Just like Banks, Mickie James is no stranger to having multiple title reigns, and gold around her waist. Unfortunately, James has not had a championship since returning to WWE at the end of 2016. This veteran will be approaching 20 years in the business, next year. A perfect anniversary present would be a Royal Rumble win.
James won her first title in a match against Trish Stratus at WrestleMania 22 in 2006. The gimmick of an obsessed fan who wanted to emulate everything about her idol was a perfect role for her. She is the only woman on the current roster that has been through the past three eras in WWE. She started at the tail end of the era that featured the likes of Trish Stratus, Lita, Victoria, and Melina, just to name a few.
She was also a permanent fixture during the Diva Era where she entered feuds with Maryse, Layla and Michelle McCool. Six championship reigns later, she left the company and signed with TNA for several years. In this promotion, she became a three-time Knockouts Champion. James returned to WWE in the current Evolution Era, and has been in the shadow of Alexa Bliss, ever since.
The relationship between James and Bliss has been hot and cold, in the past two years. The closest she has reached to a singles rivalry is when she challenged Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship at the 2017 TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view. James came up short, and out of nowhere, became friends with Bliss again, turning herself heel.
James did participate in the first Royal Rumble, and lasted just over eight minutes. She was ironically eliminated by her original obsession, the one Trish Stratus.
Since then, the hardcore country heiress has been fading in the background. She has become subservient to the goddess and has joined Alicia Fox as a lackey. James could break away from being the shadow in 2019. Without having a championship in WWE since 2010, winning at the Royal Rumble match and then WrestleMania would be a full circle for her career.
