The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 82 : "Mickie Knuckles"

The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast finally returned and we did it in a big way. We interviewed wrestler Mickie Knuckles, who just released her book. The full interview is at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast: Mickie Knuckles.

Although still in her prime, Mickie is a legend in wrestling, particularly hardcore wrestling or death matches. Make no mistake though, she isn't limited to just those styles. Those just happen to be her favorites and her expertise.

Tommy and I met Mickie about a decade ago at Resistance Pro Wrestling. Mickie became an RPro Women's champ and main evented several times. Everyone loved her.

As I told her in the interview, previous to interviewing her the first time, I was a bit nervous, based on her hardcore reputation. Once I talked to her, I was immediately relaxed because she was so nice. I don't want to ruin her image, but she really is a sweetheart. Then again, anyone who knows her, knows that.

Mickie's book is available on Amazon and is already #1 in a couple categories. She is open and brutally honest about her life and career. It isn't always an easy read, because of what Mickie has endured, but it is a fantastic read. You don't have to be a wrestling fan to appreciate Mickie's book. It's a story of survival, determination and success.

Interviewing Mickie here was heart-warming. It had been a long time, but it felt like old times at RPro. The best part is Mickie looked and sounded great and said she felt great.

Watch our interview and then buy her book. You will love her and the book like Tommy and I do.

Mickie Knuckles and The Resistance Are Back

The Resistance recently announced their next show. The Resistance Chapter IV Silent Night, Deadly Night will take place on December 1 in Summit, IL. It will feature all hardcore matches.

When you think of hardcore, Mickie Knuckles must come to mind. Mickie will be bringing her years of hardcore experience to The Resistance for Silent Night, Deadly Night. She won't be coming alone though. She'll be teaming with Jacob Black in an inter-gender tag team battle.

As hardcore as these two are, they will not have an easy night. Maria Manic and SHLAK are no strangers to the world of hardcore wrestling. Maria was very impressive in her last appearance for The Resistance. That was at Death Becomes Her, the 8 woman Death Match tournament.

I have seen Mickie wrestle many times and I am always impressed. While she can go hardcore all night long (see the previously mentioned Death Becomes Her video), she is also quite capable of old school technical wrestling. That makes her a total package and a dominant force.

I have not seen Maria wrestle, but her reputation is solid. I have heard rave reviews from everyone at Death Becomes Her.

Jacob Black and Shlak are not to be overlooked either. These men will make their presence felt, too.

In all, this match shapes up to be a slobberknocker of a blood bath.

There is more good news, too. This is only one of the several matches for the night. It's going to be a fun, hardcore night.

You can get more information on Silent Night, Deadly Night on The Resistance Facebook page. You can also find these wrestlers on social media, including Mickie Knuckles on twitter, Maria Manic on twitter and SHLAK on twitter.

Mickie Knuckles and me (with Erin Morris) in Chicago, IL-September 2014.

Johngy's Beat Shirt: Mickie Knuckles

Mickie Knuckles has been wrestling since 2003. She has wrestled in many organizations in many countries, including Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. She as very popular and successful on the indy scene. She also proved herself to be as tough as they come.

She came into Resistance Pro and eventually won the Women's title. She always had great matches in RPro. She was a proud champ for RPro.

I had already been a fan of hers prir to her coming to RPro. I was excited to see her up close and to have an interview with her. She never disappointed.

Mickie left wrestling for a while to have a baby, but she came back in 2016. She continued wrestling on the indy scene. Earlier this year, she debuted at The Resistance as part of the "Death Becomes Her" event, which she won. I am hoping this leads to her comning to The Resistance for some matches.

During her time in RPro, Mickie was kind enough to model my shirt. It's a cool day when you get the stamp of approval from Mickie! She's a legend!

Mickie Knuckles in Indiana-December 2013.

Goodbye and Good Luck Mickie Knuckles

Mickie "Moose" Knuckles is one of a kind.  As a wrestler, she can be as hardcore as they come, yet she is also capable of putting on a great wrestling match.  Despite her smashmouth reputation, Mickie is also very open to helping other wrestlers.  

Outside of the ring, she is a wonderful mother.  It is that role, which ultimately caused her to announce her retirement last week.  Prior to her retirement announcement, Mickie announced she was going to have a baby.

This is a bittersweet moment for everyone.  We all hate to see Mickie walk away from wrestling, but we are all hay that she is leaving on her own terms.  We all wish her and her family a lifetime of happiness.

My more thorough reflection on Mickie and her announcement can be found on Tru School Sports at I Love Mickie Knuckles.  The title is a play on I Hate Mickie Knuckles, a great blog by Resistance Pro co-owner Gabe Baron.  As I wrote, we all love Mickie.

Thank you for the memories, Mickie Knuckles and best wishes always!

Mickie Knuckles and me in Merrionette Park, IL-Spring 2013.

Halloween with Mickie St. John (aka Mickie Knuckles)

Since this is Halloween Week, I am featuring some of my favorite costumes worn by some of my favorite people at Resistance Pro.

Starting the week is Mickie "Moose" Knuckles, who appears to be dressed as a school girl.  In fact, while she is dressed in school girl attire, she is channeling Nikki St. John, formerly of Resistance Pro.  Mickie St. John, as she billed herself, was a big hit with the crowd.

Mickie, in any persona, is very entertaining.  She is also as tough as they come.  I have seen her wrestle with a broken leg.  I have also ben n the receiving end of several of her face-licks.  I took each one as a trophy!

Mickie St. John was one of my favorites for that night, but Mickie Knuckles is one of my favorites every night.  It's not just my opinion either.  Every friend, who has joined me at RPro, mentions Mickie as one of the best.

Mickie Knuckles and me in Willowbrook, IL-October 2013.

On the Beat at Resistance Pro's "Draw the Line"

The last Resistance Pro show was dedicated to United States veterans and they packed the house.  It was the usual great RPro event, plus the added bobus of giving back to the veterans for their service.

Speaking of the veterans, we got an interview with C Red, a veteran of the service.  He spoke on what this show means to him and the others.

We also spoke to Mickie Knuckles.  Knuckles left me with a unique and much-appreciated gift.

While Special Correspondent JayHawk Evans was interviewing Head Ref Robert King, they were interrupted by Robert's brother Justin.  They also were interrupted by "The Ego" Robert Anthony and Knuckles.  Lastly, all heck broke loose and the interview had to be continued in another room.

Finally, we talked to Warden Myers.  This interview was also interrupted.  Rival Manager C Red injected a little soul into the segment.

The next show is Friday night.  "Practice What You Prewch" promises to be another awesome night of entertainment.

Mickie Knuckles Stole My Chair-Part 2: The Proof

Yesterday I wrote about Mickie Knuckles stealing my chair at a Resistance Pro Wrestling show a few months ago.  Today, I am presenting the screen capture of Mickie as she takes my chair.

This all happened at "The Battle Rages On" in March at St. Francis de Sales High School, back in my old neighborhood (you'd think I would be okay on my own turf).

For the record, Mickie never denied stealing my chair.  Don't ask how she could since it was recorded.  This is wrestling.  Things happen or don't happen, depending on many circumstances.  For example, millions of people have seen Ric Flair do various things during his career, yet the ref did not and therefore the record shows they did not happen.

As I stated, Mickie does not deny stealing my chair.  She did not deny licking me at a previous show either (although no footage of that is available).  Even if she did deny it, I am not sure I would argue.  Mickie is not always a rational person.  Ask D'Arcy Dixon (whom Mickie beat for the R Pro Women's title).  Actually, ask anyone.

Chair thief or not.  Crazy or not.  Mickie is one of my favorite wrestlers.  She is skilled in the ring and entertaining in and out of the ring.  Mickie can have my chair any time.  I just hope she doesn't hit me with it.

Mickie Knuckles and me in Chicago, IL-March 2014.

Mickie Knuckles Stole My Chair

Actually, that title should be "Mickie Knuckles Stole My Chair and Attempted to Beat the Life out of D'Arcy Dixon with It," but that title would be way too long.  It would be accurate, however.

At last month's Resistance Pro's "The Battle Rages On," Dixon and Knuckles were involved in a 5-on-5 tag team match.  It came down to Knuckles and Dixon as the final two.  Knuckles was attempting to unseat Dixon as the R Pro Women's champ.

At one point, Knuckles slid out of the ring and yelled at me to get up.  I was not about to argue with the unhinged Knuckles, although I had no idea what she wanted.

Soon it became evident that she wanted my chair.  (At least she did not want to pound me.)  She took the chair and brought it into the ring to further her cause.  Unfortunately for Dixon, this meant a brutal beatdown.  Unfortunately for Knuckles, this meant a disqualification.  Unfortunately for me, this meant a severely bent chair (again, better than a severely bent Johngy).

The next month, at "Don't Tread," Knuckles beat Dixon in a "First Blood" match to win the R Pro Women's title.  Knuckles is a deserving champ and should have an entertaining title run.

Me holding the Mickie Knuckles' chair in Chicago, IL-March 2014.

On the Beat with Mickie Knuckles at Resistance Pro's "Lights Out"

When Mr. and Mrs. Knuckles welcomed their little girl Mickie in to the world, little did they know she would become the "Queen of Death Match" or the "Queen of Hardcore," two titles which were well earned.  When I first met Mickie at a Resistance Pro Wrestling show, little did I know how fascinating she was outside of the ring.
You can learn a lot about Mickie, including an interesting story on how she got started in wrestling, by going to GloryWrestling.com.  They have some great stuff there.
I am here to give you a little extra info on Mickie.  For instance she is very sweet.  (Good God, I hope she doesn't kick my butt for printing that!).  As I was asking her for the interview, she joked and said she had been waiting for me to interview her.  How cool is that?!  Then, later in the night as I gave a JohngysBeat.com shirt to another wrestler, Mickie sheepishly asked where hers was.  Mickie Knuckles wanted a JohngysBeat.com shirt?  How cool is that?!!  Of course, if Mickie wants a shirt, Mickie gets a shirt!
Our interview was fun for me.  Mickie is very easy and interesting.  She is also willing to talk and joke around.  It was hard to imagine that this nice woman was actually the same woman who is the only woman to be booked or the King of Death Match Tournament on multiple occasions.
D'Arcy Dixon is the current R Pro Women's champ, but I suspect Mickie will be getting a title shot at some point.  I am also hoping to see a match between Mickie and Kong.
Once again, I have to congratulate R Pro for bringing in a classy, talented wrestler.  Mickie has been great in and out of the ring at R Pro shows.
After you watch our interview, you can go to the Mickie Knuckles Facebook page and follow Mickie Knuckles on twitter to get all of her news and updates.  Also, be sure to come out to R Pro's next show on Friday, July 26, in Willowbrook.