Where to begin? The legend returned last night to deliver Stratusfaction to all and boy, did she. Trish Stratus may have her detractors [though personally, I can't see why -- it's like hating bunny rabbits] but she proved last night just why she was considered the hardest working Diva in WWE for so many years. She’s still got it! From the vivacious personality to the in-ring display, it truly was like she never left. All that’s changed really is the hair and boobs!
Plus the Stratusfaction was sprinkled on another Diva Dirt favourite, as on the evening we were reunited with Trish, we also air-punched for the one and only Alicia Fox. Let’s start with that match:
As a huge fan of both Alicia and Gail Kim, I wasn’t sweating the outcome of this match. If Gail won, awesome and if Alicia won, awesome. I never thought they’d pull the trigger on Alicia, I have to tell you. Despite wowing audiences with her in-ring work in the short time she’s been on the main roster, Alicia has shown so much potential and has all the tools it takes to be a future top Diva and future champion. But for some reason, I never really thought they’d pull the trigger on her — it’s always the talented ones that get left behind, whereas Kelly, Maryse, Eve and Maria seem to be the ones WWE focus on. I am pleasantly surprised that they gave Alicia the win because for the first time in a long time, it gives me hope that WWE can be in tune with the fans. The fans have gotten so behind Alicia, it would’ve been wrong to ignore that because in the online world in particular, fans have ‘made Alicia happen’.
Alicia and Gail work really well together, so I was excited for this one and it started out well with the aggressive Alicia Fox kicking Gail straight at the bell. Gail goes for the Flying Dragon I think, which Alicia blocks and goes for a TKO that Gail counters into an arm drag. Nice work there. A hurricanrana and dropkick through the ropes by the veteran, but as they get back in the ring Alicia hits a beautiful tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Alicia grounds the match with a submission move, it’s nice to see one of these young Divas incorporate the basics as opposed to going from spot to spot. Gail fights back, but Alicia manages to hit another beautiful looking move, this time the fisherman suplex.
She then wraps her legs around Gail in another submission move, nice work. Fast forward a little bit and Alicia sets up her axe kick but Gail move sout of the way and manages to hit her neckbreaker. Gail mounts offense with clotheslines and a nice stinger splash in the corner followed by a great crossbody. Gail goes for the ‘Eat Defeat’ but Alicia counters, shoving Gail into the corner. Gail goes up top for a missile dropkick but misses, is it just me or can Gail not go a match without doing a move where she misses a high spot? She’s only hurting herself even more! Alicia takes advantage to hit the axe kick and gets the win.
I enjoyed this match but I felt there was more of a focus on Mickie at ringside rather than the wrestling. It seems King and Mickie bouncing off each other, while great chemistry, took away from the match in the ring and that’s not a good thing.
I truly hope this is the start of a push for Alicia, however I am not going to get too excited until I see it. Already this year, several Divas have earned Divas title shots and they’ve ended up being “one shot deals” for example, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim and Beth Phoenix. Mickie’s presence at ringside however, suggests that they could be building to something between Alicia and Mickie, that attention wasn’t given to the latter three. Alicia is a young Diva with a wealth of potential and I think given the opportunities, she really could shine. I’m not suggesting that she win the Divas Championship but I’d just like to see her work with these talented veterans and really bounce off them; already she’s worked so well with Gail, Melina and Michelle McCool. Alicia is at a similar level to Maryse, though I would argue she’s a better worker, so I’m holding out for better end product from Alicia & Mickie than we got with Maryse and Mickie.
Trish after the cut:
Now let’s discuss the Trish aspect of Raw; first of all, she looked amazing and was her usual fun self. Let’s check out the backstage segment with Chris Jericho and Beth Phoenix:
I loved this segment! Trish really could teach the current girls a thing or two. I truly hope they were watching and learning from the master. She’s always had that fun, comedic timing and she brings that to every promo she does. I absolutely loved the way she said, “I didn’t even know you…” As for Beth, I am really glad that if any Diva got to work with Trish, it was her. I really think Beth has some of that flare we see from Trish, but because she’s a heel she doesn’t always get to show it off. Beth, like Trish, has a natural sense of comedic timing and can be very humourous in the little we’ve seen her do in the past. To me, Beth is the nearest rival to Trish in that sense but again, her character very much limits her. I was happy that they gave Beth the rub here, getting to trade verbal blows with Trish Stratus and another future legend, Chris Jericho. It’s not everyday a Diva gets to work with someone like Jericho so that must’ve been a great feeling for Beth. She more than held her own in this segment with Trish and Chris.
To address all the “Oh Trish does know Beth” stuff, I can see why they did it and I don’t consider it something that’s pressing, to be honest. Yes, their paths have crossed but they are in two different generations of Diva. I’m not even sure why people bother bringing it up because we all know WWE rewrites their own history every week.
Anyway, that brings us to…
It was a gutsy move to have Trish and Beth start out the match, I felt. But given the fact that the tag team match was going to go into a six person tag match, I see why they did it. However, I still would’ve preferred the men to start out and then Trish get a hot tag. But from what we saw, let’s examine: Beth charges at Trish and drives her into the corner and begins pounding on her. Way to break her in, haha! Trish comes back delivering some forearms and those famous chops. Beth comes back though, attempting to clothesline her but Trish hits the Ma-Trish but botches and falls to the floor. Ring rust is expected, so it’s okay Trish! Trish kicks Beth and goes for the cover but Jericho comes in and pushes her over. What a bully! The match breaks down and we go into a six person tag match…
It was great to see Beth step up to MVP, it kind of gives her character a little bit of a rub despite what happens at the end of the match. Trish mounts Beth with the Lou Thesz press before helping MVP do his patented elbow drop. Jericho pulls Beth out of the ring and chaos ensues. Big Show trips up Trish allowing Beth to get back in the ring and cover her but Trish kicks out and the crowd erupts! The girl still has it, what can I say. Trish hits her patented handstand takedown from the corner and sets up Beth for the Stratusfaction and connects.
The closing moments of that match were just crazy! It’s been SO long since a crowd got that behind Divas action, I forgot what it sounded like. Trish guaranteed Stratusfaction and delivered 110%. Sure Beth did the job, but the women’s division isn’t seen as important in WWE’s eyes anyway so it likely won’t even hurt her character. They’ll have her come out next week for example, and it’ll be business as usual. The fans were given another great Trish moment and at the end of the day, that’s what last night’s show was all about. I’m not complaining about the aftermath because when it comes to the Divas and their selective booking, there likely won’t be one. It’s not the same as Hulk Hogan coming back randomly and having Randy Orton job to him. If anything, I think it’s more of an honour for Beth to be able to be part of Trish’s ‘return’.
Overall, it was a fun night for Diva fans — except the ones that don’t like Trish, in which case, too bad.
Posted by 
September 15, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Trish did an amazing job hosting and she looked smoking hot as well,she and beth have really good chemistry together,I’m happy trish won,we only see her once a year and I think she deserves the spotlight for that one night,Beth will get many pushes in the future so her losing doesn’t hurt
alicia and Gail was a great match,I was really hoping Jillian would be in the match and would win but once again,my hopes were destroyed but I’m glad alicia won,this girl is SERIOUSLY THE NEXT BIG THING in the womens division.Theres no way alicia will win the title against mickie but there making her into a credible opponent which is the real good news,hopifully alicia will get a rub from mickie
i’m still shocked WWE made Gail lose in her hometown,how mean
September 15, 2009 at 8:36 pm
One thing that i loved about Trish coming back is that it showed that other Divas can step up to plate. Beth did an amazing job with their promo and it showed if WWE were willing to give Divas beside Trish strong story lines they could carry it out….other than that..well im just not a fan.
I felt that Alicia winning was amazing and that she will finaly get credit that she deserves. I do have to dissagree with you on one thing. I feel Eve has become a great wrestler and deserves a push just as much as Alicia.
September 15, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I would love to see nothing more than for Alicia to take the gold from Mickie! However i cant say i can see it happening at the moment but i would LOVE for Alicia to become the new divas champion, yes please.
And Trish’s segments are still amazing as usual and she hasn’t failed to impress in the ring, she still has it. As for Beth well it clearly shows that wwe feel she is good enough because she has now been in the ring with her since her retirement 2 times, though she lost both times it still shows that wwe feel that Beth can ‘hold it’ with the legends such as Trish, also Beth is amazing at segments also and i KNOW for a fact that Beth could hold a segment like Trish as i have seen her funny side also, i believe it was in a ‘ask the diva’ video were she showed a funny kind of side and it almost looked as if she was face, this was back when wwe were unsure whether to make her loved or hated, but for now Beth can continue doing her great work and showing off until wwe realise she is the next BIG thing when it comes to divas.
September 15, 2009 at 8:51 pm
That was the best RAW I’ve seen in ages. More because I got to see Alicia, Mickie and Trish all in one night. Even better that Trish wrestled and Alicia actually WON a high profile match. I’m really proud of her, and I agree with you every bit of the way Melanie. Fox obviously has the most potential out of Eve, the Bellas, Rosa and Kelly Kelly and I’m loving the fact that WWE is beginning to have faith in her. In terms of home-grown divas who can actually wrestle, I think since Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox is the only rookie diva whose shown such an amount of growth and potential and that’s saying a lot.
Definitely not bumping you Eve or Layla fans. Layla continues to improve every week, and Eve definitely needs some improvement training ( a flashy finisher just isn’t gonna cut it – she still needs to get more comfortable and more SAFE in the ring).
September 15, 2009 at 9:00 pm
greenboimelinafan….thank you, thank you…THANK YOU! I’m so glad I’m not the only one that beliEVEs in Eve (yeah, that’s my sad attempt at humor. Flame me. LOL…).
But anyways, on to the Champ (and no, I’m not talking about John Cena…):
Raw was definitely Trish, and I LOVED IT!!!!
Trish proved why she’s the best of the best. She was a wee bit off in the ring, but can you blame her? I mean, she hasn’t seen the inside of the ring for months. She doesn’t do this for a living anymore. But despite all that, a Trish that has been out of the ring was more entertaining to watch than Maria’s entire career so far!
The backstage segment was f-ing gold! Some people thought Beth was buried, but whatever. Beth got to work with a legendary Diva and the best male talent in WWE right now. I personally consider that a compliment. And her teaming up with MVP and Mark Henry?! I knew she was ghetto!
But, still…I wonder what would have happend if she WERE to team up with Christian…or Santino. LOL.
I know Cena would not be her partner. I don’t have a problem with the man, but their team-up late last year felt like a one-time thing, and should be treated as such.
Dang…what did the third person do to piss off Alicia and Gail that she got beaten up to the point that she was invisible?! Ai yi yi… Anywhos, I liked the match, and having Mickie during the match and the mannerisms both Alicia and Mickie had AFTER the match could mean that we might be seeing something new in the Raw Divas side of things. Maybe… I’m one of the few that really doesn’t get the whole Alicia Fox hype (I’m not a hater, for those that might think that), but I’m very happy for her and hope this is the beginning of great things for her.
Whew…that’s a lot to say, even for me. But a long (and superb) Raw Redux deserves a decent reply.
I was Stratufied, and I’m happy.
September 15, 2009 at 9:08 pm
i continue to think it was pointless to see Beth losing again to Trish,in the same way she did in the last return from Trish.of course Trish wouldn´t lose but it would be beter if Beth teamed with Trish preparing Beth´s face turn,for example.
September 15, 2009 at 9:12 pm
The Diva’s had the opportunity to shine last night…and they delivered! I enjoyed: the Gail and Aleshia action, Mickie’s commentary last night, Beth’s promo skillz, and the 6man tag match, and let’s not forget having Trish their and the pop she recieved last night. Now, Trish isn’t my favorite Diva (that spot is reserved for Lita), but last night helped me remember what made Trish the Diva of the decade and that is her ability to get the crowd moving. Heel or Face Trish is excellent on the mic, and can draw a crowd reaction.
Rosa is working great as a valet.
About the G.Kim FoxyFierce match, I love Alicia as a heel. She manhandles her opponent and has this arrogant swagger…that charisma is what makes her so great.
Beth + Chris Jericho= freaking genius perfect chemistry and that silver on Beth is Fan-freakin-tastic!
I loved the 6man match. There was great chemistry through out. Trish has still got it (and I love her Canadian accent). I wish beth had succeeded in kicking MVP, it would have been better for her character.
I hope ALL the divas took notes.
And DAYUM yoga does a body good. I love doing yoga, but seeing how banging Trish’s body is makes it my new workout of choice.
September 15, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Oh yeah,Trish still stratusfies the hell out of all of us!Man,now I know why she’s my favorite of all time.moving on,my FoxyCakes won it last night!Girl put on one hell of a match,and is it me,or was that match longer than normal?Gail seems to be getting back on track,and Lillian deserved to be next guest host for raw,or at least she should get a farewell (and a nice one too).That was one of the best raws on a looooooong,long time.
September 15, 2009 at 9:25 pm
The problem I find in the read is the confusion of Trish Stratus fans. They confuse her work ethic with being the hardest working women in wrestling. I always found Trish to be hard working and a gamer at that. But I could never place her in front of a performer like Lisa Marie Varon, amongst others.
The wrestling business is so tough to succeed in, especially for a woman who looks to be an in-ring performer. There are very few spots available to them in a larger market. And it has to be even more frustrating to continuously watch more and more men with less of a work ethic given chance after chance to perform on the top levels while they continue dwell in the Indies for little to no monetary compensation. These women travel long distances and hold down menial jobs while they pray and wait for that one opportunity.
Then you’re lucky enough to get the call from the WWE like Lisa Varon and you do whatever is asked no matter how much you disapprove just so they can show you little in return. Trish, who spent zero years in the independent feds goes on and becomes the WWE’s Hall of Fame Diva while Victoria is asked to job to women like Maria, Ashley Massero and Christie Hemme.
Now a woman like Alicia Fox is the top contender for the Diva’s title. Its seems as if the WWE is continuing its search for the next Trish Stratus with women like Alicia, Maryse, Michelle McCool and Candice Michelle. For whatever reason, these women always fail to deliver to the hype of the WWE’s expectations. Maybe they need to look for the next Victoria. This is why I feel TNA’s women’s division is head and shoulders above the WWE’s.
Interesting tidbit…
As of two weeks ago, of the 15 Knockouts on the TNA roster that wrestle on a consistant basis, Christie Hemme is the only one that didn’t pay her dues in the Indy feds.
Of the 17 Diva’s on the WWE roster that wrestle consistently, only 5 of them paid their dues in the indy’s. The rest were trained as quickly as possible in the WWE’s developmental league before being thrown into the spotlight.
September 15, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Definitely one of the better RAWs I’ve seen in ages.
Loved Trish, but a part of me still doesn’t think she should have been in a match, let alone win it. She should be giving this newer generation of divas a rub, a passing of the torch of sorts. not outshowing them. I would have preferred more backstage time with Stratus instead; I mean, she didn’t get that much compared to say Mr Barker last week.
Where Alicia is concerned, well I’m gonna do what I always do and have to wait this one out a bit. As mentioned, we’ve already had a lot of no.1 contenders in the recent months. It feels like they’re trying to keep the belt on Mickie until Maryse’s return, if anything. But regardless of what happens, Ms Fox definitely deserves a push. She has raw talent, sells incredibly.. for lack of a better term, she got the x factor. Hope to see her with gold by the end of the year.
September 15, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Alicia win came as a suprise to me, I have no idea she was going to win and have so much offense the way she did. She did so great in that match of course Gail is a better wrestler and Beth but Alicia is a fresh face. Alicia axe kick, tilt–a–whirl backbreaker, and northern lights suplex was all SICK. I read somewhere were a wrestling website talking about all the matches and they were just talking how bad Alicia is and her axe kick look awful. That she is nothing but a place holder. But those nuts said that Kelly Kelly is so much better than Alicia and spend more time in the company. Are they serious? Beth had her match with Mickie for the belt couple weeks ago so they have to go with Alicia or Jillian.
Alicia deserves a title shot I don’t think she could win this soon. But I hope next week they are not just going to have the match and be done with it. I hope that Mickie/Alicia feud would happen. I totally wish Mickie and Alicia feud could happen I think that would be so good. When they do fight for the belt I hope they booked Alicia to look good and not weak against Mickie. But I think a Alicia/Mickie feud would happen because of the trash talk Mickie said about Alicia and during the match and Alicia kept looking over at Mickie and at the end of the match and how the way she looks at Mickie.
But that was a great match and Alicia stand out in my opinion.
I just hope they don’t push Beth and Alicia aside when Maryse returns. Obviously there’ll be a rematch somewhere but she need not be the only heel they push when does come back.
September 15, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I loved the Gail Alicia match! I mean it wasn’t amazingly spectacular or anything, but maybe it was the fact that the crowd was behind it – I also really enjoyed Mickie on commentary. I don’t think Alicia will win the title but I do think we’re going to see an actual fued and not just a one off title match.
(I love Chris!) The tag match was great too, I would have loved Beth to get a move in on MVP! Then I would have been delighted! Overall it’s been the best Raw in a good long while (apart from Batista.)
The Trish/Beth/Chris segment was really entertaining
September 15, 2009 at 9:36 pm
^ Christina I just read from the same website, and it makes me shake my head sometimes. Lol Almost as if I’m shocked that people might be watching a different program than I am. CLEARLY everyone has their own opinions about the different divas in pro wrestling and WWE, but when you’re going to measure up talent with a yardstick – I’m sorry. Alicia is AHEAD of most of her model magazine peers. Kelly Kelly, Bellas, Eve, Maryse, etc. To say Kelly Kelly is more polished is just ludacrious.
@JoeyBing – We know that and I for one, agree with you tremendously. But for now, I’m just gonna have to get what I can take. WWE still sign professional female wrestlers once in a blue moon, but they have put this very limited glass case on how they want their women to look like, as they train them themselves. OBVIOUSLY..women like Victoria, Alissa Flash and Awesome Kong are more talented than any girls in the WWE right now, but that’s why you watch TNA. To get that alternative until WWE comes to their senses. In the meantime, I watch both and cheer on Michelle McCool and Alicia Fox because although they don’t have a fraction of talent like the women in the indies do – they are doing alright for themselves. And some even *gasp* pull off better matches than the Knockouts do.
September 15, 2009 at 9:55 pm
As expected, this weeks edition of Monday Night Raw wasn’t so different from any other edition of Raw, except this weeks edition included former WWE Diva, Trish Stratus. The Gail Kim versus Alicia Fox match-up was good, both Divas had good chemistry, in my opinion, and that was shown throughout the match-up. Nothing out of the ordinary, except Alicia Fox will finally get an opportunity at the Divas championship. However, I’m skeptical of if she’ll actually win the match-up, since Mickie James has basically gone through the top Divas – Maryse, whose on injury, of course, Beth Phoenix, and Gail Kim, so I’m skeptical of if Alicia Fox will actually win. Still, Alicia Fox versus Mickie James doesn’t sound too bad, and I’m more than certain that Alicia will bring out the better in Mickie, whenever they take on one another.
As for Trish Stratus, she OBVIOUSLY was going to win her match-up against Beth Phoenix, well, tag team match-up. This isn’t the WWE’s first time putting Trish in a tag team match-up to take on Beth, only this time we’re given a better story-line going into the match-up. Beth, of course, did an incredible job in the backstage segment, the match-up wasn’t too incredible in my opinion. But, the story-line going into the match-up definitely was interesting, Trish Stratus is a very good general manager, and it’s too bad that we’ll never be able to see her incredible acting skills, combined with her wrestling skills on television anymore.
September 15, 2009 at 9:57 pm
THAT is how it’s done. Trish was absolutely amazing (what else is new?) in everything she did. The only thing that would have been better is if Mickie James had been well enough to compete with her. “I remember being quite a fan of hers.” Boy, was that the understatement of the century, Mickie.
September 15, 2009 at 9:59 pm
As of this moment, I’m officially a fan of Alicia Fox. She was absolutely incredible. I didn’t know she had that in her.
September 15, 2009 at 10:10 pm
On the subject of Divas and last night’s Raw, anyone notice Chavo and Carlito ignoring Rosa Mendes when the three of them were coming to the ring? It’s worth looking up on YouTube, as Rosa stopped to dance or something, and Chavo and Carlito just kept walking.
September 15, 2009 at 10:26 pm
@JoeyBing I’m the biggest Trish fan around and I understand what you’re saying. I know for a fact that Lisa was/is a better wrestler than Trish, but that doesn’t really mean much in the WWE. Trish came in when the WWE was all about the T&A aspect of women’s wrestling, she was just a valet and needed no experience going in. She trained and got better on her own, she didn’t have to and I don’t even think WWE had developmental territories then to trian their talent. Trish had the complete package at her peak, looks, charisma, wrestling skills, and mic skills and she played both face and heel to perfection. In my opinion, Lisa was always just a wrestler and wasn’t really that interesting as a face, everyone wanted to keep her heel and keep her psycho and once that was over she kinda lost her shine. I don’t think it’s fair that she was pretty much fodder for Diva Search rejects though and I’m glad she’s getting her second chance in TNA but if you look at the bigger picture, Trish deserves her spot and many accolades. I’m not surprised the WWE is giving the model-esque women pushes over women who have been training for years because it’s been that way for a while now, I mean Candice Michelle won the Women’s title from Melina and actually defeated Beth at a major PPV. The WWE has always had the best eye candy in any promotion and they’ve been pushing that for years now, I mean it goes back as far as Sunny and Sable, Terri, Torrie and Stacy. Expect Maryse to come back and get that Diva’s title back and be in the big picture in Raw’s women’s division.
September 15, 2009 at 10:38 pm
@JoeyBing: The current Diva generation is still from the OVW/DSW era, those were independant promotions that borrowed WWE talent, but they just count as indies, even some of TNA’s topstars like Angelina Love & Shantelle Taylor came from there. Most people rate OVW much higher than other indies, they have history and excellent training. I do worry about the FCW generation that is currently taking over though, the Bellas/Rosa/Kelly/Tiffany/Courtney were all tailored to fit the WWE formula and have 0 experience against none-WWE wrestlers. But fortunately we also have a few exceptions like Angela Fong, Serena and April Lee (the last 2 came from the indies).
But i dont think it matters much anyway. I am more a Shimmer/Indies-fan than a WWE/TNA-fan, and some of my favorite wrestlers are Katie/Jillian/Natalya (WWE) and Melissa/Daffney/Madison (TNA), all 6 are reduced to jobbing eventhough they all payed their dues as you call it. So even if a wrestler payed their dues they will end up as a jobber anyway, or they get fired like Roxxi (another woman who payed her dues).
September 15, 2009 at 11:11 pm
MarBu13
I think you and I are definitely on the same page. I feel that if you are someone who wants to watch diva action, it comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for women’s wrestling, it seems as if you can look anywhere but the WWE. Vince McMahon runs his Diva’s division like a hornier version of David McClain. Back in the 80’s, WWF wrestlers like Wendi Richter, Leilani Kai, Judy Martin and Velvet McIntyre would all wrestle in Japan and hold their own. Could you imagine Maryse, McCool, Kelly and Eve stepping inside a Japanese ring? That would be so ugly.
Look at Hamada vs. Sarita a few weeks back. NOW THAT, was a match!!! That was a crowd reaction. Those are two attractive women who wrestle. That’s why I’m more on board with TNA than WWE at this point. But it comes down to the viewer I guess. I think the WWE isn’t concerned about their women competing as wrestlers as much as they’re concerned about them selling merchandise.
Rodneyclint
I see where you’re coming from. I just feel that you’re overvaluing Trish in every possible way. In her entire career, Trish never delivered anything close inside the ring like what I saw between Sarita and Hamada. I also found her mic skills to be weak. When I think of women who could deliver on the mic, I think of Magnificent Mimi, Madusa, and Sherri Martel. I feel Trish’s strength was her work ethic and willingness to sacrifice. She is as tough as any man in the business and for that she deserves to always be recognized. But I just feel she could have really been a great in ring performer if she wanted to but never delivered. A perfect example is her finisher, “Stratusfaction”.
When she first began performing the maneuver, it was as impressive as any finisher I had seen. But as time went on, I feel it was a great move wasted on Trish as she seemed to deteriorate athletically. That maneuver would have been better served by someone like Lita, Gail Kim or Sarah Stock. It was just unwatchable viewing Trish selling that she has an opponent in trouble only for the opponent to have just enough energy left to assist Trish by lifting her up so she can kick off the ropes before bulldogging them. Then there’s the “Matrix” maneuver. That has to be the lamest move in wrestling and yet women STILL perform it. It never sells and it ALWAYS looks awkward.
September 15, 2009 at 11:14 pm
@JoeyBing – I feel like WWE has good wrestlers that came into the industry as models and dancers, some divas like Layla, Alicia and ex diva searcher Michelle McCool. But in the end, they’re really good, but aren’t there girls in the indies that are AWESOME?! But on the other hand, it’s national televison, don’t need to sound harsh or like a superficial bitch, but can you imagine some of the SHIMMER ladies, or other indie female wrestlers inside the ring with someone like Maria, Maryse or Kelly?! I loved that WWE had Cherry, because she broke the mold of the hot skinny-as-f*ck diva that can’t wrestle at all, but can you imagine WWE having a full female roster of not-so-beautiful women? Of course not, they don’t even call up ugly men to the main roster, if they do, it’s part of their gimmick and storyline! So yeah WWE is f*cking superficial and fake as hell, but…can I really blame them for beein that way??
PS: I do agree that ex-divas like Lisa Marie, Molly Holly, Jazz and Jacqueline are a lot better in-ring performers then Trish or Lita, but can you argue with like, the whole world??!
September 15, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Mikas
I agree with most of what you’re saying. Especially with the fact that regardless of the time you put in, you’re getting jobbed either way. Remember Brett Hart claiming that this business uses you to death then takes you out back and sticks a slug in you when they feel they have no further use for you? I also concur with a key phrase you gave, “WWE Formula”. That’s exactly what it comes down to. Right now WWE has a formula, and only models with no wrestling experience equate. But if it works for them, then all the power to them. I think I’ll join you watching Shimmer and ROH.
September 15, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Pedro
::::::: But on the other hand, it’s national televison, don’t need to sound harsh or like a superficial bitch, but can you imagine some of the SHIMMER ladies, or other indie female wrestlers inside the ring with someone like Maria, Maryse or Kelly?! I loved that WWE had Cherry, because she broke the mold of the hot skinny-as-f*ck diva that can’t wrestle at all, but can you imagine WWE having a full female roster of not-so-beautiful women?::::::
I could imagine a diva roster that featured women like April Hunter, Sarah Stock, Diana la Cazadora, Melissa Anderson, Angel Williams, Christie Ricci, Talia Madison, Lisa Varon, Ashley Lane, Hamada, Mickie James, Jillian Hall, Kara Slice, Erica Porter, Melina Perez, Beth Phoenix, Stephanie Finoccio, Shantelle Taylor, Amber O’Neal and Krissy Vaine.
All of whom are very attractive and all can perform as good if not better than any diva in the WWE this decade in my opinion.
September 15, 2009 at 11:26 pm
@PedroPeroso Bring on the world…I’ll take em =D
September 15, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Trish did okay, I guess. But her promo at the start of the show wasn’t very good. She was rambling, she seemed a little unprepared to me and she started losing the crowd pretty quickly. The backstage segment with Beth and Jericho was good. The match wasn’t all that great though. I can forgive the botched ma-trish move since she was obviously rusty, but if you take out the “oh my god!” factor of seeing Trish Stratus in the ring again then how good was that match? Not very. Sure the crowd was hot for it, but that was because it was Trish Stratus and Chris Jericho in front of a Canadian crowd. If you take out all that, the match really wasn’t that great. I was kind of disappointed, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. With Big Show and Mark Henry in the match I suppose I should be counting my blessings that it didn’t completely stink up the place.
September 15, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Lol @ faux.brit – That’s cute.
That’s a very good point Pedro and JoeyBing. Why don’t WWE sign any attractive female wrestlers who can go in the ring? I mean, to me that’s the better route instead of signing a model out of a catalog and than hope she actually picks up the basics two years later, with fingers crossed. I always hoped in a TV interview with the McMahons – they ask them these questions related to the women. No matter how much of a visionary he may be, Vince McMahon isn’t really doing squat to make people believe his divas are “smart, sexy and powerful.” And neither is Linda or Stephanie, IMO. I credit the divas themselves for making the best out of a bad situation (especially those 3 minute matches).
September 16, 2009 at 12:20 am
@JoeyBing – Take out Talia and that would be one heck of a roster! I do add that many people have different opinions on “beautiful” I myself (along with most gay men and straigh women) find girls like Melissa Anderson, Shantelle Taylor, Sarah Stock, Kara Slice, Ashley Lane, Hamada and Lisa Varon extremely gorgeous, but what most WWE fans (straight men in their 40s that enjoy beer and hunting) want to see in women wrestling is girls like Maria, Kelly, Candice, Talia, Bellas, Rosa, Maryse, Christy Hemme…”wrestling” in slutty outfits with crazy-arse weaves and a please-f*ck-me-look on their faces.
September 16, 2009 at 12:22 am
@faux.brit – LOL, if only everyone could think like that -sigh- opinions, opinions…
September 16, 2009 at 12:31 am
“Why don’t WWE sign any attractive female wrestlers who can go in the ring?”
Well, they recently signed Serena Deeb and April Lee, so maybe there is hope for WWE
Also notice that they havent had a Diva Search contest since 2007, and of the 2007-candidates only Eve Torres made the cut. So maybe they’ve learned from their mistakes.
late 90′s-2003 was fitness models
2004-2007 was glamour models
and it looks like they are currently in their “ex-dancers” fase because dancers tend to learn moves rather fast appearently and they have the discipline to keep their body into shape. Although this knowledge about the dancers is pure speculation on my part
Eve Torres, Alicia Fox, Layla and Angela Fong all have a dancing background. So i definately see WWE continueing this trend.
September 16, 2009 at 12:58 am
why did trish say she didnt even know her…didnt trish bring beth in to take care of mickie james?
it amazes me how short the memory of wwe staffers are…
September 16, 2009 at 1:40 am
Joey Bing,
I think your history is off on Lisa Varon, who I deeply admire. She did not work her way through the indies. She was a fitness competitor who was recomended to the WWE by Chyna. She did train in the WWE developmental territories for 3 years before making the main roster, and four months later was the women’s champ. She and Trish worked the fitness circuit together.
September 16, 2009 at 2:07 am
Just like all of us, every company, each brand and all the writers will always have their favourites, the women they want to see put over. Wrestling ability or not. I’ve always loved women who look like they could kick my ass. Wrestlers, rock stars, ladies in the street. And because of that I find it weird how I sometimes prefer the likes of Christy Hemme over, say, Beth Phoenix.
As for WWE needing to focus more on beautiful women who can wrestle, rather than beautiful women they hope to learn to wrestle? I love the irony of how even the “models” don’t feel beautiful enough in the first place! (For instance, wrestling abilities aside, I really like the Bellas simply because they haven’t had any enhancements!).
I’ve said it before, but the only thing we can keep on doing is supporting “our” women. The Jillians, the Katie Lea’s. Unfortunately they may never get their “big break”, but if they ever do I’ll be proud to believe that I was a part of that. The same way I’m sure that Melanie or Erin or any other Foxy Fans feel proud of Alicia right now.
I think I’ve definitely gone off on a tangent somewhere, however I am really loving the civilised debate – makes a change from some other places.
September 16, 2009 at 4:27 am
::::::::::::::::::::::::::I think your history is off on Lisa Varon, who I deeply admire. She did not work her way through the indies. She was a fitness competitor who was recomended to the WWE by Chyna. She did train in the WWE developmental territories for 3 years before making the main roster, and four months later was the women’s champ. She and Trish worked the fitness circuit together.::::
Actually Scott, Lisa was indeed on the fitness circuit, but with Torrie Wilson, not Trish. And Yes, she was in the indy circuit. Where Wikipedia is wrong is that they fail to mention Lisa’s time in UPW. That’s where she bagan her wrestling career along with Melina, Shelly Martinez, The Miz and John Cena among others.
September 16, 2009 at 5:38 am
@MarBu13 and PedroPedroso: =D I try
As for the Lisa history. She was trained at UPW’s Ultimate University after Chyna saw her at a gym and told her she could be a pro-wrestler….I’m so sad that UU is on indefinate hiatus, it trained some great people. I believe WWE picked her up after training.
September 16, 2009 at 7:02 am
Trish is Raw lol!
I throughly enjoyed it this week. I think there was more wrestling than excessive talking and useless backstage segments.
The #1 contenders match was cool and i’m very pleased to see where Mickie vs A-Fox goes from here. Mickie has had like three challengers in two months, wow lol.
Six person tag was straight, Trish delivered some Stratusfaction and Beth did awesome! I don’t think that Trish outwears her welcome unlike some other “retired” superstars lol.
BTW, Trish looks a.ma.zing. as a brunette!
September 16, 2009 at 8:19 am
Kiki is right, I think she looks amazing as a brunette. Her body is banging, and let me tell you her bossoms look fantastic without the implants.
September 16, 2009 at 10:32 am
I’m not a Trish hater, although I can understand why she has her detractors. Having been a wrestling fan for so long, I believe that Trish was truly overrated by the end of her career. She won the title seven times, more than any other female the industry has ever seen. While that may be something for Trish marks to brag about, seven reigns were a total I believe women like Lita, Molly Holly, Victoria and Jazz deserved much, much more than Trish. Her sixth reign out of those seven also ran much longer than Lita and Jazz’s reigns as champions COMBINED. The worst part was that those were the same women that took her to go as far as she went. By 2006 she was already becoming a female version of John Cena, and I’d even go as far as to say that if she stayed any longer, she would have been booed just as much as he is today as well.
Why Erin can’t see that, I don’t know why, but even though Trish is truly one of the most legendary and most iconic female wrestlers of all time, you can never take away the fact that she was not the best. In my estimation the true best, in terms of wrestling, was none other than Molly Holly; the best, in terms of drawing heat, was none other than Jazz; and the true greatest and definitely most charismatic, was none other than Lita. Shame on WWE for being unable to see that.
September 16, 2009 at 11:15 am
TouchOfAnEnigma – I don’t think anyone will debate that one with you, unless they are a true mark of Trish Stratus. Yes, she was an incredible actor on-screen, and yes, Trish may have improved from the very first time that she stepped foot inside of the ring, but it’s not hard to see that Trish didn’t have near the talent that Divas like Victoria, Jazz, and Molly Holly all had. She was indeed overrated, and to this day is still overrated, but what fans and marks loved about Trish wasn’t her in-ring ability, but her acting skills. She, unlike many Divas, were able to pull the fans in, and that’s the reason why she was sooo overrated, especially in her last years, when she was given the title enough times. She’s a seven time champion, and only because of her overrated-ness, however I am a fan of Trish, well, at least her charisma. But, I know and can obviously see that Trish isn’t even near the talent that she’s being hyphed up to be.
September 16, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I, unlike almost everyone else, am not a fan of Trish Stratus. I feel she is overrated and because of her truly talented women like Molly Holly and Jazz were pushed to the back. I am also, however, not a fan of Lita either. Partially for the same reason and because she also seemed like a dangerous worker to me.
Off of that though. I do admit that Trish is a good worker, and I will giver credit where credit is due: She is one of the most improved women wrestlers of all time. No other woman has stepped into a ring AS GREEN as she was and become one of the (so called) greatest Women Wrestlers of all time.
I LOVED BETH PHOENIX’S BACK STAGE PROMO!!! DAMNNN THAT GIRL CAN HOLD HER OWN…AGAINST TRISH AND AND AND JERICHO!!
So impressed by Alicia in her match. Until Monday Night I was not on the whole Alicia Band Wagon thing, but she showed some nice skills and showed she has more than a flashy Back Breaker and a botchy Axe-Kick. Kudos to her.
I don’t see her winning, but I think we might see a Divas Four-Way at a PPV now. Mickie has blown through two challengers already, and I think she’ll blow through Alicia pretty easily.So i think we could maybe see a Divas four way at Armageddon, maybe after Mickie-Beth-Gail-Alicia-*Someone Else* get a clean sweep win over Melina-Michelle-Natalya-Maria-*Someone Else* at Survivor Series? Who knows. WWE will probably just keep throwing Mickie people until Maryse gets back, which SUCKS, because I cannot stand that woman. At all. (Sorry Maryse Marks.)
September 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Trish Stratus is one of the best! There is nothing that is gonna change that making long speeches on Trish isnt gonna help either….at the end of the Day Trish will go down as one of the best divas in the wwe so just move on and stick to it…in other words:
Gail vs Alicia was an awesome match…So glad Alicia won…I never would have thought Alicia would even get a title shot…I thought we would be lucky if she gets some wins once in a while….People need to give alicia a chance she is gonna be one of the best one day when Beth,Mickie,Melina,Nattie,Jillian and Katie leave…its gonna be divas like Alicia,Layla,Eve taking over so its better to start them off great now so in the long one when teh time comes we can look back and now how good they were and are…
Trish and Beth backstage segement was some awesome I luv both of them and Trish was same old trish making jokes and what not…lol Beth did good though….she and Jehrico make a great team I would love to see them team up more often to me they both seem to have the same personality they both know they r the best and r always trying to be…Glamaholics….Y2 Glamazon….lol
September 16, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Wow! Were to start.
First, Trish did improve significantly, but unfortunately, that’s not saying much. If she started out as a D-, then she was a C+ at her peak. I think injuries took their toll on her over the last year and a half of her career which would explain why she seemed slower and less active unable to even perform her finisher without her opponents help.
::::::::::: Trish Stratus is one of the best! There is nothing that is gonna change that making long speeches on Trish isnt gonna help either….:::::
To me that sounds like the opinion of someone who has been inundated with the WWE’s low expectations for their diva’s division. But at the same time, its simply an opinion and I can see why others go in this direction.
::::::::::: at the end of the Day Trish will go down as one of the best divas in the wwe so just move on and stick to it…in other words::::::::::
True, but again that’s not saying much. Now if you were to include the WWF female wrestlers, then I’m not even sure if Trish would break into my Top 10.
::::::::::::: I never would have thought Alicia would even get a title shot:::::::::::::
I’m guessing that would be because any credible women’s wrestling promotion would never allow an Alicia Fox to get a title shot much less headline.
::::::::::::::::::::::: People need to give alicia a chance she is gonna be one of the best one day when Beth,Mickie,Melina,Nattie,Jillian and Katie leave…its gonna be divas like Alicia,Layla,Eve taking over:::::::::::::::::::::::::
“Alicia, Layla, Eve”…………….
“Candice Michelle –Gone”
“Christie Hemme-Gone”
“Ashley Massero-Gone”
“Kristal Marshall-Gone”
It would appear that most of these non-wrestlers that the WWE seems to bring in to carry their diva division have a very short window. So I’m guessing your take on Alicia, Layla and Eve may be a bit premature.
September 16, 2009 at 6:08 pm
The comments section isn’t your own personal soapbox. You’ve shared your opinion, there’s no need to reply to every single person that has a differing one.
September 16, 2009 at 8:18 pm
JoeyNing, Thanks for the correction about Lisa Varon.
I wouldn’t call Trish over rated. As a total package — wrestling skills, mic skills, charisma, acting — she’s up there. I’ll agree some, like Victoria and Molly Holly, were better wrestlers. But who had better mic skills? Victoria/Tara is still mediocre on the mic, although I’m a big fan overall. Molly was just OK, Jazz didn’t say anything. Lita was good, as long as she didn’t fake cry. Her acting kinda sucked until her final heel run.
Plus Trish was very effective as both a face and a heel, which most wrestler are not. This is why out of the current crop I think Melina is the top of the chart. I never thought she’d get over as a face the way she has. I’d be intertested to see a Beth Phoenix face run.
September 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm
So i really knew something was up when Trish said I am going to leave now but you will be seeing a lot more of me later on, i was like yes she is going to be in a match. I love the match between Gail and Alicia but i am really tired at how they are just going throw each and every Raw diva to find a good match for Mickie but i hope this feud will stick i like Alicia and think she has a lot of potential, even though Mickie was hurt i would of loved to seen her interact with Trish maybe do a vintage Pycho Mickie moment but whatever. On to the match between Gail and Alicia man Gail has no fears your right Melanie Gail is really only hurting her self when she goes for those moves off the top rop. Was kind of bummed Alicia got the when because Gail was in her home town but whatever. On to the Trish, Jericho and Beth segment that was so funny Beth should be really greatful the she was in a room with those two legends i loved how Jericho referenced Trish being in love with him back in the day that was cool. Well now on to the match i love how the divas started it and stoped it, yeah when Trish came back last year and teamed up with John Cena that was just lame because John Cena was in most of the match. But loved seeing beth doing her thing, I find trish to be an amazing person i really don’t think she is that great of a wrester just by her stratusfaction which is basically the opponet doing all the work, But Trish does amazingly have the face, body and acting chops to pull of being a wrestler. I love Trish and all those girls back in the day like Lita, Victoria, Jazz and Ivory. In My opinion this was the best Monday Night Raw i have seen in a long time and its all becasue we got some STRATUSFACTION!!
September 16, 2009 at 10:14 pm
“While I appreciate and respect everyone’s opinion in this thread, I apologize if anyone was offended by my opinions. So I will now hop off the ole’ soapbox and just agree with the author of this article…
Trish is the greatest, hardest working legendary diva in the history of women’s wrestling. All hail Queen Trish” =)
September 16, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Drama llama, much?
September 16, 2009 at 11:19 pm
It isn’t a matter of wether Trish deserves her high status or not.
It’s a matter of wether other contributors should have also garnered the same level of respect and status as Trish. Trish owns SO many other female AND male wrestlers simply because she had the Xfactor. I thought Jacqueline’s mathes were awsome but could she handle the mic as well as Trish? The wrestling business is just that – a business…it is not a sport.
September 17, 2009 at 2:59 pm
:::: The wrestling business is just that – a business…it is not a sport. ::::
The wrestling business is also an art, one wherein the ability of better wrestlers should never be overlooked. However, in a world like the WWE, only the beautiful women can make it in, while all the ones that aren’t pretty enough in their eyes will have to take a backseat.
:::: I am also, however, not a fan of Lita either. Partially for the same reason and because she also seemed like a dangerous worker to me. ::::
Dangerous… Lita was the complete definition of that word, and that was exactly why she had entire arenas chanting her name. Lita was fearless.
December 12, 2009 at 8:03 pm
When I have more time, I will return to this article, obviously written by a Trish mark.
Signs of a Trish Mark: forgetting or not knowing history–not even WWE history;
ah, Trish introduced Beth Phoenix into WWE as adversary of Mickie James–and the article goes downhill from there.
Trish is the most overrated women’s wrestler of all time–thanks in large measure to WWE propaganda machine; obviously the idiots in WWE (meaning mostly Vince McMahon) have no confidence in their present roster, including their most talented and powerful heel, Beth Phoenix–you know the woman JR compared favorablely to the TRUE LEGEND Bull Nakano.
The Statusfaction besides having been developed by Lita and given over to Stratus is a very lame move;now the Stratusphere is much better; that move Trish stole from Madusa-without accreditation, of course.
Trish marks: at least one thing is clear: the rules that apply to other divas do not apply to her; Trish only puts Trish over; what an insult for Beth to loose to an out of wrestling condition woman who is retired almost 3 years. But that’s Vinnie Land for you.
By the way: Trish could lace the wrestling boots of Madusa or Bull Nakano.