In an unexpected twist worthy of a Days of Our Lives steel cage match, wrestling icon Gail Kim has tapped out—not in the ring, but to an upper respiratory assault from what she described as “severe flu/covid symptoms.” That’s right, folks: after sailing the high seas on a cruise that apparently featured a surprise run-in from Captain Contagion, Kim was forced to bow out as special guest referee for NWA’s 2025 Crockett Cup just hours before showtime.
The legendary grappler and human resource ninja of TNA fame announced her sudden exit on social media in a post that read like a very classy resignation letter from someone who just lost a steel chair fight with their immune system.
“I did not want to announce in hopes to make a full recovery by today,” Kim wrote with the optimism of someone who thought chicken soup could no-sell a fever. “But I am still experiencing a high fever and have had to cancel this am.”
Scheduled to officiate the showdown between reigning NWA Women’s Champion Kenzie Page and WWE’s favorite cat-themed ring general Natalya, Kim’s absence won’t derail the match—but it does mean no third-party legend in zebra stripes to restore law, order, and social media clout.
Fans flooded Kim’s mentions with well wishes and “Get well soon, Queen!” emojis, while the rest of the card stayed intact. Kenzie vs. Natalya goes on as planned, and the main event—a triple threat between NWA Champion Thom Latimer, the Eternal Gore Machine Rhino, and Colby “Underrated Until I’m Not” Corino—is still expected to headline at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena.
As for Kim? She promises this isn’t the end of her NWA story. Consider this less a retirement and more a strategic timeout while she dropkicks whatever this virus is off the top rope.