Having followed Layla from the beginning of her WWE career all those years ago during the WWE Diva Search, I always saw a certain something in her — I just felt that this girl was something special. Here at Diva Dirt, we’ve championed her for pretty much all of our existence; from her fashion sense, to her ever-improving in-ring skills and the personality that she easily oozes into her matches and skits. Never however, did I think I’d see the day that she’d hold the same belt that has been held by greats such as Trish, Lita and Victoria — especially not this soon.
It’s been a topsy-turvy week for the SmackDown brand; the Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix injured during last week’s taping and this week, the whole landscape of the brand was turned on its head. Watch below:
The segment opens with Rosa Mendes in the ring for a match with the homecoming queen, the Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix appearing before her hometown crowd in Buffalo, New York. The Glamazon gets an amazing response from the crowd… just wow. I don’t think I’ve heard a response like that for a Diva in years! There is some emphasis put on the fact that Beth was hurt during her match with Rosa last week on WWE Superstars, including a close-up on her Tara-like knee brace. Beth is ready to face Rosa but out comes Vickie Guerrero who reveals two things: A) that she is still the Official Consultant of SmackDown despite being the new Raw General Manager and B) that Beth will have to defend her Women’s Championship right now against Michelle McCool who has invoked her rematch clause — but it will also be a handicap match with Layla also in the match. Err, what was the point in having Rosa on the show in the first place? Surely, Vickie could’ve come out first, made her speech and then Beth could have come out? I guess it’s a case of any excuse to get a pretty face on the show…
Out come Team Lay-Cool who mock Beth’s knee injury as the make their way down the ramp. The match begins and we are told that this will be a tornado rules match with both Layla and Michelle in the ring at the same time. Michelle is the first to go after Beth, going right at Beth’s injured knee with a kick and then clubbing her across the back. Michelle applies a side headlock which Beth soon breaks free of and whips Michelle into the ropes and barges her down to the canvas. Meanwhile from behind, Layla is ready for some action but Beth turns around just in time and Layla walks into a clothesline.
Beth now begins work on Layla but is chop-blocked in the back of the injured knee by McCool. Michelle kicks Beth across the back of the knee but is then shoved down to the mat by Phoenix. Layla then runs into a back elbow. Beth now begins fighting off both Divas with blows but the cunning McCool again goes after the knee taking her down. Lay-Cool begin double teaming Beth, backing her into the corner where Michelle stretches the injured knee out over the middle rope applying pressure to it. Beth then begins to struggle free, hitting Michelle’s head off the turnbuckle but then turns around to deal with Layla. This gives Michelle momentum to climb the ropes, wrap her legs around Beth’s neck and begin choking her. Layla tries to come at Beth but gets a kick in the stomach. Beth then begins to fight free and hoists Layla onto her shoulders and then somehow, miraculously — especially given that she’s injured — piles Michelle on top. What a sight and what a feat from the injured Glamazon. Beth hits a Samoan drop on Lay-Cool before immediately clutching her knee and writhing in pain.
Beth struggles to cover Layla for a pin but she eventually does, however McCool breaks up the count. Michelle begins stomping at the knee before picking up Beth and attempting to whip her into the corner, Beth reverses and Michelle goes into the corner but manages to stop herself by using her leg. She then turns and runs at Beth, the two Divas then end up barging into each other and both end up going down with McCool flying out of the ring.
This leaves the coast clear for Layla to scamper in and pin Beth for the 1, 2, 3 and become the NEW WWE Women’s Champion!
After picking up the win, the new champion begins shrieking at her victory. You know Layla, most girls would cry when they win the belt. Layla’s shrieks of joy as I shall call them, were pretty funny though. Layla celebrates with her Simply Flawless teammates, Vickie and Michelle. Meanwhile in the ring, Beth looks heartbroken as she clutches her knee in the corner having just lost the Women’s Title in her hometown.
Where to begin? Let’s start with the match. Obviously, anytime you have a handicap match, especially with all of the ladies in the ring at the same time, it’s not going to be the most technical match and it’s not going to look that great. This match wasn’t by any means up to the standard that we have become accustomed to for Women’s Championship bouts but it wasn’t the most important thing here. The crowd however, were very into the match due to the hometown girl’s involvement and the stunned silence after Layla won the belt, a disbelief as it were, was just an amazing moment. Shocking your crowd into such a silence is not an easy feat — especially since they were so into the bout and were so vocal for Beth. That really was a DVR moment for me. The crowd were just in disbelief and awe and it just shows what a shocker this was for them to see their hometown girl lose the belt like that. That to me was even more powerful than cheers or boos.
Next, how about a huge round of applause for Beth Phoenix? Wow. The Glamazon just proved her might on SmackDown this week. She’s injured and she still came to work, she hoisted not one, but two women on her shoulders and gave her hometown crowd the best show she physically could. That just shows you the determination, passion and drive that Beth has. What an amazing heart and an admirable performance from her. A fighting champion in the truest sense. The close-up on her face at the end — the heartbroken stare really melted my heart. I truly wish her the speediest of recoveries. Thank you, Beth.
And finally… the new Women’s Champion. There is just so much to be said about Layla that she was entrusted with the Women’s Championship. Even if it is ripped away from her next week, which it could very well be, she can still say she has won that belt. The same championship as the likes of The Fabulous Moolah, Wendi Richter, Trish Stratus, Lita, Victoria, Molly Holly and Mickie James, just to name a few. Those Divas who have come before the current crop that made that title mean something, it suggests to me that WWE realises the talent and depth they have in Layla that she was rewarded with the Women’s Title. She may still be developing as a wrestler and yes, it may have come out of left field — but you’ll get no complaints from me over Layla winning the title.
I say that Layla deserved to have this moment and to have that faith put in her to become the new WWE Women’s Champion. To see her transformation over the last year is a real sight to behold. The evolution of a Diva, a Diva that’s grown before our very eyes in every aspect. She has improved so much in the last year since she was moved to SmackDown in the 2009 WWE Draft. Her feud with Eve Torres upon arriving was pretty shaky but you saw her improve and get better each and every week. Her matches with Melina last summer were really good. Her matches with Mickie James and Beth Phoenix were great too. She has become such a consistent, reliable worker and a great seller; I trust that she can have great matches with whoever she works with. Then there’s her rise as a character — seeing Layla’s personality develop in the last year has completed the package. There are so few Divas on the main roster right now that ooze charisma, charm and personality. Layla is one of those few. The personality and life that she injects into her matches [crying and screaming when she's about to take the Glam Slam] and into her backstage skits are second to none right now. She is sexy and she is beautiful but she’s not afraid to look goofy or unsexy. She really has become the complete package and while girls like Maryse, Eve Torres and Alicia have been given their moments in the spotlight, Layla has been quietly working in the background to less fanfare to perfect her craft. I wondered when WWE management would sit up and take notice and it looks as though they have. She’s obviously still not a Beth or Michelle-level worker yet, but she’s making great strides and it’s a great thing to reward those that are showing that level of dedication.
WWE is making an effort to push new, younger stars and Layla [although she is 31] is one of those new, younger stars that could really be a big thing for the WWE if given the opportunity. They’ve taken a chance on Eve Torres as the Divas Champ, they’ve taken a chance on Jack Swagger as World Heavyweight Champ and now Layla too. I’m extremely happy for Layla and I think an underdog champion she may be, but her name is up there with all the greats now and no one can take that away from her.
Congratulations, Layla!
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72 Comments
Well done Layla!! :D you made us Brit’s proud!
Im glad she’s finally gettin a push! and she wont be seen as Michelle’s sidekick anymore ;)
Poor Beth i wish her a speedy recovery! it sucks when 2 of the best women’s wrestler’s in wwe are injured!
The match of course was pathetic, but Layla, yay! <3
Congrats Layla! She’s worked hard, and she definitely deserves it. Next up, Layla face turn please, WWE. :)
Comments were good.Beth being in her home town as champ even though she lost it she had her home town behind her.She was just on twitter early this morning Beth was and said she’ll be back and Better then ever. And very very …. angry.,But it was nice that she got to get the pop that she got as a home town girl.It was also said on her twitter site she’ll be having the surgery this Tuesday May 18 2010.Then she can start to recover.YOu know this couldn’t have happend at a worse time ,but it may prove to be the best thing that ever happend.And when she comes back an she will laycool just better watch out.She said on her twitter site she’d keep everone updated as to how things are going.
YAY!! Im so happy for Layla she deserves it because she has pushed herself so much over the past year and Im extremely happy for her. Layla you made us Brits proud.
Congrats to Layla on becoming the WWE Women’s Champion. She’s worked hard on her in-ring skills and character over the last 2 years and its great that WWE Creative noticed her dedication to the company and rewarded her. A Lay-Cool split is probably going to happen with Beth Phoenix on DL for 3 to 6 months. Another possibility to fill the void left from Beth being injured and the releases of Mickie James and Katie Lea would be Natayla Neidhart. Yes she was drafted to Raw along with the Hart Dynasty but since the Hart Dynasty are currently the Unified Tag Team Champions they can compete on both Raw and Smackdown. On Smackdown have the Hart Dynasty defend the belts against the Dudebusters. Natayla is in the Hart’s corner like always. Have the Dudebusters bring out Team LayCool to be their corner. During the match have LayCool and Natayla start brawling on the outside leading into a storyline with Natayla vs Team LayCool eventually earning a shot at the Women’s Championship. If Vickie Guerrero is going to be the GM of Raw and maintain her Consultant spot on Smackdown than there’s no reason why Natayla Neidhart can’t compete on both brands as well. I agree 1000 % with DivaDirt.com about bring up A.J. Lee to the Smackdown Roster.
Layla was using my favorite attire of hers. I love that salmon color. I was surprised she was allowed to have the title. I mean, she is, in my opinion, the Diva Search winner that improved the most and she is currently the most charismatic Diva (along with Beth) on SD!
Her kicks are (along with Gail’s) the most credible and impactfull in the woman’s Division and she’s a hell of a seller. Is she has good in wrestling as Michelle or Beth? No, she isn’t. However we all know that it can’t be always the same person to win the champion and with Beth’s injury she would be the best choice. Giving the title to Michelle would piss off a lot of people because she would have to much opportunities. Kelly, Tiffany and Rosa are still rather new on SD! (besides,with the exception of Tiffany, they aren’t very good wrestlers) and it would be stupid to suddenly give the title to Serena, one of their best wrestlers, since she wasn’t involved on the Women’s Division at all.
To me, the other option was for Vickie to screw Laycool and win the title for a very short while. It would be a very selfish Vickie thing. But since Vickie is not a wrestler it would also anger some people.
So Layla is the most logical choice. I hope that she doesn’t have a transitional championship.
I’m really happy for her!I like her fighting style and she has great charisma…I sincerely hope she’ll be given the chance to exploit everything she has!
im really happy for layla she deservs it…i always belived in her and i think if wwe give her more care she might be the next trish…she is a good worker and her acting is wonderfull she is a great heel and can be a very charistmatic face and i belive she will turn face soon
i know its off topic but i feel really sad when divas like laya and eve win titles cause i remember torrie and wht happened to her…anyway
congrats layla ;)
I wasn’t expecting a wrestling clinic, considering Beth’s injury. But I was pleased to see Layla given a chance as champ. She’s easily the most talented diva search winner they’ve had, although Eve is on her heels. LOL! Really interested in seeing where they go with this.
OMG i seen myself in the crowd lol anywayz……..at first i thought MICHELLE had won the WOMENS championship because we haven’t seen a DIVAS handicap match in years and with this one having a title on the line i didn’t know what to expect. but when they said LAYLA was the new champ i was was sooo happy i actually cheered for her ( u shoulda seen the little kids faces in the row behind me lmao) but i did kinda feel bad for BETH i mean losing is one thing but losing in your hometown that’s gotta hurt.
thanx darkmaveric, I only wish that most people here would have given the other champion the respect she deserved too a few weeks ago like they’re easily giving Layla, but for the reason given that she is the ONLY diva to botch and the ONLY diva to disgrace the ENTIRE history of past female champions, she apparently doesn’t deserve it. (I’m laughing as typing that) Well, I’ll be a bigger person and say congrats Layla.
LOVE IT! XD
I think at this time and place, we needed something fresh. Michelle was the likely choice, but since she had been champion for so long, it’s good to give someone the equal opportunity.
Layla deserved the title at this point, I mean sorry to say, Kelly just hasn’t pulled anything together yet to be at the title spot, and Tiffany is rarely to new to be the champion. Layla works hard every time we see her in the ring, she has a personality, and just because she’s a diva search winner, that shouldn’t matter if she works hard to earn what she gets.
It sucks that Beth got injured so quickly into her title run, but she will be back and better than ever. I hope that Diva Trade brings a RAW Diva to SD, cause they might need an extra face now.
If Smackdown kicks up their notch and really pushes Layla as a credible champion, this summer could be an awesome one for the Divas of SD. They have a lot more to prove with the unequal amount of divas, but it’s not the number of divas, it’s the passion and work they bring into the matches and segments each and every week.
Layla can easily start to feud with Michelle by losing a match, tag match, there is so much potential right now and I think the time to push Layla as a face is NOW.
I should be the weekly journal for the Divas, LOL I talk so much xD
Vickie looked great.
DarkMaverick87, I also see where you’re coming from. I think that Layla as champion (as well as some of the others, including Divas champions) suit the time. So whether we like it or not (I don’t, exactly), it’s a sign of the times “we’re” in. Not throwing shade on Layla because I love when people improve and I ONLY have a positive view towards her (aside from her ring attire, though I don’t dislike it). I don’t dislike her and I’m not counting her out, but I am hoping that she’ll get to crank it up even higher and “add prestige” to the belt. I hope they give her incredible storylines. But I cannot deny that I have some skepticism that this can hardly happen at all with anyone in this current “Era” given the way things have gone so far, at least not in the way I would imagine it.
i dont know where their gonna go i think they’ll have Michelle get jealous & say because of me ur champ & cost her it after a feud with useless kelly kelly…
but id like too see wwe let layla show more skill & not be soo held back soo much….
im happy for layla. but it was announced as a 2 on 1 handicap? i just didn’t get it. why wasn’t it just announced as a 3 way for the womens title because that is what it was. and it was michelle’s rematch so how could layla win the title. ah well beats me
people talk about TNA’s crazy stipulations. well…
Hate to be a negative Nancy here but they should’ve put the title back on Michelle. Layla later on down the line could’ve got the championship. I don’t think she deserves it right now. The only way this can become more interesting is if Michelle still wants the title back and turns on Layla and Layla becomes a face.
…Just realized the Eric Clapton reference 0.o…I love that song :)