusive taped matches. It is now produced only for international markets, no longer airing in the United States...
.
Fewer women's matches were featured toward the end of 2004 and throughout 2005; however, TNA did feature pay-per-view matches pitting Trinity against former WWE Diva Jacqueline
Jacqueline Moore
Jacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Traci Brooks. TNA also featured Minsa
Stephanie Bellars
Stephanie Bellars is a professional wrestling valet and the former girlfriend of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. She worked for WCW and ECW. She has been known as Gorgeous George and George Frankenstein.-Personal life:...
in an on-air non-wrestling role.
Following the debut of the TNA iMPACT!
TNA iMPACT!
Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that currently airs in the United States and Canada on Spike...
television program in 2005, TNA featured former WWE Divas such as Gail Kim
Gail Kim
Gail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
, Jackie Gayda
Jackie Gayda
Jacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
, and Christy Hemme
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
, as well as independent female wrestler Sirelda
Jaime Dauncey
Jaime Dauncey is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2006 under the ring name, Sirelda. She is currently employed by Border City Wrestling....
in prominent on-air roles and feuds. Although most of the prior female talent had left TNA by this time, Traci Brooks remained in an on-air role and TNA added a new ring girl, SoCal Val (replacing Athena) and backstage interviewer, Leticia Cline
Leticia Cline
Leticia Ann Cline is an American model. She is best known as a former interviewer for TNA Wrestling and her Playboy magazine appearance in July 2008. -Early career:...
(replacing Goldy Locks). Gail Kim competed in a few matches that were televised and/or taped throughout 2006 against Sirelda and Traci Brooks, while independent wrestler Amber O'Neal
Amber O'Neal
Kimberly Dawn Davis is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Amber O'Neal.-Early career :...
competed at TNA house shows in matches against Kim and Jacqueline. In the fall of 2006, Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
appeared on TNA iMPACT! in her final televised appearance before her death.
TNA Women's Knockout Division (2007–present)
The formation of an official women's division began at Final Resolution in 2007 as TNA spent the early part of the year building up the feud between Gail Kim and Jacqueline, who made her on-air return at the pay-per-view. Throughout the summer of 2007, TNA also featured a feud between Christy Hemme and Roxxi LaveauxNicole Raczynski
Nicole Raczynski is an American professional wrestler, best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Roxxi...
. The first TNA Women's Knockout Champion
TNA Women's Knockout Championship
The TNA Women's Knockout Championship, often referred to simply as the Knockouts Championship, is a professional wrestling women's world championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily contested for in TNA's women's division...
was crowned on October 14, 2007 at Bound for Glory
Bound for Glory (2007)
Bound for Glory was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on October 14, 2007 at the Gwinnett Center in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, Georgia. It was the third event under the Bound for Glory chronology...
in a 10-Knockout gauntlet match which Gail Kim won. Around this time, TNA signed several additional female wrestlers and personalities, including Angel Williams, Amazing Kong
Kia Stevens
Kia Michelle Stevens , better known by her ring names Amazing Kong, Awesome Kong and Kharma. She is signed with WWE, but has been inactive since May 2011 due to pregnancy...
, ODB
Jessica Kresa
Jessica Kresa is an American professional wrestler and actress better known as ODB , currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she is a former three–time TNA Women's Knockout Champion....
, Shelly Martinez
Shelly Martinez
Shelly Leonor Martinez is a Mexican American model, actress, professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Salinas as valet to The Latin American...
, and Talia Madison
Velvet Sky
Jamie Szantyr is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former TNA Women's Knockout Champion and TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion with her former Beautiful People partners Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich...
who were then renamed after the PPV, as well as valet Karen Angle
Karen Angle
Karen Jarrett is an American professional wrestling valet and personality, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and new backstage interviewer Crystal Louthan
Crystal Louthan
Crystal Louthan is an American professional wrestling interviewer and announcer. She is best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life and career:...
. Alexa Jade
Alexa Thatcher
Alexa Thatcher is an American professional wrestler who regularly wrestles for Shimmer Women Athletes and various other independent promotions. She has also made brief appearances for Ring of Honor, and wrestled for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Alexa Jade.-Professional...
also made appearances as a jobber
Job (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling slang, the term job describes a losing performance in a wrestling match. It is derived from the euphemism "doing one's job", which was employed to protect kayfabe. As professional wrestling is scripted, inevitably a wrestler will be required to lose to an opponent.The term...
against Kim and Kong. In a stark departure to TNA's past programming where their female talent were often promoted as eye candy
Eye candy
Eye candy may refer to:*Attractiveness*Eye Candy , an album by Mis-Teeq*software "Eye Candy", a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks that adds new filter effects*"Eye Candy", an episode of the animated series Happy Tree Friends...
with little to no emphasis on athleticism or wrestling ability, in the same fashion as their WWE Diva counterparts, TNA's women's division emphasizes on serious wrestling competition between their female talent, as well as their credibility as real athletes who are on par with their male counterparts. Since the inception of an official championship, matches and segments involving the Knockouts have contributed to drawing some of the better ratings of Impact shows.
Throughout 2008, TNA continued to expand the Knockout roster by featuring Moose
Mickie Knuckles
Mickie Lee Knuckles is an American professional wrestler who has worked for a number of major independent promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling. She also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Moose...
, Payton Banks, Raisha Saeed, Rhaka Khan
Trenesha Biggers
Trenesha Biggers is a model and professional wrestler who worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan. She was in the final top 25 in the 2005 WWE Diva Search.-Professional wrestling career:...
, and Sharmell. Lauren Brooke
Lauren Brooke (interviewer)
Lauren Thompson or Lauren Brooke is a U.S. television personality, print and voiceover model who works for Golf Channel hosting "Top Ten" and "Golf Now" , as well the "College Sports Minute". She is also known for previously working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer...
became the new backstage interviewer beginning at Lockdown
Lockdown (2008)
Lockdown was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on April 13, 2008 at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was the fourth annual event under the Lockdown chronology. Eight professional wrestling matches were featured...
. In August, Gail Kim's contract with TNA expired and instead of renewing it, she decided to return to rival WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
for a 2nd run. In the spring of 2008, then-TNA Women's Knockout Champion Awesome Kong held a $25,000 Fan Challenge where she put her title and $25,000 on the line against any fan in the building. The challenge was eventually won by Taylor Wilde, and featured try-out matches for Daffney and Josie Robinson (later renamed Sojournor Bolt), both of whom later became full-time wrestlers in the Knockout division. Other participants in the challenge included Serena Deeb
Serena Deeb
Serena Deeb is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment, appearing on the SmackDown brand and also known for her time with the developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. under the ring name Serena...
, Melissa Wolfram, Leva Bates, and Danielle. Amber O'Neal
Amber O'Neal
Kimberly Dawn Davis is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Amber O'Neal.-Early career :...
, Becky Bayless
Becky Bayless
Rebecca Treston better known by her ring name Rebecca "Becky" Bayless, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for independent promotions such as Women's Extreme Wrestling, Wrestling Superstars Unleashed, Wrestlicious, and Women Superstars Uncensored...
, and TNA ring girl Kimberly also volunteered to wrestle Kong, but were not selected as challengers. In the fall of 2008, Mercedes Steele appeared as a jobber
Job (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling slang, the term job describes a losing performance in a wrestling match. It is derived from the euphemism "doing one's job", which was employed to protect kayfabe. As professional wrestling is scripted, inevitably a wrestler will be required to lose to an opponent.The term...
against Kong. In early 2009, Madison Rayne debuted in TNA and joined The Beautiful People
The Beautiful People (professional wrestling)
The Beautiful People was an alliance of professional wrestlers that appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , consisting of Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Cute Kip, Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich. The stable was known for their narcissistic gimmick, and holding the TNA Women's Knockout...
alongside existing members Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze is an American professional wrestler. Whilst wrestling for many companies Daizee Haze is also the head trainer for the Shimmer Women Athletes promotion.-Training and Gateway Championship Wrestling:...
returned in a one time match on May 1, 2008 losing to Cheerleader Melissa who was also pulling double duty under the Raisha Saeed gimmick at that time. Tara
Lisa Marie Varon
Lisa Marie Varon , is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and fitness competitor of Puerto Rican and Turkish descent...
, Sarita, Hamada
Ayako Hamada
is a female professional wrestler of mixed Japanese and Mexican descent, who is currently wrestling most notably for Pro Wrestling WAVE in Japan and Shimmer Women Athletes in the United States, where she is a co-holder of the Shimmer Tag Team Championship.She is best known for winning several...
and Survivor: The Amazon
Survivor: The Amazon
Survivor: The Amazon is the sixth season of the United States reality show Survivor. It was filmed in 2002 and 13 episodes aired weekly in the United States on CBS from February 13 - May 11, 2003....
winner Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca is an American actress, former swimsuit model and American reality TV contestant who was the million-dollar grand prize winner of Survivor: The Amazon and previously worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
debuted throughout the spring and summer. In September 2009, Angelina Love left TNA due to visa work issue. On September 20, 2009, Sarita and Taylor Wilde became the first TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when they won the final match of an eight-team tournament at No Surrender
No Surrender (2009)
No Surrender was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on September 20, 2009 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida...
. In September Lacey Von Erich
Lacey Von Erich
Lacey Dawn Adkisson is an American professional wrestler better known by her ring name Lacey Von Erich. She is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich and the granddaughter of Fritz Von Erich...
was signed to a contract and replaced Love as a member of The Beautiful People. and Roxxi returned to TNA (after being released earlier in the year) in December.
On December 31, 2009, TNA promoted a special four hour, all Knockout episode of Impact!, titled New Year's Knockout Eve, which featured a tournament for the number one contendership to the Women's Knockout Championship. In January 2010, Alissa Flash would then depart from the company in mutual agreement and Awesome Kong asked for her release after her backstage altercation with Bubba the Love Sponge
Bubba the Love Sponge
Todd Alan Clem is an American radio personality better known by his Legal name Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. He is the host of The Bubba the Love Sponge Show on various Cox Radio and Beasley Broadcast Group stations, formerly on Sirius XM Howard 101, as well as on RadioIO.-Early career and the...
while Angelina Love returned to TNA within the new year, Kristal Lashley was released in February. In March 2010, TNA released Traci Brooks after being with the company for 8 years while Roxxi was released again after returning to the company in December last year. Later that same month Awesome Kong was also given her release from the company.
On April 18, 2010, at Lockdown
Lockdown (2010)
Lockdown was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on April 18, 2010 at the Family Arena in Saint Charles, Missouri. It was the sixth event under the Lockdown chronology and the fourth event of the 2010 TNA PPV...
Madison Rayne made history by becoming the first person to hold both the Women's Knockout Championship and the Knockouts Tag Team Championship simultaneously. The following month Tara left TNA, after refusing to re-sign with the company due to not receiving a pay increase and Roxxi made her second return to TNA, though it was short lived as was released from the company the following month along with ODB, who became the seventh knockout to leave the company. On July 11 at Victory Road
Victory Road (2010)
Victory Road was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on July 11, 2010 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida...
Tara made her return to TNA. In August and September, Rebecca Treston
Becky Bayless
Rebecca Treston better known by her ring name Rebecca "Becky" Bayless, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for independent promotions such as Women's Extreme Wrestling, Wrestling Superstars Unleashed, Wrestlicious, and Women Superstars Uncensored...
and Mickie James
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
were signed to TNA contracts.
On October 1, 2010, TNA premiered an all Knockout highlight pay-per-view, titled TNA Knockouts: Mad Sexy Volume 1, featuring the best matches in the history of the Knockout division. as Volume 2 premiered February 1, 2011. In October 2010 TNA signed Katarina Waters
Katarina Waters
Katarina Leigh Waters is a German-born English professional wrestler and valet, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Winter. She is best known for her time in World Wrestling Entertainment, performing on its Raw brand under the ring name Katie Lea...
to a contract, That same month she debuted as Winter. while on November 11 Lacey Von Erich announced her departure from the promotion. On December 6, 2010, it was reported that Hamada had been released from TNA. Three days later also Taylor Wilde's departure from the promotion was confirmed. In February and March 2011, Traci Brooks, ODB, Roxxi and Alissa Flash all made one night returns to TNA. On March 15, 2011, Daffney's contract with TNA expired and was not renewed. ODB, Jacqueline Moore and Traci Brooks were re-signed to TNA contracts in May, June and July 2011, respectively.. In October Gail Kim returned to TNA, after spending the past three years with WWE during her 2nd run.
Knockouts Division Commissioner
In August 2008, it was announced on TNAwrestling.com that Traci Brooks was officially in charge of the Knockouts Division as the Knockouts Division Commissioner, also known as the "Knockout Law". On screen credit was given to Jim CornetteJim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
(at the time, the highest position of on-screen authority the fans saw), who was fed up with the Knockouts, and needed someone who "spoke their language" to control them. In January 2009, Brooks stopped appearing in TNA and Cornette resumed control over the Knockout division. Brooks returned on the March 12, 2009, edition of Impact! as a referee. She was released on March 4, 2010. On the September 30, 2010, edition of Reaction
TNA Reaction
TNA Reaction was a professional wrestling-focused documentary-style television program by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that aired in the United States and Canada on Spike...
Miss Tessmacher
Brooke Adams (model)
Brooke Nichole Adams is an American model, dancer, and professional wrestler, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Brooke Tessmacher. She previously worked for World Wrestling Entertainment appearing with Kelly Kelly and Layla in the dance group Extreme Exposé...
was named the new General Manager of the Knockouts division. However, just two weeks later she was fired from her position. On the September 1, 2011, edition of Impact Wrestling, Karen Jarrett was named the new Vice President of the Knockouts division with Traci Brooks serving as her executive assistant.
Promotion
The popularity of women in TNA has resulted cross-promotion with other brands featuring the TNA Knockouts.TNA Knockout Photoshoots/DVDs
- 2006, TNA released their first Knockout photoshoot entitled Knockouts: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling which featured Christy HemmeChristy HemmeChristina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
, Gail KimGail KimGail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
, Jackie GaydaJackie GaydaJacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
, SoCal Val, and Traci BrooksTracy BrookshawTracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
; a collage of the Knockouts that was featured was on the cover of the magazine plus a DVD of the first photoshoot came out also. - 2008, TNA released their second Knockout DVD on October 7, 2008 entitled TNA Knockouts: Knocked Out which features Angelina Love, Awesome KongKia StevensKia Michelle Stevens , better known by her ring names Amazing Kong, Awesome Kong and Kharma. She is signed with WWE, but has been inactive since May 2011 due to pregnancy...
, Christy HemmeChristy HemmeChristina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
, Gail KimGail KimGail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
, JacquelineJacqueline MooreJacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Karen AngleKaren AngleKaren Jarrett is an American professional wrestling valet and personality, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, LaurenLauren Brooke (interviewer)Lauren Thompson or Lauren Brooke is a U.S. television personality, print and voiceover model who works for Golf Channel hosting "Top Ten" and "Golf Now" , as well the "College Sports Minute". She is also known for previously working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer...
, ODBJessica KresaJessica Kresa is an American professional wrestler and actress better known as ODB , currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she is a former three–time TNA Women's Knockout Champion....
, Raisha Saeed, Rhaka KhanTrenesha BiggersTrenesha Biggers is a model and professional wrestler who worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan. She was in the final top 25 in the 2005 WWE Diva Search.-Professional wrestling career:...
, RoxxiNicole RaczynskiNicole Raczynski is an American professional wrestler, best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Roxxi...
, SalinasShelly MartinezShelly Leonor Martinez is a Mexican American model, actress, professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Salinas as valet to The Latin American...
, SharmellSharmell SullivanSharmell Sullivan-Huffman is an American professional wrestling valet and occasional wrestler - the wife of Booker T. She is best known for her work as Queen Sharmell with WWE until her release in 2007. She first came to prominence in the wrestling world as Paisley, a member of the World...
, SoCal Val, Traci BrooksTracy BrookshawTracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
, Taylor Wilde, and Velvet Sky. Karen Angle was chosen for the cover, with an alternative cover featuring Christy Hemme.
TNA Knockouts Trading Cards
TRISTAR ProductionsTRISTAR Productions
TRISTAR Productions, Inc. promotes sports collectible events, distributes autographed sports memorabilia, and manufactures and distributes trading cards. The company was founded in 1987, in Houston, Texas, by Jeffrey R. Rosenberg....
released a TNA Knockouts trading card series on April 28, 2009. The set features Angelina Love, Awesome Kong
Kia Stevens
Kia Michelle Stevens , better known by her ring names Amazing Kong, Awesome Kong and Kharma. She is signed with WWE, but has been inactive since May 2011 due to pregnancy...
, Christy Hemme
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
, Dixie Carter, The Governor
Shannon Spruill
Shannon Claire Spruill is an American professional wrestler and valet. She is best known for her appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 under the ring name Daffney and for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she used the ring name "The Governor", a...
, Jacqueline
Jacqueline Moore
Jacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca is an American actress, former swimsuit model and American reality TV contestant who was the million-dollar grand prize winner of Survivor: The Amazon and previously worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
, Lauren
Lauren Brooke (interviewer)
Lauren Thompson or Lauren Brooke is a U.S. television personality, print and voiceover model who works for Golf Channel hosting "Top Ten" and "Golf Now" , as well the "College Sports Minute". She is also known for previously working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer...
, Madison Rayne, ODB
Jessica Kresa
Jessica Kresa is an American professional wrestler and actress better known as ODB , currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she is a former three–time TNA Women's Knockout Champion....
, Raisha Saeed, Rhaka Khan
Trenesha Biggers
Trenesha Biggers is a model and professional wrestler who worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan. She was in the final top 25 in the 2005 WWE Diva Search.-Professional wrestling career:...
, Roxxi
Nicole Raczynski
Nicole Raczynski is an American professional wrestler, best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Roxxi...
, Sharmell
Sharmell Sullivan
Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman is an American professional wrestling valet and occasional wrestler - the wife of Booker T. She is best known for her work as Queen Sharmell with WWE until her release in 2007. She first came to prominence in the wrestling world as Paisley, a member of the World...
, SoCal Val
Valerie Wyndham
Valerie Elizabeth Wyndham is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, SoCal Val. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Independent circuit:...
, Sojournor Bolt, Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw
Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
, Taylor Wilde, and Velvet Sky. Also included are cards pairing the Knockouts with male TNA wrestlers.
Playboy
Shortly before leaving TNA, backstage interviewer Leticia ClineLeticia Cline
Leticia Ann Cline is an American model. She is best known as a former interviewer for TNA Wrestling and her Playboy magazine appearance in July 2008. -Early career:...
appeared on the cover of the November/December 2007 issue of Playboy's Sexy Girls Next Door, which included her nude photo shoot.
In an interview with The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
, Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw
Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
confirmed that Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine (which previously had a partnership agreement with WWE prior to the organization converting to PG-rated television content) reached a new partnership agreement with TNA. Brooks was originally scheduled to be featured in the November 2009 issue. She would become the first TNA Knockout to appear in Playboy, although Knockouts Christy Hemme
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
and Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca
Jenna Morasca is an American actress, former swimsuit model and American reality TV contestant who was the million-dollar grand prize winner of Survivor: The Amazon and previously worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
posed for the magazine prior to joining TNA. However, on September 2, 2009 it was reported that Playboy decided not to publish Brooks' photo shoot on their magazine. The photo shoot was instead released online through their Cyber Club website on September 17, 2009.
Other
In 2009, Taylor WildeShantelle Taylor
Shantelle Larissa Malawski is a retired Canadian professional wrestler best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Taylor Wilde. Malawski was under a World Wrestling Entertainment contract from 2006 to 2007, but never made it past the developmental system...
and The Beautiful People
The Beautiful People (professional wrestling)
The Beautiful People was an alliance of professional wrestlers that appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , consisting of Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Cute Kip, Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich. The stable was known for their narcissistic gimmick, and holding the TNA Women's Knockout...
(Angelina Love and Velvet Sky
Velvet Sky
Jamie Szantyr is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former TNA Women's Knockout Champion and TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion with her former Beautiful People partners Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich...
) appeared in the U.S. reality show MTV Made
Made (TV series)
MTV's MADE is a self-improvement reality television series broadcast on MTV. The series follows teens who have a goal and want to be "made" into things like singers, athletes, dancers, skateboarders, etc. The teens are joined by a "Made Coach", an expert in their chosen field, who tries to help...
to compete in a match involving a teen trained by A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
. Love and Sky were featured on the cover and in a pictorial in the December 2009 issue of Muscle & Fitness
Muscle & Fitness
Muscle & Fitness is an American bodybuilding magazine founded by Joe Weider, but now published by American Media, Inc.-History:Muscle & Fitness has a more mainstream focus than its companion publication, Flex...
magazine, which also included photos of Lauren Brooke
Lauren Brooke (interviewer)
Lauren Thompson or Lauren Brooke is a U.S. television personality, print and voiceover model who works for Golf Channel hosting "Top Ten" and "Golf Now" , as well the "College Sports Minute". She is also known for previously working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer...
and SoCal Val.
Some of the current and former TNA Knockouts have had short television and movie careers outside of TNA. Former backstage interviewer Lauren Brooke
Lauren Brooke (interviewer)
Lauren Thompson or Lauren Brooke is a U.S. television personality, print and voiceover model who works for Golf Channel hosting "Top Ten" and "Golf Now" , as well the "College Sports Minute". She is also known for previously working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer...
hosts Top Ten and Destination Golf on the Golf Channel. SoCal Val appeared in a television commercial for Morphoplex. Christy Hemme
Christy Hemme
Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
had roles in Bloodstained Memoirs
Bloodstained Memoirs
Bloodstained Memoirs is a professional wrestling documentary released online via an official stream in 2009. It is compiled by interviews featuring wrestlers synonymous with different eras in wrestling and different wrestling regions . Production was filmed in the UK, USA, France, Japan, and Italy...
, Fallen Angels, and Bubba's Chili Parlor. Hemme has also pursued a singing career and released songs on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. Traci Brooks had a role in Zombie Beach Party. Alissa Flash has a role in the 2010 documentary False Finish. Former backstage interviewer Leticia Cline
Leticia Cline
Leticia Ann Cline is an American model. She is best known as a former interviewer for TNA Wrestling and her Playboy magazine appearance in July 2008. -Early career:...
appeared in the fifth season of the reality series Beauty and the Geek
Beauty and the Geek
Beauty and the Geek is a reality television series on The CW. It has been advertised as "The Ultimate Social Experiment" and is produced by Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg and Nick Santora....
in 2008, as well as the Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
reality series Bowling Beauties. Angelina Love had a role in the 2008 indie
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
film titled Good Intentions starring country music star LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her...
and Luke Perry
Luke Perry
Luke Perry is an American actor. Perry starred as Dylan McKay on the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210, a role he played from 1990–95, and then from 1998–2000. Much publicity was garnered over the fact that even though he was playing a sixteen-year-old when 90210 began, Perry was actually in his...
.
Miss TNA
The first Miss TNA was crowned on June 19, 2002, when Taylor VaughnCathy Dingman
Katherine Dingman is a professional wrestler and valet she is known for her work in TNA, WCW, WWF and various independent promotions. She briefly appeared as B.B. in the WWF from late 1999 to early 2000...
won a 9-woman lingerie battle royal. The title was abandoned in November 2002.
| Wrestler: | Reigns: | Date: | Place: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Vaughn Cathy Dingman Katherine Dingman is a professional wrestler and valet she is known for her work in TNA, WCW, WWF and various independent promotions. She briefly appeared as B.B. in the WWF from late 1999 to early 2000... |
1 | June 19, 2002 | Huntsville, AL | Defeats Alexis Laree Mickie James Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional... , Elektra Donna Adamo Donna Adamo better known as Elektra is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager and adult model who is best known for her time spent in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Early career:... , Erin Bray, Francine Francine Fournier Francine Fournier , known simply as Francine, is an American former professional wrestling valet most known for her work in Extreme Championship Wrestling.-Extreme Championship Wrestling:... , Miss Joni, Sasha, Shannon Shannon Spruill Shannon Claire Spruill is an American professional wrestler and valet. She is best known for her appearances with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 under the ring name Daffney and for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she used the ring name "The Governor", a... , and Teresa Tyler in a "Lingerie Battle Royal" |
| Bruce Alan Funk Alan Eric Funk is an American professional wrestler, who has previously worked in promotions such as World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, often with comedic personas... |
1 | July 31, 2002 | Nashville, TN | Defeated Taylor Vaughn. |
| April Pennington | 1 | November 27, 2002 | Nashville, TN | April Pennington was given the crown by Bruce and the title was immediately abandoned |
| Title Abandoned | November 27, 2002 |
TNA Babe/Knockout of the Year
The TNA Babe/Knockout of the Year contest was a contest where fans voted on TNA Wrestling's official website for who their favorite TNA Knockout for that year.- 2003 TNA Babe of the Year: TrinityStephanie FinochioStephanie Finochio is an American stuntwoman and retired professional wrestler and valet better known by her ring name Trinity...
- 2004 TNA Babe of the Year: Traci BrooksTracy BrookshawTracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
- 2005 TNA Knockout of the Year: Jackie GaydaJackie GaydaJacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
- 2006 TNA Knockout of the Year: Christy HemmeChristy HemmeChristina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she...
- 2007 TNA Knockout of the Year: Gail KimGail KimGail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
TNA Women's Knockout Championship
The first TNA Women's Knockout Champion was crowned at on October 14, 2007 at Bound for GloryBound for Glory (2007)
Bound for Glory was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on October 14, 2007 at the Gwinnett Center in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, Georgia. It was the third event under the Bound for Glory chronology...
when Gail Kim
Gail Kim
Gail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
won a 10-woman gauntlet match. Angelina Love has the most reigns with 5. The current champion is Gail Kim.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
On the August 20, 2009, edition of Impact! it was announced that a tournament would begin to crown the first TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions. The first TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions were crowned at on September 20, 2009 at No SurrenderNo Surrender (2009)
No Surrender was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on September 20, 2009 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida...
when Sarita and Taylor Wilde won an eight-team tournament final. As of October 2011, the title is held by Gail Kim
Gail Kim
Gail Kim is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is the current TNA Women's Knockout Champion and one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions with Madison Rayne...
and Madison Rayne.
Queen of the Cage
The Queen of the Cage match is a professional wrestling match exclusive to TNA. The Queen of the Cage was determined annually at the LockdownTNA Lockdown
Lockdown is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced every April by the American professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action , is considered one of the flagship PPVs in the company, alongside Slammiversary and Bound for Glory...
pay-per-view event. In 2008, the match began as a reverse-battle royal involving eight wrestlers. The first two wrestlers that entered the cage then competed in a one-on-one match that was won via pin fall or submission. The winner became the number one contender for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. In 2009, the match was a traditional four-way match. The match type has since been dropped.
| No. | Match | Event, Date and Location |
|---|---|---|
| I | Roxxi Laveaux Nicole Raczynski Nicole Raczynski is an American professional wrestler, best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Roxxi... defeated Angelina Love, Christy Hemme Christy Hemme Christina Lee "Christy" Hemme is an American actress, singer, model, professional wrestling valet and former professional wrestler. Hemme is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as a backstage interviewer and ring announcer.-Early life:Hemme was born in Poway, California, but she... , Jacqueline Jacqueline Moore Jacqueline DeLois Moore is an inactive American professional wrestler, who was most recently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... , Rhaka Khan Trenesha Biggers Trenesha Biggers is a model and professional wrestler who worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Rhaka Khan. She was in the final top 25 in the 2005 WWE Diva Search.-Professional wrestling career:... , Salinas Shelly Martinez Shelly Leonor Martinez is a Mexican American model, actress, professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Salinas as valet to The Latin American... , Traci Brooks Tracy Brookshaw Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a... , and Velvet Sky Velvet Sky Jamie Szantyr is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former TNA Women's Knockout Champion and TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion with her former Beautiful People partners Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich... |
Lockdown 2008 Lockdown (2008) Lockdown was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on April 13, 2008 at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts. It was the fourth annual event under the Lockdown chronology. Eight professional wrestling matches were featured... April 13, 2008, Lowell, Massachusetts Lowell, Massachusetts Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County... |
| II | ODB Jessica Kresa Jessica Kresa is an American professional wrestler and actress better known as ODB , currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she is a former three–time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.... defeated Daffney, Madison Rayne, and Sojournor Bolt |
Lockdown 2009 Lockdown (2009) Lockdown was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on April 19, 2009 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the fifth event under the Lockdown chronology... April 19, 2009, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |