Diva Dirt is proud to introduce a new audio show for you guys, in addition to our audio bulletins — the Diva Dirt Roundtable! This panel discussion show features the entire Diva Dirt team including myself, Erin, Steven and Tiffany.

In our Roundtable discussion, we aim to cover current topics from all of the major brands including WWE, TNA, SHIMMER, FCW and Wrestlicious. In this particular show, we discuss the impact of the 5 Diva trade, the direction of TNA’s tapings, the signings of Serena Deeb and Jemma Palmer and much more.

To listen to the Roundtable directly on the website, just click on the play button below. However due to the length of the Roundtable discussion, we also have a download link available for those who want to listen to the MP3 file on their computer.

Note: Contains spoilers on future WWE/TNA shows.

Run Time: 48:12
[Download | File size: 44.13mb]

If you’d like to join us as a guest panlist in our next Roundtable, please e-mail us at divadirt@gmail.com and tell us why you think you should take part! Hopefully we’ll be inviting someone to join us next time.

It should be noted that it takes a lot of time and effort to organise, record and edit this show together;  so we can only continue if we get a good enough response! Your comments are needed — tell us what you thought of the topics discussed and offer your own opinion!

Please Note: The ‘Diva Dirt Roundtable’ is the exclusive content of Diva Dirt (diva-dirt.com), for which we hold copyright. By downloading our audio you agree not to repost or transcribe the content elsewhere including but not limited to other websites, blogs or message boards. Failure to respect copyright will result in legal action.

If you ask any Diva fan, they’ll tell you that the WrestleMania XXV’s “Miss WrestleMania” match was a gigantic disappointment. However, that disappointment is not limited to us lowly spectators – the overwhelming stench of fail has managed to permeate to its participants. Torrie Wilson, one of the match’s “special attractions”, feels much like we do. In a recent interview, Torrie vented her disappointment with the battle royal, as well as the WWE’s lack of support during her run on NBC’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!:

What are your thoughts on the divas battle royal that you participated in at WrestleMania XXV? It seemed like a bit of a cluster.
I’m very mad at myself and embarrassed that I agreed to be a part of something like that. A lot of people in the audience didn’t even know that I was in that match because they didn’t even announce it. For me, that whole experience at WrestleMania was kind of like closure. I feel like maybe I’m not appreciated like I would have hoped. They just wanted all these girls there. Now I can understand why Trish [Stratus] decided not to do it; she was smart. Going into it I trusted them that they would use me in the right way and I should have known better. All in all, I learned a valuable lesson.

When you say it was closure, do you think that’s it for you as far as doing anything in wrestling?
I do. I just didn’t appreciate that experience and I felt very unappreciated after all of the years that I put in for them. You combine that with the fact that I asked them to do a little thing on wwe.com to “vote for Torrie” and they just ignored me. So, my feelings are hurt.

I think, with these remarks, it’s safe to say that Torrie and the WWE aren’t exactly the best of pals anymore. She says her feelings are hurt, but what was she expecting? The WWE isn’t exactly known for helping its ex-employees on the road to lucrative post-wrestling careers. Maybe they thought she wasn’t repping them enough on the show? As the saying goes, “you scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours.”

Either way, those of you hoping for a WWE return (even a Trish Stratus-esque “one-off” appearance) may have to put that dream on hold. Though, I’m a Celebrity… may have broadened her horizons and given her opportunities outside of the WWE. Hey, she can join BFF Candice and do some charity work! Surely, dealing with Janice Dickinson must have given her some experience in working with children.

Looks like we aren’t the only ones fawning over Alicia Fox, as former Women’s Champion Melina sang the rookie’s praises in a radio interview earlier this week. Fresh from her Women’s Championship loss at The Bash, the Melina press tour continued as she was interviewed on B95 showing a lot more personality and humour than on her televised interview that we posted yesterday.

Melina is asked about the FCW developmental territory and how it compares to where Melina was bred, OVW. Melina notes that Alicia was trained in FCW, saying: “… Alicia Fox, she came out of there and I’m really impressed by her because she can wrestle.” She continues, “To see the future of wrestling coming up and they’re able to handle their own, to me that says a lot.” Listen to the full interview below:

Run Time: 10:42

Other topics Melina touches upon is the fact that her tears were genuine when she was drafted to Raw. She says she was in tears because she would miss her close friends that she travelled with for so long and refers to those rumours about their being heat on her.

I really like this interview, unlike the more constrained and conventional television interview, this one was a lot more free and fun. Melina showed a lot of personality and was asked fun questions, being able to bounce off the interviewer.

In the mist of jam-packed Knockout action, TNA features ODB and Madison Rayne in a webmatch.  As Madison Rayne begins to approach the ring, the first thing that strikes me is her unrecognizable entrance theme.  In the very few times that Velvet Sky has wrestled alone, we’ve seen her enter with the Beautiful People’s music.  Some fans have expressed some concern that Madison does just doesn’t cut it in Mi Pi Sexy – often even walking 10 paces behind the Beautiful People. Now while I don’t believe that Angelina Love and Velvet Sky deliberately keep Madison at arm’s length, I do feel that the separate music further disassociates her.  I was so perturbed by Madison’s desperate grasp at textbook heel tactics that I have personally dubbed her as TNA’s version of Rosa Mendes.  Right down to the arrogant lean against the ring ropes – it screams of Rosa. Not to mention Madison’s attempt at stripper-esque moves to compensate for her relative lack of charisma.

You must excuse me for the numerous WWE references, but I feel compelled to mention the tiniest bit of nostalgia I get from watching ODB and Cody Deaner in remembrance of Jamie Noble and Nidia.  Granted, I have yet to decide if that’s a good or bad thing.

ODB pulls herself away from her liquid courage long enough to initiate a lock-up with Madison – a basic wrestling manuever despite her attempt to cop a cheap feel at Madison’s behind.   However, Madison gets the upperhand early in the match and proceeds to raid developmental Diva territory with the taunting.  (For a split second there, I thought the girl was about to break out into the ’sprinkler.’)   ODB soon aims to make quick work of Madison, but Madison doesn’t say die just yet, much to the array of a disgruntled Cody Deaner.  ODB continues the assault into the corner before Madison outsmarts her and leads her into a decent but borderline awkward neckbreaker and an unsuccessful cover.  Madison then makes her way to the top only to follow up with a front dropkick.  The missed opportunity very well costs Madison her initial momentum when ODB hulks up into a couple takedowns and a decisive missile dropkick.  Before Madison can save face, ODB catches her in mid-air and delivers a fallaway slam.  The onslaught seems neverending until ODB finally squashes a last attempt in the corner by Madison and slams her down for the pin.

Not exactly a candidate for one of the best matches in Knockouts history, this match qualifies for the quality you’d expect from a match nonexclusive to TNA televised programming.  I found myself concentrating on trivial matters rather than the actual match.  For instance, why the constant wardrobe-fidgeting, Madison?  Apparently not adjusted to her newly acquired implants, I found Madison to be a funny contrast to ODB who brazenly embraces hers.

Now as it pertains to wrestling, Madison Rayne still delivers a much better showing against ODB than Velvet Sky did.  On commentary, Mike Tenay was even quick to mention that Madison Rayne has seemingly taken a “backseat” to Angelina Love and Velvet Sky.  Whether or not Madison has proven that she belongs with the Beautiful People still remains in question.  In terms of wrestling skill, I believe she has already surpassed the likes of Velvet Sky. Personality-wise, this Third Musketeer still leaves much to be desired.

Watch the match below:

TNA WEBMATCH: MADISON RAYNE VS. ODB

It’s hard to believe it but we are already half way through 2009! It feels like it was just yesterday we announced the winners of our 2008 Year-End Awards but here we are, July already. And as we acclimatise ourselves to the summer weather, I’m feeling a tad reminiscent of the first six months of the year.

Please note: These awards are not ‘real’, they are just the opinion of Melanie and do not reflect the views of Diva Dirt as a whole. This is just a bit of light, fluffy fun to get everyone talking and find out what you think. We’ll be hosting our annual Year-End Awards in December!

Top Diva: This award is both for personal and on-screen accomplishments for me. I think Melina has been the standout Diva for me, so far this year. She came back from an injury last year and went into 2009 as the #1 Contender for the Women’s Championship, looked to be on incredible form and took the title for her third reign. That’s definitely a comeback fairytale if there ever was one. Melina has consistently performed in every match she’s had this year and has excelled despite curveballs being thrown at her i.e. drafting to SmackDown. There she has shone even more.

Top Knockout: 2009 has been the year of the Beautiful People, in particular Angelina Love, who finally realised her goal of becoming the Knockouts Champion. Ang and Velvet have worked really hard to get their gimmick to the top of the card and Angelina has worked really hard to get to the top of the division. She was definitely due the Knockouts Championship and earned it in April.

Top Match: I really enjoyed the match on Raw, the night after WrestleMania which saw 10 Divas from Raw and SmackDown go at it and give it their all, after an extremely disappointing match at ‘Mania.

Top Brand: This brand has been extremely consistent since the Draft in April, SmackDown. With solid booking and good in-ring work from the likes of Melina, Michelle, Maryse, Natalya, Victoria, Gail, Alicia, Eve and Layla since January.

Breakout Star: No question about it, I doubt it’ll come as a shock to many of you, it’s got to be Alicia Fox. Since moving over to SmackDown in the Draft in April, A-Fox has been on fire.

What do you think? How would you have voted for in each category?

As I mourn the abrupt end of the relationship between Alicia Fox & Michelle McCool on SmackDown, it probably wasn’t a good idea that I came across this video…

*Tears* “I wish I could quit you!” It’s official, Michelle needs Alicia. Is there anything this girl can’t do? She continues to grow as an in-ring performer, she has a gorgeous, unique look, she takes amazing photoshoots and now she’s proving she’s got the acting side of things down too? This video just made me love Alicia more, she really is becoming such a well-rounded performer and is one of the best kept secrets in the WWE.

This promo made me wonder where this relationship could have gone had Vince not pilched Alicia for Raw. We all know that mic work isn’t Michelle’s strongest suit, but A-Fox proves here she has some skill in that area — she could have offset the Women’s Champion, by doing the talking for her. *Sigh* We shall never know…

“Oh my God, I’m so excited!” Seriously priceless.

These shows air next week, on July 9th and 10th respectively. Next week’s ECW is pre-empted and airs on Thursday at 7pm ET.

ECW

Nikki Bella def. Katie Lea

SmackDown

Melina & Eve Torres def. Michelle McCool & Layla

This just in from the SHIMMER office: Serena Deeb has officially inked a deal with WWE. Here’s the press release:

Everyone at SHIMMER – WOMEN ATHLETES would like to congratulate Serena Deeb on officially signing a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.

From the first day she stepped into a wrestling ring, it has always been Serena’s goal to earn a job with WWE. Serena moved from Virginia to Kentucky on her own dime for the sole purpose of enrolling in the Ohio Valley Wrestling training program several years ago, and she has been a mainstay in the OVW women’s division ever since.

Serena debuted for SHIMMER on May 21, 2006 as a last minute substitution when an opening on the lineup created an opportunity. During the three years that followed, Serena displayed tremendous drive, determination, and eagerness to constantly learn. She has always tried to improve her game, be it in SHIMMER competition, at OVW, or in her handful of appearances for Ring of Honor.

Despite OVW losing its status a WWE developmental territory last year, Serena remained focused on achieving her goal of impressing WWE officials enough to be given a chance. All of Serena’s hard work has now paid off, as she will soon be relocating to Florida to start with WWE developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling.

Personally speaking, I feel that Serena Deeb is one of the top three female babyface talents in North America today. She’s got unbelievable fire, and can project emotion better than most wrestlers of a similar age and experience level. These are essential attributes to go along with the sound athletic wrestling fundamentals which she also possesses. She’s a complete package, and is perfect for television.

Serena’s training at OVW not only prepared her quite well for professional wrestling in general, but also specifically for the style of wrestling which WWE is looking for. Serena’s continued instruction at FCW will only sharpen her existing skills, in preparation for the next stage of her career.

The three match series between Serena and Sara Del Rey were truly breakout performances for her as a wrestler. I feel those matches excellently displayed Serena’s unbelievable potential to become a star in this industry. In her outings several weeks ago at the SHIMMER Vols. 23-26 tapings in Chicago, Serena continued to show that she absolutely deserved the spot at the top of the card that she had worked her way into.

I’d like to thank Serena Deeb for all of her contributions to SHIMMER during the past three years. From all of the memorable matches, to sacrificing her car on the drive up for the SHIMMER Title Tournament weekend, Serena gave so much to our product. Though we’ll greatly miss her at future tapings, Serena has now been given the chance of a lifetime– to work her way to the top of her chosen profession.

Good luck, Serena… and congrats!

Dave Prazak

There you go people, Serena has officially joined the WWE Roster. Looked like WWE is trying to boost their women’s division. Signing three real wrestlers in a row. Unheard of. Anyway, congratulations to Serena from Diva Dirt and good luck in WWE. Leave your own congrats in the comments.

As of late, we here at Diva Dirt have witnessed a bit of a tide turning against Divas Champion Maryse. That’s not to say fans have become hostile or spiteful, but (with the exception of a well-received turn at the commentary table this week on Raw) fans aren’t loving Maryse as much as they used to.

I feel that with this, like most other investigations, it is best to start from the beginning. While on SmackDown, Maryse went from lowly Diva Search reject to Divas Champ, all the while picking up fans and changing steadfast negative opinions to ones far more in her favor. Wrestling skills and ring presence seemed to spring from nowhere, and she quickly ascended to become one of SmackDown’s top Divas. Her heel character, cocky and arrogant, seemed to capture people’s attention and display plenty of charisma, despite the apparent language barrier. Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that the difference between the beginning and end of her SmackDown tenure is like night and day. Don’t believe me? Check out this clip, back from when Maryse’s top skills including saying “welcome back to SmackDown” and blowing air kisses:

Granted, those vignettes, which aired throughout 2007, didn’t give her much of a chance to show her worth, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t write her off right then and there. I mean, who needs another blonde chick who can’t do more than lie around in skimpy clothing? Which is why, when Maryse started wrestling in early 2008, I was quite shocked to see at what level of skill she was. No, she wasn’t the next Wendi Richter by any means, but in comparison to someone like Maria, who had many more years in the company (and seems to be metaphorically pedaling away on a stationary bike), Maryse was improving at light speed. She showed a comfort level in the ring that you can’t fake. So it came to be, with less than a year of experience of wrestling on television, Maryse won her first WWE title: More after the cut »

Earlier this year the ‘net was buzzing with the launch of a new all-female promotion Wrestlicious, led by Jimmy Hart with it’s hilarious and get-on-your-nerve catchy jingle embedded in all of our brains. Well Diva Dirt has teamed up with the folks at Wrestlicious to bring you exclusive content from the fledgling promotion ahead of the series’ debut this fall.

Peep these behind the scenes pictures from the series including Lacey Von Erich, Cousin Cassie, Bootcamp Bailey [with Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart] and a couple of the Wrestlicious referees.