Mickie James

At 44 years old, Mickie James has this physical status:

Professional wrestling career

James attended a professional wrestling academy in the Washington, D.C. area at the suggestion of a neighbor. He was a fan of professional wrestling from an early age. On August 28, 1999, she made her professional debut on the independent circuit as a valet for KYDA Pro Wrestling under the ring name Alexis Laoda, which was created as a result of a blend of her stage name and middle name, which resulted in a name that became a result of a blending of her stage name and middle name. La Laverne went on to oversee several male wrestlers, including assisting Tommy Dreamer to win the KYDA Pro Heavyweight Championship. In March, she wrestled in her first match, an intergender tag team match against American Mike Brown and Candie. She trained to advance her wrestling skills by attending training camps such as the Funking Conservatory, a Dory Funk Jr. workshop, and an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) dojo. She also competed for Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW), where she spent time at camps run by Ricky Morton and Bobby Eaton. She appeared on Ring of Honor before 2002, which included appearances in 2002.

James supplemented her income by working as a waitress at an Olive Garden restaurant and posing nude for adult fetish magazines in the early 2000s before being accepted by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2003.

James spent a year with Ring of Honor, but the company's first-ever weekly pay-per-view became Alexis Lazare, as a participant in the royal lingerie war, which lasted the following week. She was not well known until March 26, 2003, when she joined Amazing Red as part of his rivalry against the X Division champion Kid Kash and Trinity. In a losing attempt against Trinity, Laree competed in her first singles match with the promotion on April 2, 2003. She became the first member of The Gathering, a stable led by Raven in his brawl against NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jartt. After the Gathering defeated and defeated Jartt, Laree became the first (and so far only) woman to participate in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match on April 16. She continued to wrestle with the stable as they competed with The Disciples of the New Church, taking part in another Clockwork Orange House of Fun match before departing the organization, with Father James Mitchell blitzing her with a fireball and wrestling.

James was signed to a development deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which then-developmental territory in August 2003, after two years of sending tapes and making phone calls, as well as wrestling a tryout dark match with Dawn Marie. Alexis Laree, the ring name, began appearing on television shows for OVW on January 29, 2004 and competed in several tag team tournaments throughout the year. On October 30, she also won a Halloween costume contest and defeated Jillian Hall in a $1,000 competition on November 12.

Lavington, 2005, was selected into a tournament for the OVW Television Championship on May 17, 2005. She defeated Mike Mondo in the first round but then lost to Blaster Lashley in the next round. After Phoenix interrupted La Lavigne during an interview, La Lavesque launched a war against Beth Phoenix on July 20. Shelly Martinez was brought to the storyline against Laree in September, where they continued into September. She appeared in OVW under her real name on October 12 and ended the year in a bleak season of matches against Martinez and Jillian Hall.

She debuted in WWE on the October 10, 2005 episode of Raw as a face under the WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus' biggest fan. The two Divas were entangled in tag team matches, with James' character becoming more obsessed with Stratus. In a Fulfill Your Fantasy battle royal at Taboo on Tuesday, James was dressed like Stratus and helped Stratus maintain the Women's Championship in a Fulfill Your Fantasy match royal involving herself and Victoria at the same time. During games, James began using Stratus' signature finishing moves as her own. On December 12, James became the most popular candidate for the WWE Women's Championship by defeating Victoria in a match to determine who will face Stratus at New Year's Revolution. After James kissed Stratus under a sprig of mistletoe, the storyline between Mickie and Stratus developed into a lesbian storyline. James lost to Stratus in the championship match at the pay-per-view.

Despite losing, James continued to be enamored of Stratus, which made Stratus uncomfortable. Stratus was confronted James on March 6, 2006, telling her that they needed time apart from each other. Mickie will attack Ashley Massaro several times throughout the early part of 2006, owing to Massaro's calling her "crazy." James defeated Massaro with Trish Stratus, the special guest referee at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, beating Massaro as the special guest referee. At the reunion, James would also reveal his love for Stratus. Massaro retaliated on Raw a week later.

On Saturday Night's Main Event XXII, James and Stratus teamed up to defeat Candice Michelle and Victoria. James decided to honor Stratus' wishes and kissed her after the match. James, who compelled Stratus to kill her, screamed Stratus and promised to kill her, turning heel in the process. The feud between James and Stratus culminated in a Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 22, which James won her her first Women's Championship in what was regarded as one of the finest female matches ever produced at WrestleMania. Stratus' relationship with Stratus intensified during a rematch, after Stratus incorrectly dislocated her shoulder when James threw her out of the fight. The feud would come to an end on June 26 of Raw, when Mickie defeated Stratus in a Women's Championship match.

After Lita hit James with the championship belt, James dropped the WWE Women's Championship to Lita on August 14th. Following Trish Stratus' retirement, James entered a tournament to determine the new champion. She defeated Victoria and Melina en route to the finals on Cyber Sunday, where she lost to Lita. After being wrestled with Lita in a string of matches in which Lita stipulated conditions to hinder Mickie's wrestling ability, James changed into a celebrity. The feud between James and Lita came to an end at Survivor Series, where James defeated Lita in the latter's retirement match to win her second Women's Championship.

On January 29, 2007, James began a relationship with Melina, then Melina, the country's top female contender for the Women's Championship. Following a fruitful title defense against Melina and Johnny Nitro in a mixed tag team match against Melina and Johnny Nitro, James teamed with Super Crazy on February 5. Melina pinned James for the victory, bringing her to a rematch for the title. James would lose the Women's Championship to Melina on February 19 and then, in a continuation of their storyline feud, lost the title during the first women's Falls Count Anywhere match in WWE history. James was pulled from the top turnbuckle and landed on her neck at the end of the match, resulting in a rushed finish. However, James was not critically wounded in the shooting.

During her photo shoot on Raw, the scripted feud between James and Melina was reignited. On April 24, James claimed her third Women's Championship at a house show in Paris, France. Victoria lost her third Women's Championship in a triple threat match. Since Mickie pinned Victoria over top of Melina, not Melina, a rematch was called, which was canceled due to James' removal of the Women's Championship from Melina, giving her the shortest Women's Championship reign in WWE history. Backlash was unsuccessful, with James winning a rematch for the title. After Backlash, James will make occasional appearances on television, wrestle occasionally in tag-matches, and rarely in singles competition. On the November 26 episode of Raw, James defeated Melina in a top-one contender's battle for Beth Phoenix's Women's Championship, setting up a title match between the two teams in which Phoenix retained the trophy.

James won her fourth Women's Championship on April 14, 2008, when he appeared in London, England. James successfully defended her title against Melina and Beth Phoenix in a triple-threat match on Judgment Day. Mickie and Kingston re-entered the feud against Phoenix in mid-2008, when she and Kofi Kingston teamed up against Phoenix and Santino Marella in a Winner Takes All Tag team competition for both the Women's and Intercontinental Championships, in which Mickie and Kingston lost their titles to Phoenix and Marella. After James lost the championship, she had two rematches for the title, but she was unsuccessful in regaining it. James was part of the triumphant Raw Diva squad that beat the SmackDown Divas in a five-on-five elimination match, eliminating Michelle McCool before being eliminated by Maryse. In a winless fight against Jillian Hall, Maryse, Victoria, and Natalya, Armageddon, James teamed with Maria, Michelle McCool, and Kelly Kelly in a winning effort against Jillian Hall, Maryse, Victoria, and Natalya.

James began feuding with the WWE Divas Champion Maryse going into Night of Champions after being featured in the 25-Diva battle royal at WrestleMania XXV. James won her first Divas Championship, defeating Maryse to win her first Divas Championship, becoming just the second Diva to win both the Women's and Divas titles in history. Mickie defended the title against Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix on Raw episodes and against Alicia Fox at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 4. James lost the title to Jillian Hall two weeks later on Raw after an approximate three-month reign. For the first time in her career, James was moved to the SmackDown brand thanks to a Diva swap initiated by Raw guest host Nancy O'Dell.

On October 23 of SmackDown's October 23 episode, James made her debut with the company, defeating Layla. On the October 30 episode of SmackDown, a controversial story began with WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool and Layla, also known as LayCool. James Bully James. On the November 20 episode of SmackDown, James Bond defeated Layla, McCool's name "Piggy James," which led to James' death and sent him to tears, culminating in a five-on-five Survivor Series match against McCool's team, with James and Melina as the sole survivors. By defeating Beth Phoenix and Natalya in a triple threat match on December 4 of SmackDown, James became the top contender for McCool's Women's Championship. James Ladders & Chairs attempted McCool for the championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, but was dissatisfied by Layla's interference. Laycool beatdown James, force-fed her a pig shaped cake and dumped a bowl of punch on her head on the January 22 edition of Smackdown, leaving her sobbing and defeated in the fight. The feud erupted into the Royal Rumble on January 31, 2010, where James defeated McCool in 20 seconds to become the second longest reigns with the old WWE Women's Championship since Trish Stratus, who has had seven reigns. Vickie Guerrero, a SmackDown consultant, was introduced to the feud over the next few weeks, choosing LayCool over James. McCool beat James on February 26 in SmackDown's Women's Championship, with Guerrero as special guest referee. McCool pinned her to regain the title after Guerrero slapped James.

James was diagnosed with a staph infection in her right knee on March 23, taking her out of action for three weeks. Vickie Guerrero and Alicia Fox's corner were back on Wednesday on Raw's episode, where she joined Eve Torres, Beth Phoenix, and Gail Kim in their losing effort against McCool, Maryse and Layla. At WrestleMania XXVI, this was a 10-Diva tag team match, in which James made an ineffective in-ring return after Vickie pinned Kelly. During a rematch on Raw, James made her last appearance, where her team was victorious. On the 26th episode of SmackDown, James' last match in WWE aired, where she teamed with long-time rival Beth Phoenix against LayCool in a losing effort when she was pinned by Layla. James was banned from WWE a day earlier on April 22, but she was competing in her SmackDown match pre-taped. WWE defended the decision as a result of wanting to "step in a new direction for their women's dissonance," WWE explained to James.

Sporadic appearances (2013)

James spent a week at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, coaching NXT's female wrestlers. In Tampa, Florida, James attended the NXT live event this week.

In April 2010, James returned to the independent circuit as part of the World Wrestling Council (WWC), collaborating with Carlito to defeat ODB and Christopher Daniels' team. After pinning Daniels, James took the fight. She defeated ODB in a singles match on July 11, part of their Anniversary weekend. James returned to Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW) on the last day of the month to face Mia Yim in a thrilling bout. She registered for the Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) Championship against Mercedes Martinez the following month, but she was disqualified. She has also returned to Dory Funk's career, starring a tag team match for!Bang! Television is on display in the United Kingdom. During!Bang, James accompanied Dory Funk Jr. during his match and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." The troops are commemorated on television in this special edition. During the Southern California Wrestling Association's (SCWA) 'CAGED' event in Wentworth, North Carolina, where all matches were held in a cage, James served as a special guest referee for a three-way match between ODB, Persephone, and Kristin Flake for the SCWA Ladies' Championship.

James started working with Covey Promotions in early 2011. On April 30, James defeated Hannah Blossom to become the first Covey Pro Women's Champion. During her time with TNA, James made several appearances for independent wrestling competitions, including Pro Championship Wrestling, Legends of the Ring, Northeast Wrestling, and National Wrestling Superstars. James lost the Covey Pro Women's Championship to debuting Jessie Belle Smothers on November 11, 2011.

On September 15, 2012, James made her Pro Wrestling Elite (PWE) debut in Ayr, Scotland, where she defeated Kay Lee Ray to a no contest. In a thrilling contest against Carmel and Nikki Storm, James joined Ray after the match. James lost in a thrilling match against Carmel the next night. In a winning effort against Nikki Storm, James returned to Pro Wrestling Elite at their two-year anniversary event Elite Bro on July 20, 2013. On September 21, James performed alongside many former WWE and TNA female wrestlers, including Angelina Love, Katarina Waters, Rosita, and Brooke Adams. In the main event, James and Love fought alongside Candice Michelle as the special guest referee, where Love pinned James after interference from Velvet Sky. In August 2013, James appeared at Big Time Wrestling as a villainess grappling Reby Sky several times in different dates and locations, winning in all bouts against Sky. Mickie performed in Bristol, Connecticut, on October 12, beating Quebec's Midianne again for the promotion. On February 8, 2014, James returned to Maryland Championship Wrestling in Joppa, Maryland, to face Angelina Love, nicknamed "Battle of the Bombshells." Despite being originally scheduled as a singles match, Renee Michelles' and Jessie Kayes' friendships intervened during the match, resulting in the match being turned into a tag team match between Mickie and Michelle, which James and Michelle won.

As she was accepted into the Covey Pro Hall Of Fame Class of 2014, James headlined the Covey Promotion 3rd Annual Induction Ceremony in West Virginia on April 25, 2014. The next day, during the All or Nothing 8! During an interview with Amber Rodriguez, who mocked James on her legitimate pregnancy and gave her a pie as a hint, James was interrupted, and in return, James shoved the pie in Amber's face. As James was escorted out by force, Jessie Belle Smothers came to the rescue and fought Rodriguez. Two months after giving birth to her first child, James returned to in-ring battle at Queens Of Combat 3 on November 30, where she defeated Tessa Blanchard after turning heel during the match and resorting to barbaric tactics. After being disqualified, James debuted for First State Championship Wrestling (1CW) unsuccessfully challenging Kacee Carlisle for the 1CW Women's Championship on May 16.

Despite being targeted by the villainous Melina during the contest, James defeated Amber Rodriguez (with Lisa Marie Varon as the special guest referee and Melina as the enforcer) to win the MCW Women's Championship on June 19, 2015. Kimber Lee overcame James to win the MCW Women's Championship after Amber Rodriguez intervened on November 13. James recovered a degree of revenge by defeating Rodriguez in a Loser Leaves MCW match, prompting Rodriguez to leave the organization. In a losing battle against Grand Champion Kimber Lee, James made an appearance for Chikara on February 2, 2016. On April 1, 2016, James returned to Queens of Combat and defeated LuFisto at Queens of Combat 10.

When James competed in the 2016 King of Trios tournament alongside Jazz and Victoria, she made her debut for Chikara on September 2, 2016. In their first round match, they defeated Team Shimmer (Candice LeRae, Crazy Mary Dobson, and Solo Darling). The Warriors Three's Team Original Divas Revolution was eliminated from the tournament the following day (Oleg the Usurper, Princess KimberLee, and ThunderFrog).

James served as head trainer for the Virginia-based Ground Xero Wrestling (GXW) Training Academy. She aided students at the Richmond campus. When James was promoted, he defeated Renee Michelle for the GXW Women's Championship.

James had signed a Total Nonstop Wrestling (TNA) deal on September 22, 2010. On October 7's Before The Glory special edition of Impact!, James returned to action as the special guest referee for the TNA Knockouts Championship match between Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, and Tara at Bound for Glory. James recalled the pinfall that made Tara the new Knockouts Champion, causing Rayne to yell "Adam," and James responding with a punch. Tara lost the title to Rayne on Impact!, while James stated that her intentions for the Knockouts title were clear following a match with the new champion. James fought her return match the following week, defeating Sarita before being attacked by Rayne's ally, Tara. At Turning Point, where she defeated Tara to a double disqualification in their first TNA pay-per-view match.

On the November 18 episode of Impact!

James defeated Angelina Love to become the number one contender for the championship. Following Madison Rayne's intervention after she sprayed a fire extinguisher and struck James with the Knockouts title belt, she was defeated in a final resolution. James defeated Tara in a steel cage brawl on the following episode of Impact! James lost her match against Rayne in the Knockouts Championship on January 9, 2011 due to Tara's interference. James lost again to Rayne in a Last Knockout Standing match after another interference by Tara in the following month. Rayne decided to give James another title match at Lockdown on March 17, with the added twist that if James loses the championship, she'll have to shave her hair off. At a TNA house show in Jacksonville, Florida, James legitimately separated her shoulder on March 18. James' injury was put into a plot, with Rayne and Tara running over her with Tara's motorcycle causing her to crash.

James defeated Madison Rayne in a steel cage match that lasted less than a minute to win the TNA Knockouts Championship for the first time on April 17. James became the first woman to win both the WWE Women's Championship, the WWE Divas Championship, and the TNA Knockouts Championship. James made her first title defense against Ms. Tessmacher on May 5's episode of Impact! James defended her position against Madison Rayne on May 15 in Sacrifice and, in the process, helped Tara get a divorce from Rayne. James defended her title against Angelina Love in the following month, but Love and Winter struck her later in the match. In an eight-woman tag team match against Cynthia Moreno, Faby Apache, Lolita, and Mari Apache, James made her TNA's World Cup Worldwide (AAA) debut at Tripleman's XIX on June 18, where she partnered with Angelina Love, Sexy Star, and Velvet Sky to defeat Cynthia Moreno, Faby Apache, Lolita, and Mari Apache in a TNA's Mexican partner Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) in XiXiXiXia team match against Cynthia Moreno, Lolita, and Mari Apache on June 18 on June 182ndo After battling Mari to a match for her AAA Reina de Reinas Championship, James returned to AAA on July 9, partnering with Sexy Stars to beat the Apaches in a tag team match. On July 31 at Verano de Escándalo, James competed in an eight-way match for the Reina de Reinas Championship, becoming the last person to be eliminated by the current champion, Pimpinela Escarlata. Following outside Love's interference, James was defeated by Winter in a non-title Street Fight on June 23. Following several interruptions from Love and a red mist from Winter, James lost the Knockouts Championship to Winter on August 7 at Hardcore Justice, where he lost the Knockouts Championship to Winter. James defeated Madison Rayne on the following episode of Impact Wrestling, securing a rematch for the title. James won her second TNA Knockout Championship on September 1st. James Herbert dropped the title back to Winter on September 11 at No Surrender. James defeated Ms. Tessmacher on Monday to earn a second shot at the championship in Bound for Glory, which Sky will win in a four-way match featuring defending champion Winter, Madison Rayne, and Velvet Sky.

James won a championship match with Gail Kim on November 17 in a gauntlet match. Following a distraction from Madison Rayne, Gail defeated James to keep the championship on December 11 in Final Resolution. James was up for the championship in the main event of the Impact Wrestling episode on December 29, but he was disqualified due to Rayne's interference. Kim and Rayne failed to capture the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship from Jan. 5, 2012, episode of Impact Wrestling, James and Traci Brooks. James lost another championship match against Kim three days later after being disqualified for using the brass knuckles that had been thrown into the ring by Rayne, who was suspended in a cage during the game. James defeated Rayne in a steel cage match on January 19 of Impact Wrestling. Impact Wrestling, James and Velvet Sky's on January 26, Tara defeated them in a three-way match for the Knockouts Championship. James was defeated by Sky in a six-way champions match on April 5th, as well as Angelina Love, Madison Rayne, Tara, and Winter. On the Ms. Tessmacher's win in a four-way match that also featured Tara and Velvet Sky, James still didn't get a shot at the Knockouts Championship on June 7, while still showing signs of a heel turn due to jealousy of Sky. James was chosen over Sky as the next challenger for the Knockouts Championship on June 21, but Ms. Tessmacher was unable to recapture the title. When Sky was allowed to leave TNA, James' storyline with Sky came to an end abruptly in the following month. James failed to participate in a four-way champions match involving Gail Kim, Tara, and eventual champion Madison Rayne on August 2nd. Following a three-month absence, James returned to Impact Wrestling on November 15, defeating a Knockouts contest royal to become the top contender in the Knockouts Championship. James was disqualified in winning the championship from Tara on December 9 at Final Resolution, according to her boyfriend Jesse. On the December 20 episode of Impact Wrestling, James had a second shot at the championship, but Tara denied him. James competed in a five-woman gauntlet match on January 13, 2013, but Gail Kim was defeated by Gail Kim.

James defeated Ms. Tessmacher in the Knockouts Championship on April 18 at Impact Wrestling, becoming the top contender for the Knockouts Championship. During James' title match against defending champion Velvet Sky on the following week, she started turning heel; James was defeated Sky; and David was defeated Sky. James defeated Sky after attacking her injured knee, transforming her into a three-time Knockouts champion on May 23. Following week, James continued to portray a villainous individuala by calling out Velvet Sky, being sarcastic and pompous towards her, and she did not help Sky after she was assaulted by Gail Kim. When James threatened Sky on June 13 in Impact Wrestling's June 13 episode, she emphasized her heel turn when the latter said she was preparing for a rematch. On the upcoming episode of Impact Wrestling, where James retained her championship, James and Sky met again. On the July 4 episode of Impact Wrestling, James defended her claim by claiming that getting to the top of the Knockouts division requires "clawing and scratching your way to the top"; James also said that "no woman will ever be as strong as her" and she'll "stand atop the division as the best Knockouts Champion of all time"; she'll "stand at the top of the class division. James defended the title against Gail Kim on Impact Wrestling's July 25 episode. James defeated Serena Deeb on September 6 to advance to the grand finals of Knockout Knockout Knockdown, in which James was eventually eliminated by Gail Kim. On the September 19 episode of Impact Wrestling to ODB, James lost the Knockouts Championship. It was revealed that James had failed to sign a TNA contract extension four days earlier. In an interview, James later stated that she technically wasn't under TNA's employment, but that she did not know she was gone. James appeared in an interview on WWE.com on November 15, 2013 addressing her relationship with WWE and the possibility of returning to the company in a new way. James was a participant of Team USA along with James Storm, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, and Kenny King at the airing of World Cup of Wrestling on December 6. Ivelisse Vélez of Team Aces & Eights defeated James after being manipulated by other members of Aces & Eights. Team USA would face Team Aces & Eights in a 5-on-5 elimination tag team match in which James gained a measure of revenge by excluding Vélez during the match; James and Storm were presented with the trophy afterward.

After a year and a half absence from the company, James performed a surprise return to TNA as a fan favorite on January 30, 2015. James would then have numerous confrontations with Bram about his conduct towards Magnus, her real life fiancé. On the April 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, James Storm switched from wrestling to focusing on becoming a full-time mother, but James Storm forced her to have one more match. On the third episode of Impact Wrestling, James decline Storm's invitation to join The Revolution, resulting in him intentionally shoving her onto a train track, sparking controversy. This was done to ban James from television as she had no more dates available with the company at the time. On Impact Wrestling's July 1 episode, James made her return by confronting Storm and referring her to an intergender tag team match. James retaliated on Storm and launched a bouncing DDT. When James pinned Serena on July 29, James and Magnus defeated Storm and his partner Serena.

James joined Global Force Wrestling on July 7, 2015 (GFW). James lost a three-way GFW Women's Championship tournament qualifying match in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 24, including Lei'D Tapa and eventual champion Christina Von Eerie. Christina Von Eerie defeated James and Kimber Lee on January 22 to keep the GFW Women's Championship.

On October 13, 2016, it was announced that James would return to WWE's developmental brand NXT at the NXT Takeover: Toronto event against Asuka for the NXT Women's Championship. On the October 26 episode of NXT, James Cutton cut a promo where she officially introduced herself and challenged Asuka for the championship. At the game, James was disqualified, and Asuka refused to shake her hand as a mark of disrespect. James had signed a multi-year contract with WWE, according to the newspaper on December 8. According to James, she pleaded to return under her old name, which she later described as a "throwback."

On the episode of SmackDown Live in January 17, James made her return by assisting Alexa Bliss in retaining her SmackDown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch in a Steel Cage match, establishing herself as the woman under "La Luchadora" gimmick and establishing herself as a heel character while simultaneously allying with Bliss. On January 29, 2017, she competed in her first match in nearly seven years in a WWE match, teaming with Bliss and Natalya against Lynch, Naomi, and Nikki Bella in a losing effort. In another losing bid, James continued to face Lynch at the Elimination Chamber's pay-per-view. On the version of SmackDown's February 14, she would face Lynch in a rematch, but she would miss a Two-Out-Three Falls match two weeks later to bring the storyline to an end. In March, James turned face after striking Bliss with a Mick Kick, bringing an end to their brief association and triggering a non-title match between the two teams on the edition of SmackDown's version, in which James was victorious. James took part in a six-pack challenge for Bliss' SmackDown Women's Championship, which culminated in Naomi winning the title.

As part of the 2017 Superstar Shake-Up, James was drafted to Raw shortly after Wrestlemania. After being named No. 1 in October, he debuted in October. Kurt Angle, the Raw Women's Championships, was defeated in the final, but James was unsuccessful in winning the title. James Bliss once more challenged the Bliss for the title in the main event a few weeks after, but fell short of it. On January 28, 2018, James Murray won the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match at No. 58. Trish Stratus, a former competitor, defeated 26 and lasted for more than eight minutes before being eliminated by long-time rival Trish Stratus. In the upcoming month, James qualified in the first-ever women's Elimination Chamber match at the namesake pay-per-view, where she came in second at No. 1 for the first time. After a diving Lou Thesz press off the roof of a pod before being banned by Bayley, a diving has eliminated Sonya Deville.

On the episode of Raw on February 26, James proceeded to heel and realigned herself with Bliss. James was involved in the first-ever WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal Trophy, but Ruby Riott disqualified him from the competition. She had intended to direct Bliss to her championship defense against Nia Jax but was assaulted and ejected by Jax later that night, but she was interrupted and ejected by Jax before the game began. James failed to qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank ladder competition in May, as well as a Gauntlet match in hopes of qualifying for the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match. James returned from a short absence from Alexa Bliss and Alicia Fox in August. With Bliss, the pair began a scripted feud with her ex-rivals and the WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita, kicking off a tag team match at WWE Evolution, the first-ever all-women's pay-per-view match. But, just three days before the game on October 25, it was announced that Bliss had been withdrawn from the match due to a concussion and that Fox would be her replacement. James and Fox were dissatisfied with Stratus and Lita in the event's first round.

James was selected by Bliss to be a part of Team Raw alongside Nia Jax, Tamina, Bayley, and Sasha Banks on November 18 against Team SmackDown's Naomi, Carmella, Asuka, and Mandy Rose. Since Jax was the only survivor of Team Raw, they emerged victorious. At Survivor Series, the win also ended James' undefeated streak to 5–0. On Raw, James was chosen by "General Manager-Elect" Baron Corbin to face Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey in an open contest but lost the championship match via submission. In comparison, James and Bobby Lashley were named as one of the teams that would be competing in season 2 of the Mixed Match Challenge. Despite advancing with a 3–0 lead in the tournament, the pair lost to Bayley and Finn Bálor in the playoffs and were booted from the tournament. Back to Raw, James made history by competing in the most matches ever contested by a female Superstar in the show's 25-year history, with 164 total matches by this time. James took the second women's Royal Rumble match at number 5 on January 27, 2019, at the Royal Rumble, lasting more than 11 minutes before being disqualified by Tamina. James pledged herself to Bliss in the hopes of advancing to the Elimination Chamber in hopes of naming the first-ever WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, but the long-time allies lost their tag team match to Nia Jax and Tamina the following night. James will compete in the second-annual WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35, knocking out Mandy Rose from the match and then being disqualified by Sonya Deville.

James was drafted back to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2019 Superstar Shake-Up. James had suffered a torn ACL tear during a live event on June 1, according to a newspaper. James Underwent successful knee surgery on July 16 and will be out of action for seven to nine months. During her recovery from injury, James will appear as a commentator for the Main Event.

After 14 months of injury, James appeared on Raw as a face on August 10, 2020, only for Natalya and Lana to interrupt her interview. The following week, James lost by countout due to Lana's interference. On the August 31 episode of Raw, James confronted Asuka, the Raw Women's Champion, stating that she intended to go after the title. Lana and Natalya interrupted stakes, resulting in a singles match between James and Lana in which James defeated her by pinfall during this exchange. On the 9th episode of Raw Women's Championship, James vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship, but he lost after a botched finish due to the referee's belief that James could no longer participate. James was undrafted in the 2020 WWE Draft in October.

During the special "Legends Night" episode of Raw on January 4, 2021, her first post-draft appearance appeared alongside several other WWE stars. In the same month, James competed in the women's Royal Rumble match, ranking No. 1 in the women's National Rumble competition. Lacey Evans had to be killed at 19 but not by Lacey Evans. She appeared on stage alongside the rest of the active roster at WrestleMania 37 in April. WWE revealed on April 15, 2021, they had signed Mickie James and several other famous celebrities. She had appeared on television programs such as Main Event and NXT before, and she had been involved in commentary on shows such as Main Event and NXT. Her freedom was met with some confusion as she said her belongings had been delivered to her in a garbage bag. Many other former employees, such as Jillian Hall, Maria Kanellis, and Gail Kim, had similar experiences when fired. James was suspended after being sent a public apology from Stephanie McMahon.

James made her National Wrestling Alliance debut on June 8, 2021 episode of NWA Powerrr, announcing that she would act as an executive producer for the first all-female event, NWA Empowerrr. On June 23, James revealed on Instagram that she would return to the ring and poses an open challenge to anyone who wishes to wrestle her at the NWA 73rd Anniversary Show. Kylie Rae replied to James' challange, which was defamed.

At Slammiversary, 2021, James spent her third return to TNA, now known as Impact Wrestling, after a six-year absence, and the Defending Champion of Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo was evicted by Purrazzo, who is executive producer, but Purrazzo was kicked in the face by Purrazzo. Purrazzo would eventually comply with James' invitation, beating Melina at the Knockouts Championship, which was a triumph at NWA Empowerrr. Purrazzo and James were tangled in their match against Kylie Rae on Tuesday night at NWA 73. In the Battle for Glory, on September 23, it was announced that James would make her in-ring return to Impact as she challenged Purrazzo for the Knockouts Championship at Bound for Glory. James won the Impact Knockouts Championship for the fourth time at Bound for Glory. James was stabbed by Purrazzo, who revealed that she would invoke her rematch clause at Hard To Kill at Turning Point, after successfully retaining the title against Mercedes Martinez. In a Texas Deathmatch, James successfully retained the title against Purrazzo on January 8, 2022.

James was announced as a participant in the Women's Royal Rumble match in Royal Rumble, 2022, while being recognized as Impact Knockout World Champion. Impact Wrestling also promoted her upcoming appearance later that night. She debuted on Friday at #20 with her Impact theme (Hardcore Country) and the Impact Knockouts World Championship belt, earning her the top spot in the Royal Rumble. Michelle McCool was ruled out of the game after only lasting less than 12 minutes, and Lita was later eliminated by another former rival.

James lost her Knockouts World Championship to Tasha Steelz at Sacrifice, bringing an end to her fourth reign at 133 days. James was betrayed by Chelsea Green, his best friend who had turned heel, during a rematch. James, who teased retirement on Twitter, returned to Impact! on September 1, 2022, to announce that she will miss her next match after she failed to advance to the Grand Slam finals. She has since won every match since this announcement, most recently defeating Mia Yim at Bound for Glory.

Music career

Strangers & Angels, James' first country music collection, was released on iTunes on May 18, 2010. With the help of an outsider, the album was self-released. "Hardcore Country," James' debut on December 2, 2010, was also used as her entrance music with TNA and on their independent circuit appearances. During James' first appearance on TNA Spin Cycle, a music video for the single was first seen. James participated in a Kickstarter campaign to partially fund the album for her second album. Fans who contributed to the cause were given special items from the campaign. With a total pledge of $16,500 out of a $5,000 target, the online campaign was a success. The funds were used to produce the first six songs from the album. The album, "Somebody's Gonna Pay," was released on May 7, 2013, under the name Entertainment One (eOne) Music, and debuted on the Billboards Heatseekers charts at #15. James also shot a music video for her album "Somebody's Pay," which was also named "Somebody's Gonna Pay." Trish Stratus and James, the then-fiancé Magnus, is the star of the video. Jeff Jarrett, the company's founder, was also on the set of the Nashville, Tennessee video. Jartt did not appear on the film but taught James how to swing a guitar. While she was with TNA, James also toured around the country, performing small concerts at various venues.

Montgomery Gentry, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, and Rascal Flatts have all opened shows for James. James also appeared at the 2011 CMA Music Festival. In 2013, James Storm and Eric Young all made appearances at CMA Fest, where he appeared at the festival. James Storm and fellow wrestler James Storm worked on a song called "Is Everybody Doing OK," which is featured on Cowboy Troy's album, King of Clubs.

"Shooting Blanks," James released a new song on November 19, 2016.

On October 14, 2017, James was inducted into The Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame. "Shooting Blanks" was also a winner of the National Award for her album "Song of the Year." The Native American Music Awards' Best Single Recording" was named for James' album "Left Right Left" on October 13, 2018.

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