It’s that time of year once again: the Perfect 10 is back to count down the top 10 Divas and Knockouts of 2010. Based on their year’s successes, we’ve compiled (as best we can) the ten Divas and Knockouts we feel gave us a 2010 to remember in WWE and TNA. Check back over the next five days to see the countdown unfold, with the #1 being revealed on New Year’s Eve (Friday).
#8: BETH PHOENIX
LAST YEAR: — 2008: #2
Perhaps the most inspirational Diva of 2010, Beth Phoenix went through hell and back with a grueling 6 months on the shelf due to injury, but you wouldn’t know it when you rack up her accomplishments this year.
In January, the Glamazon became only the second woman to compete in the Royal Rumble match and made quite the impact, eliminating The Great Khali in the 30-man match. Over a decade after Chyna first appeared in the Rumble, Beth Phoenix really did prove to be, in the words of Matt Striker, the 21st Century Femme Fatale with her awe-inspiring appearance.
Beth quickly solidified herself as a babyface on SmackDown, the first time in her WWE career, not counting that brief stint in 2006. Showing signs of being a tweener during the Mickie James/Lay-Cool feud, Phoenix eventually made a complete turn feuding with the dastardly Diva duo after a series of snide comments about her femininity — or if you believe Lay-Cool — lack thereof.
Phoenix, along with Michelle McCool, made history in April, competing in the first ever Extreme Makeover Match in which she was victorious and captured her third Women’s Championship. The era of the Glamazon, it seemed, was upon us but disaster struck as Beth suffered an ACL tear during a match with Rosa Mendes on WWE Superstars. In a moment of heartbreak for her fans, Beth dropped the title in front of a hometown crowd in May, saying goodbye to the WWE Universe for six long months.
Fast forward to November and the Survivor Series and we saw the culmination of six months of intense rehabilitation: the Fabulous Firebird returned in fine form, taking out Lay-Cool following their Divas Championship loss to Natalya. In one of the most picture perfect highlights of 2010, Beth and Natalya embraced as tears streamed — not only from the two Divas, but many a Diva fan too.
In December, Beth made more history by competing in the first ever Divas Tag Team Tables Match, where she and Natalya were victorious.
Despite a lengthy absence, 2010 was quite the Glamtastic year for Beth Phoenix; a successful babyface turn, the Royal Rumble, two ‘first evers’ in her match history and of course, a Women’s Championship run.
2011 will no doubt see Beth strive for a new goal, however. One that she has yet to accomplish: Divas Champion.
Check back tomorrow for #7
Catch up on: the 2008 list, the 2009 list
20 Comments
at
Perfect spot for Beth Phoenix, But I feel If she wasn’t injured she would’ve ranked higher on the list. But happy for her.
at
Despite the injury this year, Beth has a really good year. Way to go Beth.
at
I really thought Beth would be more higher… but Im happy she’s in the list :D
at
I really hope Melina isn’t higher than Beth.
at
Despite missing all that time, Beth had a year most female performers would envy. From RR to Extreme Makeover to her triumphant return at Survivor Series to TLC, she was made history.
WWE.com has a nice video interview with Beth about her injury and rehab. Check it out.
Beth v Natalya at WM, make it happen Vince!
at
If she hadn’t been on the shelf for 6 months, you probably could have made a case for her being top 3 at least.
at
Good spot for Beth. She was out for more than half the year, so it wouldn’t have made much sense to put her any higher.
at
Perfect place for Beth. Still not buying the face act. Hope she’s the one that turns heel if her and Nattie eventually feud. I also feel the need to tweak the ” WWE Glamazon ” gimmick a little more and make it similar to ” OVW Glamazon/The Phoenix” gimmick she had in OVW. Which I guess was similar but a little more brutal.
at
beth is amazing she deserved to be on this list & shes inspiring…glad shes back & in fine form too.
at
The Divas seem to have already defeated the Knockouts, unless TNA somehow gets 4 of the top 5 positions (unlikely). Lay-Cool will probably be paired together in the rankings though.
Hard to see what Beth is going to do on Smackdown with Lay-Cool, I think that feud has been a little overplayed. Beth should be over on Raw feuding with Natalya while Melina goes to Smackdown hopefully to vanquish Lay-Cool forever (stipulation match where if Lay-Cool loses they must split up between the brands and see how they fare on their own).
It’s either this or they hasten the Lay-Cool breakup. While the Lay-Cool pairing never quite got completely over, it’s actually put them both over individually more than they were able to achieve alone. Hopefully WWE will actually use their break up to create some new dynamics with the Divas.
Beth certainly deserved her place on the list. Extremely inspirational person! Hope the phoenix is reborn next year and rises to a championship!
at
Beth <3
at
I didn’t put down Beth Phoenix on my list of the Perfect 10 but I do know she deserves a spot. I think 8 is a fair place for her and I know she might have been a lot higher, had she not been injured. Beth is one of the best technical wrestlers, and surely the strongest of all the women in the WWE. I’m glad she made it and I’m curious to see who else is left.
at
This was the year I feel the WWE universe fell in love with Beth Phoenix. She is a unique force of nature.
at
Great write-up!
at
I think Beth deffinatley deserves this spot, sure she may have been injured most of this year however her feud with Laycool before her injury was very entertaining, and her face turn. And despite only returning a few weeks ago, she’s doing pretty well. I’m very impressed with her, perhaps if she wasn’t injured she’d be in the top 5.
at
I think thta was the perfect spot for her she did a lot this year. I think after Nattie fueds with Melina i think Melina should come out on top and fued with Beth or Gail sooo there might be Beths title run.
at
I love Beth whether she’s a Heel or Face, she pulls off both very well. I would of liked to of seen her a bit higher, but the injury did set her back a bit this year. None the less, she’s an amazing performer and I’m sure they’ll be lots of Beth in 2011.
at
I think most of you have it right as the spot for Beth. Being # 8 after the year she’s had is remarkable to say the least. Yes Beth might have been higher had not it been for her injury but I look at this way.The injury and what she went through has put Beth in the spot light as far as a Magazine article Magazine Janaury 2011 2 page spread ain’t too bad. Coming back almost 6 months to the day of he Surgery May 21st and coming back on Pay Per VIew when so few diva’s can even get them selves on.And has had in little over 5 weeks 2 pay per views and gotten her self in a very good position on WWE ‘s Power 25 . Week in and Week. Just attests to Beth ‘s over all attitued and strength.And Beth is now very over as a Dominant Face Diva. CAn’t wait to see what 2011 holds for Beth.WWE had sure done good job of giveing Beth some great Press over all.And this injury has shown just how tough Beth really is. Can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Beth in the year 2011. CAn’t wait.!
at
beth earn it n yes it could been a little higher if it wasn’t for her injury.hope beth have a new competion other than laycool because the two is getting boring and old . my prediction is 2011 in wwe well be the year of the glamazon.
i wounder if diva dirt team ranking the ko’s or this year well be only divas i hope not.
at
yaya heres for a feud with Natalya
oh yeah