Former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Mickie James recently talked to Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald to promote her appearance at a Queens of Combat show next weekend. The card will feature Mickie’s first match since returning to competition after giving birth, where she will wrestle Tessa Blanchard.

Mickie spoke on a number of topics, including her insterest in a WWE return, what she thinks of the current WWE women’s roster, and more. You can read a few excerpts below:

Mickie James On A WWE Return:

“It’s something I’m really interested in. I’d have to revisit that whole thing…Things have changed since then. I think, ‘I’m better than 90 percent of the talent on TV now. Why am I going to step to the side to just train the future?’ I’m not ready to do that, and I’m not trying to be arrogant and self-absorbed. I can see how it can come off that way, but it’s the truth. You look at least 75 percent or at least 80 percent on TV now. I know in my heart of hearts that I can draw more money than them and that I am better than them. I can put more asses in the seats than them. Why would I want to step aside? This is an ego thing, obviously. It’s about knowing your worth and your talent as well. Why would I step aside to allow them to continue to be on top when you know you not only deserve to be there, but you deserve to be the best or one of the best. That is where my mind was over a year ago when I was first considering this whole thing. I was real intense about it. Obviously, now I have more than myself to think about. My position on it has changed in a sense that it’s not about just me anymore.”

Mickie on the current Divas who impress her:

“Paige was one who stood out to me at that point. Paige wasn’t on TV then. Sasha Banks stood out. She had tons of personality. I thought she was really good in a sense I liked her sass and personality. That’s what really gets me is your facials and personality. You can teach anybody wrestling moves, hopefully if they have an athletic bone in their body. However, the ones that are going to make money and be different are the ones with personality. Alexa Bliss, I don’t think she was wrestling coming in. That was shocking to me because it stands against everything I believe in is to get a job as a non-wrestler and learn to wrestle in developmental. To me, it’s so backwards. For her, I guess because she was an athlete and she picked it up quickly. Her personality shined through. She has such a vibrant and alive personality. She really grew on me. Maybe it’s because she was little and reminded me of myself.

Bayley was really good. I heard about her before I got there from shows I had done in California. I kind of had an idea of who she was, but that was kind of the first time I had seen a lot of her. Obviously, Emma and the girls they are bringing along now I had heard a bunch about. The two that stood out to me the most were Paige and Sasha. I would say Alexa, too. I’d say she has a whole lot to learn before [she is called up]. Eva Marie was there working out. Ashley Fliehr [Charlotte] unfortunately was injured at the time I went down there, so I didn’t get to see her work at all. It was a shame because I really wanted to see her, but I’ve seen her since then. She is awesome.”

For more with Mickie James, including her overall thoughts on returning to the ring, advice former WWE Diva Trish Stratus gave her and more, click here.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article4027658.html