In the week since last week’s SmackDown and today’s, the women’s division for the blue brand has become almost unrecognisable. There’s a new Women’s Champion in Michelle McCool and the brand took a severe hit, when it lost solid workers in Gail Kim and Alicia Fox. The aftermath of the trade on Monday night, hurt because we’re huge fans of Gail and Alicia as well as the way SmackDown was booked in the past couple of months.
But I’m pleased to report, that the trades haven’t affected the quality of the show as this week business continued to boom for the Friday night show, showing no signs of mourning for the dearly departed Divas. Watch below as Melina teams up with an unlikely partner, Maria to take on the now heel again, Layla and McCool:
Click in for the full Redux:
While I enjoyed this week’s show, the Divas action had a different feel to it this week — not necessarily a bad thing, but it did feel like a ‘new phase’ without two of my favourite Divas, Gail and Alicia. The result of their trade to Raw means that Maria returns to the ring in a wrestling role, after some time away teaming with Melina. I have to admit, after seeing Melina come out with Gail so often, I kinda felt a pang when I saw Melina and Maria come out together. Not to mention, there seems to be an awkwardness between the two. I don’t know, even though they are both faces, they just seem like such an unlikely partnership and it’s almost as if there’s some tension between them. Not trying to create ~backstage gossip~ but they certainly didn’t have the touchy feely, fun smiley chemistry of Gail and Melina.
Anyhoo, starting with the looks: As a 6th grade science teacher, I’m sure Michelle knew a thing or two about conducting electricity, so I’m sure she’ll understand why I suggest she looked like she was half way through wrapping herself up in foil to go find lightning. The top and the shorts would have been fine, but the silver on the arms and over the boots was a little much for me. Meanwhile, it looks like Layla has finally answered her critics as she goes back to her gorgeous straightened hair! And finally looking every bit the goddess that she is, Layla ditched some of the ugly Bella Twins-esque outfits that she’s been wrestling in and wore something a little more sexy. I wasn’t too sure about it at first when she walked out, but by the end of the match, I was sold on the cute lavender outfit — the tights underneath the shorts keep things a little classy too. As for Melina, she sports the same attire as The Bash and looks great while Maria, well looks like Maria. Notice the single white glove, an homage to Michael Jackson perhaps?
Layla starts things off showing some attitude, attacking a distracted Melina. Layla has a great ring presence, I like the way she trashtalks her opponent as she goes, showing her temperament. It isn’t long before the now former Women’s Champ bites back though, with a kick straight to the face. Melina tags out to Maria, and when I first watched the match, I cringed…
But for all intents and purposes, Maria certainly surprised me, more than handling her own against Layla and seemingly toned down the ‘spastic movement’ that we’ve seen in the ring in the past. Maria hits a really good spot, using her leg to do a monkey flip, a unique take that looked really good. Things start to go downhill for Maria as Layla starts gaining momentum kicking Maria’s leg out from underneath her, which puts Maria in a compromising position.
Layla tags out to Michelle, who has brought out the best in Maria in the past, the new Women’s Champion dominates Maria, working on that leg Layla just hurt. After a brief tag out to Layla, Michelle re-enters and continues to work over the leg; this is becoming almost a signature for Michelle, find a weak spot and exploit it throughout the match, giving that emphasis of a ‘story’ being told. Maria manages to counter Michelle’s ankle lock, which sends Michelle into a flip that’s executed very nicely by the champion. Maria follows up with a less than stellar heel kick before giving Melina the hot tag.
Melina’s hot tag sees a barrage of her signature moves including the ‘Ma-Trish’ into the overhead kick on Layla and she sends Michelle flying off the apron. In the ring, Layla manages to get back into it and seemingly goes for her ‘Layout’ but Melina reverses into her split leg-drop for the win.
A really good match, once again from the SmackDown brand despite losing some great talent. They seem to now be working with what they’ve got and making the best of it. Maria, who I am usually less than impressed with in the ring, showed some development here and was used in a manner that kind of kept her limited which means less botches too. Good stuff, I was dreading this week’s SmackDown and while it did feel different, the work was there.
[poll id="376"]
23 Comments
at
I still don’t think Maria was that good in the ring. I believe she had better matches than this, she looked a little spastic in this one (like all the other ones…). Besides that, I think that all other 3 divas looked pretty amazing, I love Layla, and I think she showed her improvement in this match. She’s waaaaaay better in-ring wise than Maria or even Kelly Kelly. Michelle didn’t look as great as always, but shown a good in-ring personality. Melina looked perfect, flawless and I think that Melina-Layla have great chemistry in the ring. I hope that we soon can see Natalya join the other divas, teaming with Michelle and Layla. I would love to see Natalya teaming with Layla. :D
at
it was a decent match but i found it kinda boring, it was umm i dont know not as we saw in the past, i like missed the action of Gail&Alicia, i love Layla tho. and o my lord, maria wrestling again, im sorry but i found maria to be the same as usual in the ring only this time she had some different moves, and lol melanie, i actually did notice the glove immediately,
at
I thought the match was good. I have to say after a long time not wrestling, Maria impressed me here. She didn’t botch too! Shocking… But Melina has really has fire in her eyes, can’t wait for a rematch for the title. :D Her pin was kinda across the gut and not a reverse DDT. I think it could be something to do with her heel injury, like she stated in the interview, her foot often gets stiff, this could be the reason she isnt really selling her finisher well.
Michelle got on my nerves..i know she is the new champ but the way she was flautning the belt to Melina, her facial expressions looked weird. I thought her attire was nice, but would of been better if it was gold…something to match the belt cuz she is the golden diva! As for Layla.. ohh i Love Layla i Love her feisty side its wicked haha. shes a good in-ring competitor and i hope shes used well in the future!
If Marias “glove” is a tribute to Michael Jackson, i’d have to say well done Maria! Shows she cares about real life events and wants to do something to show her respect. Shes not the best of wrestlers but i respect her for her hard work although she doesnt seem to progress, but IMO shes better than Velvet or Vel Vel (how lame?)
Overall a very good match, I liked it!
at
Good luck to Maria on ever having a match worthy of even being called mediocre. It’s distressing that she’s looking to be Melina’s new partner. So much of a downgrade that they’re in the sub-basement and there ain’t no elevator.
at
Got dammn! Michelle has at least 8 crosses on her whole outfit uhhh i guess Ed Hardy makes her ring gear now lol, and Layla you’ve got a winner finally, so stick with it. Oh is me or doesn’t it seem as though Melina has invested in those Cover girl Eye lights mascara because at the end when she stared at Michelle her eyes looked so pretty but hella lighter also.
The match was good, i agree in that they made the most of what they have on the roster. Surprisingly I’ve really gotten use to Layla wrestling and I like it a lot. But Maria just felt weird like i dunno Maybe it’s because i know the other three girls have far surpassed her in wrestling ability that I sorta just feel like you’ve had your chance so give it up..harsh i know. Not to take away from the fact that she did fine in this match but that’s because Layla and Michelle either carried her or sold well through out the whole match. I much rather watch Eve get winded then have maria wrestle more but then again we all know she’d be used to help Michelle look stronger so if it means Miss McCool beating the crap out of her with her aggressive style of wrestling for three minutes that actually might not be a bad thing lol.
at
Damn, back to 3-minute Diva matches again. I hope WWE hasn’t given up on the longer match concept they used on the last two Raws, last week’s Smackdown, and The Bash. Match was decent, though.
I hope WWE has something more creative in mind for Night of Champions than a Bash re-match than Melina has no chance of winning, especially considering the Divas title match has been built up for over two months, yet will be the first meeting for Mickie and Maryse in a championship bout.
at
to me, Layla looked gooood this week, hopefully will one day be champ; but i doubt she will. Nice match to be honest even if Smackdown didn’t excatly get the winning end of the mini-draft
at
i was also a lil iffy on the match before hand, but i thought it was great, it told a great story, i think it really allowed melina/michelle fued to continue by showing melinas passion and michelle almost pulling a maryse and not wanting to go up against her too much. as for maria she impressed me, that leg thing she did that melanie pointed out was pretty cool, and she sold really well, overall great effort!
at
Even though short, I liked this one. Maria did better than usual, but that’s not saying much. I nearly turned the sound off as soon as she got in there, though. She makes these crazy noises the whole time she’s wrestling. I thought Layla looked great in this match, and she seems to be improving all the time. Michelle looked good in this too, as did Melina, which was nothing unusual. I love the matches they put on together.
I also really loved that staredown between Melina and Michelle at the end.
at
I liked the match.
I agree with TaylorJade about maria screaming to much , if she screamed less than it wouldn’t be so spastic when she does moves.
and why are some people saying that michelle can’t sell ( not in this one ) she sold Marias moves like almost as good as melina.
I didn’t like laylas outfit the pants were like granny pantsxD.
BUT who cares.
Love the SD DIVAS:D
at
Although the match was a little to short for my taste, I think all of the girls really have worked well in this one. Michelle looked amazing as usual I am glad she is the champ. Melina is really over right now as a face ( she was really great to) Layla is showing so much improvement since she has been on smackdown I am so glad they are using her as a wrestler and not a manager.( she looked amazing as always) I am huge fan of maria and I thought in this one she was really trying hard and attempting to step her game up.
This was yet again a good one for the smackdown divas :D
at
I also felt a pang, but it was when Michelle came out without Fox. That made me sad. :( I think Maria was in a role she should stay in this week – the seller. Her offence has always been weak as hell, but in this match she seemed to be okay just because she only got a few moves in. I personally didn’t like Layla in purple, not her color imo, glad to see she’s found her straighteners again though. I love the story Michelle was telling though, trying to get the hell away from Melina all the time haha. :D
at
The match was okay. Not as good as the other Smackdown matches and there are two reasons. One Maria, she has been with the company for five years now and even eve who has only had about six or so matches in wwe has had better matches then her. Then there is Michelle, who acted like a coward and cocky. I can agree with cocky but what happened to Michelle. When she broke away from Melina she ran quicker then I’ve ever seen her. I guess with Alicia gone, Michelle has lost her edge.
Melina and Michelle saved the match from disaster. Layla was not as good as she normally was but she did well. I blame it on Maria who just needs to stay in the backstage area or be a referee.
at
I know this is off topic, but when I read this, I was really pissed off.
‘During Tuesday’s episode of Wrestling Observer Live, it was said that WWE Diva Rosa Mendes was told by management to slim down. Reportedly, she took the comment to heart and has dropped weight in recent weeks.’
Rosa Mendes isn’t even fat or chubby! Not in any way! It’s ridiculous how WWE wants their Divas to look like sex symbols rather than concentrating on what matters most: their wrestling skills. I hate WWE, I seriously hate them.
at
I must say, I was shocked to see how well Maria executed. I can only hope that it is a sign of her finally “getting it” or at least being motivated by her critics. Her striking was a lot stiffer than usual, and she moved around the ring with confidence.
Looks like they will be sliding Layla into the role of Michelle McCross’s henchwoman. McPope even checked on her after the match in an interesting move for a heel.
Where the SD division goes from here, I have no idea. They now have themselves in the same position RAW has been in several times in the last few years, with only one face (Mickie) realistically able to carry the title. That of course led us to the elevation of one Candice Michelle. Hopefully some of that newly signed talent gets called in before history is forced to repeat itself (a Maria reign…).
Still sticking with my Mickie vs. Michelle Summerslam prediction. It’s goin’ down.
at
I didnt like this match, it wasn’t technical enough for me too much brawling and submission moves. Its difficult to put on a good match with 2 not-so-solid workers. I didnt like what anyone wore here either, Maria looked atrocious as usual, sorry girl but blue, zebra spots and a white glove with light brown hair do not go together, Layla’s outfit was pretty basic and Michelle looked like she had stolen some of those spots from Maria.
at
I think at NOC Melina should win the belt but on the next Smackdown she should have a match with natalya. WHich Michelle interfears by pushing Melina off the top rope “re-injuring her ankle”. And then she could have her rematch and pin Melina for the title and then Contend with Serena and Eve and stuff.
As for raw, i would like to see Gail get involved in the diva match. Maybe she could beat Mickie in a singles to earn her spot which gratually builds up tension beetween the two and then let Gail win at NOC
at
I see Melina winning back the title at Summerslam as it is in her hometown.
at
why does everyone seem to think Melina is at NOC. Its Mickie vs Maryse for the Divas Championship!
at
at NOC i think every title must be defended
at
Just happy for Layla to have a straight hair for sure. I hope at NOC WWE will give us a winner take all tag team match since Maryse and Michelle, both heels are both champions to be defended by Melina again and Mickie. But, unfortunately, WWE announced a ‘boring-to-hear’ divas championship. I believed that once WWE gave it in, they will never gave it up again. Nice reverse by Melina, by the way and great improvement by Maria.
at
MickieJamesFan, at NOC, every title has to be defended, regardless of whether they just acquired the title or not …
at
oh ok LOL Yeah I just realised that haha! But last year the Divas champ wasnt defended at NOC! :(