1. Overview
Mickie Lee Knuckles, born on May 16, 1984, is an American professional wrestler renowned for her hard-hitting and hardcore style, particularly her extensive involvement in intergender deathmatches. Throughout her career, she has been a prominent figure on the independent circuit, notably in promotions such as Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS), Chikara, H2O - Hardcore Hustle Organization, ICW No Holds Barred, AWR - Asylum Wrestling Revolution, and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). She also had a brief tenure with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Moose. Knuckles is recognized for her signature moves, including the Kawada Kick, German Suplex, and Northern Lights Suplex.
2. Early Life
Mickie Knuckles was born and raised in Indiana, where she completed her high school education before embarking on her professional wrestling career.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Mickie Lee Knuckles was born on May 16, 1984, in Clarksville, Indiana, a small city located along the Ohio River in southern Indiana. She graduated from Charlestown Senior High School. Knuckles developed a passion for professional wrestling at a young age, becoming a fan when she was five years old.
3. Professional Wrestling Career
Knuckles' professional wrestling career spans numerous independent promotions, national companies, and international circuits, marked by her distinctive hardcore style, participation in deathmatches, and multiple championship reigns.
3.1. Training and Debut
Knuckles began her professional wrestling training under the tutelage of notable wrestlers including Chris Hero, Mark Wolf, and Bull Pain. The Japanese source also mentions Ian Rotten as one of her trainers. During her training period, she gained experience by working as a referee and as part of the security team for Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS) shows. Knuckles was the final graduating student of the IWA-MS Wrestling School. She made her professional debut on August 2, 2003, in a non-tournament match against Hailey Hatred at the 2003 King of the Death Match tournament. During this match, Hatred powerbombed Knuckles across two bridged steel chairs, causing Knuckles' neck to hit the back of the chairs and leading to the match being stopped due to injury.
3.2. Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS)
IWA Mid-South served as a foundational promotion for Knuckles, where she developed her hard-hitting and hardcore style, participated in numerous intergender matches, and achieved significant championship success.
3.2.1. Early Career and Intergender Matches
Despite her debut injury, Knuckles remained undeterred. In November 2003, she was booked into the Ted Petty Invitational tournament, making history as the first woman to compete in either the IWA Mid-South Sweet Science Sixteen Tournament or the TPI. She continued to engage in intergender matches against a variety of male wrestlers, including Cash Flo, Nate Webb, Sabian, Brain Damage, Drake Younger, Toby Klein, Necro Butcher, 2 Tuff Tony, Mad Man Pondo, Eddie Kingston, Ricky Reyes, Gran Akuma, Axel Rotten, Devon Moore, and Youth Suicide. This period saw her accumulate extensive experience in hardcore wrestling, often involving significant bloodshed. Eventually, Dave Prazak began to introduce more women to IWA Mid-South, leading to the formation of a dedicated women's division within the promotion. In May 2004, a tournament was held to crown the first NWA Midwest/IWA Mid-South Women's Champion, where Knuckles advanced to the semi-finals before being defeated by Mercedes Martinez. Fellow entrant Traci Brooks remarked that she had "never seen a girl train as hard" as Mickie. During her time in IWA-MS, Knuckles also held the IWA Mid-South Tag Team Championship once, sharing the title with Josh Abercrombie and Devon Moore under the Freebird Rule.
3.2.2. Women's Championship Reigns
Mickie Knuckles captured the NWA Midwest/IWA Mid-South Women's Championship on June 11, 2005, by defeating MsChif and Allison Danger in a three-way match. However, six days later, NWA Midwest promoter Ed Chuman declared the title match unsanctioned and returned the NWA Midwest title to MsChif. Despite this, Ian Rotten, the IWA Mid-South promoter, continued to recognize Knuckles as the IWA Mid-South Women's Champion, leading to the titles splitting into two separate entities. As a result, Knuckles became the first IWA Mid-South Women's Champion. She held the title for five months before losing it to her debut opponent, Hailey Hatred, on November 18, 2005.
Knuckles reclaimed the IWA Mid-South Women's Championship at an IWA East Coast event in February 2006. Her second reign lasted until July 2007, when she lost the title to Chuck Taylor. This loss occurred in a match where Taylor, holding the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship, agreed to put his title on the line if Knuckles also defended her Women's Championship. Knuckles agreed and was defeated, making Taylor a dual champion. Less than a month later, Knuckles defeated Taylor in a Falls Count Anywhere match to regain the Women's Championship for a third time. She held this title until May 2, 2008, when she lost it to Daizee Haze in a triple threat match that also involved Sara Del Rey.
3.2.3. King of the Death Match and Queen of the Death Match Tournaments
Knuckles made multiple appearances in IWA-MS's signature deathmatch tournaments. After losing on the first night of the 2006 King of the Death Match tournament in a Fans Bring the Weapons Match, she was booked again in the 2007 tournament, becoming the only woman to be booked for the show on multiple occasions. On Night One, she defeated Tank in a Barbed Wire Ropes and Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Deathmatch, but was defeated in the quarter-finals on Night Two by Brain Damage in another Fans Bring the Weapons Match.
In November 2006, Knuckles participated in the inaugural Queen of the Death Match tournament. An announcement at the start of the show revealed that LuFisto would not be performing due to a broken hand. In the first round, Knuckles defeated Ann Thraxx in an Unlucky 13 Staple Gun Death Match. She then advanced to the semi-final, where she defeated Rachel Putski in a Taipei Death Match. This led her to the final, where she defeated Mayumi Ozaki in a No Rope Barbed Wire, Fans Bring The Weapons Steel Cage Death Match, becoming the first-ever IWA Mid-South Queen of the Death Match. Following the match, LuFisto and Vanessa Kraven entered the cage and attacked Knuckles, leading to a sworn rivalry between Knuckles and LuFisto.
The second Queen of the Death Match tournament was held in October 2007, with LuFisto able to compete. Knuckles was defeated by Storm in a first-round Barbed Wire Ropes and Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Deathmatch. However, she was victorious in the Semi Final Losers Bracket, defeating B.B. Walls in a Barbed Wire Ropes and Deathmatch Bats match, and then Roxie Cotton in a Barbed Wire Ropes and Taipei Death Match in the loser's bracket final. This set up a final confrontation between LuFisto and Mickie Knuckles in a No Rope Barbed Wire and Electrified Light Tubes Death Match, where LuFisto ultimately defeated Knuckles.
3.2.4. Injury and Continued Participation
On July 6, 2008, before receiving a rematch for the IWA Women's Championship, Knuckles suffered a broken right femur after performing a diving crossbody off a platform onto Sara Del Rey. Despite this significant injury, she continued to compete in various matches and tournaments throughout her career, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
3.3. Chikara and Chickfight
Knuckles' early independent circuit work also included appearances for the Chikara promotion and participation in the Chickfight 3 tournament, showcasing her versatility beyond hardcore wrestling.
3.3.1. Chikara Appearances
In February 2005, Knuckles made her debut for Chikara, teaming with Eddie Kingston for that year's Tag World Grand Prix. Later that year, she was booked in the Young Lions Cup tournament, becoming the first female wrestler to compete for the title. Her final appearance with Chikara was on June 25, 2006, where she was defeated by Daizee Haze.
3.3.2. Chickfight 3
In October 2005, Knuckles competed in the Chickfight 3 tournament, held in Hayward, California. She defeated Tiffany in the first round and Hailey Hatred in the second. However, she was defeated in the finals by the returning champion Mariko Yoshida.
3.4. Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)
Knuckles' involvement with Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is notable for her groundbreaking appearance in the Tournament of Death, further solidifying her reputation in hardcore wrestling.
3.4.1. Debut and Tournament of Death
In 2008, Knuckles debuted in CZW, facing off against LuFisto, another prominent figure in the hardcore wrestling scene. She made history by becoming the first female competitor to participate in CZW's signature Tournament of Death (TOD) at its seventh installment. Around the same time, LuFisto also made history by becoming the first female competitor in CZW's Best of the Best tournament.
3.5. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
Knuckles had two stints with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), a major national promotion, providing her with exposure on a larger stage.
3.5.1. Debut as Moose and Initial Stint
In mid-2008, Knuckles debuted with TNA, appearing on the June 5 edition of Impact!. She came to the aid of The Beautiful People by attacking Gail Kim, ODB, and Roxxi. It was announced that she would participate in a tag match with The Beautiful People against the team of Kim, Roxxi, and ODB at Slammiversary. At the event, she made her in-ring debut under the ring name Moose, but her team lost when ODB pinned her. Following Slammiversary, Knuckles signed an official contract with TNA. She made her Impact! in-ring debut on the June 26 edition, defeating ODB in a Bimbo Brawl. The following week, she defeated Roxxi in another Bimbo Brawl.
However, later that week, Knuckles broke her leg during an IWA-MS show against Sara Del Rey. TNA initially held a spot open for her recovery, but after an unsuccessful first surgery necessitated another, TNA decided to release her from her contract.
3.5.2. Return in 2016
After a period of hiatus for personal reasons, Mickie Knuckles made a brief return to TNA in May 2016 for a dark match against Laurel Van Ness.
3.6. Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW)
Knuckles' time in Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) saw her adopt a distinct character and engage in unique storylines within the niche promotion.
3.6.1. Isabella Smothers Gimmick and Storylines
Knuckles debuted in JCW as a referee in season two of the internet wrestling show SlamTV!. During a match between Tracy Smothers and his rival 2 Tuff Tony, Knuckles delivered a fast count, allowing Smothers to win. She was later revealed to be Tracy's illegitimate daughter, adopting the ring name Isabella Smothers. Two weeks later, Tracy discovered Isabella listening to Boondox, the rapper who performs 2 Tuff Tony's entrance music. The following week, Tracy found Isabella engaging in sexual actions with Boondox and assaulted him. Tracy and Isabella were then scheduled to face Boondox and 2 Tuff Tony at Bloodymania II, but Isabella was replaced in the match by Bull Pain due to her broken leg sustained while wrestling for IWA-MS.
Isabella defeated Hailey Hatred in a Ladies 10,000 Thumbtack Deathmatch at JCW's Oddball Wrestling 2009 event. At Bloodymania IV, Isabella lost to "The World's Tallest Juggalette" Isis in the first women's match in Bloodymania history. By the end of 2010, she was involved in a storyline where she was seemingly dating Bull Pain. Smothers and Pain then engaged in a brief rivalry with the Weedman. During her time in JCW, Knuckles began to shift from primarily deathmatch wrestling to more traditional wrestling.
3.7. Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
Knuckles' tenure in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a developmental territory, saw her continue to evolve her wrestling style and achieve championship success.
3.7.1. Izza Belle Smothers and OVW Women's Championship
Knuckles made her OVW debut on episode 610, under the name Izza Belle Smothers. She teamed with her storyline sister Jessie Belle Smothers as "Smothers Twisted Daughters" in a losing effort against The Blossoms. On episode 612, Smothers Twisted Daughters teamed with Shiloh Jonze in a six-person mixed tag team match, again losing to The Blossoms and Johnny Spade. Smothers participated in an eight-woman gauntlet match for the OVW Women's Championship at OVW's Saturday Night Special on April 15, but was unsuccessful. On July 7, Smothers Twisted Daughters defeated Taryn Shay and Lady JoJo when Izza Belle pinned JoJo, earning her an opportunity to challenge for the title. On August 6, at the Saturday Night Special, Smothers defeated Lady JoJo to win the OVW Women's Championship. However, on August 24, Smothers lost the title back to Lady JoJo. On October 11, Knuckles was unsuccessful in reclaiming the Women's Championship during a three-way match against Lady JoJo and Taeler Hendrix. On December 10, Knuckles and Jessie Belle Smothers' OVW profiles were removed from the website, signaling their departure from the company.
3.8. Hiatus and Return
Knuckles' career has included periods of absence from wrestling, primarily for personal reasons such as childbirth, demonstrating her resilience and dedication to returning to the ring. In 2012, she wrestled only four times as she was pregnant. She made her full-time return to wrestling on February 10, 2013, where she teamed with Ryan Dookie to win an eight-team Gauntlet Match and capture the Pro Wrestling Freedom Tag Team Championship. After defeating Nick Esteban in an intergender Falls Count Anywhere Match on March 28, 2015, Knuckles announced her temporary retirement from wrestling a few weeks later on April 7, revealing she was pregnant again. She made her return to wrestling in May 2016.
3.9. Independent Circuit and International Appearances
Knuckles has maintained an active presence on the independent circuit, participating in numerous promotions across the United States and making notable international appearances, showcasing her enduring commitment to professional wrestling.
3.9.1. Post-2016 Activities
Following her return in May 2016, Knuckles continued to be active on the independent circuit. She returned to Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South for the first time in four years on December 6, 2013, where she defeated Heidi Lovelace, Jordynne Grace, Randi West, and Thunderkitty in a five-way match. After a few more matches with IWA-MS, she wrestled her final match for the promotion on April 13, 2014, defeating Randi West in a Strap Match. Knuckles found further championship success, winning Resistance Pro Wrestling's Women's Championship on April 25, 2014. On May 10, 2014, while teaming with Matt Tremont, she won Women Superstars Uncensored's King and Queen of the Ring tournament.
3.9.2. Recent Activities and Tournaments
The early 2020s saw Knuckles remain highly active, particularly in deathmatches for various promotions across the USA. In 2021, she had notable matches with wrestlers like AKIRA, Kennedi Copeland, Charlie Kruel, and Randi West. She also competed in several hardcore tournaments, including TKW Madness (featuring the Kaos Kup Deathmatch Tournament) on March 20, 2021, ICW Hardcore Death Match Challenge 2021 on May 29, 2021, AWR Asylum Deathmatch Tournament 2021 on July 11, 2021, CCW Goddess Of Gore 2 on October 3, 2021, AWR Goddess Of Death on October 16, 2021, and H2O Tremont's Deathmatch Tournament on October 30, 2021.
She was a finalist in Tournament of Death 19 and Tournament of Death 20, and competed in Insane 8 in both 2022 and 2023. In September 2023, she won Slave To The Deathmatch 14. She also secured victory in Tremont's Deathmatch Tournament 4 in October 2023.
3.9.3. Notable Matches and Tournament Wins
In March 2023, Knuckles had a very notable match with LuFisto at ICW No Holds Barred Volume 44. A significant achievement came in 2024 when Knuckles won Combat Zone Wrestling's Tournament of Death 21, after having reached the finals in the previous two installments (Tournament of Death 19 and 20).
In December 2024, Knuckles competed internationally for Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) in the Land of the Rising Sun at the BJW King Of Deathmatch World GP Tournament. She was defeated in the second round by Daiju Wakamatsu in a Fluorescent Lighttubes Twin Tower Death Match. Having made a strong impression on the Japanese crowd during her tour, she wrestled a few more matches and is slated to return to Japan in 2025.
4. Wrestling Style and Gimmicks
Mickie Knuckles is characterized by her distinctive wrestling style, which emphasizes hard-hitting maneuvers and extreme hardcore competition, alongside several memorable ring personas.
4.1. In-Ring Style
Knuckles is known for her hard-hitting, physically demanding, and often brutal in-ring style, heavily focused on deathmatches. She frequently incorporates weapons such as thumbtacks, fluorescent lighttubes, and barbed wire into her matches. A significant aspect of her career has been her participation in intergender bouts, where she has faced and defeated numerous male wrestlers, earning a reputation for her toughness and willingness to engage in extreme combat.
4.2. Signature Moves and Gimmicks
Her signature maneuvers include the Kawada Kick (sometimes referred to as the "Redneck Hangover"), the German Suplex, and the Northern Lights Suplex. Throughout her career, Knuckles has utilized several notable ring names and characters. During her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, she was known as Moose. In Juggalo Championship Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling, she adopted the gimmick of Tracy Smothers' illegitimate daughter, using the names Isabella Smothers and Izza Belle Smothers, respectively.
5. Championships and Accomplishments
Mickie Knuckles has achieved numerous championships and accolades across various wrestling organizations throughout her career:
- Absolute Intense Wrestling
- AIW Women's Championship (1 time)
- Allied Independent Wrestling Federations
- AIWF Women's Championship (1 time)
- Brew City Wrestling
- BCW Women's Championship (1 time)
- Cape Championship Wrestling
- Women's Tournament (2017)
- Coliseum Championship Wrestling
- CCW Wrestling Evansville Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- Divine Pro Wrestling
- DPW Championship (1 time, current)
- Fusion Ichiban Pro Wrestling
- FIPW Kawai Women's Championship (1 time)
- Girl Fight
- Girl Fight Championship (1 time, current)
- Girl Fight Tournament (2020)
- Independent Wrestling Association Deep South
- IWA Deep South Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ian Rotten
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
- IWA Mid-South Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Josh Abercrombie and Devon Moore
- IWA Mid-South Women's Championship (3 times)
- Queen of the Deathmatch Tournament (2006)
- NWA Midwest
- NWA Midwest Women's Championship (2 times)
- NWA Underground
- NWA Underground Women's Championship (1 time)
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- OVW Women's Championship (3 times)
- Pro Wrestling Freedom
- PWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ryan Dookie
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 25 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2008
- Ranked No. 390 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021
- Resistance Pro Wrestling
- RPW Women's Championship (1 time)
- Universal Independent Wrestling
- UIW Women's Championship (1 time)
- Women Superstars Uncensored
- WSU King and Queen of the Ring (2014) - with Matt Tremont
6. Personal Life
Mickie Knuckles is married to fellow professional wrestler Justin Turner, who is also known by his ring name Jacob Black. She is also a mother, having given birth to a son, which led to a temporary hiatus from her wrestling career.