It’s been a long time coming (two years to be precise!), but schedules finally aligned, and eight-time champion and all-around beloved wrestling star Mickie James finally joins us here at Diva Dirt to discuss her triumphant return to the ring after a health scare, facing Knockouts Champion Tara at Final Resolution this Sunday (December 9), and filming a music video with the one and only Trish Stratus.

Things have come full circle for Mickie in the past couple of years. Once the crown jewel of WWE’s Divas division, Mickie was abruptly — and shockingly — released in April 2010, and later joined TNA, where she made appearances under the name Alexis Laree long before we knew her as Trish Stratus’ kooky fan. She’s also back on the independent scene — in fact, she talks to us from backstage at an independent event — where she plugged away for six years trying to break into the WWE.

In this exclusive interview, Mickie reveals her thoughts on her release, her return to the independent scene, evaluates her growth as a performer and her long, prestigious career as an eight-time champion.

The former Knockouts Champion also talks about her new album which is due next March, her classic feud with Trish, receiving advice from Lita, Beth Phoenix‘s retirement, wrestlers she hasn’t wrestled but would like to, and the dying breed that is the women’s wrestler in the mainstream.

Listen to the exclusive interview below:

* Download the interview by right-clicking here and selecting ‘Save Target As’.

* Stream the interview by hitting the play button below:

[audio:http://diva-dirt.com/download/interviews/mickiejames.mp3]

TNA Final Resolution airs Sunday, December 9th at 8pm on pay per view.

Follow Mickie James on Twitter: @MickieJames.