Mickie James is about to walk through the forbidden door ... and straight into the 2022 women's Royal Rumble match.
During this week's edition of WWE SmackDown Charlotte Flair revealed the names of several women who are set to compete in this year's women's Royal Rumble match -- including Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James, who was released by WWE in April of last year.
But it gets weirder ... on top of announcing that Mickie would be in the Rumble, Impact Wrestling was actually mentioned on air. At one point, SmackDown color commentator Pat McAfee referred to Mickie as "the Impact Knockouts Champion."
Soon after, both WWE and Impact referenced one another in tweets announcing Mickie's participation in the Rumble, while Impact's EVP Scott D'Amore congratulated WWE for finally walking through the forbidden door.
The other participants announced for the women's Royal Rumble match are as follows:
Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Shotzi, Natalya, Michelle McCool, Dana Brooke, Carmella, Queen Zelina Vega, Tamina Snuka, Kelly Kelly, Aliyah, Summer Rae, Naomi, Shayna Baszler, and Lita. The match will feature 30 competitors in total meaning there are still 11 more participants to be announced.
As you might recall, Mickie James was released by WWE back in April, allegedly due to budget cuts necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we reported, Mickie James returned to Impact after a six-year absence during the company's Slammiversary pay-per-view back in July. Her relationship with the company first began way back in 2002 when it was called TNA. She signed for WWE in 2003 but returned to Impact in 2010. The legend kicked off her fourth reign as Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion with a win over Deonna Purrazzo at Bound For Glory last October.
The 2022 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will take place on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri.