Fans know better than anyone what they want to see. And while it seems WWE and even TNA thinks it can dictate to the fans what they think we want to see, most of the time they’re wrong. Take for example, we fans at Diva Dirt, we may be just that – fans – but we’ve seen so many women pass through the doors of WWE, TNA and even the developmental territories over the years. We can tell which ones have the ‘it factor’ and which ones don’t.
In this day and age, where there seems to be an assembly line of blonde hair and big breasts or generic, blah personalities — why don’t the newer girls read websites or message boards like this and get the fan’s opinion? Sure they’re busy with training but it seems most, if not all, are web-savvy enough to open up Twitter accounts [and update endlessely throughout the day] or maintain MySpace accounts. How hard could it really be? It’s true that the wrestling industry, particularly industry leader WWE, shuns the Internet and probably advises against their stars reading ‘dirtsheets’. But in the midst of all that ‘dirt’, there are genuine gems of observation to be had. Gems that could help these young rookie Divas get over with the fans that will be watching them in years to come.
Too often, especially in the last few years, we have seen newer stars crash and burn in their first few weeks on the main roster and be unceremoniously dropped without getting any real opportunity. I can’t speak for the guys, but I think we’re qualified enough to speak for the girls. We have seen so many girls come through those doors, seemingly become jaded by the promise of fame and forget that wrestling is a craft and it should be perfected.
Every fan, especially our readers at Diva Dirt, has an opinion and I think most of it is valuable and could be extremely valuable to young upstart Divas such as those down in FCW or those just trying to break it on the indies. At the end of the day, we share a common goal — we want to see talented girls make it to the big time & these girls want to make it. But it’s so important not to mould yourself on someone that has been there and done that before you [Kelly Kelly] or come across as a bland, predictable face [countless girls]. Making yourself stand out is everything from the attitude you carry to the look you have — as for the wrestling skills, we aren’t exactly qualified to judge but it would help if you weren’t epic fail. But even if you are, some of the worst wrestlers can get over on their looks and charisma alone.
Some advice:
1. Don’t be just another blonde. They are a dime a dozen in this industry and if you can help it, don’t become another one — especially if you’re looking to get into WWE. Dye your hair to a colour that other girls in the company aren’t rocking right now. Trust me, I realise how precious hair is to a girl but speaking from a fan standpoint, most if not all of us roll our eyes when we see yet another blonde. Dying your hair gives you some sort of edge. It’s immediately eye-catching. I know there’s one blonde in developmental right now who I was hoping would be sporting her previous red hair.
If you’re really conscious, why not put in some streaks a la Natalya or MsChif? I think those are two great examples of an industry standard with a twist.
2. Charisma can’t be taught. It is inside each of us but it needs to be exerted. You have to concentrate all of your energy and exert it into coming across well to the audience and to those watching at home. Whether you’re wrestling or just making an appearance, there is always a way to show your personality and high energy. A great example of this is Christy Hemme. I may not like her, but there’s no denying as soon as you see her she ‘pops’ as having a great charismatic personality in comparison to some of her fellow Diva Search contestants i.e. Maria, Eve Torres and Tiffany. It helps off-set her so-so wrestling.
3. Try not to be a generic babyface or generic heel, please! This one is hard because in WWE the scripting just isn’t there for the Divas, so most of the girls do come across as bland babyfaces or bland heels because they aren’t scripted in a manner that shows personality. But to argue that point suggests you’re just resting on your laurels. Use your charisma [as listed above] and go against the typecast. Most of the girls in WWE have to fend for themselves, for the most part they are overlooked by the writers and have to enhance their own storylines or find a way to incorporate their personality. Flashing your pearly whites is all well and good to show you’re a face or narrowing your eyes to show you’re a heel; but that’s what all the other girls are doing. Maryse has the exact same crappy writing as other heel Divas like McCool or Beth Phoenix — so why is it that she comes across as an uber-heel while the other two don’t? It’s certainly nothing to do with the writers. The same can be said for girls like Trish Stratus, sure she may have gotten better writing than they have now but she also exuded personality and a warmth that made the fans love her. You can, if you put your mind to it, do more than just what WWE scripts you to do. It seems like some of the Divas are too afraid to go against the grain.
There are so many bland girls today that do the little smile and finger point as they come down to the ring and trust me, even little things like that are scrutinized.
The moral of the story is to put yourself out there and not be afraid to take risks. For most, they want to be a WWE Diva and you have to realise that WWE is not exactly the most respective company of woman’s wrestling. Even the best wrestler can be bland in the character department [for example Gail Kim in her current run] and it’s quick and easy to blame WWE for their booking. But if they really wanted [like some of them do], the girls could take it upon themselves to add to their own persona like the Diva/Knockout we spoke to who inspired this post.
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10 Comments
Great job Melanie!
I think this will definatly help aspiring divas, that is if they read this.
Maybe some of the present-day divas/ko’s could read this and use some it to their advantage.
I love this post and was having a discussion with a friend EXACTLY like this the other day.
When WWE comes out with girls from modelling agencies, it’s like you can tell wrestling isn’t their passion. There are some girls that exude that energy and love of the sport, and there are others that are looking more towards their future endevours in FHM.
interesting article, you make some valid points. why did you mention the fact that you don’t like christy hemme though? whats that got to do with it? You make the point that she excudes charisma (which she certainly does) – why not just leave it at that.
To be honest, once I get writing I’m going at full steam ahead. So I’m with you, there was no point to include it in the article but in all honesty, I didn’t realise I made that comment until you pointed it out. It was just me writing an intro for that sentence, I guess.
Great article and so true, the only new divas in recent years who’s personality has stood out is Melina, Mickie James (helped by a great storyline) & Maryse, the rest are interchangeable for the most part.
I think Mickie had some character and personality when she joined, but she doesn’t now. She has no character and is a generic, meek face like those you describe in the article. The only difference is that she still has great in-ring skills.
I definitely agree with Maryse – there’s just something about her, obviously charisma, that really helps her character.
I’d like to see Mickie go heel again and Beth turn face (she needs something fresh to happen!!)
Great article and I agree with all of it except some of the opinions about being “just another blonde”, what happens if blonde happens to be your natural hair colour? Should a girl have to go brunette or become a redhead so that they don’t get stereotyped into the “just another blonde” category?
There are some women in developmental right now with dark hair and the same sort of look (Liviana aka Carly and April Lee) and to me they don’t stand out look-wise as they are like clones of Melina.
I don’t think it matters about the colour of their hair, if they stand out then they stand out.
Beth Phoenix is a prime example of a blonde who breaks the stereotype and mould, Natalya is the exact same.
can you never not bash kelly when theres a chance? all i see is kelly this and kelly that, why must you bash her all the time.
But it’s so important not to mould yourself on someone that has been there and done that before you [Kelly Kelly]
yes of course, kelly is impersonating someone like chyna isnt she? have you ever seen an athletic wrestler like kelly before? that does flips into the corner, face plants their opponent,no. not in this generation anyway.
if you run a DIVA/KNOCKOUT fansite, shouldnt you atleast like them? you do a site for fans because your a fan, you wouldnt run one on someone you didnt like would you? if you dont like her you could atleast not bash her in every chance you get. theres no need, you may not like her (which i think everyones got by now) but some people do and dont wanna see bad comments made to her on a FANsite
Lol… poor boy. If you think that’s ‘bashing’, you really need to buy a dictionary.
PS: Not a fansite.
The notion of Divas or icons is deeply imbedded within the psyche of most cultures. People often look for identification greater than their individual existence. Capturing the imagination of a particular population usually entails a compelling storyline.
Becoming a Diva is a process requiring a concerted effort with relentless determination. The steps often include:
-Revolutionizing/changing the thinking of a particular idea, product or service– It isn’t the “me-too” mentality that brings about revolutions, but the “never been done before” mentality. If you see voids within your industry that experts say are necessary, you have just embarked on an opportunity for innovation. What opportunities exist to expand worldviews or differentiate a product or service being offered? Answers to this question, brings forth watershed events. It is much more challenging to revolutionize an industry than it is to follow the status quo. Largely, complacency and mediocrity are the nemesis to becoming a Diva.
-Capturing imaginations through constant and consistent imagery–Quite often, you may capture the imagination of individuals through graphic depiction or acute profundity. In other words, you get their attention through the pictures you create from the words you utter! Once the mind has been elevated, it creates perceptions from stimuli that stretches and ultimately influences thought and behavior. If you can spark the imagination of others to see the world from your viewpoint, you can impact behavior, which enhances iconic status.
-Maintaining innovation over a long period of time–Longevity is the hallmark for becoming an Diva. “Quick buck artists” and “Overnight sensations” are not the model for Divas. It is a long, arduous process that withstands the test of time. While there is no set time, Divas can span two or more generations. Each generation is influenced differently, because the Diva evolves to reflect the relevancy of that age group.
-Creating stories and fables around exploits– Divas take on mythological forms by the aura created around them. Fables are created out of real life triumphs that become bigger than life when sparked by the imagination. Many great stories are based on some truth that becomes legendary though exaggerated repetition. What was once a simple act of perseverance takes on epic proportions of insurmountable feats. Every Diva has a story of trial, defeat and final triumph that encapsulates the human spirit.
-At the height of frenzy, become elusive and inaccessible–Divas often stay in the limelight too long. The Diva idea is that of a good performance–always leave audiences wanting more! A Diva preserves a memory as she preserves an image. It is essential to exit or become elusive while still on top. Once you stay too long and human frailties emerge, the Diva diminishes. By becoming elusive and inaccessible, the crowd craves you more when all that’s left are the innovations, images and stories.
Becoming an Diva requires a concerted effort steeped in relentless determination. The scarcity of Divas is not because of its impossibility. The scarcity exists due to the time, dedication and energy needed to excel to such a level. A life committed to an undying desire to achieve the ultimate within an industry is open to all.
Edward Brown
Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute