TNA Knockout
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knockout is a term used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to refer to its female talent.[1] The term is applied universally to wrestlers, backstage interviewers, managers/valets. They are analogous to the Divas of rival World Wrestling Entertainment.
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[edit] 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, [2] which featured Goldy Locks, Shannon (aka Daffney/Lucy), and Francine.
[edit] Miss TNA
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.[3] Taylor Vaughn won the first Miss TNA crown [4] and was defeated in a match 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. [5] Bruce would hold 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.[6] 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). [7] This led to the break up of The Rainbow Express, and Bruce's homosexuality was questioned by 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. [8] The storyline ended with Alan Funk declaring himself straight and handing his crown over to Pennington. The Miss TNA crown wasn't mentioned on-screen afterward.
[edit] Post-Miss TNA
Women's wrestling continued to be a feature of the weekly PPVs before an official women's division was re-established in 2006-2007. In 2003, cage dancers (many of whom were independent female wrestlers who were then unknown at the time, including Lollipop) continued to be used near the top of the entrance ramp, but this concept was abandoned shortly thereafter. TNA also 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.[9] TNA also regularly used several female wrestlers on their PPVs and television programs, including Trinity, Alexis Laree, and Traci Brooks.
The formation of a new official division came after Bound For Glory 2006 with over a year's build up before a new TNA Women's Champion was crowned at Bound For Glory 2007 in a 10-Knockout gauntlet match which Gail Kim won.
[edit] Promotion
The popularity of women in TNA has resulted cross-promotion with other brands featuring the TNA Knockouts. Former TNA Knockout Leticia Cline has appeared in commercials for non-TNA related products as well as in men's interest magazines.
[edit] TNA Knockout Photoshoots
- 2006: TNA released their first yearly Knockout photoshoot which featured Traci Brooks, SoCal Val, Christy Hemme, Jackie Gayda, Gail Kim; a collage of the Knockouts that was featured was on the cover of the magazine plus a DVD of the first yearly photoshoot came out also.
[edit] Championships and Accomplishments
[edit] Miss TNA
| Wrestler: | Reigns: | Date: | Place: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Vaughn | 1 | June 19, 2002 | Huntsville, AL | Defeats Elektra, Erin, Francine, Miss Joni, Alexis Laree, Sasha, Shannon, and Tyler in a "Lingerie Battle Royal" |
| Bruce | 1 | July 31, 2002 | Nashville, TN | Defeated Taylor Vaughn in a Single Match. |
| 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 |
[edit] TNA Babe/Knockout of the Year
The TNA Babe/Knockout of the Year contest is a contest where fans vote on TNA Wrestling's official website for who their favorite TNA Knockout for that year.
- 2003 TNA Babe of the Year: Trinity
- 2004 TNA Babe of the Year: Traci Brooks
- 2005 TNA Knockout of the Year: Jackie Gayda
- 2006 TNA Knockout of the Year: Christy Hemme
- 2007 TNA Knockout of the Year: Gail Kim
[edit] TNA Women's World Championship
- Further information: TNA Women's World Championship
The first TNA Women's World Champion was crowned at Bound For Glory 2007 when Gail Kim won a 10-woman gauntlet match. The current champion is Awesome Kong.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Knockouts - The Ladies of TNA Wrestling. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- ^ NWA:TNA weekly pay-per-view results - June 19, 2002. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- ^ NWA:TNA 2002 Results. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
- ^ TNA PPV resluts 6/26. WrestleView. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
- ^ NWA:TNA weekly pay-per-view results - July 08, 2002. WrestleView. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- ^ NWA:TNA weekly pay-per-view results - 11th September, 2002. WrestleView. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ NWA:TNA weekly pay-per-view results - 13th November, 2002. WrestleView. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ TNA Pay-Per-View: November 13, 2002 Recap. TV.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
- ^ Explosion in Nashville. LadySports. Retrieved on 2007-11-20.
[edit] External links
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