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).
#2: MADISON RAYNE
LAST YEAR: — 2008: –
Much like Layla’s rise in the Divas division, 2010 was the year of the Rayne in TNA. After Angelina Love’s release in September 2009, Rayne found herself becoming the leader of The Beautiful People going into 2010, despite Velvet Sky being one of the group’s founding members. Finding her feet in TNA, Rayne has gone onto become a three-time Knockouts Champion within the span of 12 months and pretty much the queen bee in the company.
Rayne’s ascension to Knockout glory began in January when Angelina Love returned to TNA, turning babyface and feuding with Rayne and her Beautiful cohorts. Rayne led her group to victory in March as she, Velvet and Lacey won the Knockouts Tag Team Championships. Not content with just that, Rayne pinned Tara in a ‘Winner Take All’ tag team cage match in April, becoming the Knockouts Champion effectively allowing The Beautiful People to hold all the Knockouts gold. Rayne made history as the first Knockout to hold both belts simultaneously.
In May, Madison became known as the ‘Career Killer’ when she put her belt up on the line against Tara at Sacrifice with the stipulation that if Tara lost, her TNA career would be over. After ending Tara’s career, she also eliminated on-off Knockout, Roxxi from the company in June at Slammiversary in a second ‘Title vs Career’ match.
But it would be her constant rival Angelina Love that put an end to Rayne’s reign of terror at Victory Road, when she defeated Madison for the belt via disqualification due to interference from a mystery figure who the referee believed to be Velvet Sky or Lacey Von Erich. As per the rules of the bout, should either interfere, the belt would change hands. As the referee couldn’t prove that it was either Velvet or Lacey under the mysterious biker helmet, the belt was handed back to Rayne for her second championship run. That run would only last a mere three weeks however, as Love pinned Madison fair and square for the title on a special episode of Impact in August.
With her new alignment with the Mystery Biker Chick, tensions mounted within the Beautiful camp as Velvet and Lacey claimed she had developed an attitude and were wary of her friendship with the mysterious biker. After calling a truce, things came to a head as Madison and the biker inadvertently cost Velvet and Lacey the Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
Soon the original Beautiful People reunited and teamed to face Rayne and the biker, who were victorious. In an unmasking, it was revealed that the biker was none other than Tara, the woman that Rayne had retired months back. Rayne had brought her back to TNA to benefit her own career, it was revealed. This was none more so evident than when Tara won the Knockouts Championship at Bound for Glory in October, but then laid down and allowed Rayne to win the belt from her just a week later on Impact as she ‘owed her career’ to Rayne.
The reign of Rayne continued right throught the end of the year, as she ends 2010 as Knockouts Champion. After aiding her partner, Tara, in her feud with Mickie James, James’ sights are now set on the champion going into 2011.
In 2010, Madison Rayne proved to the world that she is the top Knockout in TNA. Her metamorphosis from Angelina and Velvet’s lackey into bratty, shouty heel queen has made her into the success story of the Knockouts division in TNA and perhaps one of the top success stories in TNA as a whole.
Going into 2011 with her belt firmly around her waist and a feud with the world-famous Mickie James in effect, it’s good to be Madison Rayne.
Check back later for #1
Catch up on: the 2008 list, the 2009 list
17 Comments
at 10:58 pm
Not to sound like a broken record but pefect choice again Melanie. Her success this year is amazing seeing as how in 2009 she was a total jobber. Great on the mic and very good in the ring, I just don’t think we’ve seen her talent in-the-ring too much due to her charecter. Anyway 2011 I hope the tag titles are in her future and eventually tara break free of her. I’m not sure if I want her to turn face now but if I did I would hold that until late 2011 or early 2012.
at 11:17 pm
madison come out of her shell in 2010 and grown as a character very good.
at 11:25 pm
yay madison! #2! angelina was hurt and “the new girl ran with the ball” knockout champ- redunkulously hot photos- unbeaweavble heel denial mic skills-line of the year-”you look like Pocahontas” best fan sign “the rayne came down and washed the spider out” did i mention her pics umm and let’s be honest she took velvet’s spot as heir apparent to angelina – congrats madison!!!
at 11:28 pm
so Michelle mcCool will be number 1..
at 12:06 am
Loser Rayne! LOL I use to call her that when she was on her loosing streak when she was first in TNA! Altho I cant take her seriously & I dont think she is that a good of a wrestler , she dosent really impress me. I am glad tho TNA ddnt waste her talent and had her loose still….Blah! Ne wayz….. Madsion’s Days as Champ r numbered!!!!
at 12:32 am
I lovve madison!!!!
at 12:48 am
I can’t help but feel we’ve watched a star grow this year, and it’s been great watching her grow and grow and now she’s fully grown, there really is no stopping Madison. She’s really came into her own, and thats made me think of her as a completley different Knockout. One of the most talented Knockouts on the roster, Madison deffinatley deserved to make the list.
Oh, and lets not forget “You are Bound for failure!” – Madi!
at 1:15 am
i find her rise in tna pretty amazing. she went from not winning a match for what felt like a year and many of us being ocnvinced she was a natural face to what she is now. was definitely madison’s year.
at 1:16 am
Madison really deserved this ranking. She went from jobber to champ very easily and proved me wrong in the process. I never thought I would buy her as a heel but she has really proved she can do it. Concrats to her
at 1:35 am
bound for failure ha hahaha hahha ha hah haha ^..^ hardcore pocahontas
at 2:40 am
Madison rayne isn’t great in the ring, but she’s decent enough that better workers can carry her to a good match. But where she shines is her personality. I don’t know if she’s allowed to ad-lib her one-liners or if she’s just that talented running lines, but it’s a rare impact where she doesn’t get off a zinger or two.
at 2:51 am
In my opinion, she’s the best heel in mainstream wrestling at the moment. Amazing character, amazing promos, and some of the best lines of the year. And unlike Lay-Cool who were joined by the hip the entire year, Madison has stood out as a character on her own, and her push in TNA was really well deserved.
She obviously has a lot more potential in the ring than her current heel move set allows her. Be nice to see it expanded next year to be a lot more formidable. She should keep that weird leg grappling head smashing into the mat move she does though lol.
Fact is, she can easily play her babyface character as well, and you can expect some real longevity in her career as she is still only 24, and has an undeniable passion for wrestling. She somewhat reminds me of Mickie James’ career in that respect, except Madison has gotten her big break earlier. I’m really hopeful she’ll be able to deliver just as well this new year, and continue to develop all aspects of her character.
at 4:49 am
Madison deserves this.. she has been pretty much present in TNA the whole year
at 2:44 pm
I miss Lacey Von Erich!!! XD
at 3:11 pm
2010in TNA was Madisons year.
Im guessing Michelle is #1.
at 3:31 pm
I’m glad.. she deserved it. Also, she looks beautiful in that picture.
at 4:55 pm
I like Madison Rayne about as much as I like Layla. I think she is overrated and undeserving of the spot here. Mickie James is clearly the best TNA Knockout. Tara is also far better than her but I guess since Madison defeated Tara and is the current Champ she wins. I also agree that she looks good in her picture as I forgot to mention when I commented on Layla’s spot. Still, Madison is a lousy wrestler and an annoying personality. Did she win because she sprayed Mickie James with the fire extinguisher in the men’s room? I don’t know, but I know Mickie James and Tara are better and I like to think that Cookie, SoCal Val and Velvet Sky are too.