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Mickie James opens up about her participation in “The Last Match” musical.
Next weekend, Mickie James and her fellow cast members will begin their journey across the East Coast for “The Last Match” musical. Unlike traditional musicals, “The Last Match” combines elements from rock-and-roll and professional wrestling to create a unique and electrifying experience for attendees. For Mickie James, her experience in the ring and in the music world has earned a dual role in the show, as she serves as a co-producer behind-the-scenes as well as The Mother on stage.
WrestleZone’s Ella Jay recently spoke with James about her participation in “The Last Match,” and what fans can expect from her portrayal as The Mother.
“I was asked to be a part of this project more as like a legend, kind of ambassador, when they first launched it the year before last or so. I remember going out to the show with zero expectations because I didn’t know what what it was going to be, what it was. And I was like, ‘This is so good.’ It’s so unique, and it really transcends just wrestling audiences.”
“… I remember that opening night then, there were theater fans in the audience. There were wrestling fans in the audience, and there were really like this blend of both. It’s kind of like that Cirque du Soleil kind of feel. Like it is wrestling, but it’s also music, and it’s also theater. The crossing of theater folks in with the wrestling people of them learning how to wrestle, but then also like the wrestlers learning how to sing. It’s been wild.”
Personal Connection
James noted that the production also resonated with her on a deeper level, as it follows the story of a performer, Ben Vengeance, who is preparing for his final match.
James found herself in a similar situation in early 2023 when she faced TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace in the culmination of The Last Rodeo. If James had lost to Grace, her in-ring career would have ended.
‘”I guess [The Last Match] resonated with me too, because you think back to 2022, I was really like contemplating like, ‘Okay, am I done? Am I still wrestling? What am I doing? I’m on this last rodeo.’ It was like this weird correlation because it’s really about this guy whose career is kind of coming to an end, and he was champion,” James said.
“He was all these things. And his wife, her career is launching and taking off, and she’s really starting to shine. Then obviously this new guy is coming in and he’s the new top guy kind of thing.”
Mickie James Is The Mother
Focusing in on her role as The Mother, James revealed that this character is quite fitting for her as it allows her to play into her wrestling background and showcase her singing abilities.
“[The Mother] is a singing part,” James said. “She plays like this grizzled veteran mom of like 15 kids, and she’s been in the business forever. This role, specifically the woman who played it in the original tour, in the original launch, in the tour and stuff, she was incredible. So when I got offered [the part], I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know because she was amazing.’ But the role, she has one scene in the whole thing and it’s in this match, but it killed it. It got a standing ovation. I’m hoping for half a standing ovation.”
Watch our full interview with Mickie James:
