This week’s SmackDown saw the WWE television in-ring debut of one Serena, a Diva who has been much buzzed about ever since she was signed to a developmental contract last year. Why? Because Serena, prior to WWE, was one of the most talented young things on the independent circuit and shot to the top of the card in SHIMMER. The time has finally arrived for Serena to step into the WWE ring in a mixed tag also featuring Kelly Kelly.
As background context to this segment, in an earlier backstage scene, Luke Gallows and Serena were told by their stable leader CM Punk that if they didn’t win tonight, they would be kicked out of the Straight Edge Society. Would Serena and Luke go the way of the dodo and er, Darren Young from Monday night? Let’s find out…
Serena is billed as having trained hard over the past few months under the tutelage of Punk. We’re to believe that she has no previous wrestling experience and is a beginner in the ring.
Say what you will about the Big Show’s in ring work (*cough*), but for Kelly to be teamed up with one of the SmackDown brand’s top stars is a big deal and a huge coup for her. After all, the most that the Raw Divas can muster up is teaming with the Superstars roster.
We kick things off with Show and Gallows but Gallows quickly tags out to Serena which means it’s Diva time! Kelly goes to lock up with Serena but get a kick to the stomach and an elbow across her back. Serena picks up Kelly and begins screaming in her face but K2 uses her legs to kick free of Serena’s hold and hits her with a couple of really flimsy looking forearms. (Need some work on that K2). Kelly whips Serena into the corner, riles up the crowd and goes for her handspring elbow. Serena, meanwhile, sees the move coming and clubs her opponent over the back, knocking her to the ground.
Kelly tries to crawl to her corner to tag into Big Show but Serena kicks her swiftly in the midsection keeping her down. She goes for a pin but no dice. Serena then picks up Kelly only to club her across the back and right back down to the canvas where she then hits her with a couple of knees between her shoulder blades also. Another pin attempt but K2 kicks out. Serena taunts Kelly a little bit before taking the time to do a ‘Straight Edge salute’.
Serena then applies a submission hold as the crowd gets behind Kelly. The blonde rises to her feet and begins fighting her way out of the hold, hitting a jawbreaker on the Anti-Diva. Kelly stumbles to the corner, Serena tries to run at her but Kelly moves and Serena meets the turnbuckles. Kelly hits her with a Thesz Press next before straddling her neck and smashing her head against the canvas — except Serena’s head never actually meets the canvas. Well, this is awkward…
Kelly then hits her whirly-bird head scissors, but again, this one didn’t go well either. Serena didn’t land in the usual forward roll fashion, rather kind of stumbling on her side. Another iffy spot.
Kelly then kicks Serena in the midsection, hits the ‘X Factor’ and goes for a pin. Gallows, however, pulls her off Serena which results in Show getting involved in the match too.
In the midst of a fray outside the ring, Kelly goes for the K2 but Serena counters and hits a modified version of the ‘Go to Sleep’ connecting with Kelly’s midsection instead of her head. Serena wins!
So Luke & Serena live another day under Punk.
If I’m totally honest, I’m excited to see Serena debut in the ring and get the win, but the match didn’t do much for me. The two iffy spots were very noticeable to me — particularly Serena’s head not even touching the mat. The rest of their work together was fine and there were no miscommunications between the two which is a definitely plus — especially when you have two girls who haven’t really worked together before. But what they put together in the ring wasn’t memorable to me save for Serena’s finisher. Having seen her work elsewhere, Serena felt watered down in this match.
However, I have a theory — perhaps Serena’s style and move set were toned down due to the fact that she’s supposed to be portaying this girl who has only been wrestling a few months. Matt Striker noted how she had been training for the past few months since she debuted on SmackDown, so perhaps they wanted her to be more realistic and not have a technical, balls-to-the-wall match that we know she can right off the bat?
Still, it wasn’t a terrible match by any means. It was an acceptable.
Elsewhere, we had Michelle McCool and Layla in a backstage segment. Regardez:
The scene opens with Layla and Michelle boasting about what they did to Melina at SummerSlam. Layla says that Teddy Long is looking to punish them for what they did because he wasn’t happy. Michelle dubs Melina, ‘Lady Wawa’… Get it?
Layla mentions that they have something planned for Melina, because it’s “Flaw…” — oh wait, must check no one’s listening — “… less!”
After they leave, it’s revealed that Hornswoggle has been posing as a plant and has heard everything they said. Someone really should file a sexual harrasment suit against him…
What do Layla and Michelle have planned for Melina? Will we find out on Raw? To be continued in the Raw Redux with Steven…
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86 Comments
Jennifer wrote: “Seriously? Watch Serena in Shimmer Ebmich, then see if you still feel that way.”
Dont feed the troll. After all this time it should be clear he talks negative about anything other people like.
@Ryan1919
Have you literally lost your mind?!? Tiffany is by far the worst wrestler in the company, she’s one of the top rookies in the WWE, and hello she debut in feb. and its now august she is by far one of the best newcomers EVER to join the WWE i mean sereiously she has big potential in her to be future champion, and by newcomer i mean like for example when kelly first was a newcomer she was growing but then stayed at one level for 4 years while tiffany is growing so much faster than all of the other debuts each week. You just insulted tiffany by saying she is worst than kelly only a troll would say that…speaking of trolls @embich is just someone who is faking to be nevagtive about everything so he can get attention well buddy your not fooling me, you whine about everything even the smallest things that no one else notices like come on give serena some time maybe she was nervous to perform in front of millions of people its not like FCW when 30 people are watching you + TV.
They’re a troll for not liking Tiffany’s wrestling? Really?
Frankly, I think Kelly is a better worker than Alicia Fox and Eve, who are sloppy and awkward and clumsy. Does that make me a troll too?
@seasonoflove
i didnt call them a troll for not likeing tiffany everyone has there own opinions i called him a troll because he said kelly was a better wrestler and quite frankly he insulted her by saying she is the worst which isnt necassay i dont bash on divas or ko’s for no real, i bring up the things tht matter like for example i dont like michelle because she tends to get overused alot and That is your opnion only haters would say kelly is a better wrestler than alicia and eve so buddy get it right..so yeah it does make you one because eve and alicia were amazing on different brands when diva’s come to RAW they rush and get sloppy…at least they have more than 3 moves so you must be high to call kelly a better wrestler kelly is only better than rosa because rosa only has 2 moves while kelly has 3 thank you very much for your ignorancy.
Um, no, it means that I have a different OPINION.
Wrestling is entertainment, yes? I don’t enjoy watching Eve and Alicia wrestle, whereas Kelly at least has her moments. Therefore in my eyes Kelly is a better wrestler. I don’t get how it’s hard to understand. I mean, I love Melina, but I’m not going to start crying if someone says they think other women are better than her. Get a clue…
And I don’t recall Eve and Alicia ever being ‘amazing’, but hey, that’s just me.
And correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think ‘ignorancy’ is a word.
i hated how they made out Serena was like her first ever time in a ring. and she owes everything to cm i hated that ! they made her look like a rookie and kelly was the 1 that was better
I only say Tiffany is worse because while she is better at performing the moves without botching them and she does have a lot of passion (which is what I love about Tiffany). The main reason tiffany has do so well is because she has Michelle to help her out (lets face it the only reason we even have good matches on smackdown is because of michelle, even when she’s on raw the matches get longer and better). Like I said though Kelly is only barely better and within a few months (once the charges are dropped) she’ll probably be way ahead of kelly. But right now, if it weren’t for michelle I don’t think TIffany would be doing as great as she is now so thats why I believe that. And there have been times where Kelly has had some decent matches (even if it was because that the other diva carried her through the match).
The match was okay for WWE standard. However they made Serena look weak. I understand that she’s supposed to be a newbie, but to us who knew her, the fact that they book the match to Kelly look stronger its kinda weird.
They did a good job in putting Kelly looking like she is stronger that she actually is. Her moves are still to flashy and her basics weak looking, but they are covering it well.
I must say however that even if it was the best match for the Divas of the year, Kane’s promo simply stole the show.
@Ryan1919 i have to disagree with you…tiffany worked very well with layla so she doesn’t need to be carried
i dont mean a certain person but i really hate when people keep saying that this diva can’t wrestle and that diva got no charisma just to make thier favourite one look perfect
I never said Tiffany couldn’t wrestle, I was just saying that her matches were better because she had people like Michelle probably going through the matches with her beforehand. And yes she did have good matches with Layla but you have to think that Michelle and Layla probably Scripted/planned the match beforehand. And I don’t really have a favorite wrestler, I just like wrestlers who are passionate about it and constantly improve because they want to be the best they can.
I think Tiffany has done well so far. Much better than Kelly in my opinion. What she lacks in experience and moves, she makes up with intensity and agression. She seems like a natural to me. Which ofcourse, isn’t to say that she’s perfect. All I’m saying is, for the short time that she’s been there, she has been impressive compared to the others. And I honestly prefer watching Eve and Alicia to watching Kelly. I consider Kelly worse than those two. Again, I’m not saying she’s a horrible wrestler, I don’t think that she is. But I don’t see anything special out of her. She seems like the same flashy, spotty Kelly she was last year and before. I haven’t seen a real or significant improvement from her. To me, she’s at the bottom of the pack only above Maryse.
EBMICH: “She didn’t strike well and she didn’t try to sell.”
Lol. You know, honey, I’m not surprised you said that… the same way I wouldn’t be surprised if you were to praise Serena to the high heavens if people here weren’t too fond of her.
Honestly, being an adamant leftist is quite impressive if you have a point. However, if your point is weak, people would just see right through you. ;) And in this case, considering how well she took Kelly’s offense, NOT TO MENTION how well she took head hits WITHOUT the convenient veil of having a long hair, I’m sorry to say that your criticism of her is a bit PRETENTIOUS at best.
But of course, like your comment, that’s just my opinion. :)
MIKAS: “After all this time it should be clear he talks negative about anything other people like.”
Oh honey, you’re singing my song. :)
@seasonoflove
You stand un-corrected ingorancy is a word…Aren’t you old enough to know that?
Anyway im not crying over that i said that it’s not right to but someone under the bus when they’re actually giving all there passion into it kelly has done nothing in the WWE to remembered but she is just another stacy, torrie and maria. Tiffany, Eve and Alicia try there best to impress while kelly doesnt even bother to try she did at first in her career but now she is so boring and bland i rather watch sloppy and clumsy over boring and bland, everytime i watch kelly against someone in the match i know the same basic moves that will happend in my head that make’s the diva’s division even worse and something less people will watch. Alicia and Eve are both growing out of there sloppyness but on RAW there rushed if you saw on SD, ECW, FCW and OVW alicia was just outstanding espicially in OVW where she went against diva’s like beth phoenix and over skilled her in the match it was just amazing to see it and if you didnt find it amazing then i guess you dont know what real wrestling is and when Eve was on smackdown she did moves that entertained me she sometimes sold the moonsault perfectly, all kelly ever did was scream , throw her hands in the air, hurricana, and that flip she does dont know the real moveset and dont even get me started on the worst clothelines ever.
@ The Crying Light – Alright you see that’s why…your my favorite poster in DivaDirt. Lol for real, you know your shyt.
@LaceyVonErichFan – Take it easy buddy. I see your point. I too believe Kelly hasn’t progressed in her ability and skills as others have. Layla has gotten better. She doesn’t do a whole lot in the ring but when she does its impressive enough. Eve and Alicia both have their own strenghts. Eve is definitley growing out of her sloppyness. My suggestion would be for her to do it faster. Bust out a couple of new moves and be precise and confident in there. She can become a good wrestler, she just needs to bring it. Intensity is key. Alicia is a great heel and can bump well. I have noticed that she gets a tad shaky when her opponent turns up the agression volume, but I’m sure she will get better fast. She’s done well in my opinion.
And I can’t complain about Serena..she reminds me a little of Molly Holly, you know her body type and cause she’s bald. Lol ;)
P.S – Serena’s selling is also very good. Much like Molly.
Why is it that all fo the model turned diva girls suck when it comes to forearms. It’s so obvious that they aren’t even hitting them. whatever happened to just punching instead? It seems like punching would be easier to do than forearms :/
I stand uncorrected? Huh? Wouldn’t that make me right? And I’m pretty sure it isn’t, fyi. You’re thinking ‘ignorance’. But whatever.
I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, and neither was the other person. I just don’t enjoy watching Alicia and Eve wrestle, whereas Kelly is okay at times. How hard is that to understand? Good for them if they try hard. Nickelback try hard too. Doesn’t mean I have to enjoy their music.
I have NEVER enjoyed watching Alicia and Eve wrestle. Eve was blocky and awkward on SmackDown too, and Alicia has always been blah to me. And sure, Kelly is limited, but at least she can hit her moves. The other two? Not so much.
But it’s an OPINION. If you don’t share my opinion then fair enough. I’m not bothered. :)
They’re a troll for not liking Tiffany’s wrestling? Really?
Frankly, I think Kelly is a better worker than Alicia Fox and Eve, who are sloppy and awkward and clumsy. Does that make me a troll too?
Ahh, nothing like criticizing someone to get a point across, which purpose I suppose was what? “I dont’ lik ethis, so what are you say about it now?” (for real breh, well that’s how I read it lol!)
“I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, and neither was the other person.”
Huh, no one said you had to like anyone for that matter
“Ahh, nothing like criticizing someone to get a point across, which purpose I suppose was what? “I dont’ lik ethis, so what are you say about it now?” (for real breh, well that’s how I read it lol!)”
It was a valid point. I wanted to see if I qualified as a ‘troll’ for preferring Kelly to his/her favourites. That’s what they implied when they attacked the other person for criticising Tiffany.
“Huh, no one said you had to like anyone for that matter”
…?
Look, I don’t want to get into an argument, so I’ll just end it by saying that it’s silly to get that wound up when someone doesn’t happen to share your opinion on a wrestler. I appreciate the fact that all of the women work really hard, but surely we’re all entitled to our own favourites? And it’s a tad hypocritical of you to complain when someone criticises Alicia or Eve or Tffany or whoever but to go on and bash Kelly Kelly in every post you make…
I think Kelly, while limited, sticks to what she knows and for the sake of her matches, it looks better. She can break out her offense and for the most part, look capable. This match was a typical divas match and I’m not a huge fan of a gutbuster finisher (mainly because Maria used it as a regular move).
Eve should probably follow Kelly’s lead and stick to what she knows until it can be done with total confidence and then move forward and add more. At times Eve’s ambition outruns her ability and she ends up looking awkward. Alicia just needs to watch her body. She is lanky and lanky can read awkward in many physical activities.
Serena wrestled the way she is booked, like a newbie, and that’s fine. As time goes on, she should ramp up the skill level and Striker can credit Punk’s tutelege.
Laycool promo… I liked it, it was funny, but Layla still outshines Michelle and for me this is what drags Laycool down on the mic. Maybe if Layla were meant to be Michelle’s equal it would work better, but they’ve booked Michelle to still be the centerstage star and Layla is her sidekick.
@seasonoflove
Im okay with everyone’s opinions but when it gets a bit far then i tend to get aggriviated, sure someone can say kelly is a better wrestler but honestly..if your a better wrestler than you have to have more than just basic moves to be better right that is what im saying, that you can’t put a wrestler who has worked there butts off to get where they are and just say this person is way better when really they aren’t its like saying Brie is a better wrestler than lita apparently that isnt close to even happening but you see where im going with this. kelly is at the level alicia was when she was in OVW and kelly has done the same moves for the past 4 years you cant just say there a better wrestler without giving the facts. Another example is i saying Trish is much overrated than angelina..i have to give why i think that instead of throwing trish under the bus for no apparent reason i would say trish was overrused by the WWE so much they made her look like an amazing wrestle when truly she wasnt all that to be honest and angelina with all these belts its getting boring and TNA are making her too much of a Knockout and way overrated see i gave you the bigger facts that proved my opinion to be truthful now you say you dont get entertained by alicia or eve how can’t you though and say you get a bit entertained w/ kelly did you see MITB alicia vs eve was 100% a better match and to say tht eve and alicia entertained alot as iv heard and kelly vs layla was so boring i took a bathroom break during that match so you say kelly is better but to be honest she isnt if you watch Alicia vs Beth on OVW (youtube) than you can see kelly can never do what alicia did in tht ring w/ beth, its when alicia came to RAW she became sloppy and clumsy but it isnt her fault she is pretty much rushed and has to keep up w/ the time. Eve is actually the 2nd best diva search winner ever she isnt the eye candy bull shit we usally get she actually cares alot about her career and making it big in the buisness and the best winner is obviously christy hemme who has improved imensly in TNA.
But everyone can keep adoring kelly she doesnt have much time left in the WWE neither do the bellas or jillian. Since looks as though WWE arent interested anymore but when kelly leaves things hopefully will get better not that i hate kelly but i dont like her wrestling but her character is actually one of my favourites but she should follow maryse’s steps and just turn into a valet it would be so much easier for her and most WWE fans. I adore every WWE diva and TNA ko but not all of there wrestling skills, Jillian is an amazing wrestler and one of the best in WWE but she bores me w/ her singing and character but her wrestling always makes me watch more.
This is what i think is happening in the WWE::
Current Top Diva’s – Michelle, Melina, Beth, and Gail.
Future Diva’s – Eve, Alicia, Serena,Tiffany, Tamina and Hopefully Natalya & AJ Lee.
Not Interested – Jillian, Brie and Nikki.
Dont Know About Them – Maryse & Rosa & Layla.
Following the steps of Stacy, Torrie and Maria meaning they are in WWE for a period of time but get close to a title then dropped for ever – Kelly Kelly.
Those are the ways WWE most likely will go but no one knows but the writers.
Let’s make this simple. Wresting is a form of entertainment. You can get into technicalities if you wish, but at the end of the day it’s subjective. I enjoy watching Kelly more than I enjoy watching the other two, which in my eyes makes her a better wrestler. WWE promotes itself as entertainment, so I rate wrestlers on whether or not I find them fun to watch. Simple as.
Maryse has a better chance of being the future of this business than Alicia does, just saying. Eve and Maryse have almost a guaranteed spot as to where I think it’s very likely for Alicia to fade out, or become a jobber.
@Smackdown: The match was eh, Idk. Didn’t really interest me but glad that Serena got a win in her first debut. Kelly keeps giving me Torrie vibes. :/ I really loved the LayCool segment. Michelle is starting to look more charming in recent weeks, Idk what it is. But, she is. I loveddd what they said about Melina. About time someone put it out there for Lady Waah Waah.
it wasn’t a great night, Kelly didn’t sell for Serena at all :/
the segment was alright, however i’d have preferred them to tease what they’re going ask Melina Monday
the match was ok i was serenas gut buster was 2 knees & not one kinda boring as,as a finisher..
why isnt wwe putting more attention on LAYLA shes the champ yet mccool does most of the talking & her voice is just awful lol…wwe let layla talk the most…dont book michelle as a dominant diva when its not even realistic…
layla has charisma & yet they dont put her in a position to use it more & also let her use more of her wrestling moves ive seen her do more moves on house shows then the taped shows….
for many reasons kelly may remind me of torrie but no way you can mention torrie when you talk about useless divas or not important….torrie had so much in her and she rarely botched…most of her “serious” matches are watchable even short ones were much better than some of matches we get to see today with real story telling into it, and away from wrestling her popularity was phenomenal…
kelly is popular and sexy and she is still improving she is still young..im not fan of her but i cant say she is bad by any mean
Oh Sh*t LaceyVonErich can tell the future Oh Sh*t please tell me my future. Bottom line is it dont matter if you dont like Kelly because WWE does and thats all that matters. They put her on the top 25 most impactful Women and said she’s ready to make her mark as the DIVA OF HER GENERATION. So like I said it dont matter what if any of yall like Kelly because WWE does and yall dont work for WWE.
P.S. Is it really an insult to be called the next Torrie Wilson I dont think so hell WWE was gonna have her be the 1st Divas Champ(But couldnt due to her back injury)
*LaceyVonErichFan*
@FrenchTKO
Got a point but Alicia debuted in 09′ and she won her first title in 010′ does it that hint they want her to be big in the near future i think the top 2 faces would be tiffany & eve and top 2 heels maryse & alicia.
@KELLYKELLY
Your so ignorant. By future i mean that they will be big in the WWE and its obvious okay im not a psychic maybe if you payed attetention you would see what diva’s will make it big in WWE and those are the one’s who have held a title and the one’s that are getting builden up..Tiffany for example she got her first title shot and she didnt even win a match yet! Does that give you a hint that they’re giving her a few more pushed to make her champion and kelly she get’s a BIG push but then gets dropped because WWE arent interested in her being champion. So what she’s a popular diva that doesnt mean anything the only reason WWE have her there is because of her looks and let’s be truthful those are the only reasons she’s there, i didnt insult Torrie all i said is WWE used her wrong..Maria & Stacy & Dawn were in the company for a while and then never got a title because WWE know they’re not champion material and for Torrie, she left so oh well she turned out like maria & stacy and same will go with Kelly, she has gotten 3 shots and still nothing looks as though they arent going for her. Alicia & Maryse & Eve all got a title reign because WWE sees them as champion eve is the next melina, maryse is the next heel melina and alicia is the next kristal/Jaqueline into be dominant and with an attitude. So does it matter if we dont work for WWE but sometimes the people who do see these messages and uses it and since kelly has so many dis-likers WWE is bound to find out and make sure she is never champion. Also if you saw under my last message you can see at the bottom it was a prediction okay buddy so back up, i dont take facts from kelly fans because most of the time they’re kids or boys who think she’s pretty IMO and NO im not a lacey fan anymore that was since Jan – June, i saw how much she stinks in the ring and now she is my least favourite.
Again with the future telling really If you can tell the future please tell me mine please. How in the BLUE HELL do you Eve is the Melina unless You can tell the future so please tell me mine. Okay for one it dont matter That all these people you say hate Kelly(the main people is on thise site but thats about all on another site hardly anyone hates her but off topic) because in the end Vinnie Mac is gonna do what Vinnie Mac wants. I wasnt talking about you on the Torrie subject I was talking to everyone. Really Tiffany subject give her awhile she’ll be realsed WWE is mad at her and Drew. The fact is from WWE not me Genius. I wasnt calling you a LaceyVonErich Fan I just didnt put the “Fan” part on my first part so i was correctin a Mistake Genius.
P.S. You say most people hate her than say she’s a popular Diva Wow good one Smartone
P.S.S. Stop with the future telling your only making your self look stupider and Check facts before you talk crap(Like Always)
@KellyKelly
Ummm Stupider is not a word….
@Ryan1919 Yeah I know that just wasnt think I was mad but thanks lol