In an interview with Diva-Dirt, former WWE Diva/TNA Knockout Mickie James discussed her early days in TNA Wrestling as Alexis Laree, the last minute decision of her dropping the TNA Knockouts Championship and if she could return to the company now that TNA Wrestling are returning to Orlando, Florida.

Highlights of the interview are below:

On her early TNA Wrestling days as Alexis Laree: “Oh gosh, it was fun and a lot less pressure. I was on the first TNA pay-per-view in the Battle Royal for a contract. They never called me back after that and I was like what the heck? I knew I was one of the better wrestlers in that match. I was still very young and still didn’t get a lot of it. The light bulb didn’t turn on. I didn’t get a lot of the ins and outs of it. When I came back to TNA later on, I started to work with Raven, and I was also working with Ring of Honor. Raven and CM Punk were doing some crazy hardcore matches and they were amazing and hardcore. It was cool because I got to work with Jeff Jarrett, CM Punk and Raven, and got to play that dark character that got the men. They were amazing and to step away and watch the company grow, it was so cool. I was honored to be apart of that. Maybe if I never started with TNA, I wouldn’t have made it to the WWE.”

On the last minute decision for her to drop the TNA Knockouts Championship: “Uh, that was more of a last minute decision, because you know my contract was about to expire. You can’t as a company have the Championship on someone who isn’t employed. I understand the decision and respect it. There was no one better I would want to drop the title to. Jess [ODB] is an amazing friend and I think she is an amazing wrestler and character. I’m glad they are doing something with her. Obviously we had a vision of that going much further [as long as TNA Bound For Glory] than it actually did, but you know, business is business.”

On the possibility of a TNA Wrestling return: “You know, you never know. Honestly you never know in this business. Doors are always left open. I have nothing but respect for Dixie Carter and I feel it’s sad I didn’t get the chance to finish the storyline and the development of the character because I had a decision of where it would go prior to my departure, but a step away from it was a blessing in disguise and I have been able to see the big picture of things. I don’t know what will happen next, where I’m gonna end up, for all I know that could’ve been it. Where I end television wrestling. I don’t feel like I’m done, there is so much more I wanna do. Whether it be with TNA, WWE, the independents or Japan, you never know what’s next, I’m just waiting for the next opportunity.”

The interview is available in full at this link.