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Gail Kim | Gail Kim, born February 20, 1977, is a Canadian professional wrestler, valet, model and actress of Korean descent, who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)[http://www.impactwrestling.com/]. She is also known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), [http://www.wwe.com/]where she won the WWE Women's Championship in her first match. | ||
She began her career wrestling as La Felina on the Canadian independent circuit, before joining WWE in 2002 as Gail Kim. In her WWE debut match, she won the WWE Women's Championship. After being released by WWE in 2004, Kim joined TNA in September 2005. There, she joined the tag team America's Most Wanted as their valet. After the dissolution of the group, Kim performed as a singles wrestler, eventually going on to become the inaugural TNA Women's Knockout Champion in October 2007. She later left TNA in August 2008, to return to WWE three months later, making her televised return in March 2009. She announced on August 5, 2011 that she had quit WWE via her Twitter account. The following October she returned to TNA. In 2012, Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Kim the number one female wrestler in the world. | She began her career wrestling as La Felina on the Canadian independent circuit, before joining WWE in 2002 as Gail Kim. In her WWE debut match, she won the WWE Women's Championship. After being released by WWE in 2004, Kim joined TNA in September 2005. There, she joined the tag team America's Most Wanted as their valet. After the dissolution of the group, Kim performed as a singles wrestler, eventually going on to become the inaugural TNA Women's Knockout Champion in October 2007. She later left TNA in August 2008, to return to WWE three months later, making her televised return in March 2009. She announced on August 5, 2011 that she had quit WWE via her Twitter account. The following October she returned to TNA. In 2012, Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Kim the number one female wrestler in the world. | ||
== '''Personal life''' == | == '''Personal life''' == | ||
Gail Kim was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on February 20, 1977. Kim majored in kinesiology at the University of Toronto before transferring to Ryerson University and changing her major to nutrition. Prior to signing with WWE, Kim underwent breast augmentation surgery. After signing, she had her implants enlarged. While performing for WWE, one of her implants ruptured, which resulted in her being sidelined for two weeks. Kim married celebrity chef Robert Irvine May 10, 2012. The couple met on the set of Dinner: Impossible. | Gail Kim was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on February 20, 1977. Kim majored in kinesiology at the University of Toronto before transferring to Ryerson University[http://www.ryerson.ca/index.html] and changing her major to nutrition. Prior to signing with WWE, Kim underwent breast augmentation surgery. After signing, she had her implants enlarged. While performing for WWE, one of her implants ruptured, which resulted in her being sidelined for two weeks. Kim married celebrity chef Robert Irvine May 10, 2012. The couple met on the set of Dinner: Impossible. | ||
== '''Canadian independent circuit (2000–2002)''' == | == '''Canadian independent circuit (2000–2002)''' == | ||
After obtaining her degree from Ryerson University | After obtaining her degree from Ryerson University, Kim decided to become a professional wrestler and joined Ron Hutchinson's "School of Pro Wrestling" in Toronto. She received supplementary training from Rob Etchevarria at the "Squared Circle Pro Wrestling Gym". She debuted in December 2000, wearing a mask and wrestling as "The Queen of the Cats" La Felina in the Southern Ontario-based Apocalypse Wrestling Federation. She, however, was eventually unmasked by Tracy Brooks in a "Mask versus Hair" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_wrestling_match_types]match. Kim worked on the Canadian independent circuit for two years, wrestling for promotions such as Border City Wrestling. | ||
== '''World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)''' == | == '''World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)''' == | ||
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On the August 25 episode of Raw, Kim turned on Trish Stratus and subsequently formed an alliance with Holly to take on Stratus, defeating her and various partners on several occasions, until she was later assisted by Lita. At WWE's Unforgiven PPV event on September 21, 2003, Stratus and Lita defeated Kim and Holly in a tag match. The four women continued to feud until November, when Kim was sidelined with a broken right collarbone. Kim returned to Raw in April 2004 and immediately reforged her alliance with Holly. At WWE's Bad Blood PPV event on June 13, 2004, she faced Lita, Stratus, and Victoria in a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women's Championship, which was won by Stratus. Kim participated in a battle royal on October 19, 2004 at WWE's Taboo Tuesday PPV event, which was won by Stratus. She, however, was released by WWE on November 3, 2004 as a result of cost cutting. Kim was caught off guard by her release and was told that management wanted to take the women's division in a new direction. | On the August 25 episode of Raw, Kim turned on Trish Stratus and subsequently formed an alliance with Holly to take on Stratus, defeating her and various partners on several occasions, until she was later assisted by Lita. At WWE's Unforgiven PPV event on September 21, 2003, Stratus and Lita defeated Kim and Holly in a tag match. The four women continued to feud until November, when Kim was sidelined with a broken right collarbone. Kim returned to Raw in April 2004 and immediately reforged her alliance with Holly. At WWE's Bad Blood PPV event on June 13, 2004, she faced Lita, Stratus, and Victoria in a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women's Championship, which was won by Stratus. Kim participated in a battle royal on October 19, 2004 at WWE's Taboo Tuesday PPV event, which was won by Stratus. She, however, was released by WWE on November 3, 2004 as a result of cost cutting. Kim was caught off guard by her release and was told that management wanted to take the women's division in a new direction. | ||
== '''International circuit (2005)''' == | == '''International circuit (2005)''' == | ||
After her release from WWE, Kim would make an appearance for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling on January 22, 2005 in South Korea, teaming with Lollipop in a tag team match, where they defeated Malia Hosaka and Nidia. On June 26, Kim made her debut for World Series Wrestling (WSW) in Melbourne, Australia, losing to Nidia in a singles match. Two days later at another WSW event in Sydney, Kim defeated Nidia in a rematch. The following night, Kim teamed up with A.J. Styles to defeat Nidia and Christopher Daniels in a mixed tag team match. | After her release from WWE, Kim would make an appearance for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling on January 22, 2005 in South Korea, teaming with Lollipop in a tag team match, where they defeated Malia Hosaka and Nidia. On June 26, Kim made her debut for World Series Wrestling (WSW) in Melbourne, Australia, losing to Nidia in a singles match. Two days later at another WSW event in Sydney, Kim defeated Nidia in a rematch. The following night, Kim teamed up with A.J. Styles to defeat Nidia and Christopher Daniels in a mixed tag team match. | ||
== '''Total Nonstop Action Wrestling''' == | == '''Total Nonstop Action Wrestling''' == | ||
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In early 2007 after the dissolution of AMW, Kim began a more active role as an in-ring competitor in TNA. This began with an on-screen feud with her former alliance, Storm, and his new manager Jacqueline. The first encounter between the group was on February 11, 2007 at TNA's Against All Odds PPV event in a Mixed Tag Team match, which Kim and her partner, Petey Williams, lost. On March 11, 2007 at TNA's Destination X PPV event, Storm and Jacqueline won a rematch against Williams and Kim in a Double Bullrope match. Kim went on to defeat Jacqueline in a Six Sides of Steel cage match on April 15, 2007 at TNA's Lockdown PPV event. Their feud came to an end on the May 3, 2007 episode of TNA Impact!, when Kim defeated Moore under street fight rules. | In early 2007 after the dissolution of AMW, Kim began a more active role as an in-ring competitor in TNA. This began with an on-screen feud with her former alliance, Storm, and his new manager Jacqueline. The first encounter between the group was on February 11, 2007 at TNA's Against All Odds PPV event in a Mixed Tag Team match, which Kim and her partner, Petey Williams, lost. On March 11, 2007 at TNA's Destination X PPV event, Storm and Jacqueline won a rematch against Williams and Kim in a Double Bullrope match. Kim went on to defeat Jacqueline in a Six Sides of Steel cage match on April 15, 2007 at TNA's Lockdown PPV event. Their feud came to an end on the May 3, 2007 episode of TNA Impact!, when Kim defeated Moore under street fight rules. | ||
'''Singles competition (2007–2008)''' | |||
''' | |||
After the conclusion to her feud with Moore, Kim made two minor TNA PPV appearances before outlasting nine other competitors in a ten-woman gauntlet match to crown the first TNA Women's World Champion on October 14, 2007 at TNA's Bound for Glory PPV event. She made her first title defense on November 11 at TNA's Genesis PPV event; there she successfully retained the now renamed TNA Women's Knockout Championship by defeating Roxxi Laveaux, ODB, and Angel Williams. Kim then began a feud with Awesome Kong over the championship. Their first encounter occurred on December 2 at TNA's Turning Point PPV event, which resulted in Kim retaining due to a disqualification by Kong. On January 6, 2008 at TNA's Final Resolution PPV event, Kim defeated Kong in their second encounter to retain the championship under no disqualification rules. In their third and final encounter in the main event of the January 10 episode of TNA Impact!, Kong defeated Kim to win the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. | After the conclusion to her feud with Moore, Kim made two minor TNA PPV appearances before outlasting nine other competitors in a ten-woman gauntlet match to crown the first TNA Women's World Champion on October 14, 2007 at TNA's Bound for Glory PPV event. She made her first title defense on November 11 at TNA's Genesis PPV event; there she successfully retained the now renamed TNA Women's Knockout Championship by defeating Roxxi Laveaux, ODB, and Angel Williams. Kim then began a feud with Awesome Kong over the championship. Their first encounter occurred on December 2 at TNA's Turning Point PPV event, which resulted in Kim retaining due to a disqualification by Kong. On January 6, 2008 at TNA's Final Resolution PPV event, Kim defeated Kong in their second encounter to retain the championship under no disqualification rules. In their third and final encounter in the main event of the January 10 episode of TNA Impact!, Kong defeated Kim to win the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. | ||
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On the June 29 episode of Raw, Kim was traded to the Raw brand as part of a 15 wrestler tri-branded trade between Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. A few weeks later on the August 10 episode of Raw, she gained another Divas title shot by winning a Fatal 4-Way match, that also involved Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, and Alicia Fox, to become number one contender. She was unsuccessful in winning the championship on the August 17 episode of Raw, when she faced then-champion Mickie James. At the Bragging Rights pay per-view on October 25, Kim, with Melina and Kelly Kelly, represented Raw in a losing effort to Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and Natalya, representing SmackDown. Kim was on the winning side of a five-on-five Survivor Series Elimination match on November 22 at the Survivor Series pay per-view. | On the June 29 episode of Raw, Kim was traded to the Raw brand as part of a 15 wrestler tri-branded trade between Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. A few weeks later on the August 10 episode of Raw, she gained another Divas title shot by winning a Fatal 4-Way match, that also involved Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, and Alicia Fox, to become number one contender. She was unsuccessful in winning the championship on the August 17 episode of Raw, when she faced then-champion Mickie James. At the Bragging Rights pay per-view on October 25, Kim, with Melina and Kelly Kelly, represented Raw in a losing effort to Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and Natalya, representing SmackDown. Kim was on the winning side of a five-on-five Survivor Series Elimination match on November 22 at the Survivor Series pay per-view. | ||
In early 2010, a tournament was held for the newly vacated Divas Championship. Kim defeated Jillian Hall and Fox to make it to the finals, where she faced Maryse for the vacant title. The finals were held on the February 22 episode of Raw, which Maryse won to become the new champion. The finals were originally to be held on February 21 at the Elimination Chamber pay per-view, but the match was changed to the team of Maryse and Kim versus Team Lay-Cool (McCool and Layla), which was won by the latter thanks to Maryse abandoning Kim during the match. Kim was a part of the losing side of a 10-Diva tag team match at WWE's WrestleMania XXVI PPV event on March 28. At the Fatal 4-Way pay per-view on June 20 Kim challenged for the Divas Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match that also involved then-champion Eve, Maryse, and Fox; however, Fox won the contest. | In early 2010, a tournament was held for the newly vacated Divas Championship. Kim defeated Jillian Hall and Fox to make it to the finals, where she faced Maryse for the vacant title. The finals were held on the February 22 episode of Raw, which Maryse won to become the new champion. The finals were originally to be held on February 21 at the Elimination Chamber pay per-view, but the match was changed to the team of Maryse and Kim versus Team Lay-Cool (McCool and Layla), which was won by the latter thanks to Maryse abandoning Kim during the match. Kim was a part of the losing side of a 10-Diva tag team match at WWE's WrestleMania XXVI PPV event on March 28. At the Fatal 4-Way pay per-view on June 20 Kim challenged for the Divas Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match that also involved then-champion Eve, Maryse, and Fox; however, Fox won the contest. Whilst feuding with Maryse, Kim wrestled a string of house shows with Maryse, Kim was rumoured to be furious when one of the matches ended with Maryse sitting on Kim's face for the pin-fall. This move was never attempted on a live show as it did not comply with the WWE's current PG rating, however it is rumoured that this is one of the reasons for Gail Kim's departure from WWE. | ||
Whilst feuding with Maryse, Kim wrestled a string of house shows with Maryse, Kim was rumoured to be furious when one of the matches ended with Maryse sitting on Kim's face for the pin-fall. This move was never attempted on a live show as it did not comply with the WWE's current PG rating, however it is rumoured that this is one of the reasons for Gail Kim's departure from WWE. | |||
In early 2011, Gail Kim became the on-screen girlfriend of Daniel Bryan and began accompanying him to the ring. At that time Bryan was managed by The Bella Twins and after they discovered Daniel Bryan kissing his new girlfriend, Gail Kim backstage, they assaulted her. On January 30 at the Royal Rumble, the Bella Twins once again assaulted Kim. On the following night on Raw, Gail was at ring side during Daniel Bryan's match against Tyson Kidd. After the match, the Bellas entered the ring, Nikki slapped Bryan and Gail attacked her. | In early 2011, Gail Kim became the on-screen girlfriend of Daniel Bryan and began accompanying him to the ring. At that time Bryan was managed by The Bella Twins and after they discovered Daniel Bryan kissing his new girlfriend, Gail Kim backstage, they assaulted her. On January 30 at the Royal Rumble, the Bella Twins once again assaulted Kim. On the following night on Raw, Gail was at ring side during Daniel Bryan's match against Tyson Kidd. After the match, the Bellas entered the ring, Nikki slapped Bryan and Gail attacked her. | ||
For the first half of 2011, Kim feuded with Melina; the matches between the two mainly took place on Superstars and saw Kim emerging victorious in two singles matches on May 30 and June 23. On the August 1 episode of Raw, Kim participated in a Battle Royal to determine the number one contender for the Divas Championship, however, shortly after the match began, she eliminated herself. She later explained that WWE had instructed her to get herself eliminated from the match within the first minute, so she decided to take the easy way out and just eliminate herself. On August 5, Gail Kim announced on her Twitter page that she had quit the WWE following the incident. Kim later indicated that WWE did not grant her release, but would instead force her to stay with the promotion for the remainder of her contract. Kim's WWE.com profile was removed on September 30, indicating that she had officially left the company. Kim later stated in an interview with The Sun that she was not happy with her time in WWE due to feeling that she was being held back, while also vowing never to re-sign with the promotion. | For the first half of 2011, Kim feuded with Melina; the matches between the two mainly took place on Superstars and saw Kim emerging victorious in two singles matches on May 30 and June 23. On the August 1 episode of Raw, Kim participated in a Battle Royal to determine the number one contender for the Divas Championship, however, shortly after the match began, she eliminated herself. She later explained that WWE had instructed her to get herself eliminated from the match within the first minute, so she decided to take the easy way out and just eliminate herself. On August 5, Gail Kim announced on her Twitter page that she had quit the WWE following the incident. Kim later indicated that WWE did not grant her release, but would instead force her to stay with the promotion for the remainder of her contract. Kim's WWE.com profile was removed on September 30, indicating that she had officially left the company. Kim later stated in an interview with The Sun that she was not happy with her time in WWE due to feeling that she was being held back, while also vowing never to re-sign with the promotion. | ||
== '''Return to TNA Wrestling (2011–present)''' == | == '''Return to TNA Wrestling (2011–present)''' == | ||
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On January 13, 2013, at Genesis, Kim competed in a five woman gauntlet match to determine the number one contender to the Women's Knockout Championship. Kim eliminated Miss Tessmacher, ODB and Mickie James but was eventually eliminated by Velvet Sky after referee Taryn Terrell failed to notice Kim's foot under the ropes. On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Kim received a rematch for Sky's number one contendership, but was again defeated. On February 14th Edition of Impact Gail teamed with Tara and Jessie in a winning effort against Party Marty and The Blossom Twins Afterward, Gail Demanded that she should receive a title shot. On February 21st edition of Impact Wrestling Kim received a title match in a Fatal Four-way Elimination match, She failed to win the title after being Eliminated by Velvet Sky, who won the match. | On January 13, 2013, at Genesis, Kim competed in a five woman gauntlet match to determine the number one contender to the Women's Knockout Championship. Kim eliminated Miss Tessmacher, ODB and Mickie James but was eventually eliminated by Velvet Sky after referee Taryn Terrell failed to notice Kim's foot under the ropes. On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Kim received a rematch for Sky's number one contendership, but was again defeated. On February 14th Edition of Impact Gail teamed with Tara and Jessie in a winning effort against Party Marty and The Blossom Twins Afterward, Gail Demanded that she should receive a title shot. On February 21st edition of Impact Wrestling Kim received a title match in a Fatal Four-way Elimination match, She failed to win the title after being Eliminated by Velvet Sky, who won the match. | ||
== '''Other Media''' == | == '''Other Media''' == | ||
Kim posed topless for a cell phone ad campaign in South Korea. In 2007, Kim was listed on Forbes' top 40 list of "America's Most Eligible Bachelorettes". In 2009, Kim was a part of the cast of the independent psychological thriller entitled Royal Kill. On October 13, 2011, Gail Kim, along with The Miz, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Harry Saludares and Eve Torres appeared on a special WWE edition of Family BrainSurge. On August 18, 2012, Kim's and Robert Irvine's wedding ceremony was documented on an episode of Irvine's Restaurant: Impossible program. | Kim posed topless for a cell phone ad campaign in South Korea. In 2007, Kim was listed on Forbes' top 40 list of "America's Most Eligible Bachelorettes". In 2009, Kim was a part of the cast of the independent psychological thriller entitled Royal Kill. On October 13, 2011, Gail Kim, along with The Miz, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Harry Saludares and Eve Torres appeared on a special WWE edition of Family BrainSurge. On August 18, 2012, Kim's and Robert Irvine's wedding ceremony was documented on an episode of Irvine's Restaurant: Impossible program. | ||
== '''In wrestling''' == | == '''In wrestling''' == | ||
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*Hurricanrana pin – WWE; 2002–2004 | *Hurricanrana pin – WWE; 2002–2004 | ||
*Over the shoulder back to belly piledriver – TNA | *Over the shoulder back to belly piledriver – TNA | ||
'''Signature moves:''' | '''Signature moves:''' | ||
Diving leg drop | *Diving leg drop | ||
Dragon sleeper | *Dragon sleeper | ||
Front missile dropkick | *Front missile dropkick | ||
Over the shoulder single leg Boston crab | *Over the shoulder single leg Boston crab | ||
Roundhouse kick | *Roundhouse kick | ||
Running body avalanche | *Running body avalanche | ||
Springboard arm drag | *Springboard arm drag | ||
Toronto Slam (Double leg slam) | *Toronto Slam (Double leg slam) | ||
'''Managers:''' | |||
*Karen Jarrett | |||
*Madison Rayne | |||
'''Wrestlers managed:''' | |||
*America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm) | |||
*Molly Holly | |||
*Jeff Jarrett | |||
*Eve Torres | |||
*Daniel Bryan | |||
'''Entrance themes:''' | |||
*''International Woman'' by Dara Shindler (WWE; 2002–2004) | |||
*''Unstoppable'' by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2005–2008, 2011) | |||
*''Strong and Sexy'' by Jim Johnston (WWE; 2009–2011) | |||
*''Puppet on a String'' by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2011–2012) | |||
*''Puppets on a String (with Lyrics)'' by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2012–present) | |||
== '''Championships and accomplishments''' == | |||
*Apocalypse Wrestling Federation: Diva of the Year (2001) | |||
*Funking Conservatory: FC Women's Championship (1 time) | |||
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated: PWI ranked her #1 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2012 | |||
*Total Nonstop Action Wrestling: | |||
**TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Madison Rayne | |||
**TNA Women's Knockout Championship (2 times) | |||
**Knockout of the Year (2007) | |||
*World Wrestling Entertainment: | |||
**WWE Women's Championship (1 time) | |||
== '''Other Links:''' == | == '''Other Links:''' == | ||