The first ever Divas Championship match at Unforgiven - and the first ever Divas Championship title defence – is in the books. The All American Girl, Michelle McCool retained her title against the French-Canadian hottie who just happened to dress like Iron Man, Maryse. What’s the verdict? I’d say it was positive. In SmackDown’s second pay per view outing, the stars aligned for our Divas at Unforgiven, making up for the lack of time and excitement at Great American Bash when Michelle first won her title by defeating Natalya. This time around, the two Divas involved really worked it out, using their surroundings well to make a fun match up, plus they were afforded more time than the Divas are usually given on pay per view. The result was a good match from the SmackDown blondes – if a lot sloppy at times.
All in all, I think the work was strong, there was a lot of movement and a lot of story told in this match with Maryse going after Michelle’s leg and such. Neither Michelle or Maryse are at Mickie James or Beth Phoenix level so I definitely expected some sloppiness, but I think these two overcame the odds and by the time the final bell rang, they delivered a good match. The action was fast paced which I did not expect from these two, they both showed a lot of athleticism and I think it’s a true testament to how SmackDown has developed. Anyone who reads my Raw or SmackDown Redux, knows that I think it’s great when the Divas go on the outside and get a little rough and this was Raw calibre right here. Given they are not the most experienced Divas on the roster, I think it was great that they took the risk and Maryse throwing Michelle over the barricade and then Michelle clotheslining Maryse jumping off the barricade. I don’t think I’ve seen the Divas really do that, sure they brawl on the outside and stuff but this took it to the next level.
The second half of the match told more of a story, which I appreciated, with Maryse working on Michelle’s knee and her more on the offensive. We’re used to see Michelle dominating matches, so it was a nice change of pace and we got to see some great work from Maryse. I knew from the outset that Michelle would win, but I feel both Divas got some equal time to show off their moves and even though Maryse lost, she got to work it out. As I was talking about in the live blog last night, seems as though Michelle has changed her “Wings of Love” from an Awesome Kong “Implant Buster” to a simple front suplex, it doesn’t look as good or as effective.
It could have used a little more crowd injection, I don’t think they were into the match. I have a feeling because not as many people watch SmackDown as Raw, maybe the audience isn’t as familiar with the SmackDown Divas? Or maybe they just straight up don’t like what they saw? But in all, I enjoyed the match and the work from both Divas.
Watch the match & see the photos after the cut:
Digital Photos (Courtesy of WWE.com)
MICHELLE MCCOOL VS MARYSE – DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
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22 Comments
I LOVED the match personally. I thought the end could have been better but the match was very good in whole so easily forgiveable. I also don’t see why the crowd wasn’t into it, both girls were giving their all and performing at a high standard – and I’m NOT a Michelle fan. I wish Maryse had won it but all in all a great match!
i think the crowd wasnt into it because these two dont have a strong story with one another..theyve really only been feuding for the past two weeks..perhaps people were disappointed that the rightful contender in Natalya wasnt in the match..my real thought is that no one really cares about the 2nd womens title and think its unimportant
i was really impressed with Maryse’s toughness, she came in as a serious underdog in consdiering her lack of experience, but she was a definite heel and did some solid leg work..plus she looked pretty hot to me and outpopped McCool in her entrance..for her first PPV match she did a really great job
I feel a little bad for Michelle in the sense that when she won there was no typical pop for champions, also in her entrance as well, and it really showed how little over she is, and thats a problem, and I think this is why the fans werent into the match..she looked really pretty and also had some strong offense..im a bit disappointed in her lack of selling Maryse’s attacks to her leg, it reminded me alot of her match with Layla back in January…
the end was a big let down, McCool shouldve done the Wings of Love instead of whatever this is. she hasnt used it since March, and hasnt done the heel hook since July, and I think it added to the blah of the match
for me it was in the middle, mostly because I wanted Nattie in the match and dont think Maryse was ready for a PPV title shot
The crowd wasn’t into much really.
Nobody was into the match. Even during the intro when JR and Tazz Michael Cole were talking, they were like, it’s hard to focus on this match after what happened to CM Punk. It was awful planning because I was in the official Unforgiven live blog at WWE.com and even the moderators were more concerned about what was going to happen with the Raw Scramble match then with the diva’s match. Nobody cared and that was unfortunate for Michelle and Maryse, but WWE always has really bad timing for their diva’s matches.
Natalya! Come save the Diva’s Championship!
Everybody is missing the fact that it was still a great match despite the crowd being lame-asses and not realising that they were watching something worth getting into.
Michelle can’t do the Wings of Love anymore because HUNTOR is on Smackdown, and the setup looks too much like the Pedigree. Heck, the move itself looks more devastating than the Pedigree. either that, or they don’t want a botch during the move, because it can have servere consequences if there is one. (like being dropped right onto your head for one)
Did anyone else notice Maryse working on the wrong knee? lol!
Good Match by the Smackdown Divas once again, jst a total shame that it fell in bad timing jst before the main event. The crowd really weren’t behind it which was a real shame.
Maryse definitely one of my favourite divas jst now, luv her character and how she is improving in the ring week after week
The match was okay. REALLY boring so I can see why the crowd didn’t react to anything and I can see why the “Boring” and “You Cannot Wrestle” chants started up.
Alot of the offense was sloppy and Michelle proves to show why she shouldn’t be in her position. Hey she’s a great athlete and a decent wrestler but there’s more to it then that and lets face it, she’s not over and she never will be over. I’ve given her time. She cannot even get a small pop.
Match was better than expected but I was still unsatisfied.
I was pulling for Maryse the ENTIRE time to win. At least she has a character/personality.
The Wings of Love was AWFUL. Looked botched on both ladies parts. Hopefully she drops it if it keeps looking like that.
Good match very proud of Maryse i hope Natalya starts back her feud with Michelle and wins this time doesnt anyone else think Michelle’s outfit reminded them of what Trish had on @ unforgiven in her last match against Lita-or maybe its just me
it was a pretty entertaining match. but i think the end could have changed like how michelle one
I really liked the match. It had more psychology to it than most Diva matches with Maryse working on Michelle’s leg. It wasn’t a spot fest, either, so it gets points from me.
Michelle kind of looked like a Power Ranger. xD
JR called the Gordbuster the “Angel’s Wings” during a Michelle/Maria vs Natalya/Maryse match. The match was pretty decent. Not the most jaw dropping match, but these girls pulled through. I don’t really see why people are giving little to no credit to Michelle when credit is due. Sure, she may lack a character and depth, but she’s a hell of a wrestler. People are so nit-picky about the little things. It was somewhat sloppy, but by no means was it a botch-fest. Michelle may or may not be dating the Undertaker, but how does that take away from her wrestling ability? She’s proven that she’s capable of hanging in there with non-Diva search Divas. As far as Maryse goes, kudos to her for doing her best. Both these women deserve a round of applause for working hard to put their best foot forward.
it was amazing these two divas got it i swaer
Michelle needs to change the name of her finisher the name doesnt match the move anymore,cuz she does it different
The fans werent into it because Michelle cant get over as a babyface despite superman push for a year. And Maryse has no heel credibility.
Michelle needs something to get the fans to connect with her. Maybe a long Mickie/Trish (I don’t mean get a stalker/fan but just time investment wise) type storyline or let her get some promo time or something. That’s the only thing that’s going to hold her back. She’s not bad in the ring at all, sometimes she slips up but who doesn’t? She just doesn’t stand out to me…she hasn’t had that defining moment. Winning the divas championship was lackluster and they didn’t follow up on it well. Not to mention she has a whole lot of crap working against her with the attitude/dating taker rumors.
The biggest problem with the womens division is not the talent but that they don’t establish the personalities like they did with Mickie James or Victoria (debuting as a wrestler in 2002). Michelle really lacks with that type of thing and I don’t think she can make up for that like Maryse does with her heel mannerisms and strut, which I think is awesome. She’s just that vanilla babyface with recycled generic music. The last time they did something good with build up and delivery was with Beth/Melina. They could have went somewhere with Nattie/Michelle but they dropped it for no real reason and instead we have to settle with these matches that are good but are just filler.
Getting boring chants isn’t that big of a deal at Armageddon last year Mickie and Beth got them. Am I the only one finds better that they don’t chant “We want puppies” but “boring”? I guess its debatable about being a good or bad thing but its got to mean something. Most of the time the diva matches are put on in a crappy spot on the card and that affects the crowd reaction. Even at Unforgiven 06, Trish and Lita had to follow up on a DX/McMahon hell in the cell. But considering the occasion/location the crowd picked up fine for that one.
The match was fine for what it was. Sometimes it dragged but for the most part they worked good together. But JR should never say the Divas championship is equal to the Womens Championship because it isn’t and never will be.
Was a good match, Maryse is ppv material, michelle a bit sloppy. Well done to both divas.
i really hope they continue this fued
These ladies put on a great match and I was highly impressed. I’m glad Michelle won, as it can (hopefully) continue this feud and keep Maria away from the title.
Oh please she hasn’t defended her title for almost 2 months and she had a mediocre match. She will be no near as great as Trish Stratus was. Michelle has no fan base other then people who are interested that she had an affair with Taker while he was married to Sara. Other than that… she is hyped by WWE and the real world outside of wrestling could careless who she is. She reminds me of Debra Marshall Michaels Williams “Debra”… washed up!