Taylor Wilde Says IMPACT’s Women Are Getting Closer To Where They Were Before The “Hogan Invasion”

The Knockouts Tag Team titles were first introduced in 2009 under the TNA banner. Taylor Wilde and Sarita were the first-ever Champions, with Eric Young and ODB being the last. The belts were deactivated in 2013 by Division Executive Brooke Hogan due to Young being a male.

The titles were brought back in 2020 with a tournament announced to crown new Champions. The finals will take place at IMPACT Hard To Kill when Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz face Havok & Nevaeh.

Speaking with Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone, Wild commented on the opportunity that Havok and Nevaeh have with a potential title win.

“I’m excited to see Havok and Nevaeh. Nevaeh’s always been someone who has strengths in tag team wrestling and tag divisions haven’t really existed for women exclusively outside of IMPACT really, so it’s interesting to see the angle she takes because from what I know about her on the independents, [Nevaeh] and Havok are real talent enhancers and they’ve really helped change the trajectory of women’s wrestling on the independents. I’m excited to see what they can do with up-and-comers and the staples of the company. I love seeing ‘what’s old is new again and what’s new is old’ because it’s very reminiscent of when I was last there,” Wilde explained, “and the Knockouts had a very important role on the show. It feels like we’re getting closer and closer to where we were before the ‘Hogan invasion.’” [laughs]

Wilde also spoke about the continued push and diversification of women’s wrestling, and how it opens up more opportunities for talent outside of the ring. She is excited by the number of new roles being introduced, and how it will decrease the frequency in which women are “aged out” of the business. Specifically, she named Renee Paquette, Madison Rayne, and Gail Kim as individuals who have been both inspirational and motivating for herself.

Wilde worked in IMPACT from 2008 to 2010. She retired from wrestling in 2011 to pursue a degree in psychology and work full-time as a firefighter. In November it was reported that she would be returning to the promotion.

Taylor’s podcast, Wilde On, will have its Season 2 premiere on Wednesday with Trish Stratus as her guest.

Fightful will be providing live coverage of Hard To Kill beginning with the countdown special on AXS TV at 7:00 pm EST/4:00 pm PST.