Diva Dirt Writers’ Choice Awards 2012: Knockout of the Year – Gail Kim

http://www.diva-dirt.com/2012/12/27/diva-dirt-writers-choice-awards-2012-knockout-of-the-year-gail-kim/

Diva Dirt presents its second annual Writers’ Choice Awards, the awards that celebrate the year in women’s wrestling, as decided by the editors and contributors of Diva Dirt. The Diva Dirt team has watched hundreds of episode of wrestling television this year, as well as hundreds of live events on DVD, additionally, we’ve followed a countless number of wrestlers over the year, and reviewed tons of matches. Now, as we come to the end of 2012, we have picked the best of the best to be awarded our Writers’ Choice blue ribbons.

Knockout of the Year: Gail Kim

In 2012, one Knockout anchored TNA’s women’s division with her in-ring ability, her history-making championship reign, and her development as a character.

That Knockout was Gail Kim.

In her first full year back in TNA, after returning to the company in November 2011 following three years in WWE, Gail Kim became the MVP of the Knockouts division, thanks in no small part to her near eight month reign as Knockouts Champion.

Gail held the championship for the first six months of the year, becoming the longest reigning champion in the title’s five year history, overcoming opposition from the likes of Mickie James, Tara, Madison Rayne, Velvet Sky and Brooke Tessmacher in the first five months of 2012. However, in June, Brooke would finally end Gail’s 200 day reign as champion, but the six month domination was enough to solidify her as the year’s top Knockout.

And while the last six months haven’t been as action-packed for the former champion, she’s certainly had plenty to do, appearing on Impact Wrestling on a consistent basis and putting on great matches with the likes of Mickie James and Brooke Tessmacher.

Returning to TNA with a new vigor, Gail has upped the in-ring quality of the Knockouts division, whether it’s facing a fellow veteran or helping this year’s Most Improved Wrestler, Brooke Tessmacher, continue to shine in the ring.

As well as her presence in the ring, Gail has also developed nicely into a heel character over the course of the year, becoming a well-rounded character as well as a solid wrestler.