Since the television debut of TNA known as Impact Wrestling. The premier promotion has always been at the forefront of the pro-wrestling industry. Women’s wrestling has come a long way since the time of its origin. Women have continued to evolve in the squared circle.
Women’s wrestling first appeared at sideshows at carnivals as an attraction. As time passed in the 20th century when it came to women’s wrestling. The matches would often be both man vs. woman or woman vs. woman. Some would deem this time, as a social movement for women and the take-off to a pro-wrestling movement as well in the early 1900s.
In the Beginning…
Knockout (KO) is a term that is universally applied to all the female talent at Impact Wrestling. The term came from the debut of Impact Wrestling, known as TNA at the time, for the DVD release in 2006 Knockouts: The Ladies of TNA Wrestling Vol 1. The DVD release highlighted the female talent and stars of TNA Wrestling. This would be the beginning of something phenomenal.
The division began in 2007 at Final Resolution. This was the beginning of TNA building something special for women’s wrestling, the feud with Gail Kim and Jacqueline. The first Knockouts Champion was on October 14, 2007, at Bound for Glory. Gail Kim outlasted 10 women wrestlers in the squared circle in a legendary gauntlet match.
On August 20, 2009, TNA IMPACT! announced the creation of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship belts. The winners were determined by tournament. The inaugural champions of the tag division are Sarita and Taylor Wilde.
Madison Rayne announced the return of the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championships at Bound for Glory 2020. The Finals of the tournament will be at Hard to Kill on January 16, 2021.
Currently…
The division is one of the strongest and most dominating divisions in all of women’s wrestling.
Deonna Purrazzo is known as The Virtuosa. Can be described as a moniker for women’s wrestling. She is known for her technical abilities in the squared circle and a specialist in her famous Fujiwara armbar. The Virtuosa is not your average wrestler, she embraces elegance and dominance in pro-wrestling. As the first Iron-Woman of Impact Wrestling, she not only receives respect. Her presence in any promotion demands it.
Su Yung and her opposite self, known as Susie, are both entertaining and fantastic in-ring competitors. She proves she can strike fear and win the hearts of people. Yung is feared in the ring. When it comes to singles competition, her competition should be concerned. She is a two-time Impact Knockouts Champion debuting in 2015 at the company. Su has wrestled and collected championships from DDT, FEST, Girl Fight, RISE, Queens of Combat, Anarchy, and other promotions.
Jordynne Grace is one of the more powerful and advanced women to be in Impact Wrestling. She shows beauty and strength. Grace dominates the ring with both men and women. As well as competing in the X-Division, she is a woman without limits. Her in-ring talent is one that will inspire and be remembered by future generations. A unique woman with power in the ring.
Taya Valkyrie is one of the longest-reigning Impact Knockout Champions of all time. Known as the Wera Loca she is considered one of the greatest by breaking records.
Other additional Knockouts include Tennille Dashwood, Tasha Steelz, Rosemary, Nevaeh, Kimber Lee, Kiera Hogan, Alisha Edwards, and Gia Miller. All these ladies contribute to the division with their own style. They all are highly acclaimed in women’s wrestling and add the ability to stand out from others. The knockouts are impressive and have powerful resumes around the world.
Impact Wrestling continues to grow and evolve their talent. Every day in the indies no matter what the medium is, the arena they showcase, or even on television. As women’s history in pro-wrestling continues to be written. The knockouts will be remembered as the first. The first to achieve. The first to grow. The ones to dream. The ones that dared to be different. The real truths we learn from the art that we love such as pro-wrestling will remain with us forever. Allowing the Knockouts division to stand out, inspire, and remain in the dreams of future wrestlers. Designing them to be a class of their own.
Photos | Video Credit: Impact Wrestling