WWE Hall of Famer Gail Kim recently sat down with Story Time with Dutch Mantell to share her experiences during her time in the WWE. Kim, widely regarded as one of the most talented wrestlers of her generation, opened up about her frustrations with former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, revealing that she felt undervalued and underutilized during her second stint with the company.
Kim, who worked for WWE between 2002 and 2004 and again from 2008 to 2011, spoke candidly about her struggles to receive television time, citing McMahon’s apparent lack of interest in booking her on TV as a major reason for her departure in 2011. According to Kim, she was regularly left off TV, and when she did appear, it was often in minor roles or as an afterthought.
Kim, a one-time WWE Women’s Champion, expressed her frustration with the lack of opportunities afforded to her, particularly during her second stint with the company. Despite her impressive résumé, which includes victories over high-profile names like Lita, Melina, Molly Holly, and Trish Stratus, Kim felt as though she was being held back by McMahon, who was responsible for the creative direction of the company at the time.
The final straw for Kim came when she was informed of last-minute time constraints ahead of a Battle Royal on the August 1, 2011, episode of RAW. Feeling disrespected and unvalued, Kim took matters into her own hands, going off-script and eliminating herself from the match. This incident marked the end of her WWE career, as she subsequently left the company shortly after.
Kim’s experiences highlight the challenges faced by many wrestlers during McMahon’s tenure as WWE Chairman. As the ultimate decision-maker, McMahon’s opinions and creative decisions often held significant sway over the careers of WWE Superstars. For Kim, the lack of interest in her character and storylines was a significant factor in her decision to leave the company.
Despite her frustrations, Kim has gone on to achieve great success, particularly in TNA, where she engaged in a memorable feud with Awesome Kong (formerly known as Kharma in WWE). Her legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers of her generation remains unblemished, and her candid account of her experiences serves as a valuable reminder of the challenges faced by many wrestlers in the WWE.
