Hello, hello Diva Dirt readers and welcome to this week’s Write-Up! Last night on Impact, reigning Knockouts Champion Mickie James defended her title against her former friend–and the former champ–Velvet Sky. These two have had a rivalry that has certainly heated up in the space of a few weeks. Mickie attitude has changed (and I love it) and her friendship with Velvet suffered because of it. Mickie became more violent and targeted Velvet’s injured knee to win a match and claim the Knockouts title. But enough with the history lesson, let’s get to the match.
First off we’re shown a video package, detailing the history between the two Knockouts. They’re putting it all on the line tonight. Mickie’s title is up for grabs and, while Velvet says she’s cleared to compete physically, you have to wonder what her situation is mentally after the way Mickie has been acting as of late. Nevertheless, Velvet is determined to get her rematch, and she’s out first to kick things off tonight! Here comes Mickie. She looks totes gorge, and she’s sucking on a lollipop. Doesn’t seem worried at all… The commentators discuss how Mickie has done everything in her power to dodge Velvet Sky and their rematch, which is true. She can’t run away anymore, though.
Mickie takes the mic and says she wants to apologize. The championship has been known to change people. Not Mickie, obviously, but it has changed Velvet. Snap. Mickie says not only has it done that because Velvet’s been hurt, but when Velvet was champion she and Mickie were best friends and now that Mickie is the champion, they’re not friends anymore. It’s so sad. But that doesn’t mean Mickie doesn’t care about Velvet and her health, so she’s going to give the former champ one last chance to walk away.
‘Velvet, just do the right thing. Don’t be the three dollar, stubborn pack mule that you are.’
Snap, snap. The gloves are off, aren’t they Mickie?
Mickie waits for Velvet to walk away, but instead Velvet hits her with a spear and takes the champ down. Our referee ODB, rings the bell and we’re underway in this title rematch. Knockouts championship on the line, let’s go! Velvet is slamming Mickie’s head into the canvas repeatedly. ODB manages to separate the two. Velvet slams Mickie face first into the mat, then face first into the turnbuckle. Not just the one, but all four turnbuckles. Poor Mickie. Velvet unloads on Mickie in the corner, driving her shoulder into the champ’s gut over and over. ODB gives the challenger a warning.
Velvet heads back over to Mickie, but she’s waited too long! Mickie on the attack! She shoves Velvet into the corner, then nails her with a hard slap, followed by a kick to the midsection. ODB now warns the champ, and Mickie starts back-chatting. Careful, champ. Velvet reverses and irish whip and drops Mickie with a side russian leg sweep for a two count. Clever Mickie rolls out of the ring, calling to ODB for a time-out. Mickie fixes her hair on the outside, before heading back to the ring. Velvet tries to get the upper hand, but Mickie pulls her down and snaps her knee off the ring apron. Oh dear. Mickie gets a two count. She tries another pin attempt for another two count. Velvet fights Mickie off, but not for long as Mickie lines Velvet up for a low drop kick. Mickie connects to Velvet’s face (which looks pretty painful, btw) and gets another two count. Loving all the pin attempts.
Mickie with a submission hold, applying pressure to Velvet’s knee. Velvet manages to roll Mickie up but she only gets a two count for her effort. Mickie runs Velvet back into the corner, attacking Velvet’s mid-section. ODB warns Mickie once again, who complies for a moment, before delivering an almighty slap to Velvet. Seriously, I almost felt that one myself. Mickie lines up Velvet in the corner, but Velvet fights back with a kick to Mickie’s head. Velvet attempts to counter again, but Mickie catches her in another submission. She manages to fight out, then begins with some offense on her opponent.
Velvet takes Mickie down with some clotheslines, a back elbow, a kick to the chest and a running bulldog! Mickie is down and Velvet covers Mickie for the very close two count. Velvet in control now with some chops to Mickie’s chest and some forearms to the face. Mickie slides out of the ring after an irish whip that had Velvet lining her up for another clothesline. Mickie begs Taz for some water, but Velvet comes from behind with a spinning head scissors. Let’s be honest, the pay off was just Mickie doing a roly-poly on the outside. Velvet sells the knee injury again but comes back with a spear on the outside. She slams Mickie’s head to the floor afterwards. ODB comes out and tells them to get back in the ring. Velvet drags Mickie back in but Mickie hits a kick to Velvet’s leg, then a DDT for a two count! Never count out the champ, people. Mickie lines Velvet up for the Mickie-DT but Velvet fights back with a flying neckbreaker. The challengers gets another two count.
Mickie drives Velvet into the corner. Velvet comes out swinging. Mickie catches her on the knee again, then locks Velvet into the modified STF. Velvet screams in agony, and it’s not long until this one’s over. Velvet taps out and Mickie retains.
Post match, Christy heads over to an emotional Velvet for an interview. Velvet thought her knee was okay, and she fought so hard to get the rematch, and she’s just heartbroken right now. We can see that. Bless her.
Thoughts: A decent match with good storytelling. For me that’s what this match was all about; the story. It didn’t matter so match that it wasn’t match of the year, but the way Velvet carried herself throughout the whole thing just showed how much it meant to her. Mickie was fabulous, as always, and I loved her little interaction with Taz on the outside. She’s just great to watch. That said, I’m glad this rivalry may be over, as I would quite like a Taryn/Mickie feud (if Taryn manages to get herself the number one contender’s spot, that is) because it’s fresh and new and they could get really physical together.
It was a good showing for the Knockouts this week. Onto next week’s sure-to-be slobberknocker!
For now, Eleri out!
