The Women of the Year 2011: Gail Kim (#2)
A la TIME’s Person of the Year list, Diva Dirt has compiled a countdown of the women we feel have best embodied the zeitgeist of the year in women’s wrestling. To compile this list, the Diva Dirt team have tracked the headlines here at Diva Dirt over the past 12 months, followed the lively fan debate on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, considered the impact that the women have made within the industry, and taken into account personal achievements as well. More information on the Women of the Year list here.
GAIL KIM
The Headline Grabber
No woman has defined the news agenda for women’s wrestling in 2011 more than Gail Kim.
As a news outlet, no story was bigger, juicier or grabbed more attention amongst the readers of Diva Dirt than Gail Kim quitting WWE and later re-joining TNA, now Impact Wrestling. In fact, coverage of Gail’s first interview during a live Internet pay per view broke traffic records for our website.
In the unyielding corporate world of WWE, it’s hard to think of the last time that an employee so successfully challenged the status quo, “sticking it to the man”, as it were, and spoke out in the way that Kim did when she quit WWE this past August. Of course, we all have our own opinions on how wise or professional it was of her to speak out, but one cannot deny the impact that Gail Kim made this year.
Kim’s revelations in interviews with Diva Dirt, The Sun and others had women’s wrestling enthusiasts, and the wrestling world in general, abuzz.
It was a pretty gutsy move on Gail’s part to quit WWE, a job that most in the wrestling industry strive for, leaving behind a big salary and television exposure around the world, but Kim’s principles must be admired. Since her departure, the first ever Knockouts Champion returned to Impact Wrestling and in hindsight, it certainly looks as though her gamble paid off, as she sits atop the Knockouts division once more with not one, but two championships.
Whatever you may think of her actions this year, Gail Kim went from being in the background to being one of the most talked about people in wrestling this year.
Gail Kim has indeed been the headline grabber.
PREVIOUSLY:
- The Women of the Year 2011: Jessicka Havok (#3)
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G32106
December 31, 2011 at 7:10 pm
I’m sorry but I completely disagree with this! Woman of the month-Yes! But not number 2 on Women of the year!
Gail Kim #1
December 31, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Gail has hogged the spotlight on this website since eliminating herself from a battle royal in August. That’s 5 months of having the most attention.
NaomiNightfan2011
December 31, 2011 at 9:04 pm
And for the other 7, she’s stayed completely out of the spotlight.
Raekon
December 31, 2011 at 10:39 pm
not really naominightfan2011.
- the horrible friend feud with melina got our attention
- her pairing with daniel bryan and the feud with the bellas got our attention
- her mixed tag team match got our attention
She wasn’t totally in the background the whole year.
However, everytime they started something with her, they dropped the ball shortly after.
It was still more than several other divas accomplished this year.
Faye
December 31, 2011 at 7:11 pm
WOW! Very interesting choice, but controversial, nonetheless. Let me get my popcorn :p
HeyChrissy
December 31, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I already got my armor on so I can’t even eat popcorn…Booo
jeremycanrana
December 31, 2011 at 7:12 pm
This woman no matter her choices and the way she applied them is a model! This year was her year ! I thought you were gonna make her number one so I can’t wait to see who takes that spot ..even if I have my idea hehe
now time to partyyyy!! Happy New year in advance fellow women wrestling fanatics!
sanchezdiego96
December 31, 2011 at 7:13 pm
Makes sense. Gail really had everyone talking about her. I’ll go as far as to say she was the most talked about woman this year. I completely respect what she did.
JJ
December 31, 2011 at 7:16 pm
The rightful Number One for this list..Gail Kim!
Gail Kim #1
December 31, 2011 at 7:17 pm
“To compile this list, the Diva Dirt team have tracked the headlines here at Diva Dirt over the past 12 months, followed the lively fan debate on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, considered the impact that the women have made within the industry, and taken into account personal achievements as well.”
HEADLINES – Gail has basically had 5 months of the spotlight this year since August. She was also interviewed on an iPPV.
FAN DEBATE – I’m pretty sure Gail has been one of the most talked about women on this website for months now.
INDUSTRY – Gail has won the KO and KOTT Titles since returning in October. I think she’s definitely achieved a lot, and she’s got a hell of a lot more to achieve.
HeyChrissy
December 31, 2011 at 7:22 pm
With this explanation,I’m not sure how someone could argue against this one.I’m curious to see who tries,tho.
norisclouds
December 31, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Not to mention her interview changed the way a lot of people thought about wrestling in WWE and confirmed things we suspected for years…big impact.
Dave Muscarella
December 31, 2011 at 7:17 pm
What sucks is she is #2 for what she did OUTSIDE of the ring and not really for what she did in tge ring. Her match vs Beth on Superstars was her best showing this year.
Gail Kim #1
December 31, 2011 at 7:22 pm
The rankings aren’t just based on what they’ve accomplished in the ring though. She’s accomplished a lot IN the ring as well though.
HeyChrissy
December 31, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Save that argument for the Woman who is number 1 post.LOL
Piggie James
December 31, 2011 at 7:39 pm
In my opinion, both her matches against Mickie James were better, but the fact that her match with Beth is a more than worthy contender for her best match (despite being face vs face with no storyline/buildup), just shows that she still had a decent year in the ring (not to mention a whole series of good matches on Superstars and Impact).
Johnyfaction3
December 31, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Kelly is number one for sure!
JJ
December 31, 2011 at 7:23 pm
I thought that had been obvious since this list first got announced!
;-)
G32106
December 31, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Yep, It’s pretty obvious now…
Jysos Ouellet
December 31, 2011 at 7:37 pm
I hope no !!!!!!!
WWEStarInTraining
December 31, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I hope not, I hope its mickie.
Melina&Mickie4ever!
December 31, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Im gonna laugh when Kelly Kelly isnt #1 lol
Gail Kim theme now is so bad ass i love it , it fits her so well. Im happy Gail came back as a heel…G-Kim!
Gail Kim #1
December 31, 2011 at 7:29 pm
I agree! I really wanted her to have the Matrix gimmick in WWE again with ‘International Woman’ as her theme.. but obviously WWE wouldn’t let that happen as she’d overshadow the other ‘gimmicks’ of the Divas.
I hope Melina goes to TNA next year and joins Gail in a stable.
JillianHallTNA
December 31, 2011 at 7:34 pm
No! Melina should join TNA with Jillian! Melina and Jillian have already their tag team finisher.
Gail and Madison are great team! :)
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 7:40 pm
i would want melina to join TNA too. many have said that she was the surprise attacker of mickie james during her main event match with gail and it would be cool if it was really melina. jillian deserves the upmost respect and i think both girls would be good additions to the TNA knockout’s locker room. plus they can work with mickie james and victoria; the women they have worked with in the past. although i love michelle mccool, i dont think she will ever go to tna and will only return to wwe.
Melina&Mickie4ever!
December 31, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Melina & Gail a.k.a Galina as a heel team oh my gosh! Pure awesomeness lol
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Same here, we may see melina and gail as a team in the wwe but not as a stable in tna along with madison rayne. that would be epic, looks like there will be a third member. i really would want that. but what would that mean for melina’s run in wsu? i have no idea but i would love it she makes her mark at the top with the other knockouts at TNA!
xcc77
December 31, 2011 at 7:30 pm
my girl since 2002, love gail kim!!! Pure wrestler, so badass
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 7:34 pm
i loved her since her debut on raw and when she won the women’s championship at her debut. this girl will do anything to earn the respect that she needs and as far as i know, she has done something special to win the womens championship and tna knockouts championship. wot an amazing athlete in and out of the ring. she had awesome matches especially in tna, cut good promos, wanted everyone to watch REAL women’s wrestling and main evented against mickie james. she is the sole reason why i watch tna mostly because she helped the knockouts division become popular along with various others including awesome kong/kharma, roxxi laveaux, angelina love and so much more.
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 7:31 pm
wow another shocker! i honestly dont mind who is number 1. whether if it is tna knockout, a wwe diva or even someone from the indies, this list is full of surprises and i kinda like that. i think gail kim had 5 months of making an impact and already creating her own craft in tna when wwe didnt let her. i think she was awesome enough to be on this list and she quickly returned and won the knockouts championship in a month but she deffo got my respect. i honestly dont knw who will be number 1; maybe kelly kelly, layla, natalya, eve, ayumi. i dont mind who is number 1 because i think many talented women out there have made an huge IMPACT on their fans, their doubters and deffo on websites too.
JillianHallTNA
December 31, 2011 at 7:33 pm
She deserves to be number 1!
I love Gail Kim so much!!!!! Thank God she came home :)
WWE = IDGAF
Gail Kim #1
December 31, 2011 at 7:36 pm
I don’t think I’ve watched more than 2 or 3 WWE matches since Gail Kim left WWE in August!
Piggie James
December 31, 2011 at 7:34 pm
At least less people will complain about Gail at #2, than the obvious person at #1. I think being ranked #1 is actually more of a curse than anything due to the inevitable negative reaction, so as a Gail fan, I’m happy she won’t have to suffer that.
To the people who disagree with Gail’s position, well you should probably get over whatever resentment you have against her. Yes, she buried WWE. Yes, she took the titles away from Velvet and TNT. But those actions don’t count against her when considering the impact she had this year. In fact, quite the opposite. They only serve to show why she was notable this year. Her life in 2011 has been a story of self-empowerment. Selfishness? Well that’s simply inherent in empowering ones self, which is exactly what Gail did this year.
Is #1 going to be two people? Seems strange to include one and completely ignore the other, when they both had similar years (who I’m talking about should be obvious).
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 7:36 pm
ur rite, she made one hell of an impact! dats so true when u said: is #1 going to be two people? i would love that.
WWEStarInTraining
December 31, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Kelly kelly and mickie james
stephmc
December 31, 2011 at 8:17 pm
mickie james has been ranked #6, it would be awesome if she and kelly kelly held the same achievement as Womens of the year but diva dirt has sent their new post and kelly kelly is the woman of the year.
Jysos Ouellet
December 31, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Gail Kim is one of the greatest she deserves the N.1
bromero329
December 31, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Smfh
memosoto
December 31, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I had lost all the respect to Gail, shes worth nothing to me, and thats my opinion Gail fans, period, dont care what you have to say.
Joshi Rules
December 31, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Ugh, that means Double K is number one. :(
KidKamikaze
December 31, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Number Three got her spot via awesome booking, great charisma, great mic work, fantastic matches, and overall bringing a new, unique persona in the world of women’s wrestling.
Number One got her spot via being the face of women’s wrestling, for better or worse.
Gail got her spot for…? Unprofessional-ism to make a point? I mean, beyond that, I don’t know what she did that Mickie didn’t also do (besides getting the tag titles and KO titles at the same time, which was pure LOLTNA booking).
MJWDO
December 31, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Since she led a ”riot” against the bookers and the creative team of the WWE, showing about the no-care at all of these guys, and the treatment the divas have there, eliminating herself from that Battle Royal, and talking about that in interviews, the highlight that she had puts her perfectly in the 2nd place. And well, forgeting this, being Tag Team Champion and Knockouts Champion, even taking that awesome push that Velvet Sky had away, just puts her better in this spot.
TheGamergirl22
December 31, 2011 at 10:22 pm
LOL if she never did the biggest FU to WWE since Alundra Blayze’s trashing of the Women’s belt and won both titles from TNA she would have never been on this list.
Stick it to those sexist bastards Gail!
Raekon
December 31, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Great choice!
Congrats to Gail Kim!
She sure got lots of attention from the media and the fans! :)
Spideywebby
January 1, 2012 at 7:16 am
Gail show to the creative writers of WWE what is & how to start a really good storyline.By eliminated herself & quit WWE, pushing herself up in the wrestling business.
Well deserved spot.
Chryst Voegele
January 1, 2012 at 2:16 pm
gail deserve in top 25 but no.2 ? so high
& why Eve not in this list ? (Deliver match with Beth , TV program , WWE Ads , Women Empower & Diva Reign)
kleinberg97
January 1, 2012 at 9:21 pm
agree how is gail so high
and eve should be here she improved in the ring and was divas champion
JaiiO
January 7, 2012 at 12:42 am
Wow, she has done two maybe three things this year and she deserves the number two spot most people forgot about her until she left the battle royale in the way that she did and I honestly didn’t even notice until it became a big thing later on.