Mickie James spoke with Ledger-Enquirer.com to promote TNA Wrestling’s live event yesterday in Columbus, Georgia. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

The challenges a woman faces in the male-dominated world of professional wrestling: “As a woman I want to prove myself even more. I might not be as tough as the guys but sometimes I have the match of the night. Then the guys have to go out and top me. It’s still such a male-dominated sport that we’re not taken seriously. We still have lingerie matches and pillow fights. It’s a real task. But most of the fans know who I am.”

Injuries she has endured throughout her career: “I haven’t had a ton of injuries. I had a MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection in my knee. I had to get it drained and removed. My knee (was swollen) up to the size of my thigh. I was stubborn. I told everyone I’ve wrestled with worse than this. But I flew home and got it checked. The doctor told me if I had waited it could have been a lot worse. I’ve had stitches in my eye, lost a tooth, I’ve separated both shoulders twice and I’ve had a few concussions.”

Stacy Keibler: She’s hot stuff. I heard she dated George Clooney for a minute. I’m so jealous. That’s awesome. She’s really branched out and done things as a female that the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin have done.

“But she’s never really been a wrestler. She’s done lingerie and pillow fight matches.”

What would surprise fans about herself: “I try to keep the sanctuary of the storylines. That means I travel by myself. I’ve found that the people I have the most connections with are the ones I work best on opposite sides. We have the passion for wrestling and we want the same thing. You say you’re sorry later.”

To read the full interview, click here.

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